Fair Value Measurements

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Various financial instruments such as available for sale and trading securities, certain non-marketable securities relating to private equity activities, and derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets and liabilities on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, mortgage servicing rights and certain other investment securities. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve lower of cost or fair value accounting, or write-downs of individual assets.

Fair value 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. Depending on the nature of the asset or liability, the Company uses various valuation techniques and assumptions when estimating fair value. For accounting disclosure purposes, a three-level valuation hierarchy of fair value measurements has been established. 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 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, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs that are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly (such as interest rates, yield curves, and prepayment speeds).


•	Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value. These may be internally developed, using the Company’s best information and assumptions that a market participant would consider.

When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded or disclosed at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. When possible, the Company looks to active and observable markets to price identical assets or liabilities. When identical assets and liabilities are not traded in active markets, the Company looks to observable market data for similar assets and liabilities. Nevertheless, certain assets and liabilities are not actively traded in observable markets, and the Company must use alternative valuation techniques to derive an estimated fair value measurement.

Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents the carrying values of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014 and 2013. There were no transfers among levels during these years.



			Fair Value Measurements Using
(In thousands)	Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
December 31, 2014
Assets:
Available for sale securities:
U.S. government and federal agency obligations	$	501,407	$	501,407	$	—	$	—
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations	963,127		—		963,127		—
State and municipal obligations	1,813,201		—		1,718,058		95,143
Agency mortgage-backed securities	2,593,708		—		2,593,708		—
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities	382,744		—		382,744		—
Asset-backed securities	3,091,993		—		3,091,993		—
Other debt securities	139,161		—		139,161		—
Equity securities	38,219		17,975		20,244		—
Trading securities	15,357		—		15,357		—
Private equity investments	57,581		—		—		57,581
Derivatives *	10,457		—		10,454		3
Assets held in trust	8,848		8,848		—		—
Total assets	9,615,803		528,230		8,934,846		152,727
Liabilities:
Derivatives *	10,948		—		10,722		226
Total liabilities	$	10,948	$	—	$	10,722	$	226
December 31, 2013
Assets:
Available for sale securities:
U.S. government and federal agency obligations	$	505,696	$	505,696	$	—	$	—
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations	741,766		—		741,766		—
State and municipal obligations	1,619,171		—		1,491,447		127,724
Agency mortgage-backed securities	2,772,338		—		2,772,338		—
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities	246,983		—		246,983		—
Asset-backed securities	2,844,071		—		2,844,071		—
Other debt securities	141,757		—		141,757		—
Equity securities	43,898		24,646		19,252		—
Trading securities	19,993		—		19,993		—
Private equity investments	56,612		—		—		56,612
Derivatives *	12,980		—		12,976		4
Assets held in trust	7,511		7,511		—		—
Total assets	9,012,776		537,853		8,290,583		184,340
Liabilities:
Derivatives *	13,329		—		13,260		69
Total liabilities	$	13,329	$	—	$	13,260	$	69


*	The fair value of each class of derivative is shown in Note 18.

Valuation methods for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis

Following is a description of the Company’s valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Available for sale investment securities

For available for sale securities, changes in fair value, including that portion of other-than-temporary impairment unrelated to credit loss, are recorded in other comprehensive income. As mentioned in Note 4 on Investment Securities, the Company records the credit-related portion of other-than-temporary impairment in current earnings. This portfolio comprises the majority of the assets which the Company records at fair value. Most of the portfolio, which includes government-sponsored enterprise, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, are priced utilizing industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curves, volatility factors, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. These measurements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, the measurements are classified as Level 1. Most of the Level 1 measurements apply to equity securities and U.S. Treasury obligations.

The fair values of Level 1 and 2 securities (excluding equity securities) in the available for sale portfolio are prices provided by a third-party pricing service. The prices provided by the third-party pricing service are based on observable market inputs, as described in the sections below. On a quarterly basis, the Company compares a sample of these prices to other independent sources for the same and similar securities. Variances are analyzed, and, if appropriate, additional research is conducted with the third-party pricing service. Based on this research, the pricing service may affirm or revise its quoted price. No significant adjustments have been made to the prices provided by the pricing service. The pricing service also provides documentation on an ongoing basis that includes reference data, inputs and methodology by asset class, which is reviewed to ensure that security placement within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate.

Valuation methods and inputs, by class of security:


•	U.S. government and federal agency obligations

U.S. treasury bills, bonds and notes, including inflation-protected securities, are valued using live data from active market makers and inter-dealer brokers. Valuations for stripped coupon and principal issues are derived from yield curves generated from various dealer contacts and live data sources.


•	Government-sponsored enterprise obligations

Government-sponsored enterprise obligations are evaluated using cash flow valuation models. Inputs used are live market data, cash settlements, Treasury market yields, and floating rate indices such as LIBOR, CMT, and Prime.


•	State and municipal obligations, excluding auction rate securities

A yield curve is generated and applied to bond sectors, and individual bond valuations are extrapolated. Inputs used to generate the yield curve are bellwether issue levels, established trading spreads between similar issuers or credits, historical trading spreads over widely accepted market benchmarks, new issue scales, and verified bid information. Bid information is verified by corroborating the data against external sources such as broker-dealers, trustees/paying agents, issuers, or non-affiliated bondholders.


•	Mortgage and asset-backed securities

Collateralized mortgage obligations and other asset-backed securities are valued at the tranche level. For each tranche valuation, the process generates predicted cash flows for the tranche, applies a market based (or benchmark) yield/spread for each tranche, and incorporates deal collateral performance and tranche level attributes to determine tranche-specific spreads to adjust the benchmark yield. Tranche cash flows are generated from new deal files and prepayment/default assumptions. Tranche spreads are based on tranche characteristics such as average life, type, volatility, ratings, underlying collateral and performance, and prevailing market conditions. The appropriate tranche spread is applied to the corresponding benchmark, and the resulting value is used to discount the cash flows to generate an evaluated price.

Valuation of agency pass-through securities, typically issued under GNMA, FNMA, FHLMC, and SBA programs, are primarily derived from information from the To Be Announced (TBA) market. This market consists of generic mortgage pools which have not been received for settlement. Snapshots of the TBA market, using live data feeds distributed by multiple electronic platforms, are used in conjunction with other indices to compute a price based on discounted cash flow models.


•	Other debt securities

Other debt securities are valued using active markets and inter-dealer brokers as well as bullet spread scales and option adjusted spreads. The spreads and models use yield curves, terms and conditions of the bonds, and any special features (e.g., call or put options and redemption features).


•	Equity securities

Equity securities are priced using the market prices for each security from the major stock exchanges or other electronic quotation systems. These are generally classified as Level 1 measurements. Stocks which trade infrequently are classified as Level 2.

The available for sale portfolio includes certain auction rate securities. The auction process by which the auction rate securities are normally priced has not functioned in recent years, and due to the illiquidity in the market, the fair value of these securities cannot be based on observable market prices. The fair values of these securities are estimated using a discounted cash flows analysis which is discussed more fully in the Level 3 Inputs section of this note. Because many of the inputs significant to the measurement are not observable, these measurements are classified as Level 3 measurements.

Trading securities

The securities in the Company’s trading portfolio are priced by averaging several broker quotes for similar instruments and are classified as Level 2 measurements.

Private equity investments

These securities are held by the Company’s private equity subsidiaries and are included in non-marketable investment securities in the consolidated balance sheets. Due to the absence of quoted market prices, valuation of these nonpublic investments requires significant management judgment. These fair value measurements, which are discussed in the Level 3 Inputs section of this note, are classified as Level 3.

Derivatives

The Company’s derivative instruments include interest rate swaps, foreign exchange forward contracts, and certain credit risk guarantee agreements. When appropriate, the impact of credit standing as well as any potential credit enhancements, such as collateral, has been considered in the fair value measurement.

•

Valuations for interest rate swaps are derived from a proprietary model whose significant inputs are readily observable market parameters, primarily yield curves used to calculate current exposure. Counterparty credit risk is incorporated into the model and calculated by applying a net credit spread over LIBOR to the swap's total expected exposure over time. The net credit spread is comprised of spreads for both the Company and its counterparty, derived from probability of default and other loss estimate information obtained from a third party credit data provider or from the Company's Credit Department when not otherwise available. The credit risk component is not significant compared to the overall fair value of the swaps. The results of the model are constantly validated through comparison to active trading in the marketplace. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 2.


•	Fair value measurements for foreign exchange contracts are derived from a model whose primary inputs are quotations from global market makers and are classified as Level 2.

•

The Company’s contracts related to credit risk guarantees are valued under a proprietary model which uses unobservable inputs and assumptions about the creditworthiness of the counterparty (generally a Bank customer). Customer credit spreads, which are based on probability of default and other loss estimates, are calculated internally by the Company's Credit Department, as mentioned above, and are based on the Company's internal risk rating for each customer. Because these inputs are significant to the measurements, they are classified as Level 3.

Assets held in trust

Assets held in an outside trust for the Company’s deferred compensation plan consist of investments in mutual funds. The fair value measurements are based on quoted prices in active markets and classified as Level 1. The Company has recorded an asset representing the total investment amount. The Company has also recorded a corresponding nonfinancial liability, representing the Company’s liability to the plan participants.

The changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:



	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
(In thousands)	State and Municipal Obligations			Private Equity Investments			Derivatives			Total
Year ended December 31, 2014:
Balance at January 1, 2014	$	127,724		$	56,612		$	(65	)	$	184,271
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
Included in earnings	—			19,137			122			19,259
Included in other comprehensive income	3,638			—			—			3,638
Investment securities called	(38,225		)	—			—			(38,225		)
Discount accretion	2,006			—			—			2,006
Purchases of private equity securities	—			14,152			—			14,152
Sale / paydown of private equity securities	—			(32,464		)	—			(32,464		)
Capitalized interest/dividends	—			144			—			144
Purchase of risk participation agreement	—			—			41			41
Sale of risk participation agreement	—			—			(321		)	(321		)
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	95,143		$	57,581		$	(223	)	$	152,501
Total gains or losses for the annual period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2014	$	—		$	718		$	118		$	836
Year ended December 31, 2013:
Balance at January 1, 2013	$	126,414		$	68,167		$	(187	)	$	194,394
Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):
Included in earnings	—			(2,971		)	234			(2,737		)
Included in other comprehensive income	3,253			—			—			3,253
Investment securities called	(2,150		)	—			—			(2,150		)
Discount accretion	207			—			—			207
Purchases of private equity securities	—			3,950			—			3,950
Sale / paydown of private equity securities	—			(12,865		)	—			(12,865		)
Capitalized interest/dividends	—			331			—			331
Sale of risk participation agreement	—			—			(112		)	(112		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	127,724		$	56,612		$	(65	)	$	184,271
Total gains or losses for the annual period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2013	$	—		$	(5,297	)	$	234		$	(5,063	)

Gains and losses on the Level 3 assets and liabilities in the table above are reported in the following income categories:



(In thousands)	Other Non-Interest Income		Investment Securities Gains (Losses), Net			Total
Year ended December 31, 2014:
Total gains or losses included in earnings	$	122	$	19,137		$	19,259
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2014	$	118	$	718		$	836
Year ended December 31, 2013:
Total gains or losses included in earnings	$	234	$	(2,971	)	$	(2,737	)
Change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at December 31, 2013	$	234	$	(5,297	)	$	(5,063	)

Level 3 Inputs

As shown above, the Company's significant Level 3 measurements which employ unobservable inputs that are readily quantifiable pertain to auction rate securities (ARS) held by the Bank and investments in portfolio concerns held by the Company's private equity subsidiaries. ARS are included in state and municipal securities and totaled $95.1 million at December 31, 2014, while private equity investments, included in non-marketable securities, totaled $57.6 million.

Information about these inputs is presented in the table and discussions below.



Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range
Auction rate securities	Discounted cash flow	Estimated market recovery period	3	-	5 years
		Estimated market rate	2.1%	-	5.3%
Private equity investments	Market comparable companies	EBITDA multiple	4.0	-	5.5

The fair values of ARS are estimated using a discounted cash flows analysis in which estimated cash flows are based on mandatory interest rates paid under failing auctions and projected over an estimated market recovery period. Under normal conditions, ARS traded in weekly auctions and were considered liquid investments. The Company's estimate of when these auctions might resume is highly judgmental and subject to variation depending on current and projected market conditions. Few auctions of these securities have been successful in recent years, and most secondary transactions have been privately arranged. Estimated cash flows during the period over which the Company expects to hold the securities are discounted at an estimated market rate. These securities are comprised of bonds issued by various states and municipalities for healthcare and student lending purposes, and market rates are derived for each type. Market rates are calculated at each valuation date using a LIBOR or Treasury based rate plus spreads representing adjustments for liquidity premium and nonperformance risk. The spreads are developed internally by employees in the Company's bond department. An increase in the holding period alone would result in a higher fair value measurement, while an increase in the estimated market rate (the discount rate) alone would result in a lower fair value measurement. The valuation of the ARS portfolio is reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Company's chief investment officers.

The fair values of the Company's private equity investments are based on a determination of fair value of the investee company less preference payments assuming the sale of the investee company. Investee companies are normally non-public entities. The fair value of the investee company is determined by reference to the investee's total earnings before interest, depreciation/amortization, and income taxes (EBITDA) multiplied by an EBITDA factor. EBITDA is normally determined based on a trailing prior period adjusted for specific factors including current economic outlook, investee management, and specific unique circumstances such as sales order information, major customer status, regulatory changes, etc. The EBITDA multiple is based on management's review of published trading multiples for recent private equity transactions and other judgments and is derived for each individual investee. The fair value of the Company's investment (which is usually a partial interest in the investee company) is then calculated based on its ownership percentage in the investee company. On a quarterly basis, these fair value analyses are reviewed by a valuation committee consisting of investment managers and senior Company management.

Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during 2014 and 2013, and still held as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the following table provides the adjustments to fair value recognized during the respective periods, the level of valuation assumptions used to determine each adjustment, and the carrying value of the related individual assets or portfolios at December 31, 2014 and 2013.



			Fair Value Measurements Using
(In thousands)	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Gains (Losses)
Balance at December 31, 2014
Collateral dependent impaired loans	$	11,742	$	—	$	—	$	11,742	$	(1,184	)
Private equity investments	984		—		—		984		(1,516		)
Mortgage servicing rights	878		—		—		878		(13		)
Foreclosed assets	2,540		—		—		2,540		(706		)
Long-lived assets	9,895		—		—		9,895		(2,327		)
Balance at December 31, 2013
Collateral dependent impaired loans	$	23,654	$	—	$	—	$	23,654	$	(8,406	)
Private equity investments	500		—		—		500		(500		)
Mortgage servicing rights	779		—		—		779		309
Foreclosed assets	1,287		—		—		1,287		(430		)

Valuation methods for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Following is a description of the Company’s valuation methodologies used for other financial and nonfinancial instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Collateral dependent impaired loans

While the overall loan portfolio is not carried at fair value, the Company periodically records nonrecurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Nonrecurring adjustments also include certain impairment amounts for collateral dependent loans when establishing the allowance for loan losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan. In determining the value of real estate collateral, the Company relies on external and internal appraisals of property values depending on the size and complexity of the real estate collateral. The Company maintains a staff of qualified appraisers who also review third party appraisal reports for reasonableness. In the case of non-real estate collateral, reliance is placed on a variety of sources, including external estimates of value and judgments based on the experience and expertise of internal specialists. Values of all loan collateral are regularly reviewed by credit administration. Unobservable inputs to these measurements, which include estimates and judgments often used in conjunction with appraisals, are not readily quantifiable. These measurements are classified as Level 3. Changes in fair value recognized for partial charge-offs of loans and loan impairment reserves on loans held by the Company at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the table above.

Private equity investments and restricted stock

These assets are included in non-marketable investment securities in the consolidated balance sheets. They include certain investments in private equity concerns held by the Parent company which are carried at cost, reduced by other-than-temporary impairment. These investments are periodically evaluated for impairment based on their estimated fair value as determined by review of available information, most of which is provided as monthly or quarterly internal financial statements, annual audited financial statements, investee tax returns, and in certain situations, through research into and analysis of the assets and investments held by those private equity concerns. Restricted stock consists of stock issued by the Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB which is held by the bank subsidiary as required for regulatory purposes. Generally, there are restrictions on the sale and/or liquidation of these investments, and they are carried at cost, reduced by other-than-temporary impairment. Fair value measurements for these securities are classified as Level 3.

Mortgage servicing rights

The Company initially measures its mortgage servicing rights at fair value and amortizes them over the period of estimated net servicing income. They are periodically assessed for impairment based on fair value at the reporting date. Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active market with readily observable prices. Accordingly, the fair value is estimated based on a valuation model which calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The model incorporates assumptions that market participants use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of prepayment speeds, market discount rates, cost to service, float earnings rates, and other ancillary income, including late fees. The fair value measurements are classified as Level 3.

Foreclosed assets

Foreclosed assets consist of loan collateral which has been repossessed through foreclosure. This collateral is comprised of commercial and residential real estate and other non-real estate property, including auto, marine and recreational vehicles. Foreclosed assets are initially recorded as held for sale at the lower of the loan balance or fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are updated periodically, and the assets may be marked down further, reflecting a new cost basis. Fair value measurements may be based upon appraisals, third-party price opinions, or internally developed pricing methods. These measurements are classified as Level 3.

Long-lived assets

In accordance with ASC 360-10-35, investments in branch facilities and various office buildings are written down to estimated fair value, or estimated fair value less cost to sell if the property is held for sale. Fair value is estimated in a process which considers current local commercial real estate market conditions and the judgment of the sales agent and often involves obtaining third party appraisals from certified real estate appraisers. The carrying amounts of these real estate holdings are regularly monitored by real estate professionals employed by the Company. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 3. Unobservable inputs to these measurements, which include estimates and judgments often used in conjunction with appraisals, are not readily quantifiable. The measurements in 2014 pertained mainly to a downtown Kansas City office building and several properties previously designated for future branch sites, which are held for sale.