Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

NOTE 24 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The estimated fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. ASC Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair 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. Refer to Note 1 to these consolidated financial statements for the methods and assumptions used to measure the fair value of investment securities and derivative instruments.

Cash and cash equivalents

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair value.

Loans

The fair values of non-covered mortgage loans are estimated based on present values using entry-value rates (the interest rate that would be charged for a similar loan to a borrower with similar risk at the indicated balance sheet date) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, weighted for varying maturity dates. Other non-covered loans are valued based on present values using entry-value interest rates at December 31, 2014 and 2013 applicable to each category of loans, which would be classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. Fair values of mortgage loans held for sale are based on commitments on hand from investors or prevailing market prices, a Level 2 measurement. Covered loans are measured using projections of expected cash flows, exclusive of the shared-loss agreements with the FDIC. Fair value of the covered loans included in the table below reflects the current fair value of these loans, which is based on an updated estimate of the projected cash flow as of the dates indicated. The fair value associated with the loans includes estimates related to expected prepayments and the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows, which also would be classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable

The carrying amount of accrued interest approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these financial instruments.

FDIC Loss Share Receivable

The fair value is determined using projected cash flows from loss sharing agreements based on expected reimbursements for losses at the applicable loss sharing percentages based on the terms of the loss share agreements. Cash flows are discounted to reflect the timing and receipt of the loss sharing reimbursements from the FDIC. The fair value of the Company’s FDIC loss share receivable would be categorized within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Deposits

The fair values of NOW accounts, money market deposits and savings accounts are the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date. Certificates of deposit were valued using a discounted cash flow model based on the weighted-average rate at December 31, 2014 and 2013 for deposits with similar remaining maturities. The fair value of the Company’s deposits would therefore be categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Short-term borrowings

The carrying amounts of short-term borrowings maturing within ninety days approximate their fair values.

Long-term debt

The fair values of long-term debt are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt would therefore be categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Off-balance sheet items

The Company has outstanding commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These off-balance sheet financial instruments are generally exercisable at the market rate prevailing at the date the underlying transaction will be completed. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of guarantees under commercial and standby letters of credit was immaterial.

The estimated fair values and carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:


	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	548,095	$	548,095	$	391,396	$	391,396
Investment securities		2,275,813		2,278,334		2,090,906		2,089,363
Loans and loans held for sale, net of unearned income		11,581,116		11,605,446		9,620,461		9,724,432
FDIC loss share receivable		69,627		19,606		162,312		21,918
Derivative instruments		32,903		32,903		30,076		30,076
Accrued interest receivable		37,696		37,696		32,143		32,143

Financial Liabilities
Deposits	$	12,520,525	$	12,298,017	$	10,737,000	$	10,226,573
Short-term borrowings		845,742		845,742		680,344		680,344
Long-term debt		403,254		376,139		280,699		235,503
Derivative instruments		31,354		31,354		26,735		26,735
Accrued interest payable		8,258		8,258		6,102		6,102

The fair value estimates presented herein are based upon pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since that date and, therefore, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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