Bank of America 2012 Annual Report Download - page 165

Bank of America 2012 163
to default over a twelve-month period. On home equity loans where
the Corporation holds only a second-lien position and foreclosure
is not the best alternative, the loss severity is estimated at 100
percent.
The allowance on certain commercial loans (except business
card and certain small business loans) is calculated using loss
rates delineated by risk rating and product type. Factors considered
when assessing loss rates include the value of the underlying
collateral, if applicable, the industry of the obligor, and the obligor’s
liquidity and other financial indicators along with certain qualitative
factors. These statistical models are updated regularly for changes
in economic and business conditions. Included in the analysis of
consumer and commercial loan portfolios are reserves which are
maintained to cover uncertainties that affect the Corporation’s
estimate of probable losses including domestic and global
economic uncertainty and large single name defaults.
The remaining portfolios, including nonperforming commercial
loans, as well as consumer and commercial loans modified in a
troubled debt restructuring (TDR) are reviewed in accordance with
applicable accounting guidance on impaired loans and TDRs. If
necessary, a specific allowance is established for these loans if
they are deemed to be impaired. A loan is considered impaired
when, based on current information and events, it is probable that
the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due, including
principal and/or interest, in accordance with the contractual terms
of the agreement, and once a loan has been identified as impaired,
management measures impairment. Impaired loans and TDRs are
primarily measured based on the present value of payments
expected to be received, discounted at the loans’ original effective
contractual interest rates, or discounted at the portfolio average
contractual annual percentage rate, excluding promotionally priced
loans, in effect prior to restructuring. Impaired loans and TDRs
may also be measured based on observable market prices, or for
loans that are solely dependent on the collateral for repayment,
the estimated fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to
sell. If the recorded investment in impaired loans exceeds this
amount, a specific allowance is established as a component of
the allowance for loan and lease losses unless these are secured
consumer loans that are solely dependent on the collateral for
repayment, in which case the initial amount that exceeds the fair
value of the collateral is charged off.
Generally, when determining the fair value of the collateral
securing consumer real estate-secured loans that are solely
dependent on the collateral for repayment, prior to performing a
detailed property valuation including a walk-through of a property,
the Corporation initially estimates the fair value of the collateral
securing these consumer loans using an automated valuation
method (AVM). An AVM is a tool that estimates the value of a
property by reference to market data including sales of comparable
properties and price trends specific to the Metropolitan Statistical
Area in which the property being valued is located. In the event
that an AVM value is not available, the Corporation utilizes
publicized indices or if these methods provide less reliable
valuations, the Corporation uses appraisals or broker price
opinions to estimate the fair value of the collateral. While there is
inherent imprecision in these valuations, the Corporation believes
that they are representative of the portfolio in the aggregate.
In addition to the allowance for loan and lease losses, the
Corporation also estimates probable losses related to unfunded
lending commitments, such as letters of credit and financial
guarantees, and binding unfunded loan commitments. The reserve
for unfunded lending commitments excludes commitments
accounted for under the fair value option. Unfunded lending
commitments are subject to individual reviews and are analyzed
and segregated by risk according to the Corporation’s internal risk
rating scale. These risk classifications, in conjunction with an
analysis of historical loss experience, utilization assumptions,
current economic conditions, performance trends within the
portfolio and any other pertinent information, result in the
estimation of the reserve for unfunded lending commitments.
The allowance for credit losses related to the loan and lease
portfolio is reported separately on the Consolidated Balance Sheet
whereas the reserve for unfunded lending commitments is
reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in accrued expenses
and other liabilities. The provision for credit losses related to the
loan and lease portfolio and unfunded lending commitments is
reported in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Nonperforming Loans and Leases, Charge-offs and
Delinquencies
Nonperforming loans and leases generally include loans and
leases that have been placed on nonaccrual status, including
nonaccruing loans whose contractual terms have been
restructured in a manner that grants a concession to a borrower
experiencing financial difficulties. Loans accounted for under the
fair value option, PCI loans and LHFS are not reported as
nonperforming loans and leases.
In accordance with the Corporation’s policies, consumer real
estate-secured loans, including residential mortgages and home
equity loans, are generally placed on nonaccrual status and
classified as nonperforming at 90 days past due unless repayment
of the loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
or through individually insured long-term standby agreements with
Fannie Mae (FNMA) or Freddie Mac (FHLMC) (the fully-insured
portfolio). Residential mortgage loans in the fully-insured portfolio
are not placed on nonaccrual status and, therefore, are not
reported as nonperforming loans. Junior-lien home equity loans
are placed on nonaccrual status and classified as nonperforming
when the underlying first-lien mortgage loan becomes 90 days
past due even if the junior-lien loan is current. Accrued interest
receivable is reversed when a consumer loan is placed on
nonaccrual status. Interest collections on nonaccruing consumer
loans for which the ultimate collectability of principal is uncertain
are generally applied as principal reductions; otherwise, such
collections are credited to interest income when received. These
loans may be restored to accrual status when all principal and
interest is current and full repayment of the remaining contractual
principal and interest is expected, or when the loan otherwise
becomes well-secured and is in the process of collection. The
outstanding balance of real estate-secured loans that is in excess
of the estimated property value, less estimated costs to sell, is
charged off no later than the end of the month in which the account
becomes 180 days past due unless the loan is fully insured. The
estimated property value, less estimated costs to sell, is
determined using the same process as described for impaired
loans in the Allowance for Credit Losses section of this Note.
Consumer loans secured by personal property, credit card loans
and other unsecured consumer loans are not placed on nonaccrual
status prior to charge-off and, therefore, are not reported as
nonperforming loans, except for certain secured consumer loans,
including those that have been modified in a TDR. Personal
property-secured loans are charged off to collateral value no later
than the end of the month in which the account becomes 120