Fair Value

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Fair Value

3. Fair Value:

ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. ASC 820, among other things, requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. In addition, ASC 820 precludes the use of block discounts when measuring the fair value of instruments traded in an active market, which were previously applied to large holdings of publicly traded equity securities.

We determine the fair value of our financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC 820. In accordance with ASC 820, we utilize the following fair value hierarchy:

· Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets;

· Level 2: inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, inputs of identical assets for less active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the instrument; and

· Level 3: inputs to the valuation methodology that are unobservable for the asset or liability.

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.

Under ASC 820, we determine fair value based on the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy described above. Fair value measurements for assets and liabilities where there exists limited or no observable market data are calculated based upon our pricing policy, the economic and competitive environment, the characteristics of the asset or liability and other factors as appropriate. These estimated fair values may not be realized upon actual sale or immediate settlement of the asset or liability.

Where quoted prices are available on active exchanges for identical instruments, investment securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 investment securities include common and preferred stock.

Level 2 investment securities include corporate bonds, collateralized corporate bank loans, municipal bonds, U.S. Treasury securities, other obligations of the U.S. Government and mortgage-backed securities for which quoted prices are not available on active exchanges for identical instruments. We use third party pricing services to determine fair values for each Level 2 investment security in all asset classes. Since quoted prices in active markets for identical assets are not available, these prices are determined using observable market information such as quotes from less active markets and/or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, among other things. We have reviewed the processes used by the pricing services and have determined that they result in fair values consistent with the requirements of ASC 820 for Level 2 investment securities. In addition, using the prices received for the securities from the third party pricing services, we compared a sample of the prices against additional sources. We have not adjusted any prices received from third-party pricing services.

In cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, investment securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 3 investments are valued based on the best available data in order to approximate fair value. This data may be internally developed and consider risk premiums that a market participant would require. Investment securities classified within Level 3 include other less liquid investment securities.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 securities.

The following table presents for each of the fair value hierarchy levels, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands).

	As of December 31, 2011
	Quoted Prices in		Other
	Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	-	$	11,176	$	-	$	11,176
Corporate bonds		-		93,922		-		93,922
Collateralized corporate bank loans		-		91,707		1,186		92,893
Municipal bonds		-		158,919		19,422		178,341
Mortgage-backed		-		4,137		-		4,137
Total debt securities		-		359,861		20,608		380,469
Financial services		15,821		-		-		15,821
All other		28,338		-		-		28,338
Total equity securities		44,159		-		-		44,159
Total debt and equity securities	$	44,159	$	359,861	$	20,608	$	424,628

	As of December 31, 2010
	Quoted Prices in		Other
	Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government	$	-	$	39,803	$	-	$	39,803
Corporate bonds		-		85,577		-		85,577
Collateralized corporate bank loans		-		106,899		1,414		108,313
Municipal bonds		-		133,346		20,567		153,913
Mortgage-backed		-		793		-		793
Total debt securities		-		366,418		21,981		388,399
Financial services		20,885		-		-		20,885
All other		23,157		-		-		23,157
Total equity securities		44,042		-		-		44,042
Total debt and equity securities	$	44,042	$	366,418	$	21,981	$	432,441

Due to significant unobservable inputs into the valuation model for certain municipal bonds and a collateralized corporate bank loan in illiquid markets, we classified these as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. We used an income approach in order to derive an estimated fair value of the municipal bonds classified as Level 3, which included inputs such as expected holding period, benchmark swap rate, benchmark discount rate and a discount rate premium for illiquidity. The fair value of the collateralized corporate bank loan classified as level 3 is based on discounted cash flows using current yield to maturity of 9.8%, which is based on the relevant spread over LIBOR for this particular loan to discount future cash flows.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value for all financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the year ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands).

	2011			2010
Beginning balance as of January 1	$	21,981		$	25,272
Sales and settlements		(554	)		(5,219	)
Purchases and issuances		-			1,444
Total realized/unrealized gains included in net income		-			-
Net gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		(819	)		484
Transfers into Level 3		-			-
Transfers out of Level 3		-			-
Ending balance as of December 31	$	20,608		$	21,981