FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures Topic,” defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include certain debt and equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market.

Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include fixed income securities and mortgage-backed securities that are held in the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio and valued by a third-party pricing service, as well as certain impaired loans.

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. These methodologies may result in a significant portion of the fair value being derived from unobservable data.

Financial instruments require disclosure of fair value information, whether or not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, when it is practical to estimate the fair value. A financial instrument is defined as cash, evidence of an ownership interest in an entity or a contractual obligation which requires the exchange of cash. Certain items are specifically excluded from the disclosure requirements, including the Company’s common stock, premises and equipment and other assets and liabilities.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used to estimate fair value for assets recorded at fair value. Fair value approximates carrying value for the following financial instruments due to the short-term nature of the instrument: cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, other investments, federal funds purchased, and securities sold under agreement to repurchase.

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Investment Securities

Securities available for sale are valued on a recurring basis at quoted market prices where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of comparable securities. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange or U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities and debentures issued by government sponsored entities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to valuations, securities are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. Securities held to maturity are valued at quoted market prices or dealer quotes similar to securities available for sale. The carrying value of Other Investments, such as Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock, approximates fair value based on their redemption provisions.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale include mortgage loans which are saleable into the secondary mortgage markets and their fair values are estimated using observable quoted market or contracted prices or market price equivalents, which would be used by other market participants. These saleable loans are considered Level 2.

Impaired Loans

The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan may be considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses may be established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures the impairment in accordance with FASB ASC 310, “Receivables.” The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. In accordance with FASB ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,” impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company considers the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. The Company’s current loan and appraisal policies require the Company to obtain updated appraisals on an “as is” basis at renewal, or in the case of an impaired loan, on an annual basis, either through a new external appraisal or an appraisal evaluation. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company considers the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3. The fair value of impaired loans may also be estimated using the present value of expected future cash flows to be realized on the loan, which is also considered a Level 3 valuation. These fair value estimates are subject to fluctuations in assumptions about the amount and timing of expected cash flows as well as the choice of discount rate used in the present value calculation.

Other Real Estate Owned

OREO, consisting of properties obtained through foreclosure or in satisfaction of loans, is reported at the lower of cost or fair value, determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources, adjusted for estimated selling costs (Level 2). At the time of foreclosure, any excess of the loan balance over the fair value of the real estate held as collateral is treated as a charge against the allowance for loan losses. Gains or losses on sale and generally any subsequent adjustments to the value are recorded as a component of real estate owned activity. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company considers the OREO as nonrecurring Level 3.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company estimates the fair value of IRLCs based on the value of the underlying mortgage loan, quoted MBS prices and an estimate of the probability that the mortgage loan will fund within the terms of the IRLC, net of commission expenses (Level 2). The Company estimates the fair value of forward sales commitments based on quoted MBS prices (Level 2).

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Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The tables below present the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.


	December 31, 2020
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Securities available for sale:
US government agencies	$	-		6,493		-		6,493
SBA securities		-		485		-		485
State and political subdivisions		-		19,388		-		19,388
Asset-backed securities		-		11,529		-		11,529
Mortgage-backed securities		-		56,834		-		56,834
Mortgage loans held for sale		-		60,257		-		60,257
Mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments		-		2,385		-		2,385
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-		157,371		-		157,371

Liabilities
MBS forward sales commitments	$	-		501		-		501
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-		501		-		501


	December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Securities available for sale:
US government agencies	$	-		499		-		499
SBA securities		-		531		-		531
State and political subdivisions		-		4,184		-		4,184
Asset-backed securities		-		13,167		-		13,167
Mortgage-backed securities		-		49,313		-		49,313
Mortgage loans held for sale		-		27,046		-		27,046
Mortgage loan interest rate lock commitments		-		344		-		344
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-		95,084		-		95,084

Liabilities
MBS forward sales commitments	$	-		39		-		39
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	-		39		-		39

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company is predominantly an asset based lender with real estate serving as collateral on approximately 85% of loans as of December 31, 2020. Loans which are deemed to be impaired are valued net of the allowance for loan losses, and other real estate owned is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value of the underlying real estate collateral. Such market values are generally obtained using independent appraisals, which the Company considers to be level 2 inputs. The tables below present the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.


	December 31, 2020
(dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Impaired loans	$	-		8,144		3,109		11,253
Other real estate owned		-		1,169		-		1,169
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	$	-		9,313		3,109		12,422


	December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Impaired loans	$	-		5,634		4,941		10,575
Total assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis	$	-		5,634		4,941		10,575

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The Company had no liabilities carried at fair value or measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2020, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:

	Valuation Technique	Significant Unobservable Inputs	Range of Inputs
Impaired loans	Appraised Value/Discounted Cash Flows	Discounts to appraisals or cash flows for estimated holding and/or selling costs or age of appraisal	0-25	%
Other real estate owned	Appraised Value/Comparable Sales	Discounts to appraisals for estimated holding or selling costs	0-25	%

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used to estimate fair value for certain other financial instruments.

Fair value approximates carrying value for the following financial instruments due to the short-term nature of the instrument: cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, other investments, federal funds purchased, and securities sold under agreement to repurchase.

Loans – The valuation of loans held for investment is estimated using the exit price notion which incorporates factors, such as enhanced credit risk, illiquidity risk and market factors that sometimes exist in exit prices in dislocated markets. This credit risk assumption is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction. The Company’s loan portfolio is initially fair valued using a segmented approach, using the eight categories as disclosed in Note 4 – Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses. Loans are considered a Level 3 classification.

Deposits – Fair value for demand deposit accounts and interest-bearing accounts with no fixed maturity date is equal to the carrying value. The fair value of certificate of deposit accounts are estimated by discounting cash flows from expected maturities using current interest rates on similar instruments.

FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings – Fair value for FHLB advances and other borrowings are estimated by discounting cash flows from expected maturities using current interest rates on similar instruments.

Subordinated debentures – Fair value for subordinated debentures are estimated by discounting cash flows from expected maturities using current interest rates on similar instruments.

The Company has used management’s best estimate of fair value based on the above assumptions. Thus, the fair values presented may not be the amounts that could be realized in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, any income taxes or other expenses, which would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement, are not taken into consideration in the fair value presented.

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The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:


	December 31, 2020
(dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Other investments, at cost	$	3,635		3,635		-		-		3,635
Loans⁽¹⁾		2,085,756		2,060,698		-		-		2,060,698
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits		2,142,758		2,008,317		-		2,008,317		-
FHLB and other borrowings		25,000		24,972		-		24,972		-
Subordinated debentures		35,998		30,371		-		30,371		-


	December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Other investments, at cost	$	6,948		6,948		-		-		6,948
Loans⁽¹⁾		1,914,870		1,900,216		-		-		1,900,216
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits		1,876,124		1,772,121		-		1,772,121		-
FHLB and other borrowings		110,000		109,737		-		109,737		-
Subordinated debentures		35,890		33,250		-		33,250		-


⁽¹⁾ Carrying amount is net of the allowance for loan losses and previously presented impaired loans.