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Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is 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 best determined using quoted market prices. However, in many instances, quoted market prices are not available. In such instances, fair values are determined using appropriate valuation techniques. Various assumptions and observable inputs must be relied upon in applying these techniques. Accordingly, categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. As such, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate transfer of the respective asset or liability.
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the entire holdings or any part of a particular financial instrument. Fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These factors 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 Hierarchy
The three levels within the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1: Valuation is based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2: Fair value is calculated using significant inputs other than quoted market prices that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. The valuation may rely on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, rate volatility, prepayment speeds, credit ratings,) or inputs that are derived principally or corroborated by market data, by correlation, or other means.
Level 3: Inputs for determining the fair value of the respective assets or liabilities are not observable. Level 3 valuations are reliant upon pricing models and techniques that require significant management judgment or estimation.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Available-for-Sale Investment Securities. When quoted prices are available in an active market, the Company classifies available-for-sale investment securities within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. U.S. Treasury Bills are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
When quoted market prices are not available, the Company employs an independent pricing service that utilizes matrix pricing to calculate fair value. Such fair value measurements consider observable data such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayments speeds, credit information, and respective terms and conditions for debt instruments. Management maintains procedures to monitor the pricing service's results and has an established process to challenge their valuations, or methodologies, that appear unusual or unexpected. Available-for-Sale investment securities which include Agency CMO, Agency MBS, Agency CMBS, CMBS, CLO, and corporate debt, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Derivative Instruments. Foreign exchange contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
All other derivative instruments are valued using third-party valuation software, which considers the present value of cash flows discounted using observable forward rate assumptions. The resulting fair value is validated against valuations performed by independent third parties and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Webster evaluates the credit risk of its counterparties to determine if any fair value adjustment related to credit risk may be required, by considering factors such as the likelihood of default by the counterparty, its net exposure, remaining contractual life, as well as the collateral securing the position. The change in value of derivative assets and liabilities attributable to credit risk was not significant during the reported periods.
Mortgage Banking Derivatives. Forward sales of mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities are utilized by the Company in its efforts to manage risk of loss associated with its mortgage loan commitments and mortgage loans held for sale. Prior to closing and funding certain single-family residential mortgage loans, an interest rate lock commitment is generally extended to the borrower. During the period from commitment date to closing date, the Company is subject to the risk that market rates of interest may change. If market rates rise, investors generally will pay less to purchase such loans resulting in a reduction in the gain on sale of the loans or, possibly, a loss. In an effort to mitigate such risk, forward delivery sales commitments are established, under which the Company agrees to deliver whole mortgage loans to various investors or issue mortgage-backed securities. The fair value of mortgage banking derivatives is determined based on current market prices for similar assets in the secondary market and, therefore, classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Originated Loans Held For Sale. Residential mortgage loans typically are classified as held for sale upon origination based on management's intent to sell such loans. The Company generally records residential mortgage loans held for sale under the fair value option of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 825 "Financial Instruments." Electing to measure originated loans held for sale at fair value reduces certain timing differences and better matches changes in the value of these assets with changes in the value of the derivatives used as an economic hedge on these assets. The fair value of residential mortgage loans held for sale is based on quoted market prices of similar loans sold in conjunction with securitization transactions. Accordingly, such loans are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following table compares the fair value to unpaid principal balance of assets accounted for under the fair value option:
At March 31, 2020At December 31, 2019
(In thousands)Fair ValueUnpaid Principal BalanceDifferenceFair ValueUnpaid Principal BalanceDifference
Originated loans held for sale$22,147  $22,006  $141  $35,750  $35,186  $564  
Investments Held in Rabbi Trust. Investments held in the Rabbi Trust primarily include mutual funds that invest in equity and fixed income securities. Shares of mutual funds are valued based on net asset value (NAV), which represents quoted market prices for the underlying shares held in the mutual funds. Therefore, investments held in the Rabbi Trust are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company has elected to measure the investments held in the Rabbi Trust at fair value. The cost basis of the investments held in the Rabbi Trust is $1.6 million at March 31, 2020.
Alternative Investments. Equity investments have a readily determinable fair value when quoted prices are available in an active market. Accordingly, such alternative investments are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Equity investments that do not have a readily available fair value may qualify for NAV practical expedient measurement, based on specific requirements. The Company's alternative investments accounted for at NAV consist of investments in non-public entities that generally cannot be redeemed since the Company’s investments are distributed as the underlying equity is liquidated. Alternative investments recorded at NAV are not classified within the fair value hierarchy. At March 31, 2020, these alternative investments had a remaining unfunded commitment of $28.1 million.
Summaries of the fair values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
 At March 31, 2020
(In thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Financial assets held at fair value:
U.S. Treasury Bills$—  $—  $—  $—  
Agency CMO—  204,830  —  204,830  
Agency MBS—  1,612,818  —  1,612,818  
Agency CMBS—  697,682  —  697,682  
CMBS—  409,023  —  409,023  
CLO—  81,398  —  81,398  
Corporate debt—  10,880  —  10,880  
Total available-for-sale investment securities—  3,016,631  —  3,016,631  
Gross derivative instruments, before netting (1)
808  400,356  —  401,164  
Originated loans held for sale—  22,147  —  22,147  
Investments held in Rabbi Trust3,990  —  —  3,990  
Alternative investments (2)
—  —  —  5,701  
Total financial assets held at fair value$4,798  $3,439,134  $—  $3,449,633  
Financial liabilities held at fair value:
Gross derivative instruments, before netting (1)
$759  $18,044  $—  $18,803  

 At December 31, 2019
(In thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Financial assets held at fair value:
U.S. Treasury Bills$—  $—  $—  $—  
Agency CMO—  185,801  —  185,801  
Agency MBS—  1,612,164  —  1,612,164  
Agency CMBS—  581,552  —  581,552  
CMBS—  431,871  —  431,871  
CLO—  92,205  —  92,205  
Corporate debt—  22,240  —  22,240  
Total available-for-sale investment securities—  2,925,833  —  2,925,833  
Gross derivative instruments, before netting (1)
328  145,709  —  146,037  
Originated loans held for sale—  35,750  —  35,750  
Investments held in Rabbi Trust4,780  —  —  4,780  
Alternative investments (2)
—  —  —  5,701  
Total financial assets held at fair value$5,108  $3,107,292  $—  $3,118,101  
Financial liabilities held at fair value:
Gross derivative instruments, before netting (1)
$611  $13,202  $—  $13,813  
(1)For information relating to the impact of netting derivative assets and derivative liabilities as well as the impact from offsetting cash collateral paid to the same derivative counterparties see Note 13: Derivative Financial Instruments.
(2)Alternative investments are recorded at NAV. Assets measured at NAV are not classified within the fair value hierarchy.
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, for example, when there is evidence of impairment. At March 31, 2020, no significant assets classified within Level 3 were identified and measured under this basis. The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets measured on a non-recurring basis.
Alternative Investments. The measurement alternative has been elected for alternative investments without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the NAV practical expedient. The measurement alternative requires investments to be accounted for at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. These alternative investments are investments in non-public entities that generally cannot be redeemed since the investment is distributed as the underlying equity is liquidated. Accordingly, these alternative investments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amount of these alternative investments was $13.2 million at March 31, 2020. No reductions for impairments, or adjustments due to observable price changes, was identified during the three months ended March 31, 2020.
Transferred Loans Held For Sale. Certain loans are transferred to loans held for sale once a decision has been made to sell such loans. These loans are accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value and are considered to be recognized at fair value when they are recorded at below cost. This activity primarily consists of commercial loans with observable inputs and is classified within Level 2. On the occasion that these loans should include adjustments for changes in loan characteristics using unobservable inputs, the loans would be classified within Level 3.
Collateral Dependent Loans and Leases. Loans and leases for which the payment is expected to be provided solely by the value of the underlying collateral are considered collateral dependent and are valued based on the estimated fair value of such collateral, less estimated cost to sell, using customized discounting criteria. Accordingly, such collateral dependent loans and leases are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Other Real Estate Owned and Repossessed Assets. The total book value of OREO and repossessed assets was $6.8 million at March 31, 2020. OREO and repossessed assets are accounted for at the lower of cost or fair value and are considered to be recognized at fair value when recorded below cost. The fair value of OREO is based on independent appraisals or internal valuation methods, less estimated selling costs. The valuation may consider available pricing guides, auction results, and price opinions. Certain assets require assumptions about factors that are not observable in an active market in the determination of fair value; as such, OREO and repossessed assets are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
In addition, the amortized cost of consumer loans secured by residential real estate property that are in process of foreclosure amounted to $6.8 million at March 31, 2020.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Servicing Assets
The Company is required to disclose the estimated fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value, as well as servicing assets. The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for those assets and liabilities.
Cash, Due from Banks, and Interest-bearing Deposits. The carrying amount of cash, due from banks, and interest-bearing deposits is used to approximate fair value, given the short time frame to maturity and, as such, these assets do not present unanticipated credit concerns. Cash, due from banks, and interest-bearing deposits are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Held-to-Maturity Investment Securities. When quoted market prices are not available, the Company employs an independent pricing service that utilizes matrix pricing to calculate fair value. Such fair value measurements consider observable data such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayments speeds, credit information, and respective terms and conditions for debt instruments. Management maintains procedures to monitor the pricing service's results and has an established process to challenge their valuations, or methodologies, that appear unusual or unexpected. Held-to-Maturity investment securities, which include Agency CMO, Agency MBS, Agency CMBS, CMBS, and municipal bonds and notes, are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Loans and Leases, net. The estimated fair value of loans and leases held for investment is calculated using a discounted cash flow method, using future prepayments and market interest rates inclusive of an illiquidity premium for comparable loans and leases. The associated cash flows are adjusted for credit and other potential losses. Fair value for collateral dependent loans and leases is estimated using the net present value of the expected cash flows. Loans and leases are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Deposit Liabilities. The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. Deposit liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Time Deposits. The fair value of a fixed-maturity certificate of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. Time deposits are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings. The fair value of securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings that mature within 90 days is the carrying value. Fair value for all other balances are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on current market rates adjusted for associated credit risks, as appropriate. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Long-Term Debt. The fair value of FHLB advances and long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow technique. Discount rates are matched with the time period of the expected cash flow and are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect credit risk. FHLB advances and long-term debt are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Mortgage Servicing Assets. Mortgage servicing assets are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently measured under the amortization method. Fair value is calculated as the present value of estimated future net servicing income and relies on market based assumptions for loan prepayment speeds, servicing costs, discount rates, and other economic factors; as such, the primary risk inherent in valuing mortgage servicing assets is the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the servicing revenue stream. Mortgage servicing assets are reviewed quarterly and held at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value. Fair value adjustments, if any, are included as a component of loan related fees in the consolidated statement of income. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded a $575 thousand valuation allowance. Mortgage servicing assets are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The estimated fair value of selected financial instruments and servicing assets are as follows:
 At March 31, 2020At December 31, 2019
(In thousands)Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Assets:
Level 2
Held-to-maturity investment securities$5,485,894  $5,642,527  $5,293,918  $5,380,653  
Level 3
Loans and leases, net20,556,593  20,844,596  19,827,890  19,961,632  
Mortgage servicing assets16,391  20,846  17,484  33,250  
Liabilities:
Level 2
Deposit liabilities$21,522,676  $21,522,676  $20,219,981  $20,219,981  
Time deposits2,991,161  3,000,656  3,104,765  3,102,316  
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and other borrowings1,262,749  1,268,094  1,040,431  1,041,042  
FHLB advances1,773,399  1,783,284  1,948,476  1,950,035  
Long-term debt (1)
571,212  500,410  540,364  555,775  
(1)Adjustments to the carrying amount of long-term debt for basis adjustment and unamortized discount and debt issuance cost on senior fixed-rate notes are not included for determination of fair value Refer to Note 9: Borrowings for additional information.