SunTrust 2013 Annual Report Download - page 82

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Allowance for Credit Losses
The Allowance for Credit Losses is composed of the ALLL and the reserve for unfunded commitments. The ALLL represents
our estimate of probable losses inherent in the existing loan portfolio. The ALLL is increased by the provision for credit losses
and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries. The ALLL is determined based on our review and evaluation of larger
loans that meet our definition of impairment and the current risk characteristics of pools of homogeneous loans (i.e., loans
having similar characteristics) within the loan portfolio and our assessment of internal and external influences on credit quality
that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risk-rating data.
Large commercial nonaccrual loans and certain commercial, consumer, and residential loans whose terms have been modified
in a TDR, are individually evaluated to determine the amount of specific allowance required using the most probable source
of repayment, including the present value of the loan's expected future cash flows, the fair value of the underlying collateral
less costs of disposition, or the loan's estimated market value. In these measurements, we use assumptions and methodologies
that are relevant to estimating the level of impairment and unrealized losses in the portfolio. To the extent that the data
supporting such assumptions has limitations, our judgment and experience play a key role in enhancing the specific ALLL
estimates. Key judgments used in determining the ALLL include internal risk ratings, market and collateral values, discount
rates, loss rates, and our view of current economic conditions.
General allowances are established for loans and leases grouped into pools that have similar characteristics, including smaller
balance homogeneous loans. The ALLL Committee estimates probable losses by evaluating quantitative and qualitative factors
for each loan portfolio segment, including net charge-off trends, internal risk ratings, changes in internal risk ratings, loss
forecasts, collateral values, geographic location, delinquency rates, nonperforming and restructured loans, origination channel,
product mix, underwriting practices, industry conditions, and economic trends. In addition to these factors, the consumer and
residential portfolio segments consider borrower FICO scores and the commercial portfolio segment considers single name
borrower concentration.
Estimated collateral valuations are based on appraisals, broker price opinions, recent sales of foreclosed properties, automated
valuation models, other property-specific information, and relevant market information, supplemented by our internal property
valuation professionals. The value estimate is based on an orderly disposition and marketing period of the property. In limited
instances, we adjust externally provided appraisals for justifiable and well supported reasons, such as an appraiser not being
aware of certain property-specific factors or recent sales information. Appraisals generally represent the “as is” value of the
property but may be adjusted based on the intended disposition strategy of the property.
Our determination of the ALLL for commercial loans is sensitive to the assigned internal risk ratings and inherent loss rates
at December 31, 2013. Assuming a downgrade of one level in the PD risk ratings for commercial loans and leases, the ALLL
would have increased by approximately $404 million at December 31, 2013. In the event that estimated loss severity rates
for the entire commercial loan portfolio increased by 10 percent, the ALLL for the commercial portfolio would increase by
approximately $93 million at December 31, 2013. Our determination of the allowance for residential and consumer loans is
also sensitive to changes in estimated loss severity rates. In the event that estimated loss severity rates for the residential and
consumer loan portfolio increased by 10 percent, the ALLL for the residential and consumer portfolios would increase, in
total, by approximately $75 million at December 31, 2013. Because several quantitative and qualitative factors are considered
in determining the ALLL, these sensitivity analyses do not necessarily reflect the nature and extent of future changes in the
ALLL. They are intended to provide insights into the impact of adverse changes in risk rating and estimated loss severity
rates and do not imply any expectation of future deterioration in the risk ratings or loss rates. Given current processes employed,
management believes the risk ratings and inherent loss rates currently assigned are appropriate. It is possible that others, given
the same information, may at any point in time reach different reasonable conclusions that could be material to our financial
statements.
In addition to the ALLL, we also estimate probable losses related to unfunded lending commitments, such as letters of credit
and binding unfunded loan commitments. Unfunded lending commitments are analyzed and segregated by risk similarly to
funded loans based on our internal risk rating scale. These risk classifications, in combination with an analysis of historical
loss experience, probability of commitment usage, and any other pertinent information, result in the estimation of the reserve
for unfunded lending commitments.
Our financial results are affected by the changes in and the absolute level of the Allowance for Credit Losses. This process
involves our analysis of complex internal and external variables, and it requires that we exercise judgment to estimate an
appropriate Allowance for Credit Losses. As a result of the uncertainty associated with this subjectivity, we cannot assure the
precision of the amount reserved should we experience sizeable loan or lease losses in any particular period. For example,
changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, economic conditions, or the condition of various markets in which