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Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities
ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements” establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1    - Unadjusted exchange quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, or identical liabilities traded as assets that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly (i.e., quoted prices on similar assets) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring and Non-Recurring Basis

The following tables present the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as reported on the consolidated statements of financial condition at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The assets presented under “nonrecurring fair value measurements” in the tables below are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments under certain circumstances (e.g., when an impairment loss is recognized). 
 September 30,
2020
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
 Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (in thousands)
Recurring fair value measurements:
Assets
Investment securities:
Equity securities (1)
$26,527 $19,136 $— $— 
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities51,578 51,578 — — 
U.S. government agency securities26,448 — 26,448 — 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
134,193 — 133,410 783 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
1,233,436 — 1,233,436 — 
Corporate and other debt securities80,909 — 80,909 — 
Total available for sale debt securities1,526,564 51,578 1,474,203 783 
Loans held for sale (2)
209,250 — 209,250 — 
Other assets (3)
455,565 — 455,565 — 
Total assets$2,217,906 $70,714 $2,139,018 $783 
Liabilities
Other liabilities (3)
$190,049 $— $190,049 $— 
Total liabilities$190,049 $— $190,049 $— 
Non-recurring fair value measurements:
Collateral dependent loans $35,907 $— $— $35,907 
Loan servicing rights14,000 — — 14,000 
Foreclosed assets 7,747 — — 7,747 
Total$57,654 $— $— $57,654 
  Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
 December 31,
2019
Quoted Prices
in Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (in thousands)
Recurring fair value measurements:
Assets
Investment securities:
Equity securities at fair value $41,410 $41,410 $— $— 
Available for sale:
U.S. Treasury securities50,943 50,943 — — 
U.S. government agency securities29,243 — 29,243 — 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions170,051 — 169,371 680 
Residential mortgage-backed securities1,254,786 — 1,254,786 — 
Trust preferred securities— — — — 
Corporate and other debt securities61,778 — 61,778 — 
Total available for sale1,566,801 50,943 1,515,178 680 
Trading securities— — — — 
Loans held for sale (2)
76,113 — 76,113 — 
Other assets (3)
158,532 — 158,532 — 
Total assets$1,842,856 $92,353 $1,749,823 $680 
Liabilities
Other liabilities (3)
$43,926 $— $43,926 $— 
Total liabilities$43,926 $— $43,926 $— 
Non-recurring fair value measurements:
Collateral dependent impaired loans $39,075 $— $— $39,075 
Loan servicing rights1,591 — — 1,591 
Foreclosed assets 10,807 — — 10,807 
Total$51,473 $— $— $51,473 
(1)Includes equity securities measured at net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient totaling $7.4 million at September 30, 2020. These securities have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.
(2)Represents residential mortgage loans originated for sale that are carried at fair value and had contractual unpaid principal balances totaling approximately $199.4 million and $74.5 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
(3)Derivative financial instruments are included in this category.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following valuation techniques were used for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis. All the valuation techniques described below apply to the unpaid principal balance, excluding any accrued interest or dividends at the measurement date. Interest income and expense are recorded within the consolidated statements of income depending on the nature of the instrument using the effective interest method based on acquired discount or premium.

Equity securities. The fair value of equity securities largely consists of a publicly traded mutual fund, a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) investment fund that is carried at quoted prices in active markets and privately held CRA funds measured at NAV. 
Available for sale securities. U.S. Treasury securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. The majority of other investment securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The prices for these instruments are obtained through an independent pricing service or dealer market participants with whom Valley has historically transacted both purchases and sales of investment securities. Prices obtained from these sources include prices derived from market quotations and matrix pricing. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. Management reviews the data and assumptions used in pricing the securities by its third-party provider to ensure the highest level of significant inputs are derived from market observable data. In addition, Valley reviews the volume and level of activity for all available for securities and attempts to identify transactions which may not be orderly or reflective of a significant level of activity and volume.

In calculating the fair value of one impaired special revenue bond (within obligations of states and political subdivisions in the table above) under Level 3, Valley prepared its best estimate of the present value of the cash flows to determine an internal price estimate. In determining the internal price, Valley utilized recent financial information and developments provided by the issuer, as well as other unobservable inputs which reflect Valley’s own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing of the defaulted security. A quoted price received from an independent pricing service was weighted with the internal price estimate to determine the fair value of the instrument at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Loans held for sale. Residential mortgage loans originated for sale are reported at fair value using Level 2 inputs. The fair values were calculated utilizing quoted prices for similar assets in active markets. The market prices represent a delivery price, which reflects the underlying price each institution would pay Valley for an immediate sale of an aggregate pool of mortgages. Non-performance risk did not materially impact the fair value of mortgage loans held for sale at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 based on the short duration these assets were held, and the high credit quality of these loans.

Derivatives. Derivatives are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The fair values of Valley’s derivatives are determined using third-party prices that are based on discounted cash flow analysis using observed market inputs, such as the LIBOR and Overnight Index Swap rate curves. The fair value of mortgage banking derivatives, consisting of interest rate lock commitments to fund residential mortgage loans and forward commitments for the future delivery of such loans (including certain loans held for sale at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019), is determined based on the current market prices for similar instruments. The fair values of most of the derivatives incorporate credit valuation adjustments, which consider the impact of any credit enhancements to the contracts, to account for potential nonperformance risk of Valley and its counterparties. The credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall valuation of Valley’s derivatives at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

The following valuation techniques were used for certain non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, including collateral dependent loans reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral, loan servicing rights and foreclosed assets, which are reported at fair value upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment as described below.

Collateral Dependent Loans. Collateral dependent loans are loans when foreclosure of the collateral is probable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and substantially all of the repayment is expected from the collateral. Collateral dependent loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral. Collateral values are estimated using Level 3 inputs, consisting of individual third-party appraisals that may be adjusted based on certain discounting criteria. Certain real estate appraisals may be discounted based on specific market data by location and property type. At September 30, 2020, collateral dependent loans were individually re-measured and reported at fair value through direct loan charge-offs to the allowance for credit loan losses and/or a specific
valuation allowance allocation based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. At September 30, 2020, collateral dependent loans, primarily consisting of taxi medallion loans, with a total amortized cost of $99.3 million were reduced by specific valuation allowance allocations totaling $63.4 million to a reported total net carrying amount of $35.9 million.

Loan servicing rights. Fair values for each risk-stratified group of loan servicing rights are calculated using a fair value model from a third-party vendor that requires inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (Level 3). The fair value model is based on various assumptions, including but not limited to, prepayment speeds, internal rate of return (discount rate), servicing cost, ancillary income, float rate, tax rate, and inflation. The prepayment speed and the discount rate are considered two of the most significant inputs in the model. At September 30, 2020, the fair value model used a blended prepayment speed (stated as constant prepayment rates) of 18.4 percent and a discount rate of 9.6 percent for the valuation of the loan servicing rights. A significant degree of judgment is involved in valuing the loan servicing rights using Level 3 inputs. The use of different assumptions could have a significant positive or negative effect on the fair value estimate. Impairment charges are recognized on loan servicing rights when the amortized cost of a risk-stratified group of loan servicing rights exceeds the estimated fair value. At September 30, 2020, certain loan servicing rights were re-measured at fair value totaling $14.0 million. See Note 9 for additional information.

Foreclosed assets. Certain foreclosed assets (consisting of other real estate owned and other repossessed assets included in other assets), upon initial recognition and transfer from loans, are re-measured and reported at fair value using Level 3 inputs, consisting of a third-party appraisal adjusted to the lower of cost or estimated fair value, less estimated cost to sell. When an asset is acquired, the excess of the loan balance over fair value, less estimated selling costs, is charged to the allowance for loan losses. If further declines in the estimated fair value of the asset occur, an asset is re-measured and reported at fair value through a write-down recorded in non-interest expense. There were no discount adjustments of the appraisals of foreclosed assets at September 30, 2020.

Other Fair Value Disclosures

ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or non-recurring basis.

The fair value estimates presented in the following table were based on pertinent market data and relevant information on the financial instruments available as of the valuation date. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the entire portfolio of financial instruments. Because no market exists for a portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates may be based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. For instance, Valley has certain fee-generating business lines (e.g., its mortgage servicing operation, trust and investment management departments) that were not considered in these estimates since these activities are not financial instruments. In addition, the tax implications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of the estimates.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments not measured and not reported at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were as follows: 
 Fair Value
Hierarchy
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
 Carrying
Amount
Fair ValueCarrying
Amount
Fair Value
 (in thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and due from banksLevel 1$276,120 $276,120 $256,264 $256,264 
Interest bearing deposits with banksLevel 1654,591 654,591 178,423 178,423 
Equity securities (1)
Level 32,499 2,499 — — 
Investment securities held to maturity:
U.S. Treasury securitiesLevel 1138,224 146,429 138,352 144,113 
U.S. government agency securities
Level 26,302 6,634 7,345 7,362 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
Level 2464,051 479,824 500,705 513,607 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Level 21,491,808 1,528,703 1,620,119 1,629,572 
Trust preferred securitiesLevel 237,341 30,000 37,324 31,382 
Corporate and other debt securitiesLevel 232,750 33,381 32,250 32,684 
Total investment securities held to maturity (2)
2,170,476 2,224,971 2,336,095 2,358,720 
Net loansLevel 332,090,554 31,883,095 29,537,449 28,964,396 
Accrued interest receivableLevel 1136,058 136,058 105,637 105,637 
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock (3)
Level 2287,628 287,628 214,421 214,421 
Financial liabilities
Deposits without stated maturitiesLevel 123,650,401 23,650,401 19,467,892 19,467,892 
Deposits with stated maturitiesLevel 27,537,581 7,466,794 9,717,945 9,747,867 
Short-term borrowingsLevel 21,430,726 1,544,596 1,093,280 1,081,879 
Long-term borrowingsLevel 22,852,569 3,115,757 2,122,426 2,181,401 
Junior subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts
Level 255,978 44,771 55,718 53,889 
Accrued interest payable (4)
Level 121,756 21,756 33,066 33,066 
(1)Represents equity securities without a readily determinable fair value measured at cost less impairment, if any.
(2)The carrying amount is presented gross without the allowance for credit losses.
(3)Included in other assets.
(4)Included in accrued expenses and other liabilities.