NOTE 17. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure, disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, is required. Fair value of a financial instrument is 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. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows, and the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instruments. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company.

The fair value guidance provides a consistent definition of fair value, which focuses on exit price in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires use of significant judgment. The fair value is a reasonable point within the range that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions.

Fair Value Hierarchy

In accordance with this guidance, the Company groups its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.

Level 1—Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 1 assets and liabilities generally include debt and equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Valuation is based on inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. The valuation may be based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3—Valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

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.

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash and Due from Banks – For these short-term instruments, fair value is the carrying value. Cash and due from banks is classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Federal Funds Sold/Purchased and Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements – The fair value is the carrying value. The Company classifies these assets in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Investments – Where quoted prices are available in an active market, the Company classifies these securities within level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Securities are defined as both long and short positions. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds and exchange-traded equities.

If quoted market prices are not available, the Company estimates fair values using pricing models and discounted cash flows that consider standard input factors such as observable market data, benchmark yields, interest rate volatilities, broker/dealer quotes, and credit spreads. Examples of such instruments, which would generally be classified within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, include Government Sponsored Enterprise obligations, corporate bonds and other securities. Mortgage-backed securities are included in level 2 if observable inputs are available. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, the Company classifies these securities in level 3.

Loans – For variable-rate loans that re-price frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. Fair values for certain mortgage loans (for example, one-to-four family residential), credit card loans, and other consumer loans are based on quoted market prices of similar instruments sold in conjunction with securitization transactions, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics. Fair values for other loans (for example, commercial real estate and investment property mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market interest rates for comparable loans. Fair values for nonperforming loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses or underlying collateral values, where applicable. The Company classifies loans in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Loans held for sale are measured using quoted market prices when available. If quoted market prices are not available, comparable market values or discounted cash flow analyses may be utilized. The Company classifies these assets in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Real Estate Owned – The fair values are estimated based on recent appraisal values of the property less costs to sell the property, as real estate owned is valued at the lower of cost or fair value of the property, less estimated costs to sell. Certain inputs used in appraisals are not always observable, and therefore real estate owned may be classified in level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. When inputs are observable, these assets are classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Accrued Interest – The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value and are classified in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Deposit Liabilities—The fair values disclosed for noninterest-bearing demand deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). These noninterest-bearing deposits are classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying amounts of variable-rate deposit accounts (for example interest-bearing checking, savings and money market accounts), fixed-term money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies market interest rates on comparable instruments to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits. All interest-bearing deposits are classified in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Short-Term Borrowings—The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings maturing within 90 days approximate their fair values. The Company classifies these borrowings in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Long-Term Borrowings – The fair values of long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flows analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is therefore classified in level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Commitments – The fair value of commitments to extend credit was not significant.

Derivative Instruments – The fair value for interest rate swap agreements are based upon the amounts required to settle the contracts. These derivative instruments are classified in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below; there were no liabilities measured on a recurring basis at December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

			Quoted Prices in				Significant
			Active Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
December 31, 2014
Assets:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	48,246	$	-	$	48,246	$	-
Obligations of other U.S. government agencies and corporations		4,360		-		4,360		-
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		11,740		-		11,740		-
Corporate bonds		5,419		-		5,419
Equity securities		534		534		-		-
Total assets	$	70,299	$	534	$	69,765	$	-
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	$	303	$	-	$	303	$	-

December 31, 2013
Mortgage-backed securities	$	34,462	$	-	$	34,462	$	-
Obligations of other U.S. government agencies and corporations		2,210		-		2,210		-
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		14,100		-		14,100		-
Corporate bonds		4,925		-		4,925		-
Equity securities		476		476		-		-
Total	$	56,173	$	476	$	55,697	$	-

Fair Value Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below; there were no liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2014 or 2013 (dollars in thousands):

			Quoted Prices in				Significant
			Active Markets for		Significant Other		Unobservable
			Identical Assets		Observable Inputs		Inputs
	Fair Value		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
December 31, 2014
Loans held for sale	$	103,396	$	-	$	-	$	103,396
Impaired loans		3,497		-		-		3,497
Real estate owned		2,735		-		-		2,735
Total	$	109,628	$	-	$	-	$	109,628

December 31, 2013
Loans held for sale	$	5,029	$	-	$	-	$	5,029
Impaired loans		4,175		-		-		4,175
Real estate owned		3,515		-		-		3,515
Total	$	12,719	$	-	$	-	$	12,719

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

	December 31, 2014
	Carrying		Estimated
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	19,012	$	19,012	$	19,012	$	-	$	-
Federal funds sold		500		500		500		-		-
Investment securities		92,818		92,600		534		92,066		-
Other equity securities		5,566		5,566		-		5,566		-
Loans, net of allowance		721,556		722,675		-		-		722,675
Accrued interest receivable		2,435		2,435		2,435		-		-

Financial liabilities:
Deposits, noninterest-bearing	$	70,217	$	70,217	$	-	$	70,217	$	-
Deposits, interest-bearing		557,901		560,667		-		-		560,667
FHLB short-term advances and repurchase agreements		116,632		116,632		-		116,632		-
FHLB long-term advances		21,446		21,493		-		-		21,493
Note payable		3,609		3,608		-		-		3,608
Accrued interest payable		284		284		284		-		-
Derivative financial instruments		303		303		-		303		-

	December 31, 2013
	Carrying		Estimated
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	27,703	$	27,703	$	27,703	$	-	$	-
Federal funds sold		500		500		500		-		-
Investment securities		62,752		62,159		476		61,833		-
Other equity securities		2,020		2,020		-		2,020		-
Loans, net of allowance		505,744		510,998		-		-		510,998
Accrued interest receivable		1,835		1,835		1,835		-		-

Financial liabilities:
Deposits, noninterest-bearing	$	72,795	$	72,795	$	-	$	72,795	$	-
Deposits, interest-bearing		459,811		456,046		-		-		456,046
FHLB short-term advances and repurchase agreements		10,203		10,203		-		10,203		-
FHLB long-term advances		30,818		30,896		-		-		30,896
Note payable		3,609		3,605		-		-		3,605
Accrued interest payable		285		285		285		-		-