Note 11. Fair Value Measurements

We use fair value to measure certain assets on a recurring basis, primarily securities available‑for‑sale; we have no liabilities being measured at fair value. For assets measured at the lower of cost or fair value, the fair value measurement criteria may or may not be met during a reporting period and such measurements are therefore considered “nonrecurring” for purposes of disclosing our fair value measurements. Fair value is used on a nonrecurring basis to adjust carrying values for impaired loans and other real estate owned and also to record impairment on certain assets, such as goodwill, core deposit intangibles, and other long‑lived assets.

The following table presents information on the assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014:



	Fair Value Measurements as of
	September 30, 2014
Measured on a Recurring Basis:	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Securities available‑for‑sale:
Government agency and government‑sponsored enterprise
pass through securities	$	555,087	$	—	$	555,087	$	—
Government agency and government‑sponsored enterprise
collateralized mortgage obligations	279,791		—		279,791		—
Covered private label CMOs	35,309		—		—		35,309
Other private label CMOs	12,593		—		12,593		—
Municipal securities	482,427		—		482,427		—
Corporate debt securities	112,143		—		112,143		—
Government‑sponsored enterprise debt securities	36,382		—		36,382		—
Other securities	25,949		514		25,435		—
Total	$	1,539,681	$	514	$	1,503,858	$	35,309

There were no transfers of assets either between Level 1 and Level 2 nor in or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for assets measured on a recurring basis during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014.

The following table presents information about quantitative inputs and assumptions used to determine the fair values provided by our third party pricing service for our Level 3 covered private label CMOs measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014:



	Covered Private Label CMOs
Unobservable Inputs:	Range of Inputs	Weighted Average Input
Voluntary annual prepayment speeds	0% - 34.2%	10.2%
Annual default rates	0% - 9.7%	3.2%
Loss severity rates	0% - 65.2%	40.9%
Discount rates	0% - 7.1%	4.9%

The following table summarizes activity for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis that are categorized as Level 3 for the period indicated:



	Covered Private Label CMOs (Level 3)
	(In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	37,904
Total realized in earnings	862
Total unrealized gain in comprehensive income	76
Net settlements	(3,533		)
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	35,309

The following tables present assets measured at fair value on a non‑recurring basis as of the date indicated and the losses recognized on such assets for the period indicated:



	Fair Value Measurement as of								Gain (Loss)
	September 30, 2014								Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		September 30, 2014
Measured on a Non‑Recurring Basis:	(In thousands)
Impaired Non‑PCI loans	$	42,728	$	—	$	2,366	$	40,362	$	(1,374	)	$	(10,205	)
Other real estate owned	28,011		—		26,352		1,659		(4,863		)	(4,863		)
Total non-recurring	$	70,739	$	—	$	28,718	$	42,021	$	(6,237	)	$	(15,068	)

The following table presents the valuation methodology and unobservable inputs for Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2014:



Asset	Fair Value (In thousands)		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Range	Weighted Average
Impaired Non-PCI loans	$	36,306	Discounted cash flows	Discount rates	0% - 10.46%	6.87%
	$	4,056	Appraisals	No discounts
OREO	$	1,659	Appraisals	Discount, including selling costs	11.19% - 62.61%	39.98%

ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires disclosure of the estimated fair value of certain financial instruments and the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate such fair values. Additionally, certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from the applicable disclosure requirements.

The following tables present a summary of the carrying values and estimated fair values of certain financial instruments as of the dates indicated:



	September 30, 2014
	Carrying or Contract		Estimated Fair Value
	Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	145,463	$	145,463	$	145,463	$	—	$	—
Interest‑earning deposits in financial institutions	115,399		115,399		115,399		—		—
Securities available‑for‑sale	1,539,681		1,539,681		514		1,503,858		35,309
Investment in FHLB stock	45,602		45,602		—		45,602		—
Loans and leases, net	11,492,986		11,396,792		—		2,366		11,394,426

Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand, money market, interest checking,
and savings deposits	6,006,958		6,006,958		—		6,006,958		—
Time deposits	5,516,479		5,524,373		—		5,524,373		—
Borrowings	363,672		363,804		360,000		3,804		—
Subordinated debentures	433,545		417,349		—		417,349		—



	December 31, 2013
	Carrying or Contract		Estimated Fair Value
	Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	96,424	$	96,424	$	96,424	$	—	$	—
Interest‑earning deposits in financial institutions	50,998		50,998		50,998		—		—
Securities available‑for‑sale	1,494,745		1,494,745		507		1,456,334		37,904
Investment in FHLB stock	27,939		27,939		—		27,939		—
Loans and leases, net	4,230,318		4,231,078		—		2,051		4,229,027
SBA loan servicing asset	807		807		—		—		807
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand, money market, interest checking,
and savings deposits	4,616,616		4,616,616		—		4,616,616		—
Time deposits	664,371		665,148		—		665,148		—
Borrowings	113,726		113,726		106,600		7,126		—
Subordinated debentures	132,645		132,498		—		132,498		—

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to measure our assets recorded at fair value (under ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement”) and for estimating fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value (under ASC Topic 825).

Cash and due from banks. The carrying amount is assumed to be the fair value because of the liquidity of these instruments.

Interest‑earning deposits in financial institutions. The carrying amount is assumed to be the fair value given the short‑term nature of these deposits.

Securities available‑for‑sale. Securities available‑for‑sale are measured and carried at fair value on a recurring basis. Unrealized gains and losses on available‑for‑sale securities are reported as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. See Note 5, Investment Securities, for further information on unrealized gains and losses on securities available‑for‑sale.

Fair value for securities categorized as Level 1, which are publicly traded securities, are based on readily available quoted prices. In determining the fair value of the securities categorized as Level 2, we obtain a report from a nationally recognized broker‑dealer detailing the fair value of each investment security we hold as of each reporting date. The broker‑dealer uses observable market information to value our securities, with the primary source being a nationally recognized pricing service. We review the market prices provided by the broker‑dealer for our securities for reasonableness based on our understanding of the marketplace and we consider any credit issues related to the securities. As we have not made any adjustments to the market quotes provided to us and they are based on observable market data, they have been categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Our covered private label CMOs are categorized as Level 3 due in part to the inactive market for such securities. There is a wide range of prices quoted for private label CMOs among independent third party pricing services and this range reflects the significant judgment being exercised over the assumptions and variables that determine the pricing of such securities. We consider this subjectivity to be a significant unobservable input and have concluded that the covered private label CMOs should be categorized as a Level 3 measured asset. Our fair value estimate was based on prices provided to us by a nationally recognized pricing service which we also use to determine the fair value of the majority of our securities portfolio. We determined the reasonableness of the fair values by reviewing assumptions at the individual security level about prepayment, default expectations, estimated severity loss factors, and discount rates, all of which are not directly observable in the market. Significant changes in default expectations, severity loss factors, or discount rates, which occur all together or in isolation, would result in different fair value measurements.

FHLB stock. Investments in FHLB stock are recorded at cost and measured for impairment quarterly. Ownership of FHLB stock is restricted to member banks and the securities do not have a readily determinable market value. Purchases and sales of these securities are at par value with the issuer. The fair value of investments in FHLB stock is equal to the carrying amount.

Impaired Non‑PCI loans. Nonaccrual loans and performing restructured loans are considered impaired for reporting purposes and are measured and recorded at fair value on a non‑recurring basis. Nonaccrual Non‑PCI loans with an unpaid principal balance over $250,000 and all performing restructured loans are reviewed individually for the amount of impairment, if any. Nonaccrual Non‑PCI loans with an unpaid principal balance less than $250,000 are not individually assessed for impairment but are instead reserved for under our general reserve component.

To the extent a loan is collateral dependent, we measure such impaired loan based on the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. The fair value of each loan’s collateral is generally based on estimated market prices from an independently prepared appraisal, which is then adjusted for the cost related to liquidating such collateral; such valuation inputs result in a nonrecurring fair value measurement that is categorized as a Level 2 measurement. The Level 2 measurement is based on appraisals obtained within the last 12 months and for which a charge‑off was recognized or a change in the specific valuation allowance was made during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

When adjustments are made to an appraised value to reflect various factors such as the age of the appraisal or known changes in the market or the collateral, such valuation inputs are considered unobservable and the fair value measurement is categorized as a Level 3 measurement. The impaired loans categorized as Level 3 also include unsecured loans and other secured loans whose fair values are based significantly on unobservable inputs such as the strength of a guarantor, including an SBA government guarantee, cash flows discounted at the effective loan rate, and management’s judgment.

The impaired Non‑PCI loan balances shown above as measured on a non-recurring basis represent those nonaccrual and restructured loans for which impairment was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The amounts shown as net losses include the impairment recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, for the loan balances shown. Of the $88.9 million of nonaccrual Non-PCI loans at September 30, 2014, $2.6 million were written down to their collateral fair values through charge‑offs during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Other real estate owned ("OREO"). The fair value of foreclosed real estate is generally based on estimated market prices from independently prepared current appraisals or negotiated sales prices with potential buyers, less estimated costs to sell; such valuation inputs result in a fair value measurement that is categorized as a Level 2 measurement on a nonrecurring basis. As a matter of policy, appraisals are required annually and may be updated more frequently as circumstances require in the opinion of management. The Level 2 measurement for OREO is based on appraisals obtained within the last 12 months and for which a write‑down was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

When a current appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value as a result of known changes in the market or the collateral and there is no observable market price, such valuation inputs result in a fair value measurement that is categorized as a Level 3 measurement. To the extent a negotiated sales price or reduced listing price represents a significant discount to an observable market price, such valuation input would result in a fair value measurement that is also considered a Level 3 measurement. The OREO losses disclosed are write‑downs based on either a recent appraisal obtained after foreclosure or an accepted purchase offer by an independent third party received after foreclosure.

Deposits. Deposits are carried at historical cost. The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest‑bearing demand deposits, interest checking, money market, and savings accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand as of the balance sheet date and considered Level 2. The fair value of time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows and considered Level 2. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. No value has been separately assigned to the Company’s long‑term relationships with its deposit customers, such as a core deposit intangible.

Borrowings. Borrowings include overnight FHLB advances and other fixed‑rate term borrowings. Borrowings are carried at amortized cost. The fair value of overnight FHLB advances is equal to the carrying value and considered Level 1. The fair value of fixed‑rate borrowings is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity dates or call dates, if applicable, using estimated market discount rates that reflect current rates offered for borrowings with similar remaining maturities and characteristics and are considered Level 2.

Subordinated debentures. Subordinated debentures are carried at amortized cost. The fair value of subordinated debentures with variable rates is determined using a market discount rate on the expected cash flows.

Commitments to extend credit. The majority of our commitments to extend credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans. Because these commitments are generally unassignable by either the borrower or us, they only have value to the borrower and us. The estimated fair value approximates the recorded deferred fee amounts and is excluded from the table above because it is not material.

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and are based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect income taxes or 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 no market exists for a portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on what management believes to be conservative judgments regarding expected future cash flows, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimated fair values 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. Since the fair values have been estimated as of September 30, 2014, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid at settlement or maturity of the instruments could be significantly different.