Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a variety of factors, such as the type of security, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. As such, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3.

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that the Company believes market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Company’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:

U.S. Government Securities: U.S. government securities are valued using quoted market prices and as such, valuation adjustments are not applied. Accordingly, U.S. government securities are generally categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Municipal Securities: Municipal securities are valued using recently executed transactions, market price quotations (when observable), bond spreads from independent external parties such as vendors and brokers, adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. The spread data used is for the same maturity as the bond. Municipal securities are generally categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Corporate Bonds and Convertible Preferred Stock: The fair value of corporate bonds and convertible preferred stock are determined using recently executed transactions, market price quotations (when observable), bond spreads, or credit default swap spreads obtained from independent external parties such as vendors and brokers, adjusted for any basis difference between cash and derivative instruments. The spread data used is for the same maturity as the bond. If the spread data does not reference the issuer, then data that references a comparable issuer is used. When position-specific external price data is not observable, fair value is determined based on either benchmarking to similar instruments or cash flow models with yield curves, bond, or single-name credit default swap spreads and recovery rates as significant inputs. Corporate bonds and convertible preferred stocks are generally categorized in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Equity Securities: Equity securities are valued based on quoted prices from the exchange. To the extent these securities are actively traded, valuation adjustments are not applied, and they are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Securities quoted in inactive markets or with observable inputs are categorized into level 2. If there are no observable inputs or quoted prices, securities are categorized as level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 assets are not actively traded and subjective estimates based on managements’ assumptions are utilized for valuation.

Certificates of Deposit: Certificates of deposit included in investments are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. These are categorized within cash and cash equivalents in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Unit Investment Trusts: Units of unit investment trusts are carried at redemption value, which represents fair value. Units of unit investment trusts are categorized in level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fair Value Hierarchy Tables

The following tables present the Company's fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the periods presented.

	As of June 30, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Certificates of deposit	$	—	$	143,000	$	—	$	143,000

Securities owned, at fair value
U.S. government securities*	$	2,042,000	$	—	$	—	$	2,042,000
Corporate bonds		—		23,000		—		23,000
Equity securities		161,000		148,000		—		309,000
Total Securities owned, at fair value	$	2,203,000	$	171,000	$	—	$	2,374,000

Liabilities
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
Equity securities	$	—	$	17,000	$	—	$	17,000
Total Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	$	—	$	17,000	$	—	$	17,000

*As of June 30, 2020, U.S. government securities mature on 08/31/2021

	As of December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Certificates of deposit	$	—	$	142,000	$	—	$	142,000

Segregated securities
U.S. government securities	$	1,311,000		—		—	$	1,311,000

Securities owned, at fair value
U.S. government securities	$	2,007,000	$	—	$	—	$	2,007,000
Corporate bonds		—		25,000		—		25,000
Equity securities		453,000		245,000		288,000		986,000
Total Securities owned, at fair value	$	2,460,000	$	270,000	$	288,000	$	3,018,000

Liabilities
Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
Equity securities	$	88,000	$	28,000	$	—	$	116,000
Total Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value	$	88,000	$	28,000	$	—	$	116,000

	Changes in Level 3 Equity Assets
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
		Amount		Valuation Technique	Reason for Change
Balance – January 1, 2020	$	288,000		Liquidation value based on valuation report
Transfers out of level 3		(288,000	)		Sale of equity security
Balance – June 30, 2020	$	—

The following represents financial instruments in which the ending balances as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are not carried at fair value in the statements of financial condition:

Short-term financial instruments: The carrying value of short-term financial instruments, including cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes are recorded at amounts that approximate the fair value of these instruments. These financial instruments generally expose the Company to limited credit risk and have no stated maturities or have short-term maturities and carry interest rates that approximate market rates. Cash and securities segregated for regulatory purposes are classified as level 1. Securities segregated for regulatory purposes consist of treasury notes which are categorized in the above tables as level 1 assets.

Receivables and other assets: Receivables from broker-dealers and clearing organizations, receivables from customers, other receivables, and other assets are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value and are classified as level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.

Securities borrowed and securities loaned: Securities borrowed and securities loaned are recorded at amounts which approximate fair value and are primarily classified as level 2 under the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s securities borrowed and securities loaned balances represent amounts of equity securities borrow and loan contracts and are marked-to-market daily in accordance with standard industry practices which approximate fair value.

Payables: Payables to customers, payables to non-customers, drafts payable, payables to broker-dealers and clearing organizations, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and interest payable are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature and are classified as level 2 under the fair value hierarchy.

Notes payable – related party: The carrying amount of the notes payable – related party approximates fair value due to the relative short-term nature of the borrowing. Under the fair value hierarchy, the notes payable – related party is classified as level 2.