Note (11)—Fair value of financial instruments:

ASC 820-10 establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities according to a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The hierarchy maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that are derived from assumptions based on management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances.

The hierarchy is broken down into the following three levels, based on the reliability of inputs:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other 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.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs for assets or liabilities that are derived from assumptions based on management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

The Company records the fair values of financial assets and liabilities on a recurring and non-recurring basis using the following methods and assumptions:

Available-for-sale securities—Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values for securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are based on quoted market prices of similar instruments or are determined by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the pricing relationship or correlation among other benchmark quoted securities. Available-for-sale securities valued using quoted market prices of similar instruments or that are valued using matrix pricing are classified as Level 2. When significant inputs to the valuation are unobservable, the available-for-sale securities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Where no active market exists for a security or other benchmark securities, fair value is estimated by the Company with reference to discount margins for other high risk securities.

Loans held for sale—Loans held for sale are carried at fair value. Fair value is used is determined using current secondary market prices for loans with similar characteristics, that is, using Level 2 inputs.

Derivatives—The fair value of the interest rate swaps are based upon fair values provided from entities that engage in interest rate swap activity and is based upon projected future cash flows and interest rates. Fair value of commitments is based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, and for fixed-rate commitments, the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates is also considered. These financial instruments are classified as Level 2.

Other real estate owned—Other real estate owned (“REO”) is comprised of commercial and residential real estate obtained in partial or total satisfaction of loan obligations and excess land and facilities held for sale. REO acquired in settlement of indebtedness is recorded at the lower of the carrying amount of the loan or the fair value of the real estate less costs to sell. Fair value is determined on a nonrecurring basis based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers and is adjusted for management’s estimates of costs to sell and holding period discounts. The valuations are classified as Level 3.

Mortgage servicing rights—Servicing rights are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined using an income approach with various assumptions including expected cash flows, market discount rates, prepayment speeds, servicing costs, and other factors. Mortgage servicing rights are disclosed as Level 3.

Impaired loans—Loans considered impaired under FASB ASC 310, Receivables, are loans for which, based on current information and events, it is probable that the creditor will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Fair value adjustments for impaired loans are recorded on a non-recurring basis as either partial write downs based on observable market prices or current appraisal of the collateral. Impaired loans are classified as Level 3.

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and due from banks with other financial institutions and federal funds sold. The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates the fair value based upon the short-term nature of these assets. Also included are interest-bearing deposits in financial institutions. Interest bearing deposits in financial institutions consist of interest bearing accounts at the Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank. The carrying value reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates the fair value based upon the short-term nature of the assets.

Federal Home Loan Bank stock—The carrying value of Federal Home Loan Bank stock reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates the fair value as the stock is redeemable at the carrying value.

Loans—For variable rate loans that re-price frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based upon carrying values. Fixed rate loan fair values are estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis based upon interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.

Deposits—The fair value disclosed for demand deposits (both interest bearing and noninterest bearing) and savings deposits are equal to the amount payable on demand as of the reporting date. The fair value of the time deposits is estimated using a discounted cash flow method based upon current rates for similar types of accounts.

Short term borrowings—The fair value of the lines of credit which represent federal funds purchased approximate the carrying value of the amounts reported on the balance sheet due to the short-term nature of these liabilities.

Securities sold under agreement to repurchase—The fair value of the securities sold under agreement to repurchase approximate the carrying value of the amounts reported on the balance sheet due to the short-term nature of these liabilities.

Long-term debt—The fair value of long-term debt is determined using discounted cash flows using current rates.

Accrued interest payable and receivable – The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

			Fair Value
September 30, 2017	Carrying amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	97,165	$	97,165	$	—	$	—	$	97,165
Available-for-sale securities		543,282		—		539,678		3,604		543,282
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock		11,152		—		—		11,152		11,152
Loans, net		3,091,080		—		2,999,008		78,920		3,077,928
Loans held for sale		466,369		—		466,369		—		466,369
Interest receivable		11,218		—		11,218		—		11,218
Mortgage servicing rights		63,046		—		—		63,046		63,046
Derivatives		10,316		—		10,316		—		10,316
Financial liabilities:
Deposits:
Without stated maturities	$	3,051,322	$	3,051,322	$	—	$	—	$	3,051,322
With stated maturities		667,216		—		662,988		—		662,988
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		14,556		14,556		—		—		14,556
Short term borrowings		52,766		52,766		—		—		52,766
Interest payable		1,262		367		895		—		1,262
Long-term debt		143,533		—		148,136		—		148,136
Derivatives		2,434		—		2,434		—		2,434

			Fair Value
December 31, 2016	Carrying amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	136,327	$	136,327	$	—	$	—	$	136,327
Available-for-sale securities		582,183		—		577,634		4,549		582,183
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock		7,743		—		—		7,743		7,743
Loans, net		1,827,037		—		1,822,054		1,281		1,823,335
Loans held for sale		507,442		—		507,442		—		507,442
Interest receivable		7,241		—		7,241		—		7,241
Mortgage servicing rights, net		32,070		—		—		33,081		33,081
Derivatives		19,745		—		19,745		—		19,745
Financial liabilities:
Deposits:
Without stated maturities	$	2,280,531	$	2,280,531	$	—	$	—	$	2,280,531
With stated maturities		391,031		—		390,484		—		390,484
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		21,561		21,561		—		—		21,561
Short term borrowings		150,000		150,000		—		—		150,000
Interest payable		620		237		383		—		620
Long-term debt		44,892		—		47,377		—		47,377
Derivatives		586		—		586		—		586

The balances and levels of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2017 are presented in the following tables:

At September 30, 2017	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (liabilities) (level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (level 3)		Total
Recurring valuations:
Financial assets:
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government agency securities	$	—	$	992	$	—	$	992
Mortgage-backed securities		—		418,794		—		418,794
Municipals, tax-exempt		—		106,950		—		106,950
Treasury securities		—		8,819		—		8,819
Equity securities		—		4,123		3,604		7,727
Total	$	—	$	539,678	$	3,604	$	543,282
Loans held for sale		—		466,369		—		466,369
Mortgage servicing rights		—		—		63,046		63,046
Derivatives		—		10,316		—		10,316
Financial Liabilities:
Derivatives	$	—	$	2,434	$	—	$	2,434

The balances and levels of the assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2017 are presented in the following tables:

At September 30, 2017	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (liabilities) (level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (level 3)		Total
Non-recurring valuations:
Financial assets:
Other real estate owned	$	—	$	—	$	8,704	$	8,704
Impaired loans:
Commercial and industrial		—		—		2,659		2,659
Construction						4,295
Residential real estate:
1-4 family mortgage		—		—		22,948		22,948
Commercial real estate:		—		—				—
Owner occupied						8,306
Non-owner occupied		—		—		13,912		13,912
Consumer and other		—		—		26,800		26,800
Total	$	—	$	—	$	78,920	$	78,920

The balances and levels of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2016 are presented in the following tables:

At December 31, 2016	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (liabilities) (level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (level 3)		Total
Recurring valuations:
Financial assets:
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. government agency securities	$	—	$	985	$	—	$	985
Mortgage-backed securities		—		443,908		—		443,908
Municipals, tax-exempt		—		116,923		—		116,923
Treasury securities		—		11,757		—		11,757
Equity securities		—		4,061		4,549		8,610
Total	$	—	$	577,634	$	4,549	$	582,183
Loans held for sale		—		507,442		—		507,442
Derivatives		—		19,745		—		19,745
Financial Liabilities:
Derivatives	$	—	$	586	$	—	$	586

The balances and levels of the assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2016 are presented in the following tables:

At December 31, 2016	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (liabilities) (level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (level 3)		Total
Non-recurring valuations:
Financial assets:
Other real estate owned	$	—	$	—	$	2,315	$	2,315
Mortgage servicing rights		—		—		32,070		32,070
Impaired Loans:
Commercial and industrial		—		—		542		542
Residential real estate:
1-4 family mortgage		—		—		103		103
Commercial real estate:
Owner occupied		—		—		635		635
Consumer and other		—		—		1		1
Total	$	—	$	—	$	1,281	$	1,281

There were no transfers between Level 1, 2 or 3 during the periods presented.

The following table summarizes changes in fair value on available-for-sale securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

	Available-for-sale securities
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,549		$	4,856		$	4,549		$	4,856
Realized gains included in net income		—			—			—			—
Unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income		—			—			—			—
Impairment of equity securities		(945	)		—			(945	)		—
Purchases		—			—			—			—
Capital distribution		—			(307	)		—			(307	)
Balance at end of period	$	3,604		$	4,549		$	3,604		$	4,549

The fair value of certain of the Company’s equity are determined from information derived from external parties that calculate discounted cash flows using swap and LIBOR curves plus spreads that adjust for loss severities, volatility, credit risk and optionality. When available, broker quotes are used to validate the model. Industry research reports as well as assumptions about specific-issuer defaults and deferrals are reviewed and incorporated into the calculations. There is no established market for the Company’s equity securities, and as such, the Company has estimated that historical costs approximates market value.

The following table presents information as of September 30, 2017 about significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in the valuation of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

Financial instrument

Fair Value

Valuation technique

Significant Unobservable inputs

Range of

inputs

Impaired loans

78,920

Valuation of collateral

Discount for comparable sales

0%-30%

Other real estate owned

8,704

Appraised value of property less costs to sell

Discount for costs to sell

0%-15%

The following table presents information as of December 31, 2016 about significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in the valuation of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

Financial instrument	Fair Value		Valuation technique	Significant Unobservable inputs	Range of inputs
Impaired loans	$	1,281	Valuation of collateral	Discount for comparable sales	0%-30%
Other real estate owned	$	2,315	Appraised value of property less costs to sell	Discount for costs to sell	0%-10%
Mortgage servicing rights, net	$	33,081	Discounted cash flows	See Note 7	See Note 7

Appraisals for both collateral-dependent impaired loans and other real estate owned are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Company. Once received, a member of the lending administrative department reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry wide statistics.

Fair value option

The Company elected to measure all loans originated for sale at fair value under the fair value option as permitted under ASC 825. Electing to measure these assets at fair value reduces certain timing differences and better matches the changes in fair value of the loans with changes in the fair value of derivative instruments used to economically hedge them.

Net (losses) gains of $(272) and $5,843 and $9,198 and $12,638 resulting from fair value changes of the mortgage loans were recorded in income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The amount does not reflect changes in fair values of related derivative instruments used to hedge exposure to market-related risks associated with these mortgage loans. The change in fair value of both loans held for sale and the related derivative instruments are recorded in Mortgage Banking Income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Election of the fair value option allows the Company to reduce the accounting volatility that would otherwise result from the asymmetry created by accounting for the financial instruments at the lower of cost or fair value and the derivatives at fair value. The fair value option election does not apply to the GNMA optional repurchase loans which do not meet the requirements under FASB ASC Topic 825 to be accounted for under the fair value option. GNMA optional repurchase loans totaled $13,575 at September 30, 2017 and are included in loans held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amounts related to previous periods were not significant.

The Company’s valuation of loans held for sale incorporates an assumption for credit risk; however, given the short-term period that the Company holds these loans, valuation adjustments attributable to instrument-specific credit risk is nominal. Interest income on loans held for sale measured at fair value is accrued as it is earned based on contractual rates and is reflected in loan interest income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table summarizes the differences between the fair value and the principal balance for loans held for sale measured at fair value as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:

September 30, 2017	Aggregate fair value		Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance		Difference
Mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value	$	452,794	$	424,081	$	28,713
Past due loans of 90 days or more		—		—		—
Nonaccrual loans		—		—		—

December 31, 2016
Mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value	$	507,442	$	501,503	$	5,939
Past due loans of 90 days or more		—		—		—
Nonaccrual loans		—		—		—