Fair Value Measurement

6 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Notes

Fair Value Measurement

11.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The following definitions describe the categories used in the tables presented under fair value measurement.

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1): Inputs that are quoted unadjusted prices in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.  An active market for the asset is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Other observable inputs (Level 2): Inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity including quoted prices for similar assets, quoted prices for securities in inactive markets and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3): Inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

Financial instruments are broken down in the tables that follow by recurring or nonrecurring measurement status.  Recurring assets are initially measured at fair value and are required to be remeasured at fair value in the financial statements at each reporting date.  Assets measured on a nonrecurring basis are assets that, as a result of an event or circumstance, were required to be remeasured at fair value after initial recognition in the financial statements at some time during the reporting period.

The following table presents assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated (in thousands):

			Fair value measurements using
September 30, 2013	Fair value			Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Investment securities available for sale
Trust preferred	$	1,927		$	-	$	-	$	1,927
Agency securities		19,972			-		19,972		-
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
Real estate mortgage investment conduits		195			-		195		-
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities		4,509			-		4,509		-
FNMA mortgage-backed securities		10,759			-		10,759		-
SBA mortgage-backed securities		2,243			-		2,243		-
Total recurring assets measured at fair value	$	39,605		$	-	$	37,678	$	1,927

March 31, 2013	Fair value		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Investment securities available for sale
Trust preferred	$	1,238	$	-	$	-	$	1,238
Agency securities		4,978		-		4,978		-
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale
Real estate mortgage investment conduits		237		-		237		-
FHLMC mortgage-backed securities		191		-		191		-
FNMA mortgage-backed securities		3		-		3		-
Total recurring assets measured at fair value	$	6,647	$	-	$	5,409	$	1,238

The following tables present a reconciliation of assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the periods indicated (in thousands). There were no transfers of assets in to or out of Level 1, 2 or 3 for the three and six months ended September 30, 2013.

		For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2013		For the Six Months Ended September 30, 2012
		Available for sale securities		Available for sale securities
Beginning balance	$	1,238	$	1,166
Transfers in to Level 3		-		-
Included in earnings (1)		-		-
Included in other comprehensive income		689		(47	)
Ending balance	$	1,927	$	1,119
(1) Included in other non-interest income

The following method was used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument above:

Investments and Mortgage-Backed Securities – Investments and mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale are included within Level 1 of the hierarchy when quoted prices in an active market for identical assets are available. The Company uses a third party pricing service to assist the Company in determining the fair value of its Level 2 securities, which incorporates pricing models and/or quoted prices of investment securities with similar characteristics. The Company’s Level 3 assets consist of a single pooled trust preferred security.

For Level 2 securities, the Company uses an independent pricing service to assist management in determining fair values of investment securities available-for-sale. This service provides pricing information by utilizing evaluated pricing models supported with market data information. Standard inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data from market research publications. Investments securities that are deemed to have been trading in illiquid or inactive markets may require the use of significant unobservable inputs. The Company’s third-party pricing service has established processes for us to submit inquiries regarding quoted prices. The Company’s third-party pricing service will review the inputs to the evaluation in light of any new market data presented by us. The Company’s third-party pricing service may then affirm the original quoted price or may update the evaluation on a going forward basis.

Management reviews the pricing information received from the third party-pricing service through a combination of procedures that include an evaluation of methodologies used by the pricing service, analytical reviews and performance analysis of the prices against statistics and trends. Based on this review, management determines whether the current placement of the security in the fair value hierarchy is appropriate or whether transfers may be warranted. As necessary, the Company compares prices received from the pricing service to discounted cash flow models or through performing independent valuations of inputs and assumptions similar to those used by the pricing service in order to ensure prices represent a reasonable estimate of fair value.

The Company has determined that the market for its single trust preferred pooled security was inactive. This determination was made by the Company after considering the last known trade date for this specific security, the low number of transactions for similar types of securities, the low number of new issuances for similar securities, the increased implied liquidity risk premium for similar securities, the lack of information that is released publicly and discussions with third-party industry analysts. Due to the inactivity in the market, observable market data was not readily available for all significant inputs for this security. Accordingly, the trust preferred pooled security was classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Company utilized observable inputs where available, unobservable data and modeled the cash flows adjusted by an appropriate liquidity and credit risk adjusted discount rate using an income approach valuation technique in order to measure the fair value of the security. Significant unobservable inputs were used that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what a market participant would use to price the security. Significant unobservable inputs included selecting an appropriate discount rate, default rate and repayment assumptions. The Company estimated the discount rate by comparing rates for similarly rated corporate bonds, with additional consideration given to market liquidity. The default rates and repayment assumptions were estimated based on the individual issuer’s financial conditions, historical repayment information, as well as the Company’s future expectations of the capital markets.

The following table represents certain loans and real estate owned (“REO”) which were marked down to their fair value using fair value measures for the six months ended September 30, 2013. The following are assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (in thousands).

			Fair value measurements using
September 30, 2013	Fair value		Quoted prices  in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans	$	15,528	$	-	$	-	$	15,528
Real estate owned		14,007		-		-		14,007
Total nonrecurring assets measured at fair value	$	29,535	$	-	$	-	$	29,535

The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 inputs for financial instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

	Valuation technique	Significant unobservable inputs	Range
Impaired loans	Appraised value	Adjustment for market conditions	0% - 10 %
Real estate owned	Appraised value	Adjustment for market conditions	0% - 38 %

The following method was used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument above:

Impaired loans – A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due (both interest and principal) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. For information regarding the Company’s method for estimating the fair value of impaired loans, see Note 8 – Allowance For Loan Losses.

In determining the net realizable value of the underlying collateral, we primarily use third party appraisals which may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available and include consideration for variations in location, size, and income production capacity of the property. Additionally, the appraisals are periodically further adjusted by the Company in consideration of charges that may be incurred in the event of foreclosure and are based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in business factors and changes in market conditions.

Impaired loans are reviewed and evaluated quarterly for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above. Because of the high degree of judgment required in estimating the fair value of collateral underlying impaired loans and because of the relationship between fair value and general economic conditions, we consider the fair value of impaired loans to be highly sensitive to changes in market conditions.

Real estate owned – REO is real property that the Bank has taken ownership of in partial or full satisfaction of a loan or loans. REO is recorded at the fair value less estimated costs to sell. This amount becomes the property’s new basis. Any write downs based on the property’s fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses.

Management considers third party appraisals in determining the fair value of particular properties. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available and include consideration for variations in location, size, and income production capacity of the property. Additionally, the appraisals are periodically further adjusted by the Company in consideration of charges that may be incurred in the event of foreclosure and are based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in business factors and changes in market conditions.

Management periodically reviews REO to ensure the property is carried at the lower of its new basis or fair value, net of estimated costs to sell. Any additional write-downs based on re-evaluation of the property fair value are charged to non-interest expense. Because of the high degree of judgment required in estimating the fair value of REO and because of the relationship between fair value and general economic conditions, we consider the fair value of REO to be highly sensitive to changes in market conditions.