Investors Bancorp, Inc.
Annual Report 2014

Plain-text annual report

2014 ANNUAL REPORT • FORM 10-K & PROXY STATEMENT On the cover... Illustrating the evolution of the Investors brand is the East Orange Branch circa 1935 (top) and the Roxbury Branch today (bottom). The Roxbury branch is an example of an Investors’ prototypical model for a free-standing location. These photos symbolize our origin and how Investors has transformed into a full-service bank. Our East Orange Branch circa 1935. Our Roxbury Branch in our prototypical branch style. Dear Fellow Shareholder, 2014 was an historic year for Investors Bancorp as we completed our second step capital raise, converting from a mutual holding company structure to a stock holding company and raising over two billion dollars in new capital. We also completed our eighth bank acquisition and posted record earnings of $131.7 million. I could not be more proud of our staff’s efforts and accomplishments as they worked together to deliver these great results in 2014. “ We have made significant strides in our business since becoming a public company...” We have made significant strides in our business since becoming a public company in 2005 and while we plan to use many of the same strategies going forward, we are also focused on change. We believe that having the desire to change and improve will make Investors a more dynamic and innovative financial institution. This approach has resulted in significant growth and exceptional financial performance for the Company in 2014 as well as in years past. Looking back on where we were in 2006, our first year as a partial public company, compared to 2014, our first year as a full public company, we have made great progress. Today we have 132 branches with 1,682 full time employees compared to 2006 when we had 46 branches and 473 fulltime employees. Core return on assets in 2014 was 0.86% compared to 0.29% in 2006. Our core efficiency ratio was 79.04% in 2006 compared to 52.45% in 2014. Our achievements have been recognized by Forbes Magazine who identified Investors as one of the “Best Banks in America.”1 The improvements and changes we made in the business were accomplished with careful planning and teamwork. We used four strategic levers to help accomplish the significant changes we made to our business since 2006 - organic growth, stock repurchases, dividends and smart acquisitions that create franchise value. We were also deliberate in setting financial targets for return on equity, capital ratios and dividends – all of which positioned us for our second step capital raise. Meeting and maintaining these targets enabled us to transform our business and complete a successful second step capital raise. We are committed to our style of banking - banking in YOUR best interest - which is based on our core values of character, commitment, cooperation and community. We continue to receive accolades for our commitment to community involvement because we are making a difference for our employees, our customers and our communities. If we take care of these constituencies we are confident our shareholders will be well served. Our plan is working - it is a fresh and an exciting approach to banking. Today, Investors is one of the largest and strongest community banks in the United States with over $18 billion in total assets and 18% in capital. We are poised and ready to grow and enhance our business so we can provide you, our shareholders, with a strong return on your investment. Our goals today are not dissimilar to what they were with our 2005 capital raise - organic growth - stock buybacks – dividends and smart acquisitions that create franchise value. This approach will leverage our new capital in a safe and sound manner and provide you with competitive returns that will create and drive shareholder value. It is halftime at Investors and we can look back with pride at a great first half as a public company. Now, we need to change, improve and deliver a stronger second half. Our strategy will focus on diversifying our lines of business and products and investing in our employees and our infrastructure. We have greater resources than we did in 2006. We have more people, branches, products as well as brand recognition that will help in the pursuit of our goal. We successfully leveraged the initial capital raised and I feel confident that we will do it again. If 2014 results are any indication, we are well on our way to achieving our goal. Overall loan production continues to be strong. Our commercial real estate team had another successful year originating $3.03 billion in loans. Our residential lending team originated and purchased, through our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage, and correspondent lenders, over $841.9 million in residential mortgage loans. Net loans increased $2.01 billion, or 16%, to $14.89 billion in 2014. 1. Forbes Magazine, December 22, 2014, “America’s Best and Worst Banks 2015” As part of our strategic plan to diversify our loan portfolio, we continued to increase our business lending and expand our loan product offerings. Our medical lending team, hired in late 2012, had an outstanding year originating over $101.8 million in loans. In addition, our asset based lending team, which focuses on lending on account receivables and inventories, posted $44.4 million in loan originations in 2014. We are pleased with the success of our business lending group as their portfolio, including owner occupied commercial real estate of $560.3, totaled $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014, a 38% increase from the prior year. Growing our business lending is a key initiative because we believe small to mid-size companies looking for financing are in need of a bank that values relationship banking. We are determined to be that bank. Investors has been recognized as a top lender and leader in the New Jersey and New York markets with a solid reputation as a relationship bank. I take pride in the fact that Investors was recognized as the only bank in the “Top 50 in Commercial Real Estate” by NJ Biz., a state-wide business magazine.2 In addition, Rich Spengler, our chief lending officer, was ranked 34th in “The 50 Most Important People in Commercial Real Estate Finance” by the Commercial Observer, a New York City based real estate publication.3 While our loan growth in 2014 was impressive, we did not sacrifice credit quality. Since unemployment continues to be elevated and the real estate market continues to stabilize, we have increased our credit review staff to monitor our growing loan portfolio. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets decreased to a respectable 0.81% at December 31, 2014, which we attribute to our conservative underwriting standards and diligence in identifying and resolving troubled loans. On the retail front, we continued our branch expansion in 2014, opening two branch locations in New York – one in Brooklyn and the other on Staten Island. Our de novo strategy has been very successful as we were able to grow deposits from the 20 new branches opened since October of 2007 to $1.6 billion and 10 of those branches opened in 2012 or later. In January 2014, we completed the acquisition of Gateway Community Financial Corp. further expanding our franchise into the southern New Jersey market. This acquisition expanded our New Jersey market presence with an established partner who shared a similar culture of delivering outstanding customer service combined with a strong commitment to their communities. This acquisition, coupled with the Roma acquisition completed in late 2013, opened the door for us to penetrate the Philadelphia suburban market. This region we believe has great potential as it offers a bank with resources and commitment to the communities, opportunities to grow. We welcome our new customers from both Gateway and Roma, and look forward to providing the same quality banking services that they have become accustomed to receiving. Our results in these markets post-merger have been outstanding, as we have had growth in total deposits of 14% with core deposit growth of 31%. Commercial loan originations totaled $449.2 million and we believe that this market has significant upside since the national banks are our principal competition here. Overall, deposits increased 14% in 2014 to $12.17 billion and our core deposits now comprise 79% of total deposits. As we continue to grow and diversify the Company, we have not forgotten our roots as a local community bank. We continue to live by our core values – values that guide us in everything we do and how we do it. We strive to be a different bank, one that makes a difference for our customers, our employees and the communities we serve. “ Investors has been recognized as a top lender and leader in the New Jersey and New York Markets....” The changes that have taken place in our Company have been substantial. Managing change is not always easy, which is especially true in the current financial services industry. The transformation of our business and the continued emphasis we place on developing our culture is helping us on our journey to be the premier community bank in the region. We understand that although difficult, change and continuous improvement is necessary in order to compete in today’s markets. We recognize the need to improve which is why the management team at Investors has invested significant resources in upgrading the core processing systems and improving its staff with expanded training programs. 2. NJBIZ, November 10, 2014, “Power 50 Real Estate Leaders” 3. Commercial Observer, March 5, 2015, “The 50 Most Important People in Commercial Real Estate Finance” Our employees are critical to our success because they serve our customers each and every day. Engaged and satisfied employees provide our customers with a superior and unique banking experience. Caring for these employees will ultimately benefit our shareholders. That is why we are committed to educating our staff and enhancing their personal and professional development through an ongoing investment in training and leadership programs. Your management team is dedicated to driving results while maintaining our long term vision of creating a unique company that takes its social responsibilities seriously. We strive to be successful with strong returns on capital and assets, but we also like to look beyond financial results. Our mission is to create a company that is not only successful, but significant. We intend to create a purpose and a legacy for our customers and employees as we change people’s lives for the better. This will allow you, our owners, to share our pride in being part of the Investors’ family. At Investors, focusing on the well-being of our communities is also part of our culture. Investors’ employees give their time and talents to serve the local neighborhoods they call home, while the Bank and the Investors Charitable Foundation provide the financial resources to support worthy causes throughout our communities. Together, since 2005, we have supported over 1,100 organizations through hundreds of hours of employee volunteerism and over $12 million in contributions. We are dedicated to making a difference so all of our communities can prosper and grow. “ I believe we are well positioned to continue our growth...” Because of the vision and prudent risk management from our leadership team, we continue to execute well on our business plan. Our strength and stability have allowed us to actively look for ways to enhance shareholder value. Our goal is to become the premier community bank serving the greater New Jersey/New York marketplace. Through our continued focus and thoughtful planning we will look for opportunities to expand our franchise. Looking back at 2014, we had a successful year with historic results; however, this is only the beginning of more great years to come. Our dividend payments in 2015 demonstrate our willingness to leverage the capital and return it to you, our shareholders. In March, we received approval from the Federal Reserve to commence our stock buyback program prior to the one year anniversary of our second step. We consider this to be positive feedback from our regulators and we are pleased to be back in the market to enhance our shareholder value. As a team, we have a lot of drive and determination that has been fueled by our accomplishments to date. We have worked very hard to get where we are today. We are grateful and humble, but we are neither complacent nor satisfied. We are committed to raising our standards and performance. Additionally, we are prepared and excited to move on to the next level of our corporate development. The journey is the destination. I believe we are well positioned to continue our growth and I am confident and excited about our future. We are well along the path of our journey to become the premier bank in the region. On behalf of the Board of Directors, management and staff, I would like to thank you for being a shareholder of Investors Bancorp. Your investment is important to us, and we appreciate your trust, confidence and the opportunity to serve you. Sincerely, Kevin Cummings President and Chief Executive Officer myinvestorsbank.com SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (In thousands, except branch data and percent data) * Total assets Net loans outstanding Securities Deposits Borrowed funds Stockholders' equity Number of full service offices 2014 2013 2012 $18,773,639 $15,623,070 $12,722,574 14,894,438 2,762,403 12,172,326 2,766,104 3,577,855 132 12,890,817 1,616,851 10,718,811 3,367,274 1,334,327 129 10,335,019 1,565,250 8,768,857 2,705,652 1,066,817 101 Net interest income Net income Return on average assets Return on average equity Interest rate spread Net interest margin Non-performing assets to total assets Average equity to average assets 18.8 15.6 12.7 2014 $541,971 131,721 0.76% 4.71% 3.08% 3.27% 0.81% 16.16% 2013 $435,426 112,031 0.83% 10.00% 3.24% 3.37% 0.95% 8.32% 2012 $372,745 88,767 0.77% 8.68% 3.26% 3.40% 1.14% 8.92% 14.9 12.9 12.2 10.7 10.3 8.8 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 2012 2013 2014 At December 31 Total Assets (dollars in billions) At December 31 Net Loans Outstanding (dollars in billions) At December 31 Deposits (dollars in billions) myinvestorsbank.com UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-K Í ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014 or ‘ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File No. 001-36441 Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey (Address of Principal Executive Offices) 46-4702118 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 07078 Zip Code (973) 924-5100 (Registrant’s telephone number) K - 0 1 M R O F Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: (Title of Class) (Name of each exchange on which registered) Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes Í No ‘ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ‘ No Í 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 twelve months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days. Yes Í 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes Í No ‘ Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Í 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. (Check one): Large accelerated filer Í Non-accelerated filer ‘ Accelerated filer Smaller reporting company ‘ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange ‘ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Act). Yes ‘ No Í As of February 23, 2015, the registrant had 359,070,852 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and 358,215,728 shares outstanding. The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last sale price on June 30, 2014, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was approximately $3.68 billion. 1. Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the registrant (Part III). DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. 2014 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I. Item 1. Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 1A. Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 2. Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 3. Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part II. Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 6. Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . Item 9A. Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 9B. Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part III. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 11. Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 13. Certain Relationships, Related Transactions and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part IV. Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Signature Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2 43 51 51 51 51 52 54 56 76 76 76 76 77 77 77 77 77 77 77 148 K - 0 1 M R O F [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] K - 0 1 M R O F PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. These statements may be identified by the use of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and similar including references to assumptions. terms and phrases, Forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our management’s experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors (many of which are beyond our control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors are outlined in Item 1A herein and include, without limitation, the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • the timing and occurrence or non-occurrence of events may be subject to circumstances beyond our control; there may be increases in competitive pressure among financial institutions or from non-financial institutions; changes in the interest rate environment may reduce interest margins or affect the value of our investments; changes in deposit flows, loan demand or real estate values may adversely affect our business; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines may cause our financial condition to be perceived differently; general economic conditions, either nationally or locally in some or all areas in which we do business, or conditions in the real estate or securities markets or the banking industry may be less favorable than we currently anticipate; legislative or regulatory changes may adversely affect our business; technological changes may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate; success or consummation of new business initiatives may be more difficult or expensive than we anticipate; litigation or other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future, may be determined adverse to us or may delay the occurrence or non-occurrence of events longer than we anticipate; the risks associated with continued diversification and growth of assets and adverse changes to credit quality; difficulties associated with achieving expected future financial results; impact on our financial performance associated with the effective deployment of capital raised in our second step conversion offering; and the risk of continued economic slowdown that would adversely affect credit quality and loan originations. We have no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document. As used in this Form 10-K, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, principally Investors Bank. 1 F O R M 1 0 - K ITEM 1. BUSINESS PART I Investors Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation incorporated in December 2013 to be the successor to Investors Bancorp, Inc. (“Old Investors Bancorp”) upon the completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of Investors Bancorp, MHC in May 2014. Old Investors Bancorp was a Delaware corporation organized in January 1997 for the purpose of being a holding company for Investors Bank (the “Bank”), a New Jersey chartered savings bank. On October 11, 2005, Old Investors Bancorp completed its initial public stock offering in which it sold 131,649,089 shares, or 43.74% of its outstanding common stock, to subscribers in the offering, including 10,847,883 shares purchased by the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “ESOP”). Upon completion of the initial public offering, Investors Bancorp, MHC (the “MHC”), Old Investors Bancorp New Jersey chartered mutual holding company parent, held 165,353,151 shares, or 54.94% of Old Investors Bancorp’s outstanding common stock (shares restated to include shares issued in a business combination subsequent to initial public offering). Additionally, Old Investors Bancorp contributed $5,163,000 in cash and issued 3,949,473 shares of common stock, or 1.32% of its outstanding shares, to the Investors Bank Charitable Foundation. In conjunction with the second step conversion, Investors Bancorp, MHC merged into Old Investors Bancorp (and ceased to exist), and Old Investors Bancorp subsequently merged into the Company and the Company became its successor under the name Investors Bancorp, Inc. The second step conversion was completed on May 7, 2014. The Company raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion by selling a total of 219,580,695 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share in the second step stock offering and issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock to the Investors Charitable Foundation. Concurrent with the completion of the stock offering, each share of Old Investors Bancorp common stock owned by public stockholders (stockholders other than Investors Bancorp, MHC) was exchanged for 2.55 shares of Company common stock. As a result of the conversion, all share information has been revised to reflect the 2.55- to- one exchange ratio. A total of 137,560,968 shares of Company common stock were issued in the exchange. The conversion was accounted for as a capital raising transaction by entities under common control. The historical financial results of Investors Bancorp, MHC are immaterial to the results of the Company and therefore upon completion of the conversion, the net assets of Investors Bancorp, MHC were merged into the Company and are reflected as an increase to stockholders’ equity. In addition, the second step conversion resulted in the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock awards as of the conversion date. The withholding of shares for payment of taxes with respect to these awards resulted in treasury stock of 1,101,694 shares. The Company is subject to regulation as a bank holding company by the Federal Reserve Board. Our primary business has been that of owning the common stock of the Bank and a loan to the ESOP. Investors Bancorp, Inc., as the holding company of Investors Bank, is authorized to pursue other business activities permitted by applicable laws and regulations for bank holding companies. At December 31, 2014, our consolidated assets totaled $18.77 billion and our consolidated deposits totaled $12.17 billion. Investors Bancorp neither owns nor leases any property, but instead uses the premises, equipment and furniture of the Bank. At the present time, the Company employs as officers only certain persons who are also officers of the Bank and uses the support staff of the Bank from time to time. These persons are not separately compensated by Investors Bancorp. Investors Bancorp may hire additional employees, as appropriate, to the extent it expands its business in the future. On September 28, 2012, the Company declared its first quarterly cash dividend since completing its initial public stock offering in October 2005. Since declaring this dividend, the Company has paid a dividend to stockholders in each subsequent quarter with the most recent paid in February 2015. Investors Bank is a New Jersey-chartered savings bank headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey. Originally it has grown through founded in 1926 as a New Jersey-chartered mutual savings and loan association, acquisitions and internal growth, including de novo branching. In 1992, the charter was converted to a mutual savings bank and in 1997 the charter was converted to a New Jersey-chartered stock savings bank. 2 K - 0 1 M R O F The Bank is in the business of attracting deposits from the public through its branch network and borrowing funds in the wholesale markets to originate loans and to invest in securities. The Bank originates multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, one-to four- family residential mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residential real estate, commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, construction loans and consumer loans, the majority of which are home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. Securities, primarily mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government and Federal Agency obligations, and other securities represented 15% of consolidated assets at December 31, 2014. The Bank offers a variety of deposit accounts and emphasizes quality customer service. The Bank is subject to comprehensive regulation and examination by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (“NJDBI”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”). The Company’s results of operations are dependent primarily on its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on assets, primarily loans and securities portfolios, and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Earnings are significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates and U.S. Treasury yield curves, the impact of real estate in the Company’s lending area, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities. Net income is also affected by provision for loan losses, non-interest income, non-interest expense and income tax expense. Non-interest income includes fees and service charges; income on bank owned life insurance, or BOLI; net gain on loan transactions; net gain on securities transactions; impairment losses on investment securities; gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned and other income. Non-interest expense consists of compensation and fringe benefits; advertising and promotional expense; office occupancy and equipment expense; federal deposit insurance premiums; stationary, printing, supplies and telephone expense; professional fees; data processing fees and other operating expenses. We conduct business from our main office located at 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey and our branch offices located throughout New Jersey and New York. In addition, the Company has a commercial real estate loan production office in New York, New York and an operation center in Iselin, New Jersey. The telephone number at the main office is (973) 924-5100. Our Business Strategy Since the initial public offering in 2005, we have transitioned from a wholesale thrift business to a retail commercial bank. This transition has been primarily accomplished by increasing the amount of our commercial loans and core deposits. Our transformation can be attributed to a number of factors, including organic growth, de novo branches, bank and branch acquisitions, as well as expanding our product offerings. We believe the attractive markets we operate in, namely, New Jersey and the greater New York metropolitan area, will continue to provide us with growth opportunities. Our primary focus is to build and develop profitable customer relationships across all lines of business while transitioning to a retail commercial bank. Opportunities through Our Attractive Markets The markets we operate in are considered attractive banking markets within the United States, and we believe they will continue to provide us with opportunities to grow. We have expanded our New Jersey franchise to include the suburbs of Philadelphia and the boroughs of New York City as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. Additionally, we have strengthened our presence in our historic markets throughout New Jersey. We accomplished this expansion through de novo growth and select bank and branch acquisitions. As a result of this growth, Investors Bank is one of the largest New Jersey headquartered banking institutions as measured by both assets and deposits. The markets we operate in are desirable from an economic and demographic perspective as they are characterized by large and dense population centers, areas of high income households and centers of robust business and commercial activity. Our competition in these markets tends to be from out-of-state headquartered money centers and super-regional financial institutions and much smaller local community banks. We believe that as a locally headquartered institution, situated between these extremes, we can compete and capitalize on opportunities that exist in our market area. 3 Many of the counties we serve are projected to experience moderate to strong population and household income growth through 2018. Though slower population growth is projected for some of the counties we serve, it is important to note that these counties are densely populated. All of the counties we serve have a strong mature market with median household incomes greater than $45,000. The household incomes in the counties we serve are all expected to increase in a range from 0.23% to12.4% through 2019. The December 2014 unemployment rates for New Jersey and New York were 5.7% for each state, while the national rate was 5.6%. We face intense competition in making loans as well as attracting deposits in our market area. Our competition for loans and deposits comes principally from commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking firms, credit unions and insurance companies. We face additional competition for deposits from short- term money market funds, brokerage firms and mutual funds. Some of our competitors offer products and services that we currently do not offer, such as trust services and private banking. As of June 30, 2014, the latest date for which statistics are available, our market share of deposits was 3.81% of total deposits in the State of New Jersey. Growing and Diversifying the Loan Portfolio F O R M 1 0 - K Our business plan has been, and will continue to be, to grow and diversify our loan portfolio. We have accomplished the majority of this growth by focusing on originating more multi-family and commercial real estate loans in our market area through our New York City and New Jersey loan production offices. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we originated $1.67 billion in multi-family loans and $869.7 million in commercial real estate loans. We are focusing on growing our commercial loan portfolio because it helps to diversify the loan portfolio and reduces our credit and interest rate exposure to mortgage-backed securities and one- to four-family mortgages. To further diversify our loan portfolio we have increased commercial and industrial (“C&I”) lending by building relationships with small to medium sized companies in our market area. We have hired a number of experienced C&I lending teams, including a team specializing in the healthcare industry and most recently, a team of experienced lenders specializing in asset based lending. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we originated $445.4 million of C&I loans. We have diversified our loan portfolio, as evidenced by the fact that loans (including commercial real estate, multi-family, C&I and construction loans) represent commercial approximately 59% of our loan portfolio at December 31, 2014 as compared to December 31, 2010, when commercial loans were approximately 35% of total loans. Growing and diversifying our loan portfolio will continue to be a major focus of our business strategy going forward. Changing the Mix of Deposits We have focused on changing our deposit mix from certificates of deposit to core deposits (savings, checking and money market accounts). Core deposits are an attractive funding alternative because they are a more stable source of low cost funding and are less sensitive to changes in market interest rates. As of December 31, 2014, we had core deposit accounts of $9.60 billion, representing approximately 79% of total deposits, compared to December 31, 2010 when core deposits were $3.33 billion, representing 49% of total deposits. In order to maintain these favorable results and trends, we will continue to invest in additional de novo branches, branch staff training and product development. Over the past few years we have developed a suite of commercial deposit and cash management products, designed to appeal to small business owners and non-profit organizations including electronic deposit services such as remote deposit capture. Mobile banking services have also been developed to serve our customers’ needs and adapt to a changing environment. We will continue to enhance our web site and use social media as a way to stay connected to our customers. Our deposit business has become more diversified over the past few years as we attract more deposits from commercial entities, including most of the businesses that borrow from us. Investors Bank has become one of the largest depositories for government and municipal deposits in New Jersey, which provides us with a low cost funding source. Our branch network, concentrated in markets with attractive demographics and a high density population will continue to provide us with opportunities to grow and improve our deposit base. 4 K - 0 1 M R O F Acquisitions A significant portion of our historic growth can be attributed to our acquisition strategy. Over the past few years we have completed eight bank or branch acquisitions. Although management evaluates a number of factors when considering an acquisition, we have maintained a fundamental focus on preserving tangible book value per share. Some of our most recent transactions have included the following acquisitions: • • Gateway Community Financial Corp., completed January 2014 ($254.7 million of deposits and 4 branches in Gloucester County, New Jersey) Roma Financial Corporation, completed December 2013 ($1.34 billion of deposits and 26 branches in the Philadelphia suburbs of New Jersey) • Marathon Banking Corporation, completed October 2012 ($777.5 million in deposits and 13 branches in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and Long Island) • Brooklyn Federal Bancorp, completed January 2012 ($385.9 million in deposits and 5 branches in Brooklyn and Long Island) These acquisitions have provided us with the opportunity to grow our business, expand our geographic footprint and improve our financial performance. We intend to continue to evaluate potential acquisition opportunities that may present themselves in the future while maintaining the financial and pricing discipline that we have adhered to in the past. Capital Management Capital management is a key component of our business strategy. With the completion of the second step conversion, we raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion in equity. As of December 31, 2014 our tangible equity to asset ratio was 18.60% and our tangible book value per share was $10.08. We manage our capital through a combination of organic growth, acquisitions and, subject to compliance with applicable regulations, stock repurchases and dividends. Effective capital management and prudent growth allowed us to effectively leverage the capital from the Company’s initial public offering, while preserving tangible book value for stockholders. On September 28, 2012, we declared our first quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share as part of a dividend program for stockholders and have paid a dividend in every subsequent quarter. In January 2015, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share and a special cash dividend of $0.05 per share. The cumulative $0.10 per share dividend was paid on February 24, 2015 to stockholders of record as of February 9, 2015. Upon the one-year anniversary of its second step conversion, the Company will continue to leverage its capital and intends on repurchasing its outstanding stock through a buyback program, subject to market conditions. We believe this will be one of the main tools to utilize our excess capital in the near term. Involvement in Our Communities Investors Bank proudly promotes a higher quality of life in the communities it serves in New Jersey and New York through employee volunteer efforts and the Investors Charitable Foundation. Employees are continually encouraged to become leaders in their communities and use Investors Bank’s support to help others. Through the Charitable Foundation, established in 2005, Investors Bank has contributed or committed $11.3 million in donations to enrich the lives of New Jersey and New York citizens by supporting initiatives in the arts, education, youth development, affordable housing, and health and human services. Community involvement is one of the principal values of Investors Bank and provides our staff with a meaningful ability to help others. We believe these efforts contribute to creating a culture at Investors Bank that promotes high employee morale while enhancing the presence of Investors Bank in our local markets. 5 F O R M 1 0 - K Lending Activities Our loan portfolio is comprised of multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, commercial and industrial loans, residential mortgage loans and consumer and other loans. At December 31, 2014, multi-family loans totaled $5.05 billion, or 33.4% of our total loan portfolio, commercial real estate loans totaled $3.15 billion, or 20.8% of our total loan portfolio, commercial and industrial loans totaled $544.5 million, or 3.6% of our total loan portfolio and construction loans totaled $148.4 million, or 1.0% of our total loan portfolio. Residential mortgage loans represented $5.77 billion, or 38.2% of our total loans at December 31, 2014. We also offer consumer loans, which consist primarily of home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. At December 31, 2014, consumer and other loans totaled $441.0 million, or 2.9% of our total loan portfolio. Loan Portfolio Composition. The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio by type of loan, including Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans at the dates indicated. PCI loans are loans acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality and are initially recorded at fair value as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows with no valuation allowance reflected in the allowance for loan losses. Included in total loans below are PCI loans of $17.8 million, $36.0 million, $6.7 million $0.9 million and $9.8 million, respectively for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010. Commercial loans are comprised of multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial loans and construction loans. Our primary focus over recent years has been on the origination of mutli-family loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans. 2014 2013 December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount % Amount % (Dollars in thousands ) Commercial loans: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans * Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans $ 5,049,114 3,147,153 544,458 148,396 33.44% $ 3,986,208 2,505,327 20.84 268,422 3.61 202,261 0.98 30.51% $ 2,995,471 1,971,689 19.18 169,258 2.05 224,816 1.55 28.70% $1,816,118 1,418,636 18.89 106,299 1.62 277,625 2.15 20.42% $1,161,874 1,225,256 15.95 60,903 1.20 347,825 3.12 14.53% 15.33 0.76 4.35 Total commercial loans 8,889,121 58.87 6,962,218 53.29 5,361,234 51.36 3,618,678 40.69 2,795,858 34.94 Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans: Home equity loans Home equity credit lines Other Total consumer and other loans 5,769,477 38.21 5,698,351 43.62 4,838,315 46.35 5,034,161 56.59 4,939,244 61.78 222,871 200,066 18,017 440,954 1.48 1.32 0.12 2.92 245,653 150,796 7,600 404,049 1.88 1.15 0.06 3.09 101,163 131,808 5,951 238,922 0.97 1.26 0.06 2.29 121,134 117,445 3,648 242,227 1.36 1.32 0.04 2.72 147,540 108,356 3,861 259,757 1.84 1.36 0.05 3.25 Total loans $15,099,552 100.00% $13,064,618 100.00% $10,438,471 100.00% $8,895,066 100.00% $7,994,859 100.00% Premiums on purchased loans, net Deferred loan fees, net Allowance for loan losses 47,906 (59,604) (200,284) 52,014 (60,160) (173,928) 43,023 (32,536) (142,172) 29,927 (13,540) (117,242) 22,021 (8,244) (90,931) Net loans $14,887,570 $12,882,544 $10,306,786 $8,794,211 $7,917,705 * At December 31, 2014, the Company’s owner-occupied real estate loans included in commercial real estate loans amounted to $560.3 million, or 17.8% of commercial real estate loans. 6 Portfolio Maturities. The following table summarizes the scheduled repayments of our loan portfolio including PCI loans at December 31, 2014. Overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less. At December 31, 2014 Multi-Family Loans Commercial Real Estate Loans Commercial and Industrial Loans Construction Loans (In thousands) Residential Mortgage Loans Consumer and Other Loans Total $ 146,735 $ 231,610 $149,812 $ 59,930 $ 259,156 $208,350 $ 1,055,593 614,453 1,426,407 2,572,622 286,647 2,250 588,164 901,188 1,247,906 171,181 7,104 56,397 100,000 167,768 70,481 — 394,646 84,243 — 4,223 — — 88,466 293,404 620,841 847,806 1,422,275 2,325,995 5,510,321 11,056 19,259 77,617 105,355 19,317 232,604 1,647,717 3,067,695 4,917,942 2,055,939 2,354,666 14,043,959 Amounts Due: One year or less After one year: One to three years Three to five years Five to ten years Ten to twenty years Over twenty years Total due after one year 4,902,379 2,915,543 Total loans $5,049,114 $3,147,153 $544,458 $148,396 $5,769,477 $440,954 $15,099,552 Premiums on purchased loans, net Deferred loan fees, net Allowance for loan losses Net loans 47,906 (59,604) (200,284) $14,887,570 K - 0 1 M R O F The following table sets forth fixed- and adjustable-rate loans at December 31, 2014 that are contractually due after December 31, 2015. Commercial loans: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Total commercial loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans: Home equity loans Home equity credit lines Other Total consumer and other loans Due After December 31, 2015 Fixed Adjustable Total (In thousands) $2,935,925 1,696,999 142,506 83,319 4,858,749 1,744,745 — 2,665 11,612 14,277 $ 4,902,379 2,915,543 394,646 88,466 8,301,034 5,510,321 217,390 2,665 12,549 232,604 $1,966,454 1,218,544 252,140 5,147 3,442,285 3,765,576 217,390 — 937 218,327 Total loans $7,426,188 $6,617,771 $14,043,959 Multi-family Loans. At December 31, 2014, $5.05 billion, or 33.4% of our total loan portfolio was comprised of multi-family loans. Our policy generally has been to originate multi-family loans in New York, New Jersey and surrounding states. The multi-family loans in our portfolio consist of both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate loans, which were originated at prevailing market rates. Multi-family loans are generally five to fifteen year term balloon loans amortized over fifteen to thirty years. The maximum loan-to-value ratio is 75% for multi-family loans. At December 31, 2014, our largest multi-family loan was $42.0 million, which consists of a New York apartment building with 103 units which was performing in accordance with its contractual terms. 7 We consider a number of factors when we originate multi-family loans. During the underwriting process we evaluate the business qualifications and financial condition of the borrower, including credit history, profitability of the property being financed, as well as the value and condition of the mortgaged property securing the loan. When evaluating the business qualifications of the borrower, we consider the financial resources of the borrower, the borrower’s experience in owning or managing similar property and the borrower’s payment history with us and other financial institutions. In evaluating the property securing the loan, we consider the net operating income of the mortgaged property before debt service and depreciation, the ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the mortgaged property and the debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of net operating income to debt service) to ensure it is at least 120% of the monthly debt service for apartment buildings. All multi-family loans are appraised by outside independent appraisers who have been approved by our Board of Directors. All borrowers are required to obtain title, fire and casualty insurance and, if warranted, flood insurance. Multi-family loans are generally lower credit risk than other types of commercial real estate lending due to the diversification of cash flows from multiple tenants to service the debt. Loans secured by multi-family and commercial real estate generally are larger than residential mortgage loans and can involve greater credit risk. Repayment of these loans depends to a large degree on the results of operations and management of the properties securing the loans and may be affected to a greater extent by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy in general. Accordingly, management annually evaluates the performance of all multi- family loans in excess of $2.0 million. Commercial Real Estate Loans. At December 31, 2014, $3.15 billion, or 20.8% of our total loan portfolio was commercial real estate loans. We originate commercial real estate loans in New Jersey, New York and surrounding states, which are secured by industrial properties, retail buildings, office buildings and other commercial properties. Commercial real estate loans in our portfolio consist of both fixed-rate and adjustable- rate loans which were originated at prevailing market rates. Commercial real estate loans are generally five to fifteen year term balloon loans amortized over fifteen to thirty years. The maximum loan-to-value ratio is 70% for our commercial real estate loans. At December 31, 2014, our largest commercial real estate loan was $42.0 million and is on a retail shopping center in New Jersey which was performing in accordance with its contractual terms. F O R M 1 0 - K We consider a number of factors when we originate commercial real estate loans. During the underwriting process we evaluate the business qualifications and financial condition of the borrower, including credit history, profitability of the property being financed, as well as the value and condition of the mortgaged property securing the loan. When evaluating the business qualifications of the borrower, we consider the financial resources of the borrower, the borrower’s experience in owning or managing similar property and the borrower’s payment history with us and other financial institutions. In evaluating the property securing the loan, we consider the net operating income of the mortgaged property before debt service and depreciation, the ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the mortgaged property and the debt service coverage ratio (the ratio of net operating income to debt service) to ensure it income-producing properties. All commercial real estate loans are appraised by outside independent appraisers who have been approved by our Board of Directors. Personal guarantees are obtained from commercial real estate borrowers although we will consider waiving this requirement based upon the loan-to-value ratio of the proposed loan and other factors. All borrowers are required to obtain title, fire and casualty insurance and, if warranted, flood insurance. least 130% for commercial is at Loans secured by commercial real estate generally are larger than residential mortgage loans and can involve greater credit risk than residential and multi-family loans. Commercial real estate loans often involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Repayment of these loans depends to a large degree on the results of operations and management of the properties securing the loans or the businesses conducted on such property, and may be affected to a greater extent by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy in general. Accordingly, management annually evaluates the performance of all commercial real estate loans in excess of $1.0 million. 8 Commercial and Industrial Loans. At December 31, 2014, $544.5 million, or 3.6% of our total loan portfolio was commercial and industrial loans. We offer a wide range of credit facilities to commercial and industrial clients throughout our geographic footprint. Our credit offerings are lines of credit, term loans and letters of credit. The collateral for these types of loans can be comprised of real estate and a lien on the general assets, including inventory and receivables of the business and in many cases are further supported by a personal guarantee of the owner. For a real estate backed loan, the maximum loan to value limit is 75% and businesses will typically have at least a two year history. Assets collateralized for these types of loans represent accounts receivable and inventory. Included in commercial real estate loans are owner occupied commercial mortgage loans which totaled $560.3 million at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014, our largest commercial and industrial loan was $27.0 million to a hotel property in New York City performing in accordance with its contractual terms. As the Company and its footprint have grown it has broadened its product offerings to create certain commercial and industrial lending subspecialties. These now include expanded lending to the healthcare industry. The Company recently formed an asset based lending team which as of December 31, 2014 had loans totaling $44.4 million. Construction Loans. At December 31, 2014, we held $148.4 million in construction loans representing 1.0% of our total loan portfolio. We offer loans directly to builders and developers on income-producing properties and residential for-sale housing units. Generally, construction loans are structured to be repaid over a three-year period and generally are made in amounts of up to 70% of the appraised value of the completed property, or the actual cost of the improvements. Funds are disbursed based on inspections in accordance with a schedule reflecting the completion of portions of the project. Construction financing for sold units requires an executed sales contract. K - 0 1 M R O F At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s largest construction loan was a $40.0 million note with an outstanding balance of $20.4 million on an apartment development project in New Jersey which was performing in accordance with contractual terms. Construction loans generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than either residential mortgage loans or other commercial loans. The risk of loss on a construction loan depends on the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value when the construction is completed compared to the estimated cost of construction. For all loans, we use outside independent appraisers approved by our Board of Directors. We require all borrowers to obtain title insurance, fire and casualty insurance and, if warranted, flood insurance. A detailed plan and cost review by an outside engineering firm is required on loans in excess of $2.5 million. Residential Mortgage Loans. At December 31, 2014, $5.77 billion or 38.2%, of our loan portfolio consisted of residential mortgage loans. Residential mortgage loans are originated by our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage, for our loan portfolio and for sale to third parties. We also purchase mortgage loans from correspondent entities including other banks and mortgage bankers. Our agreements call for these correspondent entities to originate loans that adhere to our underwriting standards. In most cases, we acquire the loans with servicing rights. In addition, we occasionally purchase pools of mortgage loans in the secondary market on a “bulk purchase” basis from several well-established financial institutions after appropriate due diligence. While some of these financial institutions retain the servicing rights for loans they sell to us, when presented with the opportunity to purchase the servicing rights as part of the loan, we may decide to purchase the servicing rights. This decision is generally based on the price and other relevant factors. Generally, residential mortgage loans are originated in amounts up to 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or purchase price of the property to a maximum loan amount of $1,250,000. Loans over $1,250,000 require a lower loan-to-value ratio. Loans in excess of 80% of value require private mortgage insurance and cannot exceed $500,000. We will not make loans with a loan-to-value ratio in excess of 95% or 97% for programs to low or moderate-income borrowers. Fixed-rate mortgage loans are originated for terms of up to 30 years. 9 Generally, all fixed-rate residential mortgage loans are underwritten according to Fannie Mae guidelines, policies and procedures. At December 31, 2014, we held $3.65 billion in fixed-rate residential mortgage loans which represented 63% of our residential mortgage loan portfolio. We also offer adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans, which adjust annually after three, five, seven or ten year initial fixed-rate periods. Our adjustable rate loans usually adjust to an index plus a margin, based on the weekly average yield on U.S. Treasuries adjusted to a constant maturity of one year. Annual caps of 2% per adjustment apply, with a lifetime maximum adjustment of 5% on most loans. Our adjustable-rate mortgage loans amortize over terms of up to 30 years. In addition, we hold in our loan portfolio interest-only, one-to four-family mortgage loans in which the borrower makes only interest payments for the first five, seven or ten years of the mortgage loan term. This feature results in future increases in the borrower’s contractually required payments due to the required amortization of the principal amount after the interest-only period. Borrowers were qualified using the loan rate at the date of origination and the fully amortized payment amount. While we hold these in our loan portfolio, we no longer originate interest only, residential mortgages. Adjustable-rate mortgage loans decrease the Bank’s risk associated with changes in market interest rates by periodically re-pricing, but involve other risks because, as interest rates increase, the underlying payments by the borrower increase, which increases the potential for default by the borrower. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying collateral may be adversely affected by higher interest rates or a decline in housing values. The maximum periodic and lifetime interest rate adjustments may limit the effectiveness of adjustable-rate mortgages during periods of rapidly rising interest rates. At December 31, 2014, we held $2.12 billion in adjustable-rate, residential mortgage loans, of which $288.0 million were interest-only, one- to four-family mortgages. Adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans represented 37% of our residential mortgage loan portfolio. F O R M 1 0 - K To provide financing for low-and moderate-income home buyers, we also offer various loan programs, some of which include down payment assistance for home purchases. Through these programs, qualified individuals receive a reduced rate of interest on most of our loan programs and have their application fee refunded at closing, as well as other incentives if certain conditions are met. All residential mortgage loans we originate include a “due-on-sale” clause, which gives us the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable if the borrower sells or otherwise disposes of the real property that is subject to the mortgage and the loan is not repaid. All borrowers are required to obtain title insurance, fire and casualty insurance and, if warranted, flood insurance on properties securing real estate loans. Consumer and Other Loans. At December 31, 2014, consumer and other loans totaled $441.0 million, or 2.9% of our total loan portfolio. We offer consumer loans, most of which consist of home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. Home equity loans and home equity lines of credit are secured by residences primarily located in New Jersey and New York. The underwriting standards we use for home equity loans and home equity lines of credit include a determination of the applicant’s credit history, an assessment of the applicant’s ability to meet existing credit obligations, the payment on the proposed loan and the value of the collateral securing the loan. The combined (first and second mortgage liens) loan-to-value ratio for home equity loans and home equity lines of credit is generally limited to a maximum of 80%. Home equity loans are offered with fixed rates of interest, terms up to 30 years and to a maximum of $500,000. Home equity lines of credit have adjustable rates of interest, indexed to the prime rate, as reported in The Wall Street Journal. We also have begun to offer cash surrender value lending on life insurance contracts during 2014, which is a way to expand the Company’s commercial deposit base. The underwriting on these loans allows a policy owner to borrow a minimum credit line of $65,000 up to $3,000,000. Acceptable credit history and FICO scores are reviewed along with the evaluation of the financial rating of the insurance carrier. 10 Loan Originations and Purchases. The following table shows our loan originations, loan purchases and repayment activities with respect to our portfolio of loans receivable for the periods indicated. Origination, sale and repayment activities with respect to our loans-held-for-sale are excluded from the table. Loan originations and purchases Loan originations: Commercial loans: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Total commercial loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans: Home equity loans Home equity credit lines Other Total consumer and other loans Total loan originations Loan purchases: Commercial loans: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Total commercial loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans: Home equity loans Home equity credit lines Other Total consumer and other loans Total loan purchases Loans sold and principal repayments Other items, net(1) Net loans acquired in acquisition Net increase in loan portfolio Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (In thousands) $ 1,671,514 869,705 445,360 44,817 $ 1,592,509 454,152 250,981 57,524 $ 1,285,775 458,847 139,833 32,219 3,031,396 608,076 2,355,166 1,069,518 1,916,674 693,996 19,742 92,076 12,455 124,273 19,197 58,936 1,440 79,573 13,674 55,295 838 69,807 3,763,745 3,504,257 2,680,477 K - 0 1 M R O F — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 233,856 1,054,395 638,788 — — — — — — — — — — — — 233,856 1,054,395 638,788 (2,172,088) (15,549) 195,062 (2,931,593) (42,271) 990,970 (2,508,908) (33,784) 736,003 $ 2,005,026 $ 2,575,758 $ 1,512,576 (1) Other items include charge-offs, loan loss provisions, loans transferred to other real estate owned, and amortization and accretion of deferred fees and costs, discounts and premiums, and purchase accounting adjustments. Loan Approval Procedures and Authority. Our lending activities follow written, non-discriminatory underwriting standards and loan origination procedures established by our Board of Directors. In the approval process for residential loans, we assess the borrower’s ability to repay the loan and the value of the property securing the loan. To assess the borrower’s ability to repay, we review the borrower’s income and expenses and 11 F O R M 1 0 - K employment and credit history. In the case of commercial loans we also review projected income, expenses and the viability of the project being financed. We generally require appraisals of all real property securing loans, except for home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, in which case we may use the tax-assessed value of the property securing such loan or a lesser form of valuation, such as a home value estimator or by a drive-by value estimated performed by an approved appraisal company. Appraisals are performed by independent licensed appraisers who are approved by our Board of Directors. We require borrowers, except for home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, to obtain title insurance. All real estate secured loans require fire and casualty insurance and, if warranted, flood insurance in amounts at least equals to the principal amount of the loan or the maximum amount available. Our loan approval policies and limits are reviewed periodically and submitted to our Board of Directors for approval. Approval limits are set based on the risk associated with each loan type, loan amount and aggregate loan balances of a borrower. The commercial loan committee consists of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Lending Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Retail Banking Officer, Senior Vice President -CRE, Senior Vice President- Business Lending and Senior Vice President, Senior Business Lending Operations Manager. All residential mortgage loans, including home equity loans and home equity lines of credit require approval by authorized members of management. Residential mortgage loans which exceed certain dollar thresholds are required to be approved by three authorized members of management, one of whom must be an Executive Officer. Loans to One Borrower. The Bank’s regulatory limit on total loans to any one borrower or attributed to any one borrower is 15% of unimpaired capital and surplus. As of December 31, 2014, the regulatory lending limit was $376.8 million. The Bank’s internal policy limit is $150.0 million, with the option to exceed that limit with the Board of Directors’ ratification on total loans to a borrower or related borrowers. The Bank reviews these group exposures on a monthly basis. The Bank also sets additional limits on size of loans by loan type. At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s largest relationship with an individual borrower and its related entities was $111.6 million, consisting of ten multi-family loans and a commercial and industrial loan. Asset Quality One of the Bank’s key operating objectives has been, and continues to be, maintaining a high level of asset quality. The Bank maintains sound credit standards for new loan originations and purchases. We do not originate or purchase sub-prime loans, negative amortization loans or option ARM loans. While our portfolio contains interest only and no income verification residential mortgage loans, we no longer originate or purchase these types of residential loan products. The Bank does, however from time to time and for competitive purposes, originate commercial loans with limited interest only periods. As of December 31, 2014, we have $1.13 billion in interest only and $377.8 million in no income verification loans in our loan portfolio. In addition, the Bank uses proactive collection and workout processes in dealing with delinquent and problem loans. The underlying credit quality of our loan portfolio is dependent primarily on each borrower’s ability to continue to make required loan payments and, in the event a borrower is unable to continue to do so, the value of the collateral securing the loan, if any. A borrower’s ability to pay typically is dependent; in the case of one-to four-family mortgage loans and consumer loans, primarily on employment and other sources of income; in the case of multi-family and commercial real estate loans, on the cash flow generated by the property; in the case of C&I loans, on the cash flows generated by the business, which in turn is impacted by general economic conditions. Other factors, such as unanticipated expenditures or changes in the financial markets, may also impact a borrower’s ability to pay. Collateral values, particularly real estate values, are also impacted by a variety of factors including general economic conditions, demographics, maintenance and collection or foreclosure delays. Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans. Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans are loans acquired through acquisition or purchased at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30 and are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value 12 of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance (i.e., the allowance for loan losses). The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the initial carrying amount (fair value) of the covered loans, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of the loans. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “non-accretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment, as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Reclassifications of the non-accretable difference to the accretable yield may occur subsequent to the loan acquisition dates due to increases in expected cash flows of the loans and results in an increase in yield on a prospective basis. Collection Procedures. We send system-generated reminder notices to start collection efforts when a loan becomes fifteen days past due. Subsequent late charge and delinquency notices are sent and the account is monitored on a regular basis thereafter. Direct contact with the borrower is attempted early in the collection process as a courtesy reminder and later to determine the reason for the delinquency and to safeguard our collateral. We provide the Board of Directors with a summary report of loans 30 days or more past due on a monthly basis. When a loan is more than 90 days past due, the credit file is reviewed and, if deemed necessary, information is updated or confirmed and collateral re-evaluated. We make every effort to contact the borrower and develop a plan of repayment to cure the delinquency. Loans are placed on non-accrual status when they are 90 days delinquent, but may be placed on non-accrual status earlier if the timely collection of principal and/or income is doubtful. When loans are placed on non-accrual status, unpaid accrued interest is fully reserved, and additional income is recognized in the period collected unless the ultimate collection of principal is considered doubtful. If our effort to cure the delinquency fails and a repayment plan is not in place, the file is referred to counsel for commencement of foreclosure or other collection efforts. We also own loans serviced by other entities and we monitor delinquencies on such loans using reports the servicers send to us. When we receive these past due reports, we review the data and contact the servicer to discuss the specific loans and the status of the collection process. We add the information from the servicer’s delinquent loan reports to our own delinquent reports and provide a full summary report monthly to our Board of Directors. Our collection procedures for non mortgage related consumer and other loans include sending periodic late notices to a borrower once a loan is past due. We attempt to make direct contact with the borrower once a loan becomes 30 days past due. The Collection Manager reviews loans 60 days or more delinquent on a regular basis. If collection activity is unsuccessful after 90 days, we may refer the matter to our legal counsel for further collection efforts or we may charge-off the loan. K - 0 1 M R O F 13 Delinquent Loans. The following table sets forth our loan delinquencies by type and by amount at the dates indicated, excluding loans classified as PCI. At December 31, 2014 Commercial loans: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Total commercial loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans Total At December 31, 2013 Commercial loans: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Total commercial loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans Total F O R M 1 0 - K Loans Delinquent For 60-89 Days 90 Days and Over Total Number Amount Number Amount Number Amount (Dollars in thousands) 1 4 2 — 7 36 21 64 2 4 2 1 9 34 8 51 $ 239 778 395 — 1,412 8,900 1,006 $11,318 $ 218 10,247 287 527 11,279 7,358 168 $18,805 2 36 11 7 56 311 80 447 4 11 3 18 36 253 32 321 $ 2,989 13,940 2,903 4,345 24,177 75,610 4,211 $103,998 $ 3,588 2,091 775 16,181 22,635 66,079 1,973 $ 90,687 3 40 13 7 63 347 101 511 6 15 5 19 45 287 40 372 $ 3,228 14,718 3,298 4,345 25,589 84,510 5,217 $115,316 $ 3,806 12,338 1,062 16,708 33,914 73,437 2,141 $109,492 Non-Performing Assets. Non-performing assets include non-accrual loans, loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing interest, performing troubled debt restructurings and real estate owned, or REO, and excludes PCI loans. We did not have any loans delinquent 90 days or more and still accruing interest at December 31, 2014 and 2013. At December 31, 2014, we had REO of $7.8 million consisting of fifty three residential properties. Non-accrual loans increased by $8.0 million to $108.4 million at December 31, 2014 from $100.4 million at December 31, 2013. During 2014, the Company sold a $26.0 million pool of non-performing and PCI loans on a bulk basis as well as a $6.4 million non performing loan on a stand alone basis. During 2013, the Company elected to sell 46 residential non-accrual loans on a bulk basis for $9.0 million. 14 As a geographically concentrated lender, we have been affected by negative consequences arising from the economic recession and, in particular, economic and housing industry weaknesses in the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area. While there has been some improvement, we continue to closely monitor the local and regional real estate markets and other factors related to risks inherent in our loan portfolio. The ratio of non- accrual loans to total loans decreased to 0.72% at December 31, 2014 from 0.77% at December 31, 2013. Our ratio of non-performing assets to total assets decreased to 0.81% at December 31, 2014 from 0.95% at December 31, 2013. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-accrual loans increased to 184.83% at December 31, 2014 from 173.30% at December 31, 2013. For further discussion of our non- performing assets and non-performing loans and the allowance for loan losses, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets excluding PCI loans at the dates indicated. December 31, 2014(1) 2013(2) 2012(3) 2011(4) 2010 (Dollars in thousands) Non-accrual loans: Multi-family and commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans $ $ 16,929 2,903 4,345 Total commercial loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans Total non-accrual loans Real estate owned Performing troubled debt restructurings 8,616 1,281 16,181 26,078 72,309 1,973 $ 11,896 375 25,764 38,035 81,295 1,238 $ 73 $ — 57,070 57,143 84,056 1,009 6,647 1,829 82,735 91,211 73,650 1,033 K - 0 1 M R O F 24,177 79,971 4,211 108,359 100,360 120,568 142,208 165,894 7,839 35,624 8,516 39,570 8,093 15,756 3,081 10,465 976 4,822 Total non-performing assets $151,822 $148,446 $144,417 $155,754 $171,692 Total non-accrual loans to total loans Total non-performing assets to total assets 0.72% 0.81% 0.77% 0.95% 1.16% 1.14% 1.60% 1.48% 2.08% 1.74% (1) Non-accrual loans include troubled debt restructurings that are current but classified as non-accrual. These loans are comprised of 5 residential TDR loans totaling $1.5 million. In addition, there were ten TDR residential loans totaling $2.9 million that were classified as non-accrual which were 30-89 days delinquent. (2) Non-accrual loans include troubled debt restructurings which are current but classified as non-accrual. Included in TDR loans, there was one multi-family loan for $2.3 million, one commercial loan for $620,000, one C&I loan for $506,000 and 14 residential loans totaling $4.6 million. There were five TDR residential loans totaling $1.6 million which were 30-89 days delinquent classified as non-accrual. (3) There were three construction troubled debt restructuring loans totaling $6.9 million and 21 residential and consumer loans totaling $5.1 million which were current but classified as non-accrual as of December 31, 2012. (4) An $8.1 million construction loan that was 60-89 days delinquent at December 31, 2011 was classified as troubled debt restructurings totaling $3.0 million and 2 non-accrual. There were also 6 residential construction troubled debt restructurings totaling $8.6 million that were current as of December 31, 2011 but classified as non-accrual. At December 31, 2014, there were $47.3 million of loans deemed trouble debt restructurings, of which $35.6 million were classified as accruing and $11.7 million were classified as non-accrual. For the year ended December 31, 2014, interest income that would have been recorded had our non-accruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted to $6.3 million. We recognized interest income of $2.7 million on such loans for the year ended December 31, 2014. 15 F O R M 1 0 - K Real Estate Owned. Real estate we acquire as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is classified as real estate owned (“REO”) until sold. When property is acquired it is recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure less estimated costs to sell the property. Holding costs and declines in fair value result in charges to expense after acquisition. At December 31, 2014, we had REO of $7.8 million consisting of fifty three residential properties. Classified Assets. Federal regulations provide that loans and other assets of lesser quality should be classified as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss” assets. An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” we will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such little value their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted. We classify an asset as “special mention” if the asset has a potential weakness that warrants management’s close attention. While such assets are not impaired, management has concluded that if the potential weakness in the asset is not addressed, the value of the asset may deteriorate, adversely affecting the repayment of the asset. We are required to establish an allowance for loan losses in an amount that management considers prudent for loans classified substandard or doubtful, as well as for other problem loans. General allowances represent loss allowances, which have been established to recognize the inherent losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When we classify problem assets as “loss,” we are required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of the amount of the asset so classified or to charge off such amount. Our determination as to the classification of our assets and the amount of our valuation allowances is subject to review by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which can require that we establish additional general or specific loss allowances. We review the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis to determine whether any loans require classification in accordance with applicable regulations. Not all classified assets constitute non-performing assets. Impaired Loans. The Company defines an impaired loan as a loan for which it is probable, based on current information, that the lender will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company evaluates commercial loans with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non- accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other commercial loans with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement for impairment. Impaired loans are individually evaluated to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans are evaluated for impairment collectively unless they are modified in a troubled debt restructure. Such loans include residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, and loans not meeting the Company’s definition of impaired, and are specifically excluded from impaired loans. At December 31, 2014, loans meeting the Company’s definition of an impaired loan totaled $60.5 million. The allowance for loan losses related to loans classified as impaired at December 31, 2014, amounted to $2.1 million. Interest income received during the year ended December 31, 2014 on loans classified as impaired totaled $2.5 million. For further detail on our impaired loans, see Note 1 and Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Allowance for Loan Losses Our allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level necessary to absorb loan losses that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management considers the losses inherent in our loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of loan activities, along with the general 16 economic and real estate market conditions. A description of our methodology in establishing our allowance for loan losses is set forth in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Allowance for Loan Losses.” The allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2014 is maintained at a level that represents management’s best estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio. However, this analysis process is subjective, as it requires us to make estimates that are susceptible to revisions as more information becomes available. Although we believe we have established the allowance at levels to absorb probable and estimable losses, future additions may be necessary if economic or other conditions in the future differ from the current environment. As an integral part of their examination processes, the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation will periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination. Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated. Allowance balance (beginning of period) Provision for loan losses Charge-offs: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans Total charge-offs Recoveries: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans Total recoveries Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 $ 173,928 $ 37,500 (Dollars in thousands) 117,242 $ 65,000 142,172 $ 50,500 90,931 $ 75,500 55,052 66,500 K - 0 1 M R O F (323) (6,147) (2,447) (640) (7,715) (972) (18,244) 3,784 201 516 799 1,783 17 7,100 (1,266) (1,101) (516) (3,424) (15,508) (795) (22,610) 219 65 604 315 2,528 135 3,866 (9,058) (479) (99) (13,227) (20,180) (1,107) (363) (7,637) (1,621) (30,548) (9,304) (714) (829) (98) (269) (23,160) (6,432) (41) (44,150) (50,187) (30,829) — 43 23 3,387 593 34 4,080 19 — 13 576 388 2 998 — — — 83 124 1 208 Net charge-offs (11,144) (18,744) (40,070) (49,189) (30,621) Allowance balance (end of period) 200,284 173,928 142,172 117,242 90,931 Total loans outstanding Average loans outstanding Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total $15,099,552 $13,064,618 $10,438,471 $8,895,066 $7,994,859 7,197,608 13,776,250 11,065,190 9,271,550 8,461,031 loans outstanding 1.33% 1.33% 1.36% 1.32% 1.14% Net loans charged off as a percent of average loans outstanding 0.08% 0.17% 0.43% 0.58% 0.43% Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans 139.10% 124.30% 104.29% 76.79% 53.26% 17 Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses. The following table sets forth the allowance for loan losses allocated by loan category and the percent of loans in each category to total loans at the dates indicated. The allowance for loan losses allocated to each category is not necessarily indicative of future losses in any particular category and does not restrict the use of the allowance to absorb losses in other categories. 2014 2013 December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Percent of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans Allowance for Loan Losses Percent of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans Percent of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans Percent of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses Percent of Loans in Each Category to Total Loans Allowance for Loan Losses (Dollars in thousands) End of period allocated to: Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans Unallocated $ 71,147 33.44% $ 42,103 30.51% $ 29,853 28.70% $ 13,863 20.42% $10,454 14.53% 44,030 20.84% 46,657 19.18% 33,347 18.89% 30,947 15.95% 16,432 15.33% 20,759 6,488 3.61% 0.98% 9,273 8,947 2.05% 1.55% 4,094 16,062 1.62% 2.15% 3,677 22,839 1.20% 3.12% 2,189 34,669 0.76% 4.35% 47,936 38.21% 51,760 43.62% 45,369 46.35% 32,447 56.59% 20,489 61.78% 3,347 6,577 2.92% 2,161 13,027 3.09% 2,086 11,361 2.29% 1,335 12,134 2.72% 866 5,832 3.25% Total allowance $200,284 100.00% $173,928 100.00% $142,172 100.00% $117,242 100.00% $90,931 100.00% F O R M 1 0 - K Security Investments The Board of Directors has adopted our Investment Policy. This policy determines the types of securities in which we may invest. The Investment Policy is reviewed annually by management and changes to the policy are recommended to and subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors delegates operational responsibility for the implementation of the Investment Policy to the Asset Liability Committee, which is primarily comprised of senior officers. While general investment strategies are developed by the Asset Liability Committee, the execution of specific actions rests primarily with our Treasurer. The Treasurer is responsible for ensuring the guidelines and requirements included in the Investment Policy are followed and all securities are considered prudent for investment. Investment transactions are reviewed and ratified by the Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled meetings. Our Investment Policy requires that investment transactions conform to Federal and New Jersey State investment regulations. Our investments purchased may include, but are not limited to, U.S. Treasury obligations, securities issued by various Federal Agencies, State and Municipal subdivisions, mortgage-backed securities, certain certificates of deposit of insured financial institutions, overnight and short-term loans to other banks, investment grade corporate debt instruments, and mutual funds. In addition, Investors Bancorp may invest in equity securities subject to certain limitations. The Investment Policy requires that securities transactions be conducted in a safe and sound manner. Purchase and sale decisions are based upon a thorough pre-purchase analysis of each security to determine it conforms to our overall asset/liability management objectives. The analysis must consider its effect on our risk-based capital measurement, prospects for yield and/or appreciation and other risk factors. At December 31, 2014, our securities portfolio totaled $2.76 billion representing 14.7% of our total assets. Securities are classified as held-to-maturity or available-for-sale when purchased. At December 31, 2014, $1.56 billion of our securities were classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost and $1.20 billion were classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. 18 K - 0 1 M R O F Mortgage-Backed Securities. We purchase mortgage-backed pass through and collateralized mortgage obligation (“CMO”) securities insured or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (government-sponsored enterprises) and Ginnie Mae (government agency), and to a lesser extent, a variety of federal and state housing authorities (collectively referred to below as “agency-issued mortgage-backed securities”). At December 31, 2014, agency-issued mortgage-backed securities including CMOs, totaled $2.69 billion, or 97.4%, of our total securities portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we transferred $524.0 million of mortgage-backed securities previously-designated as available-for-sale to a held-to-maturity. In accordance with ASC 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities, the Company is required at each balance sheet date to reassess the classification of each security held. The reclassification is permitted as the Company has appropriately determined the ability and intent to hold these securities as an investment until maturity or call. The securities transferred had a net loss of $12.2 million at transfer that was reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet. This loss is being amortized over the life of the securities. Mortgage-backed pass through securities are created by pooling mortgages and issuing a security with an interest rate less than the interest rate on the underlying mortgages. Mortgage-backed pass through securities represent a participation interest in a pool of single-family or multi-family mortgages. As loan payments are made by the borrowers, the principal and interest portion of the payment is passed through to the investor as received. CMOs are also backed by mortgages; however, they differ from mortgage-backed pass through securities because the principal and interest payments of the underlying mortgages are financially engineered to be paid to the security holders of pre-determined classes or tranches of these securities at a faster or slower pace. The receipt of these principal and interest payments, which depends on the proposed average life for each class, is contingent on a prepayment speed assumption assigned to the underlying mortgages. Variances between the assumed payment speed and actual payments can significantly alter the average lives of such securities. To quantify and mitigate this risk, we undertake a payment analysis before purchasing these securities. We primarily invest in CMO classes or tranches in which the payments on the underlying mortgages are passed along at a pace fast enough to provide an average life of three to five years with no change in market interest rates. The issuers of such securities, as noted above, pool and sell participation interests in security form to investors such as Investors Bank and guarantee the payment of principal and interest. Mortgage-backed securities and CMOs generally yield less than the loans that underlie such securities because of the cost of payment guarantees and credit enhancements. However, mortgage-backed securities are usually more liquid than individual mortgage loans and may be used to collateralize borrowings and other liabilities. Mortgage-backed securities present a risk that actual prepayments may differ from estimated prepayments over the life of the security, which may require adjustments to the amortization of any premium or accretion of any discount relating to such instruments that can change the net yield on such securities. There is also reinvestment risk associated with the cash flows from such securities or if such securities are redeemed by the issuer. In addition, the fair value of such securities may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates. Our mortgage-backed securities portfolio had a weighted average yield of 2.21% for the year ended December 31, 2014. The estimated fair value of our mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2014 was $2.70 billion, which is $22.5 million more than the carrying value of $2.68 billion. The increase to the fair value is attributed to a decline to interest rates during 2014, and not credit related. We also may invest in securities issued by non-agency or private mortgage originators, provided those securities are rated AAA by nationally recognized rating agencies and satisfactorily pass an internal credit review at the time of purchase. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company sold all its non-agency or privately originated mortgage backed securities. The Company currently has no non-agency mortgage-backed securities in its portfolio. 19 F O R M 1 0 - K Corporate and Other Debt Securities. Our corporate and other debt securities portfolio consists of collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) backed by pooled trust preferred securities (TruPS), principally issued by banks and to a lesser extent insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, and collateralized debt obligation. The interest rates on these securities reset quarterly in relation to 3 month Libor rate. These securities have been classified in the held-to-maturity portfolio since their purchase. At December 31, 2014, the trust preferred securities portfolio consisted of 34 securities with an amortized cost of $33.4 million and a fair value of $65.2 million with two of the securities in an unrealized loss position. Throughout the year we engage an independent valuation firm to assist us in valuing our TruPS portfolio and prepare our other-than temporary impairment, or OTTI, analysis. At December 31, 2014, management deemed that the present value of projected cash flows for each security was greater than the book value and did not recognize any OTTI charges for the period ended December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2013, the discounted cash flow projected for one of the Company’s pooled trust preferred securities fell below its adjusted book value. Based on the review of underlying collateral, the credit of this security has continued to deteriorate and therefore the Company recorded net other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charge of $977,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014 the security had a fair value of $48,000. The Company has no intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell, the debt securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis or maturity. In December 2013, regulatory agencies adopted a rule on the treatment of certain collateralized debt obligations backed by trust preferred securities to implement sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, known as the Volcker Rule. Upon evaluation of the impact of the Volcker Rule on our portfolio, one security backed by trust preferred securities issued by insurance companies, was deemed to be a “covered fund” under the Volker Rule. The Company reclassified the trust preferred security with a fair value of $670,000 from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale at December 31, 2013 with its subsequent sale during 2014. Other than this security, the Company has no intent to sell the remaining securities, nor is it more likely than not that it would be required to sell these securities. We continue to closely monitor the performance of the securities we own as well as the events surrounding this segment of the market. We will continue to evaluate for other-than-temporary impairment, which could result in a future non-cash charge to earnings. Government Sponsored Enterprises. At December 31, 2014, debt securities issued by Government Sponsored Enterprises held in our security portfolio totaled $4.4 million representing less than 0.2% of our total securities portfolio. While these securities may generally provide lower yields than other securities in our securities portfolio; they are held for liquidity purposes, as collateral for certain borrowings, to achieve positive interest rate spreads with minimal administrative expense, and to lower our credit risk as a result of the guarantees provided by these issuers. Marketable Equity Securities. At December 31, 2014, we had $8.5 million in equity securities representing 0.3% of our total securities portfolio. Equity securities are not insured or guaranteed investments and are affected by market interest rates and stock market fluctuations. Such investments (when held) are carried at their fair value and fluctuations in the fair value of such investments, including temporary declines in value, directly affect our net capital position. Municipal Bonds. At December 31, 2014, we had $24.3 million in municipal bonds which represents 0.9% of our total securities portfolio. These bonds are comprised of $19.1 million in short-term Bond Anticipation or Tax Anticipation notes and $5.2 million of longer term New Jersey Revenue Bonds. These purchases were made to diversify the securities portfolio and are designated as held to maturity. 20 Securities Portfolios. The following table sets forth the composition of our investment securities portfolios at the dates indicated. 2014 At December 31, 2013 2012 Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value Carrying Value Estimated Fair Value (In thousands) $ 6,887 $ 8,523 $ 7,148 $ 8,444 $ 3,306 $ 4,161 — — — — 3,004 3,004 3,038 3,035 670 670 — — 503,268 507,283 362,876 363,088 660,095 667,517 675,535 681,992 408,794 409,559 689,587 706,128 125 126 267 267 4,414 4,487 Available-for-sale: Equity securities Government sponsored enterprises Corporate and other debt securities Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association Total mortgage-backed securities available for sale 1,178,928 1,189,401 771,937 772,914 1,354,096 1,378,132 Total available-for-sale securities $1,185,815 $1,197,924 $ 782,759 $ 785,032 $1,360,440 $1,385,328 K - 0 1 M R O F Held-to-maturity: Debt securities: Government sponsored enterprises Municipal bonds Corporate and other debt securities Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage $ 4,388 $ 24,320 4,403 $ 25,321 4,542 $ 14,992 4,524 $ 15,479 147 $ 21,156 149 22,294 33,440 62,148 65,236 94,960 29,681 49,215 48,604 68,607 29,503 50,806 39,295 61,738 Corporation 500,637 502,320 303,617 297,872 63,033 66,223 Government National Mortgage Association Federal National Mortgage Association Federal housing authorities Total mortgage-backed securities 27,136 27,116 — — — — 974,376 182 984,787 182 478,616 371 472,214 371 64,278 1,805 69,121 1,811 held-to-maturity 1,502,331 1,514,405 782,604 770,457 129,116 137,155 Total held-to-maturity securities $1,564,479 $1,609,365 $ 831,819 $ 839,064 $ 179,922 $ 198,893 Total securities $2,750,294 $2,807,289 $1,614,578 $1,624,096 $1,540,362 $1,584,221 At December 31, 2014, except for our investments in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac securities, we had no investment in the securities of any issuer that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of our equity. 21 Portfolio Maturities and Yields. The composition and maturities of the securities portfolio at December 31, 2014 are summarized in the following table. Maturities are based on the final contractual payment dates, and do not reflect the impact of prepayments or early redemptions that may occur. Municipal securities yields have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis. One Year or Less Carrying Value Weighted Average Yield More than One Year through Five Years Carrying Value Weighted Average Yield More than Five Years through Ten Years More than Ten Years Total Securities Carrying Value Weighted Average Yield Carrying Value Weighted Average Yield Carrying Value Fair Value Weighted Average Yield (Dollars in thousands) $ — — $ — — $ — — $ 6,887 — $ 6,887 $ 8,523 — — — — — $ — — — — — — 4,148 3.84% 47,861 2.59% 451,259 2.02% 503,268 507,283 2.09% 9,047 3.88% 227,119 2.11% 439,369 2.02% 675,535 681,992 2.08% — — 33 0.70% 92 — 125 126 0.18% 13,195 3.87% 275,013 2.19% 890,720 2.02% 1,178,928 1,189,401 2.08% $13,195 3.87% $275,013 2.19% $ 897,607 2.02% $1,185,815 $1,197,924 2.07% $ — 19,100 — 1.03% $ 4,388 215 1.04% $ — — 3.63% — — — — 19,100 1.03% 4,603 1.16% — — — — — — $ — 5,005 — 9.13% $ 4,388 $ 24,320 4,403 25,321 33,440 38,445 1.29% 2.31% 33,440 62,148 65,236 94,960 1.04% 2.72% 1.29% 1.83% — — — — — — — — — — 1,507 4.55% 24,973 1.93% 474,157 2.18% 500,637 502,320 2.18% 1,350 4.60% 10,707 3.32% 962,319 2.39% 974,376 984,787 2.40% — — 182 8.90% — — — — 27,136 2.07% 27,136 27,116 2.07% — — 182 182 8.90% 3,039 4.83% 35,680 2.35% 1,463,612 2.31% 1,502,331 1,514,405 2.32% $19,100 1.03% $ 7,642 2.62% $ 35,680 2.35% $1,502,057 2.31% $1,564,479 $1,609,365 2.30% F O R M 1 0 - K Available-for-Sale: Equity securities Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association Total mortgage-backed securities Total available-for- sale securities Held-to-Maturity: Debt securities: Government sponsored enterprises Municipal bonds Corporate and other debt securities Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association Federal Housing Authorities Total mortgage-backed securities Total held-to-maturity securities Sources of Funds General. Deposits are the primary source of funds used for our lending and investment activities. Our strategy is to increase core deposit growth to fund these activities. In addition, we use a significant amount of borrowings, primarily advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”); to supplement cash flow needs, to lengthen the maturities of liabilities for interest rate risk management and to manage our cost of funds. Additional sources of funds include principal and interest payments from loans and securities, loan and security prepayments and maturities, repurchase agreements, brokered deposits, income on other earning assets and retained earnings. While cash flows from loans and securities payments can be relatively stable sources of funds, deposit inflows and outflows can vary widely and are influenced by prevailing interest rates, market conditions and levels of competition. 22 Deposits. At December 31, 2014, we held $12.17 billion in total deposits, representing 80.1% of our total liabilities. For several years, we have focused on changing the mix of our deposits from one focused on attracting certificates of deposit to one focused on core deposits (savings, checking and money market accounts). The impact of these efforts has been a continuing shift in deposit mix to lower cost core products. We remain committed to our plan of attracting more core deposits because core deposits represent a more stable source of low cost funds and are less sensitive to changes in market interest rates. At December 31, 2014, we held $9.60 billion in core deposits, representing 78.9% of total deposits, of which $214.5 million are brokered money market deposits. This is an increase of $2.27 billion, or 30.9%, when compared to December 31, 2013, when our core deposits were $7.33 billion. At December 31, 2014, $2.57 billion, or 21.1%, of our total deposit balances were certificates of deposit, which included $330.4 million of brokered certificates of deposits. We have a suite of commercial deposit products, designed to appeal to small business owners and non-profit organizations. The interest rates we pay, our maturity terms, service fees and withdrawal penalties are all reviewed on a periodic basis. Deposit rates and terms are based primarily on our current operating strategies, market rates, liquidity requirements, rates paid by competitors and growth goals. We also rely on personalized customer service, long-standing relationships with customers and an active marketing program to attract and retain deposits. The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market and other prevailing interest rates and competition. The variety of deposit accounts we offer allows us to respond to changes in consumer demands and to be competitive in obtaining deposit funds. Our ability to attract and maintain deposits and the rates we pay on deposits will continue to be significantly affected by market conditions. K - 0 1 M R O F We intend to continue to invest in de novo branches, branch staff training and to aggressively market and advertise our core deposit products and will attempt to generate our deposits from a diverse client group within our primary market area. We remain focused on attracting deposits from consumers, businesses and municipalities which operate in our marketplace. The following table sets forth the distribution of total deposit accounts, by account type, at the dates indicated. 2014 Percent of Total Deposits Weighted Average Rate Balance At December 31, 2013 Percent of Total Deposits Weighted Average Rate Balance Balance 2012 Percent of Total Deposits Weighted Average Rate Checking accounts Money market deposits Savings Total core deposits Certificates of deposit (Dollars in thousands) $ 3,892,839 31.98% 0.20% $ 3,163,250 29.50% 0.17% $2,498,829 28.50% 0.21% 3,390,238 27.85 2,318,911 19.05 9,601,988 78.88 2,570,338 21.12 0.71 0.27 0.40 1.00 1,958,982 18.28 2,212,034 20.64 7,334,266 68.42 3,384,545 31.58 0.34 0.28 0.25 0.83 1,585,865 18.09 1,718,199 19.59 5,802,893 66.18 2,965,964 33.82 0.37 0.37 0.30 1.19 Total deposits $12,172,326 100.00% 0.53% $10,718,811 100.00% 0.43% $8,768,857 100.00% 0.60% 23 The following table sets forth, by rate category, the amount of certificates of deposit outstanding as of the dates indicated. Certificates of Deposits 0.00% - 0.25% 0.26% - 0.50% 0.51% - 1.00% 1.01% - 2.00% 2.01% - 3.00% Over 3.00% Total At December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (Dollars in thousands) $ 703,630 511,058 389,815 512,383 386,775 66,677 $ 880,344 482,603 525,751 941,224 420,101 134,522 $ 519,170 433,877 608,847 859,952 403,884 140,234 $2,570,338 $3,384,545 $2,965,964 F O R M 1 0 - K The following table sets forth, by rate category, the remaining period to maturity of certificates of deposit outstanding at December 31, 2014. With in Three Months Over Three to Six Months Over Six Months to One Year Over One Year to Two Years Over Two Years to Three Years Over Three Years Total (Dollars in thousands) Certificates of Deposits 0.00% - 0.25% 0.26% - 0.50% 0.51% - 1.00% 1.01% - 2.00% 2.01% - 3.00% Over 3.00% $298,910 $187,927 73,275 43,569 61,651 22,726 16,712 66,334 69,817 32,336 14,940 20,425 $204,670 182,974 62,673 39,872 49,370 2,474 $ 11,968 184,925 124,284 50,598 271,742 17,006 $ 76 3,165 34,825 216,175 15,304 8,645 $ 79 $ 703,630 511,058 389,815 512,383 386,775 66,677 385 54,647 111,751 12,693 1,415 Total $502,762 $405,860 $542,033 $660,523 $278,190 $180,970 $2,570,338 The following table sets forth the aggregate amount of outstanding certificates of deposit in amounts greater than or equal to $100,000 and the respective maturity of those certificates as of December 31, 2014. Three months or less Over three months through six months Over six months through one year Over one year Total At December 31, 2014 (In thousands) $ 207,500 173,852 235,057 570,275 $1,186,684 24 Borrowings. We borrow directly from the FHLB and various financial institutions. Our FHLB borrowings, frequently referred to as advances, are over collateralized by our residential and non-residential mortgage portfolios as well as qualified investment securities. The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rates on our advances from the FHLB and other financial instruments at the dates and for the periods indicated. At or for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Balance at end of period Average balance during period Maximum outstanding at any month end Weighted average interest rate at end of period Average interest rate during period (Dollars in thousands) $2,598,186 $3,099,593 $2,650,652 $2,005,486 $1,326,514 1,168,808 2,068,006 2,548,744 1,326,514 2,650,652 3,230,000 3,015,058 3,586,000 1,793,958 2,167,000 2.24% 2.19% 1.83% 1.90% 2.14% 2.60% 2.68% 2.88% 3.09% 3.53% We also borrow funds under repurchase agreements with the FHLB and various brokers. These agreements are recorded as financing transactions as we maintain effective control over the transferred or pledged securities. The dollar amount of the securities underlying the agreements continues to be carried in our securities portfolio while the obligations to repurchase the securities are reported as liabilities. The securities underlying the agreements are delivered to the party with whom each transaction is executed. Those parties agree to resell to us the identical securities we delivered to them at the maturity or call period of the agreement. The following table sets forth information concerning balances and interest rate on our securities sold under agreements to repurchase at the dates and for the periods indicated: K - 0 1 M R O F At or for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Balance at end of period Average balance during period Maximum outstanding at any month end Weighted average interest rate at end of period Average interest rate during period Subsidiary Activities $167,918 192,865 261,205 (Dollars in thousands) $ 55,000 156,120 250,000 $267,681 164,415 267,681 $250,000 347,300 500,000 $500,000 611,397 675,000 2.28% 2.02% 1.60% 1.50% 3.94% 3.93% 3.90% 4.26% 4.45% 4.46% Investors Bancorp, Inc. has two direct subsidiaries: Marathon Statutory Trust II and Investors Bank. Marathon Statutory Trust II. Marathon Statutory Trust II is a Delaware statutory trust incorporated in December 2006 and acquired in the merger with Marathon Banking Corporation in October 2012. The purpose of this subsidiary was to issue and sell trust preferred securities. At December 31, 2014, the balance of securities issued was $5.0 million. Investors Bank. Investors Bank has the following direct and indirect subsidiaries: Investors Home Mortgage, American Savings Investment Corp., Investors Commercial, Inc., Investors Financial Group, Inc., My Way Development LLC, MNBNY Holdings Inc., Marathon Realty Investors Inc., Roma Capital Investment Corp., Roma Service Corporation and 84 Hopewell, LLC. In addition, Investors Bank also acquired additional subsidiaries in 2012 as a result of the mergers with Brooklyn Federal Bancorp, Inc. and Marathon Banking Corporation. These subsidiaries were inactive and substantially all assets held by the subsidiaries were cash. We are currently in the process of liquidating and dissolving those subsidiaries. • Investors Home Mortgage. Investors Home Mortgage is a New Jersey limited liability company that was formed in 2001 for the purpose of originating loans for sale to both Investors Bank and third parties. During 2011, in conjunction with the rebranding of Investors Bank, this subsidiary changed the 25 F O R M 1 0 - K name it does business under from ISB Mortgage Co., LLC to Investors Home Mortgage. Investors Home Mortgage serves as Investors Bank’s retail lending production arm throughout the branch network. Investors Home Mortgage sells all loans that it originates to either Investors Bank or third parties. American Savings Investment Corp. American Savings Investment Corp. is a New Jersey corporation that was formed in 2004 as an investment company subsidiary. The purpose of this subsidiary is to invest in securities such as, but not limited to, U.S. Treasury obligations, mortgage-backed securities, to certain limitations. This certificates of deposit, mutual funds, and equity securities, subject subsidiary was obtained in the acquisition of American Bancorp in May 2009. Investors Commercial, Inc. Investors Commercial, Inc. is a New Jersey corporation that was formed in 2010 as an operating subsidiary of Investors Bank. The purpose of this subsidiary is to originate and purchase residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate and multi-family mortgage loans primarily in New York State. • MNBNY Holdings Inc. MNBNY Holdings, Inc. is a New York corporation that was formed in 2006 and acquired in the merger with Marathon Banking Corporation in October 2012. MNBNY Holdings, Inc. serves as a holding company and is the 100% owner of Marathon Realty Investors Inc. • Marathon Realty Investors Inc. Marathon Realty Investors Inc. is a New York corporation established in 2006 and acquired in the merger with Marathon Banking Corporation in October 2012. Marathon Realty Investors Inc. operates, and is taxed, in a manner that enables it to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a result of this election, Marathon Realty Investors Inc. is not taxed at the corporate level on taxable income distributed to stockholders, provided that certain REIT qualification tests are met. Investors Financial Group, Inc. Investors Financial Group, Inc. is a New Jersey corporation that was formed in 2011 as an operating subsidiary of Investors Bank. The primary purpose of this subsidiary is to process sales of non-deposit investment products through third party service providers to customers and consumers as may be referred by Investors Bank. • • • • My Way Development LLC. My Way Development LLC is a New Jersey single-member limited liability company formed in 2001 as a real estate holding company. • • • Roma Capital Investment Corp. Roma Capital Investment Corp. is a New Jersey corporation formed in 2004 to hold bank-eligible securities, including U.S. government agency securities, municipal securities, GSE securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. This subsidiary was obtained in the acquisition of Roma Financial Corporation in December 2013. Roma Service Corporation. Roma Service Corporation is a New Jersey corporation formed in 2011 for the sole purpose of holding a 50% interest in 84 Hopewell, LLC. This subsidiary was obtained in the acquisition of Roma Financial Corporation in December 2013. 84 Hopewell, LLC. 84 Hopewell, LLC is a New Jersey limited liability company formed in 2006 which owns an office property. This subsidiary was obtained in the acquisition of Roma Financial Corporation in December 2013 and is held 50% by Roma Service Corporation with the remaining 50% held by an unrelated third-party. Investors Bank has two additional subsidiaries that are inactive. The subsidiaries are Investors Financial Services, Inc. and Investors Real Estate Corporation. Personnel As of December 31, 2014, we had 1,641 full-time employees and 67 part-time employees. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit and we consider our relationship with our employees to be good. 26 K - 0 1 M R O F Supervision and Regulation General Investors Bank is a New Jersey-chartered savings bank, and its deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) under the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”). Investors Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the “Commissioner”) as the issuer of its charter, and, as a non- member state chartered savings bank, by the FDIC as the deposit insurer and its primary federal regulator. Investors Bank must file reports with the Commissioner and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, and it must obtain regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions, such as mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions and opening or acquiring branch offices. The Commissioner and the FDIC each conduct periodic examinations to assess Investors Bank’s compliance with various regulatory requirements. This regulation and supervision establishes a comprehensive framework of activities in which a savings bank may engage and is intended primarily for the protection of the DIF and its depositors. The regulatory structure also gives the regulatory authorities extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies, including policies with respect to the classification of assets and the establishment of adequate loan loss reserves for regulatory purposes. As a bank holding company controlling Investors Bank, Investors Bancorp, Inc. is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”), and the rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve Board under the BHCA and to the provisions of the New Jersey Banking Act of 1948 (the “New Jersey Banking Act”) and the regulations of the Commissioner under the New Jersey Banking Act applicable to bank holding companies. Investors Bancorp, Inc. is required to file reports with, and otherwise comply with the rules and regulations of, the Federal Reserve Board, the Commissioner and the FDIC. The Federal Reserve Board and the Commissioner conduct periodic examinations to assess the Company’s compliance with various regulatory requirements. Investors Bancorp, Inc. files certain reports with, and otherwise complies with, the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the federal securities laws and the listing requirements of NASDAQ. Any change in such laws and regulations, whether by the Commissioner, the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Board or through legislation, could have a material adverse impact on Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp, Inc. and their operations and stockholders. We are unable to predict these future changes or the effects, if any, that these changes could have on the business, revenues, and results of Investors Bank and its subsidiaries. The federal government has recently implemented and announced programs designed to bolster the capital of U.S. banks. Some of these programs have, and any future programs may, impose additional rules and regulations on us, some of which may affect the way we conduct our business and/or limit our ability to compete effectively. Federal and state banking laws also require us to take steps to protect consumers. Bank regulatory agencies are increasingly focusing attention on compliance with consumer protection laws and regulations. These laws include disclosures regarding truth in lending, truth in savings, funds availability, privacy protection under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, and prohibitions on discrimination in the provision of banking services. In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) is responsible for interpreting and enforcing a broad range of consumer protection laws governing the provision of deposit accounts and the making of loans, including the regulation of mortgage lending and servicing. For further discussion on consumer protection and the role of the CFPB, see “— Dodd-Frank Act.” We have incurred and may in the future incur additional costs in complying with these requirements. 27 Dodd-Frank Act The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), signed into law on July 21, 2010, made extensive changes to the laws regulating financial services firms. The Dodd-Frank Act also required significant rulemaking and mandates multiple studies that have resulted and are likely to continue to result in additional legislative and regulatory actions that will impact the operations of the Bank. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, federal bank regulatory agencies are required to draft and implement enhanced supervision, examination and capital and liquidity standards for depository institutions. The capital provisions of the Dodd- Frank Act include, among other things, changes to capital, leverage limits and limitations on the use of hybrid capital instruments. The Dodd-Frank Act also imposed new restrictions on investments and other activities by depository institutions, particularly with respect to derivatives activities and proprietary trading. The Dodd-Frank Act also gave federal bank regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, additional latitude to monitor the systemic safety of the financial system and take responsive action, which could include imposing restrictions on the business activities of the Bank. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act authorized the federal regulators to impose various new assessments and fees, which could increase the Bank’s operational costs. F O R M 1 0 - K The Dodd-Frank Act required banks with total consolidated assets of more than $10 billion to conduct annual stress tests. The Dodd-Frank Act also required the FDIC, in coordination with federal financial regulatory agencies, to issue regulations establishing methodologies for stress testing that provide for at least three different sets of conditions, including baseline, adverse, and severely adverse. The regulations must also require banks to publish a summary of the results of the stress tests. In October 2012, the FDIC issued a final rule regarding annual stress tests requiring a bank subject to the rule to assess the quarterly impact of stress scenarios on the bank’s capital over a horizon of nine quarters. For institutions, such as Investors Bank, with total consolidated assets of more than $10 billion but less than $50 billion, the final rule delayed the implementation of stress testing until September 2013, with initial results to be submitted by March 31, 2014. The final rule also delayed the initial public disclosure requirement of stress test results until 2015 (disclosing the 2014 stress test results). The Bank has developed a process to comply with the stress testing requirements, which involves Senior Management, Risk Management, along with third-party consultants who assist in this process. The Risk Committee of the Board of Directors receives quarterly updates as to the progress and challenges in complying with this new regulatory requirement. We submitted our stress tests results by March 31, 2014, as required. The stress testing results affirmed the adequacy of the Bank’s capital, even under severe economic conditions. As the related methodologies and best practices for banks of Investors’ size continue to evolve, the stress testing process requires significant investment and we continue to seek ways to maximize shareholder value from the process while complying with regulatory requirements. In addition, in December 2013 federal regulators adopted a final rule implementing the “Volcker Rule” enacted as part of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Volcker Rule prohibits (subject to certain exceptions) banks and their affiliates from engaging in short-term proprietary trading in securities and derivatives and from investing in and sponsoring certain unregistered investment companies (including not only such things as hedge funds, commodity pools and private equity funds, but also a range of asset securitization structures that do not meet exemptive criteria in the final rules). The new rules also require banks to develop compliance and control programs, including board of directors’ oversight, appropriate for the size of the bank and the types and complexity of its activities. The rules are complex and it is not clear how they will be implemented over time. In January 2014, the federal regulators adopted an exemptive rule on an emergency basis to address the unanticipated impact of the new rules on bank ownership of certain trust preferred securities. It is possible that as the requirements of the Volcker Rule as applied to other assets become more clear, there will be additional similar situations in which ownership by depository institutions of pooled, securitized or participated loans and credit products (or other assets) will be determined to be prohibited by the Volcker Rule and, absent exemptive relief, required to be divested and (pending divestment) accounted for as assets “held for sale” that are marked to market. Investors Bank, however, does not currently anticipate that the Volcker Rule will have a material effect on the bank, because it does not have material exposure to the prohibited activities. 28 K - 0 1 M R O F All federal prohibitions on the ability of financial institutions to pay interest on demand deposit accounts were repealed as part of the Dodd-Frank Act. As a result, beginning on July 21, 2011, financial institutions could commence offering interest on demand deposits to compete for clients. Our interest expense will increase and our net interest margin will decrease if we have to offer higher rates of interest than we currently offer on demand deposits to attract additional clients or maintain current clients, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Thus far, the change has not had a meaningful effect on our business. The Dodd-Frank Act also established the new federal CFPB. This agency is responsible for interpreting and enforcing a broad range of consumer protection laws (“Federal Consumer Financial Laws”) that govern the provision of deposit accounts and the making of loans, including the regulation of mortgage lending and servicing. This includes laws such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. In 2012, the CFPB proposed an integrated disclosure in connection with mortgage origination that incorporates disclosure requirements under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth-in-Lending Act. The CFPB issued a final rule regarding the integrated disclosure in December 2013, and the disclosure requirement will become effective in August 2015. In accordance with deadlines set by the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB issued final rules in January 2013 related to new mortgage servicing standards, and mortgage lending requirements that establish a “qualified mortgage” which will fulfill the Dodd-Frank Act requirement that mortgages be provided to borrowers with an ability to repay. These mortgage servicing and lending rules became effective in January 2014. These and other CFPB regulations will increase the Bank’s compliance expenses, and limit the terms under which the Bank can provide consumer financial products. Additionally the CFPB will have the authority to take enforcement action against banks and other financial services companies that fail to satisfy the standards imposed by it. As an insured depository institution with total assets of more than $10 billion, the Bank is subject to CFPB supervision and examination of compliance with Federal Consumer Financial Laws. The Dodd-Frank Act also permits states to adopt stricter consumer protection laws and state attorneys general to enforce consumer protection rules issued by the CFPB. As a result of these aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Bank will be operating in a consumer compliance environment that will be far less certain. Therefore, the Bank is likely to incur additional costs related to consumer protection compliance, including but not limited to potential costs associated with CFPB examinations, regulatory and enforcement actions and consumer-oriented litigation, which is likely to increase as a result of the consumer protection provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition to creating the CFPB, the Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, directed changes in the way that insurance, mandated the imposition of tougher consolidated capital institutions are assessed for deposit requirements on holding companies, required originators of securitized loans to retain a percentage of the risk for the transferred loans, imposed regulatory rate-setting for certain debit card interchange fees, repealed restrictions on the payment of interest on commercial demand deposits and required reforms related to mortgage originations. At this time, it is difficult to predict the full extent to which the Dodd-Frank Act or the resulting regulations will impact the Bank’s business. However, compliance with certain of these new laws and regulations could result in restraints on, and additional costs to, our business. It is also difficult to predict the impact the Dodd-Frank Act will have on our competitors and on the financial services industry as a whole. In addition to the legislative and regulatory initiatives described above, competitive and industry factors could also recent adversely impact our results, the cost of our operations, our financial condition and our liquidity. Set forth below is a brief description of material regulatory requirements that are applicable to Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp Inc., including some of the changes made by the Dodd-Frank Act. The description is limited to certain material aspects of the statutes and regulations addressed, and is not intended to be a complete description of such statutes and regulations and their effects on Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp Inc. 29 New Jersey Banking Regulation Activity Powers. Investors Bank derives its lending, investment and other powers primarily from the applicable provisions of the New Jersey Banking Act and its related regulations. Under these laws and regulations, savings banks, including Investors Bank, generally may invest in: • • • • • real estate mortgages; consumer and commercial loans; specific types of debt securities, including certain corporate debt securities and obligations of federal, state and local governments and agencies; certain types of corporate equity securities; and certain other assets. A savings bank may also make investments pursuant to a “leeway” power, which permits investments not otherwise permitted by the New Jersey Banking Act, subject to certain restrictions imposed by the FDIC. “Leeway” investments must comply with a number of limitations on the individual and aggregate amounts of “leeway” investments. A savings bank may also exercise trust powers upon approval of the Commissioner. Lastly, New Jersey savings banks may exercise those powers, rights, benefits or privileges authorized for national banks or out-of-state banks or for federal or out-of-state savings banks or savings associations, provided that before exercising any such power, right, benefit or privilege, prior approval by the Commissioner by regulation or by specific authorization is required. The exercise of these lending, investment and activity powers are limited by federal law and the related regulations. See “Federal Banking Regulation — Activity Restrictions on State-Chartered Banks” below. F O R M 1 0 - K Loans-to-One-Borrower Limitations. With certain specified exceptions, a New Jersey-chartered savings bank may not make loans or extend credit to a single borrower or to entities related to the borrower in an aggregate amount that would exceed 15% of the bank’s capital funds. A savings bank may lend an additional 10% of the bank’s capital funds if secured by collateral meeting the requirements of the New Jersey Banking Act and the National Bank Act. Investors Bank currently complies with applicable loans-to-one-borrower limitations. Dividends. Under the New Jersey Banking Act, a stock savings bank may declare and pay a dividend on its capital stock only to the extent that the payment of the dividend would not impair the capital stock of the savings bank. In addition, a stock savings bank may not pay a dividend unless the savings bank would, after the payment of the dividend, have a surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock, or alternatively, the payment of the dividend would not reduce the surplus. Federal law may also limit the amount of dividends that may be paid by Investors Bank. See “— Federal Banking Regulation — Prompt Corrective Action” below. Minimum Capital Requirements. Regulations of the Commissioner impose on New Jersey-chartered depository institutions, including Investors Bank, minimum capital requirements similar to those imposed by the FDIC on insured state banks. See “— Federal Banking Regulation — Capital Requirements” below. Examination and Enforcement. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance may examine Investors Bank whenever it deems an examination advisable. The Department examines Investors Bank at least once every two years. The Commissioner may order any savings bank to discontinue any violation of law or unsafe or unsound business practice, and may direct any director, officer, attorney or employee of a savings bank engaged in an objectionable activity, after the Commissioner has ordered the activity to be terminated, to show cause at a hearing before the Commissioner why such person should not be removed. The Commissioner may also seek the appointment of receiver or conservator for a New Jersey saving bank under certain conditions. 30 Federal Banking Regulation Capital Requirements. FDIC regulations require banks to maintain minimum levels of capital. During 2014, the FDIC regulations defined two tiers, or classes, of capital. Tier 1 capital is generally comprised of the sum of: • • • common stockholders’ equity, excluding the unrealized appreciation or depreciation, net of tax, from available for sale securities; non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, including any related retained earnings; and minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries minus all servicing rights and any net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities. intangible assets, other than qualifying The components of Tier 2 capital currently include: • • • • • • • cumulative perpetual preferred stock; certain perpetual preferred stock for which the dividend rate may be reset periodically; hybrid capital instruments, including mandatory convertible securities; term subordinated debt; intermediate term preferred stock; allowance for loan losses up to 1.25% of risk-weighted assets; and up to 45% of pretax net unrealized holding gains on available for sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values. K - 0 1 M R O F Overall, the amount of Tier 2 capital that may be included in total capital could not exceed 100% of Tier 1 capital. In 2014, FDIC regulations established a minimum leverage capital requirement for banks in the strongest financial and managerial condition, with a rating of 1 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (the highest examination rating of the FDIC for banks), of not less than a ratio of 3.0% of Tier 1 capital to total assets. For all other banks, the minimum leverage capital requirement was 4.0%, unless a higher leverage capital ratio is warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profile of the depository institution. The FDIC regulations also require that banks meet a risk-based capital standard. The risk-based capital standard requires the maintenance of a ratio of total capital, which is defined as the sum of Tier 1 capital and Tier 2 capital, to risk-weighted assets of at least 8% and a ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4%. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, plus certain off balance sheet items, are multiplied by a risk-weight of 0% to 200%, based on the risks the FDIC believes are inherent in the type of asset or item. The federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, have also adopted regulations to require an assessment of an institution’s exposure to declines in the economic value of a bank’s capital due to changes in interest rates when assessing the bank’s capital adequacy. Under such a risk assessment, examiners evaluate a bank’s capital for interest rate risk on a case-by-case basis, with consideration of both quantitative and qualitative factors. Institutions with significant interest rate risk may be required to hold additional capital. According to the agencies, applicable considerations include: • • • the quality of the bank’s interest rate risk management process; the overall financial condition of the bank; and the level of other risks at the bank for which capital is needed. 31 F O R M 1 0 - K The following table shows the Bank and the Company’s Tier 1 leverage ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital and Total risk-based capital ratios as of December 31, 2014: Bank: Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Total Risk-Based Capital Investors Bancorp, Inc.: Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Total Risk-Based Capital As of December 31, 2014(1) Amount Ratio (Dollars in thousands) $2,339,572 2,339,572 2,511,897 $3,511,433 3,511,433 3,684,024 12.79% 17.01 18.26 19.17% 25.48 26.74 (1) For purposes of calculating Tier 1 leverage ratio, assets are based on adjusted total average assets. In calculating Tier 1 risk-based capital and Total risk-based capital, assets are based on total risk-weighted assets. As of December 31, 2014, both the Bank and the Company were considered “well capitalized” under FDIC guidelines. In July 2013, the FDIC and the other federal bank regulatory agencies issued a final rule to revise their leverage and risk-based capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make them consistent with agreements that were reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule applies to all depository institutions, top-tier bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $500 million or more and top-tier savings and loan holding companies. Among other things, the rule establishes a new common equity Tier 1 minimum capital requirement (4.5% of risk-weighted assets), a uniform leverage ratio requirement of 4% of assets, increases the minimum Tier 1 capital to risk-based assets requirement (from 4% to 6% of risk-weighted assets) and assigns a higher risk weight (150%) to exposures that are more than 90 days past due or are on non-accrual status and to certain commercial real estate facilities that finance the acquisition, development or construction of real property. The final rule also requires unrealized gains and losses on certain “available-for-sale” securities holdings to be included for purposes of calculating regulatory capital unless a one-time opt-out is exercised. Additional constraints are also being imposed on the inclusion in regulatory capital of mortgage-servicing assets, defined tax assets and minority interests. The rule limits a banking organization’s capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments if the banking organization does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets in addition to the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The final rule became effective for Investors Bank on January 1, 2015. The capital conservation buffer requirement is being phased in beginning January 1, 2016 and ending January 1, 2019, when the full capital conservation buffer requirement will be effective. Activity Restrictions on State-Chartered Banks. Federal law and FDIC regulations generally limit the activities and investments of state-chartered FDIC insured banks and their subsidiaries to those permissible for national banks and their subsidiaries, unless such activities and investments are specifically exempted by law or consented to by the FDIC. Before making a new investment or engaging in a new activity that is not permissible for a national bank or otherwise permissible under federal law or FDIC regulations, an insured bank must seek approval from the FDIC to make such investment or engage in such activity. The FDIC will not approve the activity unless the bank meets its minimum capital requirements and the FDIC determines that the activity does not present a significant risk to the FDIC insurance funds. Certain activities of subsidiaries that are engaged in activities permitted for national banks only through a “financial subsidiary” are subject to additional restrictions. 32 K - 0 1 M R O F Federal law permits a state-chartered savings bank to engage, through financial subsidiaries, in any activity in which a national bank may engage through a financial subsidiary and on substantially the same terms and conditions. In general, the law permits a national bank that is well-capitalized and well-managed to conduct, through a financial subsidiary, any activity permitted for a financial holding company other than insurance underwriting, insurance investments or real estate development or merchant banking. The total assets of all such financial subsidiaries may not exceed the lesser of 45% of the bank’s total assets or $50 billion. The bank must have policies and procedures to assess the financial subsidiary’s risk and protect the bank from such risk and potential liability, must not consolidate the financial subsidiary’s assets with the bank’s and must exclude from its own assets and equity all equity investments, including retained earnings, in the financial subsidiary. State- chartered savings banks may retain subsidiaries in existence as of March 11, 2000 and may engage in activities that are not authorized under federal law. Although Investors Bank meets all conditions necessary to establish and engage in permitted activities through financial subsidiaries, it has not chosen to engage in such activities. Federal Home Loan Bank System. Investors Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank system, which consists of the regional Federal Home Loan Banks, each subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). The Federal Home Loan Banks provide a central credit facility primarily for member thrift institutions as well as other entities involved in home mortgage lending. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the Federal Home Loan Banks. The Federal Home Loan Banks make loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies and procedures, including collateral requirements, established by the respective Boards of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Banks. These policies and procedures are subject to the regulation and oversight of the FHFA. All long-term advances are required to provide funds for residential home financing. The FHFA has also established standards of community or investment service that members must meet to maintain access to such long-term advances. Investors Bank, as a member of the FHLB of New York is currently required to acquire and hold shares of FHLB Class B stock. The Class B stock has a par value of $100 per share and is redeemable upon five years notice, subject to certain conditions. The Class B stock has two subclasses, one for membership stock purchase requirements and the other for activity-based stock purchase requirements. The minimum stock investment requirement in the FHLB Class B stock is the sum of the membership stock purchase requirement, determined on an annual basis at the end of each calendar year, and the activity-based stock purchase requirement, determined on a daily basis. For Investors Bank, the membership stock purchase requirement is 0.2% of Mortgage-Related Assets, as defined by the FHLB, which consists principally of residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, including CMOs, held by Investors Bank. The activity-based stock purchase requirement for Investors Bank is equal to the sum of: (1) 4.5% of outstanding borrowing from the FHLB; (2) 4.5% of the outstanding principal balance of Acquired Member Assets, as defined by the FHLB, and delivery commitments for Acquired Member Assets; (3) a specified dollar amount related to certain off-balance sheet items, for which Investors Bank is zero; and (4) a specified percentage ranging from 0 to 5% of the carrying value on the FHLB balance sheet of derivative contracts between the FHLB and its members, which for Investors Bank is also zero. The FHLB can adjust the specified percentages and dollar amount from time to time within the ranges established by the FHLB capital plan. At December 31, 2014, the amount of FHLB stock held by us satisfies these requirements. Safety and Soundness Standards. Pursuant to the requirements of FDICIA, as amended by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, each federal banking agency, including the FDIC, has adopted guidelines establishing general standards relating to matters such as internal controls, information and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings and compensation, fees and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director, or principal stockholder. In addition, the FDIC adopted regulations to require a savings bank that is given notice by the FDIC that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan to the FDIC. If, after being 33 so notified, a savings bank fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material respect to implement an accepted compliance plan, the FDIC may issue an order directing corrective and other actions of the types to which a significantly undercapitalized institution is subject under the “prompt corrective action” provisions of FDICIA. If a savings bank fails to comply with such an order, the FDIC may seek to enforce such an order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil monetary penalties. Enforcement. The FDIC has extensive enforcement authority over insured savings banks, including Investors Bank. This enforcement authority includes, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist orders and to remove directors and officers. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated in response to violations of laws and regulations and to unsafe or unsound practices. Prompt Corrective Action. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act also established a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions. The FDIC, as well as the other federal banking regulators has adopted regulations governing the supervisory actions that may be taken against undercapitalized institutions. The regulations establish five categories, consisting of “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.” During 2014, the FDIC’s regulations defined the five capital categories as follows: F O R M 1 0 - K An institution was treated as “well capitalized” if: • • • its ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets was at least 10%; its ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was at least 6%; and its ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets was at least 5%, and it was not subject to any order or directive by the FDIC to meet a specific capital level. An institution was treated as “adequately capitalized” if: • • • its ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets was at least 8%; or its ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was at least 4%; and its ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets was at least 4% (3% if the bank receives the highest rating under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System) and it was not a well-capitalized institution. An institution was treated as “undercapitalized” if: • • • its total risk-based capital was less than 8%; or its Tier 1 risk-based-capital was less than 4%; and its leverage ratio was less than 4%. An institution was treated as “significantly undercapitalized” if: • • • its total risk-based capital was less than 6%; its Tier 1 capital was less than 3%; or its leverage ratio was less than 3%. An institution that had a tangible capital to total assets ratio equal to or less than 2% was deemed to be “critically undercapitalized.” Generally a receiver or conservator must be appointed for an institution that is “critically “undercapitalized” within specific time frames. The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the FDIC within 45 days of the date a savings bank receives notice that it is undercapitalized,” “significantly “undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Various restrictions, such as restrictions on capital distributions and growth, also apply to “undercapitalized” institutions. The FDIC may also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions against undercapitalized institutions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors. 34 K - 0 1 M R O F Investors Bank is in compliance with the Prompt Corrective Action rules. The recently proposed rules that increased regulatory capital standards effective January 1, 2015 adjusted the prompt corrective action categories accordingly. The various categories have been revised to incorporate the new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement, the increase in the Tier 1 to risk-based assets requirement and other changes. Under the revised prompt corrective action requirements, insured depository institutions are required to meet the following in order to qualify as “well capitalized:” (1) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.5% (new standard); (2) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% (increased from 6%); (3) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% (unchanged) and (4) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5% (unchanged). Liquidity. Investors Bank maintains sufficient liquidity to ensure its safe and sound operation, in accordance with FDIC regulations. Deposit Insurance. Investors Bank is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund, which is administered by the FDIC. Deposit accounts in Investors Bank are insured by the FDIC, up to a maximum of $250,000 for each separately insured depositor. The FDIC imposes an assessment for deposit insurance against all insured depository institutions. Each institution’s assessment is based on the perceived risk to the insurance fund of the institution, with institutions deemed riskiest paying higher assessments. The Dodd-Frank Act required the FDIC to revise its procedures to base assessments on average total assets less tangible capital, rather than deposits. The FDIC issued a final rule which implemented that directive effective April 1, 2011 and adjusted its assessment schedule so that it now ranges from 2.5 basis points to 45 basis points of average total assets less tangible capital. At the same time, the FDIC adopted a more comprehensive approach to evaluating, for assessment purposes, the risk presented by larger institutions such as Investors Bank. Small banks are assessed based on a risk classification determined by examination ratings, financial ratios and certain specified adjustments. However, beginning in 2011, large institutions (i.e., $10 billion more in assets) became subject to assessment based upon a more detailed scorecard approach involving (i) a performance score determined using forward-looking risk measures, including certain stress testing, and (ii) a loss severity score, which is designed to measure, based on modeling, potential loss to the FDIC insurance fund if the institution failed. The total score is converted to an assessment rate, subject to certain adjustments, with institutions deemed riskier paying higher assessments. In October 2012, the FDIC issued a final rule, effective March 1, 2013, which clarified and refined its large bank assessment formula. Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that may lead to termination of our deposit insurance. In addition to the FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of the FDIC, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature in 2017 through 2019. For the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the annualized FICO assessment was equal to 0.62 basis points of total assets less tangible capital. Transactions with Affiliates of Investors Bank. Transactions between an insured bank, such as Investors Bank, and any of its affiliates are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and implementing regulations. An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the bank. Generally, a subsidiary of a bank that is not also a depository institution or financial subsidiary is not treated as an affiliate of the bank for purposes of Sections 23A and 23B. 35 F O R M 1 0 - K Section 23A: • • limits the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such bank’s capital stock and retained earnings, and limits all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and retained earnings; and requires that all such transactions be on terms that are consistent with safe and sound banking practices. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of guarantees and other similar types of transactions. Further, most loans by a bank to any of its affiliates must be secured by collateral in amounts ranging from 100% to 130% of the loan amounts. In addition, any covered transaction by a bank with an affiliate and any purchase of assets or services by a bank from an affiliate must be on terms that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank, as those that would be provided to a non-affiliate. Prohibitions Against Tying Arrangements. Banks are subject to the prohibitions of 12 U.S.C. Section 1972 on certain tying arrangements. A depository institution is prohibited, subject to some exceptions, from extending credit to or offering any other service, or fixing or varying the consideration for such extension of credit or service, on the condition that the customer obtain some additional service from the institution or its affiliates or not obtain services of a competitor of the institution. Privacy Standards. FDIC regulations require Investors Bank to disclose their privacy policy, including identifying with whom they share “non-public personal information,” to customers at the time of establishing the customer relationship and annually thereafter. Investors Bank is also required to provide its customers with the ability to “opt-out” of having Investors Bank share their non-public personal information with unaffiliated third parties before they can disclose such information, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Investors Bank must provide its customers with the ability to “opt-out” of having Investors Bank share their non-public personal information for marketing purposes with an affiliate or subsidiary before they can disclose such information. The FDIC and other federal banking agencies adopted guidelines establishing standards for safeguarding customer information. The guidelines describe the agencies’ expectations for the creation, implementation and maintenance of an information security program, which would include administrative, technical and physical safeguards appropriate to the size and complexity of the institution and the nature and scope of its activities. The standards set forth in the guidelines are intended to insure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. Community Reinvestment Act and Fair Lending Laws. All FDIC insured institutions have a responsibility under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and related regulations to help meet the credit needs of their including low- and moderate-income individuals and neighborhoods. In connection with its communities, examination of a state chartered savings bank, the FDIC is required to assess the institution’s record of compliance with the CRA. Among other things, the current CRA regulations rates an institution based on its actual performance in meeting community needs. In particular, the current evaluation system focuses on three tests: • • • a lending test, to evaluate the institution’s record of making loans in its service areas; an investment test, to evaluate the institution’s record of investing in community development projects, affordable housing, and programs benefiting low or moderate income individuals and/or census tracts and businesses; and a service test, to evaluate the institution’s delivery of services through its branches, ATMs and other offices. 36 K - 0 1 M R O F An institution’s failure to comply with the provisions of the CRA could, at a minimum, result in regulatory restrictions on its activities. Investors Bank received a “satisfactory” CRA rating in our most recent publicly- available federal evaluation, which was conducted by the FDIC in August 2011. In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit lenders from discriminating in their lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. The failure to comply with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act could result in enforcement actions by the FDIC, as well as other federal regulatory agencies and the Department of Justice. Loans to a Bank’s Insiders Federal Regulation. A bank’s loans to its insiders — executive officers, directors, principal shareholders (any owner of 10% or more of its stock) and any of certain entities affiliated with any such persons (an insider’s related interest) are subject to the conditions and limitations imposed by Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and its implementing regulations. Under these restrictions, the aggregate amount of the loans to any insider and the insider’s related interests may not exceed the loans-to-one-borrower limit applicable to national banks, which is comparable to the loans-to-one-borrower limit applicable to Investors Bank. See “— New Jersey Banking Regulation — Loans-to-One Borrower Limitations.” All loans by a bank to all insiders and insiders’ related interests in the aggregate may not exceed the bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. With certain exceptions, loans to an executive officer, other than loans for the education of the officer’s children and certain loans secured by the officer’s residence, may not exceed the lesser of (1) $100,000 or (2) the greater of $25,000 or 2.5% of the bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Federal regulation also requires that any proposed loan to an insider or a related interest of that insider be approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the bank, with any interested directors not participating in the voting, if such loan, when aggregated with any existing loans to that insider and the insider’s related interests, would exceed either (1) $500,000 or (2) the greater of $25,000 or 5% of the bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus. Generally, loans to insiders must be made on substantially the same terms as, and follow credit underwriting procedures that are not less stringent than, those that are prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. An exception is made for extensions of credit made pursuant to a benefit or compensation plan of a bank that is widely available to employees of the bank and that does not give any preference to insiders of the bank over other employees of the bank. In addition, federal law prohibits extensions of credit to a bank’s insiders and their related interests by any other institution that has a correspondent banking relationship with the bank, unless such extension of credit is on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. Extensions of credit to a savings bank’s executive officers are subject to specific limits based on the type of loans involved. Generally, loans are limited to $100,000, except for a mortgage loan secured by the officer’s residence and education loans for the officer’s children. New Jersey Regulation. The New Jersey Banking Act imposes conditions and limitations on loans and extensions of credit to directors and executive officers of a savings bank and to corporations and partnerships controlled by such persons, which are comparable in many respects to the conditions and limitations imposed on the loans and extensions of credit to insiders and their related interests under federal law, as discussed above. The New Jersey Banking Act also provides that a savings bank that is in compliance with federal law is deemed to be in compliance with such provisions of the New Jersey Banking Act. Federal Reserve System Under Federal Reserve Board regulations, Investors Bank is required to maintain non-interest earning reserves against its transaction accounts. The Federal Reserve Board regulations generally require that reserves of 3% must be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts over $14.5 million and up to $103.6 million, 37 F O R M 1 0 - K and 10% against that portion of total transaction accounts in excess of up to $103.6 million. The first $14.5 million of otherwise reservable balances are exempted from the reserve requirements. Investors Bank is in compliance with these requirements. These requirements are adjusted annually by the Federal Reserve Board. Required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash and/or an interest bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank; or a pass-through account as defined by the Federal Reserve Board. Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Identification Investors Bank is subject to FDIC regulations implementing the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, or the USA PATRIOT Act. The USA PATRIOT Act gives the federal government powers to address terrorist threats through enhanced domestic security measures, expanded surveillance powers, increased information sharing, and broadened anti- money laundering requirements. By way of amendments to the Bank Secrecy Act, Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act takes measures intended to encourage information sharing among bank regulatory agencies and law enforcement bodies. Further, certain provisions of Title III impose affirmative obligations on a broad range of financial institutions, including banks, thrifts, brokers, dealers, credit unions, money transfer agents and parties registered under the Commodity Exchange Act. Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act and the related FDIC regulations require the: • Establishment of anti-money laundering compliance programs that includes policies, procedures, and the appointment of an anti-money laundering compliance officer; an training internal controls; program; and independent testing; • Make certain reports to FinCEN and law enforcement that are designated to assist in the detection and prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing activities; • • Establishment of a program specifying procedures for obtaining and maintaining certain records from customers seeking to open new accounts, including verifying the identity of customers within a reasonable period of time; Establishment of enhanced due diligence policies, procedures and controls designed to detect and report money-laundering, terrorist financing and other suspicious activity; • Monitoring account activity for suspicious transactions; and • Impose a heightened level of review for certain high risk customers or accounts. The USA PATRIOT Act also includes prohibitions on correspondent accounts for foreign shell banks and requires compliance with record keeping obligations with respect to correspondent accounts of foreign banks. Bank regulators are directed to consider a holding company’s effectiveness in combating money laundering when ruling on Federal Reserve Act and Bank Merger Act applications. The bank regulatory agencies have increased the regulatory scrutiny of the Bank Secrecy Act and anti- money laundering programs maintained by financial institutions. Significant penalties and fines, as well as other supervisory orders may be imposed on a financial institution for non-compliance with these requirements. In addition, the federal bank regulatory agencies must consider the effectiveness of financial institutions engaging in a merger transaction in combating money laundering activities. Investors Bank has adopted policies and procedures to comply with these requirements. Holding Company Regulation Federal Regulation. Bank holding companies, like Investors Bancorp, Inc. are subject to examination, regulation and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act, as administered by the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board has consolidated capital adequacy requirements for bank holding companies. As of December 31, 2014, Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s total capital and Tier 1 capital ratios exceeded these 38 K - 0 1 M R O F minimum capital requirements. See “Regulatory Capital Compliance.” The Dodd-Frank Act required the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate consolidated capital requirements for depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent, both quantitatively and in terms of components of capital, than those applicable to institutions themselves. Among other things, this eliminates the inclusion of certain instruments from tier 1 capital, such as trust preferred securities, that are currently includable for bank holding companies. The Dodd- Frank Act grandfathers instruments issued prior to May 19, 2010 by mutual holding companies and all bank holding companies of less than $15 billion in assets. The previously referenced final rules on regulatory capital, effective January 1, 2015, implement the Dodd-Frank Act directive. The capital requirements applicable to Investors Bancorp, Inc. are now identical to those applying to the Bank. Regulations of the Federal Reserve Board provide that a bank holding company must serve as a source of strength to any of its subsidiary banks and must not conduct its activities in an unsafe or unsound manner. The Dodd-Frank Act codified the source of strength policy. Under the prompt corrective action provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, a bank holding company parent of an undercapitalized subsidiary bank would be directed to guarantee, within limitations, the capital restoration plan that is required of an undercapitalized bank. See “— Federal Banking Regulation — Prompt Corrective Action.” If an undercapitalized bank fails to file an acceptable capital restoration plan or fails to implement an accepted plan, the Federal Reserve Board may prohibit the bank holding company parent of the undercapitalized bank from paying any dividend or making any other form of capital distribution without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board. In addition, Federal Reserve Board policy is that a bank holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that the company’s net income for the past year is consistent with the company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. A bank holding company is required to give the Federal Reserve Board prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, will be equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve Board order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve Board. Such notice and approval is not required for a bank holding company that is as “well capitalized” under applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, that has received a composite “1” or “2” rating, as well as a “satisfactory” rating for management, at its most recent bank holding company examination by the Federal Reserve Board, and that is not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues. As a bank holding company, Investors Bancorp will be required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval is also required for Investors Bancorp to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if, after giving effect to such acquisition, it would, directly or indirectly, own or control more than 5% of any class of voting shares of such bank or bank holding company. In addition, a bank holding company that does not elect to be a financial holding company under federal regulations, is generally prohibited from engaging in, or acquiring direct or indirect control of any company engaged in non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks. Some of the principal activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined by regulation to be closely related to banking are: • • • making or servicing loans; performing certain data processing services; providing discount brokerage services; or acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor; 39 • • • leasing personal or real property; making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and acquiring a savings and loan association. A bank holding company that elects to be a financial holding company may engage in activities that are financial in nature or incident to activities which are financial in nature. Investors Bancorp, Inc. has not elected to be a financial holding company, although it may seek to do so in the future. A bank holding company may elect to become a financial holding company if: • • • • each of its depository institution subsidiaries is “well capitalized”; each of its depository institution subsidiaries is “well managed”; each of its depository institution subsidiaries has at least a “satisfactory” Community Reinvestment Act rating at its most recent examination; and the bank holding company has filed a certification with the Federal Reserve Board stating that it elects to become a financial holding company. F O R M 1 0 - K Under federal law, depository institutions are liable to the FDIC for losses suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution, or for any assistance provided by the FDIC to such an institution in danger of default. This law would potentially be applicable to Investors Bancorp, Inc. if it ever acquired as a separate subsidiary a depository institution in addition to Investors Bank. The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, as amended by Section 613 of the Dodd-Frank Act, regulates interstate banking activities by establishing a framework for nationwide interstate banking and branching. As amended, this interstate banking and branching authority generally permits a bank in one state to establish a de novo branch in another host state if state banks chartered in such host state would also be permitted to establish a branch in that state. Under these amendments, Investors Bank is permitted to establish branch offices in other states in addition to our existing New Jersey branch offices. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 eliminated most of the barriers to affiliations among banks, securities firms, insurance companies, and other financial companies previously imposed under federal banking laws if certain criteria are satisfied. Certain subsidiaries of well-capitalized and well-managed banks may be treated as “financial subsidiaries,” which are generally permitted to engage in activities that are financial in nature, including securities underwriting, dealing, and market making; sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies; and activities that the Federal Reserve has determined to be closely related to banking. New Jersey Regulation. Under the New Jersey Banking Act, a company owning or controlling a savings bank is regulated as a bank holding company. The New Jersey Banking Act defines the terms “company” and “bank holding company” as such terms are defined under the BHCA. Each bank holding company controlling a New Jersey-chartered bank or savings bank must file certain reports with the Commissioner and is subject to examination by the Commissioner. Acquisition of Investors Bancorp, Inc. Under federal law and under the New Jersey Banking Act, no person may acquire control of Investors Bancorp, Inc. or Investors Bank without first obtaining approval of such acquisition of control by the Federal Reserve Board and the Commissioner. See “Restrictions on the Acquisition of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Investors Bank.” Federal Securities Laws. Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Investors Bancorp, Inc. is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 40 K - 0 1 M R O F Investors Bancorp, Inc. common stock held by persons who are affiliates (generally officers, directors and principal stockholders) of Investors Bancorp, Inc. may not be resold without registration or unless sold in accordance with certain resale restrictions. If Investors Bancorp, Inc. meets specified current public information requirements, each affiliate of Investors Bancorp, Inc. is able to sell in the public market, without registration, a limited number of shares in any three-month period. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was enacted to address, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. As directed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are required to certify that our quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The rules adopted by the SEC under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have several requirements, including having these officers certify that: they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; they have made certain disclosures to our auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors about our internal control over financial reporting; and they have included information in our quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over financial reporting. We have existing policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with these regulations. Federal Taxation Taxation General. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries are subject to federal income taxation in the same general manner as other corporations, with some exceptions discussed below. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s federal tax returns are not currently under audit, nor have they been audited within the past five years. The following discussion of federal taxation is intended only to summarize certain pertinent federal income tax matters and is not a comprehensive description of the tax rules applicable to Investors Bancorp, Inc. or its subsidiaries. Method of Accounting. For federal income tax purposes, Investors Bancorp, Inc. currently reports its income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting and uses a tax year ending December 31 for filing its federal and state income tax returns. Bad Debt Reserves. Historically, Investors Bank was subject to special provisions in the tax law regarding allowable bad debt tax deductions and related reserves. Tax law changes were enacted in 1996 pursuant to the Small Business Protection Act of 1996 (the “1996 Act”), which eliminated the use of the percentage of taxable income method for tax years after 1995 and required recapture into taxable income over a six-year period of all bad debt reserves accumulated after 1987. Investors Bank has fully recaptured its post-1987 reserve balance. Currently, Investors Bank uses the specific charge off method to account for bad debt deductions for income tax purposes. Taxable Distributions and Recapture. Prior to the 1996 Act, bad debt reserves created prior to January 1, 1988 (pre-base year reserves) were subject to recapture into taxable income if Investors Bank failed to meet certain thrift asset and definitional tests. As a result of the 1996 Act, bad debt reserves accumulated after 1987 are required to be recaptured into income over a six-year period. However, all pre-base year reserves are subject to recapture if Investors Bank makes certain non-dividend distributions, repurchases any of its stock, pays dividends in excess of tax earnings and profits, or ceases to maintain a bank charter. At December 31, 2014, our total federal pre-base year reserve was approximately $45.2 million. 41 F O R M 1 0 - K Alternative Minimum Tax. The Internal Revenue Code imposes an alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) at a rate of 20% on a base of regular taxable income plus certain tax preferences (“alternative minimum taxable income” or “AMTI”). The AMT is payable to the extent such AMTI is in excess of an exemption amount and the AMT exceeds the regular income tax. Net operating losses can offset no more than 90% of AMTI. Certain payments of AMT may be used as credits against regular tax liabilities in future years. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries have not been subject to the AMT and have no such amounts available as credits for carryover. Net Operating Loss Carryovers. A financial institution may carry back net operating losses to the preceding two taxable years and forward to the succeeding 20 taxable years. On May 7, 2014, the second step conversion was completed. The new consolidated group resulting from the second step has the ability to carry back claims normally allowed under federal tax law to the old consolidated group. Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction. Investors Bancorp, Inc. may exclude from its federal taxable income 100% of dividends received from Investors Bank as a wholly owned subsidiary. The corporate dividends- received deduction is 80% when the dividend is received from a corporation having at least 20% of its stock owned by the recipient corporation. A 70% dividends-received deduction is available for dividends received from a corporation having less than 20% of its stock owned by the recipient corporation. State Taxation New Jersey State Taxation. Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries file separate New Jersey corporate business tax returns on an unconsolidated basis. Generally, the income of savings institutions in New Jersey, which is calculated based on federal taxable income, subject to certain adjustments, is subject to New Jersey tax. Investors Bank, a subsidiary of the Company, is currently under audit with respect to its New Jersey income tax return for the tax years 2010 through 2013. Investors Bancorp, Inc. is required to file a New Jersey income tax return and is generally subject to a state income tax at a 9% rate. If Investors Bancorp, Inc. meets certain requirements, it may be eligible to elect to be taxed as a New Jersey Investment Company, which would allow it to be taxed at a rate of 3.6%. Investors Bancorp, Inc. currently meets the eligibility requirements and therefore elects to be taxed as a New Jersey Investment Company. New Jersey tax law does not and has not allowed for a taxpayer to file a tax return on a combined or consolidated basis with another member of the affiliated group where there is common ownership. However, under recent tax legislation, if the taxpayer cannot demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the tax filing discloses the true earnings of the taxpayer on its business carried on in the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey Director of the Division of Taxation may, at the director’s discretion, require the taxpayer to file a consolidated return for the entire operations of the affiliated group or controlled group, including its own operations and income. In connection with the Company’s second step conversion, a $20.0 million charitable contribution was made to the Investors Charitable Foundation, $10.0 million of which was made by Investors Bancorp Inc. The excess contribution over the current year allowable deduction limit for the standalone entity may be carried forward to the succeeding 5 taxable years. Based on the entity’s standalone future state taxable income, a valuation allowance was established for the portion of the state tax benefit related to the contribution that is not more likely than not to be realized. New York State Taxation. New York State imposes an annual franchise tax on banking corporations, based on the combined net income allocable to New York State at a rate of 7.1%. If, however, the application of an alternative minimum tax (based on taxable assets allocated to New York, “alternative” net income, or a flat minimum fee) results in a greater tax, an alternative minimum tax will be imposed. In addition, Investors Bank is 42 subject to the metropolitan transportation business tax surcharge (“MTA surcharge”) allocable to business activities carried on in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District. The MTA surcharge for banking corporations is 17% of a recomputed New York State franchise tax, calculated using a 9% tax rate on allocated entire net income. Investors Bank is currently under audit with respect to its New York State combined franchise tax return for tax years 2010 through 2012. New York City Taxation. Investors Bank is also subject to the New York City combined tax for banking corporations calculated on a similar basis as the New York State franchise tax, subject to a New York City income and expense allocation. A significant portion of Investors Bank’s entire net income is derived from outside of the New York City jurisdiction which has the effect of significantly reducing the New York City taxable income of Investors Bank. An audit of an acquired entity is currently being performed. Delaware State Taxation. As a Delaware holding company not earning income in Delaware, Investors Bancorp, Inc. is exempted from Delaware corporate income tax but is required to file annual returns and pay annual fees and an annual franchise tax to the State of Delaware. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS The risks set forth below, in addition to the other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results. In addition to the risks set forth below and the other risks described in this annual report, there may also be additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results. As a result, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward- looking statements made by or on behalf of us. K - 0 1 M R O F Because we intend to continue to increase our commercial originations, our credit risk will increase. At December 31, 2014, our portfolio of multi-family, commercial real estate, C&I and construction loans totaled $8.89 billion, or 58.9% of our total loans. We intend to continue to increase our originations of multi- family, commercial real estate and C&I loans, which generally have more risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Since repayment of commercial loans depends on the successful management and operation of the borrower’s properties or related businesses, repayment of such loans can be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market, local economy or the management of the business or property. In addition, our commercial borrowers may have more than one loan outstanding with us. Consequently, an adverse development with respect to one loan or one credit relationship can expose us to significantly greater risk of loss compared to an adverse development with respect to a one- to four-family residential mortgage loan. Because we plan to continue to increase our originations of these loans, it may be necessary to increase the level of our allowance for loan losses because of the increased risk characteristics associated with these types of loans. Any such increase to our allowance for loan losses would adversely affect our earnings. If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to cover actual loan losses, our earnings could decrease. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. In determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses, we review our loans and our loss and delinquency experience, and we evaluate economic conditions. If actual results differ significantly from our assumptions, our allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover losses inherent in our loan portfolio, resulting in additions to our allowance. Material additions to our allowance would materially decrease our net income. Our allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 of $200.3 million was 1.33% of total loans and 139.10% of non-performing loans at such date. 43 F O R M 1 0 - K In addition, bank regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs. A material increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by these regulatory authorities would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. A significant portion of our multi-family loan portfolio, commercial real estate portfolio and nearly all of our C&I loan portfolio is unseasoned. It is difficult to judge the future performance of unseasoned loans. Our multi-family loan portfolio has increased to $5.05 billion at December 31, 2014 from $1.16 billion at December 31, 2010. Our commercial real estate portfolio has increased to $3.15 billion at December 31, 2014 from $1.23 billion at December 31, 2010. Our C&I loan portfolio has increased to $544.5 million at December 31, 2014 from $60.9 million at December 31, 2010. Consequently, a large portion of our multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans and nearly all of our C&I loans are unseasoned. It is difficult to assess the future performance of these recently originated loans because of their relatively limited payment history from which to judge future collectability, especially in the current economic environment. These loans may experience higher delinquency or charge-off levels than our historical loan portfolio experience, which could adversely affect our future performance. Our liabilities reprice faster than our assets and future increases in interest rates will reduce our profits. Our ability to make a profit largely depends on our net interest income, which could be negatively affected by changes in interest rates. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities; and the interest expense we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. The interest income we earn on our assets and the interest expense we pay on our liabilities are generally fixed for a contractual period of time. Our liabilities generally have shorter contractual maturities than our assets. This imbalance can create significant earnings volatility, because market interest rates change over time. In a period of rising interest rates, the interest income earned on our assets may not increase as rapidly as the interest paid on our liabilities. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Management of Market Risk.” In addition, changes in interest rates can affect the average life of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities. A reduction in interest rates causes increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-backed and related securities as borrowers refinance their debt to reduce their borrowing costs. This creates reinvestment risk, which is the risk that we may not be able to reinvest the funds from faster prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates we earned on the prepaid loans or securities. Conversely, an increase in interest rates generally reduces prepayments. Additionally, increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and/or make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable-rate loans. Changes in interest rates also affect the current market value of our interest-earning securities portfolio. Generally, the value of securities moves inversely with changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2014, the fair value of our total securities portfolio was $2.81 billion. Unrealized net losses on securities available-for-sale are reported as a separate component of equity. To the extent interest rates increase and the value of our available- for-sale portfolio decreases, our stockholders’ equity will be adversely affected. We evaluate interest rate sensitivity using models that estimate the change in our net portfolio value over a range of interest rate scenarios. Net portfolio value is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. At December 31, 2014, in the event of a 200 basis point increase in interest rates, whereby rates increase evenly over a twelve-month period, and assuming management took no action to mitigate the effect of such change, the model projects that we would experience a 4.9% or $27.4 million decrease in net interest income and 7.6% or $275.0 million decrease in net portfolio value. 44 Historically low interest rates may adversely affect our net interest income and profitability. During the past several years it has been the policy of the Federal Reserve Board to maintain interest rates at historically low levels through its targeted federal funds rate and the purchase of mortgage-backed securities. As a result, market rates on the loans we have originated and the yields on securities we have purchased have been at lower levels than available prior to 2008. As a general matter, our interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature more quickly than our interest-earning assets, over the past few years, this has been one factor contributing to the increase in our interest rate spread as interest rates decreased. However, our ability to lower our interest expense will be limited at these interest rate levels while the average yield on our interest-earning assets may continue to decrease. Accordingly, our net interest income may be adversely affected and may decrease, which may have an adverse effect on our future profitability. We may not be able to continue to grow our business, which may adversely impact our results of operations. Our total assets have grown from approximately $9.60 billion at December 31, 2010 to $18.77 billion at December 31, 2014. Our business strategy calls for continued growth. Our ability to continue to grow depends, in part, upon our ability to open new branch locations, successfully attract deposits, identify favorable loan and investment opportunities, and acquire other banks and non-bank entities. In the event that we do not continue to grow, our results of operations could be adversely impacted. Our ability to grow successfully will depend on whether we can continue to fund this growth while maintaining cost controls and asset quality, as well as on factors beyond our control, such as national and regional economic conditions and interest rate trends. If we are not able to control costs and maintain asset quality, such growth could adversely impact our earnings and financial condition. K - 0 1 M R O F Public funds deposits are an important source of funds for us and a reduced level of those deposits may hurt our profits. Public funds deposits are a significant source of funds for our lending and investment activities. At December 31, 2014, $2.40 billion or 19% of our total deposits, consisted of public funds deposits from local government entities such as school districts, hospital districts, sheriff departments and other municipalities, which are collateralized by letters of credit from the FHLB and investment securities. Given our use of these high-average balance public funds deposits as a source of funds, our inability to retain such funds could adversely affect our liquidity. Further, our public funds deposits are primarily demand deposit accounts or short- term time deposits and are therefore more sensitive to interest rate risks. If we are forced to pay higher rates on our public funds accounts to retain those funds, or if we are unable to retain such funds and we are forced to resort to other sources of funds for our lending and investment activities, such as borrowings from the FHLB, the interest expense associated with these other funding sources may be higher than the rates we are currently paying on our public funds deposits, which would adversely affect our net income. We could be required to repurchase mortgage loans or indemnify mortgage loan purchasers due to breaches of representations and warranties, borrower fraud, or certain borrower defaults, which could have an adverse impact on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition. We sell into the secondary market a portion of the residential mortgage loans that we originate through our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage. The whole loan sale agreements we enter into in connection with such loan sales require us to repurchase or substitute mortgage loans in the event there is a breach of any of representations or warranties. In addition, we may be required to repurchase mortgage loans as a result of borrower fraud or in the event of early payment default of the borrower on a mortgage loan. We have established a reserve for estimated repurchase and indemnification obligations on the residential mortgage loans that we sell. We make various assumptions and judgments in determining this reserve. If our assumptions are incorrect, our reserve may not be sufficient to cover losses from repurchase and indemnification obligations related to our residential loans sold. Such event would have an adverse effect on our earnings. 45 We may incur impairments to goodwill. At December 31, 2014, we had approximately $77.6 million recorded as goodwill. We evaluate goodwill for impairment, at least annually. Significant negative industry or economic trends, including declines in the market price of our common stock, reduced estimates of future cash flows or disruptions to our business, could result in impairments to goodwill. Our valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions based on historical experience and to rely on projections of future operating performance. We operate in competitive environments and projections of future operating results and cash flows may vary significantly from actual results. If our analysis results in impairment to goodwill, we would be required to record an impairment charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which such impairment is determined to exist. Any such change could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. We operate in a highly regulated environment and may be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations. Investors Bank is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the NJDBI, our chartering authority, by the FDIC, as insurer of our deposits, and by the CFPB, with respect to consumer protection laws. As a bank holding company, Investors Bancorp is subject to regulation and oversight by the Federal Reserve Board. Such regulation and supervision govern the activities in which a bank and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and depositors. These regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the requirement for additional capital, the imposition of restrictions on our operations, the classification of our assets and the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, compliance and privacy issues (including anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act Compliance) and approval of merger transactions. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, or legislation, could have a material impact on Investors Bank, Investors Bancorp and our operations. The potential exists for additional Federal or state laws and regulations regarding capital requirements, lending and funding practices and liquidity standards, and bank regulatory agencies are expected to remain active in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, including the potential issuance of formal enforcement orders. New laws, regulations, and other regulatory changes could increase our costs of regulatory compliance and of doing business, and otherwise affect our operations. New laws, regulations, and other regulatory changes, along with negative developments in the financial industry and the domestic and international credit markets, may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the markets for and value of our loans and investments, and our on-going operations, costs and profitability. A continuation or worsening of economic conditions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. F O R M 1 0 - K Although the U.S. economy has emerged from the severe recession that occurred in 2008 and 2009, economic growth has been slow despite the Federal Reserve Board’s unprecedented efforts to maintain low market interest rates and encourage economic growth. A return to prolonged deteriorating economic conditions could significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the value of our loans and investments, and our on-going operations, costs and profitability. Further declines in real estate values and sales volumes and continued elevated unemployment increases in our nonperforming, criticized and classified assets and a decline in demand for our products and services. These events may cause us to incur losses and may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. loan delinquencies, levels may result in greater Our inability to achieve profitability on new branches may negatively affect our earnings. We have expanded our presence throughout our market area and we intend to pursue further expansion through de novo branching or the purchase of branches from other financial institutions. The profitability of our expansion strategy will depend on whether the income that we generate from the new branches will offset the 46 increased expenses resulting from operating these branches. We expect that it may take a period of time before these branches can become profitable, especially in areas in which we do not have an established presence. During this period, the expense of operating these branches may negatively affect our net income. Growing by acquisition entails integration and certain other risks. Although we have successfully integrated business acquisitions in recent years, failure to successfully integrate systems subsequent to the completion of any future acquisitions could have a material impact on the operations of Investors Bank. Future acquisition activity could dilute book value. Both nationally and in our region, the banking industry is undergoing consolidation marked by numerous mergers and acquisitions. From time to time we may be presented with opportunities to acquire institutions and/ or bank branches and we may engage in discussions and negotiations. Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and trading values, and therefore, may result in the dilution of our book value per share. The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, created a new CFPB, tightened capital standards and will continue to result in new laws and regulations that are expected to increase our costs of operations. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) has significantly changed the current bank regulatory structure and affecting the lending, deposit, investment, trading and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of new rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The federal agencies are given significant discretion in drafting the implementing rules and regulations, and consequently, many of the details and much of the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act may not be known for many months or years. However, it is expected that the legislation and implementing regulations will materially increase our operating and compliance costs. K - 0 1 M R O F The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB with broad powers to supervise and enforce consumer protection laws. The CFPB has broad rule-making authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks and savings institutions, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. The CFPB has examination and enforcement authority over all banks with more than $10 billion in assets, such as Investors Bank. Banks with $10 billion or less in assets will continue to be examined for compliance with the consumer laws by their primary bank regulators. The Dodd-Frank Act also weakens the federal preemption rules that have been applicable for national banks and federal savings associations, and gives state attorneys general the ability to enforce federal consumer protection laws. The Dodd-Frank Act requires minimum leverage (Tier 1) and risk-based capital requirements for bank and savings and loan holding companies that are no less than those applicable to banks, which will exclude certain instruments that previously have been eligible for inclusion by bank holding companies as Tier 1 capital, such as trust preferred securities. Effective July 21, 2011, the Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the federal prohibitions on paying interest on demand deposits, thus allowing businesses to have interest bearing checking accounts, which could result in an increase in our interest expense. The Dodd-Frank Act also broadens the base for FDIC deposit insurance assessments. Assessments are now based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of a financial institution, rather than deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increases the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009, and non-interest bearing transaction accounts had unlimited deposit insurance through December 31, 2012. The legislation also 47 F O R M 1 0 - K increases the required minimum reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits, and directs the FDIC to offset the effects of increased assessments on depository institutions with less than $10 billion in assets. The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation and so-called “golden parachute” payments. It also provides that the listing standards of the national securities exchanges shall require listed companies to implement and disclose “clawback” policies mandating the recovery of incentive compensation paid to executive officers in connection with accounting restatements. The legislation also directs the Federal Reserve Board to promulgate rules prohibiting excessive compensation paid to bank holding company executives. Effective December 10, 2013, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, federal banking and securities regulators issued final rules to implement Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Volcker Rule”). Generally, subject to a transition period and certain exceptions, the Volcker Rule restricts insured depository institutions and their affiliated companies from engaging in short-term proprietary trading of certain securities, investing in funds with collateral comprised of less than 100% loans that are not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and from engaging in hedging activities that do not hedge a specific identified risk. After the transition period, the Volcker Rule prohibitions and restrictions will apply to banking entities, including Investors Bancorp, unless an exception applies. We have become subject to more stringent capital requirements, which may adversely impact our return on equity, or constrain us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares. In July 2013, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board approved a new rule that will substantially amend the regulatory risk-based capital rules applicable to Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp. The final rule implements the “Basel III” regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The final rule includes new minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, which became effective for Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp on January 1, 2015, and refines the definition of what constitutes “capital” for purposes of calculating these ratios. The new minimum capital requirements will be: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 6% (increased from 4%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8% (unchanged from current rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%. The final rule also establishes a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5%, and will result in the following minimum ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%; (ii) a Tier 1 to risk-based assets capital ratio of 8.5%; and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. The new capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and will increase each year until fully implemented in January 2019. An institution will be subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations will establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that can be utilized for such actions. The application of more stringent capital requirements for Investors Bank and Investors Bancorp could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, require the raising of additional capital, and result in regulatory actions constraining us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares if we were to be unable to comply with such requirements. New regulations could restrict our ability to originate and sell mortgage loans. The CFPB has issued a rule designed to clarify for lenders how they can avoid monetary damages under the Dodd-Frank Act, which would hold lenders accountable for ensuring a borrower’s ability to repay a mortgage. Loans that meet this “qualified mortgage” definition will be presumed to have complied with the new ability-to- repay standard. Under the CFPB’s rule, a “qualified mortgage” loan must not contain certain specified features, including: • excessive upfront points and fees (those exceeding 3% of the total loan amount, less “bona fide discount points” for prime loans); 48 • • • interest-only payments; negative-amortization; and terms longer than 30 years. Also, to qualify as a “qualified mortgage,” a borrower’s total debt-to-income ratio may not exceed 43%. Lenders must also verify and document the income and financial resources relied upon to qualify the borrower for the loan and underwrite the loan based on a fully amortizing payment schedule and maximum interest rate during the first five years, taking into account all applicable taxes, insurance and assessments. The CFPB’s rule on qualified mortgages could limit our ability or desire to make certain types of loans or loans to certain borrowers, or could make it more expensive and/or time consuming to make these loans, which could limit our growth or profitability. Strong competition within our market area may limit our growth and profitability. Competition in the banking and financial services industry is intense. In our market area, we compete with numerous commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage brokerage firms, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, and brokerage and investment banking firms operating locally and elsewhere. Some of our competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we have, have greater name recognition and market presence that benefit them in attracting business, and offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide. In addition, larger competitors may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively than we can. Our profitability depends upon our continued ability to successfully compete in our market area. The greater resources and deposit and loan products offered by some of our competitors may limit our ability to increase our interest-earning assets. For additional information see “Business of Investors Bank- Competition.” K - 0 1 M R O F Any future increase in FDIC insurance premiums will adversely impact our earnings. As a “large institution” within the meaning of FDIC regulations (i.e., greater than $10 billion in assets), Investors Bank’s deposit insurance premium is determined differently than smaller banks. Small banks are assessed based on a risk classification determined by examination ratings, financial ratios and certain specified adjustments. However, beginning in 2011, large institutions became subject to assessment based upon a more detailed scorecard approach involving (i) a performance score determined using forward-looking risk measures, including certain stress testing, and (ii) a loss severity score, which is designed to measure, based on modeling, potential loss to the FDIC insurance fund if the institution failed. The total score is converted to an assessment rate, subject to certain adjustments, with institutions deemed riskier paying higher assessments. In October 2012, the FDIC issued a final rule, effective March 1, 2013, which clarifies and refines its large bank assessment formula. Since the large institution assessment procedure is still relatively unknown, the long term effect on Investors Bank’s deposit insurance assessment is uncertain. We may eliminate dividends on our common stock. On September 28, 2012, we declared our first quarterly cash dividend and we have paid quarterly cash dividend since then. Although we have begun paying quarterly cash dividends to our stockholders, stockholders are not entitled to receive dividends. Downturns in domestic and global economies and other factors could cause our board of directors to consider, among other things, the elimination of or reduction in the amount and/or frequency of cash dividends paid on our common stock. We could be adversely affected by failure in our internal controls. A failure in our internal controls could have a significant negative impact not only on our earnings, but also on the perception that customers, regulators and investors may have of us. We continue to devote a significant amount of effort, time and resources to continually strengthening our controls and ensuring compliance with 49 F O R M 1 0 - K complex accounting standards and banking regulations. For example, we are planning a core system conversion in 2015 in an effort to further strengthen such internal controls and compliance systems, as well as allow for more processing of more complex transactions by our customers. Failure to properly and timely implement the core system conversion could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Risks associated with system failures, interruptions, or breaches of security could negatively affect our earnings. Information technology systems are critical to our business. We use various technology systems to manage our customer relationships, general ledger, securities investments, deposits, and loans. We have established policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of system failures, interruptions, and security breaches (including privacy breaches and cyber-attacks), but such events may still occur or may not be adequately addressed if they do occur. In addition, any compromise of our systems could deter customers from using our products and services. Although we take protective measures, the security of our computer systems, software, and networks may be vulnerable to breaches, unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses, or other malicious code and cyber attacks that could have an impact on information security. In addition, we outsource a majority of our data processing to certain third-party providers. If these third- party providers encounter difficulties, or if we have difficulty communicating with them, our ability to adequately process and account for transactions could be affected, and our business operations could be adversely affected. Threats to information security also exist in the processing of customer information through various other vendors and their personnel. There have been increasing efforts on the part of third parties, including through cyber attacks, to breach data security at financial institutions or with respect to financial transactions. There have been several recent instances involving financial services and consumer-based companies reporting the unauthorized disclosure of client or customer information or the destruction or theft of corporate data. In addition, because the techniques used to cause such security breaches change frequently, often are not recognized until launched against a target and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, we may be unable to proactively address these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. The ability of our customers to bank remotely, including online and through mobile devices, requires secure transmission of confidential information and increases the risk of data security breaches. The occurrence of any system failures, interruption, or breach of security could damage our reputation and result in a loss of customers and business thereby subjecting us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or could expose us to litigation and possible financial liability. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We are planning a core system conversion in 2015. Failure to successfully complete such conversion could adversely affect our operations. We are planning a core system conversion in 2015 in an effort to further strengthen our internal controls and compliance systems, as well as allow for more processing of more complex transactions by our customers. Failure to properly and timely implement in system interruptions, diminished customer service and delays in our financial reporting which would have a material adverse effect on our operations. the core system conversion could result Our failure to effectively deploy the capital raised in our second step conversion offering may have an adverse effect on our financial performance. We invested 50% of the net proceeds from our second step conversion offering in Investors Bank; provided funding to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan for the purchase of 6,617,421 shares of common stock sold in the offering; and contributed $20.0 million to Investors Charitable foundation through issuing 1,000,000 shares 50 K - 0 1 M R O F as well as a $10.0 million cash contribution. A substantial portion of the net proceeds were used to pay off short- term borrowings as they matured and invest in securities. We will use the remainder of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including, among other items, paying cash dividends and repurchasing shares of our common stock, subject to applicable regulatory approval. Our failure to utilize these funds effectively may reduce our profitability and may adversely affect the value of our common stock. Our recruitment efforts may not be sufficient to implement our business strategy and execute successful operations. As we continue to grow, we may find our recruitment efforts more challenging. If we do not succeed in attracting, hiring, and integrating experienced or qualified personnel, we may not be able to continue to successfully implement our business strategy. We recently hired an asset based lending team and expanded our business lending into the healthcare market, both of which may expose us to increased lending risks and may have a negative effect on our results of operations. In an effort to diversify our loan portfolio, we recently hired an asset based lending team and a healthcare lending team. These types of loans generally have a higher risk of loss compared to our one- to four-family residential real estate loans and multi-family loans, which could have a negative effect on our results of operations. In addition, because we are not as experienced with these new loan products, we may require additional time and resources for offering and managing such products effectively or may be unsuccessful in offering such products at a profit. Severe weather, acts of terrorism and other external events could impact our ability to conduct business. Recent weather-related events have adversely impacted our market area, especially areas located near coastal waters and flood prone areas. Such events that may cause significant flooding and other storm-related damage may become more common events in the future. Financial institutions have been, and continue to be, targets of terrorist threats aimed at compromising operating and communication systems and the metropolitan New York area and Northern New Jersey remain central targets for potential acts of terrorism. Such events could cause significant damage, impact the stability of our facilities and result in additional expenses, impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, reduce the value of collateral securing repayment of our loans, and result in the loss of revenue. While we have established and regularly test disaster recovery procedures, the occurrence of any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES At December 31, 2014, the Company and the Bank conducted business from their corporate headquarters in Short Hills, New Jersey, with an operation center located in Iselin, New Jersey as well as lending offices in New York City, Short Hills, Spring Lake, Newark, Astoria and Brooklyn, as well as a full-service branch network of 132 offices. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We and our subsidiaries are subject to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these legal actions is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Not applicable. 51 Part II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES Our shares of common stock are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “ISBC”. The approximate number of holders of record of Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock as of February 23, 2015 was approximately 11,000. Certain shares of Investors Bancorp, Inc. are held in “nominee” or “street” name and accordingly, the number of beneficial owners of such shares is not known or included in the foregoing number. The following table presents quarterly market information for Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock for the periods indicated. As a result of the second step conversion, all per share information prior to the completion of the second step conversion on May 7, 2014 has been revised to reflect the 2.55- to- one exchange ratio. The following information was provided by the NASDAQ Global Select Market. F O R M 1 0 - K First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Year Ended December 31, 2014 Year Ended December 31, 2013 High Low High Low $11.26 11.19 11.21 11.36 $ 9.68 10.18 10.00 9.80 $ 7.39 8.39 8.99 10.12 $6.81 7.13 8.00 8.45 On September 28, 2012, we declared our first quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share since completing our initial public offering in October 2005. Since declaring this dividend, we have paid a dividend to stockholders in each subsequent quarter, with the most recent paid in February 2015. The timing and amount of cash dividends paid depend on our earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other relevant factors. Although we have begun paying quarterly cash dividends to our stockholders, stockholders are not entitled to receive dividends. Downturns in domestic and global economies and other factors could cause our board of directors to consider, among other things, the elimination of or reduction in the amount and/or frequency of cash dividends paid on our common stock. For more information regarding the restrictions on the Bank’s dividends, “Item 1A. Risk Factors — We May Eliminate Dividends on Our Common Stock” above, and the “Liquidity” section of our MD&A of this Annual Report. In the future, dividends from Investors Bancorp, Inc. may depend, in part, upon the receipt of dividends from Investors Bank, because Investors Bancorp, Inc. has no source of income other than earnings from the investment of net proceeds retained from the sale of shares of common stock, investment income, and interest earned on its loan to the employee stock ownership plan. Under New Jersey law, Investors Bank may not pay a cash dividend unless, after the payment of such dividend, its capital stock will not be impaired and either it will have a statutory surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock, or the payment of such dividend will not reduce its statutory surplus. Stock Performance Graph Set forth below is a stock performance graph comparing (a) the cumulative total return on the Company’s common stock for the period beginning December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2014, (b) the cumulative total return of publicly traded thrifts over such period, and, (c) the cumulative total return of all publicly traded banks and thrifts over such period. Cumulative return assumes the reinvestment of dividends, and is expressed in dollars based on an assumed investment of $100. 52 K - 0 1 M R O F Investors Bancorp, Inc. Total Return Performance e u l a V x e d n I 275 250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 12/31/09 12/31/10 12/31/11 12/31/12 12/31/13 12/31/14 Investors Bancorp, Inc. SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift SNL U.S. Thrift Index Investors Bancorp, Inc. SNL U.S. Bank and Thrift SNL U.S. Thrift Source: SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA Stock Repurchases 12/31/2009 12/31/2010 12/31/2011 12/31/2012 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 267.93 100.00 178.18 100.00 147.56 100.00 119.93 111.64 104.49 123.22 86.81 87.90 236.71 159.61 137.20 162.96 116.57 106.91 The second step conversion on May 7, 2014 resulted in the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock awards. The withholding of shares for payment of taxes with respect to these awards resulted in treasury stock of 1,101,694 shares. The existing stock repurchase plan was terminated in conjunction with the second step conversion. Under applicable federal regulations, the Company is not permitted to implement a stock repurchase program during the first year following completion of the second-step conversion without prior notice to, and the receipt of a non-objection from, the Federal Reserve Board (FRB). The regulations provide that the Company must demonstrate “extraordinary circumstances” and a compelling and valid business purpose for any proposed stock repurchases during the first year following a conversion. The Company has requested the non-objection from the FRB to implement a repurchase program during the first year, but no assurance can be given that the non-objection of the FRB will be provided. There were no repurchases of our common stock since the second step conversion. Equity Compensation Plan Information The information set forth in Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information” is incorporated by reference herein. 53 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The following information is derived in part from the consolidated financial statements of Investors Bancorp, Inc. As a result of the completion of the second step conversion on May 7, 2014, all share information has been revised to reflect the 2.55- to- one exchange ratio. For additional information, reference is made to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Selected Financial Condition Data: Total assets Loans receivable, net Loans held-for-sale Securities held to maturity Securities available for sale, at estimated fair value Bank owned life insurance Deposits Borrowed funds Goodwill Stockholders’ equity F O R M 1 0 - K 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 At December 31, (In thousands) $18,773,639 14,887,570 6,868 1,564,479 $15,623,070 12,882,544 8,273 831,819 $12,722,574 10,306,786 28,233 179,922 $10,701,585 8,794,211 18,847 287,671 $9,602,131 7,917,705 35,054 478,536 1,197,924 161,609 12,172,326 2,766,104 77,571 3,577,855 785,032 152,788 10,718,811 3,367,274 77,571 1,334,327 1,385,328 113,941 8,768,857 2,705,652 77,063 1,066,817 983,715 112,990 7,362,003 2,255,486 21,972 967,440 602,733 117,039 6,774,930 1,826,514 21,609 901,279 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Year Ended December 31, Selected Operating Data: Interest and dividend income Interest expense Net interest income Provision for loan losses Net interest income after provision for loan losses Non-interest income Non-interest expenses Income before income tax expense Income tax expense $660,862 118,891 541,971 37,500 504,471 41,861 339,860 206,472 74,751 $545,068 109,642 435,426 50,500 384,926 36,571 245,711 175,786 63,755 (In thousands) $496,189 123,444 372,745 65,000 307,745 44,112 207,007 144,850 56,083 $473,572 144,488 329,084 75,500 253,584 29,170 157,587 125,167 46,281 $428,703 159,293 269,410 66,500 202,910 26,525 130,813 98,622 36,603 Net income $131,721 $112,031 $ 88,767 $ 78,886 $ 62,019 Earnings per share — basic and diluted $ 0.38 $ 0.40 $ 0.32 $ 0.29 $ 0.22 54 K - 0 1 M R O F Selected Financial Ratios and Other Data: Performance Ratios: Return on assets (ratio of net income to average total assets) Return on equity (ratio of net income to average equity) Net interest rate spread(1) Net interest margin(2) Efficiency ratio(3) Efficiency ratio — Adjusted(4) Non-interest expenses to average total assets Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities Dividend payout ratio(6) Asset Quality Ratios: Non-performing assets to total assets Non-accrual loans to total loans Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans Allowance for loan losses to total loans Capital Ratios: Tier 1 leverage capital(5) Tier 1 risk-based capital(5) Total-risk-based capital(5) Equity to total assets Other Data: Tangible equity to tangible assets Average equity to average assets Book value per common share Tangible book value per common share Number of full service offices Full time equivalent employees At or for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 0.77% 0.78% 0.70% 0.76% 0.83% 8.68% 8.43% 6.95% 4.71% 10.00% 3.26% 3.22% 2.97% 3.24% 3.08% 3.27% 3.40% 3.39% 3.17% 3.37% 58.21% 52.06% 49.66% 43.68% 44.20% 52.45% 50.66% 46.47% 43.68% 44.20% 1.81% 1.54% 1.47% 1.96% 1.82% 1.28x 31.58% 19.61% 1.15x 1.13x 6.02% — 1.11x 1.10x — 0.95% 0.77% 0.81% 0.72% 1.14% 1.48% 1.74% 1.16% 1.60% 2.08% 139.10% 124.30% 104.29% 76.79% 54.81% 1.36% 1.32% 1.14% 1.33% 1.33% 7.59% 8.21% 8.56% 8.20% 12.79% 17.01% 10.14% 9.98% 11.65% 12.50% 18.26% 11.39% 11.24% 12.91% 13.75% 8.39% 9.04% 9.39% 19.06% 8.54% 18.60% 16.16% $ 10.39 $ 10.08 132 1,682 $ $ 7.90% 8.32% 9.85 9.04 129 1,541 $ $ 7.67% 8.71% 9.02% 8.92% 9.26% 10.02% 9.81 8.89 101 1,193 $ 8.23 $ 7.88 82 869 $ 8.98 $ 8.62 81 959 (1) The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted-average cost of interest-bearing liabilities for the period. (2) The net interest margin represents net interest income as a percent of average interest-earning assets for the period. (3) The efficiency ratio represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non- interest income. (4) The efficiency ratio — adjusted represents non-interest expense divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income adjusted; For the year ended December 31, 2014, excludes $13.0 million of compensation expense related to the accelerated vesting of all stock option and restricted stock plans upon the completion of the second step capital transaction, the contribution of $20 million to the Investors Charitable Foundation and one-time items related to the acquisition of Gateway, completed in January 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2013, excludes pre-tax acquisition charges related to Roma Financial of $5.6 million and a non-cash OTTI charge of $977,000. Excludes pre-tax acquisition charges related to Marathon and BFSB of $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. (5) Ratios are for Investors Bank and do not include capital retained at the holding company level. (6) The dividend payout ratio represents dividends paid per share divided by net income per share. 55 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Our fundamental business strategy is to be a well-capitalized, full service, community bank that provides high quality customer service and competitively priced products and services to individuals and businesses in the communities we serve. Our results of operations depend primarily on net interest income, which is directly impacted by the market interest rate environment. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income we earn on our interest-earning assets, primarily mortgage loans and investment securities, and the interest we pay on our interest-bearing liabilities, primarily interest-bearing transaction accounts, time deposits, and borrowed funds. Net interest income is affected by the level of interest rates, the shape of the market yield curve, the timing of the placement and the repricing of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities on our balance sheet, and the prepayment rate on our mortgage-related assets. The continued low interest rate environment has resulted in a significant portion of our interest-earning assets being originated or re-priced at lower yields. We have been able to partially offset the yield compression by lowering the interest rates on our interest bearing liabilities and by growing our asset size; however, the flattening in the treasury yield curve places additional pressure on new loan origination yields. We continue to actively manage our interest rate risk against a backdrop of slow economic growth and a potential rise in short- term interest rates beginning in mid 2015. If the current interest rate and yield curve environment continues, we will likely be subject to near-term net interest margin compression. Should the treasury yield curve steepen, we may experience an improvement income, particularly if short-term interest rates remain unchanged. In addition, the continued slowdown in mortgage banking activity, as compared to the prior year, will result in lower gains on sales of loans. interest in net F O R M 1 0 - K Our results of operations are also significantly affected by general economic conditions. There is still uncertainty with respect to government regulation, debt levels, unemployment and sluggish growth. The national and regional unemployment rates, though improving, remain at elevated levels as workers begin to return to search for work. These factors coupled with the modest growth in the housing and real estate markets, have resulted in elevated credit costs on the loan portfolio. Despite these conditions, our overall level of non- performing loans remains low compared to our national and regional peers. We attribute this to our conservative underwriting standards, our diligence in resolving our problem loans as well as the unseasoned nature of our loan portfolio. On January 10, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Gateway Community Financial Corp. and its subsidiary, GCF Bank. On December 6, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Roma Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries, Roma Bank and RomAsia Bank. The geographic market areas of both Roma Financial and Gateway Community have significant potential and expand our footprint from the suburbs of Philadelphia to the boroughs of New York and Long Island. On May 7, 2014, we completed our second step conversion. We sold a total of 219,580,695 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share in the second step stock offering and issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock to the Investors Charitable Foundation. Concurrent with the completion of the stock offering, each share of Old Investors Bancorp common stock owned by public stockholders (stockholders other than Investors Bancorp, MHC) was exchanged for 2.55 shares of Company common stock. As a result of the conversion, all share information has been revised to reflect the 2.55- to- one exchange ratio. The conversion was accounted for as a capital raising transaction by entities under common control. The historical financial results of Investors Bancorp, MHC are immaterial to the results of the Company and therefore upon completion of the conversion, the net assets of Investors Bancorp, MHC were merged into the Company and are reflected as an increase to stockholders’ equity. A total of 137,560,968 shares of Company common stock were issued in the exchange. This capital raise will greatly enhance our ability to continue to grow the Company. We invested 50% of the net proceeds from the offering in Investors Bank, provided funding to our Employee Stock Ownership Plan for the 56 purchase of 6,617,421 shares of common stock sold in the offering and contributed $20.0 million to Investors Charitable foundation through issuing 1,000,000 shares as well as a $10.0 million cash contribution. A substantial portion of the net proceeds were used to pay off short-term borrowings as they matured as well as invest in securities. We will use the remainder of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including paying cash dividends and repurchasing shares of our common stock, subject to applicable regulation. We continue to grow and transform the composition of our balance sheet. Total assets increased by $3.15 billion, or 20.2%, to $18.77 billion at December 31, 2014 from $15.62 billion at December 31, 2013. The acquisition of Gateway added $254.7 million in deposits and $195.1 million in loans, resulting in a bargain purchase gain of $1.5 million, net of tax. Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased by $2.00 billion, or 15.5%, to $14.89 billion at December 31, 2014 from $12.89 billion at December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we originated $1.67 billion in multi-family loans, $869.7 million in commercial real estate loans, $445.4 million in commercial and industrial loans, $124.3 million in consumer and other loans and $44.8 million in construction loans. This increase in loans reflects our continued focus on generating multi-family and commercial real estate loans, which was partially offset by pay downs and payoffs of loans. The multi-family and commercial real estate loans we originate are secured by properties located primarily in New Jersey and New York. We will continue to execute our business strategies with a focus on prudent and opportunistic growth while producing financial results that will create value for our stockholders. We intend to continue to grow our business and strengthen our market share through planned de novo branching, additional product offerings, investments in staff and opportunistic acquisitions in our market area. We will continue to build additional operational infrastructure and add key personnel as our company grows and our business changes. We recently signed a long term contract with a major technology vendor for core and item processing services. These technology changes, scheduled to occur in the third quarter of 2015, will provide the necessary support for a growing commercial bank. We will continue to enhance stockholder value through our strategic capital initiatives, including growth both organically and through acquisitions, stock buybacks and dividend payments. K - 0 1 M R O F Critical Accounting Policies We consider accounting policies that require management to exercise significant judgment or discretion or to make significant assumptions that have, or could have, a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets or on income to be critical accounting policies. We consider the following to be our critical accounting policies. Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses that is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we make significant estimates and, therefore, have identified the allowance as a critical accounting policy. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management because of the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses has been determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, under which we are required to maintain an allowance for probable losses at the balance sheet date. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover specifically identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans determined to be impaired. A loan is deemed to be impaired if it is a commercial loan with an 57 F O R M 1 0 - K outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other commercial loans with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans, including those loans not meeting the Company’s definition of an impaired loan, by type of loan, risk weighting (if applicable) and payment history. We also analyze historical loss experience (using the appropriate look-back and loss emergence periods), delinquency trends, general economic conditions, geographic concentrations, and industry and peer comparisons. This analysis applies loss factors based on the Company’s historical loss experience over a look-back period determined to provide the appropriate amount of data to accurately estimate expected losses as of period end. Additionally, management assesses the loss emergence period for the expected losses of each loan segment and adjusts each historical loss factor accordingly. The loss emergence period is the estimated time from the date of a loss event (such as a personal bankruptcy) to the actual recognition of the loss (typically via the first fully or partial loan charge-off), and is determined based upon a study of the Company’s past loss experience by loan segment. The loss factors may also be adjusted for significant changes in the current loan portfolio qualify that, in management’s judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. This evaluation is based on peer and market data, but is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revisions based upon changes in economic and real estate market conditions. Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance for loan losses we have established, which could have a material negative effect on our financial results. Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans, are loans acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30 and are initially recorded at fair value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance (i.e., the allowance for loan losses). The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the initial carrying amount (fair value) of the PCI loans, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of the loans. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “non-accretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment, as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Reclassifications of the non- accretable difference to the accretable yield may occur subsequent to the loan acquisition dates due to increases in expected cash flows of the loans and would result in an increase in yield on a prospective basis. The Company analyzes the actual cash flow versus the forecasts and any adjustments to credit loss expectations are made based on actual loss recognized as well as changes in the probability of default. For a period in which cash flows aren’t reforecasted, prior period’s estimated cash flows are adjusted to reflect the actual cash received and credit events that occurred during the current reporting period. On a quarterly basis, management’s Allowance for Loan Loss Committee reviews the current status of various loan assets in order to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In this evaluation process, specific loans are analyzed to determine their potential risk of loss. This process includes all loans, concentrating on non-accrual and classified loans. Each non-accrual or classified loan is evaluated for potential loss exposure. Any shortfall results in a recommendation of a specific allowance if the likelihood of loss is evaluated as probable. To determine the adequacy of collateral on a particular loan, an estimate of the fair market value of the collateral is based on the most current appraised value for real property or a discounted cash flow analysis on a business. This appraised value for real property is then reduced to reflect estimated liquidation expenses. Acquired loans are marked to fair value on the date of acquisition. In conjunction with the quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan loss, the Company performs an analysis on acquired loans to determine whether or not there has been subsequent deterioration in relation to those loans. If deterioration has occurred, the Company will include these loans in their calculation of the allowance for loan loss. The allowance contains reserves identified as unallocated to cover inherent losses within a given loan category that have not been otherwise reviewed or measured on an individual basis. Such reserves include the 58 K - 0 1 M R O F evaluation of the national and local economy, loan portfolio volumes, the composition and concentrations of credit, credit quality and delinquency trends. These reserves reflect management’s attempt to ensure that the overall allowance reflects a margin for imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses. The results of this quarterly process are reviewed and approved by management through the Allowance for Loan Loss Committee. A summary of loan loss allowances is presented to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Our primary lending emphasis has been the origination of commercial real estate loans, multi-family loans, commercial and industrial loans and the origination and purchase of residential mortgage loans. We also originate home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. These activities resulted in a concentration of loans secured by real property and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans. For commercial real estate loans, multi-family loans and construction loans, the Company obtains an appraisal for all collateral dependent loans upon origination and an updated appraisal in the event interest or principal payments are 90 days delinquent or when the timely collection of such income is considered doubtful. This is done in order to determine the specific reserve needed upon initial recognition of a collateral dependent loan as non-accrual and/or impaired. In subsequent reporting periods, as part of the allowance for loan loss process, the Company reviews each collateral dependent commercial real estate loan previously classified as non-accrual and/or impaired and assesses whether there has been an adverse change in the collateral value supporting the loan. The Company utilizes information from its commercial lending officers, credit department and its loan workout department’s knowledge of changes in real estate conditions in our lending area to identify if possible deterioration of collateral value has occurred. Based on the severity of the changes in market conditions, management determines if an updated appraisal is warranted or if downward adjustments to the previous appraisal are warranted. If it is determined that the deterioration of the collateral value is significant enough to warrant ordering a new appraisal, an estimate of the downward adjustments to the existing appraised value is used in assessing if additional specific reserves are necessary until the updated appraisal is received. For homogeneous residential mortgage loans, the Company’s policy is to obtain an appraisal upon the origination of the loan and an updated appraisal in the event a loan becomes 90 days delinquent. Thereafter, the appraisal is updated every two years if the loan remains in non-performing status and the foreclosure process has not been completed. Management adjusts the appraised value of residential loans to reflect estimated selling costs and estimated declines in the real estate market, taking into consideration the estimated length of time to complete the foreclosure process. In determining the allowance for loan losses, management believes the potential for outdated appraisals has been mitigated for impaired loans and other non-performing loans. As described above, the loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral. Loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks are increases in interest rates, a decline in the general economy, and a decline in real estate market values in New Jersey, New York and surrounding states. Any one or combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in increased delinquencies, loan losses and future levels of loan loss provisions. We consider it important to maintain the ratio of our allowance for loan losses to total loans at an adequate level given current economic conditions, interest rates, and the composition of the portfolio. 59 Our allowance for loan losses reflects probable losses considering, among other things, the economic conditions, the actual growth and change in composition of our loan portfolio, the level of our non-performing loans and our charge-off experience. We believe the allowance for loan losses reflects the inherent credit risk in our portfolio. Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, additions may be necessary if the current economic environment deteriorates. Management uses the best information available; however, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. Deferred Income Taxes. The Company records income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” as amended, using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities: (i) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns; (ii) are attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases; and (iii) are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Where applicable, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance for any portions determined not likely to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period of enactment. The valuation allowance is adjusted, by a charge or credit to income tax expense, as changes in facts and circumstances warrant. F O R M 1 0 - K Asset Impairment Judgments. Certain of our assets are carried on our consolidated balance sheets at cost, fair value or at the lower of cost or fair value. Valuation allowances or write-downs are established when necessary to recognize impairment of such assets. We periodically perform analyses to test for impairment of such assets. In addition to the impairment analyses related to our loans discussed above, another significant impairment analysis is the determination of whether there has been an other-than-temporary decline in the value of one or more of our securities. Our available-for-sale portfolio is carried at estimated fair value, with any unrealized gains or losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss in stockholders’ equity. While the Company does not intend to sell these securities, and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities before their anticipated recovery of the remaining carrying value, we have the ability to sell the securities. Our held-to-maturity portfolio, consisting primarily of mortgage- backed securities and other debt securities for which we have a positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, is carried at carrying value. We conduct a periodic review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the value of any security has declined below its cost or amortized cost, and whether such decline is other-than-temporary. Management utilizes various inputs to determine the fair value of the portfolio. To the extent they exist, unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1) or quoted prices on similar assets (Level 2) are utilized to determine the fair value of each investment in the portfolio. In the absence of quoted prices and in an illiquid market, valuation techniques, which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (Level 3), are used to determine fair value of the investment. Valuation techniques are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to cash flows, discount rates, rate of return, adjustments for nonperformance and liquidity, and liquidation values. Management is required to use a significant degree of judgment when the valuation of investments includes unobservable inputs. The use of different assumptions could have a positive or negative effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The fair values of our securities portfolio are also affected by changes in interest rates. When significant changes in interest rates occur, we evaluate our intent and ability to hold the security to maturity or for a sufficient time to recover our recorded investment balance. 60 If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income as a component of gain (loss) on securities, net. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulate other comprehensive income, net of tax. Goodwill Impairment. Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite useful life and is tested, at least annually, for impairment at the reporting unit level. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. For purposes of our goodwill impairment testing, we have identified a single reporting unit. In connection with our annual impairment assessment we applied the guidance in FASB ASU 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our qualitative assessment concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and, therefore, the two-step goodwill impairment test was not required. Valuation of Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSR”). The initial asset recognized for originated MSR is measured at fair value. The fair value of MSR is estimated by reference to current market values of similar loans sold with servicing released. MSR are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. We apply the amortization method for measurements of our MSR. MSR are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting date. MSR impairment, if any, is recognized in a valuation allowance through charges to earnings as a component of fees and service charges. Subsequent increases in the fair value of impaired MSR are recognized only up to the amount of the previously recognized valuation allowance. K - 0 1 M R O F The estimated fair value of the MSR is obtained through independent third party valuations through an analysis of future cash flows, incorporating estimates of assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including market discount rates, prepayment speeds, servicing income, servicing costs, default rates and other market driven data, including the market’s perception of future interest rate movements. The valuation allowance is then adjusted in subsequent periods to reflect changes in the measurement of impairment. All assumptions are reviewed for reasonableness on a quarterly basis to ensure they reflect current and anticipated market conditions. The fair value of MSR is highly sensitive to changes in assumptions. Changes in prepayment speed assumptions generally have the most significant impact on the fair value of our MSR. Generally, as interest rates decline, mortgage loan prepayments accelerate due to increased refinance activity, which results in a decrease in the fair value of MSR. As interest rates rise, mortgage loan prepayments slow down, which results in an increase in the fair value of MSR. Thus, any measurement of the fair value of our MSR is limited by the conditions existing and the assumptions utilized as of a particular point in time, and those assumptions may not be appropriate if they are applied at a different point in time. Comparison of Financial Condition at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 Total Assets. Total assets increased by $3.15 billion, or 20.2%, to $18.77 billion at December 31, 2014 from $15.62 billion at December 31, 2013. On May 7, 2014, the Company raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion in its second step conversion. As a result of deploying the proceeds, securities increased by $1.15 billion, or 70.9%, to $2.76 billion at December 31, 2014 from $1.62 billion at December 31, 2013. Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased $2.00 billion to $14.89 billion at December 31, 2014. Net Loans. Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased by $2.00 billion, or 15.5%, to $14.89 billion at December 31, 2014 from $12.89 billion at December 31, 2013. This increase includes $195.1 million in loans acquired in conjunction with the Gateway acquisition. At December 31, 2014, total loans were $15.10 billion 61 which included $5.77 billion in residential loans, $5.05 billion in multi-family loans, $3.15 billion in commercial real estate loans, $544.5 million in commercial and industrial loans, $441.0 million in consumer and other loans and $148.4 million in construction loans. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we originated $1.67 billion in multi-family loans, $869.7 million in commercial real estate loans, $445.4 million in commercial and industrial loans, $124.3 million in consumer and other loans and $44.8 million in construction loans. This increase in loans reflects our continued focus on generating multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans, which was partially offset by pay downs and payoffs of loans. Our loans are primarily on properties and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. We originate residential mortgage loans through our mortgage subsidiary, Investors Home Mortgage Co., which originated $758.2 million in residential mortgage loans, of which $150.1 million were originated for sale to third party investors and $608.1 million were added to our portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2014. We also purchase mortgage loans from correspondent entities including other banks and mortgage bankers. Our agreements with these correspondent entities require them to originate loans that adhere to our underwriting standards. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we purchased loans totaling $233.9 million from those entities. F O R M 1 0 - K Our past due loans and non-accrual loans discussed below exclude certain purchased credit impaired (PCI) loans, primarily consisting of loans recorded in the acquisitions of Gateway, Roma Financial Corporation and Marathon Bank. For the period ending December 31, 2014, PCI loans totaled $17.8 million. Under U.S. GAAP, the PCI loans (acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality) are not subject to delinquency classification in the same manner as loans originated by the Bank. The following table sets forth non-accrual loans and accruing past due loans (excluding PCI loans and loans held for sale) on the dates indicated as well as certain asset quality ratios. December 31, 2014 September 30, 2014 June 30, 2014 March 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 # of Loans Amount # of Loans Amount # of Loans Amount # of Loans Amount # of Loans Amount Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential and consumer Total non-accrual loans Accruing troubled debt restructured loans Non-accrual loans to total loans Allowance for loan loss as a percent of non-accrual loans Allowance for loan loss as a percent of total loans 2 $ 3.0 1 $ 1.9 (Dollars in millions) 1.9 1 $ 3 $ 36 11 7 56 13.9 29 2.9 4.4 4 6 24.2 40 14.6 0.8 12.8 30.1 26 10 6 43 12.6 15 1.4 13.0 9 5 28.9 32 0.4 2.9 1.9 13.0 18.2 5 $ 12 4 18 39 406 84.2 383 85.9 361 79.7 348 79.4 304 5.9 2.7 1.3 16.2 26.1 74.3 462 $ 108.4 423 $ 116.0 404 $ 108.6 380 $ 97.6 343 $ 100.4 55 $ 35.6 55 $ 35.2 51 $ 32.3 50 $ 37.6 50 $ 39.6 0.72% 0.81% 0.78% 0.72% 0.77% 184.83% 164.68% 171.33% 185.00% 173.30% 1.33% 1.33% 1.34% 1.33% 1.33% Total non-accrual loans increased to $108.4 million at December 31, 2014 compared to $100.4 million at December 31, 2013. We continue to diligently resolve our troubled loans, however it takes a long period of time 62 to resolve residential credits in our lending area. At December 31, 2014, our allowance for loan loss as a percent of total loans is 1.33%. At December 31, 2014, there were $47.3 million of loans deemed as troubled debt restructurings, of which $23.3 million were residential and consumer loans, $18.4 million were commercial real estate loans, $3.1 million were construction loans, $1.1 million were multi-family loans and $1.4 million were commercial and industrial loans. Troubled debt restructured loans in the amount of $35.6 million were classified as accruing and $11.7 million were classified as non-accrual at December 31, 2014. In addition to non-accrual loans, we continue to monitor our portfolio for potential problem loans. Potential problem loans are defined as loans about which we have concerns as to the ability of the borrower to comply with the current loan repayment terms and which may cause the loan to be placed on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has deemed potential problems loans excluding PCI loans, totaling $30.6 million, which comprised of 15 commercial real estate loans totaling $7.3 million, 6 commercial and industrial is actively loans totaling $1.2 million and three multi-family loans totaling $22.1 million. Management monitoring these loans. The allowance for loan losses increased by $26.4 million to $200.3 million at December 31, 2014 from $173.9 million at December 31, 2013. The increase in our allowance for loan losses is due to the growth of the loan portfolio and the increased credit risk in our overall portfolio, particularly the inherent credit risk associated with commercial real estate lending and commercial and industrial loans due to the unseasoned nature of our loan portfolio. Our overall level of non-performing loans remains low compared to our national and regional peers. We attribute this to our conservative underwriting standards, our diligence in resolving our problem loans as well as the unseasoned nature of our loan portfolio. Although we use the best information available, the level of allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. See “Critical Accounting Policies.” K - 0 1 M R O F Securities. Securities, to $2.76 billion at December 31, 2014 from $1.62 billion at December 31, 2013. This increase is attributed to using a portion of the proceeds from the Company’s second step conversion to purchase investment securities. increased by $1.15 billion, or 70.9%, in the aggregate, Other Assets, Stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank, Bank Owned Life Insurance. The amount of stock we own in the FHLB decreased by $26.8 million, or 15.1% to $151.3 million at December 31, 2014 from $178.1 million at December 31, 2013. The amount of stock we own in the FHLB is related to the balance of borrowings, therefore the decrease in borrowings has an impact in the FHLB stock owned. Bank owned life insurance was $161.6 million at December 31, 2014 and $152.8 million at December 31, 2013. Other assets was $10.3 million at December 31, 2014 and $14.4 million at December 31, 2013. Deposits. Deposits increased by $1.45 billion, or 13.6%, from $10.72 billion at December 31, 2013 to $12.17 billion at December 31, 2014. This increase includes $254.7 million in deposits added in conjunction with the Gateway acquisition. Core deposits increased $2.27 billion or 30.9%, from December 31, 2013, partially offset by a decrease of $814.2 million in certificates of deposit. Core deposits represent approximately 79% of our total deposit portfolio. Borrowed Funds. Borrowed funds decreased by $601.2 million, or 17.9%, to $2.77 billion at December 31, 2014 from $3.37 billion at December 31, 2013. The Company used approximately half of the proceeds from its second step capital offering to pay down maturing, short-term borrowings. Stockholders’ Equity. Stockholders’ equity increased by $2.24 billion to $3.58 billion at December 31, 2014 from $1.33 billion at December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily related to the impact of the Company’s second step capital conversion, net income of $131.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and a $3.3 million decrease to other comprehensive loss. Stockholders’ equity was also impacted by the declaration of cash dividends totaling $0.12 per common share for the year ended December 31, 2014, which resulted in a decrease of $42.6 million. 63 Analysis of Net Interest Income Net interest income represents the difference between income we earn on our interest-earning assets and the expense we pay on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income depends on the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned on such assets and paid on such liabilities. Average Balances and Yields. The following tables set forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated. No tax-equivalent yield adjustments were made, as the effect thereof was not material. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances, however interest receivable on these loans have been fully reserved for and not included in interest income. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense. For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 Average Outstanding Balance Interest Earned/ Paid Average Yield/ Rate Average Outstanding Balance Interest Earned/ Paid Average Yield/ Rate Average Outstanding Balance Interest Earned/ Paid Average Yield/ Rate (Dollars in thousands) $ 371,636 $ 552 0.15% $ 136,656 $ 49 0.04% $ 96,945 $ 40 0.04% 965,969 1,315,604 18,164 31,847 13,776,250 603,438 6,861 152,330 1.88 2.42 4.38 4.50 1,092,496 449,742 18,638 15,362 11,065,190 504,622 6,397 168,028 1.71 3.42 4.56 3.81 1,250,391 221,524 22,521 12,852 9,271,550 455,221 5,555 124,385 1.80 5.80 4.91 4.47 F O R M 1 0 - K Interest-earning assets: Interest-bearing deposits Securities available-for- sale Securities held-to-maturity Net loans Stock in FHLB Total interest-earning assets 16,581,789 660,862 3.99 12,912,112 545,068 4.22 10,964,795 496,189 4.53 Non-interest-earning assets Total assets 732,469 $17,314,258 564,765 $13,476,877 493,278 $11,458,073 Interest-bearing liabilities: Savings deposits Interest-bearing checking Money market accounts Certificates of deposit Total interest-bearing deposits Borrowed funds Total interest-bearing liabilities Non-interest-bearing liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders’ equity Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,241,747 $ 2,478,047 2,355,982 3,180,032 6,638 8,755 13,664 30,149 0.30% $ 1,775,454 $ 0.35 0.58 0.95 1,791,345 1,646,235 2,849,573 6,320 6,245 7,537 29,867 0.36% $ 1,535,636 $ 0.35 0.46 1.05 1,467,583 1,342,366 3,155,041 7,859 6,586 7,937 41,200 0.51% 0.45 0.59 1.31 10,255,808 2,741,609 59,206 59,685 0.58 2.18 8,062,607 3,180,473 49,969 59,673 0.62 1.88 7,500,626 2,224,126 63,582 59,862 0.85 2.69 12,997,417 118,891 0.91 11,243,080 109,642 0.98 9,724,752 123,444 1.27 1,518,331 14,515,748 2,798,510 1,113,121 12,356,201 1,120,676 710,894 10,435,646 1,022,427 $17,314,258 $13,476,877 $11,458,073 Net interest income $541,971 $435,426 $372,745 Net interest rate spread(1) Net interest-earning assets(2) Net interest margin(3) Ratio of interest-earning assets to total interest- bearing liabilities 3.08% 3.24% $ 3,584,372 $ 1,669,033 $ 1,240,043 3.27% 3.37% 3.26% 3.40% 1.28x 1.15x 1.13x 64 (1) Net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities. (2) Net interest-earning assets represent total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities. (3) Net interest margin represents net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets. Rate/Volume Analysis The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The net column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately, based on the changes due to rate and the changes due to volume. Interest-earning assets: Interest-bearing deposits Securities available-for-sale Securities held-to-maturity Net loans Stock in FHLB Total interest-earning assets Interest-bearing liabilities: Savings deposits Interest-bearing checking Money market accounts Certificates of deposit Total deposits Borrowed funds Total interest-bearing liabilities Increase in net interest income K - 0 1 M R O F Years Ended December 31, 2014 vs. 2013 Years Ended December 31, 2013 vs. 2012 Increase (Decrease) Due to Volume Rate Net Increase (Decrease) Increase (Decrease) Due to Volume Rate Net Increase (Decrease) (In thousands) $ 178 (2,257) 17,976 121,987 (635) 325 1,783 (1,491) (23,171) 1,099 503 (474) 16,485 98,816 464 $ 15 (2,850) 7,008 91,757 1,747 (6) (1,033) (4,498) (42,356) (905) 9 (3,883) 2,510 49,401 842 137,249 (21,455) 115,794 97,677 (48,798) 48,879 1,490 2,425 3,785 3,282 10,982 (9,071) (1,172) 85 2,342 (3,000) (1,745) 9,083 1,911 7,338 318 2,510 6,127 282 9,237 12 9,249 1,101 1,292 1,594 (3,730) (2,640) (1,633) (1,994) (7,603) (1,539) (341) (400) (11,333) 257 20,773 (13,870) (20,962) (13,613) (189) 21,030 (34,832) (13,802) $135,338 (28,793) 106,545 $76,647 (13,966) 62,681 Comparison of Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 Net Income. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $131.7 million compared to net income of $112.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $106.5 million, or 24.5%, to $542.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $435.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to the average balance of interest earning assets increasing $3.67 billion, or 28.4% to $16.58 billion at December 31, 2014 compared to $12.91 billion at December 31, 2013, as well as a 7 basis point decrease in our weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 0.91% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 0.98% for the year ended December 31, 2013. These were partially offset by the average balance of our interest bearing liabilities increasing $1.75 billion to $13.00 billion at December 31, 2014 compared to $11.24 billion at December 31, 2013, as well as the weighted average yield on our interest-earning assets decreasing 23 basis points to 3.99% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 4.22% for the year ended December 31, 2013. This 65 F O R M 1 0 - K was partially attributed to higher average balances in securities and cash at lower weighted average yields for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. The net interest spread decreased by 16 basis points to 3.08% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 3.24% for the year ended December 31, 2013 as the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets declined 23 basis points while our weighted average cost of interest bearing liabilities declined 7 basis points. Interest and Dividend Income. Total interest and dividend income increased by $115.8 million, or 21.2%, to $660.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $545.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase is attributed to the average balance of interest-earning assets increasing $3.67 billion, or 28.4%, to $16.58 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $12.91 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013. This was partially offset by the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets decreasing 23 basis points to 3.99% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 4.22% for the year ended December 31, 2013. Interest income on loans increased by $98.8 million, or 19.6%, to $603.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $504.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, reflecting a $2.71 billion, or 24.5%, increase in the average balance of net loans to $13.78 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $11.07 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily attributed to the average balance of multi-family loans, residential loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans increasing $1.04 billion, $794.1 million, $611.6 million and $152.3 million, respectively, as we continue to grow our loan portfolio. These increases were partially offset by an 18 basis point decrease in the weighted average yield on net loans to 4.38% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 4.56% for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in the weighted average yield on net loans reflects lower rates on new and refinanced loans due to the current interest rate environment. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income, increased to $16.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Interest income on all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, increased by $17.0 million, or 42.0%, to $57.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $40.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The average balance of all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, increased by $958.6 million to $2.81 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $1.85 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013. A portion of second step capital offering proceeds was initially used to purchase investment securities. This was partially offset by the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets, excluding loans, decreasing by 14 basis points to 2.05% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2.19% for the year ended December 31, 2013. Interest Expense. Total interest expense increased by $9.2 million, or 8.4%, to $118.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $109.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase is attributed to the average balance of total interest-bearing liabilities increasing by $1.75 billion, or 15.6%, to $13.00 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $11.24 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was partially offset by the weighted average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities decreasing 7 basis points to 0.91% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 0.98% for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is partially attributable to lower deposit costs. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $9.2 million, or 18.5%, to $59.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $50.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase is attributed to the average balance of total interest-bearing deposits increasing $2.19 billion, or 27.2% to $10.26 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $8.06 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013. This increase was partially offset by a 4 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.58% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 0.62% for the year ended December 31, 2013 as deposit rates declined due to the lower interest rate environment. Interest expense on borrowed funds was $59.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Although the average balance of borrowed funds decreased by $438.9 million or 13.8%, to 66 $2.74 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $3.18 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013, the average cost of borrowed funds increased 30 basis points to 2.18% for the year ended December 31, 2014 from 1.88% for the year ended December 31, 2013, as maturing lower rate short-term borrowings were paid off. Provision for Loan Losses. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our provision for loan losses was $37.5 million compared to $50.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, net charge-offs were $11.1 million compared to $18.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Our provision for the year ended December 31, 2014 is a result of continued growth in the loan portfolio, specifically the multi-family, commercial real estate and commercial and industrial portfolios; the inherent credit risk in our overall portfolio, particularly the credit risk associated with commercial real estate lending and commercial and industrial lending; and the level of non-performing loans and delinquent loans. While the economic and real estate conditions in our lending area have improved slightly, management is cautiously optimistic and continues to be prudent in assessing the Company’s credit risk. Non-Interest Income. Total non-interest income increased by $5.3 million, or 14.5% to $41.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $36.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Income on bank owned life insurance, gain on securities transactions and fees and service charges increased $1.8 million, $774,000 and $595,000, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, other income increased $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Included in other income for the year ended December 31, 2014 is a bargain purchase gain of $1.5 million, net of tax, relating to the acquisition of Gateway Community Financial Corp, the federally-chartered holding company for GCF Bank (“Gateway”), which was completed in January 2014. These increases were partially offset by a $3.5 million decrease in gain on the sale of loans to $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 due to lower volume of sales in the secondary market. K - 0 1 M R O F Non-Interest Expenses. Total non-interest expenses increased by $94.1 million, or 38.3%, to $339.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $245.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Compensation and fringe benefits increased $43.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which includes $13.0 million related to the accelerated vesting of all stock option and restricted stock awards upon the completion of the second step capital offering in May 2014. In addition, compensation expense included approximately $1.0 million related to retention and severance payments to former Roma Financial Corporation employees and $807,000 related to retention and severance payments to former Gateway employees. The remaining increase in compensation and fringe benefits relate to staff additions to support our continued growth, including the acquisitions of Roma Financial Corporation and Gateway, as well as normal merit increases. Other operating expenses increased by $7.5 million to $27.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 from $19.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Contribution to charitable foundation represents the Company’s contribution of $20.0 million to the Investors Charitable Foundation in conjunction with the second step capital offering, comprised of 1,000,000 shares of common stock and $10.0 million in cash. Occupancy expense, data processing fees, professional fees and advertising expenses have increased by $10.4 million, $5.5 million, $3.5 million and $3.6 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014. These increases are primarily the result of our recent acquisitions and organic growth. Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $74.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, representing a 36.20% effective tax rate compared to income tax expense of $63.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 representing a 36.27% effective tax rate. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there was a change in New York state tax law. The Company analyzed the impact of this change relative to its deferred tax positions. Based on that analysis, the Company revalued the deferred tax asset, resulting in a tax benefit of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively. This change will likely result in the Company paying higher New York state taxes in future periods. 67 Comparison of Operating Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 Net Income. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $112.0 million compared to net income of $88.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased by $62.7 million, or 16.8%, to $435.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $372.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the average balance of interest earning assets increasing $1.94 billion to $12.91 billion at December 31, 2013 compared to $10.97 billion at December 31, 2012, as well as a 29 basis point decrease in our cost of interest-bearing liabilities to 0.98% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 1.27% for the year ended December 31, 2012. These were partially offset by the average balance of our interest bearing liabilities increasing $1.52 billion to $11.24 billion at December 31, 2013 compared to $9.72 billion at December 31, 2012, as well as the yield on our interest-earning assets decreasing 31 basis points to 4.22% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 4.53% for the year ended December 31, 2012. The net interest spread decreased one basis point to 3.25% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 3.26% for the year ended December 31, 2012. Interest and Dividend Income. Total interest and dividend income increased by $48.9 million, or 9.9%, to $545.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $496.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase is attributed to the average balance of interest-earning assets increasing $1.94 billion, or 17.7%, to $12.91 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $10.97 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. This was partially offset by the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets decreasing 31 basis points to 4.22% for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 4.53% for the year ended December 31, 2012 reflecting the lower interest rate environment. F O R M 1 0 - K Interest income on loans increased by $49.4 million, or 10.9%, to $504.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $455.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, reflecting a $1.79 billion, or 19.4%, increase in the average balance of net loans to $11.07 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $9.27 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. The average balance of residential loans increased $63.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The additional increases are primarily attributed to the average balance of multi-family loans, commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans increasing $1.20 billion, $538.2 million and $56.9 million, respectively, as we continue to focus on diversifying our loan portfolio by adding more multi-family loans and commercial real estate loans. This increase was partially offset by a 35 basis point decrease in the average yield on net loans to 4.56% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 4.91% for the year ended December 31, 2012. Prepayment penalties, which are included in interest income increased to $15.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $8.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, however the decrease in average yield on net loans reflects lower rates on new and refinanced loans due to the current interest rate environment. Interest income on all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, decreased by $522,000, or 1.3%, to $40.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $41.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease reflected the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets, excluding loans, decreasing by 23 basis points to 2.19% for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2.42% for the year ended December 31, 2012 reflecting the current interest rate environment. This was partially offset by a $150.7 million increase in the average balance of all other interest-earning assets, excluding loans, to $1.85 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $1.70 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased by $13.8 million, or 11.2%, to $109.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $123.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease is attributed to the weighted average cost of total interest-bearing liabilities decreasing 29 basis points to 0.98% for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 1.27% for the year ended December 31, 2012. This was partially offset by the average balance of total interest-bearing liabilities increasing by $1.52 billion, or 15.6%, to $11.24 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $9.72 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. 68 Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits decreased $13.6 million, or 21.4% to $50.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $63.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease is attributed to a 23 basis point decrease in the average cost of interest-bearing deposits to 0.62% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 0.85% for the year ended December 31, 2012 as deposit rates reflect the lower interest rate environment. This was partially offset by the average balance of total interest-bearing deposits increasing $562.0 million, or 7.5%, to $8.06 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $7.50 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. The average balances of core deposit accounts (savings, checking and money market) increased $867.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 over the prior year period. Interest expense on borrowed funds remained flat at $59.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.Although the expense was consistent for both periods, the average cost of borrowed funds decreased by 81 basis points to 1.88% for the year ended December 31, 2013 from 2.69% for the year ended December 31, 2012 as maturing and new borrowings repriced to current interest rates, while the average balance of borrowed funds increased by $956.3 million or 43.0%, to $3.18 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $2.22 billion for the year ended December 31, 2012. Provision for Loan Losses. For the year ended December 31, 2013, our provision for loan losses was $50.5 million compared to $65.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, net charge-offs were $18.7 million compared to $40.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our provision for the year ended December 31, 2013 is a result of continued growth in the loan portfolio, specifically the multi-family and commercial real estate portfolios; the inherent credit risk in our overall portfolio, particularly the credit risk associated with commercial real estate lending and commercial and industrial lending; the level of non-performing loans and delinquent loans caused by the adverse economic and real estate conditions in our lending area. K - 0 1 M R O F Non-Interest Income. Total non-interest income decreased by $7.5 million, or 17.1% to $36.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $44.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease is primarily attributed to the gain on the sale of loans decreasing $12.1 million to $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $20.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 due to lower volume of sales in the secondary market at slightly lower margins as well as a decrease of $498,000 on gains on security transactions during the year ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2013 the Company had net impairment losses on investment securities of $977,000. These decreases were offset by increases to fees and service charges of $2.2 million, which included a $1.6 million reversal of a previously established valuation reserve on mortgage servicing rights, and net gains on sale of other real estate owned of $1.6 million. Other income increased by $1.1 million as a result of income on increased sales of non-deposit investment products. Non-Interest Expenses. Total non-interest expenses increased by $38.7 million, or 18.7%, to $245.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 from $207.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Included in non-interest expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are non-recurring acquisition related expenses of $5.6 million and $13.3 million, respectively. Excluding acquisition related expenses, compensation and fringe benefits increased $23.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of the staff additions to support our continued growth, a $1.8 million one-time charge related to medical insurance, as well as normal merit increases The Company has continued to increase its branch network and enter new markets through acquisitions as well as organic growth. Exclusive of the non-recurring acquisition expenses, this has resulted in an increase to occupancy expense, data processing, professional fees and advertising expenses of $5.7 million, $4.9 million, $3.3 million and $1.7 million, the year ended December 31, 2013. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, occupancy expense includes a one-time charge of approximately $1.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the early termination of certain leased facilities. Our FDIC insurance premium also increased by $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. This increase is a result of the FDIC final rules for determining deposit insurance assessment, effective March 1, 2013. Excluding non-recurring acquisition expenses, other operating expense increased by $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 related to higher recruiting, training and insurance expenses, and amortization of deposit premium increased $580,000. respectively, for 69 Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense was $63.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, representing a 36.27% effective tax rate compared to income tax expense of $56.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 representing a 38.72% effective tax rate. Management of Market Risk Qualitative Analysis. We believe one significant form of market risk is interest rate risk. Interest rate risk results from timing differences in the maturity or re-pricing of our assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts (i.e., loan commitments); the effect of loan prepayments, deposits and withdrawals; the difference in the behavior of lending and funding rates arising from the uses of different indices; and “yield curve risk” arising from changing interest rate relationships across the spectrum of maturities for constant or variable credit risk investments. Besides directly affecting our net interest income, changes in market interest rates can also affect the amount of new loan originations, the ability of borrowers to repay variable rate loans, the volume of loan prepayments and refinancings, the carrying value of securities classified as available for sale and the mix and flow of deposits. F O R M 1 0 - K The general objective of our interest rate risk management is to determine the appropriate level of risk given our business model and then manage that risk in a manner consistent with our policy to reduce, to the extent possible, the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. Our Asset Liability Committee, which consists of senior management and executives, evaluates the interest rate risk inherent in certain assets and liabilities, our operating environment and capital and liquidity requirements and modifies our lending, investing and deposit gathering strategies accordingly. On a quarterly basis, our Board of Directors reviews the Asset Liability Committee report, the aforementioned activities and strategies, the estimated effect of those strategies on our net interest margin and the estimated effect that changes in market interest rates may have on the economic value of our loan and securities portfolios, as well as the intrinsic value of our deposits and borrowings. increase as prevailing market rates increase. However, the current We actively evaluate interest rate risk in connection with our lending, investing and deposit activities. Historically, our lending activities have emphasized one- to four-family fixed- and variable-rate first mortgages. At December 31, 2014, approximately 37% of our residential portfolio was in variable rate products, while 63% was in fixed rate products. Our variable-rate mortgage related assets have helped to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and is expected to benefit our long-term profitability, as the rates earned on these mortgage loans will low interest rate environment, and the preferences of our customers, has resulted in more of a demand for fixed-rate products. This may adversely impact our net interest income, particularly in a rising rate environment. To help manage our interest rate risk, we have increased our focus on the origination of commercial real estate loans, particularly multi-family loans and commercial and industrial loans, as these loan types help reduce our interest rate risk due to their shorter term compared to residential mortgage loans. In addition, we primarily invest in shorter-to- medium duration securities, which generally have shorter average lives and lower yields compared to longer term securities. Shortening the average lives of our securities, along with originating more adjustable-rate mortgages and commercial real estate mortgages, will help to reduce interest rate risk. We retain an independent, nationally recognized consulting firm that specializes in asset and liability management to complete our quarterly interest rate risk reports. We also retain a second nationally recognized consulting firm to prepare independently comparable interest rate risk reports for the purpose of validation. Both firms use a combination of analysis to monitor our exposure to changes in interest rates. The economic value of equity analysis is a model that estimates the change in net portfolio value (“NPV”) over a range of immediately changed interest rate scenarios. NPV is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts. In calculating changes in NPV, assumptions estimating loan prepayment rates, reinvestment rates and deposit decay rates that seem most likely based on historical experience during prior interest rate changes are used. 70 The net interest income analysis uses data derived from an asset and liability analysis, described below, and applies several additional elements, including actual interest rate indices and margins, contractual limitations and the U.S. Treasury yield curve as of the balance sheet date. In addition we apply consistent parallel yield curve shifts (in both directions) to determine possible changes in net interest income if the theoretical yield curve shifts occurred gradually over a one year provided. Net interest income analysis also adjusts the asset and liability repricing analysis based on changes in prepayment rates resulting from the parallel yield curve shifts. Our asset and liability analysis determines the relative balance between the repricing of assets and liabilities over multiple periods of time (ranging from overnight to five years). This asset and liability analysis includes expected cash flows from loans and mortgage-backed securities, applying prepayment rates based on the differential between the current interest rate and the market interest rate for each loan and security type. This analysis identifies mismatches in the timing of asset and liability cash flows but does not necessarily provide an accurate indicator of interest rate risk because the assumptions used in the analysis may not reflect the actual response to market changes. Quantitative Analysis. The table below sets forth, as of December 31, 2014, the estimated changes in our NPV and our net interest income that would result from the designated changes in interest rates. Such changes to interest rates are calculated as an immediate and permanent change for the purposes of computing NPV and a gradual change over a one year period for the purposes of computing net interest income. Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on numerous assumptions including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit decay, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. The following table reflects management’s expectations of the changes in NPV or net interest income for an interest rate decrease of 100 basis points or increase of 200 basis points. K - 0 1 M R O F Change in Interest Rates (basis points) + 200bp 0bp -100bp Net Portfolio Value(1)(2) Net Interest Income(3) Estimated NPV Estimated Increase (Decrease) Amount Percent Estimated Net Interest Income Estimated Increase (Decrease) Amount Percent (Dollars in thousands) $3,343,732 $3,618,746 $3,408,180 (275,014) — (210,566) (7.6)% $526,275 $553,637 (5.8)% $552,177 — (27,362) — (1,460) (4.9)% — (0.3)% (1) Assumes an instantaneous and parallel shift in interest rates at all maturities. (2) NPV is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts. (3) Assumes a gradual change in interest rates over a one year period at all maturities. The table set forth above indicates at December 31, 2014, in the event of a 200 basis points increase in interest rates, we would be expected to experience a 7.6% decrease in NPV and a $27.4 million, or 4.9%, decrease in net interest income. In the event of a 100 basis points decrease in interest rates, we would be expected to experience a 5.8% decrease in NPV and a $1.5 million, or 0.3%, decrease in net interest income. These data do not reflect any future actions we may take in response to changes in interest rates, such as changing the mix of our assets and liabilities, which could change the results of the NPV and net interest income calculations. As mentioned above, we retain two nationally recognized firms to compute our quarterly interest rate risk reports. Certain shortcomings are inherent in any methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in NPV and net interest income require certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. The NPV and net interest income table presented above assumes the composition of our interest-rate sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and, accordingly, the data does not reflect any actions we may take in response to changes in interest rates. The table also assumes a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or the 71 F O R M 1 0 - K repricing characteristics of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the NPV and net interest income table provide an indication of our sensitivity to interest rate changes at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to and does not provide a precise forecast of the effects of changes in market interest rates on our NPV and net interest income. Liquidity and Capital Resources Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future financial obligations of a short-term nature. Our primary sources of liquidity consist of deposit inflows, loan and security repayments and maturities and borrowings from the FHLB and others. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. From time to time we may evaluate the sale of securities as a possible liquidity source. Our Asset Liability Committee is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs of our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We regularly adjust our investments in liquid assets based upon our assessment of (1) expected loan demand, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities, and (4) the objectives of our asset/liability management program. Excess liquid assets are invested generally in interest- earning deposits and short- and intermediate-term securities. Our primary source of funds is cash provided by principal and interest payments on loans and securities. Principal repayments on loans for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $2.14 billion, $2.75 billion and $2.42 billion, respectively. Principal repayments on securities for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $354.6 million, $385.5 million and $462.8 million, respectively. There were sales of securities during years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 of $73.3 million, $426.1 million and $231.7 million, respectively. In connection with the second step capital conversion, the Company raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion and used approximately half of the proceeds to pay down maturing, short term borrowings. In addition to cash provided by principal and interest payments on loans and securities, our other sources of funds include cash provided by operating activities, deposits and borrowings. Net cash provided by operating activities for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 totaled $277.4 million, $176.1 million and $224.8 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, excluding the deposits from the Gateway Financial acquisition, total deposits increased by $1.20 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2013, excluding the deposits from the Roma acquisition, total deposits increased by $608.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2012, excluding deposits from the Marathon and Brooklyn acquisitions, total deposits increased by $243.5 million. Deposit flows are affected by the overall level of market interest rates, the interest rates and products offered by us and our local competitors, and other factors. Excluding borrowed funds assumed in the Gateway Financial acquisition, net borrowed funds decreased by $606.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company used approximately half of the proceeds from its second step capital offering to pay down maturing, short-term borrowings. Excluding borrowed funds assumed in the Roma acquisition, net borrowed funds increased by $569.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Excluding borrowed funds assumed in the Brooklyn Federal and Marathon National acquisitions, net borrowed funds increased by $436.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increases in borrowings was largely due to new loan originations outpacing the deposit growth. Our primary use of funds are for the origination and purchase of loans and the purchase of securities. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we originated loans of $3.76 billion, $3.50 billion and $2.68 billion, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, excluding loans acquired in the acquisition of Gateway Financial, we purchased loans of $233.9 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, excluding loans acquired in the acquisition of Roma, we purchased loans of $1.05 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2012, excluding loans acquired in the acquisitions of Brooklyn Federal and Marathon National, we 72 purchased loans of $638.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, excluding the securities acquired in the Gateway Financial acquisition, we purchased securities of $1.52 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2013, excluding the securities acquired in the Roma acquisition, we purchased securities of $508.4 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012, excluding the securities acquired in the acquisition of Brooklyn Federal and Marathon National, we purchased securities of $777.1 million. In addition, we utilized $13.5 million, $1.5 million and $902,000 during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to repurchase shares of our common stock under our stock repurchase plans. At December 31, 2014, we had $709.1 million in loan commitments outstanding. In addition to commitments to originate loans, we had $680.6 million in unused home equity, overdraft lines of credit, and undisbursed business and construction loans. Certificates of deposit due within one year of December 31, 2014 totaled $1.45 billion, or 11.92% of total deposits. If these deposits do not remain with us, we will be required to seek other sources of funds, including but not limited to other certificates of deposit and FHLB advances. Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on such deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on the certificates of deposit due on or before December 31, 2014. We have the ability to attract and retain deposits by adjusting the interest rates offered. Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of business management. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents. The levels of these assets depend upon our operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given period. At December 31, 2014, cash and cash equivalents totaled $231.0 million. Securities classified as available-for-sale, which provide additional sources of liquidity, totaled $1.20 billion at December 31, 2014. If we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, borrowing agreements exist with the FHLB and other financial institutions, which provide an additional source of funds. At December 31, 2014, the Company participated in the FHLB’s Overnight Advance program. This program allows members to borrow overnight up to their maximum borrowing capacity at the FHLB. At December 31, 2014, our borrowing capacity at the FHLB was $7.37 billion, of which the Company had outstanding borrowings of $2.62 billion and outstanding letters of credit of $2.03 billion. The overnight advances are priced at the federal funds rate plus a spread (generally between 20 and 30 basis points) and re-price daily. In addition, the Bank had an effective commitment for unsecured discretionary overnight borrowings with other institutions totaling $100.0 million, of which no balance was outstanding at December 31, 2014. Investors Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk- weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2014, Investors Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. Investors Bank is considered “well capitalized” under regulatory guidelines. See Item 1 Business “Supervision and Regulation — Federal Banking Regulation — Capital Requirements.” Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. As a financial services provider, we routinely are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risks, such as commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit. While these contractual obligations represent our future cash requirements, a significant portion of our commitments to extend credit may expire without being drawn upon. Such commitments are subject to the same credit policies and approval processes that we use for loans that we originate. Contractual Obligations. In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into certain contractual obligations. Such obligations include operating leases for premises and equipment. K - 0 1 M R O F 73 The following table summarizes our significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations and other funding needs by payment date at December 31, 2014. The payment amounts represent those amounts due to the recipient and do not include any unamortized premiums or discounts or other similar carrying amount adjustments. Contractual Obligations Other borrowed funds Repurchase agreements Operating leases Total Payments Due by Period Less than One Year One to Three Years Three to Five Years More than Five Years Total $566,000 10,250 17,354 $550,000 25,071 32,010 (In thousands) $1,075,994 132,597 28,950 $406,192 — 94,272 $2,598,186 167,918 172,586 $593,604 $607,081 $1,237,541 $500,464 $2,938,690 Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices The consolidated financial statements and related notes of Investors Bancorp, Inc. have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on performance than the effects of inflation. F O R M 1 0 - K Recent Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Income Taxes, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The amendments of this update state that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. This ASU applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In January 2014, the FASB, issued ASU, 2014-01, “Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Subtopic 323) Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects,” which applies to all reporting entities that invest in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. Currently under GAAP, a reporting entity that invests in a qualified affordable housing project may elect to account for that investment using the effective yield method if all of the conditions are met. For those investments that are not accounted for using the effective yield method, GAAP requires that they be accounted for under either the equity method or the cost method. Certain of the conditions required to be met to use the effective yield method were restrictive and thus prevented many such investments from qualifying for the use of the effective yield method. The amendments in this update modify the conditions that a reporting entity must meet to be eligible to use a method other than the equity or cost methods to account for qualified affordable housing project the amendments permit an entity to use the proportional amortization method to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the amount of tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). Additionally, the amendments introduce new recurring disclosures about all investments in qualified affordable housing investments. If the modified conditions are met, 74 projects irrespective of the method used to account for the investments. The amendments in ASU 2014-01 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables — Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40) Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure,” which applies to all creditors who obtain physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan in satisfaction of a receivable. The amendments in this update clarify when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs and requires disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by a creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. The amendments in ASU 2014-04 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted and entities can elect to adopt a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The objective of this amendment is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are in the scope of other standards. For public entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not anticipate a material impact to the consolidated financial statements related to this guidance. K - 0 1 M R O F In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transaction, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures.” The amendments affect all entities that enter into repurchase-to-maturity transactions or repurchase financings. The amendments change the current accounting outcome by requiring repurchase-to-maturity transactions to be accounted for as secured borrowings. Additionally, the amendments require that in a repurchase financing arrangement the repurchase agreement be accounted for separately from the initial transfer of the financial asset. ASU 2014-11 requires a new disclosure for certain transactions that involve (1) a transfer of a financial asset accounted for as a sale and (2) an agreement with the same transferee entered into in contemplation of the initial transfer that results in the transferor retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial asset throughout the term of the transaction. The accounting changes in this update are effective for public business entities for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. Earlier application for a public business entity is prohibited. The Company does not anticipate a material impact to the consolidated financial statements related to this guidance. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14, “Receivables — Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors: Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.” The amendments in this update affect creditors that hold government guaranteed mortgage loans, including those guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The amendments in this update require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met (i) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, (ii) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim, and (iii) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company does not 75 F O R M 1 0 - K anticipate a significant impact to the consolidated financial statements related to this guidance. The Company will comply with the provisions of this guidance upon its effective date and, if applicable, record a separate other receivable for foreclosed government guaranteed mortgage loans. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK For information regarding market risk see Item 7- “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The Financial Statements are included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Not Applicable. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. With the participation of management, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2014. Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of that date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective (b) Changes in internal controls. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. (c) Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. The management of Investors Bancorp, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Investors Bancorp’s internal control system is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurances that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of Investors Bancorp; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Investors Bancorp’s assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 76 Investors Bancorp’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the the Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of Framework (1992). Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2014, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. This report appears on page 72. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Certifications have been filed with the SEC as exhibit 31.1 and exhibit 31.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION Not Applicable. Part III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Information regarding directors, executive officers and corporate governance of the Company is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 9, 2015. K - 0 1 M R O F ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 9, 2015. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 9, 2015. Information regarding equity compensation plans is incorporated here in by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 9, 2015. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence is incorporated herein by reference in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 9, 2015. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated herein by reference in Investors Bancorp’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 9, 2015. ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules (a) (1) Financial Statements Part IV 77 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Stockholders Investors Bancorp, Inc. Short Hills, New Jersey: We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 2, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. F O R M 1 0 - K /s/ KPMG LLP Short Hills, New Jersey March 2, 2015 78 K - 0 1 M R O F Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Stockholders Investors Bancorp, Inc. Short Hills, New Jersey: We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect Because of its inherent misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. limitations, In our opinion, Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period December 31, 2014 and our report dated March 2, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. /s/ KPMG LLP Short Hills, New Jersey March 2, 2015 79 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Balance Sheets ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value Securities held-to-maturity, net (estimated fair value of $1,609,365 and $839,064 at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively) Loans receivable, net Loans held-for-sale Stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank Accrued interest receivable Other real estate owned Office properties and equipment, net Net deferred tax asset Bank owned life insurance Goodwill and Intangible assets Other assets Total assets F O R M 1 0 - K LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities: Deposits Borrowed funds Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance Other liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 (In thousands) $ 230,961 1,197,924 250,689 785,032 1,564,479 14,887,570 6,868 151,287 55,267 7,839 160,899 231,898 161,609 106,705 10,333 831,819 12,882,544 8,273 178,126 47,448 8,516 138,105 216,206 152,788 109,129 14,395 $18,773,639 15,623,070 $12,172,326 2,766,104 69,893 187,461 10,718,811 3,367,274 67,154 135,504 15,195,784 14,288,743 Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 authorized shares; none issued Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 359,070,852 — — and 367,041,688 issued; 358,012,895 and 353,046,056 outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Treasury stock, at cost; 1,057,957 and 13,995,631 shares at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively Unallocated common stock held by the employee stock ownership plan Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total stockholders’ equity Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 3,591 2,863,108 836,639 (11,131) (91,948) (22,404) 1,519 720,766 734,563 (67,046) (29,779) (25,696) 3,577,855 1,334,327 $18,773,639 15,623,070 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 80 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Income Interest and dividend income: Loans receivable and loans held-for-sale Securities: Equity Government-sponsored enterprise obligations Mortgage-backed securities Municipal bonds and other debt Interest-bearing deposits Federal Home Loan Bank stock Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) $ 603,438 504,622 455,221 115 46 44,183 5,667 552 6,861 61 9 28,057 5,873 49 6,397 17 15 30,167 5,174 40 5,555 Total interest and dividend income 660,862 545,068 496,189 Interest expense: Deposits Borrowed Funds Total interest expense Net interest income Provision for loan losses Net interest income after provision for loan losses Non-interest income Fees and service charges Income on bank owned life insurance Gain on loan transactions, net Gain on securities transactions Impairment losses on investment securities: Impairment losses on investment securities Non-credit related gains recognized in comprehensive income Net impairment losses on investment securities recognized in earnings Gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned, net Other income Total non-interest income Non-interest expense Compensation and fringe benefits Advertising and promotional expense Office occupancy and equipment expense Federal deposit insurance premiums Stationery, printing, supplies and telephone Professional fees Data processing service fees Contribution to charitable foundation Other operating expenses Total non-interest expenses Income before income tax expense Income tax expense Net income Basic and Diluted earnings per share Weighted average shares outstanding Basic Diluted K - 0 1 M R O F 59,206 59,685 118,891 541,971 37,500 504,471 19,399 4,652 5,257 1,546 — — — 809 10,198 41,861 172,068 12,238 49,668 14,390 4,238 14,672 25,333 20,000 27,253 339,860 206,472 74,751 131,721 0.38 $ $ 49,969 59,673 109,642 435,426 50,500 384,926 18,804 2,898 8,748 772 (939) (38) (977) 1,451 4,875 63,582 59,862 123,444 372,745 65,000 307,745 16,564 2,778 20,866 274 — — — (180) 3,810 36,571 44,112 128,765 8,602 39,226 14,950 3,395 11,154 19,844 — 19,775 245,711 175,786 63,755 112,031 0.40 109,197 6,854 33,558 10,770 2,852 9,487 17,405 — 16,884 207,007 144,850 56,083 88,767 0.32 344,389,259 347,731,571 279,632,558 283,035,844 273,797,796 275,633,380 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 81 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net income Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Change in funded status of retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale Net loss on securities reclassified from available for sale to held to maturity Accretion of loss on securities reclassified to held to maturity Unrealized gain on security reclassified from held-to-maturity to available for sale Reclassification adjustment for security (gains) losses included in net income Noncredit related component of other-than-temporary impairment on security Other-than-temporary impairment accretion on debt securities Total other comprehensive income (loss) Total comprehensive income F O R M 1 0 - K For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 $131,721 (In thousands) 112,031 88,767 (5,042) 5,952 — 1,726 10 (12,827) (7,242) 988 (2,560) 5,080 — — — 138 — (138) (405) — 794 22 1,227 105 — 874 3,292 (18,089) 3,499 $135,013 93,942 92,266 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 82 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity Year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 Common stock Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Treasury stock Unallocated Common Stock Held by ESOP Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total stockholders’ equity (In thousands) Balance at December 31, 2011 Net income Other comprehensive income, net of tax Common stock issues to finance acquisition Purchase of treasury stock (154,662 shares) Treasury stock allocated to restricted stock plan Compensation cost for stock options and $1,356 — — — — — restricted stock Net tax benefit from stock-based compensation Option Exercise Cash dividend paid ($0.02 per common share) ESOP shares allocated or committed to be released — — — — — 535,584 561,596 (87,375) — — — 88,767 — — — (7,137) — (142) 7,703 (902) — 6,840 297 (32,615) — — — — — (11,106) — 3,499 — — — — 3,651 93 — (1) — — — 42 — (5,595) — — — — — 844 — — 1,418 — — — — — 967,440 88,767 3,499 7,561 (902) — 3,651 93 41 (5,595) 2,262 Balance at December 31, 2012 1,356 533,034 644,923 (73,692) (31,197) (7,607) 1,066,817 Net income Other comprehensive income, net of tax Common stock issued from treasury to finance acquisition Purchase of treasury stock (212,221 shares) Treasury stock allocated to restricted stock plan Compensation cost for stock options and restricted stock Net tax benefit from stock-based compensation Option Exercise Cash dividend paid ($0.08 per common share) ESOP shares allocated or committed to be released — — 163 — — — — — — — — 112,031 — — — — 179,008 (55) 3,478 1,262 2,502 — — — (1,531) 42 13 — — — 8,135 — — — (22,404) — — — — — — — — — — 1,537 — — 1,418 — (18,089) 112,031 (18,089) — — — — — — — — 179,171 (1,531) — 3,478 1,262 10,637 (22,404) 2,955 Balance at December 31, 2013 1,519 720,766 734,563 (67,046) (29,779) (25,696) 1,334,327 K - 0 1 M R O F Net income Other comprehensive loss, net of tax Corporate Reorganization Conversion of Investors Bancorp, MHC (213,963,274 shares) Purchase by ESOP (6,617,421 shares) Treasury stock retired (14,293,439 shares) Contribution of MHC Equity from Gateway acquisition Purchase of treasury stock (1,295,193 shares) Treasury stock allocated to restricted stock plan Compensation cost for stock options and restricted stock Net tax benefit from stock-based compensation Option exercise Cash dividend paid ($0.12 per common share) ESOP shares allocated or committed to be released — — — 131,721 — — — — — — — 3,292 131,721 3,292 — — (66,174) — — — 2,140 2,091,579 66,108 (64,126) — 64,269 — — — 12,652 22,000 — (390) — — (13,523) 132 258 66 (143) — — — — 13,701 3,710 8,764 — — — 5,037 — — — (42,555) — 9 — — — — 996 — — 4,005 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 2,093,719 — — 12,652 22,000 (13,523) — 13,701 3,710 13,810 (42,555) 5,001 Balance at December 31, 2014 $3,591 2,863,108 836,639 (11,131) (91,948) (22,404) 3,577,855 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 83 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Cash flows from operating activities: Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Contribution of stock to charitable foundation ESOP and stock-based compensation expense Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on securities, net Amortization of premiums and accretion of fees and costs on loans, net Amortization of intangible assets Provision for loan losses Depreciation and amortization of office properties and equipment Gain on securities, net Other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities Mortgage loans originated for sale Proceeds from mortgage loan sales Gain on sales of mortgage loans, net (Gain) loss on sale of other real estate owned Gain on bargain purchase Income on bank owned life insurance (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable Deferred tax benefit Decrease (increase) in other assets Increase (decrease) in other liabilities Total adjustments Net cash provided by operating activities F O R M 1 0 - K Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of loans receivable Net originations of loans receivable Proceeds from sale of loans held for investment Gain on disposition of loans held for investment Net proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate Purchases of mortgage-backed securities held to maturity Purchases of debt securities held-to-maturity Purchases of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale Purchases of other investments available-for-sale Proceeds from paydowns/maturities on mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity Proceeds from paydowns on equity securities available for sale Proceeds from paydowns/maturities on debt securities held-to-maturity Proceeds from paydowns/maturities on mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities held-to-maturity Proceeds from sales of mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale Proceeds from maturity of US Government and Agency Obligations available-for-sale Proceeds from sale of equity securities available for sale Redemption of equity securities available-for-sale Proceeds from redemptions of Federal Home Loan Bank stock Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock Purchases of office properties and equipment Death benefit proceeds from bank owned life insurance Cash received from MHC for merger Cash received, net of cash consideration paid for acquisitions Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net increase in deposits Net proceeds from sale of common stock Loan to ESOP for purchase of common stock (Repayments) proceeds of funds borrowed under other repurchase agreements Net (decrease) increase in other borrowings Net increase in advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance Dividends paid Exercise of stock options Purchase of treasury stock Net tax benefit from stock-based compensation Net cash provided by financing activities Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Supplemental cash flow information: Non-cash investing activities: Real estate acquired through foreclosure Cash paid during the year for: Interest Income taxes Acquisitions: Non-cash assets acquired: Investment securities available for sale Loans Goodwill and other intangible assets, net Other assets Total non-cash assets acquired Liabilities assumed: Deposits Borrowings Other liabilities Total liabilities assumed Common stock issued for acquisitions Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (In thousands) $ 131,721 112,031 88,767 10,000 18,702 10,173 (1,794) 3,806 37,500 13,151 (1,546) — (150,099) 186,747 (2,832) (809) (1,482) (4,652) (7,100) (9,786) 4,425 41,263 145,667 277,388 (233,856) (1,650,629) 2,425 (2,425) 7,614 (909,421) (20,835) (587,952) — 167,886 430 12,596 173,661 19,177 37,682 3,000 13,411 164 143,707 (116,403) (31,655) 5,455 11,307 17,917 (2,936,744) 1,198,843 2,149,893 (66,174) (98,205) (508,150) 1,979 (42,555) 13,810 (13,523) 3,710 2,639,628 (19,728) 250,689 230,961 — 6,433 9,735 10,517 2,115 50,500 8,540 (772) 977 (379,806) 405,973 (6,207) (1,451) — (2,898) 1,496 (20,818) (6,741) (13,530) 64,063 176,094 (1,054,395) (778,049) 184,668 (2,541) 10,833 (202,821) (9,729) (295,897) — 80,438 148 20,159 284,726 — 401,573 — 24,540 108 143,081 (161,866) (24,544) — — 118,246 (1,261,322) 608,801 — — 143,205 426,347 14,447 (22,404) 10,637 (1,531) 1,262 1,180,764 95,536 155,153 250,689 — 5,913 12,938 8,898 1,535 65,000 7,177 (274) — (811,247) 820,636 (18,775) 180 — (2,778) (2,499) (10,739) 18,059 41,988 136,012 224,779 (638,789) (297,221) 77,222 (2,091) 6,266 — (15,421) (760,692) (1,000) 99,892 — 14,039 348,847 14,871 213,562 3,219 44 85 129,152 (158,353) (25,407) 9,613 — 140,754 (841,408) 243,462 — — (195,000) 631,805 7,739 (5,595) 41 (902) 93 681,643 65,014 90,139 155,153 6,404 4,512 10,410 118,140 85,796 109,527 83,918 123,644 61,994 50,347 195,062 1,853 21,343 268,605 254,672 5,185 3,184 263,041 — 381,950 990,970 9,782 78,527 1,461,229 1,341,153 92,070 20,509 1,453,732 179,171 212,560 736,003 60,347 45,198 1,054,108 1,163,392 13,361 10,531 1,187,284 7,561 $ $ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 84 K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The following significant accounting and reporting policies of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, (GAAP) and are used in preparing and presenting these consolidated financial statements. (a) Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements are composed of the accounts of Investors Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, intercompany accounts and including Investors Bank (Bank). All significant transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements to conform with current year classifications. In the opinion of management, all the adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial condition and the consolidated results of operations for the periods presented have been included. The results of operations and other data presented for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for subsequent years. In January 1997, the Bank completed a Plan of Mutual Holding Company Reorganization, utilizing the multi-tier mutual holding company structure. In a series of steps, the Bank formed a Delaware-chartered stock corporation (Investors Bancorp, Inc.) which owned 100% of the common stock of the Bank and formed a New Jersey-chartered mutual holding company (Investors Bancorp, MHC) which initially owned all of the common stock of Investors Bancorp, Inc. On October 11, 2005, Investors Bancorp, Inc. completed an initial public stock offering. See Note 2. On May 7, 2014, Investors Bancorp, MHC, Investors Bancorp, Inc. and the Bank completed the Plan of Conversion and Reorganization of the Mutual Holding Company (the “Plan”) in which the Bank reorganized from a two-tier mutual holding company structure to a fully public stock holding company structure. The Company raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion by selling a total of 219,580,695 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share in the second step stock offering and issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock to the Investors Charitable Foundation. Concurrent with the completion of the stock offering, each share of Old Investors Bancorp common stock owned by public stockholders (stockholders other than Investors Bancorp, MHC) was exchanged for 2.55 shares of Company common stock. A total of 137,560,968 shares of Company common stock were issued in the exchange. The conversion was accounted for as a capital raising transaction by entities under common control. The historical financial results of Investors Bancorp, MHC are immaterial to the results of the Company and therefore upon completion of the conversion, the net assets of Investors Bancorp, MHC were merged into the Company and are reflected as an increase to stockholders’ equity. In addition, the second step conversion resulted in the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock awards as of the conversion date. The withholding of shares for payment of taxes with respect to these awards resulted in treasury stock of 1,101,694 shares. As a result of the conversion, all share information has been revised to reflect the 2.55- to- one exchange ratio. Financial information presented in this Form 10-K is derived in part from the consolidated financial statements of Old Investors Bancorp and subsidiaries. See Note 2. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The estimate of our allowance for loan losses, the valuation of mortgage servicing rights (MSR), the valuation of deferred tax assets, impairment judgments regarding goodwill, and fair value and impairment of securities are particularly critical because they involve a higher degree of complexity and subjectivity and require estimates and assumptions about highly uncertain matters. Actual results may differ from our estimates and assumptions. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates. 85 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Business Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s primary business is holding the common stock of the Bank and a loan to the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Bank provides banking services to customers primarily through branch offices in New Jersey and New York. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions and is subject to the regulations of certain federal and state regulatory authorities and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities. (b) Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, amounts due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions. The Company is required by the Federal Reserve System to maintain cash reserves equal to a percentage of certain deposits. The reserve requirement totaled $39.1 million at December 31, 2014 and $44.1 million at December 31, 2013. (c) Securities Securities include securities held-to-maturity and securities available-for-sale. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. If management has the positive intent not to sell and the Company would not be required to sell prior to maturity, they are classified as held-to-maturity securities. Such securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for unamortized purchase premiums and discounts. Securities in the available-for-sale category are debt and mortgage-backed securities which the Company may sell prior to maturity, and all marketable equity securities. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with any unrealized appreciation or depreciation, net of tax effects, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss in stockholders’ equity. Discounts and premiums on securities are accreted or amortized using the level-yield method over the estimated lives of the securities, including the effect of prepayments. Realized gains and losses are recognized when securities are sold or called using the specific identification method. The Company periodically evaluates the security portfolio for other-than-temporary impairment. Other- than-temporary impairment means the Company believes the security’s impairment is due to factors that could include its inability to pay interest or dividends, its potential for default, and/or other factors. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 320, “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities”, when a held to maturity or available for sale debt security is assessed for other-than-temporary impairment, the Company has to first consider (a) whether it intends to sell the security, and (b) whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis. If one of these circumstances applies to a security, an other-than-temporary impairment loss is recognized in the statement of income equal to the full amount of the decline in fair value below amortized cost. If neither of these circumstances applies to a security, but the Company does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment loss has occurred that must be separated into two categories: (a) the amount related to credit loss, and (b) the amount related to other factors. In assessing the level of other-than-temporary impairment attributable to credit loss, the Company compares the present value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost basis of the security. The portion of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to credit loss is recognized in earnings, while the amount related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. The total other-than-temporary impairment loss is presented in the statement of income, less the portion recognized in other comprehensive income. When a debt security becomes other-than-temporarily impaired, its amortized cost basis is reduced to reflect the portion of the total impairment related to credit loss. 86 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements the duration and severity of the impairment; To determine whether a security’s impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers factors that include, to hold security investments until they recover in value (as well as the likelihood of such a recovery in the near term); the Company’s intent to sell security investments; and whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell such securities before recovery of their individual amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss. For debt securities, the primary consideration in determining whether impairment is other-than- temporary is whether or not it is probable that current or future contractual cash flows have been or may be impaired. the Company’s ability and intent K - 0 1 M R O F (d) Loans Receivable, Net Loans receivable, other than loans held-for-sale, are stated at unpaid principal balance, adjusted by unamortized premiums and unearned discounts, net deferred origination fees and costs, net purchase accounting adjustments and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income on loans is accrued and credited to income as earned. Premiums and discounts on purchased loans and net loan origination fees and costs are deferred and amortized to interest income over the estimated life of the loan as an adjustment to yield. The allowance for loan losses is increased by the provision for loan losses charged to earnings and is decreased by charge-offs, net of recoveries. The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance which considers, among other things, the Company’s past loan loss experience (using the appropriate look-back and loss emergence periods), known and inherent risks in the portfolio, existing adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and current economic conditions. While management uses available information to recognize estimated losses on loans, future additions may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based upon their judgments and information available to them at the time of their examinations. A loan is considered delinquent when we have not received a payment within 30 days of its contractual due date. The accrual of income on loans is discontinued when interest or principal payments are 90 days in arrears or when the timely collection of such income is doubtful. Loans on which the accrual of income has been discontinued are designated as non-accrual loans and outstanding interest previously credited is reversed. Interest income on non-accrual loans and impaired loans is recognized in the period collected unless the ultimate collection of principal is considered doubtful. A loan is returned to accrual status when all amounts due have been received and the remaining principal is deemed collectible. Loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt. The Company defines an impaired loan as a loan for which it is probable, based on current information, that the lender will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company evaluates commercial loans with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other loans over $1.0 million outstanding balance if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement for impairment. Impaired loans are individually evaluated to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral or the present value of the expected future cash flows. Smaller balance homogeneous loans are evaluated for impairment collectively unless they are modified in a trouble debt restructure. Such loans include residential mortgage loans, consumer loans, and loans not meeting the Company’s definition of impaired, and are specifically excluded from impaired loans. Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans, are loans acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30 and are initially recorded at fair 87 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements value (as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows) with no valuation allowance (i.e., the allowance for loan losses). The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the initial carrying amount (fair value) of the PCI loans, or the “accretable yield,” is recognized as interest income utilizing the level-yield method over the life of the loans. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition, or the “non-accretable difference,” are not recognized as a yield adjustment, as a loss accrual or a valuation allowance. Reclassifications of the non- accretable difference to the accretable yield may occur subsequent to the loan acquisition dates due to increases in expected cash flows of the loans and result in an increase in yield on a prospective basis. F O R M 1 0 - K (e) Loans Held-for-Sale Loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, as determined on an aggregate basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized in a valuation allowance through charges to earnings. Premiums and discounts and origination fees and costs on loans held-for-sale are deferred and recognized as a component of the gain or loss on sale. Gains and losses on sales of loans held-for-sale are recognized on settlement dates and are determined by the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the loans. These transactions are accounted for as sales based on our satisfaction of the criteria for such accounting which provide that, as transferor, we have surrendered control over the loans. (f) Stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank The Bank, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLB), is required to hold shares of capital stock of the FHLB based on our activities, primarily our outstanding borrowings, with the FHLB. The stock is carried at cost, less any impairment. (g) Office Properties and Equipment, Net Land is carried at cost. Office buildings, leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Office buildings and furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using an accelerated basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or the lives of the assets, whichever is shorter. (h) Bank Owned Life Insurance Bank owned life insurance is carried at the amount that could be realized under the Company’s life insurance contracts as of the date of the consolidated balance sheets and is classified as a non-interest earning asset. Increases in the carrying value are recorded as non-interest income in the consolidated statements of income and insurance proceeds received are generally recorded as a reduction of the carrying value. The carrying value consists of cash surrender value of $155.8 million at December 31, 2014 and $144.9 million at December 31, 2013 and a claims stabilization reserve of $5.8 million at December 31, 2014 and $7.9 million at December 31, 2013. Repayment of the claims stabilization reserve (funds transferred from the cash surrender value to provide for future death benefit payments) and the deferred acquisition costs (costs incurred by the insurance carrier for the policy issuance) is guaranteed by the insurance carrier provided that certain conditions are met at the date of a contract is surrendered. The Company satisfied these conditions at December 31, 2014 and 2013. 88 K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (i) Intangible Assets Goodwill. Goodwill is presumed to have an indefinite useful life and is tested, at least annually, for impairment at the reporting unit level. Impairment exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. For purposes of our goodwill impairment testing, we have identified the Bank as a single reporting unit. At December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of our goodwill totaled $77.6 million. In connection with our annual impairment assessment we applied the guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011- 08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount before applying the two-step goodwill impairment test. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s qualitative assessment concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and, therefore, the two-step goodwill impairment test was not required. Mortgage Servicing Rights. The Company recognizes as separate assets the rights to service mortgage loans. The right to service loans for others is generally obtained through the sale of loans with servicing retained. The initial asset recognized for originated mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) is measured at fair value. The fair value of MSR is estimated by reference to current market values of similar loans sold with servicing released. MSR are amortized in proportion to and over the period of estimated net servicing income. We apply the amortization method for measurements of our MSR. MSR are assessed for impairment based on fair value at each reporting if any, is recognized in a valuation allowance through charges to earnings as a date. MSR impairment, component of fees and service charges. Increases in the fair value of impaired MSR are recognized only up to the amount of the previously recognized valuation allowance. Fees earned for servicing loans are reported as income when the related mortgage loan payments are collected. Core Deposit Premiums. Core deposit premiums represent the intangible value of depositor relationships assumed in purchase acquisitions and are amortized on an accelerated basis over 10 years. The Company periodically evaluates the value of core deposit premiums to ensure the carrying amount exceeds it implied fair value. (j) Other Real Estate Owned Real estate owned (REO) consists of properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. Such assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, less estimated selling costs, based on independent appraisals. Write-downs required at the time of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Thereafter, decreases in the properties’ estimated fair value which are charged to income along with any additional property maintenance and protection expenses incurred in owning the property. (k) Borrowed Funds Our FHLB borrowings, frequently referred to as advances, are over collateralized by our residential and non residential mortgage portfolios as well as qualified investment securities. The Bank also enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase with selected brokers and the FHLB. The securities underlying the agreements are delivered to the counterparty who agrees to resell to the Bank the identical securities at the maturity or call of the agreement. These agreements are recorded as financing transactions, as the Bank maintains effective control over the transferred securities, and no gain or loss is 89 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements recognized. The dollar amount of the securities underlying the agreements continues to be carried in the Bank’s securities portfolio. The obligations to repurchase the securities are reported as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets. (l) Income Taxes The Company records income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 740 “Income Taxes,” as amended, using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities: (i) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns; (ii) are attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases; and (iii) are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Where applicable, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance for any portions determined not likely to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period of enactment. The valuation allowance is adjusted, by a charge or credit to income tax expense, as changes in facts and circumstances warrant. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, where applicable, in income tax expense. (m) Employee Benefits The Company has a defined benefit pension plan which covers all employees who satisfy the eligibility requirements. The Company participates in a multiemployer plan. Costs of the pension plan are based on the contributions required to be made to the plan. The Company has a Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP). The SERP is a nonqualified, defined benefit plan which provides benefits to certain employees of the Company if their benefits and/or contributions under the pension plan are limited by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company also has a nonqualified, defined benefit plan which provides benefits to its directors. The SERP and the directors’ plan are unfunded and the costs of the plans are recognized over the period that services are provided. The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees. The Company matches 50% of the first 6% contributed by participants and recognizes expense as its contributions are made. The employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is accounted for in accordance with the provisions of Statement ASC 718-40, “Employers’ Accounting for Employee Stock Ownership Plans.” The funds borrowed by the ESOP from the Company to purchase the Company’s common stock are being repaid from the Bank’s contributions over a period of up to 30 years. The Company’s common stock not yet allocated to participants is recorded as a reduction of stockholders’ equity at cost. Compensation expense for the ESOP is based on the market price of the Company’s stock and is recognized as shares are committed to be released to participants. The Company recognizes the grant-date fair value of stock based awards issued to employees as compensation cost in the statement of income. Compensation cost related to stock based awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods. The fair value of stock based awards is based on the closing price market value as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market on the grant date. (n) Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per common share, or EPS, are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the year. The weighted-average common shares outstanding includes the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding less the weighted average number of unvested 90 K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements shares of restricted stock and unallocated shares held by the ESOP. For EPS calculations, ESOP shares that have been committed to be released are considered outstanding. ESOP shares that have not been committed to be released are excluded from outstanding shares on a weighted average basis for EPS calculations. Diluted EPS is computed using the same method as basic EPS, but includes the effect of all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period, such as unexercised stock options and unvested shares of restricted stock, calculated using the treasury stock method. When applying the treasury stock method, we add: (1) the assumed proceeds from option exercises; (2) the tax benefit that would have been credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of non-qualified stock options and vesting of shares of restricted stock; and (3) the average unamortized compensation costs related to unvested shares of restricted stock and stock options. We then divide this sum by our average stock price to calculate shares repurchased. The excess of the number of shares issuable over the number of shares assumed to be repurchased is added to basic weighted average common shares to calculate diluted EPS. 2. Stock Transactions Stock Offering Investors Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in December 2013 to be the successor to Investors Bancorp, Inc. (“Old Investors Bancorp”) upon completion of the mutual-to- stock conversion of Investors Bancorp, MHC, the top tier holding company of Old Investors Bancorp. Old Investors Bancorp completed its initial public stock offering on October 11, 2005 selling 131,649,089 shares, or 43.74% of its outstanding common stock, to subscribers in the offering, including 10,847,883 shares purchased by Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Upon completion of the initial public offering, Investors Bancorp, MHC, a New Jersey chartered mutual holding company held 165,353,151 shares, or 54.94% of the Company’s outstanding common stock (shares restated to include shares issued in a business combination subsequent to initial public offering). Additionally, the Company contributed $5.2 million in cash and issued 3,949,473 shares of common stock, or 1.32% of its outstanding shares, to Investors Bank Charitable Foundation resulting in a pre-tax expense charge of $20.7 million. Net proceeds from the initial offering were $509.7 million. The Company contributed $255.0 million of the net proceeds to the Bank. Stock subscription proceeds of $557.9 million were returned to subscribers. In conjunction with the second step conversion, Investors Bancorp, MHC merged into Old Investors Bancorp (and ceased to exist), and Old Investors Bancorp merged into the Company and the Company became its successor under the name Investors Bancorp, Inc. The second step conversion was completed May 7, 2014. The Company raised net proceeds of $2.15 billion by selling a total of 219,580,695 shares of common stock at $10.00 per share in the second step stock offering and issued 1,000,000 shares of common stock to the Investors Charitable Foundation. Concurrent with the completion of the stock offering, each share of Old Investors Bancorp common stock owned by public stockholders (stockholders other than Investors Bancorp, MHC) was exchanged for 2.55 shares of Company common stock. A total of 137,560,968 shares of Company common stock were issued in the exchange. The conversion was accounted for as a capital raising transaction by entities under common control. The historical financial results of Investors Bancorp, MHC are immaterial to the results of the Company and therefore upon completion of the conversion, the net assets of Investors Bancorp, MHC were merged into the Company and are reflected as an increase to stockholders’ equity. In addition, the second step conversion resulted in the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock awards as of the conversion date. The withholding of shares for payment of taxes with respect to these awards resulted in treasury stock of 1,101,694 shares. 91 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Stock Repurchase Programs On March 1, 2011, the Company announced its fourth Share Repurchase Program, which authorized the purchase of an additional 10% of its publicly-held outstanding shares of common stock, or 9,885,133 shares. Under the stock repurchase programs, shares of the Company’s common stock could be purchased in the open market and through privately negotiated transactions, from time to time, depending on market conditions. This stock repurchase program commenced upon the completion of the third program on July 25, 2011. In connection with the second step conversion completed on May 7, 2014, the existing stock repurchase plan was terminated. Under applicable federal regulations, the Company is not permitted to implement a stock repurchase program during the first year following completion of the second-step conversion without prior notice to, and the receipt of a non-objection from, the Federal Reserve Board. During the year ended December 31, 2014 , prior to the second step conversion, the Company purchased 1,295,193 shares at a cost of $13.5 million, or approximately $10.44 per share. The second step conversion on May 7, 2014 resulted in the accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock awards. The withholding of shares for payments of taxes with respect to these awards resulted in the purchase of 1,101,694 shares. The remaining shares are held for general corporate use. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company purchased 212,221 shares at a cost of $1.5 million, or approximately $7.21 per share. Of the share purchased through December 31, 2013, 8,710,037 shares were allocated to fund the restricted stock portion of the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The remaining shares are held for general corporate use. Cash Dividend On September 28, 2012, the Company declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share. It was the first dividend since completing its initial public stock offering in October 2005. Since declaring this dividend, the Company has paid a dividend to stockholders in each subsequent quarter. 3. Business Combinations On January 10, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of Gateway Community Financial Corp., the federally-chartered holding company for GCF Bank (“Gateway”), which operated 4 branches in Gloucester County, New Jersey. After the purchase accounting adjustments, the Company added $254.7 million in customer deposits and acquired $195.1 million in loans. This transaction generated $1.9 million in core deposit premium. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting as prescribed by FASB ASC 805 “Business Combinations”, as amended. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the respective assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values, net of applicable income tax effects. The acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase gain of $1.5 million, net of tax. In conjunction with the acquisition, Investors Bancorp issued 1,945,079 shares to Investors Bancorp, MHC which was determined using the closing average twenty day stock price of Investors Bancorp’s common stock. GCF Bank was merged into the Bank as of the acquisition date. 92 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition for Gateway Financial, net of cash consideration paid: Cash and cash equivalents, net Securities available-for-sale Loans receivable Accrued interest receivable Other real estate owned Office properties and equipment, net Intangible assets Other assets Total assets acquired Deposits Borrowed funds Other liabilities Total liabilities assumed Net assets acquired At January 10, 2014 (In millions) $ 17.9 50.3 195.1 0.7 0.4 4.3 1.9 15.9 286.5 (254.7) (5.2) (3.1) $(263.0) $ 23.5 K - 0 1 M R O F The calculation of goodwill is subject to change for up to one year after closing date of the transaction as additional information relative to closing date estimates and uncertainties become available. As the Company finalizes its analysis of these assets and liabilities, there may be adjustments to the recorded carrying values. On December 6, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of Roma Financial Corporation (“Roma Financial”) which operated 26 branches in Burlington, Ocean, Mercer, Camden and Middlesex counties, New Jersey. After the purchase accounting adjustments, the Company added $1.34 billion in customer deposits and acquired $991.0 million in loans. This transaction generated $8.9 million in core deposit premium. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting as prescribed by “ASC” 805 “Business Combinations”, as amended. Under this method of accounting, the purchase price has been allocated to the respective assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values, net of applicable income tax effects. The excess cost over fair value of net assets acquired has been recorded as goodwill. In connection with the acquisition, the Company issued 66,089,974 shares of its common stock, of which 16,255,845 shares went to Roma’s public stockholders and 49,834,129 shares were issued to Investors Bancorp MHC. The purchase price for Roma Financial was determined using the exchange ratio of 0.8653 stated in the merger agreement and the closing stock price on December 6, 2013 of Investors Bancorp’s common shares issued to and held by Investors Bancorp. The value assigned to the Roma MHC is based on the exchange ratio of 0.8653 and the difference of the appraised value of the Roma Financial Corporation franchise less the value given to the public stockholders. 93 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition for Roma, net of cash consideration paid: Cash and cash equivalents, net Securities available-for-sale Securities held to maturity Loans receivable Accrued interest receivable Other real estate owned Office properties and equipment, net Goodwill Intangible assets Other assets Total assets acquired Deposits Borrowed funds Other liabilities Total liabilities assumed Net assets acquired At December 6, 2013 (In millions) 118.2 $ 382.0 13.6 991.0 3.8 5.3 29.9 0.3 9.5 78.3 1,631.9 (1,341.2) (92.1) (19.5) $(1,452.8) $ 179.1 F O R M 1 0 - K The purchase accounting for the Roma Financial transaction is complete and reflected in the table above and in our consolidated financial statements. Fair Value Measurement of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed Described below are the methods used to determine the fair values of the significant assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Gateway and Roma Financial acquisitions based on guidance from ASC 820-10 which defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Securities. The estimated fair values of the investment securities classified as available for sale were calculated utilizing Level 1 inputs. The prices for these instruments are based upon sales of the securities shortly after the acquisition date. Investment securities classified as Held to Maturity were valued using a combination of Level 1and Level 2 inputs. The Company reviewed the data and assumptions used in pricing the securities by its third party provider to ensure the highest level of significant inputs are derived from market observable data. Loans. Level 3 inputs were utilized to value the acquired loan portfolio and included the use of present value techniques employing cash flow estimates and the incorporated assumptions that marketplace participants would use in estimating fair values. In instances where reliable market information was not available, the Company used its own assumptions in an effort to determine reasonable fair value. Specifically, the Company utilized three separate fair value analyses we believe a market participant might employ in estimating the entire fair value adjustment required under ASC 820-10. The three separate fair valuation methodologies used are: 1) interest rate loan fair value analysis, 2) general credit fair value adjustment, and 3) specific credit fair value adjustment. To prepare the interest rate fair value analysis, loans were assembled into groupings by characteristics such as loan type, term, collateral and rate. Market rates for similar loans were obtained from various external data sources and reviewed by Company management for reasonableness. The average of these rates was used as the 94 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements fair value interest rate a market participant would utilize. A present value approach was utilized to calculate the interest rate fair value adjustment. The general credit fair value adjustment was calculated using a two part general credit fair value analysis; 1) expected lifetime losses and 2) estimated fair value adjustment for qualitative factors. The expected lifetime losses were calculated using an average of historical losses of the Company, the acquired banks and peer banks. The adjustment related to qualitative factors was impacted by general economic conditions and the risk related to lack of familiarity with the originator’s underwriting process. To calculate the specific credit fair value adjustment the Company reviewed the acquired loan portfolio for loans meeting the definition of an impaired loan as defined by ASC 310-30. Loans meeting this criteria were reviewed by comparing the contractual cash flows to expected collectible cash flows. The aggregate expected cash flows less the acquisition date fair value will result in an accretable yield amount. The accretable yield amount will be recognized over the life of the loans on a level yield basis as an adjustment to yield. Deposits / Core Deposit Premium. Core deposit premium represents the value assigned to demand, interest checking, money market and savings accounts acquired as part of an acquisition. The core deposit premium value represents the future economic benefit, including the present value of future tax benefits, of the potential cost savings from acquiring core deposits as part of an acquisition compared to the cost alternative funding sources and is valued utilizing Level 1 inputs. K - 0 1 M R O F Certificates of deposit (time deposits) are not considered to be core deposits as they are assumed to have a low expected average life upon acquisition. The fair value of certificates of deposits represents the present value of the certificates’ expected contractual payments discounted by market rates for similar CDs and is valued utilizing Level 2 inputs. Borrowed Funds. The present value approach was used to determine the fair value of the borrowed funds acquired during 2014 and 2013. The fair value of the liability represents the present value of the expected payments using the current rate of a replacement borrowing of the same type and remaining term to maturity and is valued utilizing Level 2 inputs. 4. Securities The following tables present the carrying value, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value for available-for-sale securities and the amortized cost, net unrealized losses, gross unrecognized gains and losses and estimated fair value for held-to-maturity securities as of the dates indicated: Available-for-sale: Equity securities Mortgage-backed securities: Carrying value At December 31, 2014 Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses (In thousands) Estimated fair value $ 6,887 1,636 — 8,523 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association 503,268 675,535 125 5,023 7,641 1 1,008 1,184 — 507,283 681,992 126 Total mortgage-backed securities available- for-sale Total available-for-sale securities 1,178,928 12,665 2,192 1,189,401 $1,185,815 14,301 2,192 1,197,924 95 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements At December 31, 2014 Amortized cost Net unrealized losses(1) Carrying value Gross unrecognized gains(2) Gross unrecognized losses(2) Estimated fair value (In thousands) Held-to-maturity: Debt securities: Government-sponsored enterprises Municipal bonds Corporate and other debt securities Total debt securities held-to-maturity Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National F O R M 1 0 - K $ 4,388 24,320 — — 4,388 24,320 15 1,001 — — 4,403 25,321 58,487 (25,047) 33,440 32,163 367 65,236 87,195 (25,047) 62,148 33,179 367 94,960 504,407 (3,770) 500,637 3,561 1,878 502,320 978,261 (3,885) 974,376 11,629 1,218 984,787 Mortgage Association 27,136 Federal Housing Authorities 182 — — 27,136 182 — — 20 27,116 — 182 Total mortgage- backed securities held-to-maturity 1,509,986 (7,655) 1,502,331 15,190 Total held-to-maturity securities $1,597,181 (32,702) 1,564,479 48,369 3,116 3,483 1,514,405 1,609,365 (1) Net unrealized losses of held-to-maturity corporate and other debt securities represent the other than temporary charge related to other non-credit factors and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income over the remaining life of the securities. For mortgage-backed securities, it represents the net loss on previously designated available-for sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity at fair value and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income over the remaining life of the securities. (2) Unrecognized gains and losses of held-to-maturity securities are not reflected in the financial statements, as they represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as held-to- maturity; or (ii) the date that an OTTI charge is recognized on a held-to-maturity security, through the date of the balance sheet. 96 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Available-for-sale: Equity securities Debt securities: Government-sponsored enterprises Corporate and other debt securities Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale Total available-for-sale securities Carrying value At December 31, 2013 Gross unrealized gains Gross unrealized losses (In thousands) Estimated fair value $ 7,148 1,315 19 8,444 3,004 670 — — 362,876 408,794 267 771,937 $782,759 4,055 4,620 — 8,675 9,990 — — 3,843 3,855 — 7,698 7,717 3,004 670 363,088 409,559 267 772,914 785,032 At December 31, 2013 Amortized cost Net unrealized losses(1) Carrying Value Gross unrecognized gains(2) Gross unrecognized losses(2) Estimated fair value (In thousands) $ 4,542 14,992 — 4,542 — 14,992 — 487 18 — 4,524 15,479 56,072 (26,391) 29,681 20,315 1,392 48,604 Held-to-maturity: Debt securities: Government-sponsored enterprises Municipal bonds Corporate and other debt securities Total debt securities held- to-maturity 75,606 (26,391) 49,215 20,802 1,410 68,607 K - 0 1 M R O F Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Federal housing authorities Total mortgage-backed securities held-to- maturity 308,890 (5,273) 303,617 1,901 7,646 297,872 483,916 (5,300) 478,616 371 371 — 3,001 — 9,403 — 472,214 371 793,177 (10,573) 782,604 4,902 17,049 770,457 Total held-to-maturity securities $868,783 (36,964) 831,819 25,704 18,459 839,064 (1) Net unrealized losses of held-to-maturity corporate and other debt securities represent the other than temporary charge related to other non-credit factors and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income over the remaining life of the securities. For mortgage-backed securities, it represents the net loss on previously designated available-for sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity at fair value and is being amortized through accumulated other comprehensive income over the remaining life of the securities. 97 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (2) Unrecognized gains and losses of held-to-maturity securities are not reflected in the financial statements, as they represent fair value fluctuations from the later of: (i) the date a security is designated as held-to- maturity; or (ii) the date that an OTTI charge is recognized on a held-to-maturity security, through the date of the balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company transferred $524.0 million previously-designated available-for-sale to a held-to-maturity designation at fair value. In accordance with ASC 320, Investments — Debt and Equity Securities, the Company is required at each balance sheet date to reassess the classification of each security held. The reclassification is permitted as the Company has appropriately determined the ability and intent to hold these securities as an investment until maturity or call. The securities transferred had a net loss of $12.2 million at time of transfer that is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet. This loss is being amortized over the life of the securities. In December 2013, regulatory agencies adopted a rule on the treatment of certain collateralized debt obligations backed by trust preferred securities to implement sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, known as the Volcker Rule. Upon evaluation of the impact of the Volcker Rule, the Company reclassified a trust preferred security with a fair value of $670,000 from held-to maturity to available for sale as the Company was required to sell this security. The security was in an unrealized gain position at the time of transfer and was subsequently sold in 2014. F O R M 1 0 - K 98 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Gross unrealized losses on securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, was as follows: December 31, 2014 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total Estimated fair value Unrealized losses Estimated fair value Unrealized losses Estimated fair value Unrealized losses (In thousands) Available-for-sale: Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation $ 76,525 426 60,394 582 136,919 1,008 Federal National Mortgage Association Total mortgage-backed securities available-for- sale Total available-for-sale securities Held-to-maturity: Debt securities: 67,017 50 52,519 1,134 119,536 1,184 143,542 $143,542 476 476 112,913 1,716 256,455 2,192 112,913 1,716 256,455 2,192 K - 0 1 M R O F Corporate and other debt securities $ 674 Total debt securities held- to-maturity 674 40 40 233 327 907 367 233 327 907 367 Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation 199,962 1,043 47,892 835 247,854 1,878 Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association Total mortgage-backed securities held-to- maturity 145,520 371 37,517 847 183,037 1,218 27,116 20 — — 27,116 20 372,598 1,434 85,409 1,682 458,007 3,116 Total held-to-maturity securities $373,272 1,474 85,642 2,009 458,914 3,483 Total $516,814 1,950 198,555 3,725 715,369 5,675 99 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2013 Less than 12 months 12 months or more Total Estimated fair value Unrealized losses Estimated fair value Unrealized losses Estimated fair value Unrealized losses (In thousands) $ 506 19 — 164,306 3,843 210,493 3,855 374,799 375,305 7,698 7,717 — — — — — — — — — 506 19 164,306 3,843 210,493 3,855 374,799 375,305 7,698 7,717 Available-for-sale: Equity Securities Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale Total available-for-sale securities Held-to-maturity: Debt securities: Government-sponsored enterprises Corporate and other debt securities $ 4,524 2,391 18 645 — 376 — 747 4,524 2,767 18 1,392 Total debt securities held-to- maturity Mortgage-backed securities: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Total mortgage-backed securities 6,915 663 376 747 7,291 1,410 245,491 6,989 20,871 657 266,362 7,646 390,750 9,147 4,454 256 395,204 9,403 held-to-maturity 636,241 16,136 25,325 913 661,566 17,049 Total held-to-maturity securities $ 643,156 16,799 25,701 1,660 668,857 18,459 Total $1,018,461 24,516 25,701 1,660 1,044,162 26,176 The majority of the gross unrealized losses relate to our mortgage-backed-security portfolio which are issued by U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises. The fair value of these securities have been positively impacted by the recent decrease in intermediate-term market interest rates. The remaining gross unrealized losses relate to our corporate and other debt securities whose estimated fair value has been adversely impacted by the current economic environment, current market interest rates, wider credit spreads and credit deterioration subsequent to the purchase of these securities. The portfolio consists of 34 pooled trust preferred securities (“TruPS”), principally issued by banks. In December 2013, one TruP security was entirely liquidated. The Company had previously recorded an OTTI charge on the income statement on this security in 2008. The remaining book value at liquidation was approximately $68,000. At December 31, 2014, the amortized cost and estimated fair values of the trust preferred portfolio was $33.4 million and $65.2 million, respectively with 2 of the securities in an unrealized loss position (see “OTTI” for further discussion). The Company has no intent to sell, nor is it more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell, the debt security in an unrealized loss position before the recovery of its amortized cost basis or maturity. 100 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following table summarizes the Company’s pooled trust preferred securities as of December 31, 2014 excluding one trust preferred security for which the Company previously recorded a net other-than-temporary impairment charge which resulted in a zero net book balance for the security. At December 31, 2014, the security had a fair value of $48,000. The Company does not own any single-issuer trust preferred securities. (Dollars in 000’s) Description Alesco PF II Alesco PF III Alesco PF III Alesco PF IV Alesco PF VI MM Comm III MMCaps XVII MMCaps XIX Tpref I Tpref II US Cap I US Cap I US Cap II US Cap III Trapeza XII Trapeza XIII Pretsl XXIII Pretsl XXIV Pretsl IV Pretsl V Pretsl VII Pretsl XV Pretsl XVII Pretsl XVIII Pretsl XIX Pretsl XX Pretsl XXI Pretsl XXIII Pretsl XXIV Pretsl XXV Pretsl XXVI Pref Pretsl IX Pretsl X $ Class B1 B1 B2 B1 C2 B C1 C B B B2 B1 B1 B1 C1 C1 A1 A1 Mez Mez Mez B1 C C C C C1 A-FP C1 C1 C1 B2 C2 Unrealized Gains (Losses) Number of Issuers Currently Performing Current Deferrals and Defaults as a % of Total Collateral(1) Expected Deferrals and Defaults as % of Remaining Collateral(2) Excess Subordination as a % of Performing Collateral(3) Book Value Fair Value 338.3 $ 849.7 340.0 416.9 757.3 156.4 1,708.4 559.9 1,595.5 4,262.8 943.8 2,813.5 1,474.9 1,908.0 1,844.6 2,007.7 474.4 1,694.8 149.7 17.4 458.0 942.0 778.8 1,700.9 752.0 431.7 1,016.8 685.6 713.6 463.0 553.9 405.3 224.8 523.1 $ 1,763.5 705.4 702.8 1,593.5 3,205.5 2,197.3 232.5 2,164.3 5,203.7 1,974.3 5,922.9 2,879.5 2,738.2 3,583.4 3,886.0 1,436.8 4,320.1 221.0 26.6 1,954.8 2,108.5 1,611.0 2,885.6 1,452.6 920.1 3,022.5 2,094.6 673.7 937.6 1,143.8 720.8 381.4 31 31 31 38 43 5 33 35 6 17 30 30 35 30 34 49 71 60 6 184.8 913.8 365.4 285.9 836.2 3,049.1 488.9 (327.4) 568.8 940.9 1,030.5 3,109.4 1,404.6 830.2 1,738.8 1,878.3 962.4 2,625.3 71.3 9.2 — 12 57 39 54 51 46 51 93 60 53 55 28 33 1,496.8 1,166.5 832.2 1,184.7 700.6 488.4 2,005.7 1,409.0 (39.9) 474.6 589.9 315.5 156.6 11.80% 11.10% 11.10% 1.20% 7.80% 30.00% 13.00% 24.90% 54.20% 34.90% 10.50% 10.50% 15.60% 16.00% 22.40% 16.70% 19.90% 28.80% 18.00% 65.50% 47.80% 11.60% 19.00% 22.80% 5.20% 17.30% 19.40% 20.30% 28.80% 25.70% 24.70% 25.20% 26.40% 6.70% 8.80% 8.80% 9.60% 12.40% 8.60% 7.40% 8.90% 8.80% 11.20% 7.20% 7.20% 8.30% 9.60% 9.80% 9.70% 11.70% 13.70% 7.30% — % 9.90% 13.10% 14.80% 9.60% 14.60% 13.80% 11.40% 12.70% 13.70% 12.50% 12.00% 9.00% 10.90% Moody’s/ Fitch Credit Ratings Caa3 / C Ca / C Ca / C C / C Ca / C — % — % — % — % — % K - 0 1 M R O F 12.80% Ba1 / BB Caa1 / C C / C — % — % — % Ca / WD Caa3 / C — % B3 / C — % B3 / C — % B3 / C — % Caa2 / C — % C / C — % Ca / CC — % 31.40% A1 / A 24.80% A3 / BBB B1 / BB 19.00% C / WD — % Ca /WD — % Caa3 / C — % C / CC — % Ca / C — % C / C — % Ca / C — % Ca / C — % 18.30% Aa2 / BBB — % — % — % — % — % C / C C / C C / C B3 / C Caa1 / C $33,440.4 $65,187.4 $31,747.0 (1) At December 31, 2014, current deferrals and defaults as a percent of collateral ranged from 1.2% to 65.5%. (2) At December 31, 2014, expected deferrals and defaults as a percent of remaining collateral ranged from 0.0% to 22.4%. (3) Excess subordination represents the amount of remaining performing collateral that is in excess of the amount needed to pay off a specified class of bonds and all classes senior to the specified class. Excess subordination reduces an investor’s potential risk of loss on their investment as excess subordination absorbs principal and interest shortfalls in the event underlying issuers are not able to make their contractual payments. 101 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements A portion of the Company’s securities are pledged to secure borrowings. The contractual maturities of mortgage-backed securities are generally less than 20 years; with effective lives expected to be shorter due to anticipated prepayments. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities due to prepayment or early call privileges of the issuer, therefore, mortgage-backed securities are not included in the following table. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Due in one year or less Due after one year through five years Due after five years through ten years Due after ten years Total December 31, 2014 Carrying Value Estimated fair value (In thousands) $19,100 4,603 — 38,445 $62,148 19,100 4,618 — 71,242 94,960 Other-Than-Temporary Impairment (“OTTI”) We conduct a quarterly review and evaluation of the securities portfolio to determine if the value of any security has declined below its cost or amortized cost, and whether such decline is other-than-temporary. If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. With the assistance of a valuation specialist, we evaluate the credit and performance of each underlying issuer of our trust preferred securities by deriving probabilities and assumptions for default, recovery and prepayment/amortization for the expected cash flows for each security. At December 31, 2014, management deemed that the present value of projected cash flows for each security was greater than the book value and did not recognize any additional OTTI charges for the period ended December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2013, the discounted cash flow projected for one of the Company’s pooled trust preferred securities fell below its adjusted book value. Based on the review of underlying collateral, the credit of this security continued to deteriorate and therefore the Company recorded net other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) charge of $977,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2014, the security had a fair value of $48,000. At December 31, 2014, non-credit related OTTI recorded on the previously impaired pooled trust preferred securities was $25.0 million ($14.8 million after-tax) and is being accreted into income over the estimated remaining life of the securities. 102 K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following table presents the changes in the credit loss component of the impairment loss of debt securities that the Company has written down for such loss as an other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings. Balance of credit related OTTI, beginning of period Additions: Initial credit impairments Subsequent credit impairments Reductions: Accretion of credit loss impairment due to an increase in expected cash flows Balance of credit related OTTI, end of period For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 $112,235 (In thousands) 114,514 117,003 — — — 977 — — (3,418) (3,256) (2,489) $108,817 112,235 114,514 The credit loss component of the impairment loss represents the difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the securities prior to considering credit losses. The beginning balance represents the credit loss component for debt securities for which other-than-temporary impairment occurred prior to the period presented. If other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings for credit impaired debt securities, they would be presented as additions in two components based upon whether the current period is the first time a debt security was credit impaired (initial credit impairment) or is not the first time a debt security was credit impaired (subsequent credit impairments). The credit loss component is reduced if the Company sells, intends to sell or believes it will be required to sell previously credit impaired debt securities. Additionally, the credit loss component is reduced if (i) the Company receives cash flows in excess of what it expected to receive over the remaining life of the credit impaired debt security, (ii) the security matures or (iii) the security is fully written down. Realized Gains and Losses Gains and losses on the sale of all securities are determined using the specific identification method. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized net gains on available-for-sale securities of $619,000, of which $145,000 were related to capital distributions of equity securities from the available-for-sale portfolio. In December 2013, regulatory agencies adopted a rule on the treatment of certain collateralized debt obligations backed by trust preferred securities to implement sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, known as the Volcker Rule. As a result of the evaluation of the impact of the Volcker Rule, the Company reclassified one trust preferred security to available-for-sale. The Company sold the security for the year ended December 31, 2014, resulting in gross realized gains of $474,000. For the year ended December 31, 2014 total proceeds of securities from the held-to-maturities portfolio were $19.5 million, which resulted in gross realized gains of $927,000. For the year ended December 31, 2014, sales of mortgage back securities from the held-to-maturity portfolio, which had a book value of $18.3 million resulted in gross realized gains of $877,000. These securities met the criteria of principal pay downs under 85% of the original investment amount and therefore did not result in a tainting of the held-to-maturity portfolio. The Company sells securities when market pricing presents, in management’s assessment, an economic benefit that outweighs holding such securities, and when smaller balance securities become cost prohibitive to carry. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized a gain of $50,000 on a TruP security which was entirely liquidated by its Trustee. For the year ended December 31, 2014 there were no losses recognized. 103 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements For the year ended December 31, 2013, proceeds from sales of securities from available-for-sale portfolio were $56.0 million, which resulted in gross realized gains of $846,100 and $162,300 of gross realized losses as well as $88,600 of net gains on capital distributions of equity securities. In addition, at December 31, 2013 the Company recognized a net other-than-temporary charge of $977,000 for one of the pooled trust preferred security falling below its adjusted book value. There were no sales from the held-to-maturity portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2012, proceeds from sales of securities from available-for-sale portfolio were $216.8 million, which resulted in gross realized gains of $176,000 and no gross realized losses. Included in the sales proceeds for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $166.8 million that were acquired from Brooklyn Federal. In addition, the Company realized a $42,000 loss on capital distributions of equity securities during the year ended December 31, 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2012 proceeds from sales of securities from held-to-maturities portfolio were $14.9 million, which resulted in gross realized gains of $193,000 and gross realized losses of $53,000. Sales from the held-to-maturity portfolio, which had a book value of $14.9 million, met the criteria of principal pay downs under 85% of the original investment amount and therefore do not result in a tainting of the held-to- maturity portfolio. 5. Loans Receivable, Net The detail of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows: F O R M 1 0 - K Multi-family loans Commercial real estate loans Commercial and industrial loans Construction loans Total commercial loans Residential mortgage loans Consumer and other loans Total loans excluding PCI loans PCI loans Net unamortized premiums and deferred loan costs(1) Allowance for loan losses Net loans December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 (In thousands) $ 5,048,477 3,139,824 544,402 143,664 8,876,367 5,764,896 440,500 3,985,517 2,485,937 265,836 194,542 6,931,832 5,692,810 403,929 15,081,763 17,789 13,028,571 36,047 (11,698) (200,284) (8,146) (173,928) $14,887,570 12,882,544 (1) Included in unamortized premiums and deferred loan costs are accretable purchase accounting adjustments in connection with loans acquired. Purchased Credit-Impaired Loans Purchased Credit-Impaired (“PCI”) loans, are loans acquired at a discount that is due, in part, to credit quality. PCI loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-30 and are initially recorded at fair value as determined by the present value of expected future cash flows with no valuation allowance reflected in the allowance for loan losses. 104 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following table presents information regarding the estimates of the contractually required payments, the cash flows expected to be collected and the estimated fair value of the PCI loans acquired in the Gateway Financial acquisition as of January 10, 2014: Contractually required principal and interest Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable difference) Expected cash flows to be collected Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield) Fair value of acquired loans January 10, 2014 (In thousands) $ 4,172 (1,024) 3,148 (216) $ 2,932 The following table presents information regarding the estimates of the contractually required payments, the cash flows expected to be collected, and the estimated fair value of the PCI loans acquired in the Roma Financial acquisition as of December 6, 2013: Contractually required principal and interest Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (non-accretable difference) Expected cash flows to be collected Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable yield) Fair value of acquired loans December 6, 2013 (In thousands) $ 46,231 (16,441) 29,790 (3,425) $ 26,365 K - 0 1 M R O F The following table presents changes in the accretable yield for PCI loans during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013: Balance, beginning of period Acquisitions Accretion(1) Net reclassification from non-accretable difference Balance, end of period Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) $ 4,154 216 (3,399) — 1,457 3,425 (728) — $ 971 4,154 (1) Includes the removal of $1.9 million accretable mark on PCI loans sold during the year ended December 31, 2014. This transfer had no impact on income for the year ended December 31, 2014. An analysis of the allowance for loan losses is summarized as follows: Balance at beginning of the period Loans charged off Recoveries Net charge-offs Provision for loan losses Balance at end of the period 105 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 $173,928 (18,244) 7,100 (In thousands) 142,172 (22,610) 3,866 (11,144) 37,500 (18,744) 50,500 117,242 (44,150) 4,080 (40,070) 65,000 $200,284 173,928 142,172 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered necessary to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses that is charged against income. In determining the allowance for loan losses, we make significant estimates and therefore, have identified the allowance as a critical accounting policy. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting policy by management because of the high degree of judgment involved, the subjectivity of the assumptions used, and the potential for changes in the economic environment that could result in changes to the amount of the recorded allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses has been determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, under which we are required to maintain an allowance for probable losses at the balance sheet date. We are responsible for the timely and periodic determination of the amount of the allowance required. We believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover specifically identifiable losses, as well as estimated losses inherent in our portfolio for which certain losses are probable but not specifically identifiable. Loans acquired are marked to fair value on the date of acquisition with no valuation allowance reflected in the allowance for loan losses. In conjunction with the quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan loss, the Company performs an analysis on acquired loans to determine whether or not there has been subsequent deterioration in relation to those loans. If deterioration has occurred, the Company will include these loans in their calculation of the allowance for loan loss. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded charge offs related to PCI loans acquired of $1.5 million. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The analysis of the allowance for loan losses has two components: specific and general allocations. Specific allocations are made for loans determined to be impaired. A loan is deemed to be impaired if it is a commercial loan with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), and other commercial loans greater than $1.0 million if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured by determining the present value of expected future cash flows or, for collateral-dependent loans, the fair value of the collateral adjusted for market conditions and selling expenses. The general allocation is determined by segregating the remaining loans, including those loans not meeting the Company’s definition of an impaired loan, by type of loan, risk rating (if applicable) and payment history. In addition, the Company also considers whether residential loans are fixed or adjustable rate as adjustable rate loans are subject to more credit risk if interest rates rise. We also analyze historical loss experience (using the appropriate look-back and loss emergence periods), delinquency trends, general economic conditions, geographic concentrations, and industry and peer comparisons. This analysis applies loss factors based on the Company’s historical loss experience over a look-back period determined to provide the appropriate amount of data to accurately estimate expected losses as of period end. Additionally, management assesses the loss emergence period for the expected losses of each loan segment and adjusts each historical loss factor accordingly. The loss emergence period is the estimated time from the date of a loss event (such as a personal bankruptcy) to the actual recognition of the loss (typically via the first fully or partial loan charge-off), and is determined based upon a study of the Company’s past loss experience by loan segment. The loss factors may also be adjusted for significant changes in the current loan portfolio qualify that, in management’s judgment, affect the collectibility of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. This evaluation is based on peer and market data but is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revisions based upon changes in economic and real estate market conditions. Actual loan losses may be significantly more than the allowance for loan losses we have established which could have a material negative effect on our financial results. On a quarterly basis, management’s Allowance for Loan Loss Committee reviews the current status of various loan assets in order to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. In this evaluation process, specific loans are analyzed to determine their potential risk of loss. This process includes all loans, concentrating 106 K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on non-accrual and classified loans. Each non-accrual or classified loan is evaluated for potential loss exposure. Any shortfall results in a recommendation of a specific allowance or charge-off if the likelihood of loss is evaluated as probable. To determine the adequacy of collateral on a particular loan, an estimate of the fair value of the collateral is based on the most current appraised value available for real property or a discounted cash flow analysis on a business. This appraised value for real property is then reduced to reflect estimated liquidation expenses. The allowance contains reserves identified as unallocated to cover inherent losses within a given loan category which have not been otherwise reviewed or measured on an individual basis. Such reserves include the evaluation of the national and local economy, loan portfolio volumes, the composition and concentrations of credit, credit quality and delinquency trends. These reserves reflect management’s attempt to ensure that the overall allowance reflects a margin for imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses. The results of this quarterly process are reviewed and approved by management through the Allowance for Loan Loss Committee. A summary of loan loss allowances is presented to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Our primary lending emphasis has been the origination of commercial real estate loans, multi-family loans, commercial and industrial loans and the origination and purchase of residential mortgage loans. We also originate home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. These activities resulted in a concentration of loans secured by real estate property and businesses located in New Jersey and New York. Based on the composition of our loan portfolio, we believe the primary risks are increases in interest rates, a decline in the general economy, and declines in real estate market values in New Jersey, New York and surrounding states. Any one or combination of these events may adversely affect our loan portfolio resulting in increased delinquencies, loan losses and future levels of loan loss provisions. We consider it important to maintain the ratio of our allowance for loan losses to total loans at an adequate level given current economic conditions and the composition of the portfolio. As a substantial amount of our loan portfolio is collateralized by real estate, appraisals of the underlying value of property securing loans are critical in determining the amount of the allowance required for specific loans. Assumptions for appraisal valuations are instrumental in determining the value of properties. Overly optimistic assumptions or negative changes to assumptions could significantly impact the valuation of a property securing a loan and the related allowance determined. The assumptions supporting such appraisals are carefully reviewed by management to determine that the resulting values reasonably reflect amounts realizable on the related loans. For commercial real estate, multi-family and construction loans, the Company obtains an appraisal for all collateral dependent loans upon origination and an updated appraisal in the event interest or principal payments are 90 days delinquent or when the timely collection of such income is considered doubtful. This is done in order to determine the specific reserve needed upon initial recognition of a collateral dependent loan as non-accrual and/or impaired. In subsequent reporting periods, as part of the allowance for loan loss process, the Company reviews each collateral dependent commercial real estate loan previously classified as non-accrual and/or impaired and assesses whether there has been an adverse change in the collateral value supporting the loan. The Company utilizes information from its commercial lending officers and its credit department and loan workout department’s knowledge of changes in real estate conditions in our lending area to identify if possible deterioration of collateral value has occurred. Based on the severity of the changes in market conditions, management determines if an updated appraisal is warranted or if downward adjustments to the previous appraisal are warranted. If it is determined that the deterioration of the collateral value is significant enough to warrant ordering a new appraisal, an estimate of the downward adjustments to the existing appraised value is used in assessing if additional specific reserves are necessary until the updated appraisal is received. 107 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements For homogeneous residential mortgage loans, the Company’s policy is to obtain an appraisal upon the origination of the loan and an updated appraisal in the event a loan becomes 90 days delinquent. Thereafter, the appraisal is updated every two years if the loan remains in non-performing status and the foreclosure process has not been completed. Management adjusts the appraised value of residential loans to reflect estimated selling costs and declines in the real estate market. Management believes the potential risk for outdated appraisals for impaired and other non-performing loans has been mitigated due to the fact that the loans are individually assessed to determine that the loan’s carrying value is not in excess of the fair value of the collateral. Loans are generally charged off after an analysis is completed which indicates that collectability of the full principal balance is in doubt. Our allowance for loan losses reflects probable losses considering, among other things, the weak economic conditions, the actual growth and change in composition of our loan portfolio, the level of our non-performing loans and our charge-off experience. We believe the allowance for loan losses reflects the inherent credit risk in our portfolio. Although we believe we have established and maintained the allowance for loan losses at adequate levels, additions may be necessary if the current economic environment continues or deteriorates. Management uses the best information available; however, the level of the allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, as an integral part of their examination process, will periodically review our allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. F O R M 1 0 - K 108 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method as of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013: December 31, 2014 Multi- Family Loans Commercial Real Estate Loans Commercial and Industrial Loans Construction Loans Residential Mortgage Loans Consumer and Other Loans Unallocated Total (Dollars in thousands) 42,103 (323) 3,784 25,583 46,657 (6,147) 201 3,319 9,273 (2,447) 516 13,417 8,947 (640) 799 (2,618) 51,760 (7,715) 1,783 2,108 2,161 (972) 17 2,141 13,027 — — (6,450) 173,928 (18,244) 7,100 37,500 Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance- December 31, 2013 $ Charge-offs Recoveries Provision Ending balance- December 31, 2014 $ 71,147 44,030 20,759 6,488 47,936 3,347 6,577 200,284 Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality Balance at $ — 274 — — 1,865 — — 2,139 71,147 43,756 20,759 6,488 46,071 3,347 6,577 198,145 — — — — — — — — December 31, 2014 $ 71,147 44,030 20,759 6,488 47,936 3,347 6,577 200,284 K - 0 1 M R O F Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality Balance at $ 4,111 22,995 3,310 6,798 23,285 — — 60,499 5,044,366 3,116,829 541,092 136,866 5,741,611 440,500 — 15,021,264 637 7,329 56 4,732 4,581 454 — 17,789 December 31, 2014 $5,049,114 3,147,153 544,458 148,396 5,769,477 440,954 — 15,099,552 109 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2013 Multi- Family Loans Commercial Real Estate Loans Commercial and Industrial Loans Construction Loans Residential Mortgage Loans Consumer and Other Loans Unallocated Total (Dollars in thousands) 29,853 (1,266) 219 13,297 33,347 (1,101) 65 14,346 4,094 (516) 604 5,091 16,062 (3,424) 315 (4,006) 45,369 (15,508) 2,528 19,371 2,086 (795) 135 735 11,361 — — 1,666 142,172 (22,610) 3,866 50,500 Allowance for loan losses: Beginning balance- December 31, 2012 $ Charge-offs Recoveries Provision Ending balance- December 31, 2013 $ 42,103 46,657 9,273 8,947 51,760 2,161 13,027 173,928 F O R M 1 0 - K Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality Balance at $ — — — — 2,066 — — 2,066 42,103 46,657 9,273 8,947 49,694 2,161 13,027 171,862 — — — — — — — — December 31, 2013 $ 42,103 46,657 9,273 8,947 51,760 2,161 13,027 173,928 Loans: Individually evaluated for impairment Collectively evaluated for impairment Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality Balance at $ 15,313 11,713 1,612 17,037 20,987 — — 66,662 3,970,204 2,474,224 264,224 177,505 5,671,823 403,929 — 12,961,909 691 19,390 2,586 7,719 5,541 120 — 36,047 December 31, 2013 $3,986,208 2,505,327 268,422 202,261 5,698,351 404,049 — 13,064,618 The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. For non-homogeneous loans, such as commercial and commercial real estate loans the Company analyzes the loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk and assesses the probability of collection for each type of class. This analysis is performed on a quarterly basis. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings: Pass — “Pass” assets are well protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor (or guarantors, if any) or by the fair value, less cost to acquire and sell, of any underlying collateral in a timely manner. Special Mention — A “Special Mention” asset has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institution’s credit position at some future date. Special Mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. Residential loans delinquent 30-89 days are considered special mention. 110 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Substandard — A “Substandard” asset is inadequately protected by the current worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Residential loans delinquent 90 days or greater are considered substandard. Doubtful — An asset classified “Doubtful” has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable on the basis of currently known facts, conditions, and values. Loss — An asset or portion thereof, classified “Loss” is considered uncollectible and of such little value that its continuance on the institution’s books as an asset, without establishment of a specific valuation allowance or charge-off, is not warranted. This classification does not necessarily mean that an asset has no recovery or salvage value; but rather, there is much doubt about whether, how much, or when the recovery will occur. As such, it is not practical or desirable to defer the write-off. The following tables present the risk category of loans as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by class of loans excluding PCI loans: K - 0 1 M R O F Commercial loans: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Consumer and other Total Commercial loans: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Consumer and other Pass Special Mention Substandard Doubtful Loss Total December 31, 2014 (In thousands) $ 4,958,045 3,034,609 515,395 136,584 8,644,633 5,641,190 433,968 $14,719,791 62,886 29,248 20,321 2,075 114,530 29,710 2,339 146,579 27,546 75,967 8,686 5,005 117,204 93,996 4,193 215,393 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 5,048,477 3,139,824 544,402 143,664 8,876,367 5,764,896 440,500 — 15,081,763 Pass Special Mention Substandard Doubtful Loss Total December 31, 2013 (In thousands) $ 3,919,808 2,389,086 247,983 158,576 6,715,453 5,584,728 400,890 49,199 23,739 7,540 7,847 88,325 23,252 1,065 16,510 73,112 10,313 28,119 128,054 84,830 1,974 214,858 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 3,985,517 2,485,937 265,836 194,542 6,931,832 5,692,810 403,929 — 13,028,571 Total $12,701,071 112,642 111 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following tables present the payment status of the recorded investment in past due loans as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by class of loans excluding PCI loans: Commercial loans: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Consumer and other 30-59 Days 60-89 Days December 31, 2014 Greater than 90 Days Total Past Due Current Total Loans Receivable $ 698 6,566 792 — 8,056 23,712 1,334 239 778 395 — 1,412 8,900 1,006 (In thousands) 2,989 13,940 2,903 4,345 24,177 75,610 4,211 3,926 21,284 4,090 4,345 33,645 108,222 6,551 5,044,551 3,118,540 540,312 139,319 8,842,722 5,656,674 433,949 5,048,477 3,139,824 544,402 143,664 8,876,367 5,764,896 440,500 Total $33,102 11,318 103,998 148,418 14,933,345 15,081,763 Commercial loans: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Consumer and other December 31, 2013 30-59 Days 60-89 Days Greater than 90 Days Total Past Due Current Total Loans Receivable (In thousands) $ 1,408 16,380 5,871 302 23,961 17,779 897 218 10,247 287 527 11,279 7,358 168 3,588 2,091 775 16,181 22,635 66,079 1,973 5,214 28,718 6,933 17,010 57,875 91,216 3,038 3,980,303 2,457,219 258,903 177,532 6,873,957 5,601,594 400,891 3,985,517 2,485,937 265,836 194,542 6,931,832 5,692,810 403,929 Total $42,637 18,805 90,687 152,129 12,876,442 13,028,571 The following table presents non-accrual loans excluding PCI loans at the dates indicated: Non-accrual: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential and consumer Total non-accrual loans December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013 # of loans amount # of loans amount (Dollars in thousands) 2 36 11 7 56 406 462 $ 2,989 13,940 2,903 4,345 24,177 84,182 $108,359 5 12 4 18 39 304 343 $ 5,905 2,711 1,281 16,181 26,078 74,282 $100,360 Included in the non-accrual table above are TDR loans whose payment status is current but the Company has classified as non-accrual as the loans have not maintained their current payment status for six consecutive 112 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements months under the restructured terms and therefore do not meet the criteria for accrual status. As of December 31, 2014, these loans are comprised of 5 residential TDR loans totaling $1.5 million. There were 10 residential TDR loans totaling $2.9 million which were also 30-89 days delinquent and classified as non-accrual. As of December 31, 2013, these loans are comprised of 1 multi-family TDR loan for $2.3 million, 1 commercial real estate TDR loan for $620,000, 1 commercial and industrial TDR loan for $506,000 and 14 residential TDR loans totaling $4.6 million. There were 5 residential TDR loans totaling $1.6 million which were also 30-89 days delinquent and classified as non-accrual. The Company has no loans past due 90 days or more delinquent that are still accruing interest. PCI loans are excluded from non-accrual loans, as they are recorded at fair value based on the present value of expected future cash flows. As of December 31, 2014, PCI loans with a carrying value of $17.8 million included $9.2 million of which were current and $8.6 million of which were 90 days or more delinquent. As of December 31, 2013, PCI loans with a carrying value of $36.0 million included $19.6 million of which were current and $16.4 million of which were 90 days or more delinquent. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, loans meeting the Company’s definition of an impaired loan were primarily collateral dependent loans which totaled $60.5 million and $66.7 million, respectively, with allocations of the allowance for loan losses of $2.1 million for both periods. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, interest income received and recognized on these loans totaled $2.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The following tables present loans individually evaluated for impairment by portfolio segment as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013: K - 0 1 M R O F With no related allowance: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage With an allowance recorded: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Total: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Total impaired loans December 31, 2014 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized (In thousands) $ 4,111 19,901 3,310 6,798 34,120 6,755 — 3,094 — — 7,846 23,601 3,310 9,292 44,049 8,830 — 4,760 — — — — — — — — — 274 — — 3,094 16,530 4,760 16,882 274 1,865 4,111 22,995 3,310 6,798 37,214 23,285 7,846 28,361 3,310 9,292 48,809 25,712 $60,499 74,521 — 274 — — 274 1,865 2,139 4,746 17,056 1,985 13,609 37,396 6,606 — 3,106 — — 3,106 16,547 4,746 20,162 1,985 13,609 40,502 23,153 63,655 135 879 152 410 1,576 370 — 72 — — 72 507 135 951 152 410 1,648 877 2,525 113 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements With no related allowance: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage With an allowance recorded: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Total: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Total impaired loans F O R M 1 0 - K December 31, 2013 Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized (In thousands) $15,313 11,713 1,612 17,037 45,675 3,924 28,681 12,223 1,612 26,642 69,158 5,607 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 15,405 11,538 1,490 19,157 47,590 3,330 — — — — — 17,063 — 17,457 — 2,066 — 15,880 15,313 11,713 1,612 17,037 45,675 20,987 28,681 12,223 1,612 26,642 69,158 23,064 $66,662 92,222 — — — — — 2,066 2,066 15,405 11,538 1,490 19,157 47,590 19,210 66,800 428 679 105 198 1,410 190 — — — — — 753 428 679 105 198 1,410 943 2,353 The average recorded investment is the annual average calculated based upon the ending quarterly balances. The interest income recognized is the year to date interest income recognized on a cash basis. Troubled Debt Restructurings On a case-by-case basis, the Company may agree to modify the contractual terms of a borrower’s loan to remain competitive and assist customers who may be experiencing financial difficulty, as well as preserve the Company’s position in the loan. If the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a concession has been made at the time of such modification, the loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured loan (“TDR”). Substantially all of our troubled debt restructured loan modifications involve lowering the monthly payments on such loans through either a reduction in interest rate below a market rate, an extension of the term of the loan, or a combination of these two methods. These modifications rarely result in the forgiveness of principal or accrued interest. In addition, we frequently obtain additional collateral or guarantor support when modifying commercial loans. Restructured loans remain on non accrual status until there has been a sustained period of repayment performance (generally six consecutive months of payments) and both principal and interest are deemed collectible. 114 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following tables present December 31, 2013 excluding PCI loans: the total troubled debt restructured loans at December 31, 2014 and Commercial loans: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Total Commercial loans: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Construction Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Total December 31, 2014 Accrual Non-accrual Total # of loans Amount # of loans Amount # of loans Amount (Dollars in thousands) 2 8 2 2 14 41 55 $ 1,122 15,250 1,381 3,066 20,819 14,805 $35,624 — 1 — — 1 29 30 $ — 3,197 — — 3,197 8,456 $11,653 2 9 2 2 15 70 85 $ 1,122 18,447 1,381 3,066 24,016 23,261 $47,277 December 31, 2013 Accrual Non-accrual Total # of loans Amount # of loans Amount # of loans Amount (Dollars in thousands) 4 7 1 3 15 35 50 $ 9,844 11,093 1,106 4,552 26,595 12,975 $39,570 1 1 1 — 3 26 29 $ 2,317 620 506 — 3,443 8,021 $11,464 5 8 2 3 18 61 79 $12,161 11,713 1,612 4,552 30,038 20,996 $51,034 K - 0 1 M R O F The following table presents information about troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013: Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 Pre- modification Recorded Investment Post- modification Recorded Investment Number of Loans Pre- modification Recorded Investment Post- modification Recorded Investment Number of Loans (Dollars in thousands) — 3 — 3 11 $ — 10,657 — 10,657 3,217 $ — 7,657 — 7,657 3,217 5 4 1 10 23 $20,677 5,080 521 26,278 10,031 $13,060 4,679 521 18,260 9,463 Troubled Debt Restructings: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Total commercial loans Residential mortgage Post-modification recorded investment represents the net book balance immediately following modification. All TDRs are impaired loans, which are individually evaluated for impairment, as discussed above. Collateral dependant impaired loans classified as TDRs were written down to the estimated fair value of the 115 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements collateral. There were $3.0 million and $1.6 million in charges-offs for collateral dependant TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The allowance for loan losses associated with the TDRs presented in the above tables totaled $2.1 million for both periods at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Residential mortgage loan modifications primarily involved the reduction in loan interest rate and extension of loan maturity dates. All residential loans deemed to be TDRs were modified to reflect a reduction in interest rates to current market rates. Several residential TDRs include step up interest rates in their modified terms which will impact their weighted average yield in the future. Commercial loan modifications which qualified as a TDR comprised of terms of maturity being extended and reduction in interest rates to current market terms. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company has no additional fundings to any borrowers classified as a troubled debt restructuring. The following table presents information about pre and post modification interest yield for troubled debt restructurings which occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013: Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 Pre- modification Interest Yield Post- modification Interest Yield Number of Loans Pre- modification Interest Yield Post- modification Interest Yield Number of Loans — 3 — 3 11 —% —% 6.59 — 6.59 5.35 5.75 — 5.75 3.90 5 4 1 10 23 7.66% 7.29 6.00 7.57 5.05 3.79% 5.41 4.00 4.07 3.33 Troubled Debt Restructings: Multi-family Commercial real estate Commercial and industrial Total commercial loans Residential mortgage There were no loans modified as TDRs for which there was a payment default in the 12 months prior to December 31, 2014. Loans modified as TDRs in the previous 12 months to December 31, 2013, for which there loans with a recorded investment of $763,000 at was a payment default consisted of two residential December 31, 2013. Loan Sales For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company sold $32.4 million of non-performing and PCI loans previously transferred to held for sale. The sale resulted in a net gain of approximately $552,000. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company sold $14.9 million of non-performing residential loans and one construction loan for $8.2 million. There was no gain or loss associated with any of the sales, as the loans were previously written down to estimated fair value. 116 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6. Office Properties and Equipment, Net Office properties and equipment are summarized as follows: Land Office buildings Leasehold improvements Furniture, fixtures and equipment Construction in process Less accumulated depreciation and amortization December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) $ 21,862 78,808 66,857 68,420 17,121 12,728 73,770 44,587 54,610 24,299 253,068 92,169 209,994 71,889 $160,899 138,105 Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $13.2 million, $8.5 million and $7.2 million, respectively. 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The carrying amount of goodwill at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was approximately $77.6 million. The following table summarizes other intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013: K - 0 1 M R O F December 31, 2014 Mortgage Servicing Rights Core Deposit Premiums Other Total other intangible assets December 31, 2013 Mortgage Servicing Rights Core Deposit Premiums Other Total other intangible assets Gross Intangible Asset Accumulated Amortization Valuation Allowance Net Intangible Assets (In thousands) $23,925 25,058 300 $49,283 $26,075 23,205 300 $49,580 (9,543) (10,375) (110) (20,028) (11,292) (6,569) (80) (17,941) (121) — — (121) (81) — — (81) 14,261 14,683 190 29,134 14,702 16,636 220 31,558 Mortgage servicing rights are accounted for using the amortization method. Under this method, the Company amortizes the loan servicing asset in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. During 2008, the Company began selling loans on a servicing-retained basis. Loans that were sold on this basis, amounted to $1.59 billion and $1.71 billion at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively, all of which relate to residential mortgage loans. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the servicing asset, included in intangible assets, had an estimated fair value of $14.3 million and $14.7 million, respectively. Fair value was based on expected future cash flows considering a weighted average discount rate of 10.17%, a weighted average constant prepayment rate on mortgages of 11.22% and a weighted average life of 6.5 years. 117 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Core deposit premiums are amortized using an accelerated method and having a weighted average amortization period of 10 years. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recorded $1.9 million in core deposit premiums resulting from the acquisition of Gateway Financial in January 2014. The following presents the estimated future amortization expense of other intangible assets for the next five years: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 8. Deposits Deposits are summarized as follows: Mortgage Servicing Rights Core Deposit Premiums Other (In thousands) $415 433 450 467 484 $3,351 2,900 2,441 1,983 1,524 $30 30 30 30 30 December 31, 2014 2013 Weighted Average Rate Amount % of Total Weighted Average Rate (In thousands) Amount % of Total 0.20% $ 3,892,839 3,390,238 0.71% 2,318,911 0.27% 31.98% 0.17% $ 3,163,250 1,958,982 27.85% 0.34% 2,212,034 19.05% 0.28% 0.40% 1.00% 9,601,988 2,570,338 78.88% 0.25% 21.12% 0.83% 7,334,266 3,384,545 29.50% 18.28% 20.64% 68.42% 31.58% 0.53% $12,172,326 100.00% 0.43% $10,718,811 100.00% Checking accounts Money market deposits Savings Total transaction accounts Certificates of deposit Total Deposits Scheduled maturities of certificates of deposit are as follows: Within one year One to two years Two to three years Three to four years After four years December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) $1,450,655 660,523 278,190 74,526 106,444 2,170,493 552,127 376,172 179,774 105,979 $2,570,338 3,384,545 The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit in denominations of $100,000 or more totaled approximately $1.19 billion and $1.58 billion at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. 118 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Interest expense on deposits consists of the following: Checking accounts Money market deposits Savings Certificates of deposit Total 9. Borrowed Funds Borrowed funds are summarized as follows: For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 $ 8,755 13,664 6,639 30,148 (In thousands) 6,245 7,537 6,320 29,867 6,586 7,937 7,859 41,200 $59,206 49,969 63,582 December 31, 2014 2013 Principal Weighted Average Rate Principal Weighted Average Rate (Dollars in thousands) Funds borrowed under repurchase agreements: FHLB Other brokers $ 25,071 142,847 3.90% $ 2.00% 23,000 244,681 3.90% 1.35% Total funds borrowed under repurchase K - 0 1 M R O F agreements Other borrowed funds: FHLB advances Other Total other borrowed funds: 167,918 2.28% 267,681 1.60% 2,598,186 — 2,598,186 2.24% — 2.24% 3,094,494 5,099 3,099,593 1.83% 1.91% 1.83% 1.81% Total borrowed funds $2,766,104 2.24% $3,367,274 Borrowed funds had scheduled maturities as follows: Within one year One to two years Two to three years Three to four years Four to five years After five years Total borrowed funds December 31, 2014 2013 Principal $ 576,250 325,000 250,071 763,597 444,994 406,192 $2,766,104 Weighted Average Rate Principal Weighted Average Rate (Dollars in thousands) 2.03% $1,214,204 311,500 2.79% 325,000 3.00% 250,730 2.22% 714,246 1.78% 551,594 2.18% 2.24% $3,367,274 0.64% 3.49% 2.79% 3.01% 2.26% 1.73% 1.81% Mortgage-backed securities have been sold, subject to repurchase agreements, to the FHLB and various brokers. Mortgage-backed securities sold, subject to repurchase agreements, are held by the FHLB for the benefit of the Company. Repurchase agreements require repurchase of the identical securities. Whole mortgage loans have been pledged to the FHLB as collateral for advances, but are held by the Company. 119 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The amortized cost and fair value of the underlying securities used as collateral for securities sold under agreements to repurchase are as follows: Amortized cost of collateral: Mortgage-backed securities Total amortized cost of collateral Fair value of collateral: Mortgage-backed securities Total fair value of collateral December 31, 2014 2013 (Dollars in thousands) $195,890 325,392 $195,890 325,392 $198,502 322,563 $198,502 322,563 F O R M 1 0 - K During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the maximum month-end balance of the repurchase agreements was $261.2 million, $267.7 million and $250.0 million, respectively. The average amount of repurchase agreements outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $192.9 million, $165.4 million and $156.1 million, respectively, and the average interest rate was 2.02%, 1.50% and 3.93%, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the Company participated in the FHLB’s Overnight Advance program. This program allows members to borrow overnight up to their maximum borrowing capacity at the FHLB. At December 31, 2014, our borrowing capacity at the FHLB was $7.37 billion, of which the Company had outstanding borrowings of $2.62 billion and outstanding letters of credit of $2.03 billion. The overnight advances are priced at the federal funds rate plus a spread (generally between 20 and 30 basis points) and re-price daily. In addition, the Bank had an effective commitment for unsecured discretionary overnight borrowings with other institutions totaling $100.0 million, of which no balance was outstanding at December 31, 2014. 10. Income Taxes The components of income tax expense are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) 2012 $77,029 7,508 84,537 76,692 7,881 84,573 62,331 4,491 66,822 (3,846) (5,940) (16,887) (3,931) (11,331) 592 (9,786) (20,818) (10,739) $74,751 63,755 56,083 Current tax expense: Federal State Deferred tax (benefit) expense: Federal State Total income tax expense 120 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following table presents the reconciliation between the actual income tax expense and the “expected” amount computed using the applicable statutory federal income tax rate of 35%: “Expected” federal income tax expense State tax, net Bank owned life insurance Expiration of loss carryforward Change in valuation allowance for federal deferred tax assets ESOP fair market value adjustment Non-deductible compensation Non-deductible acquisition related expenses Expiration of stock options Other Total income tax expense Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 $72,265 1,019 (1,628) — — 349 3,334 — 2 (590) (In thousands) 61,525 2,567 (1,014) 645 (645) 538 411 297 — (569) 50,698 3,304 (972) 2 (2) 295 454 866 1,267 171 $74,751 63,755 56,083 The temporary differences and loss carryforwards which comprise the deferred tax asset and liability are as follows: K - 0 1 M R O F Deferred tax asset: Employee benefits Deferred compensation Premises and equipment Allowance for loan losses Net unrealized loss on securities Net other than temporary impairment loss on securities ESOP Allowance for delinquent interest Fair value adjustments related to acquisitions Charitable contribution carryforward Loan origination costs Other Gross deferred tax asset Valuation allowance Deferred tax liability: Intangible assets Mortgage servicing rights Premises and equipment Gross deferred tax liability Net deferred tax asset December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) $ 30,832 1,332 1,532 79,255 9,101 44,225 2,921 12,379 38,309 5,685 10,821 1,969 25,882 1,265 — 67,135 14,631 44,945 2,279 18,340 38,131 — 9,130 1,131 238,361 (346) 222,869 — 238,015 222,869 251 5,866 — 6,117 381 5,692 590 6,663 $231,898 216,206 A deferred tax asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced by the amount of any tax benefits that, 121 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements based on available evidence, are more likely than not to be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and carryforwards become deductible. A valuation allowance is recorded for tax benefits which management has determined are not more likely than not to be realized. In connection with the Company’s second step conversion, a $20.0 million charitable contribution was made to Investors Charitable Foundation. $10.0 million was made in cash at the Bank level, and is expected to be fully realized based on the Bank’s future taxable income. The remaining $10.0 million contribution was made by Investors Bancorp, Inc., and based on the standalone future state taxable income at the Bancorp level, a valuation allowance of $346,000 was established as of December 31, 2014 for the portion of the state tax benefit related to the contribution that is not more likely than not to be realized. With the exception of the valuation allowance on the charitable contribution noted above, based upon projections of future taxable income and the ability to carry back losses for two years, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the remaining deferred tax asset. At December 31, 2013, the Company did not have a valuation allowance. On May 7, 2014, the Company completed its second step conversion. The new consolidated group resulting from the second step has the ability to carry back claims normally allowed under federal tax law to the old consolidated group. Retained earnings at December 31, 2014 included approximately $45.2 million for which deferred income taxes of approximately $18.5 million have not been provided. The retained earnings amount represents the base year allocation of income to bad debt deductions for tax purposes only. Base year reserves are subject to recapture if the Bank makes certain non- dividend distributions, repurchases any of its stock, pays dividends in excess of tax earnings and profits, or ceases to maintain a bank charter. Under ASC 740, this amount is treated as a permanent difference and deferred taxes are not recognized unless it appears that it will be reduced and result in taxable income in the foreseeable future. Events that would result in taxation of these reserves include failure to qualify as a bank for tax purposes or distributions in complete or partial liquidation. The Company had no unrecognized tax benefits or related interest or penalties at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in the states of New Jersey and New York. The Company is no longer subject to federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2010. At December 31, 2014, Investors Bank, a subsidiary of the Company, is being audited by the State of New Jersey for tax years 2010 through 2013 as well as the State of New York for tax years 2010 through 2012. The Company is also under audit by the IRS and City of New York in relation to acquired entities. 11. Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Pension Plan The Company participates in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions (“Pentegra DB Plan”), a tax-qualified defined-benefit pension plan. The Pentegra DB Plan’s Employer Identification Number is 13-5645888 and the Plan Number is 333. The Pentegra DB Plan operates as a multi-employer plan for accounting purposes and as a multiple-employer plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. There are no collective bargaining agreements in place that require contributions to the Pentegra DB Plan. 122 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The Pentegra DB Plan is a single plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 413(c) and, as a result, all of the assets stand behind all of the liabilities. Accordingly, under the Pentegra DB Plan contributions made by a participating employer may be used to provide benefits to participants of other participating employers. The funded status (fair value of plan assets divided by funding target) as of July 1, 2014 and 2013 was 107.60% and 98.38%, respectively. The fair value of plan assets reflects any contributions received through June 30, 2014. The Company’s required contribution and pension cost was $5.3 million, $5.9 million and $5.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The accrued pension liability was $672,000 and $247,000 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company’s contributions to the Pentegra DB Plan are not more than 5% of the total contributions to the plan. The Company’s expected contribution for the 2015 year is approximately $6.0 million. In connection with the acquisition of Roma Financial on December 6, 2013, the Company assumed their defined benefit pension plan. In September 2014, the Company received approval from the IRS to approve the termination of the plan, which was effective upon the closing of the acquisition on December 6, 2013. The unfunded status was fully accrued for as of December 31, 2014. SERP, Directors’ Plan and Other Postretirement Benefits Plan The Company has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Wage Replacement Plan (SERP). The SERP is a nonqualified, defined benefit plan which provides benefits to employees as designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors if their benefits and/or contributions under the pension plan are limited by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company also has a nonqualified, defined benefit plan which provides benefits to certain directors. The SERP and the directors’ plan are unfunded and the costs of the plans are recognized over the period that services are provided. The following table sets forth information regarding the SERP and the directors’ defined benefit plan: K - 0 1 M R O F December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) $ 29,152 2,319 1,322 3,289 4,816 495 — (871) 25,526 1,799 908 — (3,634) 5,647 (330) (764) 40,522 29,152 $(40,522) (29,152) Change in benefit obligation: Benefit obligation at beginning of year Service cost Interest cost Loss due to change in mortality assumption Loss (gain) due to change in discount rate Loss due to demographic changes Actuarial (gain) loss Benefits paid Benefit obligation at end of year Funded status 123 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The funded pension benefits of $40.5 million and $29.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss related to pension plans, on a pre-tax basis, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, are summarized in the following table. Prior service cost Net actuarial gain Total amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) $ 49 16,923 146 8,956 $16,972 9,102 F O R M 1 0 - K The accumulated benefit obligation for the SERP and directors’ defined benefit plan was $23.6 million and $20.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The measurement date for our SERP, directors’ plan is December 31 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The weighted-average actuarial assumptions used in the plan determinations at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows: Discount rate Rate of compensation increase The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows: Service cost Interest cost Amortization of: Prior service cost Net gain Total net periodic benefit cost December 31, 2014 2013 3.71% 4.53% 4.19% 4.00% Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (In thousands) 1,799 908 $2,319 1,322 1,313 796 98 633 98 660 98 145 $4,372 3,465 2,352 The following are the weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost: Discount rate Rate of compensation increase Year Ended December 31, 2014 4.53% 4.00% 2013 3.56% 3.87% 2012 4.08% 3.74% 124 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Estimated future benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate for the next ten calendar years are as follows: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 through 2024 Amount (In thousands) $ 944 929 912 894 875 17,508 K - 0 1 M R O F 401(k) Plan The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees providing they meet the eligibility age requirement of age 21. The Company matches 50% of the first 6% contributed by the participants. The Company’s aggregate contributions to the 401(k) plan for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $2.0 million, $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Employee Stock Ownership Plan The ESOP is a tax-qualified plan designed to invest primarily in the Company’s common stock that provides employees with the opportunity to receive a funded retirement benefit from the Bank, based primarily on the value of the Company’s common stock. During the Company’s initial public stock offering in October 2005 the ESOP was authorized to purchase, and did purchase, 10,847,883 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $10.00 per share with the proceeds of a loan from the Company to the ESOP. In connection with the completion of the Company’s mutual to stock conversion on May 7, 2014, the ESOP purchased an additional 6,617,421 common shares of stock at a price of $10.00 per share with the proceeds of a loan from the Company to the ESOP. The Company refinanced the outstanding principal and interest balance of $33.9 million and borrowed an additional $66.2 million to purchase the additional shares. The outstanding loan principal balance at December 31, 2014 was $97.0 million. Shares of the Company’s common stock pledged as collateral for the loan are released from the pledge for allocation to participants as loan payments are made. At December 31, 2014, shares allocated to participants were 3,728,061 since the plan inception. ESOP shares that were unallocated or not yet committed to be released totaled 13,737,243 at December 31, 2014, and had a fair value of $154.3 million. ESOP compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $5.1 million, $3.0 million and $2.3 million, respectively, representing the fair value of shares allocated or committed to be released during the year. The Company also has established an Amended and Restated Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan, which is a non-qualified plan that provides supplemental benefits to certain executives as designated by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors who are prevented from receiving the full benefits contemplated by the retirement plan and/or employee stock ownership plan’s benefit formula. With regards to the Supplemental ESOP, the supplemental benefits consist of payments representing shares that cannot be allocated to participants under the ESOP due to the legal limitations imposed on tax-qualified plans. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, compensation expense related to this plan amounted to $568,000, $782,000 and $240,000, respectively. 125 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Equity Incentive Plan At the annual meeting held on October 24, 2006, stockholders of the Company approved the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company adopted ASC 718, “Compensation- Stock Compensation”, upon approval of the Plan, and began to expense the fair value of all share-based compensation granted over the requisite service periods. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the issuance of an additional 38,250 restricted stock awards and 144,177 stock options to certain officers. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the issuance of an additional 7,650 restricted stock awards and 504,696 stock options to certain officers. In addition, as part of the Roma Financial acquisition 1,584,235 stock awards were granted for the conversion of outstanding Roma Financial stock awards. These shares had a weighted average exercise price of $6.11 per share and were fully vested upon acquisition. The company will not recognize compensation expense in the future on these awards as they have been accounted for as part of the acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the issuance of an additional 1,234,200 restricted stock awards and 17,850 stock options to certain officers. ASC 718 also requires the Company to report as a financing cash flow the benefits of realized tax deductions in excess of the deferred tax benefits previously recognized for compensation expense. These amounts have been reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows, as applicable. In accordance with this guidance the Company classified share-based compensation for employees and outside directors within “compensation and fringe benefits” in the consolidated statements of income to correspond with the same line item as the cash compensation paid. Stock options generally vest over a five-year service period. The Company recognizes compensation expense for all option grants over the awards’ respective requisite service periods. Management estimated the fair values of all option grants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Since there is limited historical information on the volatility of the Company’s stock, management also considered the average volatilities of similar entities for an appropriate period in determining the assumed volatility rate used in the estimation of fair value. Management estimated the expected life of the options using the simplified method allowed under ASC 718. The seven-year Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant provides the risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option, which is ten years. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair values of these awards, which have graded vesting, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards. Restricted shares generally vest over a five or seven-year service period. The product of the number of shares granted and the grant date market price of the Company’s common stock determines the fair value of restricted shares under the Company’s restricted stock plan. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the fair value of restricted shares on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. 126 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded $13.7 million, $3.4 million and $3.7 million respectively, of share-based compensation expense, comprised of stock option expense of $1.8 million, $365,000 and $424,000, respectively, and restricted stock expense of $11.9 million, $3.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Upon completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of Investors Bancorp, MHC on May 7, 2014, vesting accelerated for both stock options and restricted stock outstanding awards and all applicable expenses were recognized during the period. The following is a summary of the status of the Company’s restricted shares as of December 31, 2014 and changes therein during the year then ended: Non-vested at December 31, 2013 Granted Vested Forfeited Non-vested at December 31, 2014 Number of Shares Awarded 2,655,585 38,250 (2,685,323) (8,512) — Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value $ 5.37 10.19 5.44 5.08 $ — Upon completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of Investors Bancorp, MHC, vesting accelerated on all outstanding restricted share awards and all applicable expenses were recognized during the period. No additional restricted awards have been granted. The following is a summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information for its option plan for the year ended December 31, 2014: K - 0 1 M R O F Outstanding at December 31, 2013 Granted Exercised Forfeited Expired Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life 3.7 Aggregate Intrinsic Value $45,652 Number of Stock Options 11,299,351 144,177 (2,302,726) (3,570) (44,648) Weighted Average Exercise Price $ 5.99 10.29 6.00 8.97 5.74 Outstanding at December 31, 2014 Exercisable at December 31, 2014 9,092,584 $ 6.06 9,064,376 $ 6.04 2.8 2.8 $46,984 $46,969 The fair value of the option grants was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: Expected dividend yield Expected volatility Risk-free interest rate Expected option life December 31, 2014 2013 2012 0.35% 32.97% 1.69% 0.16% 33.20% 1.38% 1.12% 30.40% 0.67% 6.5 years 6.5 years 10.0 years The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $3.63 and $3.73 per share, respectively. Upon completion of the mutual-to-stock conversion of 127 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Investors Bancorp, MHC, vesting accelerated on all outstanding stock option awards as of May 7, 2014. Expected future expense relating to the non-vested options outstanding as of December 31, 2014 is $90,000 over a weighted average period of 5.90 years. 12. Commitments and Contingencies The Company is a defendant in certain claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. Management and the Company’s legal counsel are of the opinion that the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. At December 31, 2014, the Company was obligated under various non-cancelable operating leases on buildings and land used for office space and banking purposes. These operating leases contain escalation clauses which provide for increased rental expense, based primarily on increases in real estate taxes and cost-of-living indices. Rental expense under these leases aggregated approximately $17.3 million, $15.2 million and $13.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The projected annual minimum rental commitments are as follows: 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Thereafter Amount (In thousands) $ 17,354 16,338 15,672 14,799 14,151 94,272 $172,586 Financial Transactions with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company is a party to transactions with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of its customers. These transactions consist of commitments to extend credit. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2014, the Company had commitments to originate total commercial loans of $628.6 million. Additionally, the Company had commitments to originate residential loans of approximately $80.5 million, commitments to purchase residential loans of $105.2 million and unused home equity and overdraft lines of credit, and undisbursed business and construction loans, totaling approximately $680.6 million. No commitments are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company has no exposure to credit loss if the customer does not exercise its rights to borrow under the commitment. The Company uses the same credit policies and collateral requirements in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet loans. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent 128 K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 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 borrower. Collateral held varies but primarily includes residential properties. The Company principally grants commercial real estate loans, multi-family loans, commercial and industrial loans, construction loans, residential mortgage loans and consumer and other loans to borrowers throughout New Jersey, New York and states in close proximity. Its borrowers’ abilities to repay their obligations are dependent upon various factors, including the borrowers’ income and net worth, cash flows generated by the underlying collateral, value of the underlying collateral and priority of the Company’s lien on the property. Such factors are dependent upon various economic conditions and individual circumstances beyond the Company’s control; the Company is, therefore, subject to risk of loss. The Company believes its lending policies and procedures adequately minimize the potential exposure to such risks and adequate provisions for loan losses are provided for all probable and estimable losses. Collateral and/or government or private guarantees are required for virtually all loans. The Company also holds in its loan portfolio interest-only one-to four-family mortgage loans in which the borrower makes only interest payments for the first five, seven or ten years of the mortgage loan term. This feature will result in future increases in the borrower’s contractually required payments due to the required amortization of the principal amount after the interest-only period. These payment increases could affect the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. The amount of interest-only one-to four-family mortgage loans at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $288.0 million, and $341.7 million, respectively. The Company maintained stricter underwriting criteria for these interest-only loans than it did for its amortizing loans. The Company believes these criteria adequately control the potential exposure to such risks and that adequate provisions for loan losses are provided for all known and inherent risks. In the normal course of business the Company sells residential mortgage loans to third parties. These loan sales are subject to customary representations and warranties. In the event that the Company is found to be in breach of these representations and warranties, it may be obligated to repurchase certain of these loans. In connection with its mortgage banking activities, the Company has certain freestanding derivative instruments. At December 31, 2014, the Company had commitments of approximately $19.2 million to fund loans which will be classified as held-for-sale with a like amount of commitments to sell such loans which are considered derivative instruments under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The Company also had commitments of $11.0 million to sell loans at December 31, 2014. The fair values of these derivative instruments are immaterial to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The guarantees generally extend for a term of up to one year and are fully collateralized. For each guarantee issued, if the customer defaults on a payment or performance to the third party, the Company would have to perform under the guarantee. Outstanding standby letters of credit totaled $20.1 million at December 31, 2014. The fair values of these obligations were immaterial at December 31, 2014. In addition, at December 31, 2014, the Company had $1.5 million in commercial letters of credit outstanding. 13. Fair Value Measurements We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Our securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record at fair value other assets or liabilities on a non- 129 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements recurring basis, such as held-to-maturity securities, mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”), loans receivable and real estate owned (“REO”). These non-recurring fair value adjustments involve the application of lower-of-cost-or- market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. Additionally, in connection with our mortgage banking activities we have commitments to fund loans held-for-sale and commitments to sell loans, which are considered free-standing derivative instruments, the fair values of which are not material to our financial condition or results of operations. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, we group our assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are: • Level 1 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets. • Level 2 — Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market. • Level 3 — Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect our own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include the use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques. The results cannot be determined with precision and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability. We base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC 820 requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Securities available-for-sale Our available-for-sale portfolio is carried at estimated fair value on a recurring basis, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/loss in stockholders’ equity. The fair values of available-for-sale securities are based on quoted market prices (Level 1), where available. The Company obtains one price for each security primarily from a third-party pricing service (pricing service), which generally uses quoted or other observable inputs for the determination of fair value. The pricing service normally derives the security prices through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available observable market information. For securities not actively traded (Level 2), the pricing service may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs that are often used in the valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, credit spreads, default rates, prepayment speeds and non-binding broker quotes. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to a secondary pricing source. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s internal price verification procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services has not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service. 130 K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following tables provide the level of valuation assumptions used to determine the carrying value of our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Securities available for sale: Equity securities Mortgage-backed securities: Carrying Value at December 31, 2014 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) $ 8,523 — 8,523 — Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association 507,283 — 681,992 — 126 — 507,283 — 681,992 — 126 — Total mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale 1,189,401 — 1,189,401 — Total securities available-for-sale $1,197,924 — 1,197,924 — Securities available for sale: Equity securities Debt securities: Government-sponsored enterprises Corporate and other debt securities Mortgage-backed securities: Carrying Value at December 31, 2013 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) $ 8,444 — 8,444 — 3,004 — 670 — 3,004 — 670 — Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Federal National Mortgage Association Government National Mortgage Association 363,088 — 409,559 — 267 — 363,088 — 409,559 — 267 — Total mortgage-backed securities available- for-sale Total securities available-for-sale 772,914 — $785,032 — 772,914 — 784,362 670 There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2014 from December 31, 2013, and there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2014. The changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized below: Balance beginning of period Transfers from held-to-maturity(1) Total net (losses) gains for the period included in: Net income Other comprehensive income (loss) Sales Settlements Balance end of period 131 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 (Dollars in thousands) $ 670 — — 670 470 (229) (911) — $ — — — — — 670 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (1) Represents a trust preferred security transferred to available for sale at its fair value on December 31, 2013 due to the impact of the Volcker Rule adopted in December 2013. The Volcker Rule requires specific treatment of certain collateralized debt obligation backed by trust preferred securities. Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis Mortgage Servicing Rights, net Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of third party valuations through an analysis of future cash flows, MSR is obtained through independent incorporating estimates of assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including market discount rates, prepayment speeds, servicing income, servicing costs, default rates and other market driven data, including the market’s perception of future interest rate movements. The prepayment speed and the discount rate are considered two of the most significant inputs in the model. At December 31, 2014, the fair value model used prepayment speeds ranging from 5.70% to 29.40% and a discount rate of 10.17% for the valuation of the mortgage servicing rights. A significant degree of judgment is involved in valuing the mortgage servicing rights using Level 3 inputs. The use of different assumptions could have a significant positive or negative effect on the fair value estimate. Loans Receivable Loans which meet certain criteria are evaluated individually for impairment. A loan is deemed to be impaired if it is a commercial loan with an outstanding balance greater than $1.0 million and on non-accrual status, loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring, and other commercial loans with $1.0 million in outstanding principal if management has specific information that it is probable they will not collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Our impaired loans are generally collateral dependent and, as such, are carried at the estimated fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. In order to estimate fair value, once interest or principal payments are 90 days delinquent or when the timely collection of such income is considered doubtful an updated appraisal is obtained. Thereafter, in the event the most recent appraisal does not reflect the current market conditions due to the passage of time and other factors, management will obtain an updated appraisal or make downward adjustments to the existing appraised value based on their knowledge of the property, local real estate market conditions, recent real estate transactions, and for estimated selling costs, if applicable. At December 31, 2014, appraisals were discounted in a range of 0%-25%. Other Real Estate Owned Other Real Estate Owned is recorded at estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs when acquired, thus establishing a new cost basis. Fair value is generally based on independent appraisals. These appraisals include adjustments to comparable assets based on the appraisers’ market knowledge and experience, and are discounted an additional 0%-25% for estimated costs to sell. When an asset is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan losses. If the estimated fair value of the asset declines, a writedown is recorded through expense. The valuation of foreclosed assets is subjective in nature and may be adjusted in the future because of changes in economic conditions. Operating costs after acquisition are generally expensed. 132 Carrying Value at December 31, 2013 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) K - 0 1 M R O F INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following tables provides the level of valuation assumptions used to determine the carrying value of our assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2013, there was no change to carrying value of MSR and impaired loans measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Security Type Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range Weighted Average Carrying Value at December 31, 2014 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) MSR, net Other real estate owned Estimated cash flow Market comparable Prepayment speeds Lack of marketability 5.70% - 29.40% 11.22% $13,081 — — 13,081 0.0% - 25.0% 15.87% 566 — — 566 $13,647 — — 13,647 Security Type Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range Weighted Average Other real estate owned Market comparable Lack of marketability 0.0% - 25.0% 2.42% $929 — $929 — — — 929 929 Other Fair Value Disclosures Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions for the Company’s financial instruments not recorded at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis are set forth below. Cash and Cash Equivalents For cash and due from banks, the carrying amount approximates fair value. Securities held-to-maturity Our held-to-maturity portfolio, consisting primarily of mortgage backed securities and other debt securities for which we have a positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, is carried at amortized cost. Management utilizes various inputs to determine the fair value of the portfolio. The Company obtains one price for each security primarily from a third-party pricing service, which generally uses quoted or other observable inputs for the determination of fair value. The pricing service normally derives the security prices through recently reported trades for identical or similar securities, making adjustments through the reporting date based upon available observable market information. For securities not actively traded, the pricing service may use quoted market prices of comparable instruments or discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating inputs that are currently observable in the markets for similar securities. Inputs that are often used in the valuation methodologies include, but are not limited to, benchmark yields, credit spreads, default rates, prepayment speeds and non-binding broker quotes. In the absence of quoted prices and in an illiquid market, valuation techniques, which require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable, are used to determine fair value of the investment. Valuation techniques are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to cash flows, discount rates, rate of return, adjustments for nonperformance and liquidity, and liquidation values. As the Company is responsible for the determination of fair value, it performs quarterly analyses on the prices received from the pricing service to determine whether the prices are reasonable estimates of fair value. Specifically, the 133 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Company compares the prices received from the pricing service to a secondary pricing source. Additionally, the Company compares changes in the reported market values and returns to relevant market indices to test the reasonableness of the reported prices. The Company’s internal price verification procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services has not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service. FHLB Stock The fair value of FHLB stock is its carrying value, since this is the amount for which it could be redeemed. There is no active market for this stock and the Bank is required to hold a minimum investment based upon the unpaid principal of home mortgage loans and/or FHLB advances outstanding. Loans F O R M 1 0 - K Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as residential mortgage and consumer. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and non-performing categories. The fair value of performing loans, except residential mortgage loans, is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan. For performing residential mortgage loans, fair value is estimated by discounting contractual cash flows adjusted for prepayment estimates using discount rates based on secondary market sources adjusted to reflect differences in servicing and credit costs, if applicable. Fair value for significant non-performing loans is based on recent external appraisals of collateral securing such loans, adjusted for the timing of anticipated cash flows. Fair values estimated in this manner do not fully incorporate an exit price approach to fair value, but instead are based on a comparison to current market rates for comparable loans. Deposit Liabilities The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as savings, checking accounts and money market accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates which approximate currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. Borrowings The fair value of borrowings are based on securities dealers’ estimated fair values, when available, or estimated using discounted contractual cash flows using rates which approximate the rates offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities. Commitments to Extend Credit The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For commitments to originate fixed rate loans, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. Due to the short-term nature of our outstanding commitments, the fair values of these commitments are immaterial to our financial condition. 134 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are presented in the following table. Carrying value December 31, 2014 Estimated Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents Securities available-for-sale Securities held-to-maturity Stock in FHLB Loans held for sale Net loans Financial liabilities: Deposits, other than time deposits Time deposits Borrowed funds Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents Securities available-for-sale Securities held-to-maturity Stock in FHLB Loans held for sale Net loans Financial liabilities: Deposits, other than time deposits Time deposits Borrowed funds Limitations $ 230,961 1,197,924 1,564,479 151,287 6,868 230,961 1,197,924 1,609,365 151,287 6,868 14,887,570 14,747,319 230,961 — — 1,197,924 — 1,544,129 151,287 — — — 6,868 — — 65,236 — — — 14,747,319 $ 9,601,988 2,570,338 2,766,104 9,601,988 9,601,988 2,580,572 2,796,969 — — 2,580,572 — 2,796,969 — — — Carrying value December 31, 2013 Estimated Fair Value Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) K - 0 1 M R O F $ 250,689 785,032 831,819 178,126 8,273 250,689 785,032 839,064 178,126 8,273 12,882,544 12,598,551 250,689 — — 178,126 — — — 784,362 790,460 — 8,273 — 670 48,604 — — — 12,598,551 $ 7,334,266 3,384,545 3,367,274 7,334,266 7,334,266 3,410,202 3,337,419 — — 3,410,202 — 3,337,419 — — — Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance-sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets that are not considered financial assets include deferred tax assets, premises and equipment and bank owned life insurance. Liabilities for pension and other postretirement 135 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements benefits are not considered financial liabilities. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates. 14. Regulatory Capital The Bank and the Company are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank and the Company must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. F O R M 1 0 - K Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank and the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of Tier 1 leverage ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital and Total risk-based capital (as defined in the regulations). Management believes, as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, that the Bank and the Company met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. As of December 31, 2014, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank and the Company as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank and the Company must maintain minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital and Total risk-based as set forth in the tables. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank and the Company’s category. The following is a summary of the Bank and the Company’s actual capital amounts and ratios as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 compared to the FDIC minimum capital adequacy requirements and the FDIC requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution. As of December 31, 2014: Bank: Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Total Risk-Based Capital Investors Bancorp, Inc: Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Total Risk-Based Capital Minimum Requirements Actual For Capital Adequacy Purposes To be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio (Dollars in thousands) $2,339,572 2,339,572 2,511,897 12.79% $ 731,884 17.01% 550,321 18.26% 1,100,641 4.00% $ 914,855 4.00% 825,481 8.00% 1,375,802 5.00% 6.00% 10.00% $3,511,433 3,511,433 3,684,024 19.17% $ 732,710 25.48% 551,181 26.74% 1,102,362 4.00% $ 915,887 4.00% 826,772 8.00% 1,377,953 5.00% 6.00% 10.00% 136 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Minimum Requirements Actual For Capital Adequacy Purposes To be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio (Dollars in thousands) $1,174,799 1,174,799 1,319,973 8.20% $573,180 10.14% 463,408 11.39% 926,817 4.00% $ 716,475 695,113 4.00% 8.00% 1,158,521 5.00% 6.00% 10.00% $1,266,937 1,266,937 1,412,368 8.83% $573,604 10.92% 464,237 12.17% 928,474 4.00% $ 717,005 696,356 4.00% 8.00% 1,160,593 5.00% 6.00% 10.00% As of December 31, 2013: Bank: Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Total Risk-Based Capital Investors Bancorp, Inc: Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Total Risk-Based Capital 15. Parent Company Only Financial Statements The following condensed financial statements for Investors Bancorp, Inc. (parent company only) reflect the investment in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Investors Bank, using the equity method of accounting. K - 0 1 M R O F 137 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Balance Sheets Assets: Cash and due from bank Securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value Investment in subsidiary ESOP loan receivable Other assets Total Assets Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity: Total liabilities Total stockholders’ equity Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Statements of Operations F O R M 1 0 - K Income: Interest on ESOP loan receivable Dividend from subsidiary Interest on deposit with subsidiary Gain (loss) on securities transactions Expenses: Other expenses Income before income tax expense Income tax (benefit) expense December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) $1,022,231 3,791 2,409,557 96,951 52,499 6,515 3,910 1,243,679 33,491 52,974 $3,585,029 1,340,569 $ 7,174 3,577,855 6,242 1,334,327 $3,585,029 1,340,569 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (In thousands) $ 2,565 — — 145 2,710 1,176 10,000 — 89 1,167 135,000 — (41) 11,265 136,126 12,240 (9,530) (3,675) 1,473 9,792 233 1,413 134,713 (112) 134,825 (46,058) Income before undistributed earnings of subsidiary Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary (dividend in excess of earnings) (5,855) 137,576 9,559 102,472 Net income $131,721 112,031 88,767 Other Comprehensive Income Net income Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale Total other comprehensive income Total comprehensive income 138 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 $131,721 (In thousands) 112,031 88,767 1,482 1,482 1,316 1,316 826 826 $133,203 113,347 89,593 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Statements of Cash Flows Cash flows from operating activities: Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by $ 131,721 112,031 88,767 operating activities: (Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiary)dividend in excess Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 2012 (In thousands) of earning Contribution to stock to charitable foundation Loss (Gain) on securities transactions Decrease in other assets Increase in other liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Capital contributed to the Bank Cash received net of cash paid for acquisition Purchase of investments available-for-sale Redemption of equity securities available-for-sale Principal collected on ESOP loan Cash received from MHC merger (137,576) 10,000 145 2,227 525 (102,472) — 89 2,235 1,834 46,058 — 41 (670) 1,820 7,042 13,717 136,016 (1,074,947) 48 (493) 467 3,093 11,307 — 738 (668) 280 1,101 — — (135,000) (1,000) 85 1,064 — K - 0 1 M R O F Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (1,060,525) 1,451 (134,851) Cash flows from financing activities: Loan to ESOP Proceeds from issuance of common stock Proceeds from sale of treasury stock Purchase of treasury stock Net tax benefit on stock awards Dividends paid Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net increase (decrease) in cash and due from bank Cash and due from bank at beginning of year Cash and due from bank at end of year (66,553) 2,149,893 38,227 (13,523) 3,710 (42,555) — — 6,916 (1,531) 1,262 (22,404) — — 2,633 (902) 93 (5,595) 2,069,199 (15,757) (3,771) 1,015,716 6,515 $ 1,022,231 (589) 7,104 6,515 (2,606) 9,710 7,104 139 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 16. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following tables are a summary of certain quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Interest and dividend income Interest expense Net interest income Provision for loan losses Net interest income after provision for loan losses Non-interest income Non-interest expenses Income before income tax expense Income tax expense Net income Basic earnings per common share Diluted earnings per common share Interest and dividend income Interest expense Net interest income Provision for loan losses Net interest income after provision for loan losses Non-interest income Non-interest expenses Income before income tax expense Income tax expense Net income Basic and diluted earnings per common 2014 Quarter Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (In thousands, except per share data) $158,625 29,434 129,191 9,000 120,191 11,942 77,198 54,935 20,516 $ 34,419 $ $ 0.10 0.10 164,089 29,326 134,763 8,000 126,763 10,173 112,155 24,781 9,596 15,185 0.04 0.04 167,058 29,212 137,846 9,000 128,846 9,872 76,584 62,134 23,092 39,042 0.11 0.11 171,090 30,919 140,171 11,500 128,671 9,874 73,923 64,622 21,547 43,075 0.13 0.12 2013 Quarter Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (In thousands, except per share data) $129,434 27,393 102,041 13,750 132,194 27,485 104,709 13,750 88,291 10,089 56,124 42,256 15,089 $ 27,167 90,959 9,538 56,897 43,600 15,524 28,076 137,397 26,973 110,424 13,750 96,674 9,491 60,831 45,334 16,053 29,281 146,043 27,791 118,252 9,250 109,002 7,453 71,859 44,596 17,089 27,507 share $ 0.10 0.10 0.11 0.09 140 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 17. Earnings Per Share The following is a summary of our earnings per share calculations and reconciliation of basic to diluted earnings per share. 2014 2013 2012 For the Year Ended December 31, Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Income Shares Per Share Amount Net Income $131,721 $112,031 $88,767 (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders $131,721 344,389,259 $0.38 $112,031 279,632,558 $0.40 $88,767 273,797,796 $0.32 Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents(1) Diluted earnings per share: Income available to — 3,342,312 — 3,403,286 — 1,835,584 common stockholders $131,721 347,731,571 $0.38 $112,031 283,035,844 $0.40 $88,767 275,633,380 $0.32 (1) For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were 142,953, 1.9 million, and 89,250 equity awards, respectively, that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. K - 0 1 M R O F 141 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 18. Comprehensive Income (Loss) The components of comprehensive income (loss), both gross and net of tax, are as follows: Net income Other comprehensive income (loss): Change in funded status of retirement obligations Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale Net Loss on Securities reclassified from available for sale to held to maturity Accretion of loss on securities reclassified to held to maturity available for sale Unrealized gain on security reclassified from held to maturity to available for sale Reclassification adjustment for security (gains) losses included in net income Noncredit related component other- than-temporary impairment on security Other-than-temporary impairment accretion on debt securities Total other comprehensive income (loss) Total comprehensive income Year ended December 31, 2014 Year ended December 31, 2013 Year ended December 31, 2012 Gross Tax Net Gross Tax Net Gross Tax Net (Dollars in thousands) $206,472 (74,751)131,721 175,786 (63,755)112,031 144,850 (56,083) 88,767 (8,402) 3,360 (5,042) 16 (6) 10 (4,267) 1,707 (2,560) 9,836 (3,884) 5,952 (21,930) 9,103 (12,827) 7,973 (2,893) 5,080 — — — (12,243) 5,001 (7,242) — — — 2,918 (1,192) 1,726 1,670 (682) 988 — — — — — — 233 (95) 138 — — — (233) 95 (138) (684) 279 (405) 177 (72) 105 — — — 38 (16) 22 — — — 1,343 (549) 794 2,075 (848) 1,227 1,478 (604) 874 5,462 (2,170) 3,292 (30,825) 12,736 (18,089) 5,361 (1,862) 3,499 $211,934 (76,921)135,013 144,961 (51,019) 93,942 150,211 (57,945) 92,266 142 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The following table presents the after-tax changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013: Balance — December 31, 2013 Net change Balance — December 31, 2014 Balance — December 31, 2012 Net change Balance — December 31, 2013 Change in funded status of retirement obligations $ (5,869) (5,042) $(10,911) $ (5,879) 10 $ (5,869) Net Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities (Dollars in thousands) (19,827) 8,334 (11,493) (1,728) (18,099) (19,827) Total accumulated other comprehensive loss (25,696) 3,292 (22,404) (7,607) (18,089) (25,696) The following table sets for information about amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the consolidated statement of income and the affected line item in the statement where net income is presented. K - 0 1 M R O F Year Ended December 31, 2014 2013 (In thousands) Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income Gain on security transactions Noncredit-related gains on securities not expected to be sold (recognized in other comprehensive income) $(233) (684) — 38 Change in funded status of retirement obligations(1) Compensation and fringe benefits: Adjustment of net obligation Amortization of net obligation or asset Amortization of prior service cost Amortization of net gain Compensation and fringe benefits Total before tax Income tax expense Net of tax (175) 25 125 580 555 322 (205) $ 527 (941) 33 147 777 16 (630) (257) (373) (1) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computations of net periodic cost for our defined benefit plans and other post-retirement benefit plan. See Note 11 for additional details. 19. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Income Taxes, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The amendments of this update state that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss 143 F O R M 1 0 - K INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. This ASU applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In January 2014, the FASB, issued ASU, 2014-01, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Subtopic 323) Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects,” which applies to all reporting entities that invest in flow-through limited liability entities that manage or invest in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing tax credit. Currently under GAAP, a reporting entity that invests in a qualified affordable housing project may elect to account for that investment using the effective yield method if all of the conditions are met. For those investments that are not accounted for using the effective yield method, GAAP requires that they be accounted for under either the equity method or the cost method. Certain of the conditions required to be met to use the effective yield method were restrictive and thus prevented many such investments from qualifying for the use of the effective yield method. The amendments in this update modify the conditions that a reporting entity must meet to be eligible to use a method other than the equity or cost methods to account for qualified affordable housing project the amendments permit an entity to use the proportional amortization method to amortize the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the amount of tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognize the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). Additionally, the amendments introduce new recurring disclosures about all investments in qualified affordable housing projects irrespective of the method used to account for the investments. The amendments in ASU 2014-01 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. investments. If the modified conditions are met, In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40) Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure,” which applies to all creditors who obtain physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan in satisfaction of a receivable. The amendments in this update clarify when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs and requires disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by a creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. The amendments in ASU 2014-04 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted and entities can elect to adopt a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The objective of this amendment is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are in the scope of other standards. For public entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not anticipate a material impact to the consolidated financial statements related to this guidance. 144 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transaction, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures.” The amendments affect all entities that enter into repurchase-to-maturity transactions or repurchase financings. The amendments change the current accounting outcome by requiring repurchase-to-maturity transactions to be accounted for as secured borrowings. Additionally, the amendments require that in a repurchase financing arrangement the repurchase agreement be accounted for separately from the initial transfer of the financial asset. ASU 2014-11 requires a new disclosure for certain transactions that involve (1) a transfer of a financial asset accounted for as a sale and (2) an agreement with the same transferee entered into in contemplation of the initial transfer that results in the transferor retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial asset throughout the term of the transaction. The accounting changes in this update are effective for public business entities for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. Earlier application for a public business entity is prohibited. The Company does not anticipate a material impact to the consolidated financial statements related to this guidance. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14, “Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors: Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.” The amendments in this update affect creditors that hold government guaranteed mortgage loans, including those guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The amendments in this update require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met (i) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, (ii) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim, and (iii) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company does not anticipate a significant impact to the consolidated financial statements related to this guidance. The Company will comply with the provisions of this guidance upon its effective date and, if applicable, record a separate other receivable for foreclosed government guaranteed mortgage loans. 20. Subsequent Events As defined in FASB ASC 855, “Subsequent Events”, subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued. Financial statements are considered issued when they are widely distributed to stockholders and other financial statement users for general use and reliance in a form and format that complies with GAAP. On January 29, 2015, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.05 per share and a special cash dividend of $0.05 per share. The cumulative $0.10 dividend per share was paid to stockholders on February 24, 2015, with a record date of February 9, 2015. K - 0 1 M R O F 145 F O R M 1 0 - K (a)(3) Exhibits The following exhibits are either filed as part of this report or are incorporated herein by reference: 3.1 3.2 4 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 10.8 10.9 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 21 23.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Investors Bancorp, Inc.(1) Bylaws of Investors Bancorp, Inc.(1) Form of Common Stock Certificate of Investors Bancorp, Inc.(1) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Kevin Cummings(1) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Domenick A. Cama(1) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Richard S. Spengler(2) Amended and Restated Employment Agreement Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Paul Kalamaras(3) Employment Agreement Investors Bancorp, Inc. and Sean Burke Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan(4) Roma Financial Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan(5) Investors Bank Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan(6) Investors Bank Amended and restated Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan(1) Amended and Restated Investors Bank Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan(1) Investors Bank Amended and Restated Director Retirement Plan(1) Investors Bancorp, Inc. Deferred Directors Fee Plan(1) Investors Bank Deferred Directors Fee Plan(1) Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement between Roma Bank and Robert C. Albanese, as assumed by Investors Bank(7) Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement between Roma Bank and Dennis M. Bone, assumed by Investors Bank(7) Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreement between Roma Bank and Michele N. Siekerka, as assumed by Investors Bank(7) Subsidiaries of Registrant(1) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 101 Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) related notes to these financial statements 146 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File no. 333-192966), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 20, 2013. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Definitive Proxy Statement for Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2006. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File No. 333-192717) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2013. Incorporated by reference to Annex D to the Definitive Proxy Statement for Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (Commission File No. 000-51557) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2013. Incorporated by reference to the Amended Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (Commission File no. 333-192966) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 11, 2014. K - 0 1 M R O F 147 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES Date: March 2, 2015 INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. By: /s/ Kevin Cummings Kevin Cummings Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) (Duly Authorized Representative) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signatures Title Date F O R M 1 0 - K /s/ Kevin Cummings Kevin Cummings /s/ Domenick Cama Domenick Cama /s/ Sean Burke Sean Burke /s/ Robert M. Cashill Robert M. Cashill /s/ Robert C. Albanese Robert C. Albanese /s/ Dennis M. Bone Dennis M. Bone /s/ Doreen R. Byrnes Doreen R. Byrnes /s/ William Cosgrove William Cosgrove /s/ Brian D. Dittenhafer Brian D. Dittenhafer /s/ Brendan J. Dugan Brendan J. Dugan Director, Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) March 2, 2015 Director, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President March 2, 2015 Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) March 2, 2015 Director, Chairman March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 148 Signatures /s/ James Garibaldi James Garibaldi /s/ Michele N. Siekerka Michele N. Siekerka /s/ James H. Ward III James H. Ward III Title Director Date March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 Director March 2, 2015 K - 0 1 M R O F 149 [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 101 JFK Parkway Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 May 8, 2015 Dear Fellow Stockholder: You are cordially invited to attend the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc., which will be held at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901, on June 9, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., local time. The business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting consists of the election of four directors, the approval of the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, an advisory (non-binding) vote on the frequency of stockholder voting on executive compensation and the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the calendar year ending December 31, 2015. Your Board of Directors has determined that an affirmative vote on each of these matters is in the best interests of Investors Bancorp and its stockholders and unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the nominees for director, “FOR” the approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation “FOR” approval of an annual advisory vote on executive compensation and “FOR” ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. Your vote is very important regardless of the number of shares you own. We urge you to complete, sign and return the enclosed Proxy Card as soon as possible, or to vote by Internet or telephone as described on your Proxy Card, even if you currently plan to attend the Annual Meeting. This will not prevent you from voting in person, but will assure that your vote is counted if you are unable to attend the Annual Meeting. On behalf of the Board of Directors, officers and employees of Investors Bancorp, Inc., we thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Kevin Cummings President and Chief Executive Officer T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Investors Bancorp, Inc. 101 JFK Parkway Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 (973) 924-5100 NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS To Be Held on June 9, 2015 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc. will be held at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901, on June 9, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., local time, to consider and vote upon the following matters: 1. The election of four persons to serve as directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc., each for a three-year term, and until their successors are elected and qualified. 2. The approval of the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. 3. An advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers. 4. An advisory (non-binding) vote on the frequency of stockholder voting on executive compensation. 5. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for Investors Bancorp, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2015. 6. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting, and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp, Inc. has fixed April 20, 2015 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in the Proxy Statement, “FOR” the approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, “FOR” an annual vote with respect to executive compensation, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. The Board of Directors requests that you complete, sign and mail the enclosed Proxy Card promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. You may also vote by Internet or telephone as described on your Proxy Card. Stockholders of record who attend the Annual Meeting may vote in person, even if they have previously delivered a signed proxy or voted by Internet or telephone. By Order of the Board of Directors Investors Bancorp, Inc. Patricia E. Brown Corporate Secretary Short Hills, New Jersey May 8, 2015 IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR TO VOTE BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE AS DESCRIBED ON YOUR PROXY CARD. IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 9, 2015—INVESTORS BANCORP, INC.’S 2014 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10K AND PROXY STATEMENT ARE AVAILABLE AT WWW.PROXYDOCS.COM/ISBC. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS To Be Held on June 9, 2015 GENERAL INFORMATION This Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card and the Annual Report to Stockholders are being furnished to the stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (“Investors Bancorp” or the “Company”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors for use at the 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held on June 9, 2015 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901. The term “Annual Meeting,” as used in this Proxy Statement, includes any adjournment or postponement of such meeting. This Proxy Statement is dated May 8, 2015 and is first being mailed to stockholders of Investors Bancorp on or about May 8, 2015. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders Date, Time and Place The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at The Grand Summit Hotel, 570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901, on June 9, 2015, at 9:00 a.m., local time. Record Date April 20, 2015 Shares Entitled to Vote Purpose of the Annual Meeting Vote Required Your Board of Directors Recommends You Vote in Favor of the Proposals 352,296,228 shares of Investors Bancorp common stock were outstanding on the Record Date and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. To consider and vote on the election of four directors, the approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, the approval of the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, the frequency of stockholder voting on executive compensation and the ratification of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to either broker non-votes or proxies as to which authority to vote for the nominees being proposed is withheld. The approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, the advisory vote to approve executive compensation, and the ratification of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm is determined by a majority of the votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes or proxies marked “ABSTAIN.” With respect to the advisory vote on the frequency of future votes on executive compensation, a stockholder may vote on one, two or three years, or may abstain, and the advisory vote on frequency will be the choice that receives the most votes. Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, “FOR” an annual vote with respect to executive compensation, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. 1 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Investors Bancorp Investors Bancorp, a Delaware corporation, is the bank holding company for Investors Bank, an FDIC-insured, New Jersey-chartered capital stock savings bank. On May 7, 2014, the Bank reorganized from a two-tier mutual holding company structure to a fully public stock holding company structure. Concurrent with the completion of the stock offering, each share of common stock owned by public stockholders was exchanged for 2.55 shares of Company common stock, and as a result, all share information disclosed has been revised to reflect the 2.55- to- one exchange ratio. Investors Bancorp had $18.77 billion in total assets and 132 full-service banking offices in New Jersey and New York at December 31, 2014. Investors Bancorp’s principal executive offices are located at 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078, and our telephone number is (973) 924-5100. Who Can Vote The Board of Directors has fixed April 20, 2015 as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, only holders of record of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at the close of business on such date will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On April 20, 2015, 352,296,228 shares of Investors Bancorp common stock were outstanding and held by approximately 18,000 holders of record. The presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Investors Bancorp common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. How Many Votes You Have Each holder of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock outstanding on April 20, 2015 will be entitled to one vote for each share held of record. However, Investors Bancorp’s certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders of record who beneficially own in excess of 10% of the then outstanding shares of common stock of Investors Bancorp are not entitled to vote any of the shares held in excess of that 10% limit. A person or entity is deemed to beneficially own shares that are owned by an affiliate of, as well as by any person acting in concert with, such person or entity. Matters to Be Considered The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to elect four directors, to approve the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, to recommend the frequency of stockholder voting on executive compensation and to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. You may be asked to vote upon other matters that may properly be submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting. We may adjourn or postpone the Annual Meeting for the purpose, among others, of allowing additional time to solicit proxies. How to Vote You may vote your shares by completing and signing the enclosed Proxy Card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or by attending the Annual Meeting. Alternatively, you may choose to vote your shares using the Internet or telephone voting options explained on your Proxy Card. You should complete and return the Proxy Card accompanying this document, or vote using the Internet or telephone voting options, to ensure that your vote is counted at the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, regardless of whether you plan to attend. If you return an executed Proxy Card without marking your instructions, your executed Proxy Card will be voted “FOR” the election of the four nominees for director, “FOR” the approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of 2 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T the executive compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, “FOR” approval of an annual advisory vote on executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. Stockholders of record can vote in person at the Annual Meeting. If a broker holds your shares in street name, then you are not the stockholder of record and you must ask your broker how you can vote in person at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors is currently unaware of any other matters that may be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting, shares represented by properly submitted proxies will be voted, or not voted, by the persons named as proxies in the Proxy Card in their best judgment. Participants in the Investors Bank ESOP or 401(k) Plan If you are a participant in the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) or the Investors Bank Employee 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) through which you own shares of Investors Bancorp common stock, you will have received with this Proxy Statement a voting instruction form for each plan that reflect all shares you may direct the trustees to vote on your behalf under the plans. Under the terms of these plans, the trustees of the ESOP and 401(k) Plan vote all shares held by the plans, but each participant may direct the trustees how to vote the shares of Investors Bancorp common stock allocated to his or her ESOP or 401(k) Plan account. If you own shares through any of these plans and do not provide direction or provide instructions that were not timely received, the respective plan trustees will vote your shares in accordance with the terms of the respective plans. Quorum and Vote Required The presence, in person or by properly executed proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Investors Bancorp common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted solely for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. A proxy submitted by a broker that is not voted on certain matters is sometimes referred to as a broker non-vote. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast, without regard to either broker non-votes or proxies as to which authority to vote for the nominees being proposed is “Withheld”. The approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, the advisory vote to approve the executive compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, and the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm is determined by a majority of the votes cast, without regard to broker non-votes or proxies marked “ABSTAIN”. With respect to the advisory vote on the frequency of future votes on executive compensation, a stockholder may vote on one, two or three years, or may abstain, and the advisory vote on frequency will be the choice that receives the most votes. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Revocability of Proxies You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken at the Annual Meeting. You may revoke your proxy by: • • • • submitting written notice of revocation to the Corporate Secretary of Investors Bancorp prior to the voting of such proxy; submitting a properly executed proxy bearing a later date; using the Internet or telephone voting options explained on the Proxy Card; or voting in person at the Annual Meeting; however, simply attending the Annual Meeting without voting will not revoke an earlier proxy. 3 Written notices of revocation and other communications regarding the revocation of your proxy should be addressed to: Investors Bancorp, Inc. 101 JFK Parkway Short Hills, New Jersey 07078 Attention: Patricia E. Brown, Corporate Secretary If your shares are held in street name, you should follow your broker’s instructions regarding the revocation of proxies. Solicitation of Proxies Investors Bancorp will bear the entire cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to solicitation of proxies by mail, Investors Bancorp will request that banks, brokers and other holders of record send proxies and proxy material to the beneficial owners of Investors Bancorp common stock and secure their voting instructions, if necessary. Investors Bancorp will reimburse such holders of record for their reasonable expenses in taking those actions. Laurel Hill Advisory Group, LLC will assist us in soliciting proxies and we have agreed to pay them a fee of $7,500 plus reasonable expenses for their services. If necessary, Investors Bancorp may also use several of its regular employees, who will not be specially compensated, to solicit proxies from stockholders, personally or by telephone, facsimile or letter. In the event there are not sufficient votes for a quorum, or to approve or ratify any matter being presented at the time of this Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting may be adjourned in order to permit the further solicitation of proxies. Recommendation of the Board of Directors Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” each of the nominees for director listed in this Proxy Statement, “FOR” the approval of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, “FOR” approval on an advisory basis of the executive compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers, “FOR” approval of an annual advisory vote on executive compensation and “FOR” the ratification of KPMG LLP as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management Persons and groups who beneficially own in excess of 5% of Investors Bancorp’s common stock are required to file certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding such beneficial ownership. The following table sets forth, as of April 20, 2015, certain information as to the shares of Investors Bancorp common stock owned by persons who beneficially own more than five percent of Investors Bancorp’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock. We know of no persons, except as listed below, who beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Investors Bancorp common stock as of April 20, 2015. For purposes of the following table and the table included under the heading “Directors and Executive Officers,” and in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of any shares of common stock (i) over which he or she has, or shares, directly or indirectly, voting or investment power, or (ii) as to which he or she has the right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time within 60 days after April 20, 2015. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T 4 Principal Stockholders Name and Address of Beneficial Owner Number of Shares Owned and Nature of Beneficial Ownership Percent of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding (1) FMR LLC 245 Summer Street, Boston MA 02210 Blue Harbour Group, LP 646 Steamboat Road Greenwich CT 06830 The Vanguard Group 100 Vanguard Blvd. Malvern, PA 19355 BlackRock, Inc. 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10022 25,933,575 (2) 24,603,300 (3) 20,846,851 (4) 19,355,766 (5) 7.36% 6.98% 5.92% 5.49% (1) Based on 352,296,228 shares of Investors Bancorp common stock outstanding as of April 20, 2015. (2) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2015. (3) Based on a Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on January 14, 2015. (4) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on December 31, 2014. (5) Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 3, 2015. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P 5 Directors and Executive Officers The following table sets forth information about shares of Investors Bancorp common stock owned by each nominee for election as director, each incumbent director, each Named Executive Officer identified in the summary compensation table included elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, and all nominees, incumbent directors and executive officers as a group, as of April 20, 2015. Position(s) held with Investors Bancorp Inc. and/or Investors Bank Shares Owned Directly and Indirectly (1) Options Exercisable within 60 days Beneficial Ownership Percent of Class Unvested Stock Awards Included in Beneficial Ownership Name NOMINEES Robert M. Cashill Kevin Cummings Brian D. Dittenhafer Michele N. Siekerka Chairman Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Director Director 631,902 1,018,732 892,500 1,147,500 1,524,402 2,166,232 241,657 79,921 353,203 70,606 594,860 150,527 INCUMBENT DIRECTORS Robert C. Albanese Domenick A. Cama James J. Garibaldi James H. Ward III Dennis M. Bone Doreen R. Byrnes William V. Cosgrove Brendan J. Dugan Director Director, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Director Director Director Director Director Director 71,988 773,082 35,302 1,020,000 107,290 1,793,082 12,550 338,860 67,744 175,388 57,450 20,710 — — — 166,250 255,000 — 12,550 338,860 67,744 341,638 312,450 20,710 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WHO ARE NOT DIRECTORS Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer 472,021 110,000 582,021 355,333 357,000 712,333 Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. (3) Senior Vice President 315,814 446,250 762,064 Sean Burke (3) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer — — — P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — All directors and executive officers as a group (2) 4,633,152 4,853,611 9,486,763 2.69% — * Less than 1% (1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person effectively exercises sole, or shared with spouse, voting and dispositive power as to the shares (2) reported. Includes 129,047 shares of common stock allocated to the accounts of executive officers under the Investors Bank Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) and excludes the remaining 17,465,304 shares of common stock of which 13,737,243 are unallocated and held for the future benefit of all employee participants. Under the terms of the ESOP, shares of common stock allocated to the account of employees are voted in accordance with the instructions of the respective employees. Unallocated shares are voted by the ESOP Trustee in the same proportion as the vote obtained from participants on allocated shares. Includes 74,891 shares of common stock held through the Company’s 401(k) Plan. (3) Effective January 26, 2015, Sean Burke was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Investors Bancorp. Concurrently, Mr. Splaine was appointed Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis and Investor Relations of Investors Bancorp. 6 PROPOSAL I—ELECTION OF INVESTORS BANCORP DIRECTORS General Investors Bancorp’s Board of Directors currently consists of 12 members and is divided into three classes, with one class of directors elected each year. Each of the 12 members of the Board of Directors also serves as a director of Investors Bank. The current Bylaws of Investors Bancorp provide that a director shall retire from the Board at the annual meeting of the Board immediately following the year in which the director attains age 75. Four directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting. On the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors nominated Robert M. Cashill, Kevin Cummings, Brian D. Dittenhafer and Michele N. Siekerka for election as directors, each of whom has agreed to serve if so elected. All will serve until their respective successors have been elected and qualified. Except as indicated herein, there are no arrangements or understandings between any nominee and any other person pursuant to which any such nominee was selected. Unless authority to vote for the nominees is withheld, it is intended that the shares represented by the enclosed Proxy Card, if executed and returned, will be voted “FOR” the election of all nominees. In the event that any nominee is unable or declines to serve, the persons named in the Proxy Card as proxies will vote with respect to a substitute nominee designated by Investors Bancorp’s current Board of Directors. At this time, the Board of Directors knows of no reason why any of the nominees would be unable or would decline to serve, if elected. INVESTORS BANCORP’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS NAMED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P 7 Directors and Executive Officers of Investors Bancorp The following table states our directors’ names, their ages as of April 20, 2015, and the years when they began serving as directors of Investors Bancorp and when their current term expires. Name (1) NOMINEES Robert M. Cashill Kevin Cummings Brian D. Dittenhafer Michele N. Siekerka INCUMBENT DIRECTORS Robert C. Albanese Domenick A. Cama James J. Garibaldi James H. Ward III Dennis M. Bone Doreen R. Byrnes William V. Cosgrove Brendan J. Dugan Position(s) Held With Investors Bancorp Age Director Since Current Term Expires Chairman Director, President and Chief Executive Officer Lead Director Director Director Director, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Director Director Director Director Director Director 72 60 72 50 67 59 63 66 63 66 67 67 1998 2008 1997 2013 2015 2015 2015 2015 2013 2016 2011 2012 2009 2013 2002 2011 2013 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2017 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T (1) The mailing address for each person listed is 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. Each of the persons listed as a director is also a director of Investors Bank. The following information describes the business experience for each of Investors Bancorp’s directors and executive officers. Nominees for Director Term to Expire 2018 Robert M. Cashill was first elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in February 1998 and has served as Chairman since January 2010. Mr. Cashill served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Investors Bank from December 2002 until his retirement on December 31, 2007. During this time Mr. Cashill was an integral part of the conversion of the former savings bank into the mutual holding company structure raising $500 million in the process. Before assuming such position, Mr. Cashill served as Executive Vice President for the bank since January 2000. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Cashill was employed as Vice President Institutional Sales by Salomon Smith Barney from 1977 to 1998, and at Hornblower, Weeks, Hemphill, Noyes from 1966 to 1977. For much of that time he specialized in providing investment analysis and asset/liability management advice to thrift institutions and was, therefore, familiar with thrift recapitalizations and debt issuance. Mr. Cashill has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Saint Peter’s College. He is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, where he continues his education and served on the boards of both the New Jersey League of Savings Institutions and the Paper Mill Playhouse. Mr. Cashill’s leadership skills, extensive background in the financial services industry and his experience working for Investors Bank brings knowledge of industry management and local markets to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cashill’s financial and leadership skills and his experience and knowledge of the financial services industry in general and of Investors Bancorp in particular to be significant assets for the Board of Directors. 8 Kevin Cummings was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008 and was also appointed to serve on the Board of Directors of Investors Bank at that time. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Investors Bank since July 2003. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Cummings had a 26-year career with the independent accounting firm of KPMG LLP, where he had been partner for 14 years. Immediately prior to joining Investors Bank, he was an audit partner in KPMG’s Financial Services practice in their New York City office and lead partner on a major commercial banking client. Mr. Cummings also worked in the New Jersey community bank practice for over 20 years. Mr. Cummings has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Middlebury College and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University. He is the former Chairman of the Board and current member of the New Jersey Bankers Association and sits on the Board of Trustees of the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children, Liberty Science Center and the Visiting Nurse Assn. Health Group and is also a member of the Development Leadership Council of Morris Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Mr. Cummings is a member of the Board of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, the Independent College Fund of New Jersey and the All Stars Project of New Jersey. Mr. Cummings is a certified public accountant and his background in public accounting enhances the board of directors’ oversight of financial reporting and disclosure issues. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cummings’ leadership skills and knowledge of accounting, auditing and corporate governance in the financial services industry to be assets to the Board of Directors. Brian D. Dittenhafer was first elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in 1997. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York from 1985 until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Dittenhafer joined the FHLB in 1976 where he also served as Vice President and Chief Economist, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Previously, he was employed as a Business Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta from 1971 to 1976. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Dittenhafer served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Collective Federal Savings Bank and as Chairman of the Resolution Funding Corporation from 1989 to 1992. From 1995 to 2007 Mr. Dittenhafer was Chairman of MBD Management Company. Mr. Dittenhafer has a Bachelor of Arts from Ursinus College and a Master of Arts in Economics from Temple University where he subsequently taught economics. He was named to Omicron Delta Epsilon, the national honor society in Economics. Mr. Dittenhafer is a member of the National Association for Business Economics and the National Association of Corporate Directors. In 2007 he was awarded the Certificate of Director Education by the National Association of Corporate Directors, where he continues his education and has achieved Director Professional designation. In 2012, Mr. Dittenhafer achieved the status of the National Association of Corporate Directors Governance Fellow. Mr. Dittenhafer brings extensive knowledge of the banking industry and a strong background in economics to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Dittenhafer’s experience, leadership, financial expertise and strong economics background to be unique assets for the Board of Directors. Michele N. Siekerka was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank on December 6, 2013 upon the consummation of Investors Bancorp’s merger with Roma Financial Corporation. Ms. Siekerka was a director of Roma Financial Corporation since 2005, and is a licensed attorney and President of New Jersey Business and Industry Association. From 2010 to 2014, Ms. Siekerka was acting Deputy Commissioner, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. From 2004 to 2010, she served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce. From 2000 to 2004, Ms. Siekerka was employed by AAA Mid-Atlantic, first as vice president of human resources and then as senior counsel. Active in numerous civic organizations, Ms. Siekerka is a member of, among other organizations, the Mercer County Community College Foundation, the Roma Bank Community Foundation and the YWCA of Trenton. Ms. Siekerka is the president, New Jersey Business and Industry Association and is on the Regional Advisory Board for AAA Mid-Atlantic, as well as a former member of the Robbinsville Township Board of Education. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Ms. Siekerka’s legal and government affairs expertise and market knowledge to be assets to the Board of Directors. 9 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Continuing Directors Term to Expire 2016 Robert C. Albanese was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank on December 6, 2013 upon the consummation of Investors Bancorp’s acquisition of Roma Financial Corporation. Mr. Albanese had been a director of Roma Financial since June 2009. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pentegra Retirement Services, located in White Plains, New York, from 2007 to 2013 following an eleven year tenure on Pentegra’s Board of Directors. Prior to his employment with Pentegra, he served as Regional Director of the Northeast Region of the Office of Thrift Supervision from 1996 through 2007 where he was directly responsible for the oversight of all federally chartered institutions and their holding companies located in the twelve states comprising the Northeast Region. Prior to 1996, he served in various other capacities with the Office of Thrift Supervision and its predecessor, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. Mr. Albanese has also been involved in many civic activities, most prominently as past President and Treasurer of the Waldwick, New Jersey Jaycees. He presently sits on the Board of Trustees of the Bridge Academy, a school for children with learning disabilities located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Albanese’s extensive regulatory experience with particular expertise in financial analysis, enterprise risk analysis and audit to be assets to the Board of Directors. Domenick A. Cama was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in January 2011. He became Chief Operating Officer of Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008 and was appointed Senior Executive Vice President in January of 2010. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Cama had served as Chief Financial Officer since April 2003. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Cama was employed for 13 years by the FHLB where he served as Vice President and Director of Sales. Mr. Cama is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Raritan Bay Medical Center Foundation and the Madison YMCA. Mr. Cama holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Finance from Pace University. Mr. Cama has extensive knowledge of the banking industry and local markets served by Investors Bank. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cama’s experience, leadership, financial expertise and strong economics background to be unique assets for the Board of Directors. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T James J. Garibaldi was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in 2012. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of The Garibaldi Group, a corporate real estate services firm joined The Garibaldi Group in 1974. In 1986, headquartered in Chatham, New Jersey. Mr. Garibaldi Mr. Garibaldi assumed the role of managing partner of the firm and in 1997 he became its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Garibaldi currently serves on CORFAC International’s International Committee. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the Cancer Hope Network, a member of the Board of Trustees of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Morris, Bergen, Passaic and Sussex, Inc., on the Finance Council for the Diocese of Paterson, and a member of the Advisory Board for the Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown. Mr. Garibaldi has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Scranton. Mr. Garibaldi’s extensive real estate experience and knowledge of the local real estate market bring valuable expertise to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Garibaldi’s leadership skills and real estate knowledge to be assets to the Board of Directors. James H. Ward III was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in June 2009 upon consummation of Investors Bancorp’s acquisition of American Bancorp of New Jersey, Inc. Mr. Ward was a director of American Bancorp of New Jersey since 1991 and served as Vice Chairman since 2003. From 1998 to 2000, he was the majority stockholder and Chief Operating Officer of Rylyn Group, which operated a restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to that, he was the majority stockholder and Chief Operating Officer of Ward and Company, an insurance agency in Springfield, New Jersey, where he was employed from 1968 to 1998. He is now a retired investor. In 2009 he was awarded the Certificate of Director Education by the National Association of Corporate Directors, where he is a member and continues his education. 10 Mr. Ward brings a wide range of management experience and business knowledge that provides a valuable resource to the Board of Directors. These skills and experience combined with the unique perspective Mr. Ward brings from his background as an entrepreneur provide skills and experience which the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers to be valuable assets for the Board of Directors. Term to Expire 2017 Dennis M. Bone was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank on December 6, 2013 upon the consummation of Investors Bancorp’s merger with Roma Financial Corporation. Mr. Bone was a director of Roma Financial Corporation since 2011, and is the Director of the Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship at Montclair State University. Previously, Mr. Bone served as President of Verizon New Jersey. Mr. Bone has over 33 years’ experience with Verizon and was responsible for all of Verizon’s corporate interests in New Jersey. Active in his community, Mr. Bone is on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning, and the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Mr. Bone is Chairman of the New Jersey State Employment and training Commission, and was the founding Chairman of Choose New Jersey. Mr. Bone previously served on the board of trustees of the Liberty Science Center (12 years), the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (12 years), the Aviation Research Technology Park (2 years), and the New Jersey Utilities Association (12 years). The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that Mr. Bone’s experience, which brings a broader corporate perspective, and his extensive community involvement to be assets to the Board of Directors. Doreen R. Byrnes was elected to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in January 2002. Ms. Byrnes retired in 2007 after an employment career in the area of human resources, including having served as Executive Vice President of Human Resources. Ms. Byrnes has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and a Master’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is a member of National Association of Corporate Directors and was awarded the Certificate of Director Education in 2010. Ms. Byrnes has extensive experience with executive recruitment, retention and compensation as well as a strong understanding of the employees and markets served by Investors Bank. This experience provides a unique perspective to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Ms. Byrnes’ skills and experience to be assets to the Board of Directors. William V. Cosgrove was first appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank in October 2011. Mr. Cosgrove had been employed as a non Section 16 officer of Investors Bank since Investors Bancorp’s acquisition of Summit Federal Bankshares, Inc. and Summit Federal Savings Bank in June 2008 through his retirement from Investors Bank on October 1, 2011. Mr. Cosgrove was President and Chief Executive Officer of Summit Federal Savings Bank from 2003 until the acquisition of Summit Federal Savings Bank by Investors Bank. He also served on Summit Federal Savings Bank’s Board of Directors from 1987 through the consummation of Investors Bank acquisition of Summit. Mr. Cosgrove has over 40 years of experience in banking and has served as president of the N.J. Council of Federal Savings Institutions, and the Union County Savings League. In addition he served on the Board of Governors of the New Jersey Savings League. Mr. Cosgrove is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, where he continues his education. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Mr. Cosgrove’s extensive experience in the banking industry and local markets bring valuable expertise to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Cosgrove’s financial and leadership skills and his experience and knowledge of the financial services industry in general to be assets to the Board of Directors. Brendan J. Dugan was appointed to the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank on August 27, 2013. Mr. Dugan has 40 years of commercial banking and lending experience, having previously served as Chairman and CEO of Sovereign Bank’s Metro NY/NJ division. He has also served as President of National Westminster Bank and European American Bank. Mr. Dugan is currently the President of St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY and had served as Chairman of the College’s Board of Trustees. Mr. Dugan is 11 committed to community involvement and serves on various boards within the community. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers Mr. Dugan’s banking experience and expertise to be assets to the Board of Directors. Executive Officers of the Bank Who Are Not Also Directors Richard S. Spengler, age 53, was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008. Mr. Spengler began working for Investors Bank in September 2004 as Senior Vice President. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Spengler had a 21-year career with First Savings Bank, Woodbridge, New Jersey where he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Spengler holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University. Paul Kalamaras, age 56, was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer of Investors Bank in January of 2010. Mr. Kalamaras joined Investors Bank as a Senior Vice President and Director of Retail Banking in August 2008. Before joining Investors, Mr. Kalamaras was Executive Vice President of Millennium bcp bank, N.A., in Newark, New Jersey where he was responsible for the retail, commercial banking and treasury lines of business. He served on the bank’s Executive Committee and was a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Kalamaras previously was President and CEO of The Barré Company, a manufacturer of precision engineered metal components for the electronics and telecommunications industry. Earlier, Mr. Kalamaras was Executive Vice President at Summit Bank, where he was responsible for the retail network and business banking. Mr. Kalamaras holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame. Thomas F. Splaine, Jr., age 49, was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Investors Bank effective January 1, 2008 through January 26, 2015, upon which date Mr. Splaine was appointed Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis and Investor Relations as part of the expansion of the Investors Bancorp’s finance and accounting group. Mr. Splaine previously served as Senior Vice President, Director of Financial Reporting for Investors Bank since January 2006. He served as First Vice President, Director of Financial Reporting for Investors Bank since December 2004. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Splaine was employed by Hewlett-Packard Financial Services, Murray Hill, New Jersey as Director of Financial Reporting. Mr. Splaine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s of Business Administration from Rider University. Sean Burke, age 43, was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Investors Bank effective January 26, 2015. Prior to joining Investors Bank, Mr. Burke was the Managing Director and Head of U.S. Depository Institutions for RBC Capital Markets in New York. Mr. Burke has over 17 years of experience working with financial institutions. Mr. Burke earned bachelor’s degrees in accounting and computer science from the University of Notre Dame and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Prior to Northwestern, Mr. Burke spent three years with Ernst & Young in their financial services audit practice. Corporate Governance Matters Investors Bancorp is committed to maintaining sound corporate governance guidelines and very high standards of ethical conduct and is in compliance with applicable corporate governance laws and regulations. Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance Investors Bancorp’s common stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. The executive officers and directors of Investors Bancorp, and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of Investors Bancorp’s common stock, are required to file reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosing beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership of Investors Bancorp’s common stock. The Securities and Exchange Commission rules require disclosure in Investors Bancorp’s Proxy Statement or Annual Report on Form 10-K of the failure of an executive 12 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T officer, director or 10% beneficial owner of Investors Bancorp’s common stock to file a Form 3, 4, or 5 on a timely basis. Based on Investors Bancorp’s review of ownership reports and confirmations by executive officers and directors, Investors Bancorp believes that, during 2014, its officers, directors and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of its common stock timely filed all required reports with the exception of the inadvertent late filing of a Form 4 report for each of Messrs. Ward and Kalamaras due to administrative error. Board of Directors Meetings and Committees The Boards of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank meet monthly, or more often as may be necessary. The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank each met 12 times during 2014. The Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp currently maintains four standing committees: the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Audit Committee, the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Risk Oversight Committee. No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of Board meetings held by the Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank Board of Directors and all committees of the Boards on which they served (during the period they served) during 2014. Investors Bancorp does not have a specific policy regarding attendance at the annual meeting. However, all of Investors Bancorp’s directors attended the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 1, 2014. Director Independence A majority of the Board of Directors and each member of the Compensation and Benefits, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Audit Committees are independent, as affirmatively determined by the Board of Directors consistent with the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board of Directors conducts an annual review of director independence for all current nominees for election as directors and all continuing directors. In connection with this review, the Board of Directors considers all relevant facts and circumstances relating to relationships that each director, his or her immediate family members and their related interests has with Investors Bancorp and its subsidiaries. As a result of this review, the Board of Directors affirmatively determined that Messrs. Cashill, Albanese, Cosgrove, Bone, Dittenhafer, Dugan, Ward and Ms. Byrnes and Siekerka are independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules. The Board of Directors determined that Messrs. Cummings and Cama are not independent as they are Investors Bank employees. Mr. Garibaldi is not independent due to commercial real estate brokerage services provided by his company to Investors Bancorp. In establishing its structure and appointing a Lead Independent Director, Investors Bancorp has also taken into account the extent to which a director who satisfies independence standards under the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market would also qualify as an independent outside director (as opposed to an affiliated outside director) under the standards set forth by Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”). T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Board Leadership Structure The Board of Directors believes that having separate Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions is the appropriate board leadership structure for Investors Bancorp. The Board of Directors believes that management accountability and the Board’s independence from management is best served by maintaining a majority of independent directors and maintaining standing board committees comprised of independent members. In addition, the Board’s Corporate Governance Guidelines allow for the appointment of a Lead Independent Director, who shall be an “independent outside director”, which is defined as an independent director who is not considered an “affiliated outside director” under ISS standards. When appointed by the Board, the Lead Independent Director has the following duties: • Preside at all meetings of the independent outside directors and independent directors; 13 • Coordinate as necessary Investors Bancorp related activities of the independent outside directors; • Facilitate communications between the Chairman of the Board, the CEO and the independent outside directors; • Consult as needed with the Chairman of the Board with respect to meeting agendas and schedules, as well as Board materials, prior to Board meetings; and • Consult with the Chairman of the Board to assure that appropriate topics are being discussed with sufficient time allocated for each. The Lead Independent Director has the authority to call meetings of the independent outside directors. Pursuant to the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board appointed Brian D. Dittenhafer as Lead Director in November 2011. He continues to serve in that capacity. Corporate Governance Guidelines The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are posted on the “Governance Documents” section of Investors Bank’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. The Corporate Governance Guidelines cover the general operating policies and procedures followed by the Board of Directors including, among other things: the “Investor Relations” page of • Mission of the Board; • Director responsibilities and qualifications; • Board nominating procedures and election criteria; • • Director compensation, education and code of ethics. Stock ownership policies, Board size, director independence; and The Corporate Governance Guidelines provide for the independent directors of the Board of Directors to meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at least quarterly. During 2014, four executive sessions were conducted by the independent directors. Anti-Hedging Policy The Corporate Governance Guidelines include an anti-hedging policy, which prohibits directors and executive officers from engaging in or effecting any transaction designed to hedge or offset the economic risk of owning shares of Investors Bancorp common stock. Accordingly, any hedging, derivative or other equivalent transaction that is specifically designed to reduce or limit the extent to which declines in the trading price of Investors Bancorp common stock would affect the value of the shares of Investors Bancorp common stock owned by an executive officer or director is prohibited. Cashless exercises of employee stock options are not deemed short sales and are not prohibited. This policy does not prohibit transactions in the stock of other companies. Prohibition on Pledging Securities Company policy prohibits directors and executive officers from holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral for any other loan. An exception to this prohibition may be granted, in the sole discretion of the Board and in limited circumstances, after giving consideration to, among other factors, the number of shares proposed to be pledged as a percentage of the director’s or executive officer’s total shares held. No shares are currently pledged by a director or executive officer. Stock Ownership Requirements The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interest of Investors Bancorp and its stockholders to align the financial interests of its executives and directors with those of stockholders. Accordingly, the Corporate Governance Guidelines include Stock Ownership Guidelines for Named Executive Officers and Directors of Investors Bancorp that require the following minimum investment in Investors Bancorp common stock: CEO: A number of shares having a market value equal to five times (5.0x) annual base salary Other Named Executive Officers: A number of shares having a market value equal to three times Directors: (3.0x) annual base salary 25,000 shares 14 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Stock holdings are expected to be achieved within five (5) years of either the implementation of the Ownership Guidelines or the starting date of the individual, whichever is later. Stock ownership for Named Executive Officer and Directors will be reviewed as of the last day of each calendar quarter. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee The current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are: Ms. Byrnes (Chair), Messrs. Bone, Ward, Dittenhafer and Ms. Siekerka. Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is considered independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s Charter and Corporate Governance Guidelines are posted on the “Governance Documents” section of the “Investor Relations” page of the Investors Bank’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. The Committee met three times during 2014. As noted in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, the purpose of the committee is to assist the Board in identifying individuals to become Board members, determine the size and composition of the Board and its committees, monitor Board effectiveness and implement Corporate Governance Guidelines. In furtherance of this purpose, this committee, among other things, shall: • Lead the search for individuals qualified to become members of the Board of Directors and develop leadership to the needs of Investors Bancorp, criteria (such as independence, experience relevant qualities, diversity, stock ownership) for board membership; • Make recommendations to the Board concerning Board nominees and stockholders proposals; • Develop, recommend and oversee the annual self-evaluation process of the board and its committees; • Develop and annually review corporate governance guidelines applicable to Investors Bancorp; • Review and monitor independence; and the Board’s compliance with Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards for • Review, in consultation with the Compensation and Benefits Committee, directors’ compensation and benefits. In accordance with Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Committee considers all qualified director candidates identified by members of the Committee, by other members of the Board of Directors, by senior management and by stockholders. Stockholders recommending a director candidate to the Committee may do so by submitting the candidate’s name, resume and biographical information to the attention of the Chairman of this Committee in accordance with procedures listed in this proxy statement (also available on Investors Bancorp’s website). All stockholder recommendations for director candidates that the Chairman of the Committee receives in accordance with these procedures will be presented to the Committee for its consideration. The Committee’s recommendations to the Board are based on its determination as to the suitability of each individual, and the slate as a whole, to serve as directors of Investors Bancorp. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Criteria for Election Investors Bancorp’s goal is to have a Board of Directors whose members have diverse professional backgrounds and have demonstrated professional achievement with the highest personal and professional ethics and integrity and whose values are compatible with those of Investors Bancorp. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying director nominees. However, important factors considered in the selection of nominees for director include experience in positions that develop good business judgment, that demonstrate a high degree of responsibility and independence, and that show the individual’s ability to commit adequate time and effort to serve as a director. 15 Nominees should have a familiarity with the markets in which Investors Bancorp operates, be involved in activities that do not create a conflict with his/her responsibilities to Investors Bancorp and its stockholders, and have the capacity and desire to represent the balanced, best interests of the stockholders of Investors Bancorp as a group, and not primarily a special interest group or constituency. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will also take into account whether a candidate satisfies the criteria for “independence” as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules, and, if a candidate with financial and accounting expertise is sought for service on the Audit Committee, whether the individual qualifies as an Audit Committee financial expert. Procedures for the Nomination of Directors by Stockholders As previously indicated, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has adopted procedures for the consideration of Board candidates submitted by stockholders. Stockholders can submit the names of candidates for director by writing to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, at Investors Bancorp, Inc., 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills New Jersey 07078. The submission must include the following information: • a statement that the writer is a stockholder and is proposing a candidate for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; • the qualifications of the candidate and why this candidate is being proposed; • the name, address and contact information for the nominated candidate, and the number of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock that are owned by the candidate (if the candidate is not a holder of record, appropriate evidence of the stockholder’s ownership should be provided); • the name and address of the nominating stockholder as he/she appears on Investors Bancorp’s books, and number of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock that are owned beneficially by such stockholder (if the stockholder is not a holder of record, appropriate evidence of the stockholder’s ownership will be required); • a statement of the candidate’s business and educational experience; • such other information regarding the candidate as would be required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation 14A; • a statement detailing any relationship between the candidate and Investors Bancorp and between the candidate and any customer, supplier or competitor of Investors Bancorp; • detailed information about any relationship or understanding between the proposing stockholder and the candidate; and • a statement that the candidate is willing to be considered and willing to serve as a director if nominated and elected. A nomination submitted by a stockholder for presentation by the stockholder at an annual meeting of stockholders must comply with the procedural and informational requirements described in “Advance Notice of Business to be Conducted at an Annual Meeting” Investors Bancorp did not receive any stockholder submission for Board nominees for this annual meeting. Stockholder and Interested Party Communication with the Board A stockholder of Investors Bancorp who wants to communicate with the Board or with any individual director can write to the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at Investors Bancorp, Inc., 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078. The letter should indicate that the author is a stockholder and if shares are not held of record, should include appropriate evidence of stock ownership. Depending on the subject matter, the Chair will: • Forward the communication to the director(s) to whom it is addressed; 16 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T • Handle the inquiry directly, for example where it is a request for information about Investors Bancorp or it is a stock-related matter; or • Not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature, relates to an improper or irrelevant topic, or is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal or otherwise inappropriate. At each Board meeting, the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall present a summary of all communications received since the last meeting and make those communications available to the directors upon request. Codes of Conduct and Ethics The Board has adopted a code of ethics and business conduct for all employees and a code of ethics and business conduct for directors. These codes are designed to ensure the accuracy of financial reports, deter wrongdoing, promote honest and ethical conduct, the avoidance of conflicts of interest, and full and accurate disclosure and compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Both of these documents are available on Investors Bancorp’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. Amendments to and waivers from the codes of ethics and business conduct will be disclosed on Investors Bancorp’s website. Transactions With Certain Related Persons Federal laws and regulations generally require that all loans or extensions of credit to executive officers and directors must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with the general public and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features. However, regulations also permit executive officers and directors to receive the same terms through programs that are widely available to other employees, as long as the executive officer or director is not given preferential treatment compared to the other participating employees. Pursuant to such a program, loans have been extended to executive officers on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with the general public, with the exception of waiving certain fees. These loans do not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 generally prohibits an issuer from: (1) extending or maintaining credit; (2) arranging for the extension of credit; or (3) renewing an extension of credit in the form of a personal loan for an officer or director. However, the prohibitions of Section 402 do not apply to loans made by a depository institution, such as Investors Bank, that is insured by the FDIC and is subject to the insider lending restrictions of the Federal Reserve Act. The audit committee reviews related party transactions, the disclosure of which is required under SEC proxy disclosure rules. During 2014, The Garibaldi Group, of which Director Garibaldi is the Chief Executive Officer and has a controlling ownership interest, provided commercial real estate brokerage services to Investors Bank, the subsidiary of Investors Bancorp. The Garibaldi Group was the broker on two branch leases executed in New Jersey as well an office location in New York City. The branch leases are for a 15 year term totaling $5.5 million in base rent and the office property has a 10 year term totaling $6.3 million in base rent. The Garibaldi Group earned approximately $276,000 in commissions from the landlords on the New Jersey branch lease transactions and approximately $197,000 from the landlord on the New York City office transaction. Risk Oversight Committee The entire Board of Directors is engaged in risk oversight. However the board established a separate standing Risk Oversight Committee to facilitate its risk oversight responsibilities. The current members of the Risk Oversight Committee are Messrs. Ward (Chair), Bone, Cosgrove, Dugan, Cashill, Dittenhafer, Garibaldi, 17 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Albanese, Ms. Byrnes and Ms. Siekerka. The Risk Oversight Committee Charter is posted on the “Governance Documents” at of www.myinvestorsbank.com. The Committee met five times during 2014. Investors Bank’s website “Investors Relations” section page the the of The Risk Oversight Committee has responsibility for enterprise-wide risk management and determining that significant risks of Investors Bancorp are monitored by the Board of Directors or one of its standing committees. In addition, the Risk Committee reviews new products and services proposed to be implemented by management to determine that appropriate risk identification has occurred and that controls are considered to mitigate identified risks to an acceptable level. The Risk Oversight Committee is also responsible for reviewing and monitoring interest rate and liquidity risks, strategic planning and capital deployment, annual budgeting, and asset quality (excluding loans). Audit Committee Matters Audit Committee The current members of the Audit Committee are: Messrs. Albanese (Chair), Dittenhafer, Dugan, Ward and Ms. Byrnes and Siekerka. Each member of the Audit Committee is considered independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules and under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10A-3. The Board considers Mr. Albanese, the Chair of the Audit Committee, and Mr. Dittenhafer each an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is used in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee’s Charter is posted on the “Governance Documents” section of the “Investor Relations” page of Investors Bank’s website at www.myinvestorsbank.com. As noted in Audit Committee Charter, the primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board in overseeing: • • • • • The integrity of Investors Bancorp’s financial statements; Investors Bancorp’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; The independent auditor’s qualifications and independence; The performance of Investors Bancorp’s internal audit function and independent auditor; and Investors Bancorp’s system of disclosure controls and system of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance. In furtherance of this purpose, this committee, among other things, shall: • • • • • Retain, oversee and evaluate a firm of independent registered public accountants to audit the annual financial statements; Review the integrity of Investors Bancorp’s financial reporting processes, both internal and external, in consultation with the independent registered public accounting firm and the internal auditor; Review the financial statements and the audit report with management and the independent registered public accounting firm; Review earnings and financial releases and quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and Approve all engagements for audit and non-audit services by the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee met six times during 2014. The Audit Committee reports to the Board of Directors on its activities and findings. 18 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT Pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this Audit Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that Investors Bancorp specifically incorporates this information by reference, and otherwise shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission subject to Regulation 14A or 14C of the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Management has the primary responsibility for Investors Bancorp’s internal control and financial reporting process, and for making an assessment of the effectiveness of Investors Bancorp’s internal control over financial reporting. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of Investors Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and to issue an opinion on those financial statements, and for providing an attestation report on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. As part of its ongoing activities, the Audit Committee has: • • • reviewed and discussed with management, and the independent registered public accounting firm, the audited consolidated financial statements of Investors Bancorp for the year ended December 31, 2014; discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees, as adopted by the PCAOB; and received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm its independence from Investors Bancorp. Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee has recommended to Investors Bancorp’s Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 be included in Investors Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Audit Committee approved the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2015, subject to the ratification of this appointment by the stockholders of Investors Bancorp. Audit Committee of Investors Bancorp, Inc. Robert C. Albanese, Chair Brian D. Dittenhafer, Member Brendan J. Dugan, Member James H. Ward III, Member Doreen R. Byrnes, Member Michele N. Siekerka, Member Compensation and Benefits Committee Matters Compensation and Benefits Committee The current members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee are: Messrs. Dittenhafer (Chair), Albanese, Dugan, Bone, Ward and Ms. Byrnes. Each member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee is considered independent as defined in the Nasdaq corporate governance listing rules and Securities and Exchange 19 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Commission Rule 10C-1. The Compensation and Benefits Committee’s Charter is posted on the “Governance Documents” at www.myinvestorsbank.com. The Committee met four times during 2014. Investors Bank’s website “Investor Relations” section page the the of of As noted in the Compensation and Benefits Committee Charter, the purpose of the committee is to assist the incentive responsibility relating to executive compensation, the Board’s overall Board in carrying out compensation and equity and non-equity based benefit plans. In furtherance of this purpose, this committee, among other things, shall: • • • • • Review and recommend to the Board for approval the Chief Executive Officer’s annual compensation, including salary, cash incentive, incentive and equity compensation; Review and recommend to the Board the evaluation process and compensation for Investors Bancorp’s executive officers and coordinate compensation determinations and benefit plans for all employees of Investors Bancorp; Review Investors Bancorp’s incentive compensation and other equity-based plans and make changes in such plans as needed; Review, as appropriate and in consultation with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, director compensation and benefits; and Review the independence of the Compensation and Benefits Committee members, legal counsel and compensation consultants. In addition to these duties the committee shall assist the Board in recruiting and succession planning. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T The Compensation and Benefits Committee retains responsibility for all compensation recommendations to the Board of Directors as to the executive officers. The Compensation and Benefits Committee may utilize information and benchmarks from an independent compensation consulting firm, and from other sources, to determine how executive compensation levels compare to those companies within the industry. The Compensation and Benefits Committee may review published data for companies of similar size, location, financial characteristics and stage of development among other factors. In designing the compensation program for Investors Bancorp, the Committee takes into consideration methods to avoid encouraging the taking of excessive risk by executive management or by any other employees. The Committee assessed risks posed by the incentive compensation paid to executive management and other employees and determined that Investors Bancorp’s compensation policies, practices and programs do not pose risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Investors Bancorp. The basic elements of Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program include base salary, annual cash incentive awards, long-term equity incentive awards and other benefit arrangements, such as retirement programs. In addition to determining the compensation payable to Investors Bancorp’s executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer and other Named Executive Officers, the Compensation and Benefits Committee evaluates senior executive and director compensation plans and programs, administers and has discretionary authority over the issuance of equity awards under Investors Bancorp equity compensation plans and oversees preparation of a report on executive compensation for inclusion in Investors Bancorp’s annual proxy statement. The Compensation and Benefits Committee is supported by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, both of whom serve as a resource by providing input regarding Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program and philosophy. 20 Compensation and Benefits Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation During 2014, Messrs. Dittenhafer, Dugan, Albanese, Bone and Ward served as members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee. None of these directors has ever been an officer or employee of Investors Bancorp; is an executive officer of another entity at which one of Investors Bancorp’s executive officers serves on the Board of Directors, or had any transactions or relationships with Investors Bancorp in 2014 requiring specific disclosures under SEC rules or Nasdaq listing standards. Ms. Byrnes, who served as a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee in calendar 2014, is neither an executive officer of another entity at which one of Investors Bancorp’s executive officers serves on the Board of Directors, nor had transactions or relationships with Investors Bancorp in 2014 requiring specific disclosures under SEC rules. She was an officer of Investors Bank prior to her retirement in 2007. Executive Compensation Compensation Discussion and Analysis Executive Summary. As discussed in greater detail below, our compensation program is specifically designed to provide executives with competitive compensation packages that include elements of both reward and retention. The Compensation and Benefits Committee routinely reviews our compensation practices to remain market competitive and to ensure that these practices are aligned with our compensation philosophy and objectives, regulatory requirements and evolving best practices. Key highlights of the program include: • • All members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee and all of its compensation consultants and advisers are independent under applicable Nasdaq rules, which ensures that all aspects of the compensation decision-making process are free from conflicts of interest. The Compensation and Benefits Committee controls the selection and activities of any compensation consultant or advisers who assist us with executive compensation matters. • We maintain a clawback policy for bonus and other incentive compensation paid to executive officers, which mitigates risk-taking behavior. • • • • Our directors and Named Executive Officers (as defined below) are required to hold our common stock at specified minimum levels, which recognizes the importance of aligning their interests with those of stockholders. The Chief Executive Officer of Investors Bancorp is required to hold Investors Bancorp common stock valued at five times his annual base salary. The Compensation and Benefits Committee continually reviews all incentive compensation programs with respect to risk-taking behavior, with the guiding principle being the safety and soundness of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank as paramount to all compensation incentives. The Compensation and Benefits Committee consults with the Risk Committee on these matters. A significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s compensation is in the form of short and long-term performance-based pay, which reflects and reinforces our pay for performance philosophy. Compensation packages for Named Executive Officers include an appropriate mix of fixed and variable pay, which provides Named Executive Officers with both reward and retention incentives. • We provide limited executive perquisites. • During the course of the year, management has met with several of our stockholders, which included discussions of executive compensation matters. 21 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P This discussion is focused specifically on the compensation of the following executive officers, each of whom is named in the Summary Compensation Table and other compensation tables which appears later in this section. These five executives are referred to in this discussion as “Named Executive Officers.” Name Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. (1) Title President and Chief Executive Officer Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (1) Effective January 26, 2015, Sean Burke was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Investors Bancorp. Concurrently, Mr. Splaine was appointed Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis and Investor Relations of Investors Bancorp. Executive Compensation Philosophy. Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program is designed to offer competitive cash and equity compensation and benefits that will attract, motivate and retain highly qualified and talented executives who will help maximize Investors Bancorp’s financial performance and earnings growth. Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program is also intended to align the interests of its executive officers with stockholders by rewarding performance against established corporate financial targets, and by motivating strong executive leadership and superior individual performance. Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program allocates portions of total compensation between long-term and short-term compensation and between cash and non-cash compensation by including competitive base salaries, executive perquisites, an annual cash incentive plan, stock options and stock awards that are generally subject to a five-year or seven-year vesting schedule, and supplemental executive retirement benefits, which encourage long term employment with Investors Bancorp. Investors Bancorp has considered the most recent stockholder say-on-pay advisory vote in reviewing compensation policies and decisions, of which 97.9% of the votes cast on the proposal were voted in support of the compensation outlined in last year’s proxy statement. In light of the strong stockholder support and a comprehensive market review, the Compensation and Benefits Committee concluded that no significant revisions were necessary to Investors Bancorp’s executive officer compensation program for 2014. The compensation paid to each Named Executive Officer is based on the executive officer’s level of job responsibility, corporate financial performance measured against corporate financial targets, and an assessment of his individual performance. A significant portion of each Named Executive Officer’s total compensation is performance-based because each executive is in a leadership role that can significantly impact corporate performance. Role of Executive Officers. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer serve as a resource to the Compensation and Benefits Committee by providing input regarding Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program and philosophy. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer participate in compensation-related activities purely in an informational and advisory capacity and have no votes in the committee’s decision-making process. The Compensation and Benefits Committee meets regularly with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer regarding the potential incentive compensation performance metrics, and to review the progress towards the achievement of the pre-established corporate financial targets and individual performance goals related to our incentive plans. Also, the Chief Executive Officer provides the Compensation and Benefits 22 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Committee with performance assessments and compensation recommendations for each of the other Named Executive Officers, which are considered by the Compensation and Benefits Committee in arriving at its compensation determinations. However, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer do not attend portions of committee meetings during which their performance is being evaluated or their compensation is being determined. Role of Compensation Consultant. For 2014, the Compensation and Benefits Committee engaged GK Partners, an independent compensation consultant, to assist in its evaluation of Investor Bancorp’s executive compensation program and in making determinations regarding the compensation of the Named Executive Officers. GK Partners reported directly to the Compensation and Benefits Committee, and did not perform any other services to Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank. GK Partners provided the Compensation and Benefits Committee with executive compensation benchmarking trends and external developments, and also provided input on its short-term and long-term incentive plans for best practices and market competitiveness. The Compensation and Benefits Committee considered the independence of GK Partners regarding its independence under the Nasdaq listing standards. The Compensation and Benefits Committee requested and received a report from GK Partners regarding its independence, including the following factors: (1) other services provided to us by GK Partners; (2) fees paid by us as a percentage of GK Partners’ total revenue; (3) policies or procedures maintained by GK Partners that are designed to prevent a conflict of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships between the senior advisors and a member of the Compensation and Benefits Committee; (5) any Investors Bancorp common stock owned by the senior advisors; and (6) any business or personal relationships between our executive officers and GK Partners. The Compensation and Benefits Committee discussed these considerations and concluded that GK Partners had no conflicts of interest with respect to its engagement. Market Comparison. For 2014, GK Partners compared Investors Bancorp’s executive compensation program to peer group compensation data. GK Partners provided the Compensation and Benefits Committee with relevant competitive cash and stock compensation information obtained from public disclosures of a selected peer group of 18 banking institutions to be used for evaluating 2014 compensation. These included thrift and banking institutions with assets of $4.0 billion to $46.7 billion, having an asset mix similar to Investors Bancorp and doing business predominantly in the Northeast region of the United States. This peer group may be modified from year-to-year as necessary, based on mergers and acquisitions within the industry or other relevant factors. The peer group used for evaluating 2014 compensation consisted of the 18 banking institutions identified below. Based on this peer group comparison, the base salaries and cash and equity incentive compensation of certain Named Executive Officers are positioned above the median of the range of this peer group while other Named Executive Officers were below the median. Investors Bancorp has no formal policy that requires the compensation of the Named Executive Officers to attain any specific percentile position within the array of peer group compensation data among the selected comparable companies. However, the Compensation and Benefits Committee believes the base salaries and cash and equity incentive compensation for the Named Executive Officers are appropriate relative to our peer group because they reflect a combination of the sustained individual performance by the Named Executive Officers, their experience and the employment market conditions in our geographic market. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P The peer group companies are: Astoria Financial Corp.-NY BankUnited, Inc.- FL Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.-NY FirstMerit Corporation-OH First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.-NY Flushing Financial Corp.-NY Fulton Financial Corp.-PA 23 MB Financial, Inc.- IL NBT Bancorp, Inc.-NY New York Community Bancorp, Inc.-NY Northwest Bancshares, Inc.-PA People’s United Financial, Inc.-CT Provident Financial Services, Inc.-NJ Signature Bank-NY Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.-PA Valley National Bancorp-NJ Webster Financial Corp.-CT Wintrust Financial Corporation- IL Elements of Executive Compensation for 2014. The Compensation and Benefits Committee used a total compensation approach in establishing our elements of executive compensation, which consist of base salary, annual cash incentive awards, long-term incentive awards (such as stock option and restricted stock awards), a competitive benefits package (including supplemental executive retirement benefits where warranted), and limited perquisites. Base Salary. Base salary levels for the Named Executive Officers are generally evaluated by the Compensation and Benefits Committee on a bi-annual basis. In general, salaries are developed considering the competitive base salary information furnished to the Compensation and Benefits Committee by GK Partners. In establishing base salaries for 2014, the Compensation and Benefits Committee considered Investors Bancorp’s financial performance, and peer group and market-based industry salary data provided by our independent consultant, as well as the individual factors identified above. Based on this analysis, for 2014 the Compensation and Benefits Committee decided to increase the 2013 base salary amounts for each Named Executive Officer. Each Named Executive Officer’s base salary level is determined by his sustained individual performance, leadership, operational effectiveness, tenure in office, experience in the industry and employment market conditions in our geographic market. Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan. The Compensation and Benefits Committee established, and the Board of Directors and stockholders approved, the Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan, which provides for annual cash incentive awards upon the attainment of pre-established corporate financial targets and individual performance goals. The Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan was approved by stockholders in 2013, such that, under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, awards under the plan may be treated as performance- based compensation for purposes of the exemption from the $1 million limit on deductibility of compensation paid to each Named Executive Officer of a publicly traded company (other than the principal financial officer). Ms. Byrnes did not participate in any decisions related to Code Section 162(m) performance-based compensation because she is a former officer of Investors Bank and therefore is not an “outside director” under Code Section 162(m). P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T The Compensation and Benefits Committee assigns corporate financial targets and individual performance goals and a range of annual cash incentive award opportunities to each executive officer, or group of officers participating in the plan. The award opportunities for each Named Executive Officer are linked to specific targets and range of performance results for both annual corporate financial performance and individual goals. Each Named Executive Officer’s annual cash incentive award is defined as a percentage of base salary. The corporate financial targets and individual goals are established by the Compensation and Benefits Committee no later than 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the performance goal relates, but in no event after 25% of the performance period has elapsed, and in either case, so long as the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time that the goal is established. Such targets and goals are weighted in relation to the Named Executive Officer’s position and duties. As corporate financial targets and/or individual performance goals exceed or fall short of established thresholds (which are established at Threshold, Target and Maximum Achievements), the actual amount paid under the plan will exceed or fall short of the targeted payment amount. 24 For 2014, the Compensation and Benefits Committee established the following range of annual cash incentive award opportunities for Threshold, Target and Maximum Achievements (as a percentage of base salary): Executive Officer Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Threshold Target Maximum 81.0% 64.8% 49.5% 49.5% 15.0% 115.5% 92.4% 69.8% 69.8% 22.5% 150% 120% 90% 90% 75% The Compensation and Benefits Committee weighed each Named Executive Officer’s 2014 annual cash incentive award opportunity under the plan (as a percentage of the total award opportunity) with respect to corporate financial targets and individual goals as follows: Executive Officer Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Corporate Financial Targets Individual Goals 60% 60% 50% 50% 40% 40% 40% 50% 50% 60% The Compensation and Benefits Committee feels strongly that executive compensation should be formally tied to the attainment of certain corporate financial targets and individual performance goals to more closely align the executive’s performance with providing value for our stockholders. The corporate financial targets for 2014 were based on Investors Bancorp’s satisfaction of performance targets relative to net income and the successful completion of the Plan of Conversion and Reorganization of the Investors Bancorp Mutual Holding Company (the “Second Step Conversion”). The Second Step Conversion was a transaction in which Investors Bank reorganized from a two-tier mutual holding company structure to a fully public stock holding company structure. The successful completion of the Second Step Conversion was viewed as a company-wide performance target metric, as many groups within the Bank worked towards its achievement. The Compensation and Benefits Committee established the following corporate financial target for net income: Metric Net Income Weighting Threshold Target Maximum 60% $117 million $125 million $133 million The individual goals established by the Compensation and Benefits Committee were aligned with each Investors Bancorp and related to the successful Named Executive Officer’s area of implementation of our strategic initiatives. For 2014, each Named Executive Officer’s individual goals were related to the following: responsibility at • Messrs. Cummings’ and Cama’s individual goals included achieving certain core deposit growth, maintaining loan quality versus peers and promoting Investors Bancorp to various audiences, including but not limited to: stockholders, customers, investment bankers, analysts and employees. • Mr. Spengler’s individual goals included achieving certain loan growth, maintaining loan quality versus our peers and growing deposits for new loan customers. • Mr. Kalamaras’ individual goals included achieving certain core deposit, loan and growth in non-deposit investment products. • Mr. Splaine’s individual goals were related to achievement of the implementation of a dividend reinvestment plan, a more detailed budget process, enhancement of our disclosure committee as it pertains to publicly filed documents and the preparation and submission of all required documentation in connection with the Conversion. 25 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P For 2014, the corporate financial target for net income exceeded Maximum achievement levels since net income adjusted for one time expenditures related to the Conversion totaled $149 million. Investors Bancorp successfully completed the Second Step Conversion on May 7, 2014, raising approximately $2.20 billion in equity. Based upon the achievement with respect to the corporate financial targets , the successful completion of the Second Step Conversion and the assessment of the Named Executive Officer’s individual performance relative to his pre-established individual goals, the Compensation and Benefits Committee approved the following annual cash incentive awards on January 26, 2015: 2014 Annual Cash Incentive Awards Executive Officer Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Cash Incentive ($) 1,500,000 810,000 381,195 371,633 264,375 Stock Option and Stock Award Program. At the October 24, 2006 annual meeting, the stockholders approved the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (“2006 Equity Incentive Plan”). Under this plan, individuals may receive awards of Investors Bancorp common stock (restricted stock) and grants of options to purchase shares of Investors Bancorp common stock at a specified exercise price during a specified time period. The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that officer and employee stock ownership provides a significant incentive in building stockholder value by further aligning the interests of our officers and employees with stockholders because such compensation is directly linked to the performance of Investors Bancorp common stock. In addition, stock options and restricted stock awards generally vest over a five-year or seven-year vesting schedule, thereby aiding retention. Certain restricted stock awards had performance vesting provisions that would partially accelerate the vesting of such awards if Investors Bancorp achieved targeted rates of return during the normal vesting periods applicable to such awards. Upon completion of the Conversion on May 7, 2014, vesting accelerated for all stock options and stock awards outstanding and all applicable expenses were recognized at that time. During 2014, no restricted stock or stock option award was granted to the Named Executive Officers. Assuming stockholder approval of the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (See Proposal II below), no further grants will be made under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan or under any equity incentive plan previously maintained by any entity that we acquired. Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans. Set forth below is information as of December 31, 2014 regarding equity compensation plans categorized by those plans that have been approved by stockholders and those plans that have not been approved by stockholders. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options and Rights (1) 9,064,376 — 9,064,376 Number of Securities Remaining Available For Issuance Under Plan 58,030 (3) — 58,030 Weighted Average Exercise Price (2) $6.04 — $6.04 Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders Total 26 (1) Consists of outstanding stock options to purchase 9,064,376 shares of common stock granted under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. (2) The weighted average exercise price reflects an exercise price of $5.98 for 6,194,717 stock options granted in 2006; an exercise price of $5.32 for 1,458,220 stock options granted in 2008; an exercise price of $3.91 for 25,500 stock options granted in 2009; an exercise price of $4.97 for 12,750 stock options granted in 2010; an exercise price of $5.77 for 12,750 stock options granted in 2011; an exercise price of $7.00 for 8,925 stock options granted in 2012; an exercise price of $6.87 for 1,236,764 stock options granted in 2013; and an exercise price of $10.19 for 114,750 stock options granted in 2014 under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. (3) Represents the number of available shares that may be granted as stock options and other stock awards under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. Benefits. Investors Bank provides its executives, including the Named Executive Officers, with medical and dental insurance, disability insurance and group life insurance coverage consistent with the same benefits provided to all of its full-time employees. The Named Executive Officers are participants in our qualified retirement plans, including the ESOP, 401(k) Plan and the defined benefit pension plan offered to all full-time employees of Investors Bank and designated subsidiaries, and non-qualified retirement plans, including the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan and the Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan (the “Wage Replacement Plan”). Additionally, Investors Bank sponsors a long-term care program for certain of its executive officers, senior vice presidents and their spouses or spousal equivalents. Each individual policy is owned by the covered person. Investors Bank pays all premiums under the long term care program but will stop paying premiums in the event of the participant’s: (i) termination for cause; (ii) retirement; (iii) relocation outside of the country; or (iv) death. Spousal coverage will be terminated upon: (i) a participant’s termination or retirement; (ii) divorce from the participant; (iii) the participant no longer qualifying for coverage; (iv) the spouse’s permanent relocation outside of the country; or (v) death. Participants who cannot be insured through an insurance company under the long-term care program will be self-insured by Investors Bank. ESOP. Under the ESOP employees of Investors Bank and any subsidiary (unless excluded by the ESOP) who have been credited with at least 1,000 hours of service during a 12-month period are eligible to participate in the ESOP. The ESOP borrowed funds from Investors Bancorp pursuant to a loan and used those funds to purchase 10,847,883 shares of common stock for the ESOP in connection with Investors Bancorp’s initial public offering in 2005. In connection with the completion of the Conversion on May 7, 2014, the ESOP purchased an additional 6,617,421 shares of common stock. The Company refinanced the outstanding principal and interest balance of $33.9 million and borrowed an additional $66.2 million to purchase the additional shares. The purchased shares serve as collateral for the loan. The loan is being repaid principally through annual contributions to the ESOP by Investors Bank over the 30 year loan. Shares purchased by the ESOP are held in a suspense account for allocation among the participants’ accounts as the loan is repaid on a pro-rata basis. Contributions to the ESOP and shares released from the suspense account in an amount proportional to the repayment of the ESOP loan will be allocated to each eligible participant’s plan account, based on the ratio of each participant’s compensation to the total compensation of all eligible participants. Vested benefits will be payable generally upon the participants’ termination of employment, and will be paid in the form of common stock. Pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718-40, we are required to record a compensation expense each year in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares released from the suspense account. 401(k) Plan. Investors Bank maintains the 401(k) Plan, a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan, for all employees who have satisfied the 401(k) Plan’s eligibility requirements. All eligible employees can begin participation in the 401(k) Plan on the first day of the plan year or the first day of the first day of the month following the date on which the employee attains age 21. A participant may contribute up to 60% of his or her compensation to the 401(k) Plan on a pre-tax basis, subject to the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. For 2014, the salary deferral contribution limit is $17,500. However, a participant over age 50 may contribute an additional $5,500 to the 401(k) Plan. A participant is always 100% vested in his or her salary deferral contributions. In addition to salary deferral contributions, the 401(k) Plan provides that Investors Bank will make an employer contribution equal to 50% of the participant’s salary deferral contribution, provided that such amount does not exceed 6% of the participant’s compensation earned during the plan year. Participants will 27 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P become 100% vested in their employer contributions after completing three years of credited service (which is a three-year cliff vesting schedule). However a participant will immediately become 100% vested in any employer contributions upon the participant’s disability or attainment of age 65 while employed with Investors Bank. Generally, unless a participant elects otherwise, the participant’s benefit under the 401(k) Plan is generally payable in the form of a lump sum payment as soon as administratively feasible following his or her termination of employment with Investors Bank, provided, however that a participant can elect to receive a distribution of his or her vested account upon attaining age 59 1⁄ 2. Each participant has an individual account under the 401(k) Plan and may direct the investment of his or her account among a variety of investment options or vehicles available. In connection with the Conversion, each participant was eligible to make a one-time purchase of Investors Bancorp common stock through the 401(k) Plan, provided that the purchase did not exceed 50% of the participant’s account balance. Investors Bancorp common stock is not currently an investment option available under the 401(k) Plan. Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Investors Bank participates in the Pentegra Defined Benefit Plan for Financial Institutions, formerly known as the Financial Institutions Retirement Fund, which is a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Defined Benefit Plan”). All employees age 21 or older who have completed one year of employment with Investors Bank are eligible for participation in the Defined Benefit Plan; however, only employees who have been credited with 1,000 or more hours of service with Investors Bank are eligible to accrue benefits under the Defined Benefit Plan. Investors Bank annually contributes an amount to the plan necessary to satisfy the minimum funding requirements established under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). The retirement benefit formula under the Defined Benefit Plan provides for a nonintegrated unit accrual formula with an annual accrual rate of 1.25% of the participant’s high five year average salary, with a 30-year salary cap. A participant’s average annual compensation is the average annual compensation over the five consecutive calendar years out of the last 10 calendar years in which the participant’s compensation was the greatest, or over all calendar years if less than five. The regular form of retirement benefit is a straight life annuity (if the participant is single) and a joint and survivor annuity (if the participant is married). However, various alternative forms of joint and survivor annuities may be selected instead. If a participant dies while in active service and after having become fully vested, a qualified 100% survivor benefit will be payable to the participant’s beneficiary. Benefits payable upon death may be paid in a lump sum, installments, or in the form of a life annuity. Upon termination of employment due to disability, the participant will be entitled to a disability retirement benefit at age 65. Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan. Investors Bank maintains the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan (“the Plan”). The Plan is intended to compensate certain executives participating in the Defined Benefit Plan and the ESOP whose contributions or benefits are limited by Sections 415 and/or 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable to tax-qualified retirement plans (the “Tax Law Limitations”). As of December 31, 2014, Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine were participants in the Plan. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T The plan provides benefits attributable to participation in the Defined Benefit Plan equal to the excess, if any, of the vested accrued benefit to which the participant would be entitled under the Defined Benefit Plan, determined without regard to the Tax Law Limitations, over the vested accrued benefit to which the participant is actually entitled under the Defined Benefit Plan, taking into account the Tax Law Limitations (the “Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit”). The Plan also provides benefits attributable to participation in the ESOP equal to the difference between the allocation of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock the participant would have received under the ESOP without regard to the Tax Law Limitations, and the number of shares of stock that are actually allocated as a result of the Tax Law Limitations (the “Supplemental ESOP Benefit”). The Supplemental ESOP Benefit under the plan is denominated in phantom shares of stock such that one phantom share has a value equal to the fair 28 market value of one share of Investors Bancorp common stock. Each participant’s phantom shares are held in a bookkeeping account established on his or her behalf. Each plan year, the dollar amount of appreciation on the phantom shares deemed allocated to each participant’s account will be converted into phantom shares and credited to each participant’s account. As a long-term compensation plan, the participant’s vested interest in the Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit and in the Supplemental ESOP Benefit is based on a five-year cliff vesting schedule where participants with less than five years of employment will be 0% vested in their benefits, and will become 100% vested upon the completion of five years of employment. In the event of a participant’s separation from service prior to attainment of age 55, the participant’s accrued Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit will be paid in a single lump sum payment within 30 days of the participant’s separation from service. In the event of separation from service after age 55, the participant’s Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit will be payable upon the participant’s early retirement date (age 55 with 10 years of service) or normal retirement date (age 65 with five years of service) in either a lump sum or an annuity (single life, single life with 120 months guaranteed, joint and 100% survivor annuity or joint and 50% survivor annuity) as elected by the participant, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. In the event of a participant’s separation from service within two years following a change in control (as defined in the Plan), the participant will receive his Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit in a lump sum within 30 days after his separation from service. The participant’s Supplemental ESOP Benefit will be payable in cash in either a lump sum or annual installments over a period not to exceed five years, as elected by the participant, and will commence within 30 days following the earlier of the participant’s: (i) separation from service, (ii) death or (iii) disability, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, is a “specified employee”, as defined under the participant Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, no benefit will be payable under the plan during the first six months following the participant’s separation from service (except in the event of death or disability). in the event Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan. Investors Bank maintains the Executive Supplemental Retirement Wage Replacement Plan (the “Wage Replacement Plan”). The Wage Replacement Plan is designed to provide participants with a normal retirement benefit, which is an annual benefit equal to 60% of the participant’s highest average annual base salary and cash incentive (over a consecutive 36-month period within the last 120 consecutive calendar months of employment) reduced by the sum of the benefits provided under the Defined Benefit Plan and the annuitized value of his or her benefits payable from the defined benefit portion of the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan (which is referred to above as the Supplemental Retirement Plan Benefit). Upon separation from service at or after the normal retirement date (age 65) with at least 120 months of employment, a participant is entitled to the normal retirement benefit commencing on the first day of the month after separation from service, payable in monthly installments for life, with 120 monthly payments guaranteed or for an alternative period of time as elected by the participant. If the participant retires after the normal retirement date, but before completion of 120 months of employment, his or her normal retirement benefit will be reduced by 1/120th for each month of employment less than 120 months. If the participant’s separation from service actually occurs later than the normal retirement date, the participant’s normal retirement benefit will be increased by 0.8% for each month of employment with Investors Bank after the normal retirement date. Upon separation from service on or after attaining age 55, but prior to the normal retirement date, the participant’s accrued benefit payable as an early retirement benefit will be equal to the normal retirement benefit, reduced by 2% for each year prior to age 65; however, if the participant separates from service on or after attaining age 55 with 25 years of vesting service, his or her accrued benefit will not be reduced. A participant can elect for the early retirement benefit to commence either: (i) within 30 days; or (ii) on the normal retirement date. In the event of a participant’s separation from service coincident with or within two years following a change in control, the participant will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the actuarial equivalent of the normal retirement benefit or early retirement benefit if the participant has not attained age 65. For these purposes, a 29 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P participant with less than 120 months of employment will be entitled to a benefit calculated as if the participant had 120 months of employment, and a participant who has not yet attained age 55 will be deemed to have attained age 55. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the participant is a “specified employee” as defined under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, no benefit will be payable under the plan during the first six months following the participant’s separation from service (except in the event of death or disability). If a participant dies while in active service, a survivor benefit, calculated as if the participant had lived until his normal retirement date, will be payable to the participant’s beneficiary. Upon termination of employment due to disability, the participant will be entitled to a disability retirement benefit payable at age 65. At December 31, 2014, Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Kalamaras and Spengler were participants in the Wage Replacement Plan. Perquisites. The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that perquisites should be provided on a limited basis, and only to the most senior level of executive officers. As of December 31, 2014, the following perquisites were available for Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler and Kalamaras: (i) club membership; (ii) automobile allowance; (iii) long term care insurance and (iv) an annual medical examination; and for Mr. Splaine: (i) long term care insurance and (ii) an annual medical examination. Elements of Post-Termination Benefits Employment Agreements. Investors Bancorp entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler and Kalamaras. The employment agreements for Messrs. Cummings, Cama, and Spengler were originally entered into on October 11, 2005 and the employment agreement for Mr. Kalamaras was originally entered into on August 18, 2008. The employment agreements for Messrs. Cummings and Cama were each amended and restated on August 18, 2008 to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, and the employment agreements for Messrs. Spengler and Kalamaras were each amended and restated on March 29, 2010 solely to change the length of the executive’s employment term. Each of these agreements has an initial term of three years. Unless notice of non-renewal is provided, the agreements renew annually. The executive’s employment may be terminated for just cause at any time, in which event the executive would have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination. Each executive is entitled to a severance payment and benefits in the event of his termination of employment under specified circumstances. In the event the executive’s employment is terminated for reasons other than for just cause, disability or retirement, provided that such termination of employment constitutes a “separation from service” under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, or in the event the executive resigns during the term of the agreement following: (i) the failure to elect or reelect or to appoint or reappoint the executive to his executive position; (ii) a material change in the executive’s functions, duties, or responsibilities, which change would cause the executive’s position to become one of lesser responsibility, importance or scope; (iii) the liquidation or dissolution of Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank, other than a liquidation or dissolution caused by a reorganization that does not affect the status of the executive; (iv) a change in control of Investors Bancorp; or (v) a material breach of the employment agreement by Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank (the conversion does not constitute a change in control for purposes of the agreements), the executive would be entitled to a severance payment equal to three times the sum of his base salary and the highest amount of cash incentive compensation awarded to him during the prior three years, payable in a lump sum. In addition, the executive would be entitled to, at Investors Bancorp’s sole expense, the continuation of nontaxable life and medical, dental and disability coverage for 36 months after termination of employment. The executive would also receive a lump sum payment of the excess, if any, of the present value of the benefits he would be entitled to under the Defined Benefit Plan if he had continued working for Investors Bancorp for 36 months over the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled as of the date of termination. The executives would be entitled to no additional benefits under the employment agreement upon retirement at age 65. 30 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Should the executive become disabled, Investors Bancorp would continue to pay the executive his base salary for the longer of the remaining term of the agreement or one year, provided that any amount paid to the executive pursuant to any employer-provided disability insurance would reduce the compensation he would receive. In the event the executive dies while employed by Investors Bancorp, the executive’s estate will be paid the executive’s base salary for one year and the executive’s family will be entitled to continuation of medical and dental benefits for one year after the executive’s death. The employment agreement terminates upon retirement (as defined therein), and the executive would only be entitled to benefits under any retirement plan of Investors Bancorp and other plans to which the executive is a party. The employment agreements for Messrs. Cummings and Cama also provide for indemnification against any excise taxes which may be owed by the executive for any payments made in connection with a change in control that would constitute “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. The indemnification payment would be the amount necessary to ensure that the amount of such payments and the value of such benefits received by the executive equal the amount of such payments and the value of such benefits the executive would have received in the absence of an excise tax attributable to Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, including any federal, state and local taxes on Investors Bancorp’s payment to the executive attributable to such tax. The employment agreements for Messrs. Kalamaras Spengler and Burke provide that their change in control benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid penalties under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Upon any termination of the executive’s employment, other than a termination (whether voluntary or involuntary) following a change in control as a result of which Investors Bancorp has paid the executive severance benefits, the executive is prohibited from competing with Investors Bank and/or Investors Bancorp for one year following such termination within 25 miles of any existing branch of Investors Bank or any subsidiary of Investors Bancorp or within 25 miles of any office for which Investors Bank, Investors Bancorp or a bank subsidiary of Investors Bancorp has filed an application for regulatory approval to establish an office, determined as of the effective date of such termination, except as agreed to pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors. The executive is also subject to confidentiality provisions during and after the term of the employment agreement. Investors Bancorp has also entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Splaine. Mr. Splaine’s employment agreement was originally entered into on November 15, 2005. The employment agreement was amended and restated on August 21, 2007 to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and was amended on April 24, 2015. The employment agreement will expire December 31, 2015. Mr. Splaine’s employment may be terminated for just cause at any time, in which event he would have no right to receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination. In the event Mr. Splaine’s employment is terminated (for reasons other than for just cause or disability) or in the event he resigns for any reason prior to December 31, 2015, Mr. Splaine would be entitled to a severance payment equal to 1.5 times his highest rate of base salary and the highest amount of cash incentive compensation awarded to him during the prior two years, payable in a lump sum. In addition, Mr. Splaine would be entitled, at Investors Bancorp’s sole expense, to the continuation of life, nontaxable medical, dental and disability coverage for 18 months after termination of employment. Mr. Splaine would also receive a lump sum payment of the excess, if any, of the present value of the benefits he would be entitled to under the Defined Benefit Plan if he had continued working for Investors Bancorp for 18 months over the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled as of the date of termination. Mr. Splaine’s employment agreement provides that his change in control benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid penalties under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the employment agreement, should Mr. Splaine become disabled, Investors Bancorp would continue to pay him his base salary for the longer of the remaining term of the agreement or one year, provided that any amount paid to him pursuant to any employer-provided disability insurance would reduce the compensation he would receive. In the event Mr. Splaine dies while employed by Investors Bancorp, his estate will be paid his base salary for one year and Mr. Splaine’s family will be entitled to continuation of medical and dental benefits for one year after the executive’s death. 31 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P In connection with Mr. Splaine’s appointment as Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis and Investor Relations, Investors Bancorp entered into a change in control agreement with him on April 29, 2015 that will become effective on January 1, 2016. The change in control agreement will have an initial term of two years, and will renew annually for an additional year, subject to board review. The change in control agreement provides that in the event of Mr. Splaine’s involuntary termination of employment without cause or voluntary resignation for “good reason,” he would be entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to 1.5 times the sum of his: (i) base salary; and (ii) highest rate of bonus awarded to him during the prior three years. In addition, Investors Bancorp or its subsidiary will provide Mr. Splaine, at the sole expense of Investors Bancorp, continued life insurance and nontaxable medical and dental insurance coverage for 18 months after his date of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the change in control agreement provides that Mr. Splaine’s change in control payments thereunder would be reduced by the minimum amount necessary to avoid penalties under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In connection with Mr. Burke’s hire as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Investors Bancorp entered into an employment agreement with him for an initial term of three years. Commencing on December 31, 2015 and continuing on December 31st of each year thereafter, the agreement will renew for an additional year, subject to board review. Under the agreement, Mr. Burke is entitled to a base salary, which will initially be $400,000 per year, and to participate in employee benefit plans and arrangements, including incentive compensation and nonqualified deferred compensation plans, generally made available by Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank to its senior executives and key management employees. The agreement provides that in the event of Mr. Burke’s involuntary termination of employment without cause or voluntary resignation for “good reason” (as defined under the agreement), which includes such termination event occurring prior or subsequent to a change in control of Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank, he would be entitled to a lump sum severance payment equal to three times the sum of his: (i) base salary; and (ii) highest rate of bonus awarded to him during the prior three years, or if the event of termination occurs on or before January 1, 2016, his target bonus award opportunity for 2015. In addition, Investors Bancorp or its subsidiary will provide Mr. Burke, at the sole expense of Investors Bancorp, continued life insurance and nontaxable medical, dental and disability insurance coverage for three years after his date of termination or the cash equivalent of the benefits if applicable law prohibits providing such continued coverage or would subject Investors Bancorp or any subsidiary to penalties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the agreement provides that Mr. Burke’s change in control payments under the agreement would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid penalties under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Other Matters Stock Ownership Requirements. The Board of Directors adopted stock ownership guidelines for our Named Executive Officers that require the following minimum investment in Investors Bancorp common stock: Chief Executive Officer Other Named Executive Officers A number of shares having a market value equal to 5x annual base salary A number of shares having a market value equal to 3x annual base salary Equity Retention Policy. In 2013, the Board of Directors adopted the Equity Retention Policy, which is independent of the stock ownership guidelines described above. This policy applies to all executive officers of Investors Bancorp and all members of the Board of Directors. Under the policy, each executive officer is required to retain direct ownership of at least 50% of his or her “covered shares,” net of taxes and transaction costs, until three months following the date of the executive officer’s termination of employment. Each director is required to retain direct ownership of at least 50% of his or her “covered shares,” net of taxes and transaction costs, until termination of service from the Board of Directors. A “covered share” means any share acquired by an executive officer or director pursuant to an award granted after July 23, 2013 under any equity compensation plan or other written compensatory arrangement. 32 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Anti-Hedging Policy. The Board of Directors adopted an anti-hedging policy, which prohibits directors and executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, from engaging in or effecting any transaction designed to hedge or offset the economic risk of owning shares of Investors Bancorp common stock. Accordingly, any hedging, derivative or other equivalent transaction that is specifically designed to reduce or limit the extent to which declines in the trading price of Investors Bancorp common stock would affect the value of shares of Investors Bancorp common stock owned by an executive officer or director is prohibited. Cashless exercises of stock options are not deemed short sales and are permitted. This policy does not prohibit transactions involving the stock of other unrelated companies. Clawback Policy. In accordance with a clawback policy adopted by the Board of Directors, as a condition to receiving incentive compensation, Named Executive Officers agree to return bonus and other incentive compensation paid by Investors Bancorp (including cancellation of outstanding equity awards and reimbursement of any gains realized on such awards) if: (i) the payments or awards were based on reported financial statement or financial information or (any performance metrics or criteria that were based on such financial statements or information); (ii) there is an accounting restatement of financial statements due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements under the federal securities laws; and (iii) the amount of the bonus or incentive compensation, as calculated under the restated financial results, is less than the amount actually paid or awarded under the original financial results. Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, companies are subject to limits on the deductibility of executive compensation. Deductible compensation is limited to $1 million per year for each Named Executive Officer listed in the summary compensation table, except for the principal financial officer. Compensation that is “performance-based” under the Internal Revenue Code’s definition is exempt from this limit. Stock option grants are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation. The Compensation and Benefits Committee currently does not have a formal policy with respect to the payment of compensation in excess of the deduction limit. The Compensation and Benefits Committee’s practice is to structure compensation programs offered to the Named Executive Officers with a view to maximizing the tax deductibility of amounts paid. However, in structuring compensation programs and making compensation decisions, including Investors Bancorp’s tax position, the materiality of the payment and tax deductions involved and the need for flexibility to address unforeseen circumstances and Investors Bancorp’s incentive and retention requirement its management personnel. After considering these factors, the Compensation and Benefits Committee may decide to authorize payments, all or part of which would be nondeductible for federal tax purposes. the Compensation and Benefits Committee considers a variety of factors, for Tax and Accounting Implications. In consultation with our tax advisors, we evaluate the tax and accounting treatment of our compensation program at the time of adoption and on an annual basis to ensure that we understand the financial impact of the program. Our analysis includes a detailed review of recently adopted and pending changes in tax and accounting requirements. As part of our review, we consider modifications and/or alternatives to existing programs to take advantage of favorable changes in the tax or accounting environment or to avoid adverse consequences. Compensation Risk Management. The Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that any risks arising from Investors Bancorp’s compensation policies and practices for all of its employees, including the Named Executive Officers, are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank. In addition, the Compensation and Benefits Committee believes that the mix and design of the elements of the compensation program will encourage senior management to act in a manner that is focused on long-term valuation of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank. The Compensation and Benefits Committee regularly reviews Investors Bancorp’s compensation program to ensure that controls are in place so that employees are not presented with opportunities to take unnecessary and excessive risks that could threaten the value of Investors Bancorp or Investors Bank. With respect to the 33 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan, the Compensation and Benefits Committee reviews and approves the company-wide performance objectives that determine the bonus payments to be made thereunder. The performance objectives are selected in consultation with an outside independent consultant, and are customary institutions in Investors Bancorp’s peer group. Furthermore, all bonus performance metrics for financial payments are subject to clawback in accordance with our clawback policy, which ensures that performance awards are linked to the actual performance of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank and promotes the long-term value creation of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank. Moreover, we instituted our equity retention policy to more closely align the interests of management and the Board with those of our stockholders. Finally, by implementing the ESOP, 2006 Equity Incentive Plan and by having an executive stock ownership requirement and an equity retention policy, our senior management team and employees have a significant ownership interest in Investors Bancorp, which will align their interests with those of the stockholders, and in turn will contribute to long-term stockholder value and decrease the likelihood that they would take excessive risks that could threaten the value of their Investors Bancorp common stock. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T 34 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE REPORT Pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, this Compensation and Benefits Committee Report shall not be deemed incorporated by reference to any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that Investors Bancorp specifically incorporates this information by reference, and otherwise shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission subject to Regulation 14A or 14C of the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Compensation and Benefits Committee (the Committee) of Investors Bancorp has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation and Benefits Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Committee understands its fiduciary responsibility to shareholders. The Committee has worked very hard with the help of management and our compensation consultant to implement a performance driven compensation program. We operate in a very competitive banking market. To ensure fairness and competitiveness, the Committee collects and analyzes an extensive amount of information about executive compensation values and practices in our marketplace. In our region, obtaining and retaining talented people is a serious challenge. The worldwide financial services industry has a large footprint in the New York and New Jersey area and consequently many opportunities exist for employment. It is important to make Investors Bancorp attractive to this important talent pool. The Committee is proud of our Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan. Each year a participant is assigned personal goals and a share of the overall corporate goals. Each participant is advised of the cash incentive opportunity for meeting his/her goals. We believe that the Plan has had a positive effect on employee performance and has stimulated and energized employees to contribute to the overall success of Investors Bancorp. The Committee is delighted to see the energy and effort our employees bring to achieving their goals. Careful selection of goals in a way that aligns the employees’ performance with advancing the overall strategic objectives of Investors Bancorp moves the entire company along its carefully designed strategic path. The Committee has also utilized equity grants to drive long term performance and to align employees’ financial interests with those of our stockholders. Recent grants have been made with a seven year vesting requirement, which is much longer than the vesting requirements of our peers, but vesting partially accelerates upon achievement of certain corporate financial and business benchmarks, however there were no equity grants to named executive officers during 2014. Upon completion of the Conversion of Investors Bancorp, MHC on May 7, 2014, vesting accelerated for both stock options and restricted stock outstanding awards and all applicable expenses were recognized during the period. Investors Bank also sponsors the ESOP, through which all eligible employees are eligible to receive Investors Bancorp common stock. By ensuring that all employees are shareholders, the Committee believes that the entire workforce has a personal financial stake in the success of Investors Bancorp. Even without formal regulatory requirements, Investors Bancorp has voluntarily adopted a clawback policy, in order to recapture inappropriate incentive compensation payments, should that ever occur. At the same time, the Committee recognizes the need to discourage the taking of undue risk to achieve short term goals. We have built into our overall compensation philosophy elements that encourage longer term thinking and in particular, the preservation of asset quality. It is the Committee’s belief that our compensation program spends company funds in a way that effectively drives superior employee performance and the success of Investors Bancorp. 35 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Compensation and Benefits Committee of Investors Bancorp, Inc. Brian D. Dittenhafer, Chair Robert C. Albanese, Member Dennis M. Bone, Member Doreen R. Byrnes, Member Brendan J. Dugan, Member James H. Ward, III, Member P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T 36 Executive Compensation The following table sets forth for the calendar years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 certain information as to the total remuneration paid to Named Executive Officers with respect to the applicable year. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE Name and Principal Position Salary ($) Bonus ($) Year Stock Awards ($) (1) Option Awards ($) Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) (2) Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) (3) All Other Compensation ($) (4) Total ($) Total Without Change in Pension Value ($) (5) Kevin Cummings, President and Chief Executive Officer 2014 2013 2012 1,000,000 935,000 935,000 — 467,500 467,500 — — 2,199,000 Domenick A. Cama, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Richard Spengler, Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Paul Kalamaras, Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Banking Officer Thomas F. Splaine, Jr., Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 2014 2013 2012 675,000 621,000 621,000 — 275,000 248,000 — — 1,466,000 2014 2013 2012 430,000 400,000 400,000 — 125,000 120,000 — — 659,700 2014 2013 2012 415,000 375,000 375,000 — 125,000 112,500 — — 806,300 2014 2013 2012 352,500 325,000 312,000 — 147,500 (6) 60,000 — — 146,400 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 1,500,000 1,402,500 935,000 810,000 745,200 496,800 5,058,000 1,650,000 2,346,000 2,799,000 742,000 1,289,000 278,700 297,559 170,696 180,794 190,261 110,388 7,836,700 4,752,559 7,053,196 2,778,700 3,102,559 4,707,196 4,464,794 2,573,461 4,231,188 1,665,794 1,831,461 2,942,188 381,195 358,200 240,000 371,633 333,450 225,000 264,375 199,875 156,000 1,049,000 88,000 479,000 105,118 120,314 72,539 1,965,313 1,091,514 1,971,239 916,313 1,003,514 1,492,239 935,000 293,000 600,000 230,000 19,000 85,000 91,726 106,012 64,767 1,813,359 1,232,462 2,183,567 878,359 939,462 1,583,567 78,809 88,722 57,118 925,684 780,097 816,518 695,684 761,097 731,518 (1) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with FASB ASC 718, of restricted stock awards pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. No forfeiture occurred during the reported years. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 11 to Investors Bancorp’s audited financial statements for the calendar year ended December 31, 2014 included in Investors Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. (2) The amounts were earned pursuant to the Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan. (3) The amounts in this column reflect the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the Named Executive Officer’s accumulated benefit under all defined benefit and actuarial pension plans (including supplemental plans) from the measurement date in the immediately preceding calendar year to the measurement date in such calendar year, determined using the interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in Investors Bancorp’s financial statements. The amount reported may include amounts in which the Named Executive Officer is not yet vested. Earnings under the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan attributable to the Supplemental ESOP Benefit are not included in this amount because the earnings were not “above-market,” as defined by the SEC. (4) The amounts in this column represent all other compensation not reported in prior columns in this table, including perquisites, the aggregate value of which exceeds $10,000, and employer contributions to defined contribution plans. See the “All Other Compensation” and “Perquisites” tables below for a breakdown of these amounts for the year ended December 31, 2014. (5) To show how the year-over-year change in pension value impacted total compensation, as determined under SEC rules, we have included this column to show total compensation without pension value changes. The amounts reported in this column are calculated by subtracting the change in pension value reported in the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column, as described in footnote 3 to this table, from the amounts reported in the Total column. The amounts reported in this column differ substantially from, and are not a substitute for, the amounts reported in the Total column. In this regard, the 2014 Total column for Mr. Cummings shows approximately a 65% increase over the 2013 Total column. This increase is primarily attributable to the increase in the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column. The increase in that column is primarily due to two external factors: (i) the decrease in interest rates from last year and (ii) the required use of a new mortality table reflecting longer life expectancies. The decrease in interest rates and new mortality table accounted for 53% of Mr. Cummings’ change in pension value. The remaining change resulted from internal factors: an increase to final average salary, earning an additional year of service, and aging one more year. For Mr. Cummings, base salary represented approximately 12.8% of his 2014 Total column; non-equity incentives represented approximately 19.1% of his 2014 Total column; All Other Compensation represented approximately 3.6% of his 2014 Total column and pension and non-qualified deferred compensation represented 64.5% of his 2014 Total column. Includes $67,500 paid to Mr. Splaine in January 2014 related to 2013 calendar year. (6) 37 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P ALL OTHER COMPENSATION Name Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Calendar or Fiscal Year 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits ($) (1) Dividends on Unvested Stock Awards ($) Company Contribution for Medical and Insurance Benefits ($) Company Contributions to ESOP and 401(k) Plan and Supplemental ESOP ($) 21,282 15,312 7,637 16,559 12,301 62,840 43,714 22,586 20,764 9,289 18,851 18,851 20,364 2,955 18,785 175,727 102,917 54,531 51,448 38,434 Total ($) 278,700 180,794 105,118 91,726 78,809 (1) A detailed description of the perquisites included in this column is set forth in the table below. PERQUISITES Calendar or Fiscal Year Automobile Allowance ($) Long Term Care ($) Club Dues ($) 1,334 956 — 8,107 9,899 4,351 12,262 1,080 12,301 — Executive Health Exam ($) — 700 — — — Total Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits ($) 21,282 15,312 7,637 16,559 12,301 Name Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 11,841 3,757 3,286 3,217 — P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Plan-Based Awards. The following table sets forth certain information as to grants during calendar 2014 of plan-based awards to the Named Executive Officers under the Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan. GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE FOR 2014 Estimated Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards Grant Date Threshold ($) Target ($) Maximum ($) All Other Stock Awards Number of Shares or Units (#) All Other Option Awards Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) Name Kevin Cummings 2/24/2014 810,000 1,155,000 1,500,000 Domenick A. Cama 2/24/2014 437,400 623,700 810,000 Richard S. Spengler 2/24/2014 212,850 299,925 387,000 Paul Kalamaras 2/24/2014 205,425 289,463 373,500 Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. 2/24/2014 52,875 79,313 264,375 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — For a narrative description of the material factors necessary to an understanding of the information disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for 2014, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above. 38 Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End. The following table sets forth information with respect to outstanding equity awards as of December 31, 2014 for the Named Executive Officers. OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT DECEMBER 31, 2014 Option Awards Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable Option Exercise Price ($) Grant Date 11/20/06 1,147,500 11/20/06 1,020,000 11/20/06 110,000 11/18/08 357,000 — — — — — 5.98 5.98 5.98 5.37 5.98 Stock Awards Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) (2) Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have not Vested ($) — — — — — — — — — — Option Expiration Date (1) 11/20/16 11/20/16 11/20/16 11/18/18 11/20/16 Name Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. 11/20/06 446,250 (1) Stock options expire if unexercised 10 years after the grant date. (2) Stock awards generally vest over a seven-year period commencing on the first anniversary of the date granted, however, if certain performance goals are achieved the vesting will be accelerated by two years commencing in the year in which the performance goal is achieved. Upon completion of the Conversion, vesting accelerated on all outstanding restricted share awards and all applicable expenses were recognized at that time. No additional restricted awards have been granted. Option Exercises and Stock Vested. The following table provides information concerning stock option exercises and the vesting of stock awards for each Named Executive Officer during 2014. Upon completion of the Conversion on May 7, 2014, all outstanding restricted stock awards vested and all applicable expenses were recognized at that time. No additional restricted stock awards have been granted. OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED AT DECEMBER 31, 2014 Name Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Option Awards Stock Awards Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise ($) — — 400,000 — — Value Realized on Exercise ($) — — 1,761,043 — — Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) 783,215 546,428 284,142 258,643 118,393 Value Realized on Vesting ($) (1) 8,157,187 5,690,566 2,958,463 2,694,030 1,232,052 (1) The value realized on vesting represents the market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on the date of the Conversion. Pension Benefits. The table below shows the present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the Named Executive Officers, including the number of years of service credited to each such named executive officer, under our pension plans determined using interest rate and mortality rate assumptions consistent with those used in Investors Bancorp’s financial statements. For a narrative description of each applicable plan, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above. 39 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P PENSION BENEFITS AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 Name Plan Name Kevin Cummings Defined Benefit Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan and Wage Replacement Plan Domenick A. Cama Defined Benefit Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan and Wage Replacement Plan Richard S. Spengler Defined Benefit Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan and Wage Replacement Plan Paul Kalamaras Defined Benefit Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan and Wage Replacement Plan Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Defined Benefit Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan Number of Years Credited Service ($) (1) Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) (2) Payment During Last Year ($) 10.5 10.5 497,000 11,457,000 24 24 30 30 5.3 5.3 9 9 944,000 5,968,000 813,000 1,775,000 179,000 1,688,000 232,000 230,000 — — — — — — — — — — (1) The number of years of credited service represents all years of service, including years following the change in benefit formula for the Defined Benefit Plan on January 1, 2006. For Messrs. Cama and Spengler, credited service years include qualified years served at other financial institutions that participated in the Defined Benefit Plan, formerly known as the Financial Institutions Retirement Fund. (2) The figures shown are determined as of the plan’s measurement date of December 31, 2014 for purposes of Investors Bancorp’s audited financial statements. For discount rate and other assumptions used for this purpose, please refer to Note 11 to the audited financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation. The following table sets forth information with respect to the nonqualified deferred compensation plans at and for the year ended December 31, 2014 for the Named Executive Officers. For a narrative description of the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan, please see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above. NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION AT OR FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 Name Kevin Cummings Domenick A. Cama Richard S. Spengler Paul Kalamaras Thomas F. Splaine, Jr. Plan Name Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan Executive Contributions in Last Year ($) Registrant Contributions in Last Year ($) (1) Aggregate Earnings (Loss) in Last Year ($) (2) Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) — — — — — 158,487 123,838 85,677 37,291 34,208 21,569 59,821 19,778 11,459 8,520 — — — — — Aggregate Balance at Last Year- End ($) (3) 1,318,731 646,147 222,591 141,570 101,388 (1) The value of the non-qualified Supplemental ESOP contribution made in calendar 2014 is based on the fair market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on December 31, 2014 of $11.23. These contributions are included in the Summary Compensation Table. 40 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T (2) The aggregate earnings (loss) for the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan reflect the change in value of phantom shares issued prior to calendar 2014, based on the fair market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on December 31, 2014 of $11.23. This amount is not included in the Summary Compensation Table because the rate of earnings was not “above-market,” as defined by the SEC. (3) The aggregate balances reported for the Supplemental ESOP Plan are based on the market value of Investors Bancorp common stock on December 31, 2014 of $11.23. For Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine, $845,594, $417,187, $147,180, $104,348 and $71,184, respectively, of their total aggregate balance was previously reported as compensation to them in our Summary Compensation Tables for previous years. Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control. At December 31, 2014, Investors Bancorp had three-year employment agreements with Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine. A narrative description of the material terms of the agreements is set forth in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” The table below reflects the amount of compensation payable to each Named Executive Officer pursuant to his employment agreement in the event of termination of his employment. No payments are required under the employment agreements due to the Named Executive Officers’ voluntary termination prior to a change in control. The amount of compensation payable to each Named Executive Officer upon: (i) involuntary termination (other than for cause); (ii) termination following a change of control; and (iii) in the event of disability is shown below. The amounts shown assume that such termination was effective as of December 31, 2014, and thus includes amounts earned through such time and are estimates of the amounts that would be paid to the Named Executive Officer upon termination. Messrs. Cummings and Cama are entitled to tax indemnification payments for any excess parachute payments under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. The change in control benefits payable to Messrs. Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine under their employment agreements would be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid triggering excess parachute payments under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. Upon completion of the Second Step Conversion, vesting accelerated on all outstanding restricted stock awards and no additional restricted awards have been granted. Therefore no amounts are shown relating to unvested options and stock awards for the period ending December 31, 2014. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of such executive’s date of termination with Investors Bancorp. The following table does not include amounts payable upon termination of employment under the Supplemental ESOP and Retirement Plan and the Wage Replacement Plan because the present value of the accumulated benefits under each of those plans as of December 31, 2014 is set forth in the tables above. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P 41 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 Mr. Cummings Mr. Cama Mr. Spengler Mr. Kalamaras Mr. Splaine Retirement (1) Retiree Health/Life Insurance Stock Option Vesting Restricted Stock Vesting Early Retirement (1) Retiree Health/Life Insurance Stock Option Vesting Restricted Stock Vesting Disability Salary Continuation (2) Stock Option Vesting Restricted Stock Vesting Other benefits (3) Death Salary Continuation (5) Stock Option Vesting Restricted Stock Vesting Other benefits (3) Discharge w/o Cause or Resignation w/ Good Reason- no Change in Control Stock Option Vesting Restricted Stock Vesting Salary and Cash Incentive (6) Other benefits (3) Excess Pension Benefit (4)(6) Discharge w/o Cause or Resignation w/ Good Reason- Change in Control-related Stock Option Vesting Restricted Stock Vesting Salary and Cash Incentive (6) Other benefits (3) Excess Pension Benefit (4)(6) Tax Indemnification Payment (7) — — — — — — 2,384,530 — — 18,862 1,000,000 — — 28,379 — — 7,500,000 113,170 3,630,903 — — 7,500,000 113,170 3,630,903 2,052,715 — — — — — — 1,489,530 — — 19,758 675,000 — — 28,379 — — 4,455,000 118,546 1,850,077 — — 4,455,000 118,546 1,850,077 1,066,677 — — — — — — 1,034,530 — — 15,534 430,000 — — 25,478 — — 2,433,585 97,901 785,919 — — 2,433,585 97,901 785,919 — — — — — — — 989,530 — — 6,822 412,000 — — 144 — — 2,358,777 45,629 754,377 — — 2,358,777 45,629 754,377 — — — — — — — 301,780 — — 19,820 352,500 — — 26,168 — — 925,313 61,809 62,078 — — 925,313 61,809 62,078 — (1) As of December 31, 2014, none of the Named Executive Officers were eligible for early retirement or retirement. (2) Upon disability, the Named Executive Officer is entitled to base salary for the longer of the remaining term of his employment agreement or one year. Such benefit is reduced by the amount paid under our disability plan or policy, which is not reflected in this table. (3) Other benefits include amounts for benefits in effect prior to termination; life, medical, dental, disability and long term care, and is calculated based on the terms specified in the employment agreements. (4) Each employment agreement provides that Investors Bancorp will pay the excess, if any of: (i) the present value of benefits to which the Named Executive Officer would be entitled to under the defined benefit plans if he had continued working for Investors Bancorp for 36 months in the case if Messrs. Cummings, Cama, Spengler and Kalamaras and 18 months for Mr. Splaine, and (ii) the present value of the benefits to which he is actually entitled. (5) This amount is payable according to normal payroll practices for one year following the Named Executive Officer’s date of death. (6) This amount is paid in a lump sum following the Named Executive Officer’s date of termination. (7) This amount is generally payable in a lump sum to the Named Executive Officer following the date of termination, but it may be timely paid directly to the applicable taxing authorities on behalf of the named executive officer. For Messrs. Spengler, Kalamaras and Splaine, no cash reduction is necessary to avoid triggering an excess parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T 42 Director Compensation Elements of Director Compensation Director Fees. Each of the individuals who serve as a director of Investors Bancorp also serves as a director of Investors Bank. The non-employee directors of Investors Bancorp and Investors Bank are compensated separately for service on each entity’s board. Each non-employee director of Investors Bancorp is paid a monthly retainer of $2,000 ($4,000 per month for the Chairman), and $1,500 for each committee meeting attended ($2,500 for the Audit Committee). The Chairman of the Audit Committee, Compensation and Benefits Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Risk Oversight Committee are each paid an annual retainer of $10,000. Each non-employee director of Investors Bank is paid a monthly retainer of $4,000 ($8,000 per month for the Chairman) and $2,100 for each Board meeting attended ($4,200 per meeting for the Chairman). Employee directors are not compensated for serving as directors. The Board of Directors establishes non-employee director compensation based on recommendations of the Compensation and Benefits Committee. Periodically, the Compensation and Benefits Committee engages the services of GK Partners and its external surveys to assist in the committee’s review of director compensation. The Compensation and Benefits Committee did not recommend any changes to the compensation payable to non- employee directors in 2014. Stock Option and Stock Award Program. Directors have been eligible to participate in the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan as described above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Mr. Albanese and Ms. Siekerka each have outstanding stock options that were granted under the Roma Financial Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. Please see the Directors’ Compensation Table for further details regarding each director’s outstanding stock option and unvested restricted stock awards under such plans. Director Benefits. For directors and their spouses or spousal equivalents as of 2007, Investors Bank sponsors a long-term care program. Directors become eligible to participate after one year of service either on the Board of Directors, through past employment or as counsel prior to becoming a director. Each individual policy is owned by the covered person. Investors Bank pays all premiums under the long term care program but will stop paying premiums in the event of the participant’s: (i) resignation from the Board of Directors prior to attaining normal retirement age (except for health reasons); (ii) relocation outside of the country; or (iii) death. Spousal coverage will be terminated upon: (i) a participant’s resignation prior to normal retirement age (except for health reasons); (ii) divorce from the participant; (iii) the participant no longer qualifying for coverage; (iv) the spouse’s permanent relocation outside of the country; or (v) death. Participants who cannot be insured through an insurance company under the long-term care program will be self-insured by Investors Bank. Amended and Restated Director Retirement Plan. Investors Bank maintains the Amended and Restated Director Retirement Plan. Effective November 21, 2006, the Amended and Restated Director Retirement Plan was frozen such that no new benefits accrued under, and no new directors were eligible to participate in, the plan. A director who: (i) was not an active employee of Investors Bank upon retirement from board service; (ii) has provided at least ten years of “cumulative service” (service on the board and, if applicable, as an employee or counsel); and (iii) retired at age 65 or later or as a result of disability, was eligible to participate in the plan prior to November 21, 2006. Directors Cashill and Dittenhafer are the only directors currently participating in the plan. An eligible director with at least 15 years of cumulative service will be entitled to an annual retirement benefit equal to the sum of 60% of the annual retainer and 13 times the regular board meeting fee in effect for the calendar year preceding the director’s year of retirement. A director with at least 10 years of cumulative service but less than 15 years will be entitled to 40% of the sum of the annual retainer and 13 times the regular meeting fee in effect for the calendar year preceding the director’s year of retirement, plus a pro-rated percentage of 20% of the sum of the annual retainer and 13 times the regular board meeting fee in effect for the calendar year preceding the director’s year of retirement. The plan includes the annual retainer and board fees, if any, paid by Investors Bancorp in determining a director’s retirement benefit. 43 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P In the event of a change in control, a director who has not yet attained ten years of service will be deemed to have ten years of service and attained age 65 in order to calculate his benefit under the plan. In the event a director dies prior to retirement, the director’s beneficiary will be entitled to benefit payments in the form of a joint and survivor benefit payable at 100% of the amount paid to the director. Retirement benefits may be paid, at the director’s election, either in monthly payments until the eligible director’s death, or as a joint and survivor form of benefit payable for the lifetime of the eligible director and, upon the eligible director’s death, at 50% of the benefit amount, to the director’s beneficiary, or a joint and survivor form of benefit payable for the lifetime of the director and, upon the director’s death, at 100% of the amount, to the director’s beneficiary during the beneficiary’s lifetime. In order to receive retirement benefits under the plan, the director must remain a director emeritus in good standing after retirement and must not engage in any business enterprise which competes with Investors Bank nor disclose any confidential information relative to the business of Investors Bank. Deferred Directors Fee Plans. Investors Bank maintains the Investors Bank Deferred Directors Fee Plan. Each non-employee member of the Board of Directors of Investors Bank is eligible to participate in the plan and has the right to elect to defer the receipt of all or any part of the director fees earned as a member of the Board of Directors of Investors Bank. Compensation deferred under the plan and interest (at a rate equal to one and one- half percent below the Wall Street Journal prime rate) thereon is payable upon the earlier of the participant’s death, disability or separation from service. Such deferred compensation will be payable in a lump sum, unless the participant has elected payment in monthly installments over a period of up to ten years. Investors Bancorp maintains the Investors Bancorp, Inc. Deferred Directors Fee Plan. Each non-employee member of the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp is eligible to participate in the plan and has the right to elect to defer the receipt of all or any part of the director fees earned as a member of the Board of Directors of Investors Bancorp. Compensation deferred under the plan and interest (at a rate equal to one and one-half percent below the Wall Street Journal prime rate) thereon is payable upon the earlier of the participant’s death, disability or separation from service. Such deferred compensation will be payable in a lump sum, unless the participant has elected payment in monthly installments over a period of up to ten years. Split Dollar Life Insurance Agreements. Mr. Albanese, Mr. Bone and Ms. Siekerka are each parties to individual split dollar life insurance agreements with Roma Bank, which were assumed by Investors Bank on December 6, 2013 in connection with the merger between Investors Bancorp and Roma Financial Corporation. Investors Bank owns a life insurance policy on the life of Messrs. Albanese, Bone and Ms. Siekerka. Under the agreement, upon the death of the director, the proceeds of the policy are divided between the director’s beneficiary, who is entitled to $100,000 on the director’s death, and Investors Bank, which is entitled to the remainder of the death benefit. The director has the right to designate the beneficiary who will receive his or her share of the proceeds payable upon death. Summary of Directors’ Compensation. The following table sets forth for the year ended December 31, 2014 certain information as to total compensation paid to non-employee directors. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T 44 DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION TABLE Investors Bancorp Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) Investors Bank Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) Stock Awards ($) (1) Option Awards ($) (2) Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($) All Other Compensation ($) (3) 56,500 37,500 59,500 48,000 24,000 59,500 45,000 24,000 45,000 59,500 73,200 73,200 73,200 146,400 73,200 73,200 73,200 73,200 73,200 73,200 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 35,000 — 102,000 — — — — 343 264 9,898 12,605 32,970 13,392 — — 230 — Total ($) 130,043 110,964 142,598 242,005 130,170 248,092 118,200 97,200 118,430 132,700 Name Robert C. Albanese Dennis M. Bone Doreen R. Byrnes Robert M. Cashill William V. Cosgrove Brian D. Dittenhafer Brendan J. Dugan James J. Garibaldi Michele N. Siekerka James H. Ward (1) No director had unvested stock awards at December 31, 2014. (2) Messrs. Cashill and Cosgrove and Ms. Byrnes had fully vested unexercised stock option awards of 892,500, 255,000 and 166,250 options, respectively, for stock option awards received as employees of Investors Bank at December 31, 2014. Mr. Dittenhafer had fully vested unexercised stock option awards of 413,203 at December 31, 2014. Mr. Albanese and Ms. Siekerka, who have no outstanding awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan, had unexercised stock option awards of 35,302 and 70,606 options, respectively, at December 31, 2014, which were granted under the Roma Financial Corporation 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. (3) This amount includes perquisites and other personal benefits, or property, if the aggregate amount for each director is at least $10,000. Specifically, this amount represents the premiums paid for long term care coverage for Messrs. Cashill, Dittenhafer and Ms. Byrnes and their spouses or spousal equivalents. In addition, the amount includes automobile allowance and club dues for Mr. Cosgrove. For Messrs. Albanese, Bone and Ms. Siereka includes income on split dollar life insurance agreements. Other Matters Director Stock Ownership Requirements. The Board believes its directors should have a financial investment in Investors Bancorp to further align their interests with stockholders. Directors are expected to own at least 25,000 shares of common stock (excluding stock options). Stock holdings are expected to be achieved within five (5) years of either the implementation of the ownership guidelines or the starting date of the individual, whichever is later. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P 45 PROPOSAL II—APPROVAL OF THE INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN The Board of Directors has adopted, subject to stockholder approval, the Investors Bancorp. Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to provide additional incentives for our officers, employees and directors to promote our growth and performance and to further align their interests with those of our stockholders. By approving the Plan, stockholders will give us the flexibility we need to continue to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified officers, employees and directors by offering a competitive compensation program that is linked to the performance of our common stock. The following is a summary of the material features of the Plan, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of the Plan, attached hereto as Appendix A. Shares Reserved; Overall Limits on Types of Grants; Share Counting Methodology Subject to permitted adjustments for certain corporate transactions, the Plan authorizes the issuance or delivery to participants of 30,881,296 shares of Investors Bancorp, Inc. common stock pursuant to grants of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options. • The maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to stock options (all of which may be incentive stock options) is 17,646,455 shares, which represents approximately 8% of the number of shares issued in connection with the “second step” mutual-to-stock Second Step Conversion of Investors Bancorp, Inc., on May 7, 2014 (the “Second Step Conversion”). • The maximum number of shares that may be issued as restricted stock awards, restricted stock units or performance shares is 13,234,841 shares, which represents approximately 6% of the number of shares issued in the Second Step Conversion. The Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors (“Committee”) may grant restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance awards in excess of the 13,234,841 share limit, provided that any grants in excess of that limit shall be counted against the share reserve as three shares for every one share granted in excess of such limit. • The Plan does not use liberal share recycling with respect to determining the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan. Accordingly, to the extent (i) a stock option is exercised by using an actual or constructive exchange of shares of stock to pay the exercise price, or (ii) shares of stock are withheld to satisfy withholding taxes upon exercise or vesting of an award, or (iii) shares are withheld to satisfy the exercise price of stock options in a net settlement, the number of shares of stock available under the Plan shall be reduced by the gross number of stock options or stock awards exercised or vested rather than by the net number of shares of stock issued. • The rights and benefits with respect to an award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon termination of employment for cause. • Upon shareholder approval of the Plan, no new grants shall be made under the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. Limitations on Awards to Employees and Directors The Plan includes the following limitations: • • the maximum number of shares of stock, in the aggregate, that may be issued or delivered to any one employee pursuant to the exercise of stock options is 4,411,613 shares (25% of all shares of stock available for stock option awards under the Plan), all of which may be issued during any calendar year; the maximum number of shares of stock, in the aggregate, that may be issued or delivered to any one employee pursuant to restricted stock awards or restricted stock units is 3,308,710 shares (25% of all shares of stock available for restricted stock awards and restricted stock units under the Plan), all of which may be issued during any calendar year; 46 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T • the maximum number of shares of stock that may be issued or delivered to all non-employee directors, in the aggregate, pursuant to the exercise of stock options, or grants of restricted stock or restricted stock units shall be 30% of all option or restricted stock shares available for awards under the Plan; • To the extent any shares of stock covered by an award (including restricted stock awards and restricted stock units) under the Plan are not delivered to a participant or beneficiary because the award is forfeited or canceled or because a stock option is not exercised, then such shares shall not be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of stock available for delivery under the Plan; and • In the event of a corporate transaction involving the stock of Investors Bancorp, Inc., such as a stock dividend or a stock split, the share limitations and all outstanding awards will be adjusted proportionally and uniformly to reflect such event, provided that the adjustment will not affect the award’s status as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), if applicable. Eligibility Officers, employees, directors and service providers of Investors Bancorp, Inc. or its subsidiaries are eligible to receive awards under the Plan, except that non-employees may not be granted incentive stock options. Types of Awards The Committee may determine the type and terms and conditions of awards under the Plan, which shall be set forth in an award agreement delivered to each participant. Each award shall be subject to conditions established by the Committee that are set forth in the recipient’s award agreement, and shall be subject to vesting conditions and restrictions as determined by the Committee. Awards may be granted as incentive and non- qualified stock options, restricted stock awards or restricted stock units, as follows: Stock Options. A stock option is the right to purchase shares of common stock at a specified price for a specified period of time. • The exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock (which is defined as the closing sales price on the exchange on which the stock is traded) on the date the stock option is granted. • The Committee may not grant a stock option with a term that is longer than 10 years. • • Stock options are either “incentive” stock options or “non-qualified” stock options. Incentive stock options have certain tax advantages that are not available to non-qualified stock options, and must comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Only officers and employees are eligible to receive incentive stock options. Outside directors and service providers may only receive non-qualified stock options under the Plan. Shares of common stock purchased upon the exercise of a stock option must be paid for at the time of exercise either (i) by tendering, either actually or constructively by attestation, shares of stock valued at fair market value as of the date of exercise; (ii) by irrevocably authorizing a third party, acceptable to the Committee, to sell shares of stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the stock option and to remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire exercise price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise; (iii) by a net settlement of the stock option, using a portion of the shares obtained on exercise in payment of the exercise price of the stock option (and if applicable, any minimum required tax withholding); (iv) by personal, certified or cashier’s check; (v) by other property deemed acceptable by the Committee; or (vi) by any combination thereof. • The Committee may automatically exercise in-the-money stock options that are exercisable but unexercised as of the day immediately before the 10th anniversary of the date of grant, using net settlement as the method of exercising such options. 47 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P • Under no circumstances will Investors Bancorp, Inc. buy back underwater stock options granted under the Plan without shareholder approval. • The Plan expressly prohibits repricing of stock options. Restricted Stock. A restricted stock award is a grant of shares of our common stock to a participant for no consideration or such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law. • Restricted stock awards may be granted only in whole shares of common stock. • Prior to vesting, recipients of a restricted stock award are entitled to vote the shares of restricted stock during the restricted period • Unless the Committee determines otherwise, any dividends earned on unvested restricted stock will not be paid until the restricted shares vest. Dividends shall be accumulated during the vesting period and paid to the participant no later than 30 days after the date the restricted shares vest. Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock units may be denominated in shares of common stock and are similar to restricted stock awards except that no shares of common stock are actually issued to the award recipient at the time of grant of a restricted stock unit. • Restricted stock units granted under the Plan may be settled in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof, and are subject to vesting conditions and other restrictions set forth in the Plan or the award agreement. • Participants have no voting rights with respect to any restricted stock units granted under the Plan. • No dividends shall be paid on restricted stock units. In the sole discretion of the Committee, exercised at the time of grant, dividend equivalent rights may be paid on restricted stock units. If a restricted stock unit is intended to be performance-based in accordance with Code Section 162(m), payment of dividend equivalent rights to the award recipient will be conditioned on the satisfaction of the performance criteria. Dividend equivalent rights shall be paid when the restricted stock unit is settled or at the same time as the shares subject to such restricted stock unit are distributed to the Participant. Performance Awards. A performance award is an award, the vesting of which is subject to the achievement of one or more performance conditions specified by the Committee and set forth in the Plan. • A performance award may be denominated in shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units. • If a performance award is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m), it shall be made during the period required under Code Section 162(m) and shall comply with all applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m). • At the discretion of the Committee, the vesting of a stock option award may also be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance measures. Performance Features General. A federal income tax deduction for Investors Bancorp, Inc. will generally be unavailable for annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to each of its chief executive officer and four other executive officers named in the Investors Bancorp, Inc.’s annual proxy statement (other than its chief financial officer). However, amounts that constitute “performance-based compensation,” as that term is used in Code Section 162(m), is not counted toward the $1 million limit. The Plan is designed so that stock options will be considered performance-based compensation. The Committee may designate whether any restricted stock awards or restricted stock units granted to any participant are intended to be performance-based compensation. Any restricted stock awards or restricted stock units designated as performance-based compensation will be to the extent required by Code conditioned on the achievement of one or more performance measures, Section 162(m). The vesting of a stock option may also be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance measures. 48 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T income; non-interest Performance Measures. The performance measures that may be used for such awards will be based on any one or more of the following performance measures, as selected by the Committee: book value or tangible book value per share; basic earnings per share (e.g., earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; or earnings per share); ; basic cash earnings per share; diluted earnings per share; diluted cash earnings per share; return on equity; net income or net income before taxes; cash earnings; net interest income; non-interest expense to average assets ratio; cash general and administrative expense to average assets ratio; efficiency ratio; cash efficiency ratio; financial return ratios (e.g., return on investment, return on invested capital, return on equity, return on average assets, cash return on average assets or return on assets, return on average stockholders’ equity; cash return on average tangible stockholders’ equity); core earnings, capital; increase in revenue, operating or net cash flows; cash flow return on investment; total stockholder return; market share; net operating income, operating income; operating income efficiency ratio; net interest margin or net interest rate spread; ; debt load reduction; expense management; economic value added; stock price; assets, growth in assets, loans or deposits, asset quality level, charge offs, loan reserves, non- performing assets, loans, deposits, growth of loans, loan production volume, non-performing loans, deposits or assets; liquidity; interest sensitivity gap levels; regulatory compliance or safety and soundness; improvement of financial rating; achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives and strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more objectives, based upon meeting specified cost, targets, business expansion goals and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures or goals relating to capital raising or capital management; or any combination of the foregoing. Performance measures may be based on the performance of Investors Bancorp, Inc. as a whole or of any one or more subsidiaries or business units. Performance goals may be measured relative to a peer group, an index or a business plan and may be considered as absolute measures or changes in measures. The Committee may adjust performance measures after they have been set, but with respect to awards included to qualify under Code Section 162(m), only to the extent the Committee exercises negative discretion as permitted under applicable law. In establishing the performance measures, the Committee may provide for the inclusion or exclusion of certain items. Additionally, the grant of an award intended to be performance-based compensation and the establishment of any performance-based measures shall be made during the period required by Code Section 162(m). Vesting of Awards The Committee shall specify the vesting schedule or conditions of each award. • At least 95% of all awards made under the Plan (other than performance-based awards) shall be subject to a vesting requirement of at least one year of service following the grant of the award. • Vesting of awards may be accelerated upon death, disability or involuntary termination of employment after a change in control. • Vesting is not accelerated upon “retirement” (as defined in the Plan). • The Committee does not have discretionary authority to accelerate vesting. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Change in Control The Plan uses a double trigger change in control feature, providing for an acceleration of vesting following a change in control upon an involuntary termination of employment. • Unless otherwise stated in an award agreement, at the time of an involuntary termination following a change in control, all stock options then held by the participant shall become fully earned and exercisable (subject to the expiration provisions otherwise applicable to the stock option). All stock options may be exercised for a period of one year following the participant’s involuntary termination, provided, however, that no stock option shall be eligible for treatment as an incentive stock option in the event such stock option is exercised more than three months following involuntary termination. 49 • At the time of an involuntary termination following a change in control, all awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance shares shall become earned and fully vested immediately. In the event of a change in control, any performance measure attached to a performance award under the Plan shall be deemed satisfied as of the date of the change in control. Awards Subject to Clawback Policy Awards granted under the Plan are subject to the Company’s Clawback Policy. Accordingly, gains that are based on reported financial statements or financial information (or any performance metrics or criteria that were based on such financial statements or information) that are restated due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements are recovered by the Company. Awards Subject to Equity Retention Policy All awards granted under the Plan are subject to the Investors Bancorp Equity Retention Policy. This policy applies to all executive officers of Investors Bancorp and all members of the Board of Directors. Under the policy, each executive officer is required to retain direct ownership of at least 50% of his or her “covered shares,” net of taxes and transaction costs, until three months following the date of the executive officer’s termination of employment. Each director is required to retain direct ownership of at least 50% of his or her “covered shares,” net of taxes and transaction costs, until termination of service from the Board of Directors. A “covered share” means any share acquired by an executive officer or director pursuant to an award granted after July 23, 2013 under any equity compensation plan or other written compensatory arrangement. Plan Administration The Plan will be administered by the Committee, all of whom are “Disinterested Board Members,” as defined in the Plan. The Committee has power within the limitations set forth in the Plan to make all decisions and determinations regarding the selection of participants and the granting of awards; establishing the terms and conditions relating to each award; adopting rules, regulations and guidelines for carrying out the Plan’s purposes; and interpreting and otherwise construing the Plan. The Board of Directors (or those members of the Board of Directors who are “independent directors” under the corporate governance statutes or rules of any national securities exchange on which we list our securities) may, in its discretion, take any action and exercise any power, privilege or discretion conferred on the Committee under the Plan as if done or exercised by the Committee. The Plan also permits the Committee to delegate to one or more persons, including directors who do not qualify as “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3, the power to: (i) designate officers and employees who will receive awards; and (ii) determine the number of awards to be received by them, provided that such delegation is not prohibited by applicable law or the rules of the stock exchange on which our common stock is traded. Awards intended to be “performance-based” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code must be granted by the Committee in order to be exempt from the $1.0 million limit on deductible compensation for tax purposes. Amendment and Termination The Board of Directors may, as permitted by law, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan or any award granted under the Plan. However, except as provided in the Plan, no amendment or termination may adversely impair the rights of an outstanding award without the participant’s (or affected beneficiary’s) written consent. The Board of Directors may not amend the Plan to allow repricing of a stock option, materially increase the aggregate number of securities that may be issued under the Plan (other than as provided in the Plan), materially increase the benefits accruing to a participant, or materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, without approval of stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may, without stockholder approval, amend the Plan at any time, retroactively or otherwise, to ensure that the Plan complies with current or future law and the Board of Directors may unilaterally amend the Plan and any outstanding award, without participant consent, in order to conform to any changes in the law or any accounting pronouncement or interpretation thereof. 50 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Duration of Plan The Plan will become effective upon approval by the stockholders at this meeting. The Plan will remain in effect as long as any awards under it are outstanding; however, no awards may be granted under the Plan on or after the day immediately prior to the 10-year anniversary of the effective date of the Plan. At any time, the Board of Directors may terminate the Plan. However, any termination of the Plan will not affect outstanding awards. Federal Income Tax Considerations The following is a summary of the federal income tax consequences that may arise in conjunction with participation in the Plan. Non-Qualified Stock Options. The grant of a non-qualified stock option will not result in taxable income to the participant. Except as described below, the participant will realize ordinary income at the time of exercise in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired over the exercise price for those shares, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction for tax purposes. Gains or losses realized by the participant upon disposition of such shares will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise. Incentive Stock Options. The grant of an incentive stock option will not result in taxable income to the participant. The exercise of an incentive stock option will not result in taxable income to the participant provided the participant was, without a break in service, an employee of Investors Bancorp, Inc. or a subsidiary during the period beginning on the date of the grant of the option and ending on the date three months prior to the date of exercise (one year prior to the date of exercise if the participant is disabled, as that term is defined in the Code). We will not be entitled to a tax deduction upon the exercise of an incentive stock option. The excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of the exercise of an incentive stock option over the exercise price is an adjustment that is included in the calculation of the participant’s alternative minimum taxable income for the tax year in which the incentive stock option is exercised. For purposes of determining the participant’s alternative minimum tax liability for the year of disposition of the shares acquired pursuant to the incentive stock option exercise, the participant will have a basis in those shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise. If the participant does not sell or otherwise dispose of the shares within two years from the date of the grant of the incentive stock option or within one year after the exercise of such stock option, then, upon disposition of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the exercise price will be taxed as a capital gain. A capital loss will be recognized to the extent that the amount realized is less than the exercise price. If the foregoing holding period requirements are not met, the participant will generally recognize ordinary income at the time of the disposition of the shares in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, or (ii) the excess, if any, of the amount realized upon disposition of the shares over the exercise price, and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. If the amount realized exceeds the value of the shares on the date of exercise, any additional amount will be a capital gain. If the amount realized at the time of disposition is less than the exercise price, the participant will recognize no income, and a capital loss will be recognized equal to the excess of the exercise price over the amount realized upon the disposition of the shares. Restricted Stock. A participant who has been granted a restricted stock award will not realize taxable income at the time of grant, provided that the stock subject to the award is not delivered at the time of grant, or if the stock is delivered, it is subject to restrictions that constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” for federal income tax purposes. Upon the later of delivery or vesting of shares subject to an award, the holder will realize ordinary income in an amount equal to the then fair market value of those shares and we will be entitled to a 51 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P corresponding deduction for tax purposes. Gains or losses realized by the participant upon disposition of such shares will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of delivery or vesting. Dividends paid to the holder during the restriction period, if so provided, will also be compensation income to the participant and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction for tax purposes. A participant who makes an election under Code Section 83(b) will include the full fair market value of the restricted stock award subject to such election in taxable income in the year of grant at the grant date fair market value. The Committee has the right to prohibit participants from making Code Section 83(b) elections. Restricted Stock Units. A participant who has been granted a restricted stock unit will not realize taxable income at the time of grant and will not be entitled to make an election under Code Section 83(b) since no stock is actually transferred to the recipient on the date of grant. At the time a restricted stock unit vests, assuming the award is distributed at that time, the recipient will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the common stock or the amount of cash received. If the restricted stock unit is not distributed at the time it vests, no income will be recognized at that time and taxation will be deferred until the value of the restricted stock unit is distributed. At the time the recipient recognizes taxable income on a restricted stock unit, we will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction in the same amount recognized by the award recipient. Withholding of Taxes. We may withhold amounts from participants to satisfy withholding tax requirements. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, participants may have shares withheld from awards to satisfy the minimum tax withholding requirements. Change in Control. Any acceleration of the vesting or payment of awards under the Plan in the event of a change in control or termination of service following a change in control may cause part or all of the consideration involved to be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under the Code Section 280G, which may subject the participant to a 20% excise tax and preclude deduction by Investors Bancorp, Inc. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T for Deduction Limits. Code Section 162(m) generally limits our ability to deduct tax purposes compensation in excess of $1 million per year for each of our chief executive officer and four other executive officers named in our annual proxy statement (excluding the chief financial officer) named in the summary compensation table (“covered employees”), unless the compensation is “qualified performance-based consideration.” “Qualified performance-based compensation” is not subject to this limit and is fully deductible by Investors Bancorp, Inc. “Qualified performance-based compensation” is compensation that is subject to a number of requirements such as stockholder approval of possible performance goals and objective quantification of those goals in advance. Restricted stock awards and other awards that are not subject to performance goals would be subject to this deduction limit if income recognized on the awards plus other compensation of the executive that is subject to the limit exceeds $1 million. Stock options available for award under the Plan will be considered “qualified performance-based compensation” even if such awards vest solely due to the passage of time during the performance of services. Accordingly, if an award is not exempt from Code Section 162(m), income recognized on such award by a covered employee will be subject to the $1 million deduction limit on compensation. In the case of awards granted to a covered employee that are not “qualified performance-based consideration” and are distributed after the covered employee’s retirement or other termination of employment, the $1 million deduction limit will not apply and the award will be fully deductible. Performance awards may provide for accelerated vesting upon death, disability, or a change in control and still be considered exempt from the $1 million deduction limit. The Plan is designed so that stock options and performance-based restricted stock awards and restricted stock units that are subject to performance goals may qualify as qualified performance- based compensation that is not subject to the $1 million deduction limit. We expect that the Committee will take these deduction limits into account in setting the size and the terms and conditions of awards. However, the Committee may decide to grant awards that result in executive compensation that exceeds the deduction limit. 52 Tax Advice. The preceding discussion is based on federal tax laws and regulations presently in effect, which are subject to change, and the discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the federal income tax aspects of the Plan. A participant may also be subject to state and local taxes in connection with the grant of awards under the Plan. Accounting Treatment Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, we are required to recognize compensation expense in our financial statements over the requisite service period or performance period based on the grant date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation (such as restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units). Other Information The number, types and terms of awards to be made pursuant to the Plan are subject to the discretion of the Committee and have not been determined at this time, and will not be determined until subsequent to stockholder approval. Required Vote and Recommendation of the Board In order to approve the Plan, the proposal must receive the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P 53 PROPOSAL III—ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Compensation Discussion and Analysis appearing earlier in this Proxy Statement describes the executive compensation program and the compensation decisions made by the Compensation and Benefits Committee with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and other officers named in the Summary Compensation Table (who are referred to as the “Named Executive Officers”). This proposal, commonly known as a “Say on Pay” proposal, gives you as a stockholder the opportunity to vote on our executive pay program. The Board of Directors is requesting stockholder to cast a non-binding advisory vote on the following resolution: “RESOLVED, that the stockholders of Investors Bancorp, Inc. (“Investors”) approve the compensation paid to Investors’ Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and narrative accompanying the tables.” the Securities and Exchange Commission, Our executive compensation program is based on a pay for performance philosophy that is designed to support our business strategy and align the interests of our executives with our stockholders. The Board of Directors believes that the link between compensation and the achievement of our long- and short-term business goals has helped our financial performance over time, while not encouraging excessive risk taking. For these reasons, the Board of Directors is requesting stockholders to support this proposal. While this advisory vote is non-binding, the Compensation and Benefits Committee and the Board of Directors value the views of the stockholders and will consider the outcome of this vote in future executive compensation decisions. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION PAID TO INVESTORS BANCORP’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T 54 PROPOSAL IV—ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ADVISORY VOTES In Proposal III, stockholders are being asked to cast a non-binding advisory vote with respect to the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers. This advisory vote is referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote. Pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, in this Proposal IV, the Board of Directors is requesting stockholders to cast a non-binding advisory vote on how frequently say-on-pay votes should be held in the future. Stockholders will be able to cast their votes on whether to hold say-on-pay votes every one, two or three years. Alternatively, you may abstain from casting a vote. Regardless of the outcome of this vote, we will ask you to vote on an advisory basis on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote at least once every six years. This advisory vote is not binding on the Board of Directors; however, the Board of Directors believes that an annual say-on-pay vote is appropriate. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” ANNUAL SAY-ON-PAY STOCKHOLDER VOTES. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P 55 PROPOSAL V—RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 31, 2014 was KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee has re-appointed KPMG LLP to continue as the independent registered public accounting firm for Investors Bancorp for the year ending December 31, 2015, subject to the ratification by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Representatives of KPMG LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting. They will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. Stockholder ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP is not required by Investors Bancorp’s Bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether it should select another independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change is in the best interests of Investors Bancorp and its stockholders. Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed to Investors Bancorp for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP for the audit of the Investors Bancorp’s annual financial statements, review of the financial statements included in the Investors Bancorp’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by KPMG LLP in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements were $910,000 and $890,000 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Audit Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed to Investors Bancorp for assurance and related services rendered by KPMG LLP that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of and review of the financial statements and that are not already reported in “Audit Fees,” above, were $729,000 and $98,000 during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These services included audits of employee benefit plans, acquisition and transaction related procedures for a subsidiary of the Company. Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed to Investors Bancorp for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP tax advice and tax planning were $238,900 and $130,340 during the years ended for tax compliance, December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed to Investors Bancorp for compliance reviews were $60,000 during the year ended December 31, 2014. There were no “Other Fees” during the years ended December 31, 2013. The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of KPMG LLP. The Audit Committee concluded that performing such services does not affect the independence of KPMG LLP in performing its function as Investors Bancorp’s independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve audit and audit-related services between meetings of the Audit Committee, provided the Chair reports any such approvals to the full Audit Committee at its next meeting. The full Audit Committee pre-approves all other services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and the related fees. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF KPMG LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM. 56 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T OTHER MATTERS As of the date of this document, the Board of Directors knows of no matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than as described in this document. However, if any other matter shall properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof and shall be voted upon, the proposed proxy will be deemed to confer authority to the individuals named as authorized therein to vote the shares represented by the proxy in accordance with their best judgment as to any matters that fall within the purposes set forth in the notice of Annual Meeting. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS To be eligible for inclusion in the proxy materials for next year’s annual meeting of stockholders under SEC Rule 14(a)-8, any stockholder proposal to take action at such meeting must be received at Investors Bancorp’s executive office, 101 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078, no later than January 8, 2016. Any such proposals shall be subject to the requirements of the proxy rules adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. ADVANCE NOTICE OF BUSINESS TO BE CONDUCTED AT AN ANNUAL MEETING The Bylaws of Investors Bancorp also provide an advance notice procedure for certain business, or nominations to the Board of Directors, to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders. In order for a stockholder to properly bring business before an annual meeting, the stockholder must give written notice to the Corporate Secretary of Investors Bancorp not less than 90 days prior to the date of Investors Bancorp’s proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made. The notice must include the stockholder’s name, record address, and number of shares owned, describe briefly the proposed business, the reasons for bringing the business before the annual meeting, and any material interest of the stockholder in the proposed business. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require Investors Bancorp to include in its proxy statement and proxy relating to an annual meeting any stockholder proposal under SEC Rule 14a-8. In accordance with the foregoing, in order for a proposal or a nomination to be brought before the annual meeting of stockholders to be held following the year ending December 31, 2015, notice must be provided to the Corporate Secretary by February 8, 2016. THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE “GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS” SECTION OF THE “INVESTOR RELATIONS” PAGE OF THE INVESTORS BANK’S WEBSITE AT WWW.MYINVESTORSBANK.COM : T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Š AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER Š COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS COMMITTEE CHARTER Š NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CHARTER Š INVESTORS BANCORP’S CORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES Š INVESTORS BANCORP’S CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS Š INVESTORS BANCORP’S INDEPENDENCE STANDARDS COPIES OF EACH WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, INVESTORS BANCORP, INC., 101 JFK PARKWAY, SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY 07078. 57 WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE OR VOTE BY INTERNET OR TELEPHONE AS DESCRIBED IN YOUR PROXY CARD. AN ADDITIONAL COPY OF INVESTORS BANCORP’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE TO STOCKHOLDERS UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY, INVESTORS BANCORP, INC., 101 JFK PARKWAY, SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY 07078. THE FORM 10-K IS ALSO AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE ON THE “INVESTOR RELATIONS” PAGE OF THE INVESTORS BANK’S WEBSITE AT WWW.MYINVESTORSBANK.COM. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T 58 APPENDIX A INVESTORS BANCORP, INC. 2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN ARTICLE 1—GENERAL Section 1.1 Purpose, Effective Date and Term. The purpose of this Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to promote the long-term financial success of Investors Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its Subsidiaries by providing a means to attract, retain and reward individuals who contribute to such success and to further align their interests with those of the Company’s stockholders through the ownership of Company common stock. The “Effective Date” of the Plan is June 9, 2015, which is the expected date of the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders. The Plan shall remain in effect as long as any awards under it are outstanding; provided, however, that no Awards may be granted under the Plan after the day immediately prior to the ten-year anniversary of the Effective Date. Section 1.2 Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”), in accordance with Section 5.1. Section 1.3 Participation. Each Employee or Director of, or service provider to, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company who is granted an Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan shall be a “Participant” in the Plan. The grant of Awards under the Plan shall be limited to Employees and Directors of, and service providers to, the Company or any Subsidiary. Section 1.4 Definitions. Capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Article 8 and elsewhere in the Plan. ARTICLE 2—AWARDS Section 2.1 General. Any Award under the Plan may be granted singularly, in combination with another Award (or Awards) Each Award under the Plan shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and such additional terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions as the Committee shall provide with respect to such Award and as evidenced in the Award Agreement. Every Award under the Plan shall require a written Award Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7, an Award may be granted as an alternative to or replacement of an existing award under the Plan or any other plan of the Company or any Subsidiary (provided, however, that no reload Awards shall be granted hereunder) or as the form of payment for grants or rights earned or due under any other compensation plan or arrangement of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including without limitation the plan of any entity acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary. The types of Awards that may be granted under the Plan include: (a) Stock Options. A Stock Option means a grant under Section 2.2 that represents the right to purchase shares of Stock at an Exercise Price established by the Committee. Any Stock Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option (an “ISO”) that is intended to satisfy the requirements applicable to an “incentive stock option” described in Code Section 422(b), or a Non-Qualified Stock Option (a “Non-Qualified Option”) that is not intended to be an ISO, provided, however, that no ISOs may be granted : (i) after the ten-year anniversary of the Effective Date or the date the Plan is approved by the Board, whichever is earlier, or; or (ii) to a non- Employee. Unless otherwise specifically provided by its terms, any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be a Non-Qualified Option. Any ISO granted under this Plan that does not qualify as an ISO for any reason (whether at the time of grant or as the result of a subsequent event) shall be deemed to be a Non-Qualified Option. In addition, any ISO granted under this Plan may be unilaterally modified by the Committee to disqualify such Stock Option from ISO treatment such that it shall become a Non-Qualified Option; provided however, that any such modification shall be ineffective if it causes the Award to be subject to Code Section 409A (unless, as modified, the Award complies with Code Section 409A). A-1 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P (b) Restricted Stock Awards. A Restricted Stock Award means a grant of shares of Stock under Section 2.3 for no consideration or for such minimum consideration as may be required by applicable law, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan, subject to a vesting schedule or the satisfaction of market conditions or performance conditions. (c) Restricted Stock Units. A Restricted Stock Unit means a grant under Section 2.4 denominated in shares of Stock that is similar to a Restricted Stock Award except no shares of Stock are actually awarded on the date of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit. A Restricted Stock Unit is subject to a vesting schedule or the satisfaction of market conditions or performance conditions and shall be settled in shares of Stock; provided, however, that in the sole discretion of the Committee, determined at the time of settlement, a Restricted Stock Unit may be settled in cash based on the Fair Market Value of a share of the Company’s Stock multiplied by the number of Restricted Stock Units being settled. (d) Performance Awards. A Performance Award means an Award granted under Section 2.5 that vests upon the achievement of one or more specified performance measures set forth in Section 2.5. A Performance Award may or may not be intended to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 162(m). Section 2.2 Stock Options. (a) Grant of Stock Options. Each Stock Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall: (i) specify the number of Stock Options covered by the Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Stock Option; (iii) specify the vesting period or conditions to vesting; and (iv) contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan, including the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment or Service with the Company as the Committee may, in its discretion, prescribe. (b) Terms and Conditions. A Stock Option shall be exercisable in accordance with such terms and conditions and during such periods as may be established by the Committee. In no event, however, shall a Stock Option expire later than ten (10) years after the date of its grant (or five (5) years with respect to an ISO granted to an Employee who is a 10% Stockholder). The “Exercise Price” of each Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant (or, if greater, the par value of a share of Stock); provided, however, that the Exercise Price of an ISO shall not be less than 110% of Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant if granted to a 10% Stockholder; further, provided, that the Exercise Price may be higher or lower in the case of Stock Options granted or exchanged in replacement of existing Awards held by an Employee or Director of or service provider to an acquired entity. The payment of the Exercise Price of a Stock Option shall be by cash or, subject to limitations imposed by applicable law, by such other means as the Committee may from time to time permit, including: (i) by tendering, either actually or constructively by attestation, shares of Stock valued at Fair Market Value as of the date of exercise; (ii) by irrevocably authorizing a third party, acceptable to the Committee, to sell shares of Stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the Stock Option and to remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire Exercise Price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise; (iii) by net settlement of the Stock Option, using a portion of the shares obtained on exercise in payment of the Exercise Price of the Stock Option (and if applicable, any minimum required tax withholding); (iv) by personal, certified or cashier’s check; (v) by other property deemed acceptable by the Committee; or (vi) by any combination thereof. The total number of shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share, with cash-in-lieu paid by the Company, at its discretion, for the value of any fractional share. (c) Prohibition on Cash Buy-Outs of Underwater Stock Options. Under no circumstances will any underwater Stock Options which were granted under the Plan be bought back by the Company without shareholder approval. Section 2.3. Restricted Stock Awards. (a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Each Restricted Stock Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, that shall: (i) specify the number of shares of Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Award; (ii) specify the date A-2 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T of grant of the Restricted Stock Award; (iii) specify the vesting period; and (iv) contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan, including the effect of termination of Participant’s employment or Service with the Company. All Restricted Stock Awards shall be in the form of issued and outstanding shares of Stock that, at the discretion of the Committee, shall be either: (x) registered in the name of the Participant and held or on behalf of the Company, together with a stock power executed by the Participant in favor of the Company, pending the vesting or forfeiture of the Restricted Stock; or (y) registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Participant. In any event, the certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock Award shall at all times prior to the applicable vesting date bear the following legend: The Stock evidenced hereby is subject to the terms of an Award Agreement between Investors Bancorp, Inc. and [Name of Participant] dated [Date], made pursuant to the terms of the Investors Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, copies of which are on file at the executive offices of Investors Bancorp, Inc., and may not be sold, encumbered, hypothecated or otherwise transferred except in accordance with the terms of such Plan and Award Agreement. or such other restrictive legend as the Committee, in its discretion, may specify. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may in its sole discretion issue Restricted Stock in any other approved format (e.g., electronically) in order to facilitate the paperless transfer of such Awards. In the event Restricted Stock that is not issued in certificate form, the Company and the transfer agent shall maintain appropriate bookkeeping entries that evidence Participants’ ownership of such Awards. Restricted Stock that is not issued in certificate form shall be subject to the same terms and conditions of the Plan as certificated shares, including the restrictions on transferability and the provision of a stock power executed by the Participant in favor of the Company, until the satisfaction of the conditions to which the Restricted Stock Award is subject. (b) Terms and Conditions. Each Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) Dividends. Unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award and specifies such determination in the relevant Award Agreement, any cash dividends or distributions declared with respect to shares of Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Award, shall be distributed to the Participant at the time the Restricted Stock vests. The Committee shall cause the dividend (and any earnings thereon) to be distributed to the Participant no later than thirty (30) days following the date on which the Restricted Stock vests. No dividends shall be paid with respect to any Restricted Stock Awards subject to performance-based vesting conditions unless and until the Participant vests in such Restricted Stock Award. Upon the vesting of a performance-based Restricted Stock Award under Section 2.5, any dividends declared but not paid during the vesting period shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the vesting date. Any stock dividends declared on shares of Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the same restrictions and shall vest at the same time as the shares of Restricted Stock from which said dividends were derived. (ii) Voting Rights. Unless the Committee determines otherwise with respect to any Restricted Stock Award and specifies such determination in the relevant Award Agreement, a Participant shall have voting rights related to the unvested, non-forfeited Restricted Stock Award and such voting rights shall be exercised by the Participant in his or her discretion. (iii) Tender Offers and Merger Elections. Each Participant to whom a Restricted Stock Award is granted shall have the right to respond, or to direct the response, with respect to the related shares of Restricted Stock, to any tender offer, exchange offer, cash/stock merger consideration election or other offer made to, or elections made by, the holders of shares of Stock. Such a direction for any such shares of Restricted Stock shall be given by proxy or ballot (if the Participant is the beneficial owner of the shares of Restricted Stock for voting purposes) or by completing and filing, with the inspector of elections, the trustee or such other person who shall be independent of the Company as the Committee shall designate in the direction (if the Participant is not such a beneficial owner), a written direction in the form and manner prescribed by the Committee. If no such direction is given, then the shares of Restricted Stock shall not be tendered. A-3 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Section 2.4 Restricted Stock Units. (a) Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement which shall: (i) specify the number of Restricted Stock Units covered by the Award; (ii) specify the date of grant of the Restricted Stock Units; (iii) specify the vesting period or market conditions or performance conditions that must be satisfied in order to vest in the Award; and (iv) contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan, including the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment or Services with the Company. Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall be paid in shares of Stock, or in the sole discretion of the Committee determined at the time of settlement, in cash or a combination of cash and shares of Stock. (b) Terms and Conditions. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be similar to a Restricted Stock Award except that no shares of Stock are actually awarded to the recipient on the date of grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the Restriction Period (defined below), the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, and such other provisions, including the effect of termination of a Participant’s employment or Service with the Company, as the Committee shall determine. The Committee shall impose such other conditions and/or restrictions on any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted pursuant to the Plan as it may deem advisable including, without limitation, a requirement that Participants pay a stipulated purchase price for each Restricted Stock Unit, time-based restrictions and vesting following the attainment of performance measures set forth in Section 2.5(a), restrictions under applicable laws or under the requirements of any Exchange or market upon which such shares may be listed, or holding requirements or sale restrictions placed by the Company upon vesting of such Restricted Stock Units. (ii) The Committee may, in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock Units, designate them as “performance based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), in which event it shall condition the vesting thereof upon the attainment of one or more performance measures set forth in Section 2.5(a). Regardless of whether Restricted Stock Units are subject to the attainment of one or more performance measures, the Committee may also condition the vesting thereof upon the continued Service of the Participant. The conditions for grant or vesting and the other provisions of Restricted Stock Units (including without limitation any applicable performance measures) need not be the same with respect to each recipient. An Award of Restricted Stock Units shall be settled as and when the Restricted Stock Units vest or, in the case of Restricted Stock Units subject to performance measures, after the Committee has determined that the performance goals have been satisfied. (iii) Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, during the period, if any, set by the Committee, commencing with the date of such Restricted Stock Unit for which such Participant’s continued Service is required (the “Restriction Period”), and until the later of (A) the expiration of the Restriction Period and (B) the date the applicable performance measures (if any) are satisfied, the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock Units. (iv) A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder. No dividends shall be paid on Restricted Stock Units. In the sole discretion of the Committee, exercised at the time of grant, Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid on Restricted Stock Units either at the time dividends are paid or the Restricted Stock Unit is settled, as set forth in the Award Agreement. If a Restricted Stock Unit is intended to be performance-based in accordance with Code Section 162(m), payment of Dividend Equivalent Rights to the Award recipient will be conditioned on the satisfaction of the performance criteria. In such case, the Dividend Equivalent Right shall be paid when the Restricted Stock Unit is settled or at the same time as the shares subject to such Restricted Stock Unit are distributed to the Participant. Section 2.5 Performance-Based Awards. The vesting of a Performance Award consisting of a Restricted Stock Award or a Restricted Stock Unit Award that is intended to be “performance-based compensation” within A-4 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T the meaning of Code Section 162(m) shall be conditioned on the achievement of one or more objective performance measures, set forth in Section 2.5(a) below, as may be determined by the Committee. The grant of any Performance Award and the establishment of performance measures that are intended to be performance- based compensation within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) shall be made during the period required under Code Section 162(m) and shall comply with all applicable requirements of Code Section 162(m). At the discretion of the Committee, the vesting of any Stock Option also may be subject to the achievement of one or more objective performance measures, although such performance-based vesting is not necessary to satisfy the requirement of Code Section 162(m) with respect to Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the discretion of the Committee, Performance Awards that do not comply with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) may be granted to Covered Employees and/or to persons other than Covered Employees. (a) Performance Measures. Such performance measures may be based on any one or more of the following: book value or tangible book value per share; basic earnings per share (e.g., earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; or earnings per share); ; basic cash earnings per share; diluted earnings per share; diluted cash earnings per share; return on equity; net income or net income before taxes; cash earnings; net interest income; non-interest income; non-interest expense to average assets ratio; cash general and administrative expense to average assets ratio; efficiency ratio; cash efficiency ratio; financial return ratios (e.g., return on investment, return on invested capital, return on equity, return on average assets, cash return on average assets or return on assets, return on average stockholders’ equity; cash return on average tangible stockholders’ equity); core earnings, capital; increase in revenue, operating or net cash flows; cash flow return on investment; total stockholder return; market share; net operating income, operating income; operating income efficiency ratio; net interest margin or net interest rate spread; debt load reduction; expense management; economic value added; stock price; assets, growth in assets, loans or deposits, asset quality level, charge offs, loan reserves, non-performing assets, loans, deposits, growth of loans, loan production volume, non- performing loans, deposits or assets; liquidity; interest sensitivity gap levels; regulatory compliance or safety and soundness; improvement of financial rating; achievement of balance sheet or income statement objectives and strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more objectives, based upon meeting specified cost, targets, business expansion goals and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures or goals relating to capital raising or capital management; or any combination of the foregoing. Performance measures may be based on the performance of the Company as a whole or on any one or more Subsidiaries or business units of the Company or a Subsidiary and may be measured relative to a peer group, an index or a business plan and may be considered as absolute measures or changes in measures. The terms of an Award may provide that partial achievement of performance measures may result in partial payment or vesting of the award or that the achievement of the performance measures may be measured over more than one period or fiscal year. In establishing any performance measures, the Committee may provide for the exclusion of the effects of the following items, to the extent the exclusion is set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement and identified in the audited financial statements of the Company, including footnotes, or in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s annual report or in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Section, if any, of the Company’s annual proxy statement: (i) extraordinary, unusual, and/or nonrecurring items of gain or loss; (ii) gains or losses on the disposition of a business; (iii) dividends declared on the Company’s stock; (iv) changes in tax or accounting principles, regulations or laws; or (v) expenses incurred in connection with a merger, branch acquisition or similar transaction. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P to this Section 2.5, (b) Adjustments. Pursuant in certain circumstances the Committee may adjust performance measures; provided, however, no adjustment may be made with respect to an Award that is intended to be performance-based compensation within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), except to the extent the Committee exercises such negative discretion as is permitted under applicable law for purposes of an exception under Code Section 162(m). Subject to the preceding sentence, if the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company or the manner in which the Company or its Subsidiaries conducts its business or other events or circumstances render current performance measures to be unsuitable, the Committee may modify such performance measures, in whole or in part, as the A-5 Committee deems appropriate, provided, that no Award intended to be subject to Code Section 162(m) is enhanced as a result of a modified performance measure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, performance measures relating to any Award hereunder will be modified, to the extent applicable, to reflect a change in the outstanding shares of Stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or stock split, or a corporate transaction, such as a merger of the Company into another corporation, any separation of a corporation or any partial or complete liquidation by the Company or a Subsidiary. If a Participant is promoted, demoted or transferred to a different business unit during a performance period, the Committee may determine that the selected performance measures or applicable performance period are no longer appropriate, in which case, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may: (i) adjust, change or eliminate the performance measures or change the applicable performance period; or (ii) cause to be made a cash payment to the Participant in an amount determined by the Committee. (c) Treatment on Retirement or Termination of Service. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Restricted Stock Award or Restricted Stock Unit is intended to be considered performance-based that compensation under Code Section 162(m) shall be granted under terms that will permit its accelerated vesting upon Retirement or other termination of Service (other than death or Disability or upon Involuntary Termination following a Change in Control). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the sole discretion of the Committee exercised at the time of grant of an Award under this Section 2.5, in the event of Retirement of a Participant during the performance period, the Award Agreement may provide for the vesting of all or a portion of such Award, so long as the vesting is not accelerated but shall occur at the end of the performance period, and will be prorated, based on the period of the Participant’s active employment and the level of achievement of the performance measures during the period of the Participant’s active employment. Section 2.6 Vesting of Awards. The Committee shall specify the vesting schedule or conditions of each Award. At least ninety-five percent (95%) of all Awards under the Plan (other than Performance Awards granted under Section 2.5) shall be subject to a vesting requirement of at least one year of Service following the grant of the Award. If the right to become vested in an Award under the Plan (including the right to exercise a Stock Option) is conditioned on the completion of a specified period of Service with the Company or its Subsidiaries, without achievement of performance measures or other performance objectives being required as a condition of vesting, and without it being granted in lieu of, or in exchange for, other compensation, then, the required period of vesting shall be determined by the Committee and evidenced in the Award Agreement, subject to acceleration of vesting, to the extent authorized by the Committee, only upon the Participant’s death, Disability, or Involuntary Termination of Employment following a Change in Control. Service as a Director Emeritus shall constitute Service for purposes of vesting. Section 2.7 Deferred Compensation. If any Award would be considered “deferred compensation” as defined under Code Section 409A (“Deferred Compensation”), the Committee reserves the absolute right (including the right to delegate such right) to unilaterally amend the Plan or the Award Agreement, without the consent of the Participant, to maintain exemption from, or to comply with, Code Section 409A. Any amendment by the Committee to the Plan or an Award Agreement pursuant to this Section shall maintain, to the extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without violating Code Section 409A. A Participant’s acceptance of any Award under the Plan constitutes acknowledgement and consent to such rights of the Committee, without further consideration or action. Any discretionary authority retained by the Committee pursuant to the terms of this Plan or pursuant to an Award Agreement shall not be applicable to an Award which is determined to constitute Deferred Compensation, if such discretionary authority would contravene Code Section 409A. Section 2.8 Prohibition Against Option Repricing. Except for adjustments pursuant to Section 3.4, and reductions of the Exercise Price approved by the Company’s stockholders, neither the Committee nor the Board shall have the right or authority to make any adjustment or amendment that reduces or would have the effect of reducing the Exercise Price of a Stock Option previously granted under the Plan, whether through amendment, cancellation (including cancellation in exchange for a cash payment in excess of the Stock Option’s in-the- money value or in exchange for Stock Options or other Awards) or replacement grants, or other means. A-6 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Section 2.9. Effect of Termination of Service on Awards. The Committee shall establish the effect of a Termination of Service on the continuation of rights and benefits available under an Award and, in so doing, may make distinctions based upon, among other things, the cause of Termination of Service and type of Award. Unless otherwise specified by the Committee and set forth in an Award Agreement, the following provisions shall apply to each Award granted under this Plan: (a) Upon the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason other than due to Disability, death or Termination for Cause, Stock Options shall be exercisable only as to those shares that were immediately exercisable by such Participant at the date of termination, and may be exercised only for a period of three (3) months following termination, and any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units that have not vested as of the date of Termination of Service shall expire and be forfeited. (b) In the event of a Termination of Service for Cause, all Stock Options granted to a Participant that have not been exercised and all Restricted Stock Awards, and Restricted Stock Units granted to a Participant that have not vested shall expire and be forfeited. (c) Upon Termination of Service for reason of Disability or death, all Stock Options shall be exercisable as to all shares subject to an outstanding Award whether or not then exercisable, and all Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units shall vest as to all shares subject to an outstanding Award, whether or not otherwise immediately vested, at the date of Termination of Service. Stock Options may be exercised for a period of one year following Termination of Service due to death or Disability or the remaining unexpired term of the Stock Option, if less, provided, however, that no Stock Option shall be eligible for treatment as an ISO in the event such Stock Option is exercised more than one year following Termination of Service due to death or Disability and provided further, in order to obtain ISO treatment for Stock Options exercised by heirs or devisees of an optionee, the optionee’s death must have occurred while employed or within three (3) months after Termination of Service. (d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Stock Option shall be exercisable beyond the last day of the original term of such Stock Option. (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.9, the effect of a Change in Control on the vesting/ exercisability of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards is as set forth in Article 4. ARTICLE 3—Shares Subject to Plan Section 3.1 Available Shares. The shares of Stock with respect to which Awards may be made under the Plan shall be shares currently authorized but unissued, currently held or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, subsequently acquired by the Company, including shares purchased in the open market or in private transactions. Upon shareholder approval of this Plan, no new grants shall be made under the Company’s 2006 Equity Incentive Plan or under any other equity incentive plan previously maintained by the Company or by any entity acquired by the Company. Section 3.2 Share Limitations. (a) Share Reserve. Subject to the following provisions of this Section 3.2, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered to Participants and their beneficiaries under the Plan shall be equal to thirty million eight hundred eighty one thousand two hundred ninety-six (30,881,296) shares of Stock, which represents fourteen percent (14%) of the number of shares issued in connection with the second-step mutual-to-stock conversion of the Company on May 7, 2014 (the “Second Step Conversion”). (1) The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered pursuant to the exercise of Stock Options (all of which may be granted as ISOs) is seventeen million six hundred forty-six thousand four hundred and fifty-five (17,646,455) shares of Stock. A-7 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P (2) The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be issued in conjunction with Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares is thirteen million two hundred thirty-four thousand eight hundred and forty-one (13,234,841) shares of Stock. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Committee may grant Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares in excess of the limit described in the preceding sentence, provided, however, that any Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share granted in excess of such limit shall be counted against the share reserve set forth in Section 3.2(a) as three (3) shares for every one (1) share of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share that is granted in excess of such limit. (3) The aggregate number of shares available for grant under this Plan and the number of shares of Stock subject to outstanding awards shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.4. (b) Computation of Shares Available. For purposes of this Section 3.2 the number of shares of Stock available for the grant of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and/or Performance Share Awards shall be reduced by the number of shares of Stock previously granted, subject to the following. (1) To the extent any shares of Stock covered by an Award (including Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Shares) under the Plan are not delivered to a Participant or beneficiary for any reason, including because the Award is forfeited or canceled, or because a Stock Option is not exercised, then such shares shall not be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery under the Plan. (2) To the extent (i) a Stock Option is exercised by using an actual or constructive exchange of shares of Stock to pay the Exercise Price, or (ii) shares of Stock are withheld to satisfy withholding taxes upon exercise or vesting of an Award granted hereunder, or (iii) shares are withheld to satisfy the exercise price of Stock Options in a net settlement of Stock Options, then, the number of shares of Stock available shall be reduced by the gross number of Stock Options exercised rather than by the net number of shares of Stock issued. (3) To the extent any Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share Award is granted in excess of the limit set forth in Section 3.2(a)(2) and such Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share Award is cancelled or forfeited and the shares covered by such Award become available under the Plan for new Awards, the share limit under the Plan shall be increased by three (3) for each such share of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit or Performance Share Award forfeited or cancelled. Section 3.3 Limitations on Grants to Individuals. (a) Stock Options—Employees. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be subject to stock options granted to any one Participant who is an employee covered by Code Section 162(m) during any calendar year and that are intended to be “performance-based compensation” (as that term is used for purposes of Code Section 162(m)) and then only to the extent that such limitation is required by Code Section 162(m), shall be four million four hundred eleven thousand six hundred and thirteen (4,411,613) shares. All such Awards may be granted during any one calendar year. (b) Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units—Employees. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be subject to Restricted Stock Awards or Restricted Stock Units which are granted to any one Participant who is an employee covered by Code Section 162(m) during any calendar year and are intended to be “performance-based compensation” (as that term is used for purposes of Code Section 162(m)) and then only to the extent that such limitation is required by Code Section 162(m), shall be three million three hundred eight thousand seven hundred and ten (3,308,710) shares, all of which may be granted during any calendar year. (c) Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units—Directors. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be covered by Awards granted to all non-Employee Directors, in the aggregate, is thirty percent (30%) of the shares authorized under Plan all of which may be granted during any calendar year. A-8 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T The foregoing limitations shall not apply to cash-based Director fees that a non-Employee Director elects to receive in the form of shares of Stock or with respect to enticement awards made to new Directors. (d) The aggregate number of shares available for grant under this Plan and the number of shares subject to outstanding Awards, including the limit on the number of Awards available for grant under this Plan described in this Section 3.3, shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3.4. Section 3.4 Corporate Transactions. (a) General. If the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of kind of shares or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse split, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares for which grants of Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit Awards or Performance Share Awards may be made under the Plan shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee, so that the proportionate interest of the grantee immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Stock Options shall not change the aggregate purchase price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of the Stock Option outstanding but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment in the purchase price per share. In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Awards (including, without limitation, cancellation of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units or Performance Share Awards in exchange for the in-the-money value, if any, of the vested portion thereof, or substitution or exchange of Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Awards using stock of a successor or other entity) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence) affecting the Company or any parent or Subsidiary or the financial statements of the Company or any parent or Subsidiary, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any such adjustment to an Award intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” shall conform to the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and the regulations thereunder then in effect. (b) Merger in which Company is Not Surviving Entity. In the event of any merger, consolidation, or other business reorganization (including, but not limited to, a Change in Control) in which the Company is not the surviving entity, unless otherwise determined by the Committee at any time at or after grant and prior to the consummation of such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization, any Stock Options granted under the Plan which remain outstanding shall be converted into Stock Options to purchase voting common equity securities of the business entity which survives such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization having substantially the same terms and conditions as the outstanding Stock Options under this Plan and reflecting the same economic benefit (as measured by the difference between the aggregate Exercise Price and the value exchanged for outstanding shares of Stock in such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization), all as determined by the Committee prior to the consummation of such merger; provided, however, that the Committee may, at any time prior to the consummation of such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization, direct that all, but not less than all, outstanding Stock Options be canceled as of the effective date of such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization in exchange for a cash payment per share of Stock equal to the excess (if any) of the value exchanged for an outstanding share of Stock in such merger, consolidation or other business reorganization over the Exercise Price of the Stock Option being canceled. Section 3.5 Delivery of Shares. Delivery of shares of Stock or other amounts under the Plan shall be subject to the following: (a) Compliance with Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver any shares of Stock or make any other distribution of benefits under the Plan unless such delivery or distribution complies with all applicable laws (including, the requirements of the Securities Act), and the applicable requirements of any Exchange or similar entity. A-9 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P (b) Certificates. To the extent that the Plan provides for the issuance of shares of Stock, the issuance may be made on a non-certificated basis, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules of any Exchange. ARTICLE 4—CHANGE IN CONTROL Section 4.1 Consequence of a Change in Control. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.6 (relating to vesting and acceleration) and Section 3.4 (relating to the adjustment of shares), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan or as determined by the Committee and set forth in the in terms of any Award Agreement: (a) At the time of an Involuntary Termination following a Change in Control, all Stock Options then held by the Participant shall become fully earned and exercisable (subject to the expiration provisions otherwise applicable to the Stock Option). All Stock Options may be exercised for a period of one year following the Participant’s Involuntary Termination, provided, however, that no Stock Option shall be eligible for treatment as an ISO in the event such Stock Option is exercised more than three (3) months following Involuntary Termination following a Change in Control. (b) At the time of an Involuntary Termination following a Change in Control, all Awards of Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Awards shall be fully earned and vested immediately. Notwithstanding the above, any Awards, the vesting of which is based on satisfaction of performance-based conditions, will be vested as specified in Section 4.1(c) below. (c) In the event of a Change in Control, any performance measure attached to an award under the Plan shall be deemed satisfied as of the date of the Change in Control. Section 4.2 Definition of Change in Control. For purposes of the Plan, unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon the earliest to occur of the following: (a) any “person,” as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act (a “Person”), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing twenty five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing and for all purposes of this Plan: (a) the term “Person” shall not include (1) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (2) an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Plan), and any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any such plan, or (3) a corporation or other entity owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Stock of the Company; (b) no Person shall be deemed the beneficial owner of any securities acquired by such Person in an Excluded Transaction; and (c) no Director or officer of the Company or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company (or any affiliate of any such Director or officer) shall, by reason of any or all of such Directors or officers acting in their capacities as such, be deemed to beneficially own any securities beneficially owned by any other such Director or officer (or any affiliate thereof); or (b) the Incumbent Directors cease, for any reason, to constitute a majority of the Whole Board; or (c) a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company and one or more other corporations or entities is consummated, other than a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction that is an Excluded Transaction, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company, or a sale, liquidation or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any bank Subsidiary of the Company is consummated; or (d) a tender offer is made for 25% or more of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company and the stockholders owning beneficially or of record 25% or more of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company have tendered or offered to sell their shares pursuant to such tender offer and such tendered shares have been accepted by the tender offeror. A-10 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the “Subject Person”) acquired beneficial ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding common stock or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Stock or Voting Securities by the Company, which by reducing the number of shares of Stock or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the proportional number of shares beneficially owned by the Subject Person; provided, however, that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of Stock or Voting Securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition by the Company, the Subject Person becomes the beneficial owner of any additional Stock or Voting Securities which increases the percentage of the then outstanding Stock or Voting Securities Beneficially Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur. In the event that an Award constitutes Deferred Compensation, and the settlement of, or distribution of benefits under, such Award is to be triggered solely by a Change in Control, then with respect to such Award a Change in Control shall be defined as required under Code Section 409A, as in effect at the time of such transaction. ARTICLE 5—COMMITTEE then the Board shall appoint Section 5.1 Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company who are Disinterested Board Members. If the Committee consists of fewer than two Disinterested Board Members, to the Committee such additional Disinterested Board Members as shall be necessary to provide for a Committee consisting of at least two Disinterested Board Members. Any members of the Committee who do not qualify as Disinterested Board Members shall abstain from participating in any discussion or decision to make or administer Awards that are made to Participants who at the time of consideration for such Award: (i) are persons subject to the short-swing profit rules of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (ii) are reasonably anticipated to be Covered Employees during the term of the Award. The Board (or if necessary to maintain compliance with the applicable listing standards, those members of the Board who are “independent directors” under the corporate governance statutes or rules of any national Exchange on which the Company lists, or has listed or seeks to list its securities, may, in its discretion, take any action and exercise any power, privilege or discretion conferred on the Committee under the Plan with the same force and effect under the Plan as if done or exercised by the Committee. Section 5.2 Powers of Committee. The Committee’s administration of the Plan shall be subject to the following: (a) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to select from among the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ Employees, Directors and service providers those persons who shall receive Awards, to determine the time or times of receipt, to determine the types of Awards and the number of shares covered by the Awards, to establish the terms, conditions, features, (including automatic exercise in accordance with Section 7.18) performance criteria, restrictions (including without limitation, provisions relating to non-competition, non- solicitation and confidentiality), and other provisions of such Awards (subject to the restrictions imposed by Article 6) to cancel or suspend Awards and to reduce or eliminate any restrictions applicable to an Award at any time after the grant of the Award or to extend the time period to exercise a Stock Option, provided that such extension is consistent with Code Section 409A. (b) The Committee will have the authority and discretion to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and to make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. (c) The Committee will have the authority to define terms not otherwise defined herein. (d) Any interpretation of the Plan by the Committee and any decision made by it under the Plan are final and binding on all persons. (e) In controlling and managing the operation and administration of the Plan, the Committee shall take action in a manner that conforms to the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company and applicable state corporate law. A-11 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Section 5.3 Delegation by Committee. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, the applicable rules of an Exchange upon which the Company lists its shares or the Plan, or as necessary to comply with the exemptive provisions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or Code Section 162(m), the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it, including: (a) delegating to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m), the authority to grant Awards under the Plan to eligible persons who are not persons with respect to whom the Company wishes to comply with Code Section 162(m); or (b) delegating to a committee of one or more members of the Board who are not “non-employee directors,” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3, the authority to grant Awards under the Plan to eligible persons who are not then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act; or (c) delegating to a committee of one or more members of the Board who would be eligible to serve on the Compensation Committee of the Company pursuant to the listing requirements imposed by any national securities Exchange on which the Company lists, has listed or seeks to list its securities, the authority to grant awards under the Plan. The acts of such delegates shall be treated hereunder as acts of the Committee and such delegates shall report regularly to the Committee regarding the delegated duties and responsibilities and any awards so granted. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Section 5.4 Information to be Furnished to Committee. As may be permitted by applicable law, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall furnish the Committee with such data and information as it determines may be required for it to discharge its duties. The records of the Company and its Subsidiaries as to a Participant’s employment, termination of employment, leave of absence, reemployment and compensation shall be conclusive on all persons unless determined by the Committee to be manifestly incorrect. Subject to applicable law, Participants and other persons entitled to benefits under the Plan must furnish the Committee such evidence, data or information as the Committee considers desirable to carry out the terms of the Plan. Section 5.5 Committee Action. The Committee shall hold such meetings, and may make such administrative rules and regulations, as it may deem proper. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the action of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, as well as actions taken pursuant to the unanimous written consent of all of the members of the Committee without holding a meeting, shall be deemed to be actions of the Committee. Subject to Section 5.1, all actions of the Committee shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Company, Participants and all other interested parties. Any person dealing with the Committee shall be fully protected in relying upon any written notice, instruction, direction or other communication signed by a member of the Committee or by a representative of the Committee authorized to sign the same in its behalf. ARTICLE 6—AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION Section 6.1 General. The Board may, as permitted by law, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan, and may, at any time, amend any Award Agreement, provided that no amendment or termination (except as provided in Section 2.7, Section 3.4 and Section 6.2) may cause the Award to violate Code Section 409A, may cause the repricing of a Stock Option, or, in the absence of written consent to the change by the affected Participant (or, if the Participant is not then living, the affected beneficiary), adversely impair the rights of any Participant or beneficiary under any Award granted under the Plan prior to the date such amendment is adopted by the Board; provided, however, that, no amendment may (a) materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan; (b) materially increase the aggregate number of securities that may be issued under the Plan, other than pursuant to Section 3.4, or (c) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, unless the amendment under (a), (b) or (c) above is approved by the Company’s stockholders. Section 6.2 Amendment to Conform to Law and Accounting Changes. Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Committee may amend the Plan or any Award Agreement, to take effect retroactively or otherwise, as deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of (i) conforming the A-12 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T Plan or the Award Agreement to any present or future law relating to plans of this or similar nature (including, but not limited to, Code Section 409A), or (ii) avoiding an accounting treatment resulting from an accounting pronouncement or interpretation thereof issued by the SEC or Financial Accounting Standards Board subsequent to the adoption of the Plan or the making of the Award affected thereby, which in the sole discretion of the Committee, may materially and adversely affect the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. By accepting an Award under this Plan, each Participant agrees and consents to any amendment made pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Section 2.7 to any Award granted under the Plan without further consideration or action. ARTICLE 7—GENERAL TERMS Section 7.1 No Implied Rights. (a) No Rights to Specific Assets. Neither a Participant nor any other person shall by reason of participation in the Plan acquire any right in or title to any assets, funds or property of the Company or any Subsidiary whatsoever, including any specific funds, assets, or other property which the Company or any Subsidiary, in its sole discretion, may set aside in anticipation of a liability under the Plan. A Participant shall have only a contractual right to the shares of Stock or amounts, if any, payable or distributable under the Plan, unsecured by any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, and nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guarantee that the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary shall be sufficient to pay any benefits to any person. (b) No Contractual Right to Employment or Future Awards. The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment, and selection as a Participant will not give any participating Employee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or any right or claim to any benefit under the Plan, unless such right or claim has specifically accrued under the terms of the Plan. No individual shall have the right to be selected to receive an Award under the Plan, or, having been so selected, to receive a future Award under the Plan. (c) No Rights as a Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in an Award Agreement, no Award under the Plan shall confer upon the holder thereof any rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the date on which the individual fulfills all conditions for receipt of such rights. Section 7.2 Transferability. Except as otherwise so provided by the Committee, ISOs under the Plan are not transferable except (i) as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; (ii) to a trust established by the Participant, if under Code Section 671 and applicable state law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Stock Option while held in trust, or (iii) between spouses incident to a divorce or pursuant to a domestic relations order, provided, however, in the case of a transfer within the meaning of this Section 7.2(iii), the Stock Option shall not qualify as an ISO as of the day of such transfer. The Committee shall have the discretion to permit the transfer of vested Stock Options (other than ISOs) under the Plan; provided, however, that such transfers shall be limited to Immediate Family Members of Participants, trusts and partnerships established for the primary benefit of such family members or to charitable organizations, and; provided, further, that such transfers are not made for consideration to the Participant. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Restricted Stock Awards and Performance Share Awards shall not be transferable prior to the time that such Awards vest in the Participant. A Restricted Stock Unit Award is not transferable, except in the event of death, prior to the time that the Restricted Stock Unit Award vests and is earned and the property in which the Restricted Stock Unit is denominated is distributed to the Participant or the Participant’s beneficiary. Section 7.3 Designation of Beneficiaries. A Participant hereunder may file with the Company a written designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries under this Plan and may from time to time revoke or amend any such designation (“Beneficiary Designation”). Any designation of beneficiary under this Plan shall be controlling over any other disposition, testamentary or otherwise (unless such disposition is pursuant to a domestic relations order); provided, however, that if the Committee is in doubt as to the entitlement of any such A-13 beneficiary to any Award, the Committee may determine to recognize only the legal representative of the Participant in which case the Company, the Committee and the members thereof shall not be under any further liability to anyone. Section 7.4 Non-Exclusivity. Neither the adoption of this Plan by the Board nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or the Committee to adopt such other incentive arrangements as either may deem desirable, including, without limitation, the granting of Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Awards or Stock Options otherwise than under the Plan or an arrangement that is or is not intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. Section 7.5 Award Agreement. Each Award granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement. A copy of the Award Agreement, in any medium chosen by the Committee, shall be provided (or made available electronically) to the Participant, and the Committee may, but need not require, that the Participant sign a copy of the Award Agreement. In the absence of a specific provision in the Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. Section 7.6 Form and Time of Elections; Notification Under Code Section 83(b). Unless otherwise specified herein, each election required or permitted to be made by any Participant or other person entitled to benefits under the Plan, and any permitted modification, or revocation thereof, shall be filed with the Company at such times, in such form, and subject to such restrictions and limitations, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall require. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Committee may, on the date of grant or at a later date, as applicable, prohibit an individual from making an election under Code Section 83(b). If the Committee has not prohibited an individual from making this election, an individual who makes this election shall notify the Committee of the election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service. This requirement is in addition to any filing and notification required under the regulations issued under the authority of Code Section 83(b). Section 7.7 Evidence. Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by certificate, affidavit, document or other information upon which the person is acting considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made or presented by the proper party or parties. Section 7.8 Tax Withholding. Where a Participant is entitled to receive shares of Stock upon the vesting or exercise of an Award, the Company shall have the right to require such Participant to pay to the Company the amount of any tax that the Company is required to withhold with respect to such vesting or exercise, or, in lieu thereof, to retain, or to sell without notice, a sufficient number of shares of Stock to cover the minimum amount required to be withheld. To the extent determined by the Committee and specified in an Award Agreement, a Participant shall have the right to direct the Company to satisfy the minimum required federal, state and local tax withholding by, (i) with respect to a Stock Option , reducing the number of shares of Stock subject to the Stock Option (without issuance of such shares of Stock to the Stock Option holder) by a number equal to the quotient of (a) the total minimum amount of required tax withholding divided by (b) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the exercise date over the Exercise Price per share of Stock; and (ii) with respect to Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Awards, withholding a number of shares (based on the Fair Market Value on the vesting date) otherwise vesting that would satisfy the minimum amount of required tax withholding. Provided there are no adverse accounting consequences to the Company (a requirement to have liability classification of an award under FASB ASC Topic 718 is an adverse consequence), a Participant who is not required to have taxes withheld may require the Company to withhold in accordance with the preceding sentence as if the Award were subject to minimum tax withholding requirements. Section 7.9 Action by Company or Subsidiary. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Company or any Subsidiary shall be by resolution of its Board of Directors, or by action of one or more members A-14 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T of the Board (including a committee of the Board) who are duly authorized to act for the Board, or (except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or applicable rules of the Exchange on which the Company lists its securities) by a duly authorized officer of the Company or such Subsidiary. Section 7.10 Successors. All obligations of the Company under this Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business, stock, and/or assets of the Company. Section 7.11 Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by law and the Company’s governing documents, each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee, or of the Board, or an officer of the Company to whom authority was delegated in accordance with Section 5.3, or an Employee of the Company shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company (i) against and from any loss (including amounts paid in settlement), cost, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan; and (ii) against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf, unless such loss, cost, liability, or expense is a result of his or her own willful misconduct or except as expressly provided by statute or regulation. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s charter or bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless. The foregoing right to indemnification shall include the right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, if required by applicable law, an advancement of expenses shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of such persons to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses. Section 7.12 No Fractional Shares. Unless otherwise permitted by the Committee, no fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated by rounding down. Section 7.13 Governing Law. The Plan, all awards granted hereunder, and all actions taken in connection herewith shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without reference to principles of conflict of laws, except as superseded by applicable federal law. The federal and state courts located in Essex County, New Jersey, or the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim, action, complaint or lawsuit brought under the terms of the Plan. By accepting any award under this Plan, each Participant, and any other person claiming any rights under the Plan, agrees to submit himself or herself, and any legal action that the Participant brings under the Plan, to the sole jurisdiction of such courts for the adjudication and resolution of any such disputes. Section 7.14 Benefits Under Other Plans. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee or as set forth in a Qualified Retirement Plan, Awards to a Participant (including the grant and the receipt of benefits) under the Plan shall be disregarded for purposes of determining the Participant’s benefits under, or contributions to, any Qualified Retirement Plan, non-qualified plan and any other benefit plans maintained by the Participant’s employer. The term “Qualified Retirement Plan” means any plan of the Company or a Subsidiary that is intended to be qualified under Code Section 401(a). A-15 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P Section 7.15 Validity. If any provision of this Plan is determined to be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision has never been included herein. Section 7.16 Notice. Unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, all written notices and all other written communications to the Company provided for in the Plan, or in any Award Agreement, shall be delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid (provided that international mail shall be sent via overnight or two-day delivery), or sent by facsimile, email or prepaid overnight courier to the Company at its principal executive office. Such notices, demands, claims and other communications shall be deemed given: (a) in the case of delivery by overnight service with guaranteed next day delivery, the next day or the day designated for delivery; (b) in the case of certified or registered U.S. mail, five (5) days after deposit in the U.S. mail; or (c) in the case of facsimile or email, the date upon which the transmitting party received confirmation of receipt; provided, however, that in no event shall any such communications be deemed to be given later than the date they are actually received, provided they are actually received. In the event a communication is not received, it shall only be deemed received upon the showing of an original of the applicable receipt, registration or confirmation from the applicable delivery service. Communications that are to be delivered by the U.S. mail or by overnight service to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and to the Corporate Secretary, unless otherwise provided in the Participant’s Award Agreement. Section 7.17 Forfeiture Events. The Committee may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award shall be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award. Such events include, but are not limited to, termination of employment for Cause, termination of the Participant’s provision of Services to the Company or any Subsidiary, violation of material Company or Subsidiary policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the Participant, or other conduct of the Participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company or any Subsidiary. Section 7.18 Automatic Exercise. In the sole discretion of the Committee exercised in accordance with Section 5.2(a) above, any Stock Options that are exercisable but unexercised as of the day immediately before the tenth anniversary of the date of grant may be automatically exercised, in accordance with procedures established for this purpose by the Committee, but only if the exercise price is less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on such date and the automatic exercise will result in the issuance of at least one (1) whole share of Stock to the Participant after payment of the exercise price and any applicable minimum tax withholding requirements. Payment of the exercise price and any applicable tax withholding requirements shall be made by a net settlement of the Stock Option whereby the number of shares of Stock to be issued upon exercise are reduced by a number of shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the exercise price and any applicable minimum tax withholding. Section 7.19 Regulatory Requirements. The grant and settlement of Awards under this Plan shall be conditioned upon and subject to compliance with Section 18(k) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 U.S.C. 1828(k), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Section 7.20. Awards Subject to Clawback. (a) If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the federal securities A-16 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T laws, any Participant who is subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 shall reimburse the Company the amount of any payment in settlement of an Award earned or accrued during the twelve month period following the first public issuance or filing with the SEC (whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement. (b) Awards granted hereunder are subject to the Company’s Clawback Policy, as in effect from time to time. Section 7.21. Awards Subject to Equity Retention Policy. Awards granted under this Plan are subject to the Board adopted Equity Retention Policy. ARTICLE 8—DEFINED TERMS; CONSTRUCTION Section 8.1 In addition to the other definitions contained herein, unless otherwise specifically provided in an Award Agreement, the following definitions shall apply: (a) “10% Stockholder” means an individual who, at the time of grant, owns stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company. (b) “Award” means any Stock Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award or any or all of them, or any other right or interest relating to stock or cash, granted to a Participant under the Plan. (c) “Award Agreement” means the document (in whatever medium prescribed by the Committee) which evidences the terms and conditions of an award under the Plan. Such document is referred to as an agreement regardless of whether Participant signature is required. (d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. (e) If the Participant is subject to a written employment agreement (or other similar written agreement) with the Company or a Subsidiary that provides a definition of termination for “cause,” then, for purposes of this Plan, the term “Cause” shall have meaning set forth in such agreement. In the absence of such a definition, “Cause” means termination because of a Participant’s personal dishonesty, willful misconduct, breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, material breach of the Bank’s Code of Ethics, material violation of the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements for officers of public companies that in the reasonable opinion of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank or the Board will likely cause substantial financial harm or substantial injury to the reputation of the Bank, willfully engaging in actions that in the reasonable opinion of the Board will likely cause substantial financial harm or substantial injury to the business reputation of the Bank, intentional failure to perform stated duties, or willful violation of any law, rule or regulation (other than routine traffic violations or similar offenses). (f) “Change in Control” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.2. T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P (g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any rules, regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, as modified from time to time. (h) “Code Section 409A” means the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and any rules, regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, as modified from time to time. (i) “Committee” means the Committee acting under Article 5. (j) “Covered Employee” has the meaning given the term in Code Section 162(m), and shall also include any other Employee who may become a Covered Employee before an Award vests, as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion. A-17 (k) “Director” means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Subsidiary. (l) “Disability.” If the Participant is subject to a written employment agreement (or other similar written agreement) with the Company or a Subsidiary that provides a definition of “Disability” or “Disabled,” then, for purposes of this Plan, the terms “Disability” or “Disabled” shall have meaning set forth in such agreement. In the absence of such a definition, “Disability” shall be defined in accordance with the Bank’s long- term disability plan. To the extent that an Award hereunder is subject to Code Section 409A, “Disability” or “Disabled” shall mean that a Participant: (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering Employees. Except to the extent prohibited under Code Section 409A, if applicable, the Committee shall have discretion to determine if a termination due to Disability has occurred. (m) “Disinterested Board Member” means a member of the Board who: (a) is not a current Employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, (b) is not a former employee of the Company who receives compensation for prior services (other than benefits under a tax-qualified retirement plan) during the taxable year, (c) has not been an officer of the Company, (d) does not receive remuneration from the Company or a Subsidiary, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity other than as a Director except in an amount for which disclosure would not be required pursuant to Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K in accordance with the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC, as amended or any successor provision thereto and (e) does not possess an interest in any other transaction, and is not engaged in a business relationship, for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K under the proxy solicitation rules of the SEC, as amended or any successor provision thereto. The term Disinterested Board Member shall be interpreted in such manner as shall be necessary to conform to the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and the corporate governance standards imposed on compensation committees under the listing requirements imposed by any national securities exchange on which the Company lists or seeks to list its securities. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T (n) “Dividend Equivalent Rights” means the right, associated with a Restricted Stock Unit, to receive a payment, in cash or stock, as applicable, equal to the amount of dividends paid on a share of the Company’s Stock, as specified in the Award Agreement. (o) “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or any Subsidiary. Directors who are also employed by the Company or a Subsidiary shall be considered Employees under the Plan. (p) “Exchange” means any national securities exchange on which the Stock may from time to time be listed or traded. (q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time. (r) “Excluded Transaction” means a plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction that would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving corporation or any parent thereof) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the Voting Securities of the entity surviving the plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction (or the parent of such surviving entity) immediately after such plan of reorganization, merger, consolidation or similar transaction. (s) “Exercise Price” means the price established with respect to an option or SAR pursuant to Section 2.2. A-18 (t) “Fair Market Value” on any date, means (i) if the Stock is listed on an Exchange, the closing sales price on such Exchange or over such system on such date or, in the absence of reported sales on such date, the closing sales price on the immediately preceding date on which sales were reported, or (ii) if the Stock is not listed on a securities exchange, “Fair Market Value” shall mean a price determined by the Committee in good faith on the basis of objective criteria consistent with the requirements of Code Section 422 and applicable provisions of Section 409A. (u) A termination of employment by an Employee Participant shall be deemed a termination of employment for “Good Reason” as a result of the Participant’s resignation from the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a material diminution in Participant’s base salary or base compensation; (ii) a material diminution in Participant’s authority, duties or responsibilities; (iii) a change in the geographic location at which Participant must perform his duties that is more than thirty (30) miles from the location of Participant’s principal workplace on the date of this Agreement; or (iv) in the event a Participant is a party to an employment or change in control agreement that provides a definition for “Good Reason” or a substantially similar term, then the occurrence of any event set forth in such definition. (v) “Immediate Family Member” means with respect to any Participant: (a) any of the Participant’s children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouses, former spouses, siblings, nieces, nephews, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law or sisters-in-law, including relationships created by adoption; (b) any natural person sharing the Participant’s household (other than as a tenant or employee, directly or indirectly, of the Participant); (c) a trust in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in section (a) and (b) above own more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interests; (d) a foundation in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in sections (a) and (b) above control management of the assets; or (e) any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in sections (a) and (b) above control more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests. (w) “Incumbent Directors” means: (1) the individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board; and (2) any new Director whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended: (a) by the vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Whole Board, with at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office voting in favor of such approval or recommendation; or (b) by a Nominating Committee of the Board whose members were appointed by the vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Whole Board, with at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office voting in favor of such appointments (x) “Involuntary Termination” means the Termination of Service by the Company or Subsidiary other than a termination for Cause, or termination of employment by an Employee Participant for Good Reason. (y) “ISO” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(a). (z) “Non-Qualified Option” means the right to purchase shares of Stock that is either (i) granted to a Participant who is not an Employee, or (ii) granted to an Employee and either is not designated by the Committee to be an ISO or does not satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. A-19 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P (aa) “Participant” means any individual who has received, and currently holds, an outstanding award under the Plan. (bb) “Performance Award” has the meaning ascribed to it in Sections 2.1(d) and 2.5. (cc) “Restricted Stock” or “Restricted Stock Award” has the meaning ascribed to it in Sections 2.1(b) and 2.3. (dd) “Restricted Stock Unit” has the meaning ascribed to it in Sections 2.1(c) and 2.4. (ee) “Restriction Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b)(iii). (ff) “Retirement” means retirement from employment as an Employee or Service as a Director on or after the occurrence of any of the following: (1) the attainment of age 75 by an Employee or Director; (2) the attainment of age 62 by an Employee or Director and the completion of 15 years of continuous employment or Service as an Employee or Director; or (3) the completion of 25 years of continuous employment or Service as an Employee and/or Director. Years of employment as an Employee or Service as a Director shall be aggregated for the purposes of this definition for any years of employment as an Employee or Service as a Director that did not occur simultaneously. An Employee who is also a Director shall not be deemed to have terminated due to Retirement for purposes of vesting of Awards and exercise of Stock Options until both Service as an Employee and Service as a Director has ceased. A non-Employee Director will be deemed to have terminated due to Retirement under the provisions of this Plan only if the non-Employee Director has terminated Service on the Board(s) of Directors of the Company and any Subsidiary or affiliate in accordance with applicable Company policy, following the provision of written notice to such Board(s) of Directors of the non-Employee Director’s intention to retire. (gg) “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. (hh) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time. (ii) “Service” means service as an Employee, consultant or non-employee Director of the Company or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and shall include service as a director emeritus or advisory director. Service shall not be deemed interrupted in the case of sick leave, military leave or any other absence approved by the Company or a Subsidiary, in the case of transferees between payroll locations or between the Company, a Subsidiary or a successor. (jj) “Stock” means the common stock of the Company, $0.01 par value per share. (kk) “Subsidiary” means any corporation, affiliate, bank or other entity which would be a subsidiary corporation with respect to the Company as defined in Code Section 424(f) and, other than with respect to an ISO, shall also mean any partnership or joint venture in which the Company and/or other Subsidiary owns more than fifty percent (50%) of the capital or profits interests. (ll) “Termination of Service” means the first day occurring on or after a grant date on which the Participant ceases to be an Employee or Director of, or service provider to, the Company or any Subsidiary, regardless of the reason for such cessation, subject to the following: (1) The Participant’s cessation as an Employee or service provider shall not be deemed to occur by reason of the transfer of the Participant between the Company and a Subsidiary or between two Subsidiaries. A-20 P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T (2) The Participant’s cessation as an Employee or service provider shall not be deemed to occur by reason of the Participant’s being on a leave of absence from the Company or a Subsidiary approved by the Company or Subsidiary otherwise receiving the Participant’s Services provided such leave of absence does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Employee retains a right to reemployment with the Company or Subsidiary under an applicable statute or by contract. For these purposes, a leave of absence constitutes a bona fide leave of absence only if there is a reasonable expectation that the Employee will return to perform Services for the Company or Subsidiary. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the Employee does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first day immediately following such six month period. For purposes of this sub-section, to the extent applicable, an Employee’s leave of absence shall be interpreted by the Committee in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(1). (3) If, as a result of a sale or other transaction, the Subsidiary for whom Participant is employed (or to whom the Participant is providing services) ceases to be a Subsidiary, and the Participant is not, following the transaction, an Employee of or service provider to the Company or an entity that is then a Subsidiary, then the occurrence of such transaction shall be treated as the Participant’s Termination of Service caused by the Participant being discharged by the entity for whom the Participant is employed or to whom the Participant is providing Services (4) Except to the extent Section 409A of the Code may be applicable to an Award, and subject to the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-section, the Committee shall have discretion to determine if a Termination of Service has occurred and the date on which it occurred. In the event that any Award under the Plan constitutes Deferred Compensation (as defined in Section 2.7), the term Termination of Service shall be interpreted by the Committee in a manner consistent with the definition of “Separation from Service” as defined under Code Section 409A and under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(ii). For purposes of this Plan, a “Separation from Service” shall have occurred if the Bank and Participant reasonably anticipate that no further Services will be performed by the Participant after the date of the Termination of Service (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) or the level of further Services performed will be less than 50% of the average level of bona fide Services in the 36 months immediately preceding the Termination of Service. If a Participant is a “Specified Employee,” as defined in Code Section 409A and any payment to be made hereunder shall be determined to be subject to Code Section 409A, then if required by Code Section 409A, such payment or a portion of such payment (to the minimum extent possible) shall be delayed and shall be paid on the first day of the seventh month following Participant’s Separation from Service. (5) With respect to a Participant who is a director, cessation as a Director will not be deemed to have occurred if the Participant continues as a director emeritus or advisory director. With respect to a Participant who is both an Employee and a Director, termination of employment as an Employee shall not constitute a Termination of Service for purposes of the Plan so long as the Participant continues to provide Service as a Director or director emeritus or advisory director. (mm) “Voting Securities” means any securities which ordinarily possess the power to vote in the election of directors without the happening of any pre-condition or contingency. (nn) “Whole Board” means the total number of Directors that the Company would have if there were no vacancies on the Board at the time the relevant action or matter is presented to the Board for approval. (oo) “Immediate Family Member” means with respect to any Participant: (a) any of the Participant’s children, stepchildren, grandchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouses, former spouses, siblings, nieces, nephews, mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers-in-law or sisters-in-law, including relationships created by adoption; (b) any natural person sharing the Participant’s household (other than as a tenant or employee, directly or indirectly, of the Participant); (c) a trust in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in section (a) and (b) above own more than fifty percent (50%) of the A-21 T N E M E T A T S Y X O R P beneficial interests; (d) a foundation in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in sections (a) and (b) above control management of the assets; or (e) any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which any combination of the Participant and persons described in sections (a) and (b) above control more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests. Section 8.2 In this Plan, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the following uses apply: (a) Actions permitted under this Plan may be taken at any time and from time to time in the actor’s reasonable discretion; (b) References to a statute shall refer to the statute and any successor statute, and to all regulations promulgated under or implementing the statute or its successor, as in effect at the relevant time; (c) In computing periods from a specified date to a later specified date, the words “from” and “commencing on” (and the like) mean “from and including,” and the words “to,” “until” and “ending on” (and the like) mean “to, but excluding”; (d) References to a governmental or quasi-governmental agency, authority or instrumentality shall also refer to a regulatory body that succeeds to the functions of the agency, authority or instrumentality; (e) Indications of time of day mean New Jersey time; (f) “Including” means “including, but not limited to”; (g) All references to sections, schedules and exhibits are to sections, schedules and exhibits in or to this Plan unless otherwise specified; (h) All words used in this Plan will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances and context require; (i) The captions and headings of articles, sections, schedules and exhibits appearing in or attached to this Plan have been inserted solely for convenience of reference and shall not be considered a part of this Plan nor shall any of them affect the meaning or interpretation of this Plan or any of its provisions; (j) Any reference to a document or set of documents in this Plan, and the rights and obligations of the parties under any such documents, shall mean such document or documents as amended from time to time, and any and all modifications, extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements thereof; and (k) All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. P R O X Y S T A T E M E N T A-22 CORPORATE INFORMATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Kevin Cummings President & Chief Executive Officer Domenick Cama Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Richard Spengler Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer Paul Kalamaras Executive Vice President & Chief Retail Banking Officer Sean Burke Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer CORPORATE COUNSEL Luse Gorman, PC 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW Suite 780 Washington, DC 20015-2035 INVESTOR RELATIONS Stockholders, Investors, and Analysts may also contact: Thomas Splaine Senior Vice President 973.924.5100 tsplaine@myinvestorsbank.com Robert M. Cashill Chairman of the Board Robert C. Albanese Dennis M. Bone Doreen R. Byrnes Domenick Cama Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Kevin Cummings President & Chief Executive Officer William V. Cosgrove Brian D. Dittenhafer Brendan J. Dugan James J. Garibaldi Michele N. Siekerka James H. Ward, III Paul N. Stathoulopoulos* INDEPENDENT AUDITORS KPMG, LLP 51 JFK Parkway Short Hills, NJ 07078 TRANSFER AGENT & REGISTRAR Inquiries regarding stock certificate administration, address changes and other related services should be directed to: Computershare 480 Washington Blvd Jersey City, NJ 07310 800.851.9677 CORPORATE OFFICE 101 JFK Parkway Short Hills, NJ 07078 973.924.5100 www.myinvestorsbank.com *Member of the Investors Bank Board of Directors 101 JFK PARKWAY SHORT HILLS, NJ 07078 5 1 0 2 ® k n a B s r o t s e v n I f o k r a m e d a r t d e r e t s g e r i a s i o g o l e v a e w e h T 

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