Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below for the Company's financial instruments.

Cash and Due from Banks

For cash and due from banks, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

Investments and Mortgage-Backed Securities

Most of the Company's investment and mortgage-backed securities are fixed income instruments that are not quoted on an exchange, but are bought and sold in active markets. Prices for these instruments are obtained through third party pricing vendors or security industry sources that actively participate in the buying and selling of securities. Prices obtained from these sources include market quotations and matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used principally to value certain securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but comparing the securities to benchmark or comparable securities.

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Stock

The fair value for Federal Home Loan Bank of New York ("FHLB") stock is its carrying value since this is the amount for which it could be redeemed. There is no active market for this stock and the Company is required to maintain a minimum investment based upon the outstanding balance of mortgage related assets and outstanding borrowings.

Loans

Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as residential mortgage, construction, consumer and commercial. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms.

Fair value of performing and non-performing loans was estimated by discounting the future cash flows, net of estimated prepayments, at a rate for which similar loans would be originated to new borrowers with similar terms. Fair values estimated in this manner do not fully incorporate an exit price approach to fair value, but instead are based on a comparison to current market rates for comparable loans.

Deposits

The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, savings, and interest-bearing checking accounts and money market accounts are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand. The related insensitivity of the majority of these deposits to interest rate changes creates a significant inherent value which is not reflected in the fair value reported. The fair value of time deposits are based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Borrowed Funds

Fair value estimates are based on discounting contractual cash flows using rates which approximate the rates offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Sell Loans

The fair value of commitments to extend credit is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.

The estimated fair values of the Bank's significant financial instruments as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are presented in the following tables (in thousands):

	September 30, 2011
	Book Value		Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	70,457	$	70,457
Investment securities available for sale		157,035		157,035
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale		346,292		346,292
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock		18,161		18,161
Loans receivable and mortgage loans held for sale		1,591,198		1,620,150
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits		1,687,906		1,695,759
Borrowed funds		365,245		373,412

	December 31, 2010
	Book Value		Fair Value
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	31,455	$	31,455
Investment securities available for sale		91,918		91,918
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale		341,175		341,175
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York stock		16,928		16,928
Loans receivable and mortgage loans held for sale		1,667,462		1,675,805
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits		1,663,968		1,668,007
Borrowed funds		360,364		364,657

Limitations

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 Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because a limited market exists for a significant portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other significant unobservable inputs. These estimates 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 estimates are based on existing balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred tax assets, and premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.