The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures,” which requires additional disclosures about the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various methods including market, income and cost approaches. Based on these approaches, the Company often utilizes certain assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable inputs. The Company utilizes techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed as follows:

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

The fair value of available for sale ("AFS") debt securities is the market value based on quoted market prices, when available, or market prices provided by recognized broker dealers (Level 1). If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

As of June 30, 2020, the fair value of the Company’s AFS debt securities portfolio was $53.1 million. Approximately 42 percent of the portfolio was made up of residential mortgage-backed securities, which had a fair value of $22.4 million at June 30, 2020. Approximately $22.1 million of the residential mortgage-backed securities are guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"). The underlying loans for these securities are residential mortgages that are geographically dispersed throughout the United States.

Most of the Company’s AFS debt securities were classified as Level 2 assets at June 30, 2020. The valuation of AFS debt securities using Level 2 inputs was primarily determined using the market approach, which uses quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and all other relevant information. It includes model pricing, defined as valuing securities based upon their relationship with other benchmark securities.

Included in the Company’s AFS debt securities are three corporate bonds which are classified as Level 3 assets at June 30, 2020, which were previously classified as Level 2 assets. The valuation of these corporate bonds is determined using broker quotes, third-party vendor prices, or other valuation techniques, such as discounted cash flow techniques. Market inputs used in the other valuation techniques or underlying third-party vendor prices or broker quotes include benchmark and government bond yield curves, credit spreads, and trade execution data.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Level 3 available for sale debt securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

(1) Includes AFS debt securities classified as Level 2 at December 31, 2019, which were transferred to Level 3 during the period ended June 30, 2020.

The fair value of equity securities is the market value based on quoted market prices, when available, or market prices provided by recognized broker dealers (Level 1). If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

As of June 30, 2020, the fair value of the Company’s equity securities portfolio was $1.8 million.

All of the Company’s equity securities were classified as Level 2 assets at June 30, 2020. The valuation of equity securities using Level 2 inputs was primarily determined using the market approach, which uses quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and all other relevant information.

There were no changes in the inputs or methodologies used to determine fair value during the period ended June 30, 2020, as compared to the periods ended December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019.

Fair Value for loans held for sale is derived from quoted market prices for similar loans, in which case they are characterized as Level 2 assets in the fair value hierarchy.

The fair value of interest rate swap agreements is the market value based on quoted market prices, when available, or market prices provided by recognized broker dealers (Level 1). If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

The Company’s derivative instruments are classified as Level 2 assets, as the readily observable market inputs to these models are validated to external sources, such as industry pricing services, or are corroborated through recent trades, dealer quotes, yield curves, implied volatility or other market-related data.

The tables below present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

The following tables present the assets and liabilities subject to fair value adjustments (impairment) on a non-recurring basis carried on the balance sheet by caption and by level within the hierarchy (as described above):

Certain assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

All appraisals must be performed in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice ("USPAP"). Appraisals are certified to the Company and performed by appraisers on the Company’s approved list of appraisers. Evaluations are completed by a person independent of Company management. The content of the appraisal depends on the complexity of the property. Appraisals are completed on a “retail value” and an “as is value.”

The fair value of OREO is determined using third party appraisals, which may be discounted based on management’s review and changes in market conditions (Level 3 Inputs).

The fair value of impaired collateral-dependent loans is derived in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310, “Receivables.” Fair value is determined based on the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral. Partially charged-off loans are measured for impairment based upon a third party appraisal for collateral-dependent loans. When an updated appraisal is received for a nonperforming loan, the value on the appraisal may be discounted in the manner discussed above. If there is a deficiency in the value after the Company applies these discounts, management applies a specific reserve and the loan remains in nonaccrual status. The receipt of an updated appraisal would not qualify as a reason to put a loan back into accruing status. The Company removes loans from nonaccrual status generally when the borrower makes three months of contractual payments and demonstrates the ability to service the debt going forward. Charge-offs are determined based upon the loss that management believes the Company will incur after evaluating collateral for impairment based upon the valuation methods described above and the ability of the borrower to pay any deficiency.

The valuation allowance for impaired loans is included in the allowance for loan losses in the consolidated balance sheets. At June 30, 2020, the valuation allowance for impaired loans was $846 thousand, an increase of $432 thousand from $414 thousand at December 31, 2019.

FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” requires the disclosure of the estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including those financial instruments for which the Company did not elect the fair value option. These estimated fair values as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data to develop estimates of fair value. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and estimation methodologies could have had a material effect on these estimates of fair value. The methodology for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of other financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

For these short-term instruments, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

The fair value of securities is based upon quoted market prices for similar or identical assets or other observable inputs (Level 2) or externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).

The fair value of SBA loans held for sale is estimated by using a market approach that includes significant other observable inputs.

The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current market rates that reflect the interest rate risk inherent in the loan, except for previously discussed impaired loans.

Federal Home Loan Bank stock is carried at cost. Carrying value approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the issues.

Servicing assets do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. The Company estimates the fair value of servicing assets using discounted cash flow models incorporating numerous assumptions from the perspective of a market participant including market discount rates and prepayment speeds.

The fair value of demand deposits and savings accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e. carrying value). The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current market rates.

The fair value of borrowings is estimated by discounting the projected future cash flows using current market rates.

At June 30, 2020, the Bank had standby letters of credit outstanding of $4.5 million, compared to $4.8 million at December 31, 2019. The fair value of these commitments is nominal.

The table below presents the carrying amount and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments presented as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, 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 assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-statement of condition 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. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the effect of fair value estimates have not been considered in the above estimates.