Note 22 Fair Value Measurements

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments. Fair value is defined as 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. For disclosure purposes, the Company groups its financial and non-financial assets and liabilities into three different levels based on the nature of the instrument and the availability and reliability of the information that is used to determine fair value. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1—Includes assets or liabilities in which the inputs to the valuation methodologies are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Includes assets or liabilities in which the inputs to the valuation methodologies are based on similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, and other inputs obtained from observable market input.

Level 3—Includes assets or liabilities in which the inputs to the valuation methodology are based on at least one significant assumption that is not observable in the marketplace. These valuations may rely on management’s judgment and may include internally-developed model-based valuation techniques.

Level 1 inputs are considered to be the most transparent and reliable and level 3 inputs are considered to be the least transparent and reliable. The Company assumes the use of the principal market to conduct a transaction of each particular asset or liability being measured and then considers the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. Whenever possible, the Company first looks for quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (level 1 inputs) to value each asset or liability. However, when inputs from identical assets or liabilities on active markets are not available, the Company utilizes market observable data for similar assets and liabilities. The Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and limits the use of unobservable inputs to occasions when observable inputs are not available. The need to use unobservable inputs generally results from the lack of market liquidity of the actual financial instrument or of the underlying collateral. Although, in some instances, third party price indications may be available, limited trading activity can challenge the observability of these quotations.

Changes in the valuation inputs used for measuring the fair value of financial instruments may occur due to changes in current market conditions or other factors. Such changes may necessitate a transfer of the financial instruments to another level in the hierarchy based on the new inputs used. The Company recognizes these transfers at the end of the reporting period that the transfer occurs. During 2016 and 2015, there were no transfers of financial instruments between the hierarchy levels.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of each instrument under the valuation hierarchy:

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis

Investment securities available-for-sale—Investment securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. To the extent possible, observable quoted prices in an active market are used to determine fair value and, as such, these securities are classified as level 1. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not hold any level 1 securities. When quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are not available, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, discounted cash flows or other pricing characteristics are used to estimate fair values and the securities are then classified as level 2.

Interest rate swap derivatives—The Company's derivative instruments are limited to interest rate swaps that may be accounted for as fair value hedges or non-designated hedges. The fair values of the swaps incorporate credit valuation adjustments in order to appropriately reflect nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. The credit valuation adjustment is the dollar amount of the fair value adjustment related to credit risk and utilizes a probability weighted calculation to quantify the potential loss over the life of the trade. The credit valuation adjustments are calculated by determining the total expected exposure of the derivatives (which incorporates both the current and potential future exposure) and then applying the respective counterparties’ credit spreads to the exposure offset by marketable collateral posted, if any. Certain derivative transactions are executed with counterparties who are large financial institutions ("dealers"). International Swaps and Derivative Association Master Agreements ("ISDA") and Credit Support Annexes ("CSA") are employed for all contracts with dealers. These contracts contain bilateral collateral arrangements. The fair value inputs of these financial instruments are determined using discounted cash flow analysis through the use of third-party models whose significant inputs are readily observable market parameters, primarily yield curves, with appropriate adjustments for liquidity and credit risk, and are classified as level 2.

Mortgage banking derivatives—The Company relies on a third-party pricing service to value its mortgage banking derivative financial assets and liabilities, which the Company classifies as a level 3 valuation. The external valuation model to estimate the fair value of its interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale includes grouping the interest rate lock commitments by interest rate and terms, applying an estimated pull-through rate based on historical experience, and then multiplying by quoted investor prices determined to be reasonably applicable to the loan commitment groups based on interest rate, terms, and rate lock expiration dates of the loan commitment groups. The Company also relies on an external valuation model to estimate the fair value of its forward commitments to sell residential mortgage loans (i.e., an estimate of what the Company would receive or pay to terminate the forward delivery contract based on market prices for similar financial instruments), which includes matching specific terms and maturities of the forward commitments against applicable investor pricing.

The tables below present the financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, in the consolidated statements of financial condition utilizing the hierarchy structure described above:


	December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”):
Residential mortgage pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	$	—	$	227,160	$	—	$	227,160
Other residential MBS issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises		—		652,739		—		652,739
Municipal securities		—		3,648		—		3,648
Interest rate swap derivatives		—		11,428		—		11,428
Mortgage banking derivatives		—		—		287		287
Total assets at fair value	$	—	$	894,975	$	287	$	895,262
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	$	—	$	3,279	$	—	$	3,279
Mortgage banking derivatives		—		—		187		187
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	3,279	$	187	$	3,466


	December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”):
Residential mortgage pass-through securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises	$	—	$	310,978	$	—	$	310,978
Other residential MBS issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises		—		845,543		—		845,543
Interest rate swap derivatives		—		2,347		—		2,347
Total assets at fair value	$	—	$	1,158,868	$	—	$	1,158,868
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	$	—	$	8,315	$	—	$	8,315
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	8,315	$	—	$	8,315

The table below details the changes in level 3 financial instruments during 2016:


		Mortgage banking
		derivatives, net
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	—
Gain included in earnings, net		100
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	100

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Measured on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets may be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis as conditions warrant. These non-recurring fair value measurements typically result from the application of lower of cost or fair value accounting or a write-down occurring during the period.

The Company records collateral dependent loans that are considered to be impaired at their estimated fair value. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all contractual amounts due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement. Collateral dependent impaired loans are measured based on the fair value of the collateral. The Company relies on third-party appraisals and internal assessments in determining the estimated fair values of these loans. The inputs used to determine the fair values of loans are considered level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. At December 31, 2016, the Company measured three loans not accounted for under ASC 310-30 at fair value on a non-recurring basis with a carrying balance of $10.5 million and specific reserve balance of $2.4 million. At December 31, 2015, the Company measured six loans not accounted for under ASC 310-30 at fair value on a non-recurring basis with a carrying balance of $11.9 million and specific reserve balance of $4.3 million.

The Company may be required to record fair value adjustments on loans held-for-sale on a non-recurring basis. The non-recurring fair value adjustments could involve lower of cost or fair value accounting and may include write-downs.

OREO is recorded at the lower of the cost basis or the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. The estimated fair values of OREO are updated periodically and further write-downs may be taken to reflect a new basis. The Company recognized $0.3 million and $1.6 million of OREO impairments in the consolidated statements of operations during 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fair values of OREO are derived from third party price opinions or appraisals that generally use an income approach or a market value approach. If reasonable comparable appraisals are not available, then the Company may use internally developed models to determine fair values. The inputs used to determine the fair values of OREO are considered level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Premises and equipment held-for-sale are written down to estimated fair value less costs to sell in the period in which the held-for-sale criteria are met. Fair value is estimated in a process which considers current local commercial real estate market conditions and the judgment of the sales agent and often invoices obtaining third party appraisals from certified real estate appraisers. These fair value measurements are classified as level 3. Unobservable inputs to these measurements, which include estimates and judgments often used in conjunction with appraisals, are not readily quantifiable. The Company recognized $1.4 million of impairments in the consolidated statements of operations related to banking centers classified as held-for-sale during the year ended December 31, 2015.

The table below provides information regarding the assets recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2016 and 2015:


	December 31, 2016
	Total		Losses from fair value changes
Other real estate owned	$	15,662	$	154
Impaired loans		38,282		15,200


	December 31, 2015
	Total		Losses from fair value changes
Other real estate owned	$	20,814	$	1,580
Impaired loans		37,363		1,424
Premises and Equipment		2,101		1,411

The Company did not record any liabilities for which the fair value was made on a non-recurring basis during 2016 and 2015.

The following table provides information about the valuation techniques and unobservable inputs used in the valuation of financial instruments classified as level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2016. The table below excludes non-recurring fair value measurements of collateral value used for impairment measures for OREO and premises and equipment. These valuations utilize third party appraisal or broker price opinions, and are classified as level 3 due to the significant judgment involved:


	Fair value at
	December 31, 2016		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Qualitative Measures
Other available-for-sale securities	$	419	Par value	Par value
Municipal securities		265	Par value	Par value
Impaired loans		38,282	Appraised value	Appraised values
				Discount rate	0% - 25%