Fair value disclosure

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair value disclosure [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures Text Block

NOTE 17: FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

“Fair value” is defined by FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, 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 (an exit-price approach). FASB ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company's assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

Level 1—inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3—inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The Company's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon the fair value hierarchy within FASB ASC 820.

Securities – Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities would include highly liquid government securities such as U.S. Treasuries and exchange-traded equity securities.

When instruments are traded in secondary markets and quoted market prices are not available, the Company generally relies on prices obtained from independent vendors. Vendors compile prices from various sources and often apply matrix pricing for similar securities. The Company has evaluated the pricing methodologies used by the vendors and maintains internal processes that periodically test the valuations provided. Securities measured with these valuation techniques are generally classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and often involve using quoted market prices for similar securities, pricing models or discounted cash flow analyses using inputs observable in the market where available. Examples include U.S. government agency securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, and securities of U.S. states and political subdivisions.

Security fair value measurements using significant inputs that are unobservable in the market due to limited activity or a less liquid market are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Such measurements include securities valued using models or a combination of valuation techniques such as weighting of models and vendor or broker pricing, where the unobservable inputs are significant to the overall fair value measurement. Securities classified as Level 3 include pooled and individual issuer trust preferred securities.

Loans held for sale – Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value and are subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments. Estimated fair value is determined on the basis of the current market value of similar loans. All of the Company's loans held for sale are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Loans, net — Loans considered impaired under FASB ASC 310-10-35, Receivables, are loans for which, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustments to reflect (1) partial write-downs that are based on the observable market price or current appraised value of the collateral, or (2) the full charge-off of the loan carrying value. All of the Company's impaired loans are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other real estate — Other real estate, consisting of properties obtained through foreclosure or in satisfaction of loans, are initially recorded at the lower of the loan's carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell upon transfer of the loans to other real estate. Subsequently, other real estate is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is generally determined on the basis of current appraisals, comparable sales, and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources, adjusted for estimated selling costs. All of the Company's other real estate is classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other assets – The Company has certain financial assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including interest rate swap agreements. The carrying amount of interest rate swap agreements is based on information obtained from a third party bank. This information is periodically tested by the Company and validated against other third party valuations. If needed, other market participants may be utilized to determine the appropriate fair value. The Company classified these derivative assets within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. These swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. The Company had no derivative contracts to assist in managing interest rate sensitivity at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

Mortgage servicing rights, net, included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value and are subjected to nonrecurring fair value adjustments. MSRs do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices. To determine the fair value of MSRs, the Company engages an independent third party. The independent third party's valuation model calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income using assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of prepayment speeds, discount rate, default rates, cost to service, escrow account earnings, contractual servicing fee income, ancillary income, and late fees. Because the valuation of MSRs requires the use of significant unobservable inputs, all of the Company's MSRs are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other liabilities – The Company has certain financial liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis, including interest rate swap agreements. The carrying amount of interest rate swap agreements is based on information obtained from a third party bank. This information is periodically tested by the Company and validated against other third party valuations. If needed, other market participants may be utilized to determine the appropriate fair value. The Company classified these derivative liabilities within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. These swaps qualify as derivatives, but are not designated as hedging instruments. The Company had no derivative contracts to assist in managing interest rate sensitivity at December 31, 2011 or 2010.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following table presents the balances of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, by caption, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets by FASB ASC 820 valuation hierarchy (as described above).

					Quoted Prices in	Significant
					Active Markets	Other	Significant
					for	Observable	Unobservable
					Identical Assets	Inputs	Inputs
(Dollars in thousands)				Amount	(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
December 31, 2011:
Securities available-for-sale:
	Agency obligations		$	51,085	—	51,085	—
	Agency RMBS			164,798	—	164,798	—
	State and political subdivisions			81,713	—	81,713	—
	Trust preferred securities:
		Pooled		100	—	—	100
		Individual issuer		1,886	—	—	1,886
Total securities available-for-sale				299,582	—	297,596	1,986
Other assets (1)				1,325	—	1,325	—
		Total assets at fair value	$	300,907	—	298,921	1,986
Other liabilities(1)				1,325	—	1,325	—
		Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,325	—	1,325	—
December 31, 2010:
Securities available-for-sale:
	Agency obligations		$	90,471	—	90,471	—
	Agency RMBS			143,144	—	143,144	—
	State and political subdivisions			76,766	—	76,766	—
	Trust preferred securities:
		Pooled		20	—	—	20
		Individual issuer		2,129	—	—	2,129
	Corporate debt			2,690	2,690	—	—
Total securities available-for-sale				315,220	2,690	310,381	2,149
Other assets (1)				1,101	—	1,101	—
		Total assets at fair value	$	316,321	2,690	311,482	2,149
Other liabilities(1)				1,101	—	1,101	—
		Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,101	—	1,101	—
(1)Represents the fair value of interest rate swap agreements.

Level changes in fair value measurements

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally coincides with the Corporation's monthly and/or quarterly valuation process. The Company monitors the valuation techniques utilized for each category of financial assets and liabilities to ascertain when transfers between levels have been affected. The nature of the Company's financial assets and liabilities generally is such that transfers in and out of any level are expected to be rare. For theyear ended December 31, 2011, there were no transfers between levels.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company determined that its corporate debt securities should be transferred from Level 2 and classified as Level 1. The Company disposed of these corporate debt securities during the first two weeks of January 2011. Due to the proximity between December 31, 2010 and the respective trade dates for these corporate debt securities sold, the Company determined that the trade price for each security approximated its fair value at December 31, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2010 there were no other transfers between levels.

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of recurring fair value measurements for trust preferred securities and corporate debt securities, as applicable,recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets using Level 3 inputs:

				Year ended December 31
(Dollars in thousands)				2011		2010		2009
Beginning balance			$	2,149	$	1,463	$	8,705
	Total realized and unrealized gains and (losses):
		Included in net earnings		(338)		(1,218)		(5,234)
		Included in other comprehensive income		175		1,904		605
	Purchases			—		—		—
	Issuances			—		—		—
	Settlements			—		—		—
	Transfers in and/or (out) of Level 3			—		—		(2,613)
Ending balance			$	1,986	$	2,149	$	1,463

The transfer from Level 3 to Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2009 primarily related to corporate debt securities. Due to an increase in trading activity and observable inputs for the Company's corporate debt securities during the year ended December 31, 2009, the fair value measurements for these securities were recognized using Level 2 inputs.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

The following table presents the balances of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, by caption, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and by FASB ASC 820 valuation hierarchy (as described above):

				Quoted Prices in
				Active Markets	Other	Significant
				for	Observable	Unobservable
				Identical Assets	Inputs	Inputs
(Dollars in thousands)			Amount	(Level 1)	(Level 2)	(Level 3)
December 31, 2011:
Loans held for sale		$	3,346	—	3,346	—
Loans, net(1)			9,765	—	—	9,765
Other real estate owned			7,898	—	—	7,898
Other assets (2)			1,245	—	—	1,245
	Total assets at fair value	$	22,254	—	3,346	18,908
December 31, 2010:
Loans held for sale		$	4,281	—	4,281	—
Loans, net(1)			10,362	—	—	10,362
Other real estate owned			8,125	—	—	8,125
Other assets (2)			1,189	—	—	1,189
	Total assets at fair value	$	23,957	—	4,281	19,676
(1)Loans considered impaired under FASB ASC 310-10-35 Receivables. This amount reflects the recorded investment in
	impaired loans, net of any related allowance for loan losses.
(2)Represents the carrying value of MSRs, net.