Note 7: Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value 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. The Company also utilizes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date

Level 2 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 for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Available-for-sale Securities

Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. The Company's equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or independent asset pricing services and pricing models, the inputs of which are market-based or independently sourced market parameters, including, but not limited to, yield curves, interest rates, volatilities, prepayments, defaults, cumulative loss projections and cash flows. Such securities are classified in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:


			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices
			in Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
			Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2021
U.S. government agencies	$	4,022	$	—	$	4,022	$	—
Subordinated Notes	$	4,523		—	$	4,523		—
State and municipal obligations	$	137,768		—	$	137,768		—


December 31, 2020
U.S. government agencies	$	10,053	$	—	$	10,053	$	—
Subordinated Notes	$	4,505		—	$	4,505		—
State and municipal obligations	$	143,509	$	—	$	143,509	$	—

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy. For assets classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the process used to develop the reported fair value is described below.

Impaired Loans (Collateral Dependent)

Collateral dependent impaired loans consisted primarily of loans secured by nonresidential real estate. Management has determined fair value measurements on impaired loans primarily through evaluations of appraisals performed. Due to the nature of the valuation inputs, impaired loans are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

The Company considers the appraisal or evaluation as the starting point for determining fair value and then considers other factors and events in the environment that may affect the fair value. Appraisals of the collateral underlying collateral-dependent loans are obtained when the loan is determined to be collateral-dependent and subsequently as deemed necessary by the Company’s Chief Lender. Appraisals are reviewed for accuracy and consistency by the Company’s Chief Lender. Appraisers are selected from the list of approved appraisers maintained by management. The appraised values are reduced by discounts to consider lack of marketability and estimated cost to sell if repayment or satisfaction of the loan is dependent on the sale of the collateral. These discounts and estimates are developed by the Company’s Chief Lender by comparison to historical results.

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value (based on current appraised value) at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Management has determined fair value measurements on other real estate owned primarily through evaluations of appraisals performed, and current and past offers for the other real estate under evaluation. Due to the nature of the valuation inputs, foreclosed assets held for sale are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Appraisals of OREO are obtained when the real estate is acquired and subsequently as deemed necessary by the Company’s Chief lender. Appraisals are reviewed for accuracy and consistency by the Company’s Chief Lender and are selected from the list of approved appraisers maintained by management.

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.


			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices
			in Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Fair		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2021
Collateral dependent impaired loans	$	2,489	$	—	$	—	$	2,489
Foreclosed assets held for sale		—		—		—		—

December 31, 2020
Collateral dependent impaired loans	$	71	$	—	$	—	$	71
Foreclosed assets held for sale		—		—		—		—

Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs

The following table presents quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements.


	Fair Value at		Valuation
	3/31/21		Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Range
	(In thousands)
Collateral-dependent impaired loans	$	2,489	Market comparable properties	Comparability adjustments	5% – 10%


	Fair Value at		Valuation
	12/31/20		Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Range
	(In thousands)
Collateral-dependent impaired loans	$	71	Market comparable properties	Comparability adjustments	5% – 10%

There were no significant changes in the valuation techniques used during 2020.

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments. The fair values of certain of these instruments were calculated by discounting expected cash flows, which involves significant judgments by management and uncertainties. Because no market exists for certain of these financial instruments and because management does not intend to sell these financial instruments, the Company does not know whether the fair values shown below represent values at which the respective financial instruments could be sold individually or in the aggregate.


			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Quoted Prices
			in Active		Significant
			Markets for		Other		Significant
			Identical		Observable		Unobservable
	Carrying		Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	Amount		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	(In thousands)
March 31, 2021:

Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	97,051	$	97,051	$	—	$	—
Loans, net of allowance		445,227		—		—		443,931
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		4,097		—		4,097		—
Accrued interest receivable		2,581		—		2,581		—

Financial liabilities
Deposits		608,022		—		608,434		—
Short term borrowings		27,180		—		27,180		—
Subordinated debentures		23,619		—		21,246		—
Interest payable		549		—		549		—

Fair Value Measurements Using

Quoted Prices

in Active

Significant

Markets for

Other

Significant

Identical

Observable

Unobservable

Carrying

Assets

Inputs

Amount

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

(In thousands)

December 31, 2020:

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

51,592

––

Loans, net of allowance

438,378

––

436,893

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

4,177

––

4,177

––

Accrued interest receivable

2,901

––

2,901

––

Financial liabilities

Deposits

579,535

––

580,130

––

Short term borrowings

12,705

––

12,705

––

Subordinated debentures

23,604

––

21,989

––

Interest payable

224

––

224

––

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accrued Interest Receivable and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The carrying amounts approximate fair value.

Loans

Fair values of loans and leases are estimated on an exit price basis incorporating discounts for credit, liquidity and marketability factors.

Deposits

Deposits include demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts and certain money market deposits. The carrying amount approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-maturity time deposits is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Interest Payable

The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Short-term Borrowings, Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Subordinated Debentures

Rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of existing debt.

Commitments to Originate Loans, Letters of Credit and Lines of Credit

The fair value of commitments to originate loans is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair values of letters of credit and lines of credit are based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. Fair values of commitments were not material at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.