Note 7 - Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

NOTE 7: Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. U.S. GAAP requires that valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the valuation inputs into three broad levels. Based on the underlying inputs, each fair value measurement in its entirety is reported in one of the three levels. These levels are:

• Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury securities.

• Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

• Level 3—Valuation is determined using model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Corporation's estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the respective asset or liability. Valuation techniques may include the use of pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

U.S. GAAP allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value (the fair value option) for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. The Corporation has not made any fair value option elections as of March 31, 2013.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following describes the valuation techniques and inputs used by the Corporation in determining the fair value of certain assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the financial statements.

Securities available for sale. The Corporation primarily values its investment portfolio using Level 2 fair value measurements, but may also use Level 1 or Level 3 measurements if required by the future composition of the portfolio. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Corporation's entire investment securities portfolio was valued using Level 2 fair value measurements. The Corporation has contracted with a third party portfolio accounting service vendor for valuation of its securities portfolio. The vendor's sources for security valuation are Standard & Poor's Securities Evaluations Inc. ("SPSE") and Thomson Reuters Pricing Service (“TRPS”).  Both sources provide opinions, known as evaluated prices, as to the value of individual securities based on model-based pricing techniques that are partially based on available market data, including prices for similar instruments in active markets and prices for identical assets in markets that are not active. SPSE provides evaluated prices for the Corporation's obligations of states and political subdivisions category of securities.  SPSE uses proprietary pricing models and pricing systems, mathematical tools and judgment to determine an evaluated price for a security based upon a hierarchy of market information regarding that security or securities with similar characteristics.  TRPS provides evaluated prices for the Corporation's U.S. government agencies and corporations and mortgage-backed categories of securities.  Securities in the U.S. government agencies and corporations category are individually evaluated on an option adjusted spread basis for callable issues or on a nominal spread basis incorporating the term structure of agency market spreads and the appropriate risk free benchmark curve for non-callable issues.  Securities in the mortgage-backed category are grouped into aggregate categories defined by issuer program, weighted average coupon, and weighted average maturity.  Each aggregate is benchmarked to a relative mortgage-backed to-be-announced (“TBA”) price. TBA prices are obtained from market makers and live trading systems.

Derivative payable. The Corporation’s derivative financial instruments have been designated as and qualify as cash flow hedges. The fair value of derivatives is determined using the discounted cash flow method.

The following table presents the balances of financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

	March 31, 2013
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets at Fair
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Value
Assets:
Securities available for sale
U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	—	$	25,922	$	—	$	25,922
Mortgage-backed securities		—		1,955		—		1,955
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—		122,456		—		122,456
Preferred stock		—		188		—		188
Total securities available for sale	$	—	$	150,521	$	—	$	150,521
Liabilities:
Derivative payable	$	—	$	464	$	—	$	464

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets at Fair
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Value
Assets:
Securities available for sale
U.S. government agencies and corporations	$	—	$	24,649	$	—	$	24,649
Mortgage-backed securities		—		2,189		—		2,189
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—		125,875		—		125,875
Preferred stock		—		104		—		104
Total securities available for sale	$	—	$	152,817	$	—	$	152,817
Liabilities:
Derivative payable	$	—	$	513	$	—	$	513

 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Corporation may be required, from time to time, to measure and recognize certain other financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP.  The following describes the valuation techniques and inputs used by the Corporation in determining the fair value of certain assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the financial statements.

Impaired loans. The Corporation does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, there are instances when a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. All TDRs are considered impaired loans. The Corporation measures impairment on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial, construction and residential loans in excess of $500,000 by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Additionally, management reviews current market conditions, borrower history, past experience with similar loans and economic conditions. Based on management's review, additional write-downs to fair value may be incurred. The Corporation maintains a valuation allowance to the extent that the measure of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment. When the fair value of an impaired loan is based solely on observable cash flows, market price or a current appraisal, the Corporation records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. However, if based on management's review, additional write-downs to fair value are required, the Corporation records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.

The measurement of impaired loans of less than $500,000 is based on each loan's future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate rather than the market rate of interest, which is not a fair value measurement and is therefore excluded from fair value disclosure requirements.

Other real estate owned. Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at  fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Initial fair value is based upon appraisals the Corporation obtains from independent licensed appraisers. Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the foreclosed assets based on updated appraisals, general market conditions, recent sales of like properties, length of time the properties have been held, and our ability and intention with regard to continued ownership of the properties. The Corporation may incur additional write-downs of foreclosed assets to fair value less costs to sell if valuations indicate a further other-than-temporary deterioration in market conditions. As such, we record OREO as nonrecurring Level 3.

 The following table presents the balances of financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

	March 31, 2013
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets at Fair
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Value
Impaired loans, net	$	—	$	—	$	2,617	$	2,617
Other real estate owned net		—		—		5,297		5,297

	December 31, 2012
	Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets at Fair
(Dollars in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Value
Impaired loans, net	$	—	$	—	$	9,074	$	9,074
Other real estate owned net		—		—		6,236		6,236

The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2013:

	Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	Fair Value		Valuation Technique(s)	Unobservable Inputs	Range of Inputs
Impaired loans, net	$	2,617	Appraisals	Discount to reflect current market conditions and estimated selling costs	5%	-	40%
Other real estate owned, net	5,297		Appraisals	Discount to reflect current market conditions and estimated selling costs	0%	-	70%

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure about fair value of financial instruments, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. ASC 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Corporation.

The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Corporation to measure its financial instruments at fair value as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Cash and short-term investments. The nature of these instruments and their relatively short maturities provide for the reporting of fair value equal to the historical cost.

Loans, net. The fair value of performing loans is estimated using a discounted expected future cash flows analysis based on current rates being offered on similar products in the market. An overall valuation adjustment is made for specific credit risks as well as general portfolio risks. Based on the valuation methodologies used in assessing the fair value of loans and the associated valuation allowance, these loans are considered Level 3.

Loan totals, as listed in the table below, include impaired loans. For valuation techniques used in relation to impaired loans, see the Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis section in this Note 7.

Loans held for sale, net. Loans held for sale are required to be measured at the lower of cost or fair value. These loans currently consist of residential loans originated for sale in the secondary market. Fair value is based on purchase prices agreed to by third party investors, which are obtained simultaneously with the rate lock commitments made to individual borrowers. The Corporation records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. No nonrecurring fair value adjustments were recorded on loans held for sale during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Accrued interest receivable. The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates fair value.

Deposits. The fair value of all demand deposit accounts is the amount payable at the report date. For all other deposits, the fair value is determined using the discounted cash flow method. The discount rate was equal to the rate currently offered on similar products in active markets (Level 2).

Borrowings. The fair value of borrowings is determined using the discounted cash flow method. The discount rate was equal to the rate currently offered on similar products in active markets (Level 2).

Accrued interest payable. The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates fair value.

Letters of credit. The estimated fair value of letters of credit is based on estimated fees the Corporation would pay to have another entity assume its obligation under the outstanding arrangements. These fees are not considered material.

Unused portions of lines of credit. The estimated fair value of unused portions of lines of credit is based on estimated fees the Corporation would pay to have another entity assume its obligation under the outstanding arrangements. These fees are not considered material.

The following tables reflect the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of  the Corporation's financial instruments whether or not recognized on the balance sheet at fair value.

			Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2013 Using
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and short-term investments	$	70,726	$	70,726	$	—	$	—	$	70,726
Securities available for sale		150,521				150,521				150,521
Loans, net		641,195		—		—		653,499		653,499
Loans held for sale, net		45,432		—		46,508		—		46,508
Accrued interest receivable		5,566		5,566		—		—		5,566
Financial liabilities:
Demand deposits	$	412,088	$	412,088	$	—	$	—	$	412,088
Time deposits		284,376		—		288,364		—		288,364
Borrowings		167,219		—		162,068		—		162,068
Derivative payable		464		—		464		—		464
Accrued interest payable		797		797		—		—		797

			Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012 Using
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and short-term investments	$	25,620	$	25,620	$	—	$	—	$	25,620
Securities available for sale		152,817				152,817				152,817
Loans, net		640,283		—		—		651,133		651,133
Loans held for sale, net		72,727		—		74,964		—		74,964
Accrued interest receivable		5,673		5,673		—		—		5,673
Financial liabilities:
Demand deposits	$	399,575	$	399,575	$	—	$	—	$	399,575
Time deposits		286,609		—		290,483		—		290,483
Borrowings		162,746		—		158,027		—		158,027
Derivative payable		513				513				513
Accrued interest payable		837		837		—		—		837

The Corporation assumes interest rate risk (the risk that general interest rate levels will change) as a result of its normal operations. As a result, the fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments will change when interest rate levels change and that change may be either favorable or unfavorable to the Corporation. Management attempts to match maturities of assets and liabilities to the extent believed necessary to balance minimizing interest rate risk and increasing net interest income in current market conditions. However, borrowers with fixed rate obligations are less likely to prepay in a rising rate environment and more likely to prepay in a falling rate environment. Conversely, depositors who are receiving fixed rates are more likely to withdraw funds before maturity in a rising rate environment and less likely to do so in a falling rate environment. Management monitors interest rates, maturities and repricing dates of assets and liabilities and attempts to manage interest rate risk by adjusting terms of new loans, deposits and borrowings and by investing in securities with terms that mitigate the Corporation’s overall interest rate risk.