The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received by selling that asset or paid in transferring that liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurement” establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

•Level 2 Inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.

•Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to Busey’s assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value.

In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, when available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect, among other things, counterparty credit quality and the company's creditworthiness as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. While management believes Busey's valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Debt securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. Busey obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The independent pricing service utilizes evaluated pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid, and other market information. Because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, the independent pricing service applies available information, focusing on observable market data such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing, to prepare evaluations.

The independent pricing service uses model processes, such as the Option Adjusted Spread model, to assess interest rate impact and develop prepayment scenarios. Models and processes take into account market conventions. For each asset class, a team of evaluators gathers information from market sources and integrates relevant credit information, perceived market movements, and sector news into the evaluated pricing applications and models.

Market inputs that the independent pricing service normally seeks for evaluations of securities, listed in approximate order of priority, include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. The independent pricing service also monitors market indicators, industry, and economic events. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used or some of the market inputs may not be applicable. Evaluators may prioritize inputs differently on any given day for any security based on market conditions, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the evaluation process for each security evaluation on a given day. Because the data utilized was observable, the securities have been classified as Level 2.

Equity securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 or Level 2 inputs. Fair value measurements of mutual funds, when held, are determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets at the measurement date and are classified as Level 1. For stock, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active are utilized and classified as Level 2.

The majority of our derivative assets and derivative liabilities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 or Level 3 inputs. Derivative balances are included in other assets or other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and consist of interest rate swaps and risk participation agreements where there is no significant deterioration in the counterparties (loan customers) credit risk since origination of the interest rate swap or risk participation agreement, as well as mortgage banking derivatives, including interest rate lock commitments and forward sales commitments.

Fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are determined based on prices that are obtained from a third-party which uses observable market inputs and, with the exception of our risk participation agreements, are classified as Level 2. For purposes of potential valuation adjustments to our derivative positions, Busey evaluates the credit risk of its counterparties as well as its own credit risk. Accordingly, Busey has considered factors such as the likelihood of default, expected loss given default, net exposures, and remaining contractual life, among other things, in determining if any estimated fair value adjustments related to credit risk are required. Busey reviews counterparty exposure quarterly, and when necessary, appropriate adjustments are made to reflect the exposure. No changes in counterparty credit were identified.

The following tables summarize financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2023, and 2022, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value (dollars in thousands):


	As of December 31, 2023
	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Debt securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	—	$	15,946	$	—	$	15,946
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	—		5,832		—		5,832
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		172,845		—		172,845
Asset-backed securities	—		468,223		—		468,223
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		103,509		—		103,509
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		1,111,312		—		1,111,312
Corporate debt securities	—		209,904		—		209,904
Equity securities	448		9,364		—		9,812
Derivative assets	—		29,993		15		30,008
Derivative liabilities	—		54,132		—		54,132


	As of December 31, 2022
	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Debt securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	—	$	114,061	$	—	$	114,061
Obligations of U.S. government corporations and agencies	—		19,779		—		19,779
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		257,512		—		257,512
Asset-backed securities	—		469,875		—		469,875
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		108,394		—		108,394
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		1,243,256		—		1,243,256
Corporate debt securities	—		248,516		—		248,516
Equity securities	—		11,535		—		11,535
Derivative assets	—		42,607		5		42,612
Derivative liabilities	—		72,462		—		72,462

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).

Busey does not record portfolio loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, periodically, a loan is evaluated individually and is reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral, less estimated costs to sell, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral. If the collateral value is not sufficient, a specific reserve is recorded. Collateral values are estimated using a combination of observable inputs, including recent appraisals, and unobservable inputs based on customized discounting criteria. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, fair values of individually evaluated collateral dependent loans have been classified as Level 3.

Bank property held for sale represents certain banking center office buildings which Busey has closed and consolidated with other existing banking centers. Bank property held for sale is measured at the lower of amortized cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell, and is included in premises and equipment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Fair values were based upon discounted appraisals or real estate listing prices. Due to the significance of unobservable inputs, fair values of all bank property held for sale have been classified as Level 3.

The following tables summarize assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the periods presented, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value (dollars in thousands):


	As of December 31, 2023
	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	1,000	$	1,000

Bank property held for sale with impairment	—		—		4,286		4,286


	As of December 31, 2022
	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance	$	—	$	—	$	5,345	$	5,345

Bank property held for sale with impairment	—		—		7,923		7,923

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value (dollars in thousands):

As of December 31, 2023

Fair Value

Valuation
Techniques

Unobservable
Input

Range
(Weighted Average)

Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance

1,000

Appraisal of collateral

Appraisal adjustments

-41.2% to -100.0%

(-47.2)%

Bank property held for sale with impairment

4,286

Appraisal of collateral or real estate listing price

Appraisal adjustments

-6.2% to -64.9%

(-38.4)%

As of December 31, 2022

Fair Value

Valuation
Techniques

Unobservable
Input

Range
(Weighted Average)

Loans evaluated individually, net of related allowance

5,345

Appraisal of collateral

Appraisal adjustments

-22.7% to -100.0%

(-45.7)%

Bank property held for sale with impairment

7,923

Appraisal of collateral or real estate listing price

Appraisal adjustments

-0.7% to -70.1%

(-35.1)%

Estimated fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value, were as follows (dollars in thousands):


	As of December 31, 2023				As of December 31, 2022
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial assets
Level 1 inputs:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	719,581	$	719,581	$	227,164	$	227,164
Level 2 inputs:
Debt securities held to maturity	872,628		730,397		918,312		785,295
Loans held for sale	2,379		2,401		1,253		1,276
Accrued interest receivable	45,288		45,288		43,372		43,372
Level 3 inputs:
Portfolio loans, net	7,559,294		7,276,905		7,634,094		7,320,422
Mortgage servicing rights	3,289		18,079		5,861		18,284
Other servicing rights	1,597		2,062		1,914		2,331

Financial liabilities
Level 2 inputs:
Time deposits	$	1,819,274	$	1,804,905	$	855,375	$	830,596
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase	187,396		187,396		229,806		229,806
Short-term borrowings	12,000		12,034		351,054		351,085
Long-term debt	18,000		18,020		30,000		30,052
Junior subordinated debt owed to unconsolidated trusts	71,993		57,153		71,810		59,111
Accrued interest payable	28,418		28,418		3,978		3,978
Level 3 inputs:

Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs	222,882		200,000		222,038		208,562