Carrying Amounts and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

GAAP requires the Company to disclose fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet and to measure that fair value using an exit price notion, the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date under current market conditions.

Accounting guidance emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).



Level 1 -	Quoted Market Price in Active Markets Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasuries and money market funds.
Level 2 -	Significant Other Observable Inputs Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds, corporate debt securities and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes certain derivative contracts.
Level 3 -	Significant Unobservable Inputs Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale

Investment securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. At September 30, 2019, the Company’s investment portfolio was comprised of student loan pools, government and agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities issued by government agencies or GSEs, private label CMO mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, one state tax credit, and one equity investment. Fair value measurement is based upon prices obtained from third party pricing services that use independent pricing models which rely on a variety of factors including reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, benchmark yields, economic and industry events and other relevant market information. As a result, these securities are classified as Level 2.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

The Company originates fixed rate residential loans on a servicing released basis in the secondary market. Loans closed but not yet settled with the FHLMC or other investors, are carried in the Company’s loans held for sale portfolio. These loans are fixed rate residential loans that have been originated in the Company’s name and have closed. Virtually all of these loans have commitments to be purchased by investors and the majority of these loans were locked in by price with the investors on the same day or shortly thereafter that the loan was locked in with the Company’s customers. Therefore, these loans present very little market risk for the Company. The Company usually delivers a commitment to, and receives funding from, the investor within 30 days. Commitments to sell these loans to the investor are considered derivative contracts and are sold to investors on a “best efforts" basis. The Company is not obligated to deliver a loan or pay a penalty if a loan is not delivered to the investor. As a result of the short-term nature of these derivative contracts, the fair value of the mortgage loans held for sale in most cases is the same as the value of the loan amount at its origination. These loans are classified as Level 2.

10. Carrying Amounts and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Continued

Impaired Loans

The Company does not record loans held for investment at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established as necessary. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as impaired, management measures the impairment by determining the fair value of the collateral for the loan.

Fair value is estimated using one of the following methods: fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell, discounted cash flows, or market value of the loan based on similar debt. The fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell is the most frequently used method. Typically, the Company reviews the most recent appraisal and if it is over 24 months old will request a new third party appraisal. Depending on the particular circumstances surrounding the loan, including the location of the collateral, the date of the most recent appraisal and the value of the collateral relative to the recorded investment in the loan, management may order an independent appraisal immediately or, in some instances, may elect to perform an internal analysis. Specifically as an example, in situations where the collateral on a nonperforming commercial real estate loan is out of the Company’s primary market area, management would typically order an independent appraisal immediately, at the earlier of the date the loan becomes nonperforming or immediately following the determination that the loan is impaired. However, as a second example, on a nonperforming commercial real estate loan where management is familiar with the property and surrounding areas and where the original appraisal value far exceeds the recorded investment in the loan, management may perform an internal analysis whereby the previous appraisal value would be reviewed and adjusted for current conditions including recent sales of similar properties in the area and any other relevant economic trends. These valuations are reviewed at a minimum on a quarterly basis.

Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. At September 30, 2019, our impaired loans were generally evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral. Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. The Company records impaired loans as nonrecurring Level 3. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the recorded investment in impaired loans was $4.3 million and $9.4 million, respectively.

Foreclosed Assets

Foreclosed assets are adjusted to fair value upon transfer of the loans to foreclosed assets. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. Foreclosed assets are recorded as nonrecurring Level 3.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:



	September 30, 2019						December 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Student Loan Pools	$	—	$	41,243,338	$	—	$	—	$	12,885,501	$	—
SBA Bonds	—		120,976,425		—		—		125,446,531		—
Tax Exempt Municipal Bonds	—		47,516,986		—		—		61,330,369		—
Taxable Municipal Bonds	—		2,017,055		—		—		1,977,885		—
Mortgage-Backed Securities	—		226,273,389		—		—		184,460,551		—
State Tax Credit	—		61,242		—		—		—		—
Equity Securities	—		155,000		—		—		155,000		—
Total	$	—	$	438,243,435	$	—	$	—	$	386,255,837	$	—

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at either September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

10. Carrying Amounts and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Continued

The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. The tables below present assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall.



	September 30, 2019
Assets:	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale	$	—	$	3,682,876	$	—	$	3,682,876
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans ⁽¹⁾	—		—		3,749,734		3,749,734
Foreclosed Assets	—		—		703,540		703,540
Total	$	—	$	3,682,876	$	4,453,274	$	8,136,150



	December 31, 2018
Assets:	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Mortgage Loans Held For Sale	$	—	$	1,781,985	$	—	$	1,781,985
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans ⁽¹⁾	—		—		8,613,570		8,613,570
Foreclosed Assets	—		—		722,442		722,442
Total	$	—	$	1,781,985	$	9,336,012	$	11,117,997

^{(1) COLLATERAL IMPAIRED LOANS ARE REPORTED NET OF SPECIFIC RESERVES OF $565,000 AND $739,000 AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2019 AND DECEMBER 31, 2018, RESPECTIVELY.}

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at either September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis at September 30, 2019, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:



			Valuation	Significant
Level 3 Assets	Fair Value		Technique	Unobservable Inputs	Range
Collateral Dependent Impaired Loans	$	3,749,734	Appraised Value	Discount Rates/ Discounts to Appraised Values	4% - 97%
Foreclosed Assets	$	703,540	Appraised Value/Comparable Sales	Discount Rates/ Discounts to Appraised Values	16% - 68%

For assets and liabilities not presented on the balance sheet at fair value, the following methods are used to determine fair value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents—The carrying amount of these financial instruments approximates fair value. All mature within 90 days and do not present unanticipated credit concerns.

Certificates of Deposit with Other Banks—Fair value is based on market prices for similar assets.

Investment Securities Held to Maturity—Securities held to maturity are valued at quoted market prices or dealer quotes.

Loans Receivable, Net—The fair value of loans are estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. As discount rates are based on current loan rates as well as management estimates, the fair values presented may not be indicative of the value negotiated in an actual sale.

FHLB Stock—The fair value approximates the carrying value.

Deposits—The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and money market accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposits is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

10. Carrying Amounts and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Continued

FHLB Advances—Fair value is estimated using discounted cash flows with current market rates for borrowings with similar terms.

Other Borrowed Money—The carrying value of these short term borrowings approximates fair value.

Note Payable—The carrying value of the note payable approximates fair value.

Senior Convertible Debentures— The fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar debenture offerings with similar terms and maturities would be issued by similar institutions. As discount rates are based on current debenture rates as well as management estimates, the fair values presented may not be indicative of the value negotiated in an actual sale.

Junior Subordinated Debentures—The carrying value of junior subordinated debentures approximates fair value.

The following tables provide a summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 presented in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance.



September 30, 2019	Carrying		Fair Value
(In Thousands)	Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	13,793	$	13,793	$	13,793	$	—	$	—
Certificates of Deposits with Other Banks	950		950		—		950		—
Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities	459,660		460,197		—		460,197		—
Loans Receivable, Net	453,641		450,165		—		—		450,165
FHLB Stock	2,853		2,853		2,853		—		—
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Checking, Savings & Money Market Accounts	$	534,622	$	534,622	$	534,622	$	—	$	—
Certificate Accounts	279,999		279,987		—		279,987		—
Advances from FHLB	47,800		47,920		—		47,920		—
Other Borrowed Money	14,989		14,989		14,989		—		—
Senior Convertible Debentures	6,044		6,044		—		6,044		—
Junior Subordinated Debentures	5,155		5,155		—		5,155		—



December 31, 2018	Carrying		Fair Value
(In Thousands)	Amount		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	12,706	$	12,706	$	12,706	$	—	$	—
Certificates of Deposits with Other Banks	1,200		1,200		—		1,200		—
Investment and Mortgage-Backed Securities	409,894		409,505		—		409,505		—
Loans Receivable, Net	430,054		421,379		—		—		421,379
FHLB Stock	2,204		2,204		2,204		—		—
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits:
Checking, Savings & Money Market Accounts	$	529,043	$	529,043	$	529,043	$	—	$	—
Certificate Accounts	238,454		236,103		—		236,103		—
Advances from FHLB	34,030		33,771		—		33,771		—
Other Borrowed Money	10,698		10,698		10,698		—		—
Note Payable	2,363		2,363		—		2,363		—
Senior Convertible Debentures	6,064		6,064		—		6,064		—
Junior Subordinated Debentures	5,155		5,155		—		5,155		—

10. Carrying Amounts and Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Continued

At September 30, 2019, the Bank had $99.9 million in off-balance sheet financial commitments. These commitments are to originate loans and unused consumer lines of credit and credit card lines. Because these obligations are based on current market rates, if funded, the original principal amount is considered to be a reasonable estimate of fair value. Fair value estimates are made on a specific date, based on relevant market data and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale the Bank’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.

Because no active market exists for a significant portion of the Bank’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, current interest rates and prepayment trends, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in any of these assumptions used in calculating fair value would also significantly affect the estimates. Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. For example, the Bank has significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities including deposit franchise values, loan servicing portfolios, deferred tax liabilities, and premises and equipment.

In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates. The Company has used management’s best estimate of fair value on the above assumptions. Thus, the fair values presented may not be the amounts, which could be realized, in an immediate sale or settlement of the instrument. In addition, any income taxes or other expenses that would be incurred in an actual sale or settlement are not taken into consideration in the fair value presented.