Edgar Filing: WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)




ý		Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
		For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016 or

o		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: 001-32550

WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		88-0365922
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)



One E. Washington Street Suite 1400, Phoenix, AZ		85004
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(602) 389-3500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý

As of April 25, 2016, Western Alliance Bancorporation had 103,510,488 shares of common stock outstanding.

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INDEX



		Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	4
	Consolidated Income Statements	5
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	6
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	7
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	8
	Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	10
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	55
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	79
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	81

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	82
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	82
Item 5.	Other Information	82
Item 6.	Exhibits	83

SIGNATURES		84

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PART I

GLOSSARY OF ENTITIES AND TERMS

The acronyms and abbreviations identified below are used in various sections of this Form 10-Q, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in Item 2 and the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item I of this Form 10-Q.



ENTITIES:
AAB	Alliance Association Bank	FIB	First Independent Bank
ABA	Alliance Bank of Arizona	LVSP	Las Vegas Sunset Properties
BON	Bank of Nevada	TPB	Torrey Pines Bank
Bridge	Bridge Bank	WAB or Bank	Western Alliance Bank
Centennial	Centennial Bank	WAL or Parent	Western Alliance Bancorporation
Company	Western Alliance Bancorporation and subsidiaries	Western Liberty	Western Liberty Bancorp
TERMS:
AFS	Available-for-Sale	HOA	Homeowner Associations
ALCO	Asset and Liability Management Committee	HTM	Held-to-Maturity
AOCI	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	ICS	Insured Cash Sweep Service
ASC	Accounting Standards Codification	IRC	Internal Revenue Code
ASU	Accounting Standards Update	ISDA	International Swaps and Derivatives Association
ATM	At-the-Market	LIBOR	London Interbank Offered Rate
BOD	Board of Directors	LIHTC	Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
CAMELS	Capital Adequacy, Assets, Management Capability, Earnings, Liquidity, Sensitivity	MBS	Mortgage-Backed Securities
CDARS	Certificate Deposit Account Registry Service	NBL	National Business Lines
CDO	Collateralized Debt Obligation	NOL	Net Operating Loss
CEO	Chief Executive Officer	NPV	Net Present Value
CFO	Chief Financial Officer	NUBILs	Net Unrealized Built In Losses
CRA	Community Reinvestment Act	OCI	Other Comprehensive Income
CRE	Commercial Real Estate	OREO	Other Real Estate Owned
EPS	Earnings per share	OTTI	Other-than-Temporary Impairment
EVE	Economic Value of Equity	PCI	Purchased Credit Impaired
Exchange Act	Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended	PPNR	Pre-Provision Net Revenue
FASB	Financial Accounting Standards Board	SBA	Small Business Administration
FDIC	Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation	SBIC	Small Business Investment Company
FHLB	Federal Home Loan Bank	SEC	Securities and Exchange Commission
FRB	Federal Reserve Bank	SERP	Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
FVO	Fair Value Option adjustment on junior subordinated debt	SSAE	Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements
GAAP	U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles	TDR	Troubled Debt Restructuring
GSE	Government-Sponsored Enterprise	TEB	Tax Equivalent Basis
HFI	Held-for-Investment	XBRL	eXtensible Business Reporting Language
HFS	Held-for-Sale

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Item 1.	Financial Statements

WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(Unaudited)
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	136,685		$	133,709
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions	894,292			90,931
Cash and cash equivalents	1,030,977			224,640
Money market investments	5,920			122
Investment securities - measured at fair value; amortized cost of $1,294 at March 31, 2016 and $1,389 at December 31, 2015	1,381			1,481
Investment securities - AFS, at fair value; amortized cost of $1,979,368 at March 31, 2016 and $1,966,034 at December 31, 2015	2,012,820			1,982,523
Investment securities - HTM, at amortized cost; fair value of $22,024 at March 31, 2016 and $0 at December 31, 2015	21,514			—
Investments in restricted stock, at cost	58,235			58,111
Loans - HFS	23,603			23,809
Loans - HFI, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,217,860			11,112,854
Less: allowance for credit losses	(119,227		)	(119,068		)
Net loans held for investment	11,098,633			10,993,786
Premises and equipment, net	119,759			118,535
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	52,776			43,942
Bank owned life insurance	163,388			162,458
Goodwill	288,943			289,638
Other intangible assets, net	15,019			15,716
Deferred tax assets, net	73,979			86,352
Other assets	281,092			273,976
Total assets	$	15,248,039		$	14,275,089
Liabilities:
Deposits:
Non-interest-bearing demand	$	4,635,172		$	4,093,976
Interest-bearing	8,446,483			7,936,648
Total deposits	13,081,655			12,030,624
Customer repurchase agreements	36,106			38,155
Other borrowings	200			150,000
Qualifying debt	210,447			210,328
Other liabilities	259,468			254,480
Total liabilities	13,587,876			12,683,587
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock - par value $0.0001; 200,000,000 authorized; 104,799,300 shares issued at March 31, 2016 and 104,082,230 at December 31, 2015	10			10
Additional paid in capital	1,328,678			1,323,473
Treasury stock, at cost (1,285,618 shares at March 31, 2016 and 995,186 shares at December 31, 2015)	(25,828		)	(16,879		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	33,333			22,260
Retained earnings	323,970			262,638
Total stockholders’ equity	1,660,163			1,591,502
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	15,248,039		$	14,275,089

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest and dividend income:
Loans, including fees	$	139,786		$	100,391
Investment securities	12,026			8,513
Dividends	2,013			2,005
Other	431			53
Total interest income	154,256			110,962
Interest expense:
Deposits	6,243			5,146
Qualifying debt	2,184			441
Other borrowings	102			2,244
Other	16			23
Total interest expense	8,545			7,854
Net interest income	145,711			103,108
Provision for credit losses	2,500			700
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	143,211			102,408
Non-interest income:
Service charges and fees	4,466			2,889
Lending related income and gains (losses) on sale of loans, net	3,941			201
Card income	1,013			813
Gain (loss) on sales of investment securities, net	1,001			589
Income from bank owned life insurance	930			977
Other income	1,782			773
Total non-interest income	13,133			6,242
Non-interest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits	44,855			32,541
Occupancy	6,257			4,813
Legal, professional, and directors' fees	5,572			3,995
Data processing	4,561			3,126
Insurance	3,323			2,090
Loan and repossessed asset expenses	902			1,090
Card expense	887			474
Intangible amortization	697			281
Marketing	657			377
Net (gain) loss on sales / valuations of repossessed and other assets	(302		)	(351		)
Acquisition / restructure expense	—			159
Other expense	8,084			5,438
Total non-interest expense	75,493			54,033
Income before provision for income taxes	80,851			54,617
Income tax expense	19,519			14,234
Net income	61,332			40,383
Dividends on preferred stock	—			176
Net income available to common stockholders	$	61,332		$	40,207

Earnings per share available to common stockholders:
Basic	0.60			0.46
Diluted	0.60			0.45
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	101,895			87,941
Diluted	102,538			88,452
Dividends declared per common share	$	—		$	—

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Net income	$	61,332		$	40,383
Other comprehensive income (loss), net:
Unrealized gain (loss) on AFS securities, net of tax effect of $(4,501) and $(4,277), respectively	11,019			7,153
Unrealized gain (loss) on SERP, net of tax effect of $(2) and zero, respectively	6			—
Unrealized gain (loss) on junior subordinated debt, net of tax effect of $(453) and $115, respectively	759			(194		)
Realized (gain) loss on sale of AFS securities included in income, net of tax effect of $290 and $220, respectively	(711		)	(369		)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	11,073			6,590
Comprehensive income	$	72,405		$	46,973

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)



	Preferred Stock			Common Stock Outstanding				Additional Paid in Capital		Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Retained Earnings			Total Stockholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares		Amount		Additional Paid in Capital		Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Retained Earnings			Total Stockholders’ Equity
	(all amounts in thousands)
Balance, January 1, 2015 (1)	71	$	70,500	88,691		$	9	$	837,603	$	(9,276	)	$	32,948	$	69,144		$	1,000,928
Net income	—	—		—		—		—		—			—		40,383			40,383
Exercise of stock options	—	—		51		—		793		—			—		—			793
Restricted stock, performance stock units, and other grants, net	—	—		691		—		9,699		—			—		—			9,699
Restricted stock surrendered	—	—		(253	)	—		—		(6,888		)	—		—			(6,888		)
Dividends on preferred stock	—	—		—		—		—		—			—		(176		)	(176		)
Other comprehensive income, net	—	—		—		—		—		—			6,590		—			6,590
Balance, March 31, 2015	71	$	70,500	89,180		$	9	$	848,095	$	(16,164	)	$	39,538	$	109,351		$	1,051,329

Balance, December 31, 2015	—	$	—	103,087		$	10	$	1,323,473	$	(16,879	)	$	22,260	$	262,638		$	1,591,502
Net income	—	—		—		—		—		—			—		61,332			61,332
Exercise of stock options	—	—		39		—		305		—			—		—			305
Restricted stock, performance stock units, and other grants, net	—	—		678		—		4,900		—			—		—			4,900
Restricted stock surrendered	—	—		(290	)	—		—		(8,949		)	—		—			(8,949		)
Other comprehensive income, net	—	—		—		—		—		—			11,073		—			11,073
Balance, March 31, 2016	—	$	—	103,514		$	10	$	1,328,678	$	(25,828	)	$	33,333	$	323,970		$	1,660,163

(1) As adjusted, see Treasury Shares section in "Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for further discussion.

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	61,332		$	40,383
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for credit losses	2,500			700
Depreciation and amortization	2,606			2,115
Stock-based compensation	5,394			4,129
Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation	(3,871		)	(4,579		)
Deferred income taxes	4,887			208
Amortization of net premiums for investment securities	2,766			2,030
Accretion of fair market value adjustments on loans acquired from business combinations	(5,315		)	(1,478		)
Accretion and amortization of fair market value adjustments on other assets and liabilities acquired from business combinations, net	774			78
Income from bank owned life insurance	(930		)	(977		)
(Gains) / Losses on:
Sales of investment securities	(1,001		)	(589		)
Sale of loans	(2,671		)	(201		)
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	(160		)	(1,115		)
Valuation adjustments of other repossessed assets, net	(177		)	786
Sale of premises, equipment, and other assets, net	35			(22		)
Changes in:
Other assets	21,271			12,555
Other liabilities	(16,125		)	18,564
Net cash provided by operating activities	71,315			72,587
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment securities - measured at fair value
Principal pay downs and maturities	95			65
Investment securities - AFS
Purchases	(128,101		)	(1,000		)
Principal pay downs and maturities	78,751			53,172
Proceeds from sales	34,304			78,040
Investment securities - HTM
Purchases	(21,514		)	—
Purchase of investment tax credits	(6,782		)	(9,381		)
(Purchase) sale of money market investments, net	(5,798		)	(212		)
(Purchase) liquidation of restricted stock	(124		)	(26,499		)
Loan fundings and principal collections, net	(105,402		)	(440,408		)
Purchase of premises, equipment, and other assets, net	(3,086		)	(2,237		)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets, net	2,141			1,440
Net cash used in investing activities	(155,516		)	(347,020		)

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	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in deposits	$	1,051,031		$	731,374
Net (decrease) increase in borrowings	(151,849		)	(122,664		)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	305			793
Cash paid for tax withholding on vested restricted stock	(8,949		)	(6,888		)
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock	—			(176		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	890,538			602,439
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	806,337			328,006
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	224,640			164,396
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,030,977		$	492,402
Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	13,892		$	11,499
Income tax (refunds) payments	(6,278		)	1,657
Non-cash investing and financing activity:
Transfers to other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	10,638			7,720
Change in unfunded LIHTC and SBIC commitments	26,961			(2,000		)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on AFS securities, net of tax	10,308			6,784
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on TRUP securities, net of tax	759			(194		)
Change in unfunded obligations	19,930			30

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of operation

WAL is a bank holding company headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware. WAL provides a full spectrum of deposit, lending, treasury management, and online banking products and services through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, WAB.

WAB operates the following full-service banking divisions: ABA in Arizona, BON and FIB in Nevada, Bridge in Northern California, and TPB in Southern California. The Company also serves business customers through a national platform of specialized financial services including AAB, Corporate Finance, Equity Fund Resources, Life Sciences Group, Mortgage Warehouse Lending, Public and Nonprofit Finance, Renewable Resource Group, Resort Finance, and Technology Finance. In addition, the Company has one non-bank subsidiary, LVSP, which holds and manages certain non-performing loans and OREO.

Basis of presentation

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company are in accordance with GAAP and conform to practices within the financial services industry. The accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are included in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management evaluates these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and bases its estimates on experience, current and expected future conditions, third-party evaluations and various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions used in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for credit losses; estimated cash flows related to PCI loans; fair value determinations related to acquisitions and other assets and liabilities carried at fair value; and accounting for income taxes.

Principles of consolidation

As of March 31, 2016, WAL has ten wholly-owned subsidiaries: WAB, LVSP, and eight unconsolidated subsidiaries used as business trusts in connection with the issuance of trust-preferred securities.

The Bank has the following significant wholly-owned subsidiaries: WAB Investments, Inc., BON Investments, Inc., and TPB Investments, Inc., which hold certain investment securities, municipal and nonprofit loans, and leases; and BW Real Estate, Inc., which operates as a real estate investment trust and holds certain of WAB's real estate loans and related securities.

The Company does not have any other significant entities that should be considered for consolidation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2015 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. The reclassifications have no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity as previously reported.

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Interim financial information

The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 have been prepared in condensed format and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These statements have been prepared on a basis that is substantially consistent with the accounting principles applied to the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The information furnished in these interim statements reflects all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for each respective period presented. Such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations in the interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other quarter or for the full year. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements

Business combinations

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes all of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. To the extent the fair value of net assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, exceeds the purchase price, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. Changes to estimated fair values from a business combination are recognized as an adjustment to goodwill during the measurement period and are recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Results of operations of an acquired business are included in the Consolidated Income Statement from the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion and restructuring charges, are expensed as incurred.

Investment securities

Investment securities may be classified as HTM, AFS, or measured at fair value. The appropriate classification is initially decided at the time of purchase. Securities classified as HTM are those debt securities that the Company has both the intent and ability to hold to maturity regardless of changes in market conditions, liquidity needs, or general economic conditions. These securities are carried at amortized cost. The sale of a security within three months of its maturity date or after the majority of the principal outstanding has been collected is considered a maturity for purposes of classification and disclosure.

In May 2014, management reassessed its intent to hold certain CDOs classified as HTM, which necessitated a reclassification of all of the Company's HTM securities to AFS at the date of the transfer. As an extended period of time has passed since this reclassification was made, management believes that the Company is again able to assert as of March 31, 2016 that it has both the intent and ability to hold certain securities classified as HTM to maturity. See "Note 2. Investment Securities" of these Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail related to HTM securities.

Securities classified as AFS or trading securities measured at fair value are reported as an asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their estimated fair value. As the fair value of AFS securities changes, the changes are reported net of income tax as an element of OCI, except for other-than-temporarily-impaired securities. When AFS securities are sold, the unrealized gain or loss is reclassified from OCI to non-interest income. The changes in the fair values of trading securities are reported in non-interest income. Securities classified as AFS are both equity and debt securities that the Company intends to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity. Any decision to sell a security classified as AFS would be based on various factors, including significant movements in interest rates, changes in the maturity mix of the Company’s assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, decline in credit quality, and regulatory capital considerations.

Interest income is recognized based on the coupon rate and increased by accretion of discounts earned or decreased by the amortization of premiums paid over the contractual life of the security, adjusted for prepayment estimates, using the interest method.

In estimating whether there are any OTTI losses, management considers the 1) length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost; 2) financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer; 3) impact of changes in market interest rates; and 4) intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value and whether it is not more likely than not the Company would be required to sell the security.

Declines in the fair value of individual AFS debt securities that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings when identified. The fair value of the debt security then becomes the new cost basis. For individual debt securities where the

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Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the other-than-temporary decline in fair value of the debt security related to 1) credit loss is recognized in earnings; and 2) interest rate, market, or other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income or loss.

For individual debt securities where the Company either intends to sell the security or more likely than not will not recover all of its amortized cost, the OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the security's cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For individual debt securities for which a credit loss has been recognized in earnings, interest accruals and amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts are suspended when the credit loss is recognized. Interest received after accruals have been suspended is recognized on a cash basis.

Restricted stock

On January 30, 2015, WAB became a member of the Federal Reserve System and, as part of its membership, is required to maintain stock in the FRB in a specified ratio to its capital. In addition, WAB is a member of the FHLB system and, accordingly, maintains an investment in capital stock of the FHLB based on the borrowing capacity used. The Bank also maintains an investment in its primary correspondent bank. All of these investments are considered equity securities with no actively traded market. Therefore, the shares are considered restricted investment securities. These investments are carried at cost, which is equal to the value at which they may be redeemed. The dividend income received from the stock is reported in interest income. The Company conducts a periodic review and evaluation of its restricted stock to determine if any impairment exists. No impairment has been recorded to date.

Loans, held for sale

Loans, held for sale consist primarily of SBA and CRE loans that the Company originates (or acquires) and intends to sell. These loans are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Fair value is determined based on available market data for similar assets, expected cash flows, and appraisals of underlying collateral or the credit quality of the borrower. Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recognized pursuant to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing. Interest income of these loans is accrued daily and loan origination fees and costs are deferred and included in the cost basis of the loan. The Company issues various representations and warranties associated with these loan sales. The Company has not experienced any losses as a result of these representations and warranties.

Loans, held for investment

The Company generally holds loans for investment and has the intent and ability to hold loans until their maturity. Therefore, they are reported at book value. Net loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, adjusted for net deferred fees and costs, purchase accounting fair value adjustments, and an allowance for credit losses. In addition, the book value of loans that are subject to a fair value hedge is adjusted for changes in value attributable to the effective portion of the hedged benchmark interest rate risk.

The Company may also acquire loans through a business combination. These acquired loans are recorded at estimated fair value on the date of purchase, which is comprised of unpaid principal adjusted for estimated credit losses and interest rate fair value adjustments. Loans are evaluated individually to determine if there has been credit deterioration since origination. Such loans may then be aggregated and accounted for as a pool of loans based on common characteristics. When the Company acquires such loans, the yield that may be accreted (accretable yield) is limited to the excess of the Company’s estimate of undiscounted cash flows expected to be collected over the Company’s initial investment in the loan. The excess of contractual cash flows over the cash flows expected to be collected may not be recognized as an adjustment to yield, loss, or a valuation allowance. Subsequent increases in cash flows expected to be collected generally are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the loan’s yield over the remaining life. Subsequent decreases to cash flows expected to be collected are recognized as impairment. The Company may not carry over or create a valuation allowance in the initial accounting for loans acquired under these circumstances. For purchased loans that are not deemed impaired, fair value adjustments attributable to both credit and interest rates are accreted (or amortized) over the contractual life of the individual loan. For additional information, see "Note 3. Loans, Leases and Allowance for Credit Losses" of these Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Loan fees collected for the origination of loans less direct loan origination costs (net deferred loan fees) are amortized over the contractual life of the loan through interest income. If the loan has scheduled payments, the amortization of the net deferred loan fee is calculated using the interest method over the contractual life of the loan. If the loan does not have scheduled payments, such as a line of credit, the net deferred loan fee is recognized as interest income on a straight-line basis over the contractual life of the loan commitment. Commitment fees based on a percentage of a customer’s unused line of credit and fees

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related to standby letters of credit are recognized over the commitment period. When loans are repaid, any remaining unamortized balances of premiums, discounts, or net deferred fees are recognized as interest income.

Non-accrual loans: For all loan types except credit cards, when a borrower discontinues making payments as contractually required by the note, the Company must determine whether it is appropriate to continue to accrue interest. The Company ceases accruing interest income when the loan has become delinquent by more than 90 days or when management determines that the full repayment of principal and collection of interest according to contractual terms is no longer likely. The Company may decide to continue to accrue interest on certain loans more than 90 days delinquent if the loans are well secured by collateral and in the process of collection. Credit card loans and other personal loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days delinquent.

For all loan types, when a loan is placed on non-accrual status, all interest accrued but uncollected is reversed against interest income in the period in which the status is changed and, the Company makes a loan-level decision to apply either the cash basis or cost recovery method. The Company recognizes income on a cash basis only for those non-accrual loans for which the collection of the remaining principal balance is not in doubt. Under the cost recovery method, subsequent payments received from the customer are applied to principal and generally no further interest income is recognized until the principal has been paid in full or until circumstances have changed such that payments are again consistently received as contractually required.

Impaired loans: A loan is identified as impaired when it is no longer probable that interest and principal will be collected according to the contractual terms of the original loan agreement. Generally, impaired loans are classified as non-accrual. However, in certain instances, impaired loans may continue on an accrual basis, if full repayment of all principal and interest is expected and the loan is both well secured and in the process of collection. Impaired loans are measured for reserve requirements in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables, based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less applicable disposition costs if the loan is collateral dependent. The amount of an impairment reserve, if any, and any subsequent changes are recorded as a provision for credit losses. Losses are recorded as a charge-off when losses are confirmed. In addition to management's internal loan review process, regulators may from time to time direct the Company to modify loan grades, loan impairment calculations, or loan impairment methodology.

Troubled Debt Restructured Loans: A TDR loan is a loan on which the Company, for reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider. The loan terms that have been modified or restructured due to a borrower’s financial situation include, but are not limited to, a reduction in the stated interest rate, an extension of the maturity or renewal of the loan at an interest rate below current market, a reduction in the face amount of the debt, a reduction in the accrued interest, or deferral of interest payments. A TDR loan is also considered impaired. A TDR loan may be returned to accrual status when the loan is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual restructured terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual restructured principal and interest is no longer in doubt. However, such loans continue to be considered impaired. Consistent with regulatory guidance, a TDR loan that is subsequently modified in another restructuring agreement but has shown sustained performance and classification as a TDR, will be removed from TDR status provided that the modified terms were market-based at the time of modification.

Allowance for credit losses

Credit risk is inherent in the business of extending loans and leases to borrowers, for which the Company must maintain an adequate allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for credit losses recorded to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for credit losses when management believes that the contractual principal or interest will not be collected. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The allowance is an amount believed adequate to absorb estimated probable losses on existing loans that may become uncollectable, based on evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior credit loss experience, together with other factors. The Company formally re-evaluates and establishes the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses on a quarterly basis.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific allowance applies to impaired loans. For impaired collateral dependent loans, the reserve is calculated based on the collateral value, net of estimated disposition costs. Generally, the Company obtains independent collateral valuation analysis for each loan every twelve months. Loans not collateral dependent are evaluated based on the expected future cash flows discounted at the original contractual interest rate.

The general allowance covers all non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for various qualitative and quantitative factors listed below.

The Company’s allowance for credit loss methodology incorporates several quantitative and qualitative risk factors used to establish the appropriate allowance for credit losses at each reporting date. Quantitative factors include: 1) the Company's

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historical loss experience; 2) levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; 3) levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; 4) trends in volume and terms of loans; 5) changes in underwriting standards or lending policies; 6) experience, ability, depth of lending staff; 7) national and local economic trends and conditions; 8) changes in credit concentrations; 9) out-of-market exposures; 10) changes in quality of loan review system; and 11) changes in the value of underlying collateral.

An internal ten-year loss history is also incorporated into the allowance calculation model. Due to the credit concentration of the Company's loan portfolio in real estate secured loans, the value of collateral is heavily dependent on real estate values in Nevada, Arizona, and California. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic or other conditions. In addition, regulators, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Bank's allowance for credit losses, and may require the Bank to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examination. Management regularly reviews the assumptions and formulae used in determining the allowance and makes adjustments if required to reflect the current risk profile of the portfolio.

Other assets acquired through foreclosure

Other assets acquired through foreclosure consist primarily of properties acquired as a result of, or in-lieu-of, foreclosure. Properties or other assets (primarily repossessed assets formerly leased) are classified as OREO and other repossessed property and are initially reported at fair value of the asset less estimated selling costs. Subsequent adjustments are based on the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell the property. Costs related to the development or improvement of the assets are capitalized and costs related to holding the assets are charged to non-interest expense. Property is evaluated regularly to ensure the recorded amount is supported by its current fair value and valuation allowances.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

The Company records as goodwill the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in accordance with applicable guidance. The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangibles impairment tests as of October 1 each year, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no events or circumstances that indicated that an interim impairment test of goodwill or other intangible assets was necessary.

Treasury Shares

Effective January 1, 2016, the Company has separately presented treasury shares, which represents shares surrendered to the Company to satisfy statutory payroll tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of employee restricted stock awards. Prior period amounts have been adjusted to reflect this new presentation, with no change in total stockholders' equity. The Company carries treasury shares at cost.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company uses interest-rate swaps to mitigate interest-rate risk associated with changes to 1) the fair value of certain fixed-rate financial instruments (fair value hedges) and 2) certain cash flows related to future interest payments on variable rate financial instruments (cash flow hedges).

The Company recognizes derivatives as assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at their fair value in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and further, on the type of hedging relationship. On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or liability attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivative instruments designated in a hedge relationship to mitigate exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges.

Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated and qualifies as a fair value hedge, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk are recorded in current-period earnings. For a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a cash flow hedge is recognized immediately in non-interest income in the Consolidated Income Statement. Under both the fair value and cash flow hedge scenarios, changes in the fair value of derivatives not considered to be highly effective in hedging the change in fair value or the expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized in earnings as non-interest income during the period of the change.

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The Company documents its hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction at the time the derivative contract is executed. Both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, the Company assesses whether the derivatives used in hedging transactions are highly effective (as defined in the guidance) in offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Retroactive effectiveness is assessed, as well as the continued expectation that the hedge will remain effective prospectively. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that a hedge is no longer highly effective. When hedge accounting is discontinued on a fair value hedge that no longer qualifies as an effective hedge, the derivative continues to be reported at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, but the carrying amount of the hedged item is no longer adjusted for future changes in fair value. The adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item that existed at the date hedge accounting is discontinued is amortized over the remaining life of the hedged item into earnings.

Derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges, so called free-standing derivatives, are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognized in earnings as non-interest income during the period of change.

The Company may in the normal course of business purchase a financial instrument or originate a loan that contains an embedded derivative instrument. Upon purchasing the instrument or originating the loan, the Company assesses whether the economic characteristics of the embedded derivative are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the remaining component of the financial instrument (i.e., the host contract) and whether a separate instrument with the same terms as the embedded instrument would meet the definition of a derivative instrument. When it is determined that the embedded derivative possesses economic characteristics that are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract and a separate instrument with the same terms would qualify as a derivative instrument, the embedded derivative is separated from the host contract and carried at fair value. However, in cases where the host contract is measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reported in current earnings, or the Company is unable to reliably identify and measure an embedded derivative for separation from its host contract, the entire contract is carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at fair value and is not designated as a hedging instrument.

Income taxes

The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and files a consolidated federal income tax return with all of its subsidiaries, with the exception of BW Real Estate, Inc. Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect the effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their income tax bases using enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes.

Net deferred tax assets are recorded to the extent that these assets will more-likely-than-not be realized. In making these determinations, all available positive and negative evidence is considered, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies, projected future taxable income, and recent operating results. If it is determined that deferred income tax assets to be realized in the future are in excess of their net recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance will be recorded, which will reduce the Company's provision for income taxes.

A tax benefit from an unrecognized tax benefit may be recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including related appeals or litigation, based on technical merits. Income tax benefits must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold at the effective date to be recognized.

Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized as part of the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Income Statement. Accrued interest and penalties are included in the related tax liability line with other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. See "Note 11. Income Taxes" of these Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Finance Statements for further discussion on income taxes.

Off-balance sheet instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance sheet financial instrument arrangements consisting of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements when they are funded. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Losses would be experienced when the Company is contractually obligated to make a payment under these instruments and must seek repayment from the borrower, which may not be as financially sound in the current period as they were when the commitment was originally made. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. The Company enters into credit arrangements that generally provide for the termination of advances in the event of a covenant violation or other event of

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default. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the party. The commitments are collateralized by the same types of assets used as loan collateral.

As with outstanding loans, the Company applies qualitative factors and utilization rates to its off-balance sheet obligations in determining an estimate of losses inherent in these contractual obligations. The estimate for credit losses on off-balance sheet instruments is included in other liabilities and the charge to income that establishes this liability is included in non-interest expense.

The Company also has off-balance sheet arrangements related to its derivative instruments. Derivative instruments are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements at fair value and their notional values are carried off-balance sheet. See "Note 9. Derivatives and Hedging Activities" of these Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Finance Statements for further discussion.

Fair values of financial instruments

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities. ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurement as well as enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The Company uses various valuation approaches, including market, income, and/or cost approaches. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions about the factors market participants would consider in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs, as follows:


•	Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

•

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, volatilities, etc.) or model-based valuation techniques where all significant assumptions are observable, either directly or indirectly, in the market.

•

Level 3 - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques where one or more significant inputs are not observable, either directly or indirectly, in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques may include use of matrix pricing, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.

The availability of observable inputs varies based on the nature of the specific financial instrument. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Company in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant who may purchase the asset or assume the liability rather than an entity-specific measure. When market assumptions are available, ASC 820 requires the Company to make assumptions regarding the assumptions that market participants would use to estimate the fair value of the financial instrument at the measurement date.

ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

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Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent limitations in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction at March 31, 2016 and 2015. The estimated fair value amounts for March 31, 2016 and 2015 have been measured as of period-end, and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these Consolidated Financial Statements subsequent to those dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the reporting date may be different than the amounts reported at period-end.

The information in "Note 13. Fair Value Accounting" in these Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only required for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities.

Due to the wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimate, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies or banks may not be meaningful.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and due from banks approximate their fair value.

Money market investments

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for money market investments approximate their fair value.

Investment securities

The fair values of CRA investments, mutual funds, and exchange-listed preferred stock are based on quoted market prices and are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair values of other investment securities were determined based on matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique that utilizes observable market inputs including, for example, yield curves, credit ratings, and prepayment speeds. Fair values determined using matrix pricing are generally categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company owns certain CDOs for which quoted prices are not available. Quoted prices for similar assets are also not available for these investment securities. In order to determine the fair value of these securities, the Company engages a third party to estimate the future cash flows and discount rate using third party quotes adjusted based on assumptions a market participant would assume necessary for each specific security. As a result of the lack of an active market, the resulting fair values have been categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Restricted stock

WAB is a member of the Federal Reserve System and the FHLB and, accordingly, maintains investments in the capital stock of the FRB and the FHLB. WAB also maintains an investment in its primary correspondent bank. These investments are carried at cost since no ready market exists for them, and they have no quoted market value. The Company conducts a periodic review and evaluation of its restricted stock to determine if any impairment exists. The fair values of these investments have been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Loans

The fair value of loans is estimated based on discounted cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality and adjustments that the Company believes a market participant would consider in determining fair value based on a third party independent valuation. As a result, the fair value for certain loans is categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, excluding impaired loans which are categorized as Level 3.

Accrued interest receivable and payable

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for accrued interest receivable and payable approximate their fair value.

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Derivative financial instruments

All derivatives are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value. The fair value for derivatives is determined based on market prices, broker-dealer quotations on similar products, or other related input parameters. As a result, the fair values have been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Deposits

The fair value disclosed for demand and savings deposits is by definition equal to the amount payable on demand at their reporting date (that is, their carrying amount), which the Company believes a market participant would consider in determining fair value. The carrying amount for variable-rate deposit accounts approximates their fair value. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on these deposits. The fair value measurement of the deposit liabilities is categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

FHLB advances and other borrowed funds

The fair values of the Company’s borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The FHLB advances have been categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy due to their short durations. Other borrowings have been categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Subordinated debt

The fair value of subordinated debt is based on the market rate for the respective subordinated debt security. Subordinated debt has been categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Junior subordinated debt

Junior subordinated debt is valued by comparing the BB Financial over SWAP index and discounting the contractual cash flows on the Company's debt using these market rates. Junior subordinated debt has been categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Off-balance sheet instruments

The fair value of the Company’s off-balance sheet instruments (lending commitments and standby letters of credit) is based on quoted fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements, and the counterparties’ credit standing.

Recent accounting pronouncements

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. The amendments in ASU 2014-12 to Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, provide explicit guidance on whether to treat a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period as a performance condition that affects vesting or as a nonvesting condition that affects the grant-date fair value of an award. The amendments are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity may elect to apply the amendments either prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern. The amendments in ASU 2014-15 to Subtopic 205-40, Going Concern, provide guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The amendments require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. The amendments are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The amendments in ASU 2015-02 to Topic 810, Consolidation, change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. Specifically, the amendments modify the evaluation of

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whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships, and provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity may apply the amendments in this Update using a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption or, may apply the amendments retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes. The amendments in ASU 2015-17 to Topic 740, Income Taxes, changes the presentation of deferred income tax liabilities and assets, from previously bifurcated current and noncurrent, to a single noncurrent amount on the classified statement of financial position. The amendment is effective from the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for and interim periods within those annual periods. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 to Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments, contain the following elements: 1) requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; 2) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; 3) eliminates the requirement for public entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; 4) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; 5) requires an entity to present separately in OCI the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; 6) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or accompanying notes to the financial statements; 7) clarifies that the entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to AFS securities in combination with the entity's other deferred tax assets. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Except for the early application of the amendment noted in item 5) above (which the Company elected to early adopt effective January 1, 2015 as discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015), early adoption of the amendments in this Update is not permitted. The adoption of the other amendments in this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2016-02, Leases. The amendments in ASU 2016-02 to Topic 842, Leases, require lessees to recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases in the statement of financial position. The accounting applied by a lessor is largely unchanged from that applied under previous GAAP. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Management is in the process of evaluating the effects that the standard is expected to have on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2016-05, Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships. The amendments in ASU 2016-05 to Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. An entity has the option to apply the amendments in this Update on either a prospective basis or a modified retrospective basis. The amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 to Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, require recognition of all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies through income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. Other amendments in this ASU include guidance on the classification of share-based payment transactions in the statement of cash flows and an option to account for forfeitures of share-based awards as they occur rather than estimating the compensation cost based on the number of awards that are expected to vest. The amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period.

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Effective January 1, 2016, the Company elected early adoption of ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. As a result of adoption, the Company recognized a $3.9 million tax benefit as a reduction of income tax expense. The Company has elected to continue to estimate compensation cost based on the number of awards that are expected to vest. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

2. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The carrying amounts and fair values of investment securities at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows:



	March 31, 2016
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity
Tax-exempt bonds	$	21,514	$	510	$	—		$	22,024

Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	50	$	9,075	$	(49	)	$	9,076
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	19,051		458		—			19,509
Corporate debt securities	12,768		596		—			13,364
CRA investments	34,853		236		—			35,089
Municipal obligations	327,485		15,836		(288		)	343,033
Preferred stock	83,959		2,653		(1,380		)	85,232
Private label commercial MBS	3,871		11		—			3,882
Private label residential MBS	344,867		689		(1,829		)	343,727
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	1,117,968		17,951		(343		)	1,135,576
Trust preferred securities	32,000		—		(10,206		)	21,794
U.S. treasury securities	2,496		42		—			2,538
Total AFS securities	$	1,979,368	$	47,547	$	(14,095	)	$	2,012,820

Securities measured at fair value
Residential MBS issued by GSEs								$	1,381



	December 31, 2015
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	50	$	10,059	$	(49	)	$	10,060
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	19,147		72		(105		)	19,114
Corporate debt securities	12,769		482		—			13,251
CRA investments	34,722		—		(37		)	34,685
Municipal obligations	320,087		14,743		—			334,830
Preferred stock	108,417		4,286		(1,467		)	111,236
Private label commercial MBS	4,685		6		—			4,691
Private label residential MBS	261,530		5		(4,407		)	257,128
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	1,169,631		5,254		(4,664		)	1,170,221
Trust preferred securities	32,000		—		(7,686		)	24,314
U.S. treasury securities	2,996		—		(3		)	2,993
Total AFS securities	$	1,966,034	$	34,907	$	(18,418	)	$	1,982,523

Securities measured at fair value
Residential MBS issued by GSEs								$	1,481

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For additional information on the fair value changes of securities measured at fair value, see the trading securities table in "Note 13. Fair Value Accounting" of these Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company conducts an OTTI analysis on a quarterly basis. The initial indication of OTTI for both debt and equity securities is a decline in the market value below the amount recorded for an investment, and taking into account the severity and duration of the decline. Another potential indication of OTTI is a downgrade below investment grade. In determining whether an impairment is OTTI, the Company considers the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been below cost, recent events specific to the issuer, including investment downgrades by rating agencies and economic conditions of its industry, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery. For marketable equity securities, the Company also considers the issuer’s financial condition, capital strength, and near-term prospects.

For debt securities, for the purpose of an OTTI analysis, the Company also considers the cause of the price decline (general level of interest rates, credit spreads, and industry and issuer-specific factors), the issuer’s financial condition, near-term prospects, and current ability to make future payments in a timely manner, as well as the issuer’s ability to service debt, and any change in agencies’ ratings at the evaluation date from the acquisition date and any likely imminent action.

The Company has reviewed securities for which there is an unrealized loss in accordance with its accounting policy for OTTI described above and determined that there were no impairment charges for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The Company does not consider any securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. No assurance can be made that OTTI will not occur in future periods.

Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position follows:



	March 31, 2016
	Less Than Twelve Months				More Than Twelve Months				Total
	Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	49	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	49	$	1
Municipal obligations	288		12,229		—		—		288		12,229
Preferred stock	278		15,722		1,102		14,749		1,380		30,471
Private label residential MBS	1,148		124,073		681		30,113		1,829		154,186
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	18		3,502		325		36,566		343		40,068
Trust preferred securities	—		—		10,206		21,794		10,206		21,794
Total AFS securities	$	1,781	$	155,527	$	12,314	$	103,222	$	14,095	$	258,749



	December 31, 2015
	Less Than Twelve Months				More Than Twelve Months				Total
	Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	49	$	1	$	—	$	—	$	49	$	1
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	105		17,051		—		—		105		17,051
CRA investments	37		24,729		—		—		37		24,729
Preferred stock	377		10,542		1,090		14,761		1,467		25,303
Private label residential MBS	3,733		226,720		674		30,372		4,407		257,092
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	3,566		536,515		1,098		38,338		4,664		574,853
Trust preferred securities	—		—		7,686		24,314		7,686		24,314
U.S. treasury securities	3		2,006		—		—		3		2,006
Total AFS securities	$	7,870	$	817,564	$	10,548	$	107,785	$	18,418	$	925,349

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At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company’s unrealized losses relate primarily to interest rate fluctuations, credit spread widening, and reduced liquidity in applicable markets. The total number of securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2016 was 82, compared to 146 at December 31, 2015. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and industry analysis reports. Since material downgrades have not occurred and management does not intend to sell the debt securities in an unrealized loss position in the foreseeable future, none of the securities described in the above table or in this paragraph were deemed to be OTTI.

The preferred stock and trust preferred securities have yields based on floating rate LIBOR, which are highly correlated to the federal funds rate and have been negatively affected by the low rate environment. This has resulted in unrealized losses for these securities.

The amortized cost and fair value of securities as of March 31, 2016, by contractual maturities, are shown below. MBS are shown separately as individual MBS are comprised of pools of loans with varying maturities. Therefore, these securities are listed separately in the maturity summary.



	March 31, 2016
	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity
After ten years	$	21,514	$	22,024
Total HTM securities	$	21,514	$	22,024

Available-for-sale
Due in one year or less	$	56,196	$	56,717
After one year through five years	66,599		70,125
After five years through ten years	62,125		64,949
After ten years	308,691		318,335
Mortgage-backed securities	1,485,757		1,502,694
Total AFS securities	$	1,979,368	$	2,012,820

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The following tables summarize the carrying amount of the Company’s investment ratings position as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:



	March 31, 2016
	AAA		Split-rated AAA/AA+		AA+ to AA-		A+ to A-		BBB+ to BBB-		BB+ and below		Unrated		Totals
	(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity
Tax-exempt bonds	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	21,514	$	21,514
Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	9,076	$	—	$	9,076
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	—		2,112		—		—		—		—		17,397		19,509
Corporate debt securities	—		—		2,713		5,642		5,009		—		—		13,364
CRA investments	—		—		—		—		—		—		35,089		35,089
Municipal obligations	7,905		—		197,910		130,866		6,172		180		—		343,033
Preferred stock	—		—		—		—		58,592		18,808		7,832		85,232
Private label commercial MBS	3,882		—		—		—		—		—		—		3,882
Private label residential MBS	299,998		—		36,570		2,929		1,650		2,580		—		343,727
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	—		1,135,576		—		—		—		—		—		1,135,576
Trust preferred securities	—		—		—		—		21,794		—		—		21,794
U.S. treasury securities	—		2,538		—		—		—		—		—		2,538
Total AFS securities (1)	$	311,785	$	1,140,226	$	237,193	$	139,437	$	93,217	$	30,644	$	60,318	$	2,012,820

Securities measured at fair value
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	$	—	$	1,381	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,381


(1)	The Company uses the average credit rating of the combination of S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch, where ratings differ.



	December 31, 2015
	AAA		Split-rated AAA/AA+		AA+ to AA-		A+ to A-		BBB+ to BBB-		BB+ and below		Unrated		Totals
	(in thousands)
Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	10,060	$	—	$	10,060
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	—		19,114		—		—		—		—		—		19,114
Corporate debt securities	—		—		2,721		5,489		5,041		—		—		13,251
CRA investments	—		—		—		—		—		—		34,685		34,685
Municipal obligations	7,949		—		180,460		131,110		6,243		180		8,888		334,830
Preferred stock	—		—		—		—		79,955		23,655		7,626		111,236
Private label commercial MBS	4,691		—		—		—		—		—		—		4,691
Private label residential MBS	235,605		—		40		3,186		1,750		2,705		13,842		257,128
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	—		1,170,221		—		—		—		—		—		1,170,221
Trust preferred securities	—		—		—		—		24,314		—		—		24,314
U.S. treasury securities	—		2,993		—		—		—		—		—		2,993
Total AFS securities (1)	$	248,245	$	1,192,328	$	183,221	$	139,785	$	117,303	$	36,600	$	65,041	$	1,982,523

Securities measured at fair value
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	$	—	$	1,481	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,481


(1)	The Company uses the average credit rating of the combination of S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch, where ratings differ.

Securities with carrying amounts of approximately $729.4 million and $830.7 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were pledged for various purposes as required or permitted by law.

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The following table presents gross gains and losses on sales of investment securities:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
Gross gains	$	2,057		$	1,048
Gross losses	(1,056		)	(459		)
Net gains on sales of investment securities	$	1,001		$	589

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3. LOANS, LEASES AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

The composition of the Company’s held for investment loan portfolio is as follows:



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	5,240,786		$	5,114,257
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied	2,290,969			2,283,536
Commercial real estate - owner occupied	2,032,328			2,083,285
Construction and land development	1,179,923			1,133,439
Residential real estate	302,398			322,939
Commercial leases	137,756			148,493
Consumer	33,700			26,905
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,217,860			11,112,854
Allowance for credit losses	(119,227		)	(119,068		)
Total loans HFI	$	11,098,633		$	10,993,786

Net deferred loan fees and costs as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 total $19.8 million and $19.2 million, respectively, which is a reduction in the carrying value of loans. Net unamortized discounts on loans total $7.3 million and $8.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Total loans held for investment are also net of interest rate and credit marks on acquired loans totaling $33.5 million and $40.5 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which is a reduction in the carrying value of acquired loans.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company also had $23.6 million and $23.8 million of HFS loans, respectively.

The following table presents the contractual aging of the recorded investment in past due loans held for investment by class of loans:



	March 31, 2016
	Current		30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Over 90 days Past Due		Total Past Due		Total
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	2,029,224	$	1,012	$	351	$	1,741	$	3,104	$	2,032,328
Non-owner occupied	2,123,928		634		2,342		642		3,618		2,127,546
Multi-family	163,423		—		—		—		—		163,423
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	5,232,238		455		2,803		5,290		8,548		5,240,786
Leases	137,619		137		—		—		137		137,756
Construction and land development
Construction	681,427		—		—		—		—		681,427
Land	494,935		—		1,861		1,700		3,561		498,496
Residential real estate	297,798		998		1,147		2,455		4,600		302,398
Consumer	33,462		21		—		217		238		33,700
Total loans	$	11,194,054	$	3,257	$	8,504	$	12,045	$	23,806	$	11,217,860

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	December 31, 2015
	Current		30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Over 90 days Past Due		Total Past Due		Total
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	2,078,968	$	445	$	362	$	3,510	$	4,317	$	2,083,285
Non-owner occupied	2,099,274		2,481		—		2,822		5,303		2,104,577
Multi-family	178,959		—		—		—		—		178,959
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	5,066,197		26,358		14,124		7,578		48,060		5,114,257
Leases	145,905		—		—		2,588		2,588		148,493
Construction and land development
Construction	694,527		—		—		—		—		694,527
Land	438,495		—		—		417		417		438,912
Residential real estate	317,677		888		159		4,215		5,262		322,939
Consumer	26,587		12		91		215		318		26,905
Total loans	$	11,046,589	$	30,184	$	14,736	$	21,345	$	66,265	$	11,112,854

The following table presents the recorded investment in non-accrual loans and loans past due ninety days or more and still accruing interest by class of loans:



	March 31, 2016								December 31, 2015
	Non-accrual loans						Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing		Non-accrual loans						Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
	Current		Past Due/ Delinquent		Total Non-accrual		Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing		Current		Past Due/ Delinquent		Total Non-accrual		Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	954	$	1,942	$	2,896	$	—	$	749	$	3,253	$	4,002	$	339
Non-owner occupied	10,977		—		10,977		642		11,851		2,822		14,673		—
Multi-family	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	10,150		3,200		13,350		2,543		3,263		15,026		18,289		2,671
Leases	—		—		—		—		—		2,588		2,588		—
Construction and land development
Construction	—		7		7		1,283		—		—		—		—
Land	—		2,278		2,278		—		1,892		417		2,309		—
Residential real estate	1,400		2,698		4,098		—		1,835		4,489		6,324		—
Consumer	—		196		196		20		—		196		196		18
Total	$	23,481	$	10,321	$	33,802	$	4,488	$	19,590	$	28,791	$	48,381	$	3,028

The reduction in interest income associated with loans on non-accrual status was approximately $0.4 million and $0.7 million for three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company utilizes an internal asset classification system as a means of reporting problem and potential problem loans. Under the Company’s risk rating system, the Company classifies problem and potential problem loans as Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, and Loss. Substandard loans include those characterized by well-defined weaknesses and carry the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans classified as Doubtful, or risk rated eight, have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The final rating of Loss covers loans considered uncollectible and having such little recoverable value that it is not practical to defer writing off the asset. Loans that do not currently expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but possess weaknesses that warrant management’s close attention, are deemed to be Special Mention. Risk ratings are updated, at a minimum, quarterly.

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The following tables present gross loans by risk rating:



	March 31, 2016
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Loss		Total
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	1,992,070	$	22,399	$	16,153	$	1,706	$	—	$	2,032,328
Non-owner occupied	2,090,216		14,656		22,674		—		—		2,127,546
Multi-family	163,423		—		—		—		—		163,423
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	5,109,308		77,115		54,363		—		—		5,240,786
Leases	135,889		1,403		464		—		—		137,756
Construction and land development
Construction	665,306		16,121		—		—		—		681,427
Land	480,490		512		17,494		—		—		498,496
Residential real estate	291,498		383		10,517		—		—		302,398
Consumer	33,275		169		256		—		—		33,700
Total	$	10,961,475	$	132,758	$	121,921	$	1,706	$	—	$	11,217,860



	March 31, 2016
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Loss		Total
	(in thousands)
Current (up to 29 days past due)	$	10,958,620	$	132,486	$	101,242	$	1,706	$	—	$	11,194,054
Past due 30 - 59 days	854		271		2,132		—		—		3,257
Past due 60 - 89 days	1,999		1		6,504		—		—		8,504
Past due 90 days or more	2		—		12,043		—		—		12,045
Total	$	10,961,475	$	132,758	$	121,921	$	1,706	$	—	$	11,217,860



	December 31, 2015
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Loss		Total
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	2,032,932	$	28,422	$	20,814	$	1,117	$	—	$	2,083,285
Non-owner occupied	2,054,428		14,867		35,282		—		—		2,104,577
Multi-family	178,959		—		—		—		—		178,959
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	4,962,930		76,283		74,294		750		—		5,114,257
Leases	140,531		4,580		794		2,588		—		148,493
Construction and land development
Construction	678,438		16,089		—		—		—		694,527
Land	420,819		362		17,731		—		—		438,912
Residential real estate	310,067		776		12,096		—		—		322,939
Consumer	26,438		209		258		—		—		26,905
Total	$	10,805,542	$	141,588	$	161,269	$	4,455	$	—	$	11,112,854

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	December 31, 2015
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Loss		Total
	(in thousands)
Current (up to 29 days past due)	$	10,799,558	$	140,932	$	104,232	$	1,867	$	—	$	11,046,589
Past due 30 - 59 days	1,907		271		28,006		—		—		30,184
Past due 60 - 89 days	4,077		385		10,274		—		—		14,736
Past due 90 days or more	—		—		18,757		2,588		—		21,345
Total	$	10,805,542	$	141,588	$	161,269	$	4,455	$	—	$	11,112,854

The table below reflects the recorded investment in loans classified as impaired:



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Impaired loans with a specific valuation allowance under ASC 310 (1)	$	9,576		$	24,287
Impaired loans without a specific valuation allowance under ASC 310 (2)	97,491			104,587
Total impaired loans	$	107,067		$	128,874
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans (3)	$	(2,630	)	$	(4,658	)


(1)	Includes TDR loans of $6.0 million and $3.0 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


(2)	Includes TDR loans of $73.8 million and $85.9 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


(3)	Includes valuation allowance related to TDR loans of $0.7 million and $0.3 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The following table presents impaired loans by class:



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	20,620	$	23,153
Non-owner occupied	31,827		41,081
Multi-family	—		—
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	21,151		26,513
Leases	334		2,896
Construction and land development
Construction	7		—
Land	17,778		18,322
Residential real estate	15,031		16,575
Consumer	319		334
Total	$	107,067	$	128,874

A valuation allowance is established for an impaired loan when the fair value of the loan is less than the recorded investment. In certain cases, portions of impaired loans are charged-off to realizable value instead of establishing a valuation allowance and are included, when applicable, in the table above as “Impaired loans without a specific valuation allowance under ASC 310.” However, before concluding that an impaired loan needs no associated valuation allowance, an assessment is made to consider all available and relevant information for the method used to evaluate impairment and the type of loan being assessed. The valuation allowance disclosed above is included in the allowance for credit losses reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

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The following table presents the average investment in impaired loans and income recognized on impaired loans:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Average balance on impaired loans	$	122,545	$	162,109
Interest income recognized on impaired loans, accrual basis	1,113		1,182
Interest recognized on non-accrual loans, cash basis	172		653

The following table presents average investment in impaired loans by loan class:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	21,737	$	42,927
Non-owner occupied	33,033		65,080
Multi-family	—		—
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	31,733		13,269
Leases	2,049		357
Construction and land development
Construction	—		—
Land	17,900		21,212
Residential real estate	15,764		18,911
Consumer	329		353
Total	$	122,545	$	162,109

The average investment in TDR loans included in the average investment in impaired loans table above for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $78.0 million and $126.1 million, respectively.

The following table presents interest income on impaired loans by class:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	$	295	$	420
Non-owner occupied	338		330
Multi-family	—		—
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	108		79
Leases	32		—
Construction and land development
Construction	—		—
Land	207		194
Residential real estate	131		157
Consumer	2		2
Total	$	1,113	$	1,182

The Company is not committed to lend significant additional funds on these impaired loans.

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The following table summarizes nonperforming assets:



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Non-accrual loans (1)	$	33,802	$	48,381
Loans past due 90 days or more on accrual status	4,488		3,028
Troubled debt restructured loans (2)	65,713		70,707
Total nonperforming loans	104,003		122,116
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	52,776		43,942
Total nonperforming assets	$	156,779	$	166,058


(1)	Includes non-accrual TDR loans of $14.1 million and $18.2 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


(2)	Includes accruing TDR loans only.

Loans Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality

Changes in the accretable yield for loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Balance, at beginning of period	$	15,925		$	19,156
Reclassifications from non-accretable to accretable yield (1)	—			430
Accretion to interest income	(782		)	(1,078		)
Reversal of fair value adjustments upon disposition of loans	(1,602		)	(552		)
Balance, at end of period	$	13,541		$	17,956


(1)	The primary drivers of reclassification from non-accretable to accretable yield resulted from changes in estimated cash flows.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for credit losses by portfolio type:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Construction and Land Development			Commercial Real Estate			Residential Real Estate			Commercial and Industrial			Consumer			Total
	(in thousands)
2016
Beginning Balance	$	18,976		$	23,160		$	5,278		$	71,181		$	473		$	119,068
Charge-offs	—			410			26			7,491			74			8,001
Recoveries	(95		)	(3,665		)	(257		)	(1,576		)	(67		)	(5,660		)
Provision	354			(3,311		)	(571		)	5,890			138			2,500
Ending balance	$	19,425		$	23,104		$	4,938		$	71,156		$	604		$	119,227
2015
Beginning Balance	$	18,558		$	28,783		$	7,456		$	54,566		$	853		$	110,216
Charge-offs	—			—			400			393			54			847
Recoveries	(157		)	(383		)	(533		)	(916		)	(40		)	(2,029		)
Provision	(716		)	(1,055		)	(923		)	3,562			(168		)	700
Ending balance	$	17,999		$	28,111		$	6,666		$	58,651		$	671		$	112,098

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The following table presents impairment method information related to loans and allowance for credit losses by loan portfolio segment:



	Commercial Real Estate-Owner Occupied		Commercial Real Estate-Non-Owner Occupied		Commercial and Industrial		Residential Real Estate		Construction and Land Development		Commercial Leases		Consumer		Total Loans
	(in thousands)
Loans as of March 31, 2016:
Recorded Investment:
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded	$	654	$	5,381	$	3,257	$	264	$	—	$	—	$	20	$	9,576
Impaired loans with no allowance recorded	19,967		26,445		17,895		14,767		17,784		334		299		97,491
Total loans individually evaluated for impairment	20,621		31,826		21,152		15,031		17,784		334		319		107,067
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,998,069		2,204,100		5,217,038		284,540		1,162,139		137,422		33,381		11,036,689
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	13,638		55,043		2,596		2,827		—		—		—		74,104
Total recorded investment	$	2,032,328	$	2,290,969	$	5,240,786	$	302,398	$	1,179,923	$	137,756	$	33,700	$	11,217,860
Unpaid Principal Balance
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded	$	654	$	5,381	$	3,509	$	319	$	—	$	—	$	20	$	9,883
Impaired loans with no allowance recorded	63,301		52,673		84,295		42,811		84,658		2,667		3,909		334,314
Total loans individually evaluated for impairment	63,955		58,054		87,804		43,130		84,658		2,667		3,929		344,197
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	1,998,069		2,204,100		5,217,038		284,540		1,162,139		137,422		33,381		11,036,689
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	18,070		78,239		9,245		3,345		—		—		—		108,899
Total unpaid principal balance	$	2,080,094	$	2,340,393	$	5,314,087	$	331,015	$	1,246,797	$	140,089	$	37,310	$	11,489,785
Related Allowance for Credit Losses
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded	$	653	$	480	$	1,422	$	74	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	2,630
Impaired loans with no allowance recorded	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total loans individually evaluated for impairment	653		480		1,422		74		—		—		1		2,630
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,562		11,409		67,766		4,863		19,425		1,658		604		116,287
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	—		—		310		—		—		—		—		310
Total allowance for credit losses	$	11,215	$	11,889	$	69,498	$	4,937	$	19,425	$	1,658	$	605	$	119,227

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	Commercial Real Estate-Owner Occupied		Commercial Real Estate-Non-Owner Occupied		Commercial and Industrial		Residential Real Estate		Construction and Land Development		Commercial Leases		Consumer		Total Loans
	(in thousands)
Loans as of December 31, 2015:
Recorded Investment:
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded	$	2,778	$	2,344	$	18,230	$	914	$	—	$	—	$	21	$	24,287
Impaired loans with no allowance recorded	20,375		38,737		8,283		15,661		18,322		2,896		313		104,587
Total loans individually evaluated for impairment	23,153		41,081		26,513		16,575		18,322		2,896		334		128,874
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,044,934		2,180,250		5,085,299		303,372		1,115,117		145,597		26,571		10,901,140
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	15,198		62,205		2,445		2,992		—		—		—		82,840
Total recorded investment	$	2,083,285	$	2,283,536	$	5,114,257	$	322,939	$	1,133,439	$	148,493	$	26,905	$	11,112,854
Unpaid Principal Balance
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded	$	2,778	$	2,344	$	19,233	$	969	$	—	$	—	$	21	$	25,345
Impaired loans with no allowance recorded	63,709		61,692		71,773		44,142		82,800		5,229		3,923		333,268
Total loans individually evaluated for impairment	66,487		64,036		91,006		45,111		82,800		5,229		3,944		358,613
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	2,044,934		2,180,250		5,085,299		303,372		1,115,117		145,597		26,571		10,901,140
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	20,227		88,181		7,820		3,536		—		—		—		119,764
Total unpaid principal balance	$	2,131,648	$	2,332,467	$	5,184,125	$	352,019	$	1,197,917	$	150,826	$	30,515	$	11,379,517
Related Allowance for Credit Losses
Impaired loans with an allowance recorded	$	858	$	11	$	3,518	$	270	$	—	$	—	$	1	$	4,658
Impaired loans with no allowance recorded	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total loans individually evaluated for impairment	858		11		3,518		270		—		—		1		4,658
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	10,953		11,302		65,806		5,008		18,976		1,857		472		114,374
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	—		36		—		—		—		—		—		36
Total allowance for credit losses	$	11,811	$	11,349	$	69,324	$	5,278	$	18,976	$	1,857	$	473	$	119,068

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A TDR loan is a loan on which the Company, for reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that the Company would not otherwise consider. The loan terms that have been modified or restructured due to a borrower’s financial situation include, but are not limited to, a reduction in the stated interest rate, an extension of the maturity or renewal of the loan at an interest rate below current market, a reduction in the face amount of the debt, a reduction in the accrued interest, or deferral of interest payments. The majority of the Company's modifications are extensions in terms or deferral of payments which result in no lost principal or interest followed by reductions in interest rates or accrued interest. A TDR loan is also considered impaired. Consistent with regulatory guidance, a TDR loan that is subsequently modified in another restructuring agreement but has shown sustained performance and classification as a TDR, will be removed from TDR status provided that the modified terms were market-based at the time of modification.

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The Company did not have any new TDR loans during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

The following table presents TDR loans by class for which there was a payment default during the period:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	Number of Loans	Recorded Investment		Number of Loans	Recorded Investment
	(dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate
Owner occupied	—	$	—	—	$	—
Non-owner occupied	1	5,381		—	—
Multi-family	—	—		—	—
Commercial and industrial
Commercial	—	—		—	—
Leases	—	—		—	—
Construction and land development
Construction	—	—		1	137
Land	—	—		—	—
Residential real estate	—	—		—	—
Consumer	—	—		—	—
Total	1	$	5,381	1	$	137

A TDR loan is deemed to have a payment default when it becomes past due 90 days, goes on non-accrual, or is restructured again. Payment defaults, along with other qualitative indicators, are considered by management in the determination of the allowance for credit losses.

At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there was $0.1 million in loan commitments outstanding on TDR loans.

Loan Purchases and Sales

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, secondary market loan purchases totaled $33.8 million and $18.4 million, respectively. For 2016, these purchased loans consisted of commercial and industrial loans. For 2015, these purchased loans consisted of $11.0 million of commercial and industrial loans, $6.0 million of commercial real estate loans, and $1.4 million in commercial leases.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company sold loans, which consisted primarily of commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans, with a carrying value of $23.8 million and recognized a gain of $2.5 million on the sales. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company sold loans with a carrying value of $10.0 million and recognized a gain of $0.2 million.

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4. OTHER ASSETS ACQUIRED THROUGH FORECLOSURE

The following table represents the changes in other assets acquired through foreclosure:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016
	Gross Balance			Valuation Allowance			Net Balance
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period	$	52,984		$	(9,042	)	$	43,942
Transfers to other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	10,638			—			10,638
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets, net	(2,436		)	295			(2,141		)
Valuation adjustments, net	—			177			177
Gains, net (1)	160			—			160
Balance, end of period	$	61,346		$	(8,570	)	$	52,776

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015
Balance, beginning of period	$	71,421		$	(14,271	)	$	57,150
Transfers to other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	7,720			—			7,720
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets, net	(2,288		)	848			(1,440		)
Valuation adjustments, net	—			(786		)	(786		)
Gains, net (1)	1,115			—			1,115
Balance, end of period	$	77,968		$	(14,209	)	$	63,759


(1)	Includes net gains related to initial transfers to other assets of zero and $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, pursuant to accounting guidance.

At March 31, 2016, and 2015, the majority of the Company’s repossessed assets consisted of properties located in Nevada. The Company held 37 properties at March 31, 2016, compared to 39 at December 31, 2015, and 68 at March 31, 2015.

5. OTHER BORROWINGS

The following table summarizes the Company’s borrowings as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Short-Term:
Federal funds purchased	$	200	$	—
FHLB advances	—		150,000
Total short-term borrowings	$	200	$	150,000

The Company maintains other lines of credit with correspondent banks totaling $170.0 million, of which $25.0 million is secured by pledged securities and has a floating interest rate of one-month or three-month LIBOR plus 1.50%. The remaining $145.0 million is unsecured. As of March 31, 2016, there was $0.2 million outstanding on these lines of credit at an interest rate of 1.38%. There were no outstanding balances on these lines of credit as of December 31, 2015.

The Company maintains lines of credit with the FHLB and the FRB. The Company’s borrowing capacity is determined based on collateral pledged, generally consisting of investment securities and loans, at the time of the borrowing. At March 31, 2016, there were no short-term FHLB advances. At December 31, 2015, short-term FHLB advances of $150.0 million had a weighted average interest rate of 0.36%.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had additional available credit with the FHLB of approximately $1.50 billion and $1.54 billion, respectively, and with the FRB of approximately $1.26 billion and $1.21 billion, respectively.

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6. QUALIFYING DEBT

Subordinated Debt

The Company has $150.0 million of subordinated debt outstanding, which was recorded net of debt issuance costs of $1.8 million, and matures July 15, 2025. The subordinated debt has a fixed interest rate of 5.00% through June 30, 2020 and then converts to a variable rate of 3.20% plus three-month LIBOR through maturity. The carrying value of subordinated debt also includes the effective portion of related hedges and totals $153.2 million at March 31, 2016.

Junior Subordinated Debt

The Company has formed or acquired through acquisitions eight statutory business trusts, which exist for the exclusive purpose of issuing Cumulative Trust Preferred Securities.

With the exception of debt issued by Bridge Capital Trust I and Bridge Capital Trust II, junior subordinated debt is recorded at fair value at each reporting date due to the FVO election made by the Company under ASC 825. The Company did not make the FVO election for the Bridge junior subordinated debt. Accordingly, the carrying value of these trusts at each future reporting date will not reflect the current fair value of the debt. The carrying value of junior subordinated debt was $57.2 million and $58.4 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The weighted average interest rate of all junior subordinated debt as of March 31, 2016 was 2.97%, which is three-month LIBOR plus the contractual spread of 2.34%, compared to a weighted average interest rate of 2.95% at December 31, 2015.

7. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common Stock Issuance

Under ATM Distribution Agreement

On June 4, 2014, the Company entered into a distribution agency agreement with Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, under which the Company may sell shares of its common stock up to an aggregate offering price of $100.0 million on the New York Stock Exchange. The parties executed an Amended and Restated Distribution Agency Agreement on October 30, 2014. The Company pays Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC a mutually agreed rate, not to exceed 2% of the gross offering proceeds of the shares. The common stock will be sold at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale or at negotiated prices and, as a result, prices will vary.

Sales in the ATM offering were previously being made pursuant to a prospectus dated May 14, 2012 and a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on June 4, 2014, in connection with one or more offerings of shares from the Company's shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-181128), which expired on May 14, 2015. On May 7, 2015, the Company filed with the SEC a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-203959). During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, there were no sales under the ATM offering.

Stock-Based Compensation

Restricted Stock Awards

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, 376,665 shares of restricted stock awards were granted to employees that generally vest over a three-year period. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, 63,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to non-employee WAL directors that will be fully vested at June 30, 2016. The Company estimates the compensation cost for stock grants based upon the grant date fair value. Stock compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The aggregate grant date fair value for the restricted stock awards granted was $11.8 million. For three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized $3.8 million in stock-based compensation expense related to all restricted stock award grants, including those assumed as part of the Bridge acquisition, compared to $2.5 million in 2015.

In addition, the Company granted 54,329 shares of restricted stock to certain members of executive management that have both performance and service conditions that affect vesting. The performance condition was based on achieving an EPS target for fiscal year 2016 and, if this target is met, the restricted stock will vest over a three-year service period. The grant date fair value of the awards was $1.7 million. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $0.1 million in stock-based compensation expense related to these performance-based restricted stock grants.

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Performance Stock Units

The Company grants members of its executive management committee performance stock units that do not vest unless the Company achieves a specified cumulative EPS target over a three-year performance period. The number of shares issued will vary based on the cumulative EPS target that is achieved. The Company estimates the cost of performance stock units based upon the grant date fair value and expected vesting percentage over the three-year performance period. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized $1.2 million in stock-based compensation expense related to these performance stock units, compared to $1.0 million in stock-based compensation expense for such units in 2015.

The three-year performance period for the 2013 grant ended on December 31, 2015, and the Company's cumulative EPS for the performance period exceeded the level required for a maximum award under the terms of the grant. As a result on February 17, 2016, executive management committee members were granted 308,400 of fully vested common shares.

As of March 31, 2016, outstanding performance stock unit grants made in 2014 and 2015 are expected to pay out at the maximum award amount, which is equivalent to 409,800 common shares with a grant date fair value of $10.4 million. In January 2016, performance stock units were granted to executive management committee members with cumulative target awards equivalent to 109,704 shares of common stock. Assuming a 100% vesting percentage for the 2016 performance stock units, the grant date fair value of the awards was $3.4 million.

Stock Options

The Company's stock option awards consist of those awards assumed as part of the Bridge acquisition. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized $0.2 million in compensation expense related to these awards. There were no stock option awards granted by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

Treasury Shares

The Company purchased 290,432 treasury shares at a weighted average price of $30.81 per share and 252,893 treasury shares at a weighted average price of $27.24 per share during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

8. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, for the periods indicated:



	Unrealized holding gains (losses) on AFS			Unrealized holding gains (losses) on SERP		Unrealized holding gains (losses) on junior subordinated debt			Impairment loss on securities		Total
	(in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	9,993		$	90	$	12,033		$	144	$	22,260
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	11,019			6		759			—		11,784
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(711		)	—		—			—		(711		)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	10,308			6		759			—		11,073
Balance, March 31, 2016	$	20,301		$	96	$	12,792		$	144	$	33,333

Balance, January 1, 2015	16,495			—		16,309			144		32,948
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	7,153			—		(194		)	—		6,959
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(369		)	—		—			—		(369		)
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	6,784			—		(194		)	—		6,590
Balance, March 31, 2015	$	23,279		$	—	$	16,115		$	144	$	39,538

The following table presents reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Income Statement Classification	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Gain (loss) on sales of investment securities, net	$	1,001		$	589
Income tax (expense) benefit	(290		)	(220		)
Net of tax	$	711		$	369

9. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is a party to various derivative instruments through its subsidiary, WAB. Derivative instruments are contracts between two or more parties that have a notional amount and an underlying variable, require a small or no initial investment, and allow for the net settlement of positions. A derivative’s notional amount serves as the basis for the payment provision of the contract and takes the form of units, such as shares or dollars. A derivative’s underlying variable is a specified interest rate, security price, commodity price, foreign exchange rate, index, or other variable. The interaction between the notional amount and the underlying variable determines the number of units to be exchanged between the parties and influences the fair value of the derivative contract.

The primary type of derivatives that the Company uses are interest rate swaps. Generally, these instruments are used to help manage the Company's exposure to interest rate risk and meet client financing and hedging needs.

Derivatives are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, after taking into account the effects of bilateral collateral and master netting agreements. These agreements allow the Company to settle all derivative contracts held with the same counterparty on a net basis, and to offset net derivative positions with related cash collateral, where applicable.

As of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015, the Company does not have any significant outstanding cash flow hedges or free-standing derivatives.

Derivatives Designated in Hedge Relationships

The Company utilizes derivatives that have been designated as part of a hedge relationship in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance to minimize the exposure to changes in benchmark interest rates and volatility of net interest income and EVE to interest rate fluctuations. The primary derivative instruments used to manage interest rate risk are interest rate swaps, which convert the contractual interest rate index of agreed-upon amounts of assets and liabilities (i.e., notional amounts) to another interest rate index.

The Company designates its “pay fixed/receive variable” interest rate swaps as fair value hedges. These contracts convert certain fixed-rate long-term loan assets into variable-rate assets, thereby modifying the Company's exposure to changes in interest rates. As a result, the Company receives variable-rate interest payments in exchange for making fixed-rate payments over the lives of the contracts without exchanging the notional amounts.

The Company entered into a "pay variable/receive fixed" interest rate swap agreement, designated as a fair value hedge, to hedge the interest rate exposure on its fixed rate subordinated debt. As a result, the Company is paying a floating rate of three month LIBOR plus 3.16% and is receiving semi-annual fixed payments of 5.00% to match the payments on the debt.

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Fair Values, Volume of Activity, and Gain/Loss Information Related to Derivative Instruments

The following table summarizes the fair values of the Company's derivative instruments on a gross and net basis as of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015. The change in the notional amounts of these derivatives from December 31, 2015 to March 31, 2016 indicates the volume of the Company's derivative transaction activity during these periods. The derivative asset and liability balances are presented on a gross basis, prior to the application of bilateral collateral and master netting agreements. Total derivative assets and liabilities are adjusted to take into account the impact of legally enforceable master netting agreements that allow the Company to settle all derivative contracts with the same counterparty on a net basis and to offset the net derivative position with the related collateral. Where master netting agreements are not in effect or are not enforceable under bankruptcy laws, the Company does not adjust those derivative amounts with counterparties. The fair value of derivative contracts, after taking into account the effects of master netting agreements, is included in other assets or other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as indicated in the following table:



	March 31, 2016						December 31, 2015						March 31, 2015
			Fair Value						Fair Value						Fair Value
	Notional Amount		Derivative Assets		Derivative Liabilities		Notional Amount		Derivative Assets		Derivative Liabilities		Notional Amount		Derivative Assets		Derivative Liabilities
	(in thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Fair value hedges
Interest rate swaps	$	797,304	$	4,733	$	88,981	$	800,478	$	3,569	$	64,785	$	670,942	$	7	$	73,049
Total	797,304		4,733		88,981		800,478		3,569		64,785		670,942		7		73,049
Netting adjustments (1)	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Net derivatives in the balance sheet	$	797,304	$	4,733	$	88,981	$	800,478	$	3,569	$	64,785	$	670,942	$	7	$	73,049


(1)	Netting adjustments represent the amounts recorded to convert derivative balances from a gross basis to a net basis in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance.

Fair value hedges

An assessment of effectiveness is performed at initiation of a hedge and on a quarterly basis thereafter. All of the Company's fair value hedges remained “highly effective” as of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015.

The following table summarizes the pre-tax net gains (losses) on fair value hedges for three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, which are recorded in other non-interest income in the income statement.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Hedge of Fixed Rate Loans (a)
Loss on "pay fixed" swap	$	(24,197	)	$	(73,049	)
Gain on receive fixed rate loans	24,197			72,375
Net ineffectiveness	$	—		$	(674	)
Hedge of Fixed Rate Subordinated Debt (a)
Gain on "receive fixed" swap	$	1,164		$	—
Loss on subordinated debt	(1,164		)	—
Net ineffectiveness	$	—		$	—

(a)

The fair value of derivatives contracts are carried as other assets and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The effective portion of hedging gains (losses) is recorded as basis adjustments to the underlying hedged asset or liability. Gains and losses on both the hedging derivative and hedged item are recorded through non-interest expense with a resulting net income impact for the amount of ineffectiveness.

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Counterparty Credit Risk

Like other financial instruments, derivatives contain an element of credit risk. This risk is measured as the expected positive replacement value of the contracts. Management generally enters into bilateral collateral and master netting agreements that provide for the net settlement of all contracts with the same counterparty. Additionally, management monitors counterparty credit risk exposure on each contract to determine appropriate limits on the Company's total credit exposure across all product types. In general, the Company has a zero credit threshold with regard to derivative exposure with counterparties. Management reviews the Company's collateral positions on a daily basis and exchanges collateral with counterparties in accordance with standard ISDA documentation and other related agreements. The Company generally holds collateral in the form of highly rated securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or government-sponsored enterprises, such as GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC. The total collateral netted against net derivative liabilities totaled $85.0 million at March 31, 2016, $61.7 million at December 31, 2015, and $69.7 million at March 31, 2015.

The following table summarizes the Company's largest exposure to an individual counterparty at the dates indicated:



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		March 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Largest gross exposure (derivative asset) to an individual counterparty	$	4,733	$	3,569	$	7
Collateral posted by this counterparty	4,292		4,680		—
Derivative liability with this counterparty	—		—		—
Collateral pledged to this counterparty	—		1,340		—
Net exposure after netting adjustments and collateral	$	441	$	229	$	7

Credit Risk Contingent Features

Management has entered into certain derivative contracts that require the Company to post collateral to the counterparties when these contracts are in a net liability position. Conversely, the counterparties may post collateral when these contracts are in a net asset position. The amount of collateral to be posted is based on the amount of the net liability and exposure thresholds. As of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015 the aggregate fair value of all derivative contracts with credit risk contingent features (i.e., those containing collateral posting provisions) held by the Company that were in a net liability position totaled $89.0 million, $64.8 million, and $73.0 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in an over-collateralized net position of $9.2 million after considering $94.1 million of collateral held in the form of securities. As of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, the Company was in an over-collateralized position of $15.5 million and $13.6 million, respectively.

10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Diluted EPS is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares during each period, including common stock equivalents. Basic EPS is based on the weighted average outstanding common shares during the period.

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted EPS:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Weighted average shares - basic	101,895		87,941
Dilutive effect of stock awards	643		511
Weighted average shares - diluted	102,538		88,452
Net income available to common stockholders	$	61,332	$	40,207
Earnings per share - basic	0.60		0.46
Earnings per share - diluted	0.60		0.45

The Company had no anti-dilutive stock options outstanding at each of the periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

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11. INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was 24.14%, compared to 26.06% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the inclusion of excess stock compensation benefits in income tax expense resulting from the early adoption of ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be reversed. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net deferred tax assets decreased $12.4 million to $74.0 million. This overall decrease in the net deferred tax asset was primarily the result of decreases to deferred tax assets from a change in fair market value of junior subordinated debt and AFS securities, vesting of stock-based compensation awards, and fair market value adjustments related to acquired loans.

Although realization is not assured, the Company believes that the realization of the recognized deferred tax asset of $74.0 million at March 31, 2016 is more-likely-than-not based on expectations as to future taxable income and based on available tax planning strategies within the meaning of ASC 740, Income Taxes, that could be implemented if necessary to prevent a carryover from expiring.

At each of the periods ended March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had no deferred tax valuation allowance.

The deferred tax asset related to federal and state NOL carryovers outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 available to reduce the tax liability in future years totaled $9.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively. The respective $9.2 million and $9.3 million of tax benefits relate entirely to federal NOL carryovers (subject to an annual limitation imposed by IRC Section 382). The Company’s ability to use federal NOL carryovers, as well as its ability to use certain future tax deductions called NUBILs associated with the Company's acquisitions is subject to annual limitations. In management’s opinion, it is more-likely-than-not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize all of the deferred tax benefits related to these NOL carryovers and NUBILs.

At each of the periods ended March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, net of associated deferred tax benefit, that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $0.7 million.

Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in the provision for income taxes. During each of the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized as part of its provision for income taxes, no amounts for penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits and no amounts for interest.

At each of the periods ended March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has accrued a $0.1 million liability for penalties and a $0.1 million liability for interest.

Investments in LIHTC

The Company invests in LIHTC funds that are designed to generate a return primarily through the realization of federal tax credits.

Investments in LIHTC and unfunded LIHTC obligations are included as part of other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and total $175.3 million and $81.4 million, respectively, as of March 31, 2016, compared to $152.7 million and $61.2 million as of December 31, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, $4.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of amortization related to LIHTC investments was recognized as a component of income tax expense.

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12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Unfunded Commitments and Letters of Credit

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Lines of credit are obligations to lend money to a borrower. Credit risk arises when the borrower's current financial condition may indicate less ability to pay than when the commitment was originally made. In the case of standby letters of credit, the risk arises from the potential failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of a contract. In such a situation, the third party might draw on the standby letter of credit to pay for completion of the contract and the Company would look to its customer to repay these funds with interest. To minimize the risk, the Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it would for a loan to that customer.

Standby letters of credit and financial guarantees are commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party in borrowing arrangements. The Company generally has recourse to recover from the customer any amounts paid under the guarantees. Typically, letters of credit issued have expiration dates within one year.

A summary of the contractual amounts for unfunded commitments and letters of credit are as follows:



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit, including unsecured loan commitments of $364,454 at March 31, 2016 and $341,374 at December 31, 2015	$	3,813,930	$	3,624,578
Credit card commitments and financial guarantees	56,106		57,966
Standby letters of credit, including unsecured letters of credit of $5,806 at March 31, 2016 and $4,257 at December 31, 2015	48,809		50,659
Total	$	3,918,845	$	3,733,203

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer provided that 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. The Company enters into credit arrangements that generally provide for the termination of advances in the event of a covenant violation or other event of default. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the party. The commitments are collateralized by the same types of assets used as loan collateral.

The Company has exposure to credit losses from unfunded commitments and letters of credit. As funds have not been disbursed on these commitments, they are not reported as loans outstanding. Credit losses related to these commitments are not included in the allowance for credit losses reported in "Note 3. Loans, Leases and Allowance for Credit Losses" of these Consolidated Financial Statements and are accounted for as a separate loss contingency. This loss contingency for unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit was $3.7 million and $3.3 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Changes to this liability are adjusted through non-interest expense.

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Concentrations of Lending Activities

The Company’s lending activities are driven in large part by the customers served in the market areas where the Company has branch offices in the states of Arizona, Nevada, and California. Despite the geographic concentration of lending activities, the Company does not have a single external customer from which it derives 10% or more of its revenues. The Company monitors concentrations within four broad categories: geography, industry, product, and collateral. The Company's loan portfolio includes significant credit exposure to the CRE market. As of each of the periods ended March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, CRE related loans accounted for approximately 49% of total loans. Substantially all of these loans are secured by first liens with an initial loan to value ratio of generally not more than 75%. Approximately 47% and 48% of these CRE loans, excluding construction and land loans, were owner-occupied at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Contingencies

The Company is involved in various lawsuits of a routine nature that are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. Expenses are being incurred in connection with these lawsuits, but in the opinion of management, based in part on consultation with outside legal counsel, the resolution of these lawsuits and associated defense costs will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Lease Commitments

The Company leases the majority of its office locations and many of these leases contain multiple renewal options and provisions for increased rents. Total rent expense of $2.5 million and $1.6 million for three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, was included in occupancy expense.

13. FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. In estimating fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach, and/or the cost approach. Such valuation techniques are consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques include the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC 825 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 825 are described in "Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of these Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed 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 the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Furthermore, the reported fair value amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since the presentation dates, and therefore, estimates of fair value after the balance sheet date may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. A more detailed description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value is set forth below. Transfers between levels in the fair value hierarchy are recognized as of the end of the month following the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Under ASC 825, the Company elected the FVO treatment for certain junior subordinated debt issuances. This election is irrevocable and results in the recognition of unrealized gains and losses on these items in earnings at each reporting date.

All securities for which the fair value measurement option had been elected are included in a separate line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as securities measured at fair value.

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For the three months ended March 31, 2016, and 2015 securities gains and losses from fair value changes were as follows:



	Changes in Fair Values for Items Measured at Fair Value Pursuant to Election of the Fair Value Option
	Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value, Net			Interest Income on Securities		Interest Expense on Junior Subordinated Debt			Total Changes Included in Current-Period Earnings			Total Changes Included in OCI
	(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
Securities measured at fair value	$	(5	)	$	—	$	—		$	(5	)	$	—
Junior subordinated debt	1,212			—		(680		)	(680		)	(759		)
Total	$	1,207		$	—	$	(680	)	$	(685	)	$	(759	)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Securities measured at fair value	$	(5	)	$	—	$	—		$	(5	)	$	—
Junior subordinated debt	(309		)	—		(441		)	(441		)	194
Total	$	(314	)	$	—	$	(441	)	$	(446	)	$	194

There were no net gains or losses recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 on trading securities sold during the period.

Interest income on securities measured at fair value is accounted for similarly to those classified as AFS. Any premiums or discounts are recognized in interest income over the term of the securities. For MBS, estimates of prepayments are considered in the constant yield calculations. Interest expense on junior subordinated debt is also determined under a constant yield calculation.

Fair value on a recurring basis

Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the following:

Securities measured at fair value: All of the Company’s securities measured at fair value, which consist of MBS, are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs in the same manner as described below for AFS securities.

AFS securities: Preferred stock and CRA investments are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. With the exception of CDO securities, other securities classified as AFS are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information, and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. The Company estimates the fair value of CDO securities utilizing Level 3 inputs, which include pricing indications from comparable securities.

Independent pricing service: The Company's independent pricing service provides pricing information on Level 1, 2, and 3 securities, and represents the pricing source for the majority of the portfolio. Management independently evaluates the fair value measurements received from the Company's third party pricing service through multiple review steps. First, management reviews what has transpired in the marketplace with respect to interest rates, credit spreads, volatility, and mortgage rates, among other things, and develops an expectation of changes to the securities' valuations from the previous quarter. Then, management obtains market values from additional sources. The pricing service provides management with observable market data including interest rate curves and mortgage prepayment speed grids, as well as dealer quote sheets, new bond offering sheets, and historical trade documentation. Management reviews the assumptions and decides whether they are reasonable. Management may compare interest rates, credit spreads, and prepayments speeds used as part of the assumptions to those that management believes are reasonable. Management may price securities using the provided assumptions to determine whether they can develop similar prices on like securities. Any discrepancies between management’s review and the prices provided by the vendor are discussed with the vendor and the Company’s other valuation advisors. Lastly, management selects a sample of investment securities and compares the values provided by its primary third party pricing service to the market values obtained from secondary sources and evaluates those with notable variances.

Annually, the Company receives an SSAE 16 report from its independent pricing service attesting to the controls placed on the operations of the service from its auditor.

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Interest rate swaps: Interest rate swaps are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The Company obtains dealer quotations to value its interest rate swaps.

Junior subordinated debt: The Company estimates the fair value of its junior subordinated debt using a discounted cash flow model which incorporates the effect of the Company’s own credit risk in the fair value of the liabilities (Level 3). The Company’s cash flow assumptions are based on contractual cash flows as the Company anticipates that it will pay the debt according to its contractual terms.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company estimated the discount rate at 5.93%, which represents an implied credit spread of 5.30% plus three-month LIBOR (0.63%). As of December 31, 2015, the Company estimated the discount rate at 5.67%, which was a 5.06% credit spread plus three-month LIBOR (0.61%).

The fair value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis was determined using the following inputs as of the periods presented:



	Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
March 31, 2016
Assets:
Measured at fair value
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	$	—	$	1,381	$	—	$	1,381
Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	—	$	—	$	9,076	$	9,076
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	—		19,509		—		19,509
Corporate debt securities	—		13,364		—		13,364
CRA investments	35,089		—		—		35,089
Municipal obligations	—		343,033		—		343,033
Preferred stock	85,232		—		—		85,232
Private label commercial MBS	—		3,882		—		3,882
Private label residential MBS	—		343,727		—		343,727
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	—		1,135,576		—		1,135,576
Trust preferred securities	—		21,794		—		21,794
U.S. treasury securities	2,538		—		—		2,538
Total AFS securities	$	122,859	$	1,880,885	$	9,076	$	2,012,820
Loans - HFS	$	—	$	23,603	$	—	$	23,603
Derivative assets (1)	—		4,733		—		4,733
Liabilities:
Junior subordinated debt (2)	$	—	$	—	$	45,716	$	45,716
Derivative liabilities (1)	—		88,981		—		88,981

(1)

Derivative assets and liabilities relate to interest rate swaps, see "Note 9. Derivatives and Hedging Activities." In addition, the carrying value of loans includes a net positive value of $88,381 and the net carrying value of subordinated debt includes a net negative value of $4,733 as of March 31, 2016, which relates to the effective portion of the hedges put in place to mitigate against fluctuations in interest rates.


(2)	Includes only the portion of junior subordinated debt that is recorded at fair value at each reporting period pursuant to the election of FVO treatment.

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	Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
December 31, 2015
Assets:
Measured at fair value
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	$	—	$	1,481	$	—	$	1,481
Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	—	$	—	$	10,060	$	10,060
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	—		19,114		—		19,114
Corporate debt securities	—		13,251		—		13,251
CRA investments	34,685		—		—		34,685
Municipal obligations	—		334,830		—		334,830
Preferred stock	111,236		—		—		111,236
Private label commercial MBS	—		4,691		—		4,691
Private label residential MBS	—		257,128		—		257,128
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	—		1,170,221		—		1,170,221
Trust preferred securities	—		24,314		—		24,314
U.S. treasury securities	2,993		—		—		2,993
Total AFS securities	$	148,914	$	1,823,549	$	10,060	$	1,982,523
Loans - HFS	$	—	$	23,809	$	—	$	23,809
Derivative assets (1)	$	—	$	3,569	$	—	$	3,569
Liabilities:
Junior subordinated debt (2)	$	—	$	—	$	46,928	$	46,928
Derivative liabilities (1)	—		64,785		—		64,785

(1)

Derivative assets and liabilities relate to interest rate swaps, see "Note 9. Derivatives and Hedging Activities." In addition, the carrying value of loans includes a positive value of $64,184 and the net carrying value of subordinated debt includes a net negative value of $3,569 as of December 31, 2015, which relates to the effective portion of the hedges put in place to mitigate against fluctuations in interest rates.


(2)	Includes only the portion of junior subordinated debt that is recorded at fair value at each reporting period pursuant to the election of FVO treatment.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the change in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows:



	Junior Subordinated Debt
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	(46,928	)	$	(40,437	)
Transfers into Level 3	—			—
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in other comprehensive income (1)	1,212			(309		)
Ending balance	$	(45,716	)	$	(40,746	)

(1) Due to the Company's election to early adopt an element of ASU 2016-01, changes in the fair value of junior subordinated debt are presented as part

of OCI rather than earnings effective January 1, 2015. Accordingly, total losses are included in the other comprehensive income line, Unrealized gain (loss) on junior subordinated debt, which is net of tax. The above amount represents the gross loss from changes in fair value of junior subordinated debt.

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	CDO Securities
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance	$	10,060		$	11,445
Transfers into Level 3	—			—
Total gains (losses) for the period
Included in other comprehensive income (1)	(984		)	(925		)
Ending balance	$	9,076		$	10,520


(1)	Total gains (losses) for the period are included in the other comprehensive income line, Unrealized gain (loss) on AFS securities.

For Level 3 liabilities and assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:



	March 31, 2016		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Input Value
	(in thousands)
Junior subordinated debt	$	45,716	Discounted cash flow	Implied credit rating of the Company	5.93	%
CDO securities	9,076		S&P Model	Pricing indications from comparable securities



	December 31, 2015		Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Input Value
	(in thousands)
Junior subordinated debt	$	46,928	Discounted cash flow	Adjusted Corporate Bond over Treasury Index with comparable credit spread	5.67	%
CDO securities	10,060		S&P Model	Pricing indications from comparable securities

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s junior subordinated debt as of March 31, 2016 was the yield on the 20-year "BB" rated financial index over the corresponding swap index.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company's CDO securities include securities terms, conditions, and underlying collateral type, as well as trustee and servicer reports, trade data on comparable securities, and market quotes that are converted into spreads to benchmark LIBOR curves. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs could result in significantly different fair value measurements.

Fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, the assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following table presents such assets carried on the balance sheet by caption and by level within the ASC 825 hierarchy:



	Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using
	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Active Markets for Similar Assets (Level 2)		Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
As of March 31, 2016:
Impaired loans with specific valuation allowance	$	6,946	$	—	$	—	$	6,946
Impaired loans without specific valuation allowance (1)	58,300		—		—		58,300
Other assets acquired through foreclosure	52,776		—		—		52,776
As of December 31, 2015:
Impaired loans with specific valuation allowance	$	19,629	$	—	$	—	$	19,629
Impaired loans without specific valuation allowance (1)	66,754		—		—		66,754
Other assets acquired through foreclosure	43,942		—		—		43,942


(1)	Excludes loan balances with charge-offs of $39.2 million and $37.8 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

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For Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:



	March 31, 2016	Valuation Technique(s)		Significant Unobservable Inputs	Range
	(in thousands)
Impaired loans	65,246	Collateral method	Third party appraisal	Costs to sell	4.0% to 10.0%
		Discounted cash flow method	Discount rate	Contractual loan rate	4.0% to 7.0%
			Scheduled cash collections	Loss given default	0% to 20.0%
			Proceeds from non-real estate collateral	Loss given default	0% to 70.0%
Other assets acquired through foreclosure	52,776	Collateral method	Third party appraisal	Costs to sell	4.0% to 10.0%



	December 31, 2015	Valuation Technique(s)		Significant Unobservable Inputs	Range
	(in thousands)
Impaired loans	86,383	Collateral method	Third party appraisal	Costs to sell	4.0% to 10.0%
		Discounted cash flow method	Discount rate	Contractual loan rate	4.0% to 7.0%
			Scheduled cash collections	Loss given default	0% to 20.0%
			Proceeds from non-real estate collateral	Loss given default	0% to 70.0%
Other assets acquired through foreclosure	43,942	Collateral method	Third party appraisal	Costs to sell	4.0% to 10.0%

Impaired loans: The specific reserves for collateral dependent impaired loans are based on collateral value, net of estimated disposition costs and other identified quantitative inputs. Collateral value is determined based on independent third-party appraisals or internally-developed discounted cash flow analyses. Appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches, including comparable sales and the income approach. Fair value is determined, where possible, using market prices derived from an appraisal or evaluation, which are considered to be Level 2. However, certain assumptions and unobservable inputs are often used by the appraiser, therefore qualifying the assets as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. In addition, when adjustments are made to an appraised value to reflect various factors such as the age of the appraisal or known changes in the market or the collateral, such valuation inputs are considered unobservable and the fair value measurement is categorized as a Level 3 measurement. Internal discounted cash flow analyses are also utilized to estimate the fair value of impaired loans, which considers internally-developed, unobservable inputs such as discount rates, default rates, and loss severity.

Total Level 3 impaired loans had an estimated fair value of $65.2 million and 86.4 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Impaired loans with a specific valuation allowance had a gross estimated fair value of $9.6 million and $24.3 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which was reduced by a specific valuation allowance of $2.6 million and $4.7 million, respectively.

Other assets acquired through foreclosure: Other assets acquired through foreclosure consist of properties acquired as a result of, or in-lieu-of, foreclosure. These assets are initially reported at the fair value determined by independent third-party appraisals using appraised value less estimated cost to sell. Such properties are generally re-appraised every twelve months. There is risk for subsequent volatility. Costs relating to the development or improvement of the assets are capitalized and costs relating to holding the assets are charged to expense.

Fair value is determined, where possible, using market prices derived from an appraisal or evaluation, which are considered to be Level 2. However, certain assumptions and unobservable inputs are often used by the appraiser, therefore qualifying the assets as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. In addition, when significant adjustments are based on unobservable inputs, such as when a current appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the resulting fair value measurement has been categorized as

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a Level 3 measurement. The Company had $52.8 million and $43.9 million of such assets at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Credit vs. non-credit losses

Under the provisions of ASC 320, Investments-Debt and Equity Securities, OTTI is separated into the amount of total impairment related to the credit loss and the amount of the total impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total OTTI related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total impairment related to all other factors is recognized in OCI.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company determined that no securities experienced credit losses.

There is no OTTI balance recognized in comprehensive income as of March 31, 2016 and 2015.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is as follows:



	March 31, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Financial assets:
Investment securities:
HTM	$	21,514	$	—	$	22,024	$	—	$	22,024
AFS	2,012,820		122,859		1,880,885		9,076		2,012,820
Trading	1,381		—		1,381		—		1,381
Derivative assets	4,733		—		4,733		—		4,733
Loans, net	11,122,236		—		10,866,374		65,246		10,931,620
Accrued interest receivable	48,488		—		48,488		—		48,488
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	13,081,655	$	—	$	13,085,523	$	—	$	13,085,523
Customer repurchases	36,106		—		36,106		—		36,106
Qualifying debt	210,447		—		—		200,312		200,312
Derivative liabilities	88,981		—		88,981		—		88,981
Accrued interest payable	8,279		—		8,279		—		8,279



	December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
Financial assets:
Investment securities:
AFS	$	1,982,523	$	148,914	$	1,823,549	$	10,060	$	1,982,523
Trading	1,481		—		1,481		—		1,481
Derivative assets	3,569		—		3,569		—		3,569
Loans, net	11,017,595		—		10,766,826		86,383		10,853,209
Accrued interest receivable	54,445		—		54,445		—		54,445
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	12,030,624	$	—	$	12,034,199	$	—	$	12,034,199
Customer repurchases	38,155		—		38,155		—		38,155
FHLB advances	150,000		—		150,000		—		150,000
Qualifying debt	210,328		—		—		207,437		207,437
Derivative liabilities	64,785		—		64,785		—		64,785
Accrued interest payable	13,626		—		13,626		—		13,626

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Interest rate risk

The Company assumes interest rate risk (the risk to the Company’s earnings and capital from changes in interest rate levels) as a result of its normal operations. As a result, the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as well as its future net interest income will change when interest rate levels change and that change may be either favorable or unfavorable to the Company.

Interest rate risk exposure is measured using interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine the Company's change in EVE and net interest income resulting from hypothetical changes in interest rates. If potential changes to EVE and net interest income resulting from hypothetical interest rate changes are not within the limits established by the BOD, the BOD may direct management to adjust the asset and liability mix to bring interest rate risk within BOD-approved limits. As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s interest rate risk profile was within BOD-approved limits.

WAB has an ALCO charged with managing interest rate risk within the BOD-approved limits. Limits are structured to prohibit an interest rate risk profile that does not conform to both management and BOD risk tolerances. There is also ALCO reporting at the Parent company level for reviewing interest rate risk for the Company, which gets reported to the BOD and the Finance and Investment Committee.

Fair value of commitments

The estimated fair value of standby letters of credit outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was insignificant. Loan commitments on which the committed interest rates were less than the current market rate were also insignificant at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

14. SEGMENTS

The Company's reportable segments are aggregated primarily based on geographic location, services offered, and markets served. In anticipation of the acquisition of a hotel franchise loan portfolio, which expands the size and scope of the Company's NBL reportable segment, management has reassessed the organization and management of its operating segments included in the NBL reportable segment. Accordingly, four reportable NBL segments are now presented separately.

The Company's regional segments, which include Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, and Northern California, provide full service banking and related services to their respective markets. The operations from the regional segments correspond to the following banking divisions: ABA in Arizona, BON and FIB in Nevada, TPB in Southern California, and Bridge in Northern California.

The Company's NBL segments, which include HOA Services, Public & Nonprofit Finance, Technology & Innovation, and Other NBLs, provide specialized banking services to niche markets. These NBLs are managed centrally and are broader in geographic scope than the Company's other segments, though still predominately located within the Company's core market areas. The operations from the HOA Services NBL correspond to the AAB division. Public & Nonprofit Finance consists of the operations of Public and Nonprofit Finance. The Technology & Innovation NBL includes Equity Fund Resources, Life Sciences Group, Renewable Resource Group, and Technology Finance. The Other NBLs segment consists of Corporate Finance, Mortgage Warehouse Lending, and Resort Finance.

The Corporate & Other segment consists of corporate-related items, income and expense items not allocated to the Company's other reportable segments, and inter-segment eliminations.

The Company's segment reporting process begins with the assignment of all loan and deposit accounts directly to the segments where these products are originated and/or serviced. Equity capital is assigned to each segment based on the risk profile of their assets and liabilities. With the exception of goodwill, which is assigned a 100% weighting, equity capital allocations ranged from 0% to 12% during the year, with a funds credit provided for the use of this equity as a funding source. Any excess or deficient equity not allocated to segments based on risk is assigned to the Corporate & Other segment.

Net interest income, provision for credit losses, and non-interest expense amounts are recorded in their respective segment to the extent that the amounts are directly attributable to those segments. Net interest income is recorded in each segment on a TEB with a corresponding increase in income tax expense, which is eliminated in the Corporate & Other segment.

Further, net interest income of a reportable segment includes a funds transfer pricing process that matches assets and liabilities with similar interest rate sensitivity and maturity characteristics. Using this funds transfer pricing methodology, liquidity is transferred between users and providers. A net user of funds has lending/investing in excess of deposits/borrowings and a net provider of funds has deposits/borrowings in excess of lending/investing. A segment that is a user of funds is charged for the use

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of funds, while a provider of funds is credited through funds transfer pricing, which is determined based on the average life of the assets or liabilities in the portfolio.

Net income amounts for each reportable segment are further derived by the use of expense allocations. Certain expenses not directly attributable to a specific segment are allocated across all segments based on key metrics, such as number of employees, average loan balances, and average deposit balances. These types of expenses include information technology, operations, human resources, finance, risk management, credit administration, legal, and marketing.

Income taxes are applied to each segment based on the effective tax rate for the geographic location of the segment. Any difference in the corporate tax rate and the aggregate effective tax rates in the segments are adjusted in the Corporate & Other segment.

The following is a summary of selected operating segment information for the periods indicated:



				Regional Segments
Balance Sheet:	Consolidated Company			Arizona			Nevada			Southern California			Northern California
At March 31, 2016	(dollars in millions)
Assets:
Cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities	$	3,130.9		$	2.1		$	9.8		$	2.2		$	3.1
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,241.4			2,815.2			1,709.4			1,799.2			1,148.8
Less: allowance for credit losses	(119.2		)	(29.9		)	(18.1		)	(19.1		)	(12.2		)
Total loans	11,122.2			2,785.3			1,691.3			1,780.1			1,136.6
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	52.8			7.2			21.3			—			0.2
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	304.0			—			24.5			—			157.5
Other assets	638.1			48.5			61.3			14.9			14.1
Total assets	$	15,248.0		$	2,843.1		$	1,808.2		$	1,797.2		$	1,311.5
Liabilities:
Deposits	$	13,081.7		$	3,183.7		$	3,628.8		$	2,056.5		$	1,603.0
Borrowings and qualifying debt	210.6			—			—			—			—
Other liabilities	295.5			12.2			27.1			8.3			13.0
Total liabilities	13,587.8			3,195.9			3,655.9			2,064.8			1,616.0
Allocated equity:	1,660.2			317.1			246.9			197.8			289.8
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	15,248.0		$	3,513.0		$	3,902.8		$	2,262.6		$	1,905.8
Excess funds provided (used)	—			669.9			2,094.6			465.4			594.3



Income Statement:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016:	(in thousands)
Net interest income (expense)	$	145,711		$	38,456		$	32,575		$	24,428		$	23,195
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses	2,500			6,773			(813		)	30			1,042
Net interest income (expense) after provision for credit losses	143,211			31,683			33,388			24,398			22,153
Non-interest income	13,133			3,681			2,059			660			2,426
Non-interest expense	(75,493		)	(14,456		)	(14,746		)	(11,234		)	(13,967		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	80,851			20,908			20,701			13,824			10,612
Income tax expense (benefit)	19,519			8,202			7,245			5,813			4,463
Net income	$	61,332		$	12,706		$	13,456		$	8,011		$	6,149

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	National Business Lines
Balance Sheet:	HOA Services			Public & Nonprofit Finance			Technology & Innovation			Other National Business Lines			Corporate & Other
At March 31, 2016	(dollars in millions)
Assets:
Cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	3,113.7
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	96.1			1,460.5			845.1			1,338.1			29.0
Less: allowance for credit losses	(1.0		)	(15.5		)	(9.0		)	(14.2		)	(0.2		)
Total loans	95.1			1,445.0			836.1			1,323.9			28.8
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	—			—			—			—			24.1
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	—			—			122.0			—			—
Other assets	0.2			10.0			3.1			11.5			474.5
Total assets	$	95.3		$	1,455.0		$	961.2		$	1,335.4		$	3,641.1
Liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,528.1		$	—		$	803.7		$	—		$	277.9
Borrowings and qualifying debt	—			—			—			—			210.6
Other liabilities	1.0			87.5			—			21.2			125.2
Total liabilities	1,529.1			87.5			803.7			21.2			613.7
Allocated equity:	39.7			87.5			205.9			110.1			165.4
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,568.8		$	175.0		$	1,009.6		$	131.3		$	779.1
Excess funds provided (used)	1,473.5			(1,280.0		)	48.4			(1,204.1		)	(2,862.0		)



Income Statement:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016:	(in thousands)
Net interest income (expense)	$	8,632		$	5,221		$	16,309		$	10,637		$	(13,742	)
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses	78			(369		)	(1,165		)	238			(3,314		)
Net interest income (expense) after provision for credit losses	8,554			5,590			17,474			10,399			(10,428		)
Non-interest income	105			(4		)	1,637			635			1,934
Non-interest expense	(5,541		)	(2,024		)	(6,906		)	(3,437		)	(3,182		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,118			3,562			12,205			7,597			(11,676		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,169			1,336			4,577			2,849			(16,135		)
Net income	$	1,949		$	2,226		$	7,628		$	4,748		$	4,459

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				Regional Segments
Balance Sheet:	Consolidated Company			Arizona			Nevada			Southern California			Northern California
At December 31, 2015	(dollars in millions)
Assets:
Cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities	$	2,266.8		$	2.3		$	9.5		$	2.4		$	2.4
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,136.7			2,811.7			1,737.2			1,761.9			1,188.4
Less: allowance for credit losses	(119.1		)	(30.1		)	(18.6		)	(18.8		)	(12.7		)
Total loans	11,017.6			2,781.6			1,718.6			1,743.1			1,175.7
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	43.9			8.4			20.8			—			0.3
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	305.4			—			24.8			—			158.2
Other assets	641.4			43.9			62.3			15.7			16.1
Total assets	$	14,275.1		$	2,836.2		$	1,836.0		$	1,761.2		$	1,352.7
Liabilities:
Deposits	$	12,030.6		$	2,880.7		$	3,382.8		$	1,902.5		$	1,541.1
Borrowings and qualifying debt	360.3			—			—			—			—
Other liabilities	292.7			12.2			29.0			7.8			11.2
Total liabilities	12,683.6			2,892.9			3,411.8			1,910.3			1,552.3
Allocated equity:	1,591.5			309.2			244.4			191.3			293.2
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	14,275.1		$	3,202.1		$	3,656.2		$	2,101.6		$	1,845.5
Excess funds provided (used)	—			365.9			1,820.2			340.4			492.8



Income Statement:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:	(in thousands)
Net interest income (expense)	$	103,108		$	28,985		$	29,209		$	22,490		$	4,453
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses	700			(668		)	349			(367		)	(27		)
Net interest income (expense) after provision for credit losses	102,408			29,653			28,860			22,857			4,480
Non-interest income	6,242			939			2,283			665			51
Non-interest expense	(54,033		)	(14,761		)	(14,474		)	(11,621		)	(2,017		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	54,617			15,831			16,669			11,901			2,514
Income tax expense (benefit)	14,234			6,210			5,834			5,004			1,057
Net income	$	40,383		$	9,621		$	10,835		$	6,897		$	1,457

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	National Business Lines
Balance Sheet:	HOA Services			Public & Nonprofit Finance			Technology & Innovation			Other National Business Lines			Corporate & Other
At December 31, 2015	(dollars in millions)
Assets:
Cash, cash equivalents, and investment securities	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,250.2
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	88.4			1,458.9			770.3			1,280.3			39.6
Less: allowance for credit losses	(0.9		)	(15.6		)	(8.2		)	(13.8		)	(0.4		)
Total loans	87.5			1,443.3			762.1			1,266.5			39.2
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	—			—			—			—			14.4
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	—			—			122.4			—			—
Other assets	0.2			14.0			2.7			11.5			475.0
Total assets	$	87.7		$	1,457.3		$	887.2		$	1,278.0		$	2,778.8
Liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,291.9		$	—		$	842.5		$	—		$	189.1
Borrowings and qualifying debt	—			—			—			—			360.3
Other liabilities	0.5			63.8			—			40.8			127.4
Total liabilities	1,292.4			63.8			842.5			40.8			676.8
Allocated equity:	34.2			87.8			200.9			105.7			124.8
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,326.6		$	151.6		$	1,043.4		$	146.5		$	801.6
Excess funds provided (used)	1,238.9			(1,305.7		)	156.2			(1,131.5		)	(1,977.2		)



Income Statement:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:	(in thousands)
Net interest income (expense)	$	5,768		$	4,581		$	—	$	12,961		$	(5,339	)
Provision for (recovery of) credit losses	70			637			—		701			5
Net interest income (expense) after provision for credit losses	5,698			3,944			—		12,260			(5,344		)
Non-interest income	73			206			—		437			1,588
Non-interest expense	(4,370		)	(1,253		)	—		(3,655		)	(1,882		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,401			2,897			—		9,042			(5,638		)
Income tax expense (benefit)	525			1,086			—		3,391			(8,873		)
Net income	$	876		$	1,811		$	—	$	5,651		$	3,235

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15. MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

On June 30, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Bridge Capital Holdings and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bridge Bank, headquartered in San Jose, California. Under the terms of the acquisition, each outstanding share of Bridge common stock was exchanged for 0.8145 shares of WAL's common stock plus $2.39 in cash. The Company paid $36.5 million in cash and issued 12.5 million common shares for all equity interests in Bridge. The merger was undertaken, in part, because Bridge strengthens the Company's Northern California presence and provides new avenues for growth in technology and international services.

The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805. Assets purchased and liabilities assumed were recorded at their respective acquisition date estimated fair values. The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are subject to adjustment during the first twelve months after the acquisition date if additional information becomes available to indicate a more accurate or appropriate value for an asset or liability.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company identified $0.7 million in measurement period adjustments from the Bridge acquisition, primarily related to a reduction in accrued liabilities. Although further measurement period adjustments are not expected to be significant, the estimated fair value of tax related items and other liabilities are still preliminary and subject to additional measurement period adjustments through June 30, 2016.

The following table presents pro forma information as if the Bridge acquisition was completed on January 1, 2014. The pro forma information includes adjustments for interest income on loans and securities acquired, amortization of intangibles arising from the transaction and interest expense on deposits acquired. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the transactions been effected on the assumed date.



		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Interest income		132,423
Non-interest income		9,515
Net income available to common stockholders (1)		44,958
Earnings per share - basic		0.44
Earnings per share - diluted		0.44


(1)	Excludes acquisition / restructure related costs incurred by the Company and by Bridge of $0.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and related tax effects.

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 20, 2016, WAB completed its previously announced acquisition of a domestic select-service hotel franchise finance loan portfolio from GE Capital US Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the Assets Purchase Agreement dated March 29, 2016, WAB acquired loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of approximately $1.34 billion and also assumed certain related assets and liabilities. WAB paid $1.28 billion for the loan portfolio, a $67.1 million discount to the aggregate unpaid principal balance.

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Item 2.	Management's Discussions and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This discussion is designed to provide insight into management's assessment of significant trends related to the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, and interest rate sensitivity. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements hereto and financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms "Company," "we," and "our" refer to Western Alliance Bancorporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including statements that are related to or are dependent on estimates or assumptions relating to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q reflect the Company's current views about future events and financial performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that may cause the Company's actual results to differ significantly from historical results and those expressed in any forward-looking statement, including those risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q. Risks and uncertainties include those set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC and the following factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented: 1) financial market and economic conditions adversely effecting financial performance; 2) dependency on real estate and events that negatively impact real estate; 3) high concentration of commercial real estate, construction and land development, and commercial and industrial loans; 4) actual credit losses may exceed expected losses in the loan portfolio; 5) the geographic concentrations of the Company's assets increase the risks related to local economic conditions; 6) exposure of financial instruments to certain market risks may cause volatility in earnings; 7) dependence on low-cost deposits; 8) ability to borrow from the FHLB or the FRB; 9) perpetration of computer, internet, or telecommunications fraud; 10) information security breaches; 11) reliance on other companies' infrastructure; 12) a change in the Company's creditworthiness; 13) risks associated with the implementation of the Company's planned system conversion; 14) expansion strategies may not be successful; 15) the Company's ability to compete in a highly competitive market; 16) the Company's ability to recruit and retain qualified employees, especially seasoned relationship bankers and senior management; 17) inadequate or ineffective risk management policies, procedures, and internal controls; 18) risks associated with new lines of businesses or new products and services within existing lines of business; 19) the Company's ability to adapt to technological change; 20) exposure to natural disasters in markets that the Company operates; 21) risk of operating in a highly regulated industry and the Company's ability to remain in compliance; 22) failure to comply with state and federal banking agency laws and regulations; 23) changes in interest rates and increased rate competition; 24) exposure to environmental liabilities related to the properties to which the Company acquires title; and 25) risks related to ownership and price of the Company's common stock.

For more information regarding risks that may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Financial Overview and Highlights

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Financial Result Highlights for the First Quarter of 2016


•	Net income of $61.3 million, compared to $40.2 million for the first quarter 2015


•	Diluted earnings per share of $0.60, compared to $0.45 per share for the first quarter 2015


•	Operating pre-provision net revenue of $82.1 million, up 50.5% from $54.5 million in the first quarter 2015¹


•	Net interest margin of 4.58%, compared to 4.35% in the first quarter 2015


•	Net operating revenue of $157.8 million, constituting year-over-year growth of 45.1%, or $49.1 million. Operating non-interest expense of $75.8 million resulted in year-over-year growth of 39.8%, or $21.6 million


•	Efficiency ratio of 45.6% in the first quarter 2016, compared to 46.7% in the first quarter 2015¹


•	Total loans of $11.24 billion, up $104.8 million from December 31, 2015


•	Total deposits of $13.08 billion, up $1.05 billion from December 31, 2015


•	Nonperforming assets (nonaccrual loans and repossessed assets) decreased to 0.57% of total assets, from 1.11% at March 31, 2015


•	Net loan charge-offs (annualized) to average loans outstanding of 0.08%, compared to net loan recoveries (annualized) to average loans outstanding 0.06% at March 31, 2015


•	Tangible common equity ratio of 9.1%, compared to 8.5% at March 31, 2015¹


•	Stockholders' equity of $1.66 billion, an increase of $608.9 million from March 31, 2015


•	Tangible book value per share, net of tax, of $13.16, an increase of 22.8% from $10.72 at March 31, 2015¹

The impact to the Company from these items, and others of both a positive and negative nature, are discussed in more detail below as they pertain to the Company’s overall comparative performance for the three months ended March 31, 2016. As a bank holding company, management focuses on key ratios in evaluating the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

¹See Non-GAAP Financial Measures section beginning on page 58.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition

A summary of the Company's results of operations, financial condition, and select metrics are included in the following tables:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	61,332		$	40,207
Earnings per share applicable to common stockholders - basic	0.60			0.46
Earnings per share applicable to common stockholders - diluted	0.60			0.45
Net interest margin	4.58		%	4.35		%
Return on average assets	1.70			1.50
Return on average tangible common equity	18.43			17.30



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Total assets	$	15,248,039	$	14,275,089
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,241,463		11,136,663
Total deposits	13,081,655		12,030,624

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Asset Quality

For all banks and bank holding companies, asset quality plays a significant role in the overall financial condition of the institution and results of operations. The Company measures asset quality in terms of non-accrual loans as a percentage of gross loans and net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans. Net charge-offs are calculated as the difference between charged-off loans and recovery payments received on previously charged-off loans. The following table summarizes asset quality metrics:



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Non-accrual loans	$	33,802		$	48,381
Non-performing assets	156,779			166,058
Non-accrual loans to gross loans	0.30		%	0.44		%
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans (1)	0.08		%	(0.06		)%

(1) Annualized for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Actual year-to-date for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Asset and Liability Growth

The Company’s assets and liabilities are comprised primarily of loans and deposits. Therefore, the ability to originate new loans and attract new deposits is fundamental to the Company’s growth. Total assets increased to $15.25 billion at March 31, 2016 from $14.28 billion at December 31, 2015. Total loans, including HFS loans, increased by $104.8 million to $11.24 billion as of March 31, 2016, compared to $11.14 billion as of December 31, 2015. Total deposits increased $1.05 billion, or 8.7%, to $13.08 billion as of March 31, 2016 from $12.03 billion as of December 31, 2015.

Subsequently Completed Acquisition

All loans acquired in this portfolio are performing and have a weighted average yield of 4.8%. The loans are spread among 39 states, with the largest concentrations of loans in Texas (18%), Georgia (10%), and Ohio (8%).

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth a summary financial overview for the comparable periods:



	Three Months Ended March 31,				Increase
	2016		2015		(Decrease)
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Consolidated Income Statement Data:
Interest income	$	154,256	$	110,962	$	43,294
Interest expense	8,545		7,854		691
Net interest income	145,711		103,108		42,603
Provision for credit losses	2,500		700		1,800
Net interest income after provision for credit losses	143,211		102,408		40,803
Non-interest income	13,133		6,242		6,891
Non-interest expense	75,493		54,033		21,460
Income before income taxes	80,851		54,617		26,234
Income tax expense	19,519		14,234		5,285
Net income	$	61,332	$	40,383	$	20,949
Earnings per share applicable to common stockholders - basic	$	0.60	$	0.46	$	0.14
Earnings per share applicable to common stockholders - diluted	$	0.60	$	0.45	$	0.15

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Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following discussion and analysis contains financial information determined by methods other than those prescribed by GAAP. The Company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in their analysis of the Company's performance. These measurements typically adjust GAAP performance measures to exclude the effects of unrealized gains or losses on assets and liabilities measured at fair value as well as other items to adjust income available to common stockholders for certain significant activities or transactions that, in management's opinion, do not reflect recurring period-to-period comparisons of the Company's performance. Management believes presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a complete understanding of the operating results of the Company's core businesses. Since the presentation of these non-GAAP performance measures and their impact differ between companies, these non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.

Operating PPNR

Pre-provision net revenue is defined by the Federal Reserve in SR 14-3, which requires companies subject to the rule to project PPNR over the planning horizon for each of the economic scenarios defined annually by the regulators. Banking regulations define PPNR as net interest income plus non-interest income less non-interest expense. The guidance further states that any non-recurring or non-operational elements of non-interest income or non-interest expense are to be excluded which are outlined in the table below. Management feels that this is an important metric as it illustrates the underlying performance of the Company, it enables investors and others to assess the Company’s ability to generate capital to cover credit losses through the credit cycle, and provides consistent reporting with a key metric used by bank regulatory agencies.

The following table shows the components of operating PPNR for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Total non-interest income	$	13,133		$	6,242
Less:
Gain (loss) on sales of investment securities, net (1)	1,001			589
Unrealized gains (losses) on assets and liabilities measured at fair value, net (1)	(5		)	—
Total operating non-interest income	12,137			5,653
Plus: net interest income	145,711			103,108
Net operating revenue	$	157,848		$	108,761
Total non-interest expense	$	75,493		$	54,033
Less:
Net (gain) loss on sales / valuations of repossessed and other assets (1)	(302		)	(351		)
Acquisition / restructure expense (1)	—			159
Total operating non-interest expense	$	75,795		$	54,225
Operating pre-provision net revenue (2)	$	82,053		$	54,536


(1)	The operating PPNR non-GAAP performance metric is adjusted to exclude the effects of this non-operational item.


(2)	There were no adjustments made for non-recurring items during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

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Tangible Common Equity

The following table presents financial measures related to tangible common equity. Tangible common equity represents total stockholders' equity, less identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. Management believes that tangible common equity financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company's capital strength, financial condition, and ability to manage potential losses. In addition, management believes that these measures improve comparability to other institutions that have not engaged in acquisitions that resulted in recorded goodwill and other intangible assets.



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(dollars and shares in thousands)
Total stockholders' equity	$	1,660,163		$	1,591,502
Less: goodwill and intangible assets	303,962			305,354
Total tangible common equity	1,356,201			1,286,148
Plus: deferred tax - attributed to intangible assets	5,828			6,093
Total tangible common equity, net of tax	$	1,362,029		$	1,292,241

Total assets	$	15,248,039		$	14,275,089
Less: goodwill and intangible assets, net	303,962			305,354
Tangible assets	14,944,077			13,969,735
Plus: deferred tax - attributed to intangible assets	5,828			6,093
Total tangible assets, net of tax	$	14,949,905		$	13,975,828

Tangible equity ratio	9.1		%	9.2		%
Tangible common equity ratio	9.1			9.2
Common shares outstanding	103,514			103,087
Tangible book value per share, net of tax	$	13.16		$	12.54

Efficiency Ratio

The following table shows the components used in the calculation of the efficiency ratio, which management uses as a metric for assessing cost efficiency:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(dollars in thousands)
Total operating non-interest expense	$	75,795		$	54,225

Divided by:
Total net interest income	$	145,711		$	103,108
Plus:
Tax equivalent interest adjustment	8,435			7,389
Operating non-interest income	12,137			5,653
Net operating revenue - TEB	$	166,283		$	116,150

Efficiency ratio - TEB	45.6		%	46.7		%

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Adjusted Allowance for Credit Losses

The adjusted allowance for credit losses to gross loans ratio includes an adjustment for the remaining credit marks on acquired performing and PCI loans. Under GAAP, the allowance for credit losses on acquired loans is not carried over in an acquisition as acquired loans are recorded at fair value, net of related interest rate and credit marks, which discounts the loans based on expected future cash flows. The credit marks on acquired loans represent the allowance for credit losses carried over to the Company. Therefore, by adding back the remaining credit marks on acquired loans, management believes this is more indicative of the allowance available for inherent losses in the loan portfolio.



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses	$	119,227		$	119,068
Plus: remaining credit marks
Acquired performing loans	9,646			12,154
Purchased credit impaired loans	6,760			8,491
Adjusted allowance for credit losses	$	135,633		$	139,713

Gross loans held for investment and deferred fees, net	$	11,217,860		$	11,112,854
Plus: remaining credit marks
Acquired performing loans	9,646			12,154
Purchased credit impaired loans	6,760			8,491
Adjusted loans, net of deferred fees and costs	$	11,234,266		$	11,133,499

Allowance for credit losses to gross loans	1.06		%	1.07		%
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans, adjusted for acquisition accounting	1.21		%	1.25		%

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Regulatory Capital

The following table presents certain financial measures related to regulatory capital under Basel III, which includes Common Equity Tier 1 and total capital. The FRB and other banking regulators use Common Equity Tier 1 and total capital as a basis for assessing a bank's capital adequacy; therefore, management believes it is useful to assess financial condition and capital adequacy using this same basis. Specifically, the total capital ratio takes into consideration the risk levels of assets and off-balance sheet financial instruments. In addition, management believes that the classified assets to Common Equity Tier 1 plus allowance measure is an important regulatory metric for assessing asset quality.



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(dollars in thousands)
Common Equity Tier 1:
Common Equity	$	1,660,163		$	1,591,502
Less:
Non-qualifying goodwill and intangibles	294,458			293,487
Disallowed deferred tax asset	7,596			5,001
AOCI related adjustments	20,542			10,228
Unrealized gain on changes in fair value liabilities	9,862			6,309
Common Equity Tier 1 (regulatory)	$	1,327,705		$	1,276,477
Divided by: Risk-weighted assets (regulatory)	$	13,426,265		$	13,193,563
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio	9.9		%	9.7		%

Common Equity Tier 1 (regulatory)	$	1,327,705		$	1,276,477
Plus:
Trust preferred securities	81,500			81,500
Less:
Disallowed deferred tax asset	5,064			7,502
Unrealized gain on changes in fair value liabilities	6,574			9,464
Tier 1 capital	$	1,397,567		$	1,341,011

Total Capital:
Tier 1 capital (regulatory)	$	1,397,567		$	1,341,011
Plus:
Subordinated debt	134,570			140,097
Qualifying allowance for credit losses	119,227			119,068
Other	3,661			3,296
Less: Tier 2 qualifying capital deductions	—			—
Tier 2 capital	$	257,458		$	262,461

Total capital	$	1,655,025		$	1,603,472

Total capital ratio	12.3		%	12.2		%

Classified assets to Common Equity Tier 1 plus allowance for credit losses:
Classified assets	$	187,929		$	221,126
Divided by:
Common Equity Tier 1 (regulatory)	1,327,705			1,276,477
Plus: Allowance for credit losses	119,227			119,068
Total Common Equity Tier 1 plus allowance for credit losses	$	1,446,932		$	1,395,545

Classified assets to Common Equity Tier 1 plus allowance	13.0		%	15.8		%

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Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin is reported on a TEB. A tax equivalent adjustment is added to reflect interest earned on certain municipal securities and loans that are exempt from federal income tax. The following tables set forth the average balances, interest income, interest expense, and average yield (on a fully TEB) for the periods indicated:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016							2015
	Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield / Cost		Average Balance			Interest		Average Yield / Cost
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets
Commercial	$	5,160,544		$	60,925	5.24	%	$	3,587,709		$	34,580	4.50	%
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied	2,272,443			30,953		5.45		2,046,612			27,831		5.44
Commercial real estate - owner occupied	2,061,370			26,186		5.08		1,799,577			22,567		5.02
Construction and land development	1,166,104			17,496		6.00		788,527			11,438		5.80
Residential real estate	311,510			3,509		4.51		295,830			3,544		4.79
Consumer	28,823			366		5.08		28,602			431		6.03
Loans held for sale	24,142			351		5.82		—			—		—
Total loans (1) (2) (3)	11,024,936			139,786		5.31		8,546,857			100,391		4.97
Securities - taxable (1)	1,568,353			9,337		2.38		1,095,508			6,292		2.30
Securities - tax-exempt	454,728			4,171		5.23		383,865			3,496		5.33
Total securities	2,023,081			13,508		3.02		1,479,373			9,788		3.09
Other	417,502			962		0.92		136,171			783		2.30
Total interest earning assets	13,465,519			154,256		4.83		10,162,401			110,962		4.66
Non-interest earning assets
Cash and due from banks	140,751							118,090
Allowance for credit losses	(121,533		)					(110,997		)
Bank owned life insurance	162,782							142,365
Other assets	822,625							450,108
Total assets	$	14,470,144						$	10,761,967
Interest-bearing liabilities
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing transaction accounts	$	1,091,886		$	455	0.17	%	$	919,992		$	394	0.17	%
Savings and money market	5,333,905			4,034		0.30		3,909,414			2,776		0.28
Time certificates of deposit	1,561,496			1,754		0.45		1,935,493			1,976		0.41
Total interest-bearing deposits	7,987,287			6,243		0.31		6,764,899			5,146		0.30
Short-term borrowings	52,822			118		0.89		177,493			1,751		3.95
Long-term debt	—			—		—		201,990			516		1.02
Qualifying debt	199,438			2,184		4.38		40,440			441		4.36
Total interest-bearing liabilities	8,239,547			8,545		0.41		7,184,822			7,854		0.44
Non-interest-bearing liabilities
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	4,350,132							2,369,850
Other liabilities	244,484							177,102
Stockholders’ equity	1,635,981							1,030,193
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	14,470,144						$	10,761,967
Net interest income and margin (4)				$	145,711	4.58	%				$	103,108	4.35	%
Net interest spread (5)						4.42	%						4.22	%


(1)	Yields on loans and securities have been adjusted to a TEB. The taxable-equivalent adjustment was $8.4 million and $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


(2)	Net loan fees of $10.2 million and $5.2 million are included in the yield computation for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


(3)	Includes non-accrual loans.


(4)	Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average earning assets.


(5)	Net interest spread represents average yield earned on interest-earning assets less the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities.

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	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016 versus 2015
	Increase (Decrease) Due to Changes in (1)
	Volume			Rate			Total
	(in thousands)
Interest income:
Loans, HFI
Commercial	$	18,569		$	7,776		$	26,345
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied	3,076			46			3,122
Commercial real estate - owner occupied	3,326			293			3,619
Construction and land development	5,665			393			6,058
Residential real estate	177			(212		)	(35		)
Consumer	3			(69		)	(66		)
Loans held for sale	352			—			352
Total loans	$	31,168		$	8,227		$	39,395
Securities
Securities - taxable	2,815			230			3,045
Securities - tax-exempt	650			25			675
Total securities	3,465			255			3,720
Other	648			(469		)	179
Total interest income	35,281			8,013			43,294

Interest expense:
Interest bearing transaction accounts	72			(11		)	61
Savings and money market	1,077			181			1,258
Time certificates of deposit	(420		)	198			(222		)
Short-term borrowings	(279		)	(1,354		)	(1,633		)
Long-term debt	—			(516		)	(516		)
Qualifying debt	1,741			2			1,743
Total interest expense	2,191			(1,500		)	691

Net increase (decrease)	$	33,090		$	9,513		$	42,603


(1)	Changes due to both volume and rate have been allocated to volume changes.

Comparison of interest income, interest expense and net interest margin

The Company's primary source of revenue is interest income. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, interest income was $154.3 million, an increase of 39.0%, compared to $111.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. This increase was primarily the result of a $2.48 billion increase in the average loan balance and an increase of 34 basis points in the average yield on loans, which drove a $39.4 million increase in loan interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The Bridge acquisition on June 30, 2015 increased the Company's loan balance by $1.44 billion and also contributed $27.8 million to loan interest income during the current quarter.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, interest expense was $8.5 million and $7.9 million, respectively. Interest expense on deposits increased $1.1 million for the same period as average interest bearing deposits increased $1.22 billion. Interest expense on qualifying debt increased $1.7 million from the three months ended March 31, 2015 as the average qualifying debt balance increased $159.0 million due to the issuance of $150.0 million in subordinated debt during the second quarter 2015 and the junior subordinated debt assumed by the Company in the Bridge acquisition. These increases were offset by a decrease in interest expense on short-term and long-term borrowings of $2.1 million as a result of a $326.7 million decrease in average short-term and long-term borrowings for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, net interest income was $145.7 million and $103.1 million, respectively. The increase in net interest income reflects a $3.30 billion increase in average interest earning assets, offset by a $1.05 billion increase in average interest-bearing liabilities. The increase in net interest margin of 23 basis points was the result of an increase in the average loan balance and average yield on loans compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015.

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Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses in each period is reflected as a reduction in earnings in that period. The provision is equal to the amount required to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level that is adequate to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the provision for credit losses was $2.5 million, compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily due to net loan charge-offs for the quarter. The Company may establish an additional allowance for credit losses for PCI loans through provision for credit losses when impairment is determined as a result of lower than expected cash flows. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the allowance for credit losses on PCI loans was $0.3 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively. For non-PCI loans, the allowance for credit losses was $1.9 million for each of the periods ended March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Non-interest Income

The following table presents a summary of non-interest income for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016		2015		Increase (Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Service charges and fees	$	4,466	$	2,889	$	1,577
Lending related income and gains (losses) on sale of loans, net	3,941		201		3,740
Card income	1,013		813		200
Gain (loss) on sales of investment securities, net	1,001		589		412
Income from bank owned life insurance	930		977		(47		)
Other income	1,782		773		1,009
Total non-interest income	$	13,133	$	6,242	$	6,891

Total non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to 2015, increased by $6.9 million, or 110.4%. The increase was primarily due to service charges and fees, lending related income and gain (loss) on sale of loans, net, and other income. The increase in service charges and fees was due to the growth of the Company's deposit base, both organically and from the addition of Bridge, as well as the Company's continued focus on collection of service charges on customer accounts. Bridge contributed $1.4 million to total service charges and fees for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Lending related income and gain (loss) on sale of loans increased due to the inclusion of Bridge which contributed $0.8 million to lending related income and a non-recurring gain on sale of loans of $2.5 million. In addition, other income increased primarily due to foreign exchange income from Bridge operations of $0.9 million.

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Non-interest Expense

The following table presents a summary of non-interest expense for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015			Increase (Decrease)
	(in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits	$	44,855		$	32,541		$	12,314
Occupancy	6,257			4,813			1,444
Legal, professional, and directors' fees	5,572			3,995			1,577
Data processing	4,561			3,126			1,435
Insurance	3,323			2,090			1,233
Loan and repossessed asset expenses	902			1,090			(188		)
Card expense	887			474			413
Intangible amortization	697			281			416
Marketing	657			377			280
Net (gain) loss on sales / valuations of repossessed and other assets	(302		)	(351		)	49
Acquisition / restructure expense	—			159			(159		)
Other expense	8,084			5,438			2,646
Total non-interest expense	$	75,493		$	54,033		$	21,460

Total non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to 2015, increased $21.5 million, or 39.7%. This increase primarily related to salaries and employee benefits, legal, professional, and directors' fees, data processing, occupancy, and insurance. The rise in salaries and employee benefits was primarily attributable to the addition of Bridge employees as well as growth in staffing to support continued asset growth. The legal, professional, and directors' fees increase is attributable to professional services to support the continued growth of the Company in various initiatives and professional fees related to loans. Data processing increased due to the addition of Bridge and technology enhancement initiatives. The increase in occupancy related to the addition of Bridge offices, which increased rent expense, office utilities, and depreciation on premises and equipment.

Income Taxes

Business Segment Results

The Company's reportable segments are aggregated primarily based on geographic location, services offered, and markets served. In anticipation of the acquisition of GE's hotel franchise loan portfolio, which expands the size and scope of the Company's NBL reportable segment, management has reassessed the organization and management of its operating segments included in the NBL reportable segment. Accordingly, four reportable NBL segments are now presented separately.

The Company's regional segments, which include Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, and Northern California, provide full service banking and related services to their respective markets. The Company's NBL segments, which include HOA services, Public & Nonprofit Finance, Technology & Innovation, and Other NBLs, provide specialized banking services to niche markets. These NBLs are managed centrally and are broader in geographic scope than our other segments, though still predominately located within our core market areas. The Corporate & Other segment consists of corporate-related items, income and expense items not allocated to our other reportable segments, and inter-segment eliminations.

The operating segments were as follows: Arizona, Nevada, Southern California, Northern California, HOA Services, Public & Nonprofit Finance, Technology & Innovation, Other NBLs, and Corporate & Other. The following tables present selected operating segment information for the periods presented:

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		Regional Segments
	Consolidated Company	Arizona	Nevada	Southern California	Northern California
	(in millions)
At March 31, 2016
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,241.4	2,815.2	1,709.4	1,799.2	1,148.8
Deposits	13,081.7	3,183.7	3,628.8	2,056.5	1,603.0

At December 31, 2015
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,136.7	2,811.7	1,737.2	1,761.9	1,188.4
Deposits	12,030.6	2,880.7	3,382.8	1,902.5	1,541.1



	(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016:
Pre-tax income (loss)	80,851	20,908	20,701	13,824	10,612

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
Pre-tax income (loss)	54,617	15,831	16,669	11,901	2,514



	National Business Lines
	HOA Services	Public & Nonprofit Finance	Technology & Innovation	Other National Business Lines	Corporate & Other
	(in millions)
At March 31, 2016
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	96.1	1,460.5	845.1	1,338.1	29.0
Deposits	1,528.1	—	803.7	—	277.9

At December 31, 2015
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	88.4	1,458.9	770.3	1,280.3	39.6
Deposits	1,291.9	—	842.5	—	189.1



	(in thousands)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016:
Pre-tax income (loss)	3,118	3,562	12,205	7,597	(11,676	)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
Pre-tax income (loss)	1,401	2,897	—	9,042	(5,638	)

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Total assets increased $973.0 million, or 6.8%, to $15.25 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $14.28 billion at December 31, 2015. The increase in assets primarily related to the increased cash position of the Company due to deposit growth in anticipation of the purchase of a hotel franchise finance loan portfolio.

Total liabilities increased $904.3 million, or 7.1%, to $13.59 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $12.68 billion at December 31, 2015. The increase in liabilities was due to an increase in total deposits of $1.05 billion, or 8.7%, to $13.08 billion.

Total stockholders’ equity increased by $68.7 million, or 4.3%, to $1.66 billion at March 31, 2016, compared to $1.59 billion at December 31, 2015. The increase in stockholders' equity was due to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and an increase in the fair value of the Company's AFS portfolio, which is recognized as part of AOCI.

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Investment securities

Investment securities are classified at the time of acquisition as either HTM, AFS, or measured at fair value based upon various factors, including asset/liability management strategies, liquidity and profitability objectives, and regulatory requirements. HTM securities are carried at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. AFS securities are securities that may be sold prior to maturity based upon asset/liability management decisions. Investment securities classified as AFS are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on AFS securities are recorded as part of AOCI in stockholders’ equity. Amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts on MBS is periodically adjusted for estimated prepayments. Investment securities measured at fair value are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in current period earnings.

The investment securities portfolio of the Company is utilized as collateral for borrowings, required collateral for public deposits, and customer repurchase agreements, and to manage liquidity, capital, and interest rate risk. The following table summarizes the carrying value of the investment securities portfolio for each of the periods below:



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Held-to-maturity
Tax-exempt bonds	$	21,514	$	—

Available-for-sale
Collateralized debt obligations	$	9,076	$	10,060
Commercial MBS issued by GSEs	19,509		19,114
Corporate debt securities	13,364		13,251
CRA investments	35,089		34,685
Municipal obligations	343,033		334,830
Preferred stock	85,232		111,236
Private label commercial MBS	3,882		4,691
Private label residential MBS	343,727		257,128
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	1,135,576		1,170,221
Trust preferred securities	21,794		24,314
U.S. treasury securities	2,538		2,993
Total AFS securities	$	2,012,820	$	1,982,523

Securities measured at fair value
Residential MBS issued by GSEs	$	1,381	$	1,481

The Company does not own any subprime MBS in its investment portfolio. The majority of its MBS are GSE issued. The remaining MBS not GSE issued consist of $303.9 million rated AAA, $36.6 million rated AA, $2.9 million rated A, $1.7 million rated BBB, and $2.6 million are non-investment grade.

Gross unrealized losses at March 31, 2016 are primarily caused by interest rate fluctuations, credit spread widening, and reduced liquidity in applicable markets. The Company has reviewed securities on which there is an unrealized loss in accordance with its accounting policy for OTTI securities described in "Note 2. Investment Securities" to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein. There were no impairment charges recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

The Company does not consider any securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. However, the Company cannot guarantee that OTTI will not occur in future periods. At March 31, 2016, the Company had the intent and ability to retain its investments for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

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Loans

The table below summarizes the distribution of the Company’s held for investment loan portfolio at the end of each of the periods indicated:



	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Loans, held for investment
Commercial and industrial	$	5,240,786		$	5,114,257
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied	2,290,969			2,283,536
Commercial real estate - owner occupied	2,032,328			2,083,285
Construction and land development	1,179,923			1,133,439
Residential real estate	302,398			322,939
Commercial leases	137,756			148,493
Consumer	33,700			26,905
Loans, net of deferred loan fees and costs	11,217,860			11,112,854
Allowance for credit losses	(119,227		)	(119,068		)
Total loans HFI	$	11,098,633		$	10,993,786

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company also had $23.6 million and $23.8 million of HFS loans, respectively.

Concentrations of Lending Activities

The Company monitors concentrations within four broad categories: geography, industry, product, and collateral. The Company’s loan portfolio includes significant credit exposure to the CRE market. At each of the periods ended March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, CRE related loans accounted for approximately 49% of total loans. Substantially all of these loans are secured by first liens with an initial loan to value ratio of generally not more than 75%. Approximately 47% and 48% of these CRE loans, excluding construction and land loans, were owner-occupied at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Impaired loans

A loan is identified as impaired when it is no longer probable that interest and principal will be collected according to the contractual terms of the original loan agreement. Generally, impaired loans are classified as non-accrual. However, in certain instances, impaired loans may continue on an accrual basis if full repayment of all principal and interest is expected and the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection. Impaired loans are measured for reserve requirements in accordance with ASC 310 based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less applicable disposition costs if the loan is collateral dependent. The amount of an impairment reserve, if any, and any subsequent changes are charged against the allowance for credit losses.

In addition to the Company's own internal loan review process, regulators may from time to time direct the Company to modify loan grades, loan impairment calculations, or loan impairment methodology.

Total non-performing loans decreased by $18.1 million, or 14.8%, at March 31, 2016 to $104.0 million from $122.1 million at December 31, 2015.

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	March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(dollars in thousands)
Total non-accrual loans (1)	$	33,802		$	48,381
Loans past due 90 days or more on accrual status	4,488			3,028
Troubled debt restructured loans (2)	65,713			70,707
Total nonperforming loans	104,003			122,116
Other impaired loans	3,064			6,758
Total impaired loans	$	107,067		$	128,874
Other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	$	52,776		$	43,942
Non-accrual loans to gross loans held for investment	0.30		%	0.44		%
Loans past due 90 days or more on accrual status to gross loans held for investment	0.04			0.03


(1)	Includes non-accrual TDR loans of $14.1 million and $18.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.


(2)	Includes accruing TDR loans only.

Interest income received on non-accrual loans was $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of non-accrual loans was $0.4 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The composition of non-accrual loans by loan type and by segment were as follows:



	March 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Non-accrual Balance		Percent of Non-Accrual Balance		Percent of Total HFI Loans		Non-accrual Balance		Percent of Non-Accrual Balance		Percent of Total HFI Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	13,350	39.49	%	0.12	%	$	20,877	43.15	%	0.19	%
Commercial real estate	13,873		41.05		0.12		18,675		38.60		0.17
Construction and land development	2,285		6.76		0.02		2,309		4.77		0.02
Residential real estate	4,098		12.12		0.04		6,324		13.07		0.06
Consumer	196		0.58		0.00		196		0.41		—
Total non-accrual loans	$	33,802	100.00	%	0.30	%	$	48,381	100.00	%	0.44	%



	March 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
	Nonaccrual Loans		Percent of Segment's Total HFI Loans		Nonaccrual Loans		Percent of Segment's Total HFI Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
Regional Segments
Arizona	$	4,800	0.17	%	$	10,596	0.38	%
Nevada	11,856		0.69		8,010		0.46
Southern California	2,402		0.13		2,844		0.16
Northern California	6,373		0.57		1,590		0.14
Total Regional Segments	25,431		0.34		23,040		0.31
National Business Lines
HOA Services	—		—		—		—
Public & Nonprofit	—		—		—		—
Technology & Innovation	1,648		0.20		10,022		1.30
Other NBL	196		0.01		196		0.02
Total NBL	1,844		0.05		10,218		0.28
Corporate & Other	6,527		22.38		15,123		38.18
Total non-accrual loans	$	33,802	0.30	%	$	48,381	0.44	%

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Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

A TDR loan is a loan that is granted a concession, for reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, that the lender would not otherwise consider. The loan terms that have been modified or restructured due to a borrower’s financial situation include, but are not limited to, a reduction in the stated interest rate, an extension of the maturity or renewal of the loan at an interest rate below current market, a reduction in the face amount of the debt, a reduction in accrued interest, extensions, deferrals, renewals, and rewrites. A TDR loan is also considered impaired. Generally, a loan that is modified at an effective market rate of interest is no longer disclosed as a TDR in years subsequent to the restructuring if it is performing based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement. However, such loans continue to be considered impaired.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the aggregate amount of loans classified as impaired was $107.1 million and $128.9, respectively, a net decrease of 16.9%. The total specific allowance for credit losses related to these loans was $2.6 million and $4.7 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company had $65.7 million and $70.7 million in loans classified as accruing restructured loan at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Impaired loans by segment at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:



	March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Regional Segments
Arizona	$	15,309	$	22,400
Nevada	53,959		56,843
Southern California	2,737		3,181
Northern California	6,052		—
Total Regional Segments	78,057		82,424
National Business Lines
HOA	—		—
Public & Nonprofit	—		—
Technology & Innovation	1,648		10,022
Other NBL	196		196
Total NBL	1,844		10,218
Corporate & Other	27,166		36,232
Total impaired loans	$	107,067	$	128,874

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The following tables present a breakdown of total impaired loans and the related specific reserves for the periods indicated:



	March 31, 2016
	Impaired Balance		Percent of Impaired Balance		Percent of Total HFI Loans		Reserve Balance		Percent of Reserve Balance		Percent of Total Allowance
	(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	21,485	20.07	%	0.19	%	$	1,422	54.07	%	1.20	%
Commercial real estate	52,447		48.98		0.47		1,133		43.08		0.95
Construction and land development	17,785		16.61		0.16		—		—		—
Residential real estate	15,031		14.04		0.13		74		2.81		0.06
Consumer	319		0.30		—		1		0.04		—
Total impaired loans	$	107,067	100.00	%	0.95	%	$	2,630	100.00	%	2.21	%



	December 31, 2015
	Impaired Balance		Percent of Impaired Balance		Percent of Total HFI Loans		Reserve Balance		Percent of Reserve Balance		Percent of Total Allowance
	(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	29,409	22.82	%	0.26	%	$	3,518	75.52	%	2.95	%
Commercial real estate	64,234		49.84		0.58		869		18.66		0.73
Construction and land development	18,322		14.22		0.17		—		—		—
Residential real estate	16,575		12.86		0.15		270		5.80		0.23
Consumer	334		0.26		—		1		0.02		—
Total impaired loans	$	128,874	100.00	%	1.16	%	$	4,658	100.00	%	3.91	%

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Allowance for Credit Losses

The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's allowance for credit losses for the period indicated:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
	(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for credit losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$	119,068		$	110,216
Provision charged to operating expense:
Commercial and industrial	5,890			3,562
Commercial real estate	(3,311		)	(1,055		)
Construction and land development	354			(716		)
Residential real estate	(571		)	(923		)
Consumer	138			(168		)
Total Provision	2,500			700
Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
Commercial and industrial	(1,576		)	(916		)
Commercial real estate	(3,665		)	(383		)
Construction and land development	(95		)	(157		)
Residential real estate	(257		)	(533		)
Consumer	(67		)	(40		)
Total recoveries	(5,660		)	(2,029		)
Loans charged-off:
Commercial and industrial	7,491			393
Commercial real estate	410			—
Construction and land development	—			—
Residential real estate	26			400
Consumer	74			54
Total charged-off	8,001			847
Net charge-offs (recoveries)	2,341			(1,182		)
Balance at end of period	$	119,227		$	112,098
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans - annualized	0.08		%	(0.06		)%
Allowance for credit losses to gross loans	1.06			1.27

The following table summarizes the allocation of the allowance for credit losses by loan type. However, the allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.



	Commercial and Industrial			Commercial Real Estate			Construction and Land Development			Residential Real Estate			Consumer			Total
	(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2016
Allowance for Credit Losses	$	71,156		$	23,104		$	19,425		$	4,938		$	604		$	119,227
Percent of Total Allowance for Credit Losses	59.7		%	19.4		%	16.3		%	4.1		%	0.5		%	100.0		%
Percent of Gross Loans to Total Gross HFI Loans	48.0			38.5			10.5			2.7			0.3			100.0
December 31, 2015
Allowance for Credit Losses	$	71,181		$	23,160		$	18,976		$	5,278		$	473		$	119,068
Percent of Total Allowance for Credit Losses	59.8		%	19.5		%	15.9		%	4.4		%	0.4		%	100.0		%
Percent of Gross Loans to Total Gross HFI Loans	47.4			39.3			10.2			2.9			0.2			100.0

While the allowance for credit losses increased by $0.2 million from December 31, 2015, the allowance for credit losses to gross loans ratio decreased by 1 basis point from December 31, 2015 due to factors including loan mix and other qualitative and quantitative factors. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" in "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

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Condition and Results of Operations" for an allowance for credit losses to gross loans ratio that has been adjusted for acquisition accounting.

Problem Loans

The Company classifies loans consistent with federal banking regulations using a nine category grading system. These loan grades are described in further detail in "Item 1. Business” of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The following table presents information regarding potential and actual problem loans, consisting of loans graded Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, and Loss, but still performing, and excluding acquired loans:



	March 31, 2016
	Number of Loans	Loan Balance		Percent of Loan Balance		Percent of Total HFI Loan Balance
	(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	94	$	57,407	48.92	%	0.51	%
Commercial real estate	50	36,107		30.76		0.32
Construction and land development	3	17,761		15.13		0.16
Residential real estate	15	5,866		5.00		0.06
Consumer	9	228		0.19		—
Total	171	$	117,369	100.00	%	1.05	%



	December 31, 2015
	Number of Loans	Loan Balance		Percent of Loan Balance		Percent of Total HFI Loan Balance
	(dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	90	$	80,011	55.69	%	0.72	%
Commercial real estate	50	40,345		28.08		0.36
Construction and land development	3	17,734		12.34		0.16
Residential real estate	12	5,309		3.70		0.05
Consumer	8	271		0.19		—
Total	163	$	143,670	100.00	%	1.29	%

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Other Assets Acquired Through Foreclosure

The following table represents the changes in other assets acquired through foreclosure:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016
	Gross Balance			Valuation Allowance			Net Balance
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period	$	52,984		$	(9,042	)	$	43,942
Transfers to other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	10,638			—			10,638
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets, net	(2,436		)	295			(2,141		)
Valuation adjustments, net	—			177			177
Gains, net (1)	160			—			160
Balance, end of period	$	61,346		$	(8,570	)	$	52,776

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015
Balance, beginning of period	$	71,421		$	(14,271	)	$	57,150
Transfers to other assets acquired through foreclosure, net	7,720			—			7,720
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned and repossessed assets, net	(2,288		)	848			(1,440		)
Valuation adjustments, net	—			(786		)	(786		)
Gains, net (1)	1,115			—			1,115
Balance, end of period	$	77,968		$	(14,209	)	$	63,759


(1)	Includes net gains related to initial transfers to other assets of zero and $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, pursuant to accounting guidance.

Other assets acquired through foreclosure consist primarily of properties acquired as a result of, or in-lieu-of, foreclosure. OREO and other repossessed property are reported at the lower of carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell the property. Costs relating to the development or improvement of the assets are capitalized and costs relating to holding the assets are charged to expense. The Company had $52.8 million, $43.9 million, and $63.8 million of such assets at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015, respectively.

At March 31, 2016, the Company held 37 OREO properties, compared to 39 at December 31, 2015, and 68 at March 31, 2015.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess consideration paid for net assets acquired in a business combination over their fair value. Goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in a business combination that are determined to have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortization, but are subsequently evaluated for impairment at least annually. The Company has goodwill of $288.9 million and intangible assets totaling $15.0 million at March 31, 2016, which have been allocated to the Nevada, Northern California, and NBL operating segments.

The Company performs its annual goodwill and intangibles impairment tests as of October 1 each year, or more often if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, and there were no events or circumstances that indicated an interim impairment test of goodwill or other intangible assets was necessary.

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Deferred Tax Assets

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the net deferred tax assets decreased $12.4 million to $74.0 million. This overall decrease in the net deferred tax asset was primarily the result of decreases to deferred tax assets from a change in the fair market value of junior subordinated debt and AFS securities, vesting of stock-based compensation awards, and fair market value adjustments related to acquired loans.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company did not have a deferred tax valuation allowance.

Deposits

Deposits are the primary source for funding the Company's asset growth. Total deposits increased to $13.08 billion at March 31, 2016, from $12.03 billion at December 31, 2015, an increase of $1.05 billion, or 8.7%. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $541.2 million from December 31, 2015. Savings and money market deposits increased $354.0 million from December 31, 2015.

WAB is a member of Promontory, a network that offers deposit placement services such as CDARS and ICS, which offer products that qualify large deposits for FDIC insurance. At March 31, 2016, the Company had $498.6 million of CDARS deposits and $750.4 million of ICS deposits, compared to $517.5 million of CDARS deposits and $714.4 million of ICS deposits at December 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company also had $269.4 million and $178.8 million, respectively, of wholesale brokered deposits. There was also $432.6 million and $365.6 million of additional deposits as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, that the Company considers core deposits, but which are classified as brokered deposits for regulatory reporting purposes.

The average balances and weighted average rates paid on deposits are presented below:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016				2015
	Average Balance		Rate		Average Balance		Rate
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest checking (NOW)	$	1,091,886	0.17	%	$	919,992	0.17	%
Savings and money market	5,333,905		0.30		3,909,414		0.28
Time certificates of deposit	1,561,496		0.45		1,935,493		0.41
Total interest-bearing deposits	7,987,287		0.31		6,764,899		0.30
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	4,350,132		—		2,369,850		—
Total deposits	$	12,337,419	0.20	%	$	9,134,749	0.23	%

Other Borrowings

The Company from time to time utilizes short-term borrowed funds to support short-term liquidity needs generally created by increased loan demand. The majority of these short-term borrowed funds consist of advances from the FHLB and customer repurchase agreements. The Company’s borrowing capacity with the FHLB is determined based on collateral pledged, generally consisting of securities and loans. In addition, the Company has borrowing capacity from other sources, collateralized by securities, including securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction, and may require additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities. At March 31, 2016, total short-term borrowed funds consisted of customer repurchase agreements of $36.1 million and federal funds purchased of $0.2 million. At December 31, 2015, total short-term borrowed funds consisted of customer repurchase agreements of $38.2 million and FHLB advances of $150.0 million.

Qualifying Debt

At March 31, 2016, total qualifying debt consisted of $153.2 million of subordinated debt and junior subordinated debt of $57.2 million, inclusive of issuance costs and fair market value adjustments, respectively. At December 31, 2015, qualifying debt consisted of subordinated debt of $152.0 million and junior subordinated debt of $58.4 million.

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Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The critical accounting policies upon which the Company's financial condition and results of operations depend, and which involve the most complex subjective decisions or assessments, are included in the discussion entitled "Critical Accounting Policies" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and all amendments thereto, as filed with the SEC. There were no material changes to the critical accounting policies disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Liquidity

Liquidity is the ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, fund asset growth and business operations, and meet contractual obligations through unconstrained access to funding at reasonable market rates. Liquidity management involves forecasting funding requirements and maintaining sufficient capacity to meet the needs and accommodate fluctuations in asset and liability levels due to changes in the Company's business operations or unanticipated events.

The ability to have readily available funds sufficient to repay fully maturing liabilities is of primary importance to depositors, creditors, and regulators. The Company's liquidity, represented by cash and amounts due from banks, federal funds sold, and non-pledged marketable securities, is a result of its operating, investing, and financing activities and related cash flows. In order to ensure funds are available when necessary, on at least a quarterly basis, the Company projects the amount of funds that will be required over a twelve month period and it also strives to maintain relationships with a diversified customer base. Liquidity requirements can also be met through short-term borrowings or the disposition of short-term assets.

The following table presents the available and outstanding balances of the Company's lines of credit:



	March 31, 2016
	Available Balance		Outstanding Balance
	(in millions)
Unsecured fed funds credit lines at correspondent banks	$	100.0	$	0.2
Other lines with correspondent banks:
Secured other lines with correspondent banks	25.0		—
Unsecured other lines with correspondent banks	45.0		—
Total other lines with correspondent banks	$	70.0	$	—

In addition to lines of credit, the Company has borrowing capacity with the FHLB and FRB from pledged loans and securities. The borrowing capacity, outstanding borrowings, and available credit as of March 31, 2016 are presented in the following table:



	March 31, 2016
	(in millions)
FHLB:
Borrowing capacity	$	1,967.2
Outstanding borrowings	—
Letters of credit	468.3
Total available credit	$	1,498.9

FRB:
Borrowing capacity	$	1,258.5
Outstanding borrowings	—
Total available credit	$	1,258.5

The Company has a formal liquidity policy and, in the opinion of management, its liquid assets are considered adequate to meet cash flow needs for loan funding and deposit cash withdrawals for the next 90-120 days. At March 31, 2016, there was $2.20 billion in liquid assets, comprised of $1.03 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and money market investments and $1.17 billion in

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unpledged marketable securities. At December 31, 2015, the Company maintained $1.26 billion in liquid assets, comprised of $224.8 million of cash, cash equivalents, and money market investments, and $1.04 billion of unpledged marketable securities.

The Parent maintains liquidity that would be sufficient to fund its operations and certain non-bank affiliate operations for an extended period should funding from normal sources be disrupted. Since deposits are taken by WAB and not by the Parent, Parent liquidity is not dependent on the bank's deposit balances. In the Company's analysis of Parent liquidity, it is assumed that the Parent is unable to generate funds from additional debt or equity issuances, receives no dividend income from subsidiaries and does not pay dividends to stockholders, while continuing to make nondiscretionary payments needed to maintain operations and repayment of contractual principal and interest payments owed by the Parent and affiliated companies. Under this scenario, the amount of time the Parent and its non-bank subsidiary can operate and meet all obligations before the current liquid assets are exhausted is considered as part of the Parent liquidity analysis. Management believes the Parent maintains adequate liquidity capacity to operate without additional funding from new sources for over twelve months.

WAB maintains sufficient funding capacity to address large increases in funding requirements, such as deposit outflows. This capacity is comprised of liquidity derived from a reduction in asset levels and various secured funding sources. On a long-term basis, the Company’s liquidity will be met by changing the relative distribution of its asset portfolios (for example, by reducing investment or loan volumes, or selling or encumbering assets). Further, the Company can increase liquidity by soliciting higher levels of deposit accounts through promotional activities and/or borrowing from correspondent banks, the FHLB of San Francisco, and the FRB. At March 31, 2016, the Company's long-term liquidity needs primarily relate to funds required to support loan originations, commitments, and deposit withdrawals, which can be met by cash flows from investment payments and maturities, and investment sales, if necessary.

The Company’s liquidity is comprised of three primary classifications: 1) cash flows provided by operating activities; 2) cash flows used in investing activities; and 3) cash flows provided by financing activities. Net cash provided by or used in operating activities consists primarily of net income, adjusted for changes in certain other asset and liability accounts and certain non-cash income and expense items, such as the provision for credit losses, investment and other amortization and depreciation. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, and 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $71.3 million and $72.6 million respectively.

The Company's primary investing activities are the origination of real estate and commercial loans, the collection of repayments of these loans, and the purchase and sale of securities. The Company's net cash provided by and used in investing activities has been primarily influenced by its loan and securities activities. The net increase in loans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $105.4 million and $440.4 million, respectively. There was a net increase in investment securities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 of $36.5 million, compared to a net decrease of $130.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015

Net cash provided by financing activities has been impacted significantly by increased deposit levels. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, net deposits increased $1.05 billion and $731.4 million, respectively.

Fluctuations in core deposit levels may increase the Company's need for liquidity as certificates of deposit mature or are withdrawn before maturity, and as non-maturity deposits, such as checking and savings account balances, are withdrawn. Additionally, the Company is exposed to the risk that customers with large deposit balances will withdraw all or a portion of such deposits, due in part to the FDIC limitations on the amount of insurance coverage provided to depositors. To mitigate the uninsured deposit risk, the Company has joined the CDARS and ICS programs, which allow an individual customer to invest up to $50.0 million and $110.0 million, respectively, through one participating financial institution or, a combined total of $150.0 million per individual customer, with the entire amount being covered by FDIC insurance. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $498.6 million of CDARS and $750.4 million of ICS deposits.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $269.4 million of wholesale brokered deposits outstanding. Brokered deposits are generally considered to be deposits that have been received from a third party who is engaged in the business of placing deposits on behalf of others. A traditional deposit broker will direct deposits to the banking institution offering the highest interest rate available. Federal banking laws and regulations place restrictions on depository institutions regarding brokered deposits because of the general concern that these deposits are not relationship based and are at a greater risk of being withdrawn and placed on deposit at another institution offering a higher interest rate, thus posing liquidity risk for institutions that gather brokered deposits in significant amounts. There was also $432.6 million and $365.6 million of additional deposits as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, that the Company considers core deposits, but which are classified as brokered deposits for regulatory reporting purposes.

Federal and state banking regulations place certain restrictions on dividends paid. The total amount of dividends which may be paid at any date is generally limited to the retained earnings of the bank. Dividends paid by WAB to the Parent would be

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prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Parent contributed $20.0 million to WAB and $24.0 million to LVSP.

Capital Resources

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements could trigger certain mandatory or discretionary actions that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s business and financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company and the Bank exceeded the capital levels necessary to be classified as well-capitalized, as defined by the banking agencies. The actual capital amounts and ratios for the Company and the Bank are presented in the following tables as of the periods indicated:



	Total Capital		Tier 1 Capital		Risk-Weighted Assets		Tangible Average Assets		Total Capital Ratio		Tier 1 Capital Ratio		Tier 1 Leverage Ratio		Common Equity Tier 1
	(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2016
WAL	$	1,655,025	$	1,397,567	$	13,426,265	$	14,139,580	12.3	%	10.4	%	9.9	%	9.9	%
WAB	1,560,225		1,287,923		13,340,629		14,025,515		11.7		9.7		9.2		9.7
Well-capitalized ratios									10.0		8.0		5.0		6.5
Minimum capital ratios									8.0		6.0		4.0		4.5
December 31, 2015
WAL	$	1,603,472	$	1,341,011	$	13,193,563	$	13,683,148	12.2	%	10.2	%	9.8	%	9.7	%
WAB	$	1,485,070	$	1,213,304	$	13,073,394	$	13,561,251	11.4	%	9.3	%	9.0	%	9.3
Well-capitalized ratios									10.0		8.0		5.0		6.5
Minimum capital ratios									8.0		6.0		4.0		4.5

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Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and equity prices. The Company's market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, investing, and deposit taking activities. To that end, management actively monitors and manages the Company's interest rate risk exposure. The Company generally manages its interest rate sensitivity by evaluating re-pricing opportunities on its earning assets to those on its funding liabilities.

Management uses various asset/liability strategies to manage the re-pricing characteristics of the Company's assets and liabilities, all of which are designed to ensure that exposure to interest rate fluctuations is limited to within the Company's guidelines of acceptable levels of risk-taking. Hedging strategies, including the terms and pricing of loans and deposits and management of the deployment of its securities, are used to reduce mismatches in interest rate re-pricing opportunities of portfolio assets and their funding sources.

Interest rate risk is addressed by the ALCO, which includes members of executive management, finance, and operations. ALCO monitors interest rate risk by analyzing the potential impact on the net EVE and net interest income from potential changes in interest rates and considers the impact of alternative strategies or changes in balance sheet structure. The Company manages its balance sheet in part to maintain the potential impact on EVE and net interest income within acceptable ranges despite changes in interest rates.

The Company's exposure to interest rate risk is reviewed at least quarterly by the ALCO. Interest rate risk exposure is measured using interest rate sensitivity analysis to determine its change in both EVE and net interest income in the event of hypothetical changes in interest rates. If potential changes to EVE and net interest income resulting from hypothetical interest rate changes are not within the limits established by the Bank’s BOD, the BOD may direct management to adjust the asset and liability mix to bring interest rate risk within Board-approved limits.

Net Interest Income Simulation. In order to measure interest rate risk at March 31, 2016, the Company used a simulation model to project changes in net interest income that result from forecasted changes in interest rates. This analysis calculates the difference between a baseline net interest income forecast using current yield curves that do not take into consideration any future anticipated rate hikes, compared to forecasted net income resulting from an immediate parallel shift in rates upward or downward, along with other scenarios directed by ALCO. The income simulation model includes various assumptions regarding the re-pricing relationships for each of the Company's products. Many of the Company's assets are floating rate loans, which are assumed to re-price immediately and, proportional to the change in market rates, depending on their contracted index. Some loans and investments contain contractual prepayment features (embedded options) and, accordingly, the simulation model incorporates prepayment assumptions. The Company's non-term deposit products re-price more slowly, usually changing less than the change in market rates and at the Company's discretion.

This analysis indicates the impact of changes in net interest income for the given set of rate changes and assumptions. It assumes the balance sheet remains static and that its structure does not change over the course of the year. It does not account for all factors that could impact the Company's results, including changes by management to mitigate interest rate changes or secondary factors such as changes to the Company's credit risk profile as interest rates change.

Furthermore, loan prepayment rate estimates and spread relationships change regularly. Interest rate changes create changes in actual loan prepayment speeds that will differ from the market estimates incorporated in this analysis. Changes that vary significantly from the modeled assumptions may have significant effects on the Company's actual net interest income.

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This simulation model assesses the changes in net interest income that would occur in response to an instantaneous and sustained increase or decrease (shock) in market interest rates. At March 31, 2016, the Company's net interest income exposure for the next twelve months related to these hypothetical changes in market interest rates was within the Company's current guidelines.

Sensitivity of Net Interest Income



	Interest Rate Scenario (change in basis points from Base)
	Down 100			Base		Up 100			Up 200			Up 300			Up 400
	(in thousands)
Interest Income	$	614,013		$	624,362	$	693,235		$	766,854		$	842,770		$	919,073
Interest Expense	38,144			38,202		72,983			107,768			142,556			177,349
Net Interest Income	575,869			586,160		620,252			659,086			700,214			741,724
% Change	(1.8		)%			5.8		%	12.4		%	19.5		%	26.5		%

Economic Value of Equity. The Company measures the impact of market interest rate changes on the NPV of estimated cash flows from its assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet items, defined as EVE, using a simulation model. This simulation model, which includes Bridge, assesses the changes in the market value of interest rate sensitive financial instruments that would occur in response to an instantaneous and sustained increase or decrease (shock) in market interest rates.

At March 31, 2016, the Company's EVE exposure related to these hypothetical changes in market interest rates was within the Company's current guidelines. The following table shows the Company's projected change in EVE for this set of rate shocks at March 31, 2016:

Economic Value of Equity



	Interest Rate Scenario (change in basis points from Base)
	Down 100			Base		Up 100			Up 200			Up 300			Up 400
	(in thousands)
Assets	$	15,431,358		$	15,282,265	$	15,021,502		$	14,764,567		$	14,521,172		$	14,288,009
Liabilities	12,847,176			12,483,566		12,165,983			11,881,471			11,619,180			11,376,821
Net Present Value	2,584,182			2,798,699		2,855,519			2,883,096			2,901,992			2,911,188
% Change	(7.7		)%			2.0		%	3.0		%	3.7		%	4.0		%

The computation of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, asset prepayments, and deposit decay, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions the Company may undertake in response to changes in interest rates. Actual amounts may differ from the projections set forth above should market conditions vary from the underlying assumptions.

Derivative Contracts. In the normal course of business, the Company uses derivative instruments to meet the needs of its customers and manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. The following table summarizes the aggregate notional amounts, market values, and terms of the Company’s derivative positions as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

Outstanding Derivatives Positions



March 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
Notional		Net Value			Weighted Average Term (Years)	Notional		Net Value			Weighted Average Term (Years)
(dollars in thousands)
$	797,304	$	(84,248	)	14.2	$	800,478	$	(61,216	)	14.5

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Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. Additionally, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were also effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or is subject to under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or to which any of its properties are subject. There are no material proceedings known to the Company to be contemplated by any governmental authority. From time to time, the Company is involved in a variety of litigation matters in the ordinary course of business and anticipates that the Company will become involved in new litigation matters in the future.


Item 1A.	Risk Factors.

There have not been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.


Item 5.	Other Information.

Not applicable.

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Item 6.	Exhibits.

EXHIBITS



2.1		Asset Purchase Agreement, dated March 29, 2016, between Western Alliance Bank and GE Capital US Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Western Alliance's Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 21, 2016).

3.1		Certificate of Incorporation, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 29, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Western Alliance’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2014).

3.2		Certificate of Designation of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 29, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of Western Alliance’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2014).

3.3		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Western Alliance, effective as of May 19, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Western Alliance's Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 22, 2015).

4.1		Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Western Alliance’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2014).

4.2		Senior Debt Indenture, dated August 25, 2010, between Western Alliance and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Western Alliance’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 25, 2010).

4.3		First Supplemental Indenture, dated August 25, 2010, between Western Alliance and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Western Alliance’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 25, 2010).

4.4		Form of 10.00% Senior Notes due 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Western Alliance’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 25, 2010).

4.5		Form of Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of Western Alliance’s Annual Report on form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2012).

4.6		Form of Senior Debt Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Western Alliance's Form S-3 filed with the SEC on May 7, 2015).

4.7		Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Western Alliance's Form S-3 filed with the SEC on May 7, 2015).

4.8		Form of 5.00% Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Bank Note due July 15, 2025 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Western Alliance's Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 2, 2015).

10.1 *		Amended Western Alliance 2016 Bonus Plan.



31.1*		CEO Certification Pursuant Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).

31.2*		CFO Certification Pursuant Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).

32**		CEO and CFO Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.DEF*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.CAL*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.LAB*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



	WESTERN ALLIANCE BANCORPORATION

April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Robert Sarver
		Robert Sarver
		Chairman of the Board and
		Chief Executive Officer

April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ Dale Gibbons
		Dale Gibbons
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

April 29, 2016	By:	/s/ J. Kelly Ardrey Jr.
		J. Kelly Ardrey Jr.
		Senior Vice President and
		Chief Accounting Officer