Fair value is defined 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. To measure fair value, a hierarchy has been established that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. This hierarchy uses three levels of inputs to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access;

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in less active markets, observable inputs other than quoted prices that are used in the valuation of an asset or liability, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means; and

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity for financial instruments whose value is determined by 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.

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is classified is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measure in its entirety. Market activity is presumed to be orderly in the absence of evidence of forced or disorderly sales, although such sales may still be indicative of fair value. Applicable accounting guidance precludes the use of blockage factors or liquidity adjustments due to the quantity of securities held by an entity.

We use fair value to measure certain assets and liabilities on a recurring basis when fair value is the primary measure for accounting. Fair value is used on a nonrecurring basis to measure certain assets when adjusting carrying values, such as the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting, including recognition of impairment on assets. Fair value is also used when providing required disclosures for certain financial instruments.

Fair Value Policies and Procedures

We have various policies, processes and controls in place to ensure that fair values are reasonably developed, reviewed and approved for use. These include a Securities Valuation Committee (“SVC”) comprised of executive management appointed by the Board of Directors. The SVC reviews and approves on a quarterly basis the key components of fair value estimation, including critical valuation assumptions for Level 3 modeling. A Model Risk Management Group conducts model validations, including internal models, and sets policies and procedures for revalidation, including the timing of revalidation.

Third Party Service Providers

We use a third party pricing service to provide pricing for approximately 91% of our AFS Level 2 securities. Fair values for other AFS Level 2 and for Level 3 securities generally use certain inputs corroborated by market data and include standard form discounted cash flow modeling.

For Level 2 securities, the third party pricing service provides documentation on an ongoing basis that presents market corroborative data, including detail pricing information and market reference data. The documentation includes benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data, including information from the vendor trading platform. We review, test and validate this information as appropriate. Absent observable trade data, we do not adjust prices from our third party sources.

The following describes the hierarchy designations, valuation methodologies, and key inputs to measure fair value on a recurring basis for designated financial instruments:

Available-for-Sale

U.S. Treasury, Agencies and Corporations

U.S. Treasury securities are measured under Level 1 using quoted market prices when available. U.S. agencies and corporations are measured under Level 2 generally using the previously discussed third party pricing service.

Municipal Securities

Municipal securities are measured under Level 2 generally using the third party pricing service. Valuation inputs include Baa municipal curves, as well as FHLB and London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) swap curves.

Mutual Funds and Other

Mutual funds and other securities are measured under Level 1 or Level 2. For Level 1, quoted market prices are used which may include net asset values or their equivalents. Level 2 valuations generally use quoted prices for similar securities.

Trading Account

Securities in the trading account are measured under Level 1 using quoted market prices. If not available, quoted prices under Level 2 for similar securities are used.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

Bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) is measured under Level 2 according to cash surrender values (“CSVs”) of the insurance policies that are provided by a third party service. Nearly all policies are general account policies with CSVs based on the Company’s claims on the assets of the insurance companies. The insurances companies’ investments include predominantly fixed income securities consisting of investment-grade corporate bonds and various types of mortgage instruments. Management regularly reviews its BOLI investment performance, including concentrations among insurance providers.

Private Equity Investments

Private equity investments are measured under Level 3. The Equity Investments Committee, consisting of executives familiar with the investments, reviews periodic financial information, including audited financial statements when available. Certain analytics may be employed that include current and projected financial performance, recent financing activities, economic and market conditions, market comparables, market liquidity, sales restrictions, and other factors. The amount of unfunded commitments to invest is disclosed in Note 11. Certain restrictions apply for the redemption of these investments and certain investments are prohibited by the Volcker Rule. See discussions in Notes 5 and 11.

Agriculture Loan Servicing

This asset results from our servicing of agriculture loans approved and funded by FAMC. We provide this servicing under an agreement with Farmer Mac for loans they own. The asset’s fair value represents our projection of the present value of future cash flows measured under Level 3 using discounted cash flow methodologies.

Interest-Only Strips

Interest-only strips are created as a by-product of the securitization process. When the guaranteed portions of SBA 7(a) loans are pooled, interest-only strips may be created in the pooling process. The asset’s fair value represents our projection of the present value of future cash flows measured under Level 3 using discounted cash flow methodologies.

Deferred Compensation Plan Assets and Obligations

Invested assets in the deferred compensation plan consist of shares of registered investment companies. These mutual funds are valued under Level 1 at quoted market prices, which represents the NAV of shares held by the plan at the end of the period.

Derivatives

Derivatives are measured according to their classification as either exchange-traded or over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange-traded derivatives consist of foreign currency exchange contracts measured under Level 1 because they are traded in active markets. OTC derivatives, including those for customers, consist of interest rate swaps and options. These derivatives are measured under Level 2 using third party services. Observable market inputs include yield curves (the LIBOR swap curve and relevant overnight index swap curves), foreign exchange rates, commodity prices, option volatilities, counterparty credit risk, and other related data. Credit valuation adjustments are required to reflect nonperformance risk for both the Company and the respective counterparty. These adjustments are determined generally by applying a credit spread to the total expected exposure of the derivative.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

Securities sold, not yet purchased, included in “Federal funds and other short-term borrowings” on the balance sheet, are measured under Level 1 using quoted market prices. If not available, quoted prices under Level 2 for similar securities are used.

Quantitative Disclosure of Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value by class on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:



(In thousands)	June 30, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
ASSETS
Investment securities:
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury, agencies and corporations	$	—	$	4,314,267	$	—	$	4,314,267
Municipal securities			202,657				202,657
Other debt securities			23,815				23,815
Money market mutual funds and other	103,360		8,316				111,676
	103,360		4,549,055		—		4,652,415
Trading account			74,519				74,519
Other noninterest-bearing investments:
Bank-owned life insurance			479,596				479,596
Private equity investments					110,115		110,115
Other assets:
Agriculture loan servicing and interest-only strips					13,502		13,502
Deferred compensation plan assets	89,729						89,729
Derivatives:
Interest rate related and other			3,963				3,963
Interest rate swaps for customers			43,968				43,968
Foreign currency exchange contracts	16,615						16,615
	16,615		47,931		—		64,546
	$	209,704	$	5,151,101	$	123,617	$	5,484,422
LIABILITIES
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	11,397	$	—	$	—	$	11,397
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan obligations	89,729						89,729
Derivatives:
Interest rate related and other			398				398
Interest rate swaps for customers			45,598				45,598
Foreign currency exchange contracts	14,249						14,249
	14,249		45,996		—		60,245
	$	115,375	$	45,996	$	—	$	161,371



(In thousands)	December 31, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
ASSETS
Investment securities:
Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury, agencies and corporations	$	—	$	3,098,208	$	—	$	3,098,208
Municipal securities			185,093		4,164		189,257
Asset-backed securities:
Trust preferred – banks and insurance			22,701		393,007		415,708
Auction rate					4,761		4,761
Other			666		25		691
Money market mutual funds and other	105,348		30,275				135,623
	105,348		3,336,943		401,957		3,844,248
Trading account			70,601				70,601
Other noninterest-bearing investments:
Bank-owned life insurance			476,290				476,290
Private equity investments					99,865		99,865
Other assets:
Agriculture loan servicing and interest-only strips					12,227		12,227
Deferred compensation plan assets	88,878						88,878
Derivatives:
Interest rate related and other			1,508				1,508
Interest rate swaps for customers			48,287				48,287
Foreign currency exchange contracts	16,625						16,625
	16,625		49,795		—		66,420
	$	210,851	$	3,933,629	$	514,049	$	4,658,529
LIABILITIES
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	24,230	$	—	$	—	$	24,230
Other liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan obligations	88,878						88,878
Derivatives:
Interest rate related and other			297				297
Interest rate swaps for customers			50,669				50,669
Foreign currency exchange contracts	15,272						15,272
	15,272		50,966		—		66,238
Other					13		13
	$	128,380	$	50,966	$	13	$	179,359

Reconciliation of Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The following reconciles the beginning and ending balances of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value by class on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:



	Level 3 Instruments
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
(In thousands)	Municipal securities			Trust preferred – banks and insurance			Other			Private equity investments			Ag loan svcg and int-only strips			Derivatives and other liabilities

Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,465		$	438,338		$	4,803		$	105,232		$	12,001		$	—
Net gains (losses) included in:
Statement of income:
Accretion of purchase discount on securities available-for-sale	1			214
Dividends and other investment income (loss)										(1,633		)
Equity securities gains, net										714
Fixed income securities losses, net	(375		)	(136,368		)	(606		)
Other noninterest income													1,483
Other comprehensive income (loss)	560			148,496			(116		)
Purchases										7,262			210
Sales	(2,651		)	(437,442		)	(4,081		)	(991		)
Redemptions and paydowns				(13,238		)				(469		)	(192		)
Balance at June 30, 2015	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	110,115		$	13,502		$	—



	Level 3 Instruments
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
(In thousands)	Municipal securities			Trust preferred – banks and insurance			Other			Private equity investments			Ag loan svcg and int-only strips			Derivatives and other liabilities

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	4,164		$	393,007		$	4,761		$	97,649		$	12,227		$	(13	)
Net gains (losses) included in:
Statement of income:
Accretion of purchase discount on securities available-for-sale	3			471
Dividends and other investment income (loss)										(559		)
Equity securities gains, net										3,967
Fixed income securities losses, net	(344		)	(136,691		)	(606		)
Other noninterest income													1,487
Other noninterest expense																13
Other comprehensive income (loss)	687			141,547			(74		)
Fair value of HTM securities reclassified as AFS				57,308
Purchases										12,314			381
Sales	(2,651		)	(440,055		)	(4,081		)	(2,508		)
Redemptions and paydowns	(1,859		)	(15,587		)				(748		)	(593		)
Balance at June 30, 2015	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	110,115		$	13,502		$	—



	Level 3 Instruments
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
(In thousands)	Municipal securities			Trust preferred – banks and insurance			Trust preferred – REIT		Auction rate		Other asset-backed			Private equity investments			Ag loan svcg and int-only strips			Derivatives and other liabilities

Balance at March 31, 2014	$	10,184		$	690,217		$	—	$	6,560	$	30		$	81,052		$	11,207		$	(5,632	)
Net gains (losses) included in:
Statement of income:
Accretion of purchase discount on securities available-for-sale	8			633					1
Dividends and other investment income (loss)														(1,052		)
Fair value and nonhedge derivative loss																				(467		)
Equity securities gains, net														584
Fixed income securities gains, net				4,383
Other noninterest income																	45
Other noninterest expense																				101
Other comprehensive income (loss)	92			6,878					17
Purchases														7,104			379
Sales														(15		)
Redemptions and paydowns	(246		)	(16,306		)					(2		)	(5,417		)	(170		)	5,866
Balance at June 30, 2014	$	10,038		$	685,805		$	—	$	6,578	$	28		$	82,256		$	11,461		$	(132	)



	Level 3 Instruments
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
(In thousands)	Municipal securities			Trust preferred – banks and insurance			Trust preferred – REIT			Auction rate			Other asset-backed			Private equity investments			Ag loan svcg and int-only strips			Derivatives and other liabilities

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	10,662		$	1,238,820		$	22,996		$	6,599		$	25,800		$	82,410		$	8,852		$	(4,303	)
Net gains (losses) included in:
Statement of income:
Accretion of purchase discount on securities available-for-sale	18			1,353						2
Dividends and other investment income (loss)																(2,747		)
Fair value and nonhedge derivative loss																						(7,894		)
Equity securities gains, net																584
Fixed income securities gains, net	16			22,965			1,399						10,917
Other noninterest income																			526
Other noninterest expense																						109
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(182		)	101,340						(23		)	(15		)
Purchases																8,460			2,456
Sales				(546,388		)							(36,669		)	(839		)
Redemptions and paydowns	(476		)	(63,092		)	(24,395		)				(5		)	(5,612		)	(373		)	11,956
Transfers to Level 2				(69,193		)
Balance at June 30, 2014	$	10,038		$	685,805		$	—		$	6,578		$	28		$	82,256		$	11,461		$	(132	)

Except for the transfers included in the previous schedule, no transfers of assets or liabilities occurred among Levels 1, 2 or 3 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. Transfers are considered to have occurred as of the end of the reporting period.

The preceding reconciling amounts using Level 3 inputs include the following realized amounts in the statement of income:



(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
	Three Months Ended June 30,					Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015			2014		2015			2014

Dividends and other investment income	$	4		$	—	$	4		$	34
Fixed income securities gains (losses), net	(137,349		)	4,383		(137,641		)	35,297
Equity securities losses, net	(674		)	—		(674		)	—

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Included in the balance sheet amounts are the following amounts of assets that had fair value changes during the year-to-date period measured on a nonrecurring basis.



(In thousands)	Fair value at June 30, 2015								Fair value at December 31, 2014
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
ASSETS
Private equity investments, carried at cost	$	—	$	—	$	3,547	$	3,547	$	—	$	—	$	23,454	$	23,454
Impaired loans	—		10,983		—		10,983		—		16,574		—		16,574
Other real estate owned	—		2,594		—		2,594		—		8,034		—		8,034
	$	—	$	13,577	$	3,547	$	17,124	$	—	$	24,608	$	23,454	$	48,062

The previous fair values may not be current as of the dates indicated, but rather as of the date the fair value change occurred, such as a charge for impairment. Accordingly, carrying values may not equal current fair value.



	Gains (losses) from fair value changes
(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
ASSETS
HTM securities adjusted for OTTI	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(27	)
Private equity investments, carried at cost	(1,125		)	(133		)	(2,278		)	(133		)
Impaired loans	(2,808		)	(8,662		)	(5,357		)	(13,189		)
Other real estate owned	(310		)	(937		)	(1,318		)	(3,171		)
	$	(4,243	)	$	(9,732	)	$	(8,953	)	$	(16,520	)

During the three and six months ended June 30, we recognized net gains of $1.1 million and $1.9 million in 2015 and $1.5 million and $2.5 million in 2014 from the sale of other real estate owned (“OREO”) properties that had a carrying value at the time of sale of approximately $10.1 million and $24.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Previous to their sale in these periods, we recognized impairment on these properties of $0.3 million and $0.4 million in 2015 and $0.3 million and $0.5 million in 2014.

Private equity investments carried at cost were measured at fair value for impairment purposes according to the methodology previously discussed for these investments. Amounts of private equity investments carried at cost were $29.6 million at June 30, 2015 and $39.1 million at December 31, 2014. Amounts of other noninterest-bearing investments carried at cost were $244.1 million at June 30, 2015 and $250.7 million at December 31, 2014, which were comprised of Federal Reserve, Federal Home Loan Bank, and Farmer Mac stock.

Impaired (or nonperforming) loans that are collateral-dependent were measured at fair value based on the fair value of the collateral. OREO was measured initially at fair value based on property appraisals at the time of transfer and subsequently at the lower of cost or fair value.

Measurement of fair value for collateral-dependent loans and OREO was based on third party appraisals that utilize one or more valuation techniques (income, market and/or cost approaches). Any adjustments to calculated fair value were made based on recently completed and validated third party appraisals, third party appraisal services, automated valuation services, or our informed judgment. Evaluations were made to determine that the appraisal process met the relevant concepts and requirements of applicable accounting guidance.

Automated valuation services may be used primarily for residential properties when values from any of the previous methods were not available within 90 days of the balance sheet date. These services use models based on market, economic, and demographic values. The use of these models has only occurred in a very few instances and the related property valuations have not been significant to consider disclosure under Level 3 rather than Level 2.

Impaired loans not collateral-dependent were measured at fair valued based on the present value of future cash flows discounted at the expected coupon rates over the lives of the loans. Because the loans were not discounted at market interest rates, the valuations do not represent fair value and have been excluded from the nonrecurring fair value balance in the preceding schedules.

Fair Value of Certain Financial Instruments

Following is a summary of the carrying values and estimated fair values of certain financial instruments:



	June 30, 2015					December 31, 2014
(In thousands)	Carrying value		Estimated fair value		Level	Carrying value		Estimated fair value		Level
Financial assets:
HTM investment securities	$	570,869	$	578,327	3	$	647,252	$	677,196	3
Loans and leases (including loans held for sale), net of allowance	39,567,057		39,296,460		3	39,591,499		39,426,498		3
Financial liabilities:
Time deposits	2,263,146		2,265,320		2	2,406,924		2,408,550		2
Foreign deposits	372,106		372,069		2	328,391		328,447		2
Long-term debt (less fair value hedges)	1,050,367		1,091,173		2	1,090,778		1,159,287		2

This summary excludes financial assets and liabilities for which carrying value approximates fair value. For financial assets, these include cash and due from banks and money market investments. For financial liabilities, these include demand, savings and money market deposits, and federal funds purchased and security repurchase agreements. The estimated fair value of demand, savings and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Carrying value is used because the accounts have no stated maturity and the customer has the ability to withdraw funds immediately. Also excluded from the summary are financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as previously described.

HTM investment securities primarily consist of municipal securities. They were measured at fair value according to the methodologies previously discussed for these investment types.

Loans are measured at fair value according to their status as nonimpaired or impaired. For nonimpaired loans, fair value is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the LIBOR yield curve adjusted by a factor which reflects the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan. These future cash flows are then reduced by the estimated “life-of-the-loan” aggregate credit losses in the loan portfolio. These adjustments for lifetime future credit losses are derived from the methods used to estimate the ALLL for our loan portfolio and are adjusted quarterly as necessary to reflect the most recent loss experience. Impaired loans are already considered to be held at fair value, except those whose fair value is determined by discounting cash flows, as discussed previously. See Impaired Loans in Note 6 for details on the impairment measurement method for impaired loans. Loans, other than those held for sale, are not normally purchased and sold by the Company, and there are no active trading markets for most of this portfolio.

Time and foreign deposits, and any other short-term borrowings, are measured at fair value by discounting future cash flows using the LIBOR yield curve to the given maturity dates.

Long-term debt is measured at fair value based on actual market trades (i.e., an asset value) when available, or discounting cash flows to maturity using the LIBOR yield curve adjusted for credit spreads.

These fair value disclosures represent our best estimates based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. Fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, future expected loss experience, risk characteristics of the various instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, and cannot be determined with precision. Changes in these methodologies and assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.