FAIR VALUE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

FAIR VALUE [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE

9. FAIR VALUE

The Company records investments available for sale, loans held-for-sale, certain impaired loans, OREO and mortgage servicing rights at fair value. Fair value measurement is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability in an exchange. The definition of fair value includes the exchange price which is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell an asset or transfer a liability in the principal market for the asset or liability. Market participant assumptions include assumptions about risk, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique, as well as the effect of credit risk on the fair value of liabilities. The Company uses three levels of the fair value inputs to measure assets, as described below.

Basis of Fair Value Measurement:

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical investments.

Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include: (i) quoted prices for similar investments in active markets, (ii) quoted prices for identical investments traded in non-active markets (i.e., dealer or broker markets) and (iii) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable or inputs derived from or corroborated by market data for substantially the full term of the investment.

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable, supported by little or no market activity, and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include most U.S. Treasury securities. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments.

The types of instruments valued based on quoted prices in markets that are not active, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency include U.S. Government agency securities, state and municipal obligations, MBS, CMOs and corporate bonds. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The types of instruments valued based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability are generally classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," presents requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term "fair value." ASC 820 provides additional guidance in determining fair values when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased, particularly when there is no active market or where the price inputs being used represent distressed sales. It also provides guidelines for making fair value measurements more consistent with principles, reaffirming the need to use judgment to ascertain if a formerly active market has become inactive and in determining fair values when markets become inactive.

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments (in thousands).

	Level in	March 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
	Fair Value	Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
	Heirarchy	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
Cash and due from banks	Level 1	$	302,529	$	302,529	$	384,656	$	384,656
Cash equivalents	Level 2		1,150		1,150		1,150		1,150
Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank and other stock	N/A		3,043		N/A		3,043		N/A
Investment securities held to maturity	Level 2		7,871		8,662		8,035		8,861
Investment securities available for sale	Level 2		413,277		413,277		402,353		402,353
Loans held-for-sale	Level 3		2,494		2,494		907		907
Loans, net of allowance	Level 2, 3 (1)		806,565		826,342		762,999		787,597
Accrued interest and loan fees receivable	Level 2		5,746		5,746		4,883		4,883
Non-maturity deposits	Level 2		1,153,942		1,153,942		1,187,383		1,187,383
Time deposits	Level 2		249,816		251,423		243,731		245,595
Accrued interest payable	Level 2		235		235		237		237

(1) Impaired loans are generally classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and may be based on judgments regarding losses expected in the future, risk, and other factors that are subjective in nature. The methods and assumptions used to produce the fair value estimates follow.

Short-term financial instruments are valued at the carrying amounts included in the condensed consolidated statements of condition, which are reasonable estimates of fair value due to the relatively short term nature of the instruments. This approach applies to cash and cash equivalents, accrued interest and loan fees receivable, non-interest-bearing demand deposits, N.O.W., money market and saving deposits and accrued interest payable. Certificates of deposit are valued using a replacement cost of funds approach.

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar characteristics. The fair value of performing loans was calculated by discounting projected cash flows through their estimated maturity using market discount rates that reflect the general credit and interest rate characteristics of the loan category. The maturity horizon is based on the Bank's history of repayments for each type of loan and an estimate of the effect of current economic conditions. Fair value for significant non-performing loans is based on recent external appraisals of collateral, if any. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using a rate commensurate with the associated risk. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are made using availablemarket information and specific borrower information.

OREO properties are initially recorded at fair value, less estimated costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Adjustments to OREO are measured at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals or realtor evaluations of the property. These appraisals and evaluations may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized through a valuation allowance, and the property is reported as non-recurring Level 3.

Loans identified as impaired are measured using one of three methods: the loan's observable market price, the fair value of collateral or the present value of expected future cash flows. Those measured using the loan's observable market price or the fair value of collateral are recorded at fair value. For each period presented, no impaired loans were measured using the loan's observable market price. If an impaired loan has had a charge-off or if the fair value of the collateral is less than the recorded investment in the loan, the Company establishes a specific reserve and reports the loan as non-recurring Level 3. The fair value of collateral of impaired loans is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon binding contracts from third party investors.

The fair value of commitments to extend credit was estimated by either discounting cash flows or using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the current creditworthiness of the counter-parties. The estimated fair value of written financial guarantees and letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements. The fees charged for the commitments were not material in amount.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Significant Other		Significant
			Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
Assets:	March 31, 2013		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
U.S. Government Agency securities		75,388		75,388		-
Corporate bonds		18,854		18,854		-
Collateralized mortgage obligations		66,104		66,104		-
Mortgage-backed securities		86,379		86,379		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		166,552		166,552		-
Loans held-for-sale		2,494		-		2,494
Mortgage servicing rights		2,039		-		2,039
Total	$	417,810	$	413,277	$	4,533

			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Significant Other		Significant
			Observable Inputs		Unobservable Inputs
Assets:	December 31, 2012		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
U.S. Treasury Securities	$	500	$	500	$	-
U.S. Government Agency securities		65,078		65,078		-
Corporate bonds		16,198		16,198		-
Collateralized mortgage obligations		89,692		89,692		-
Mortgage-backed securities		62,450		62,450		-
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		168,435		168,435		-
Loans held-for-sale		907		-		907
Mortgage servicing rights		1,856		-		1,856
Total	$	405,116	$	402,353	$	2,763

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are as follows (in thousands):

			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Significant
			Unobservable
			Inputs
Assets:	March 31, 2013		(Level 3)
Impaired loans	$	9,805	$	9,805
OREO		372		372
Total	$	10,177	$	10,177

			Fair Value Measurements Using
			Significant
			Unobservable
			Inputs
Assets:	December 31, 2012		(Level 3)
Impaired loans	$	9,390	$	9,390
OREO		1,572		1,572
Total	$	10,962	$	10,962