Fair value measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements

9 · Fair value measurements

Fair value estimates are based on the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid upon the transfer of a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value estimates are generally determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are based on market data obtained from independent sources. However, in certain cases, the Company uses its own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances. These valuations are estimates at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information, information about the financial instrument and judgments regarding future expected loss experience, economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result if the Company were to sell its entire holdings of a particular financial instrument at one time. Because no active trading market exists for a portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the estimates. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses could have a significant effect on fair value estimates, but have not been considered in making such estimates.

The Company groups its financial assets measured at fair value in three levels outlined as follows:

Level 1:Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices, unadjusted, for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.

Level 2:Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or inputs to the valuation methodology that are derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3:Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.

The Company used the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of each applicable class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

Cash and cash equivalents and short term borrowings—other than bank.  The carrying amount approximated fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Investment and mortgage-related securities.  To determine the fair value of investment securities held in ASB’s available-for-sale portfolio, independent third-party vendor or broker pricing is used on an unadjusted basis. Under this methodology, valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; or use of valuation methodologies that use inputs that are derived principally from or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

On a quarterly basis, fair value pricing levels obtained from ASB’s third-party vendor are reviewed by comparing its prices to a separate third party pricing service or to non-binding third-party broker quotes. ASB’s third-party vendor pricing is validated in the majority of cases for the determination of fair value. However, in cases where there are less active and orderly markets or less transparent information from ASB’s third-party vendor, fair value may be estimated by use of prices from the separate third party pricing service or from non-binding third-party broker quotes.

Loans receivable.  The estimated fair value of loans receivable is determined based on characteristics such as loan category, repricing features and remaining maturity, and includes prepayment estimates.

For residential real estate loans, fair values were estimated by discounting estimated cash flows using discount rates based on current industry pricing for loans with similar contractual characteristics and remaining maturity.

For other types of loans, fair values were estimated by discounting contractual cash flows using discount rates that reflect current industry pricing for loans with similar characteristics and remaining maturity.  Where industry pricing is not available, discount rates are based on ASB’s current pricing for loans with similar characteristics and remaining maturity.

The fair value of all loans was adjusted to reflect current assessments of loan collectability. Also see “Fair value measurements on a nonrecurring basis” below.

Deposit liabilities.  The fair value of savings, negotiable orders of withdrawal, demand and money market deposits was the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Other bank borrowings and long-term debt.  Fair value was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates available for borrowings with similar credit terms and remaining maturities.

Off-balance sheet financial instruments.  The fair value of loans serviced for others was calculated by discounting expected net income streams using discount rates that reflect industry pricing for similar assets. Expected net income streams were estimated based on industry assumptions regarding prepayment speeds and income and expenses associated with servicing residential mortgage loans for others. The fair value of commitments to originate loans was estimated based on the change in current primary market prices of new commitments. Since lines of credit can expire without being drawn and customers are under no obligation to utilize the lines, no fair value was assigned to unused lines of credit. The fair value of letters of credit was estimated based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements.

The estimated fair values of certain of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows:

	September 30, 2012										December 31, 2011
	Carrying or										Carrying or
	notional		Estimated fair value								notional		Estimated
(in thousands)	amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		amount		fair value
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents, excluding money market funds	$	168,502	$	—	$	168,502	$	—	$	168,502	$	270,255	$	270,255
Money market funds	10		—		10		—		10		10		10
Available-for-sale investment and mortgage-related securities	664,051		—		664,051		—		664,051		624,331		624,331
Investment in stock of Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle	96,893		—		96,893		—		96,893		97,764		97,764
Loans receivable, net	3,722,243		—		—		3,948,690		3,948,690		3,652,419		3,886,253
Financial liabilities
Deposit liabilities	4,126,788		—		4,133,347		—		4,133,347		4,070,032		4,075,656		(1)
Short-term borrowings—other than bank	82,219		—		82,219		—		82,219		68,821		68,821
Other bank borrowings	211,219		—		228,533		—		228,533		233,229		250,486
Long-term debt, net—other than bank	1,429,869		—		1,491,860		—		1,491,860		1,340,070		1,400,241

(1)Revised (increased by $83.9 million) to correct an error in the estimated fair value disclosure at December 31, 2011.

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, loan commitments and unused lines and letters of credit issued by ASB had notional amounts of $1.5 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, and their estimated fair value on such dates were $2.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, loans serviced by ASB for others had notional amounts of $1.2 billion and $993 million, respectively, and the estimated fair value of the servicing rights for such loans was $11.5 million and $9.8 million, respectively.

Fair value measurements on a recurring basis.  While securities held in ASB’s investment portfolio trade in active markets, they do not trade on listed exchanges nor do the specific holdings trade in quoted markets by dealers or brokers. All holdings are valued using market-based approaches that are based on exit prices that are taken from identical or similar market transactions, even in situations where trading volume may be low when compared with prior periods as has been the case during the recent market disruption. Inputs to these valuation techniques reflect the assumptions that consider credit and nonperformance risk that market participants would use in pricing the asset based on market data obtained from independent sources. Available-for-sale securities were comprised of federal agency obligations and mortgage-backed securities and municipal bonds.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:

	Fair value measurements
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
September 30, 2012
Money market funds (“other” segment)	$	—	$	10	$	—
Available-for-sale securities (bank segment)
Mortgage-related securities-FNMA, FHLMC and GNMA	$	—	$	364,620	$	—
Federal agency obligations	—		216,583		—
Municipal bonds	—		82,848		—
	$	—	$	664,051	$	—
December 31, 2011
Money market funds (“other” segment)	$	—	$	10	$	—
Available-for-sale securities (bank segment)
Mortgage-related securities-FNMA, FHLMC and GNMA	$	—	$	344,865	$	—
Federal agency obligations	—		220,727		—
Municipal bonds	—		58,739		—
	$	—	$	624,331	$	—

Fair value measurements on a nonrecurring basis.From time to time, the Company may be required to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. These adjustments to fair value usually result from the writedowns of individual assets. ASB does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, ASB records nonrecurring fair value adjustments based on the current appraised value of the collateral securing the loans or unobservable market assumptions. Unobservable assumptions reflect ASB’s own estimate of the fair value of collateral used in valuing the loan. ASB may also be required to measure goodwill at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. During the first nine months of 2012, it was not required that a measurement of the fair value of goodwill be calculated and goodwill was not measured at fair value.

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis were as follows:

			Fair value measurements
(in millions)	Balance		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Loans
September 30, 2012	$	24	$	—	$	—	$	24
December 31, 2011	34		—		—		34

For the first nine months of 2012 and 2011, there were no adjustments to fair value for ASB’s loans held for sale.

Residential loans.  The fair value of ASB’s residential loans that were written down due to impairment was determined based on third party appraisals for similar residential property sales in an active market, and therefore, is classified as a Level 3 measurement.

Home equity lines of credit.  The fair value of ASB’s home equity lines of credit that were written down due to impairment was determined based on third party appraisals for similar residential property sales in an active market, and therefore, is classified as a Level 3 measurement.

Commercial loans.  The fair value of ASB’s commercial loans that were written down due to impairment was determined based on third party appraisals for the specific properties, the value placed on the assets of the business and cash flows generated by the business entity, and therefore, is classified as a Level 3 measurement.

For loans classified as Level 3 as of September 30, 2012, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement were as follows:

($ in thousands)	Fair value at September 30, 2012		Valuation technique	Significant unobservable input	Significant unobservable  input value
Residential loans	$	20,088	Third party appraisal	Property sales	64%
Home equity lines of credit	649		Third party appraisal	Property sales	42%
Commercial loan	14		Third party appraisal	U.S. government agency guarantee	85%
Commercial loans	738		Third party appraisal	Fair value of business assets	45%
Commercial loan	1,998		Present value of cash flows	Present value of expected future cash flows based on anticipated debt restructuring Discount rate	Paydown of loan — 62% 4.5%
Commercial loan	227		Third party appraisal	Insurance proceeds	60%

Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.