Accounting guidance related to fair value measurements and disclosures specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs, minimize the use of unobservable inputs, to the extent possible, and considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Investment securities: The fair values of available-for-sale and marketable equity securities are obtained from an independent third party and are based on quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges where available (Level 1). If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured by utilizing matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2). Management made no adjustment to the fair value quotes that were received from the independent third party pricing service. Level 3 securities are assets whose fair value cannot be determined by using observable measures, such as market prices or pricing models. Level 3 assets are typically very illiquid, and fair values can only be calculated using estimates or risk-adjusted value ranges. Management applies known factors, such as currently applicable discount rates, to the valuation of those investments in order to determine fair value at the reporting date.

The Company holds two corporate investment securities with an aggregate amortized historical cost of $4.8 million and an aggregate fair market value of $5.0 million as of June 30, 2019. These securities have valuations that are determined using published net asset values (NAV) derived by analyses of the securities’ underlying assets. These securities are comprised primarily of broadly-diversified real estate and adjustable-rate senior secured business loans and are traded in secondary markets on an infrequent basis. While these securities are redeemable at least annually through tender offers made by their respective issuers, the liquidation value of the securities may be below their stated NAVs and also subject to restrictions as to the amount of securities that can be redeemed at any single scheduled redemption. The Company anticipates that these securities will be redeemed by their respective issuers on indeterminate future dates as a consequence of the ultimate liquidation strategies employed by the management of these investments.

Interest rate swap derivative: The fair value of the interest rate swap derivative is calculated based on a discounted cash flow model. All future floating cash flows are projected and both floating and fixed cash flows are discounted to the valuation date. The curve utilized for discounting and projecting is built by obtaining publicly available third party market quotes for various swap maturity terms.

Impaired loans: Impaired loans are those loans in which the Company has measured impairment based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral or the discounted value of expected future cash flows. Fair value is generally determined based upon market value evaluations by third parties of the properties and/or estimates by management of working capital collateral or discounted cash flows based upon expected proceeds. These appraisals may include up to three approaches to value: the sales comparison approach, the income approach (for income-producing property), and the cost approach. Management modifies the appraised values, if needed, to take into account recent developments in the market or other factors, such as, changes in absorption rates or market conditions from the time of valuation and anticipated sales values considering management’s plans for disposition. Such modifications to the appraised values could result in lower valuations of such collateral. Estimated costs to sell are based on current amounts of disposal costs for similar assets. These measurements are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. Impaired loans are subject to nonrecurring fair value adjustment upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment. A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance.

Foreclosed real estate: Fair values for foreclosed real estate are initially recorded based on market value evaluations by third parties, less costs to sell (“initial cost basis”). Any write-downs required when the related loan receivable is exchanged for the underlying real estate collateral at the time of transfer to foreclosed real estate are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Values are derived from appraisals, similar to impaired loans, of underlying collateral or discounted cash flow analysis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are updated periodically and assets are marked to current fair value, not to exceed the initial cost basis. In the determination of fair value subsequent to foreclosure, management also considers other factors or recent developments, such as, changes in absorption rates and market conditions from the time of valuation and anticipated sales values considering management’s plans for disposition. Either change could result in adjustment to lower the property value estimates indicated in the appraisals. These measurements are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the indicated dates, segregated by the level of valuation inputs within the hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

	June 30, 2019
								Total Fair
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Value
Available-for-Sale Portfolio
Debt investment securities:
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs	$	-	$	12,083		$	-	$	12,083
State and political subdivisions		-		4,928			-		4,928
Corporate		-		10,502			-		10,502
Asset backed securities		-		17,137			-		17,137
Residential mortgage-backed - US agency		-		18,791			-		18,791
Collateralized mortgage obligations - US agency		-		33,982			-		33,982
Collateralized mortgage obligations - Private label		-		14,862			-		14,862
Total				112,285					112,285
Corporate measured at NAV		-		-			-		5,040
Total available-for-sale securities	$	-	$	112,285		$	-	$	117,325

Marketable equity securities	$	-	$	510		$	-	$	510

Interest rate swap derivative	$	-	$	(110	)	$	-	$	(110	)

	December 31, 2018
							Total Fair
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Value
Available-for-Sale Portfolio
Debt investment securities:
US Treasury, agencies and GSEs	$	-	$	17,031	$	-	$	17,031
State and political subdivisions		-		23,065		-		23,065
Corporate		-		12,141		-		12,141
Asset backed securities		-		18,119		-		18,119
Residential mortgage-backed - US agency		-		31,666		-		31,666
Collateralized mortgage obligations - US agency		-		46,441		-		46,441
Collateralized mortgage obligations - Private label		-		23,936		-		23,936
Total				172,399				172,399
Corporate measured at NAV		-		-		-		5,059
Total available-for-sale securities	$	-	$	172,399	$	-	$	177,458

Marketable equity securities	$	-	$	453	$	-	$	453

Pathfinder Bank had the following assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

			June 30, 2019
							Total Fair
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Value
Impaired loans	$	-	$	-	$	3,136	$	3,136
Foreclosed real estate	$	-	$	-	$	84	$	84

			December 31, 2018
							Total Fair
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Value
Impaired loans	$	-	$	-	$	1,098	$	1,098
Foreclosed real estate	$	-	$	-	$	1,173	$	1,173

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which Level 3 inputs were used to determine fair value at the indicated dates.

There have been no transfers of assets into or out of any fair value measurement during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Required disclosures include fair value information of financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statement of condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. 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. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instrument.

The Company has various processes and controls in place to ensure that fair value is reasonably estimated. The Company performs due diligence procedures over third-party pricing service providers in order to support their use in the valuation process.

While the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective period-ends, and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each period-end.

FASB ASC Topic 820 for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, the financial assets and liabilities were valued at a price that represents the Company’s exit price or the price at which these instruments would be sold or transferred.

The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. The Company, in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments, used the following methods and assumptions:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amounts of these assets approximate their fair value and are classified as Level 1.

Investment securities – The fair values of available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and marketable equity securities are obtained from an independent third party and are based on quoted prices on nationally recognized exchange where available (Level 1). If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured by utilizing matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2). Management made no adjustment to the fair value quotes that were received from the independent third party pricing service. Level 3 securities are assets whose fair value cannot be determined by using observable measures, such as market prices or pricing models. Level 3 assets are typically very illiquid, and fair values can only be calculated using estimates or risk-adjusted value ranges. Management applies known factors, such as currently applicable discount rates, to the valuation of those investments in order to determine fair value at the reporting date.

The Company holds two corporate investment securities with an aggregate amortized historical cost of $4.8 million and an aggregate fair market value of $5.0 million as of June 30, 2019. These securities have valuations that are determined using published NAV derived by analyses of the securities’ underlying assets. These securities are comprised primarily of broadly-diversified real estate and adjustable-rate senior secured business loans and are traded in secondary markets on an infrequent basis. While these securities are redeemable at least annually through tender offers made by their respective issuers, the liquidation value of the securities may be below their stated NAVs and also subject to restrictions as to the amount of securities that can be redeemed at any single scheduled redemption. The Company anticipates that these securities will be redeemed by their respective issuers on indeterminate future dates as a consequence of the ultimate liquidation strategies employed by the management of these investments.

Federal Home Loan Bank stock – The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value and are classified as Level 2.

Net loans – For variable-rate loans that re-price frequently, fair value is based on carrying amounts. The fair value of other loans (for example, fixed-rate commercial real estate loans, mortgage loans, and commercial and industrial loans) is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on interest rates currently being offered in the market for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Loan value estimates include judgments based on expected prepayment rates. The measurement of the fair value of loans, including impaired loans, is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Accrued interest receivable and payable – The carrying amount of these assets approximates their fair value and are classified as Level 1.

Deposits – The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing checking, passbook savings and certain types of money management accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts) and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates of deposits to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits. Measurements of the fair value of time deposits are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Borrowings – Fixed/variable term “bullet” structures are valued using a replacement cost of funds approach. These borrowings are discounted to the FHLBNY advance curve. Option structured borrowings’ fair values are determined by the FHLB for borrowings that include a call or conversion option. If market pricing is not available from this source, current market indications from the FHLBNY are obtained and the borrowings are discounted to the FHLBNY advance curve less an appropriate spread to adjust for the option. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

Subordinated loans – The Company secures quotes from its pricing service based on a discounted cash flow methodology or utilizes observations of recent highly-similar transactions which result in a Level 2 classification.

Interest rate swap derivative – The fair value of the interest rate swap derivative is obtained from a third party pricing agent and is calculated based on a discounted cash flow model. All future floating cash flows are projected and both floating and fixed cash flows are discounted to the valuation date. The curve utilized for discounting and projecting is built by obtaining publicly available third party market quotes for various swap maturity terms, and therefore is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of the indicated dates are presented in the following table:

		June 30, 2019				December 31, 2018
	Fair Value	Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
(In thousands)	Hierarchy	Amounts		Fair Values		Amounts		Fair Values
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	50,342	$	50,342	$	26,316	$	26,316
Investment securities - available-for-sale	2		112,285		112,285		172,399		172,399
Investment securities - available-for-sale	NAV		5,040		5,040		5,059		5,059
Investment securities - marketable equity	2		510		510		453		453
Investment securities - held-to-maturity	2		95,324		96,959		53,908		53,769
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	2		4,443		4,443		5,937		5,937
Net loans	3		684,998		681,739		612,964		601,789
Accrued interest receivable	1		3,339		3,339		3,068		3,068

Financial liabilities:
Demand Deposits, Savings, NOW and MMDA	1	$	436,047	$	436,047	$	450,267	$	450,267
Time Deposits	2		372,590		373,694		276,793		275,727
Borrowings	2		89,434		89,924		118,534		118,379
Subordinated loans	2		15,111		14,855		15,094		14,485
Accrued interest payable	1		446		446		304		304
Interest rate swap derivative	2		110		110		-		-