Note 5. Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Notes

Note 5. Fair Value Measurements

5.             Fair Value Measurements

For all financial and non-financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company utilizes valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market expectations. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 –	Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 –	Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 –	Instruments where significant value drivers are unobservable.

The following section describes the valuation methodologies we use to measure different financial instruments at fair value.

Investments in fixed maturities and equity securities

Available-for-sale securities included in Level 1 are equity securities with quoted market prices.  Level 2 is primarily comprised of our portfolio of corporate fixed income securities, government agency mortgage-backed securities, government sponsored enterprises, certain CMO securities, municipals and certain preferred stocks that were priced with observable market inputs.  Level 3 securities consist of CMO securities backed by Alt-A mortgages.  For these securities, we use industry-standard pricing methodologies, including discounted cash flow models, whose inputs are based on management’s assumptions and available market information. Significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of CMO’s are prepayment rates, probability of default, and loss severity in the event of default. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for loss severity and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for prepayment rates.  Further we retain independent pricing vendors to assist in valuing certain instruments.

Trading securities

Trading securities included in Level 1 are equity securities with quoted market prices.

The following tables present our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

		March 31, 2015
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
Fixed maturities available-for-sale:
Corporate securities	$	-	$	30,435	$	-	$	30,435
Foreign government		-		6,595		-		6,595
CMO - residential		-		260		-		260
CMO – commercial		-		-		406		406
States, municipalities and political
subdivisions		-		28,011		-		28,011
U.S. government		-		6,811		-		6,811
GSE		-		1,149		-		1,149
MBS - residential		-		64		-		64
Redeemable preferred stocks		378		-		-		378
Total fixed maturities		378		73,325		406		74,109
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks		1,020		-		-		1,020
Total equity securities		1,020		-		-		1,020
Trading securities:
Common Stock		1,203		-		-		1,203
Total trading securities		1,203		-		-		1,203
Total financial assets	$	2,601	$	73,325	$	406	$	76,332

		December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
Fixed maturities available-for-sale:
Corporate securities	$	-	$	29,557	$	-	$	29,557
Foreign government		-		6,549		-		6,549
CMO - residential		-		853		-		853
CMO – commercial		-		-		381		381
States, municipalities and political
subdivisions		-		27,679		-		27,679
U.S. government		-		6,723		-		6,723
GSE		-		1,416		-		1,416
MBS - residential		-		69		-		69
Redeemable preferred stocks		381		-		-		381
Total fixed maturities		381		72,846		381		73,608
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Nonredeemable preferred stocks		1,013		-		-		1,013
Total equity securities		1,013		-		-		1,013
Trading securities:
Common Stock		1,138		-		-		1,138
Total trading securities		1,138		-		-		1,138
Total financial assets	$	2,532	$	72,846	$	381	$	75,759

It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers of assets and liabilities between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of a reporting period.

 For the three months ending March 31, 2015, there were no transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  No securities were transferred out of the Level 2 and into the Level 3 category during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.  The Company does not transfer out of Level 3 and into Level 2 until such time as observable inputs become available and reliable or the range of available independent prices narrow.  No securities were transferred out of the Level 3 category during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.  The changes in the carrying value of Level 3 assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2015
		CMOs - Commercial
Balance, beginning of period	$	381
Net unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		25
Balance, end of period	$	406

		Three Months Ended
		March 31, 2014
		CMOs - Commercial
Balance, beginning of period	$	237
Net unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		111
Balance, end of period	$	348