Fair Value Accounting and Measurement

The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the FASB ASC defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure requirements about fair value. We hold fixed and variable rate interest-bearing securities, investments in marketable equity securities and certain other financial instruments, which are carried at fair value. Fair value is determined based upon quoted prices when available or through the use of alternative approaches, such as matrix or model pricing, when market quotes are not readily accessible or available.

The valuation techniques are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our own market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 – Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

Fair values are determined as follows:

Securities at fair value are priced using a combination of market activity, industry recognized information sources, yield curves, discounted cash flow models and other factors. These fair value calculations are considered a Level 2 input method under the provisions of the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic of the FASB ASC for all securities other than U.S. Treasury notes, which are considered a Level 1 input method.

Interest rate contract positions are valued in models, which use as their basis, readily observable market parameters and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement:



	Fair value		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
March 31, 2014	(in thousands)
Assets
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-back securities and collateralized mortgage obligations	$	912,298	$	—	$	912,298	$	—
State and municipal debt securities	373,680		—		373,680		—
U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise securities	327,986		—		327,986		—
U.S. government securities	20,303		20,303		—		—
Other securities	5,103		—		5,103		—
Total securities available for sale	$	1,639,370	$	20,303	$	1,619,067	$	—
Other assets (Interest rate contracts)	$	9,418	$	—	$	9,418	$	—
Liabilities
Other liabilities (Interest rate contracts)	$	9,418	$	—	$	9,418	$	—



	Fair value		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
	Fair value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
December 31, 2013	(in thousands)
Assets
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise mortgage-back securities and collateralized mortgage obligations	$	948,408	$	—	$	948,408	$	—
State and municipal debt securities	364,470		—		364,470		—
U.S. government agency and government-sponsored enterprise securities	326,039		—		326,039		—
U.S. government securities	20,114		20,114		—		—
Other securities	5,080		—		5,080		—
Total securities available for sale	$	1,664,111	$	20,114	$	1,643,997	$	—
Other assets (Interest rate contracts)	$	9,044	$	—	$	9,044	$	—
Liabilities
Other liabilities (Interest rate contracts)	$	9,044	$	—	$	9,044	$	—

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy during the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the valuation hierarchy based on the valuation level at the end of the reporting period.

Nonrecurring Measurements

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis after initial recognition such as loans measured for impairment and OREO. The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each such class of financial instrument:

Impaired loans—A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due (both interest and principal) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, a loan’s observable market price, or the fair market value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell if the loan is a collateral-dependent loan. Generally, the Company utilizes the fair market value of the collateral to measure impairment. The impairment evaluations are performed in conjunction with the ALLL process on a quarterly basis by officers in the Special Credits group, which reports to the Chief Credit Officer. The Real Estate Appraisal Services Department ("REASD"), which also reports to the Chief Credit Officer, is responsible for obtaining appraisals from third-parties or performing internal evaluations. If an appraisal is obtained from a third-party, the REASD reviews the appraisal to evaluate the adequacy of the appraisal report, including its scope, methods, accuracy, and reasonableness.

Other real estate owned and other personal property owned ("OPPO")—OREO and OPPO are real and personal property that the Bank has taken ownership of in partial or full satisfaction of a loan or loans. OREO and OPPO are generally measured based on the item's fair market value as indicated by an appraisal or a letter of intent to purchase. OREO and OPPO are recorded at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. This amount becomes the property’s new basis. Any write-downs based on the property fair value less estimated costs to sell at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses. Management periodically reviews OREO and OPPO in an effort to ensure the property is carried at the lower of its new basis or fair value, net of estimated costs to sell. Any write-downs subsequent to acquisition are charged to earnings. The initial and subsequent write-down evaluations are performed by officers in the Special Credits group, which reports to the Chief Credit Officer. The REASD obtains appraisals from third-parties for OREO and OPPO and performs internal evaluations. If an appraisal is obtained from a third-party, the REASD reviews the appraisal to evaluate the adequacy of the appraisal report, including its scope, methods, accuracy, and reasonableness.

The following tables set forth the Company's assets that were measured using fair value estimates on a nonrecurring basis during the periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:



	Fair value at March 31, 2014		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using						Losses During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Fair value at March 31, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Losses During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
Impaired loans	$	2,094	$	—	$	—	$	2,094	$	1,387
Noncovered OREO	1,749		—		—		1,749		687
Covered OREO	4,376		—		—		4,376		616
	$	8,219	$	—	$	—	$	8,219	$	2,690



	Fair value at March 31, 2013		Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using						Losses During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	Fair value at March 31, 2013		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Losses During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	(in thousands)
Impaired loans	$	477	$	—	$	—	$	477	$	102
Noncovered OREO	1,350		—		—		1,350		101
Covered OREO	65		—		—		65		65
	$	1,892	$	—	$	—	$	1,892	$	268

The losses on impaired loans disclosed above represent the amount of the specific reserve and/or charge-offs during the period applicable to loans held at period end. The amount of the specific reserve is included in the allowance for loan and lease losses. The losses on OREO and OPPO disclosed above represent the write-downs taken at foreclosure that were charged to the allowance for loan and lease losses, as well as subsequent write-downs from updated appraisals that were charged to earnings.

Quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements

The range and weighted-average of the significant unobservable inputs used to fair value our Level 3 nonrecurring assets, along with the valuation techniques used, are shown in the following table:



	Fair value at March 31, 2014		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average) (1)
	(dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans - real estate collateral	$	990	Fair Market Value of Collateral	Adjustment to Appraisal Value	N/A⁽²⁾
Impaired loans - other collateral ⁽³⁾	1,104		Fair Market Value of Collateral	Adjustment to Stated value	0% - 100% (68%)
Noncovered OREO	$	1,749	Fair Market Value of Collateral	Adjustment to Appraisal Value	N/A⁽²⁾
Covered OREO	4,376		Fair Market Value of Collateral	Adjustment to Appraisal Value	N/A⁽²⁾
(1) Discount applied to appraisal value, letter of intent to purchase, or stated value (in the case of accounts receivable, inventory and equipment).
(2) Quantitative disclosures are not provided for impaired loans collateralized by real estate, noncovered OREO and covered OREO because there were no adjustments made to the appraisal value during the current period.
(3) Other collateral consists of accounts receivable, inventory and equipment.



	Fair value at March 31, 2013		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average) (1)
	(dollars in thousands)
Impaired loans	$	477	Fair Market Value of Collateral	Adjustment to Appraisal Value	N/A⁽²⁾
Noncovered OREO	1,350		Fair Market Value of Collateral	Adjustment to Appraisal Value	N/A⁽²⁾
Covered OREO	65		Fair Market Value of Collateral	Adjustment to Appraisal Value	N/A⁽²⁾
(1) Discount applied to appraisal value, letter of intent to purchase, or stated value (in the case of accounts receivable, inventory and equipment).
(2) Quantitative disclosures are not provided for impaired loans collateralized by real estate, noncovered OREO and covered OREO because there were no adjustments made to the appraisal value during the current period.

Fair value of financial instruments

Because broadly traded markets do not exist for most of the Company’s financial instruments, the fair value calculations attempt to incorporate the effect of current market conditions at a specific time. These determinations are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and do not include tax ramifications; therefore, the results cannot be determined with precision, substantiated by comparison to independent markets and may not be realized in an actual sale or immediate settlement of the instruments. There may be inherent weaknesses in any calculation technique, and changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results. For all of these reasons, the aggregation of the fair value calculations presented herein do not represent, and should not be construed to represent, the underlying value of the Company.

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

Cash and due from banks and interest-earning deposits with banks—The fair value of financial instruments that are short-term or reprice frequently and that have little or no risk are considered to have a fair value that approximates carrying value (Level 1).

Securities available for sale—Securities at fair value, other than U.S. Treasury Notes, are priced using a combination of market activity, industry recognized information sources, yield curves, discounted cash flow models and other factors (Level 2). U.S. Treasury Notes are priced using quotes in active markets (Level 1).

Federal Home Loan Bank stock—The fair value is based upon the par value of the stock which equates to its carrying value (Level 2).

Loans—Loans are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments are periodically recorded on impaired loans that are measured for impairment based on the fair value of collateral. For most performing loans, fair value is estimated using expected duration and lending rates that would have been offered on March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013, for loans which mirror the attributes of the loans with similar rate structures and average maturities. The fair values resulting from these calculations are reduced by an amount representing the change in estimated fair value attributable to changes in borrowers’ credit quality since the loans were originated. For nonperforming loans, fair value is estimated by applying a valuation discount based upon loan sales data from the FDIC. For covered loans, fair value is estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using a lending rate that would have been offered on March 31, 2014 (Level 3).

FDIC loss-sharing asset —The fair value of the FDIC loss-sharing asset is estimated based on discounting the expected future cash flows using an estimated market rate (Level 3).

Interest rate contracts—Interest rate swap positions are valued in models, which use as their basis, readily observable market parameters (Level 2).

Deposits—For deposits with no contractual maturity, the fair value is equal to the carrying value (Level 1). The fair value of fixed maturity deposits is based on discounted cash flows using the difference between the deposit rate and current market rates for deposits of similar remaining maturities (Level 2).

FHLB advances—The fair value of Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle (the “FHLB”) advances is estimated based on discounting the future cash flows using the market rate currently offered (Level 2).

Repurchase Agreements—The fair value of securities sold under agreement to repurchase is estimated based on discounting the future cash flows using the market rate currently offered (Level 2).

Other Financial Instruments—The majority of our commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans, as such, carrying value is assumed to equal fair value.

The following tables summarize carrying amounts and estimated fair values of selected financial instruments as well as assumptions used by the Company in estimating fair value at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:



	March 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	191,706	$	191,706	$	191,706	$	—	$	—
Interest-earning deposits with banks	45,083		45,083		45,083		—		—
Securities available for sale	1,639,370		1,639,370		20,303		1,619,067		—
FHLB stock	32,224		32,224		—		32,224		—
Loans	4,506,792		4,654,744		—		—		4,654,744
FDIC loss-sharing asset	36,837		13,512		—		—		13,512
Interest rate contracts	9,418		9,418		—		9,418		—
Liabilities
Deposits	$	6,044,416	$	6,043,226	$	5,554,663	$	488,563	$	—
FHLB Advances	6,597		5,452		—		5,452		—
Repurchase agreements	25,000		26,303		—		26,303		—
Interest rate contracts	9,418		9,418		—		9,418		—



	December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	165,030	$	165,030	$	165,030	$	—	$	—
Interest-earning deposits with banks	14,531		14,531		14,531		—		—
Securities available for sale	1,664,111		1,664,111		20,114		1,643,997		—
FHLB stock	32,529		32,529		—		32,529		—
Loans held for sale	735		735		—		735		—
Loans	4,444,842		4,605,038		—		—		4,605,038
FDIC loss-sharing asset	39,846		11,248		—		—		11,248
Interest rate contracts	9,044		9,044		—		9,044		—
Liabilities
Deposits	$	5,959,475	$	5,958,747	$	5,449,546	$	509,201	$	—
FHLB Advances	36,606		35,080		—		35,080		—
Repurchase agreements	25,000		26,361		—		26,361		—
Interest rate contracts	9,044		9,044		—		9,044		—