Note 19 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 the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, 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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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.

Loans held for sale—The Company has elected to record loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market at estimated fair value. The portfolio consists primarily of fixed rate residential mortgage loans that are sold within 45 days. The Company estimates fair value based on quoted market prices for similar loans in the secondary market and is classifies 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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 on the consolidated statements of financial condition utilizing the hierarchy structure described above:


	March 31, 2018
	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	$	—	$	188,630	$	—	$	188,630
Other residential MBS issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises		—		727,729		—		727,729
Municipal securities		—		818		—		818
Loans held for sale		—		51,050		—		51,050
Interest rate swap derivatives		—		24,695		—		24,695
Mortgage banking derivatives		—		—		1,316		1,316
Total assets at fair value	$	—	$	992,922	$	1,316	$	994,238
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	$	—	$	3,300	$	—	$	3,300
Mortgage banking derivatives		—		—		601		601
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	3,300	$	601	$	3,901


	December 31, 2017
	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	$	—	$	168,648	$	—	$	168,648
Other residential MBS issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or sponsored enterprises		—		685,230		—		685,230
Municipal securities		—		829		—		829
Loans held for sale		—		4,629		—		4,629
Interest rate swap derivatives		—		12,972		—		12,972
Mortgage banking derivatives		—		—		133		133
Total assets at fair value	$	—	$	872,308	$	133	$	872,441
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap derivatives	$	—	$	3,751	$	—	$	3,751
Mortgage banking derivatives		—		—		7		7
Total liabilities at fair value	$	—	$	3,751	$	7	$	3,758

The table below details the changes in level 3 financial instruments during the three months ended March 31, 2018:


		Mortgage banking
		derivatives, net
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	126
Gain included in earnings, net		589
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	715

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, utilizing a discount rate in the range of 0% - 25%, 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 March 31, 2018, the Company measured six originated and acquired loans at fair value on a non-recurring basis, with a carrying balance of $6.4 million and specific reserve balance of $1.2 million. At March 31, 2017, the Company measured three loans with a carrying balance of $10.6 million and specific reserve balance of $2.9 million.

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 $38 thousand and $46 thousand of OREO impairments in its consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, 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.

Mortgage servicing rights represent the value associated with servicing residential real estate loans that have been sold to outside investors with servicing retained. The fair value for servicing assets is determined through discounted cash flow analysis and utilizes discount rates ranging from 9.5% to 10.5% at March 31, 2018 and prepayment speed assumption ranges of 8.7% to 11.3% at March 31, 2018 as inputs. Mortgage servicing rights are subject to impairment testing. The carrying values of these rights are reviewed quarterly for impairment based upon the calculation of fair value. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified into certain risk characteristics including note type and note term. If the valuation model reflects a value less than the carrying value, mortgage servicing rights are adjusted to fair value through a valuation allowance. There was no valuation allowance recorded at March 31, 2018. The inputs used to determine the fair values of mortgage servicing rights are considered level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company may be required to record fair value adjustments on other available-for-sale and municipal securities valued at par on a non-recurring basis.

The tables below provide information regarding the assets recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

The Company did not record any liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

March 31, 2018

Losses from fair value changes

Other real estate owned

Impaired loans