Derivatives

The Company executes interest rate swaps with commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. The notional amounts of these interest rate swaps and the offsetting counterparty derivative instruments were $87.8 million and $67.9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These interest rate swaps are simultaneously hedged by offsetting interest rate swaps that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions with approved, reputable, independent counterparties with substantially matching terms. The agreements are considered stand alone derivatives and changes in the fair value of derivatives are reported in earnings as non-interest income.

Credit risk arises from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The Company’s exposure is limited to the replacement value of the contracts rather than the notional, principal or contract amounts. There are provisions in the agreements with the counterparties that allow for certain unsecured credit exposure up to an agreed threshold. Exposures in excess of the agreed thresholds are collateralized. In addition, the Company minimizes credit risk through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures.

The following table reflects the fair value hedges included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:



	December 31, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Notional Amount		Fair Value		Notional Amount		Fair Value
Included in Other Assets:
Interest Rate Swaps	$	87,788	$	1,564	$	67,902	$	1,291
Included in Other Liabilities:
Interest Rate Swaps	$	87,788	$	1,633	$	67,902	$	1,238

The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



	2017		2016		2015
Interest Rate Swaps:
Included in Other Income	$	478	$	1,207	$	491