FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Citizens measures or monitors many of its assets and liabilities on a fair value basis. Fair value is used on a recurring basis for assets and liabilities for which fair value is the required or elected measurement basis of accounting. Additionally, fair value is used on a nonrecurring basis to evaluate assets for impairment or for disclosure purposes. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. Citizens also applies the fair value measurement guidance to determine amounts reported for certain disclosures in this Note for assets and liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value in the financial statements.

Fair Value Option

Citizens elected to account for residential mortgage loans held for sale and certain commercial and commercial real estate loans held for sale at fair value. Applying fair value accounting to the residential mortgage loans held for sale better aligns the reported results of the economic changes in the value of these loans and their related economic hedge instruments. Certain commercial and commercial real estate held for sale loans are managed by a commercial secondary loan desk that provides liquidity to banks, finance companies and institutional investors. Applying fair value accounting to this portfolio is appropriate because the Company holds these loans with the intent to sell within the near-term periods.

Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of residential mortgage loans held for sale is derived from observable mortgage security prices and includes adjustments for loan servicing value, agency guarantee fees, and other loan level attributes which are mostly observable in the marketplace. Credit risk does not significantly impact the valuation since these loans are sold shortly after origination. Therefore, the Company classifies the residential mortgage loans held for sale in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The election of the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities is optional and irrevocable. The residential mortgage loans accounted for under the fair value option are initially measured at fair value (i.e., acquisition cost) when the financial asset is acquired. Subsequent changes in fair value are recognized in mortgage banking fees on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recognized changes in fair value in mortgage banking income of $6 million, $6 million, and ($5) million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Interest income on residential mortgage loans held for sale is calculated based on the contractual interest rate of the loan and is recorded in interest income.

Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of commercial and commercial real estate loans held for sale is estimated using observable prices of similar loans that transact in the marketplace. In addition, Citizens uses external pricing services that provide estimates of fair values based on quotes from various dealers transacting in the market, sector curves or benchmarking techniques. Therefore, the Company classifies the commercial and commercial real estate loans managed by the commercial secondary loan desk in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy given the observable market inputs.

There were no loans in this portfolio that were 90 days or more past due or nonaccruing as of December 31, 2018. The loans accounted for under the fair value option are initially measured at fair value when the financial asset is recognized. Subsequent changes in fair value are recognized in other noninterest income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Since all loans in the Company’s commercial trading portfolio consist of floating rate obligations, all changes in fair value are due to changes in credit risk. Such credit-related fair value changes may include observed changes in overall credit spreads and/or changes to the creditworthiness of an individual borrower. Unsettled trades within the commercial trading portfolio are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and represent off-balance sheet commitments. Refer to Note 18 “Commitments and Contingencies” for further information.

Interest income on commercial and commercial real estate loans held for sale is calculated based on the contractual interest rate of the loan and is recorded in interest income. Citizens recognized ($2) million, $4 million and $4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in other noninterest income related to its commercial trading portfolio.

The following table presents the difference between the aggregate fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal balance of loans held for sale measured at fair value:



	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
(in millions)	Aggregate Fair Value		Aggregate Unpaid Principal		Aggregate Fair Value Less Aggregate Unpaid Principal		Aggregate Fair Value		Aggregate Unpaid Principal		Aggregate Fair Value Less Aggregate Unpaid Principal
Residential mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value		$967		$967		$—		$326		$326		$—
Commercial and commercial real estate loans held for sale, at fair value	252		252		—		171		171		—

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Citizens measures fair value using 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. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices in an active market, where available. If quoted prices are not available, observable market-based inputs or independently sourced parameters are used to develop fair value, whenever possible. Such inputs may include prices of similar assets or liabilities, yield curves, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and foreign exchange rates.

A portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities is carried at fair value, including securities available for sale, derivative instruments and other investment securities. In addition, the Company elects to account for its loans associated with its mortgage banking business and secondary loan trading desk at fair value. Citizens classifies its assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value in accordance with the three-level valuation hierarchy:


•	Level 1. Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2. Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar instruments, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.


•	Level 3. Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market information and that are significant to the fair value measurement.

Classification in the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. For instruments classified in Levels 1 and 2 where inputs are primarily based upon observable market data, there is less judgment applied in arriving at the fair value. For instruments classified in Level 3, management judgment is more significant due to the lack of observable market data.

Citizens reviews and updates the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Changes from one quarter to the next related to the observability of inputs in fair value measurements may result in a reclassification between the fair value hierarchy levels and are recognized based on period-end balances.

Citizens utilizes a variety of valuation techniques to measure its assets and liabilities at fair value. The valuation methodologies used for significant assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet at fair value on a recurring basis are presented below:

Debt securities available for sale

The fair value of debt securities classified as AFS is based upon quoted prices, if available. Where observable quoted prices are available in an active market, the security is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Classes of instruments that are valued using this market approach include debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. If quoted market prices are not available, the fair value for the security is estimated under the market or income approach using pricing models. These instruments are classified as Level 2 because they currently trade in active markets and the inputs to the valuations are observable. The pricing models used to value securities generally begin with market prices (or rates) for similar instruments and make adjustments based on the characteristics of the instrument being valued. These adjustments reflect assumptions made regarding the sensitivity of each security’s value to changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds. Classes of instruments that are valued using this market approach include specified pool mortgage “pass-through” securities and other debt securities issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and state and political subdivisions. The pricing models used to value securities under the income approach generally begin with the contractual cash flows of each security and make adjustments based on forecasted prepayment speeds, default rates, and other market-observable information. The adjusted cash flows are then discounted at a rate derived from observed rates of return for comparable assets or liabilities that are traded in the market. Classes of instruments that are valued using this market approach include residential and commercial CMOs.

A significant majority of the Company’s Level 1 and 2 debt securities are priced using an external pricing service. Citizens verifies the accuracy of the pricing provided by its primary outside pricing service on a quarterly basis. This process involves using a secondary external vendor to provide valuations for the Company’s securities portfolio for comparison purposes. Any valuation discrepancies beyond a certain threshold are researched and, if necessary, corroborated by an independent outside broker.

In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation model, securities are classified as Level 3.

Residential loans held for sale

See the “Fair Value Option, Residential Mortgage Loans Held for Sale” discussion above.

Commercial loans held for sale

See the “Fair Value Option, Commercial and Commercial Real Estate Loans Held for Sale” discussion above.

Mortgage Servicing Rights — Fair Value Method

MSRs do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices. MSRs are classified as Level 3 since the valuation methodology utilizes significant unobservable inputs. The fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow model which used assumptions, including weighted-average life, prepayment assumptions and weighted-average option adjusted spread. The underlying assumptions and estimated values are corroborated by values received from independent third parties based on their review of the servicing portfolio, and comparisons to market transactions. In addition, the MSR Policy is approved by the Asset Liability Committee. Refer to Note 8 “Mortgage Banking” for more information.

Derivatives

The vast majority of the Company’s derivatives portfolio is composed of “plain vanilla” interest rate swaps, which are traded in over-the-counter markets where quoted market prices are not readily available. For these interest rate derivatives, fair value is determined utilizing models that primarily use market observable inputs, such as swap rates and yield curves. The pricing models used to value interest rate swaps calculate the sum of each instrument’s fixed and variable cash flows, which are then discounted using an appropriate yield curve (i.e., LIBOR or Overnight Index Swap curve) to arrive at the fair value of each swap. The pricing models do not contain a high level of subjectivity as the methodologies used do not require significant judgment. Citizens also considers certain adjustments to the modeled price that market participants would make when pricing each instrument, including a credit valuation adjustment that reflects the credit quality of the swap counterparty. Citizens incorporates the effect of exposure to a particular counterparty’s credit by netting its derivative contracts with the available collateral and calculating a credit valuation adjustment on the basis of the net position with the counterparty where permitted. The determination of this adjustment requires judgment on behalf of Company management; however, the total amount of this portfolio-level adjustment is not material to the total fair value of the interest rate swaps in their entirety. Therefore, interest rate swaps are classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.

The Company’s other derivatives include foreign exchange contracts. The fair value of foreign exchange derivatives uses the mid-point of daily quoted currency spot prices. A valuation model estimates fair value based on the quoted spot rates together with interest rate yield curves and forward currency rates. Since all of these inputs are observable in the market, foreign exchange derivatives are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Money Market Mutual Fund Investments

Fair value is determined based upon unadjusted quoted market prices and is considered a Level 1 fair value measurement.

Other equity securities

The fair values of the Company’s other equity securities are based on security prices in markets that are not active; therefore, these investments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value, including gross derivative assets and liabilities on a recurring basis at December 31, 2018:



(in millions)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities available for sale:
Mortgage-backed securities		$19,866		$—		$19,866		$—
State and political subdivisions	5		—		5		—
U.S. Treasury and other	24		24		—		—
Total debt securities available for sale	19,895		24		19,871		—
Loans held for sale, at fair value:
Residential loans held for sale	967		—		967		—
Commercial loans held for sale	252		—		252		—
Total loans held for sale, at fair value	1,219		—		1,219		—
Mortgage servicing rights	600		—		—		600
Derivative assets
Interest rate contracts	306		—		306		—
Foreign exchange contracts	129		—		129		—
Other contracts	14		—		14		—
Total derivative assets	449		—		449		—
Equity securities, at fair value:
Money market mutual fund investments	181		181		—		—
Other investments	—		—		—		—
Total equity securities, at fair value	181		181		—		—
Total assets		$22,344		$205		$21,539		$600
Derivative liabilities
Interest rate contracts		$277		$—		$277		$—
Foreign exchange contracts	113		—		113		—
Other contracts	25		—		25		—
Total derivative liabilities	415		—		415		—
Total liabilities		$415		$—		$415		$—

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value including gross derivative assets and liabilities on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017:



(in millions)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Debt securities available for sale:
Mortgage-backed securities		$20,139		$—		$20,139		$—
State and political subdivisions	6		—		6		—
U.S. Treasury and other	12		12		—		—
Total debt securities available for sale	20,157		12		20,145		—
Loans held for sale, at fair value:
Residential loans held for sale	326		—		326		—
Commercial loans held for sale	171		—		171		—
Total loans held for sale, at fair value	497		—		497		—
Derivative assets
Interest rate contracts	538		—		538		—
Foreign exchange contracts	148		—		148		—
Other contracts	7		—		7		—
Total derivative assets	693		—		693		—
Equity securities, at fair value:
Money market mutual fund investments	165		165		—		—
Other investments	4		—		4		—
Total equity securities, at fair value	169		165		4		—
Total assets		$21,516		$177		$21,339		$—
Derivative liabilities
Interest rate contracts		$379		$—		$379		$—
Foreign exchange contracts	149		—		149		—
Other contracts	5		—		5		—
Total derivative liabilities	533		—		533		—
Total liabilities		$533		$—		$533		$—

The following table present a rollforward of the balance sheet amounts for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and classified as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2018. There were no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and classified as Level 3 for the year ended December 31, 2017.



	For the Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)	Mortgage Servicing Rights
Balance at January 1, 2018		$—
Acquired MSRs	590
Amount capitalized	73
Change in unpaid principal balance during the period ⁽¹⁾	(32		)
Change in fair value during the period ⁽²⁾	(31		)
Balance at December 31, 2018		$600

⁽¹⁾ Represents changes in value of the MSRs due to i) passage of time including the impact from both regularly scheduled loan principal payments and partial

paydowns, and ii) loans that paid off during the period.

⁽²⁾ Represents changes in value primarily due to market driven changes in interest rates and prepayment speeds.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is also used on a nonrecurring basis to evaluate certain assets for impairment or for disclosure purposes. Examples of nonrecurring uses of fair value include MSRs accounted for by the amortization method and loan impairments for certain loans and leases.

The following valuation techniques are utilized to measure significant assets for which the Company utilizes fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

Impaired Loans

The carrying amount of collateral-dependent impaired loans is compared to the appraised value of the collateral less costs to dispose and is classified as Level 2. Any excess of carrying amount over the appraised value is charged to the ALLL.

Mortgage Servicing Rights — Amortization Method

Foreclosed assets

Foreclosed assets consist primarily of residential properties. Foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is based upon independent market prices or appraised values of the collateral and is classified as Level 2.

Leased assets

The fair value of assets under operating leases is determined using collateral specific pricing digests, external appraisals, broker opinions, recent sales data from industry equipment dealers, and discounted cash flows derived from the underlying lease agreement. As market data for similar assets and lease agreements is available and used in the valuation, these assets are classified as Level 2 fair value measurement.

The following table presents gains (losses) on assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and recorded in earnings:



	Year Ended December 31,
(in millions)	2018			2017			2016
Impaired collateral-dependent loans		($13	)		($35	)		($33	)
MSRs	3			(2		)	(4		)
Foreclosed assets	(2		)	(3		)	(3		)
Leased assets	(7		)	(15		)	11

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:



	December 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
(in millions)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired collateral-dependent loans		$338		$—		$338		$—		$393		$—		$393		$—
MSRs	243		—		—		243		218		—		—		218
Foreclosed assets	29		—		29		—		31		—		31		—
Leased assets	92		—		92		—		112		—		112		—

Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table presents the estimated fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The carrying amounts are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the indicated captions:



	December 31, 2018
	Total				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
(in millions)	Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Securities held to maturity		$4,165		$4,041		$—		$—		$4,165		$4,041		$—		$—
Equity securities, at cost	834		834		—		—		834		834		—		—
Other loans held for sale	101		101		—		—		—		—		101		101
Loans and leases	116,660		116,627		—		—		338		338		116,322		116,289
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	119,575		119,503		—		—		119,575		119,503		—		—
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,156		1,156		—		—		1,156		1,156		—		—
Other short-term borrowed funds	1,653		1,653		—		—		1,653		1,653		—		—
Long-term borrowed funds	14,433		14,390		—		—		14,433		14,390		—		—



	December 31, 2017
	Total				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
(in millions)	Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Securities held to maturity		$4,685		$4,668		$—		$—		$4,685		$4,668		$—		$—
Equity securities, at cost	722		722		—		—		722		722		—		—
Other loans held for sale	221		221		—		—		—		—		221		221
Loans and leases	110,617		111,168		—		—		393		393		110,224		110,775
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	115,089		115,039		—		—		115,089		115,039		—		—
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	815		815		—		—		815		815		—		—
Other short-term borrowed funds	1,856		1,856		—		—		1,856		1,856		—		—
Long-term borrowed funds	11,765		11,891		—		—		11,765		11,891		—		—