Note 12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The definition of fair value focuses on the exit price, i.e., 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, not the entry price, i.e., the price that would be paid to acquire the asset or received to assume the liability at the measurement date. The statement emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement; not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, the fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Valuation Hierarchy

FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

	Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

	Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

	Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

A financial instrument's categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Assets

Securities available-for-sale – Where quoted prices are available for identical securities in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government securities and certain other financial products. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models that use observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation and more complex pricing models or discounted cash flows are used, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other investments – Included in other investments are certain investments recorded at fair value primarily in certain nonpublic private equity funds. The valuation of nonpublic private equity investments requires management judgment due to the absence of observable quoted market prices, inherent lack of liquidity and the long-term nature of such assets. These investments are valued initially based upon transaction price. The carrying values of other investments are adjusted either upwards or downwards from the transaction price to reflect expected exit values as evidenced by financing and sale transactions with third parties, or when determination of a valuation adjustment is confirmed through ongoing reviews by senior investment managers. A variety of factors are reviewed and monitored to assess positive and negative changes in valuation including, but not limited to, current operating performance and future expectations of the particular investment, industry valuations of comparable public companies and changes in market outlook and the third-party financing environment over time. In determining valuation adjustments resulting from the investment review process, emphasis is placed on current company performance and market conditions. These investments are included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy as these funds are not widely traded and the underling investments of such funds are often privately-held and/or start-up companies for which market values are not readily available.

Other assets – Included in other assets are certain assets carried at fair value, including interest rate swap agreements, the cash flow hedge and interest rate locks associated with mortgage loans held for sale. The carrying amount of interest rate swap agreements is based on Pinnacle Financial's pricing models that utilize observable market inputs. The fair value of the cash flow hedge is determined by calculating the difference between the discounted fixed rate cash flows and the discounted variable rate cash flows. The fair value of the mortgage loan pipeline is based upon the projected sales price of the underlying loans, taking into account market interest rates and other market factors at the measurement date, net of the projected fallout rate. Pinnacle Financial reflects these assets within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy as these assets are valued using similar transactions that occur in the market.

Nonaccrual loans – A loan is classified as nonaccrual when it is probable Pinnacle Financial will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Nonaccrual loans are measured based on the present value of expected payments using the loan's original effective rate as the discount rate, the loan's observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral less selling costs if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the nonaccrual loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance may be established as a component of the allowance for loan losses or the difference may be recognized as a charge-off. Nonaccrual loans are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy due to the unobservable inputs used in determining their fair value such as collateral values and the borrower's underlying financial condition. Also included in nonaccrual loans are loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality.

Other real estate owned – Other real estate owned (OREO) represents real estate foreclosed upon by Pinnacle Bank through loan defaults by customers or acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure. Substantially all of these amounts relate to lots, homes and development projects that are either completed or are in various stages of construction for which Pinnacle Financial believes it has adequate collateral. Upon foreclosure, the property is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, based on appraised value, less selling costs estimated as of the date acquired with any loss recognized as a charge-off through the allowance for loan losses. Additional OREO losses for subsequent valuation downward adjustments are determined on a specific property basis and are included as a component of noninterest expense along with holding costs. Any gains or losses realized at the time of disposal are also reflected in noninterest expense, as applicable. OREO is included in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy due to the lack of observable market inputs into the determination of fair value. Appraisal values are property-specific and sensitive to the changes in the overall economic environment.

Liabilities

Other liabilities – Pinnacle Financial has certain liabilities carried at fair value including certain interest rate swap agreements to facilitate customer transactions. The fair value of these liabilities is based on Pinnacle Financial's pricing models that utilize observable market inputs and is reflected within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following tables present financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, by caption on the consolidated balance sheets and by FASB ASC 820 valuation hierarchy (as described above) (in thousands):

September 30, 2015	Total carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet		Quoted market prices in an active market (Level 1)		Models with significant observable market parameters (Level 2)		Models with significant unobservable market parameters (Level 3)
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury securities	$	9,999	$	9,999	$	-		-
U.S. government agency securities		144,803		-		144,803		-
Mortgage-backed securities		590,971		-		590,971		-
State and municipal securities		163,494		-		163,494		-
Agency-backed securities		50,891		-		50,891		-
Corporate notes and other		12,137		-		12,137		-
Total investment securities available-for-sale	$	972,295	$	9,999	$	962,296	$	-
Other investments		7,845		-		-		7,845
Other assets		18,419		-		18,419		-
Total assets at fair value	$	998,559	$	9,999	$	980,715	$	7,845

Other liabilities	$	20,132	$	-	$	20,132	$	-
Total liabilities at fair value	$	20,132	$	-	$	20,132	$	-

December 31, 2014
Investment securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury securities	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
U.S. government agency securities		113,456		-		113,456		-
Mortgage-backed securities		455,839		-		455,839		-
State and municipal securities		138,578		-		138,578		-
Agency-backed securities		13,018		-		13,018		-
Corporate notes and other		11,164		-		11,164		-
Total investment securities available-for-sale		732,055		-		732,055		-
Other investments		8,004		-		-		8,004
Other assets		15,987		-		15,987		-
Total assets at fair value	$	756,046	$	-	$	748,042	$	8,004

Other liabilities	$	15,981	$	-	$	15,981	$	-
Total liabilities at fair value	$	15,981	$	-	$	15,981	$	-

The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

September 30, 2015	Total carrying value in the consolidated balance sheet		Quoted market prices in an active market (Level 1)		Models with significant observable market parameters (Level 2)		Models with significant unobservable market parameters (Level 3)		Total losses for the year-to-date period then ended
Other real estate owned	$	4,773	$	-	$	-	$	4,773	$	(18	)
Nonaccrual loans, net ⁽¹⁾		27,900		-		-		27,900		(567	)
Total	$	32,673	$	-	$	-	$	32,673	$	(585	)

December 31, 2014
Other real estate owned	$	11,186	$	-	$	-	$	11,186	$	(509	)
Nonaccrual loans, net ⁽¹⁾		15,551		-		-		15,551		(1,032	)
Total	$	26,737	$	-	$	-	$	26,737	$	(1,541	)

(1)

Amount is net of a valuation allowance of $2.1 million at September 30, 2015 and $1.2 million at December 31, 2014 as required by ASC 310-10, "Receivables." Included in nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2015 are $11.8 million of loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality which were recorded at their fair value upon acquisition.

In the case of the investment securities portfolio, Pinnacle Financial monitors the portfolio to ascertain when transfers between levels have been affected. The nature of the remaining assets and liabilities is such that transfers in and out of any level are expected to be rare. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.

The table below includes a rollforward of the balance sheet amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 (including the change in fair value) for financial instruments classified by Pinnacle Financial within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. When a determination is made to classify a financial instrument within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy, the determination is based upon the significance of the unobservable factors to the overall fair value measurement. However, since Level 3 financial instruments typically include, in addition to the unobservable or Level 3 components, observable components (that is, components that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources), the gains and losses in the table below include changes in fair value due in part to observable factors that are part of the valuation methodology (in thousands):

	For the nine months ended September 30,
	2015					2014
	Other assets			Other liabilities		Other assets		Other liabilities
Fair value, January 1	$	8,004		$	-	$	6,701	$	-
Total realized gains (losses) included in income		(243	)		-		406		-
Change in unrealized gains/losses included in other comprehensive income for assets and liabilities still held at September 30		-			-		-		-
Purchases		708			-		357		-
Issuances		-			-		-		-
Settlements		(624	)		-		-		-
Transfers out of Level 3		-			-		-		-
Fair value, September 30		7,845			-		7,464		-
The amount of (gains) losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized (gains) losses relating to assets still held at the reporting date	$	(243	)	$	-	$	406	$	-

The following methods and assumptions were used by Pinnacle Financial in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments that are not measured at fair value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flow models. Those models are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rates, estimates of future cash flows and borrower creditworthiness. The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Such amounts have not been revalued for purposes of these consolidated financial statements since those dates and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

Securities held-to-maturity - Estimated fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices where available. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models that use observable inputs or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics.

Loans, net - The fair value of our loan portfolio includes a credit risk factor in the determination of the fair value of our loans. This credit risk assumption is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction. Our loan portfolio is initially fair valued using a segmented approach. We divide our loan portfolio into the following categories: variable rate loans, impaired loans and all other loans. The results are then adjusted to account for credit risk.

For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values approximate carrying values. Fair values for impaired loans are estimated using discounted cash flow models or based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. For other loans, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. The values derived from the discounted cash flow approach for each of the above portfolios are then further discounted to incorporate credit risk to determine the exit price.

Mortgage and other loans held-for-sale - Mortgage loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The estimate of fair value is based on pricing models and other information.

Mortgage Servicing Rights - MSRs are valued using a discounted cash flow methodology, and are classified as Level 3 assets. The Company determines fair value by estimating the present value of the asset's future cash flows using prepayment rates, discount rates, and other assumptions. The MSR valuations, as well as the assumptions used, are developed by the mortgage servicing division and are subject to review by management who are independent from the modeling. The MSR valuations and assumptions are validated through comparison to trade information, publicly available data and industry surveys when available, and are also compared to independent third party valuations periodically. Risks inherent in MSR valuation include higher than expected prepayment rates and/or delayed receipt of cash flows. There is minimal observable market activity for MSRs on comparable portfolios, and, therefore the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment.

Deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances, subordinated debt and other borrowings - The carrying amounts of demand deposits, savings deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase, floating rate advances from the FHLB, floating rate subordinated debt and other borrowings, and floating rate loans approximate their fair values due to having no stated maturity. Fair values for certificates of deposit, fixed rate advances from the FHLB and fixed rate subordinated debt are estimated using discounted cash flow models, using current market interest rates offered on certificates, advances and other borrowings with similar remaining maturities. For fixed rate subordinated debt, the maturity is assumed to be as of the earliest date that the indebtedness will be repriced.

Off-balance sheet instruments - The fair values of Pinnacle Financial's off-balance-sheet financial instruments are based on fees charged to enter into similar agreements. However, commitments to extend credit do not represent a significant value to Pinnacle Financial until such commitments are funded.

The following table presents the carrying amounts, estimated fair value and placement in the fair value hierarchy of Pinnacle Financial's financial instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. This table excludes financial instruments for which the carrying amount approximates fair value. For short-term financial assets such as cash and cash equivalents, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the relatively short time between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization. For financial liabilities such as non-interest bearing demand, interest-bearing demand, and savings deposits, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to these products having no stated maturity (in thousands).

September 30, 2015	Carrying/ Notional Amount		Estimated Fair Value⁽¹⁾		Quoted market prices in an active market (Level 1)		Models with significant observable market parameters (Level 2)		Models with significant unobservable market parameters (Level 3)
Financial assets:
Securities held-to-maturity	$	31,698	$	31,850	$	-	$	31,850	$	-
Loans, net		6,272,230		6,182,104		-		-		6,182,104
Mortgage loans held-for-sale		47,672		48,097		-		48,097		-
Loans held-for-sale		20,236		20,415		-		20,415		-
Mortgage servicing rights		9,128		9,400		-		-		9,400

Financial liabilities:
Deposits and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase		6,668,756		6,147,757		-		-		6,147,757
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		545,330		548,531		-		-		548,531
Subordinated debt and other borrowings		142,476		128,818		-		-		128,818

Off-balance sheet instruments:
Commitments to extend credit ⁽²⁾		2,219,059		1,071		-		-		1,071
Standby letters of credit ⁽³⁾		81,732		265		-		-		265


December 31, 2014
Financial assets:
Securities held-to-maturity	$	38,676	$	38,789	$	-	$	38,789	$	-
Loans, net		4,522,668		4,406,581		-		-		4,406,581
Mortgage loans held for sale		14,039		14,322		-		14,322		-

Financial liabilities:
Deposits and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase		4,876,600		4,603,915		-		-		4,603,915
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		195,476		195,450		-		-		195,450
Subordinated debt and other borrowings		96,158		77,433		-		-		77,433

Off-balance sheet instruments:
Commitments to extend credit ⁽²⁾		1,390,593		1,078		-		-		1,078
Standby letters of credit ⁽³⁾		65,955		293		-		-		293

(1)	Estimated fair values are consistent with an exit-price concept. The assumptions used to estimate the fair values are intended to approximate those that a market-participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction.

(2)

At the end of each quarter, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the inherent risks of the outstanding off-balance sheet commitments. In making this evaluation, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the credit worthiness of the borrower, the collateral supporting the commitments and any other factors similar to those used to evaluate the inherent risks of our loan portfolio. Additionally, Pinnacle Financial evaluates the probability that the outstanding commitment will eventually become a funded loan. As a result, at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Pinnacle Financial included in other liabilities $1.1 million representing the inherent risks associated with these off-balance sheet commitments.

(3)

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of Pinnacle Financial's standby letters of credit was $265,000 and $293,000, respectively. This amount represents the unamortized fee associated with these standby letters of credit and is included in the consolidated balance sheet of Pinnacle Financial and is believed to approximate fair value. This fair value will decrease over time as the existing standby letters of credit approach their expiration dates.