FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING AND MEASUREMENT

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, whether or not measured at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. (in thousands):



		September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Level	Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	135,239	$	135,239	$	126,072	$	126,072
Securities—trading	2,3	37,515		37,515		40,258		40,258
Securities—available-for-sale	2	418,254		418,254		411,021		411,021
Securities—held-to-maturity	3	132,150		138,255		131,258		137,608
Loans held for sale	2	3,136		3,189		2,786		2,807
Loans receivable	3	4,369,458		4,246,945		3,831,034		3,722,179
FHLB stock	3	6,767		6,767		27,036		27,036
Bank-owned life insurance	1	71,842		71,842		63,759		63,759
Mortgage servicing rights	3	12,879		17,060		9,030		12,987
Derivatives:
Interest rate lock commitments	2	752		752		317		317
Interest rate swaps	2	9,647		9,647		6,290		6,290
Liabilities:
Demand, interest checking and money market accounts	2	2,626,815		2,367,704		2,227,292		1,998,649
Regular savings	2	1,030,177		899,521		901,142		784,006
Certificates of deposit	2	730,661		723,739		770,516		764,549
FHLB advances	2	16,435		16,435		32,250		32,250
Other borrowings	2	88,083		88,083		77,185		77,185
Junior subordinated debentures	3	85,183		85,183		78,001		78,001
Derivatives:
Interest rate forward sales commitments	2	369		369		198		198
Interest rate swaps	2	9,647		9,647		6,290		6,290

The Company measures and discloses certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale). GAAP (ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements) establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. Among other things, the accounting standard requires the reporting entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s estimates for market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:


•	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. An active market is a market in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. A quoted price in an active market provides the most reliable evidence of fair value and shall be used to measure fair value whenever available.


•	Level 2 – Observable inputs other than Level 1 including quoted prices in active markets for similar instruments, quoted prices in less active markets for identical or similar instruments, or other observable inputs that can be corroborated by observable market data.

•

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity for financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation; also includes observable inputs from non-binding single dealer quotes not corroborated by observable market data.

The estimated fair value amounts of financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize at a future date. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. In addition, reasonable comparability between financial institutions may not be likely due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates that must be made given the absence of active secondary markets for certain financial instruments. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies also introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to occur at the end of the reporting period.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:

The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy of the fair value measurements for those assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



	September 30, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities—trading
U.S. Government and agency	$	—	$	1,389	$	—	$	1,389
Municipal bonds	—		1,418		—		1,418
Corporate Bonds (Trust Preferred Securities)	—		—		18,340		18,340
Mortgage-backed or related securities	—		16,313		—		16,313
Equity securities	—		55		—		55
	—		19,175		18,340		37,515
Securities—available-for-sale
U.S. Government and agency	—		11,992		—		11,992
Municipal bonds	—		67,657		—		67,657
Corporate bonds	—		5,022		—		5,022
Mortgage-backed or related securities	—		302,800		—		302,800
Asset-backed securities	—		30,783		—		30,783
	—		418,254		—		418,254

Derivatives
Interest rate lock commitments	—		752		—		752
Interest rate swaps	—		9,647		—		9,647
	$	—	$	447,828	$	18,340	$	466,168

Liabilities:
Advances from FHLB	$	—	$	16,435	$	—	$	16,435
Junior subordinated debentures, net of unamortized deferred issuance costs	—		—		85,183		85,183
Derivatives
Interest rate sales forward commitments	—		369		—		369
Interest rate swaps	—		9,647		—		9,647
	$	—	$	26,451	$	85,183	$	111,634



	December 31, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Securities—trading
U.S. Government and agency	$	—	$	1,505	$	—	$	1,505
Municipal bonds	—		1,440		—		1,440
Corporate Bonds (TPS and TRUP CDOs)	—		—		19,118		19,118
Mortgage-backed or related securities	—		18,136		—		18,136
Equity securities	—		59		—		59
	—		21,140		19,118		40,258
Securities—available-for-sale
U.S. Government and agency	—		29,770		—		29,770
Municipal bonds	—		50,028		—		50,028
Corporate bonds	—		5,018		—		5,018
Mortgage-backed or related securities	—		300,810		—		300,810
Asset-backed securities	—		25,395		—		25,395
	—		411,021		—		411,021
Derivatives
Interest rate lock commitments	—		317		—		317
Interest rate swaps	—		6,290		—		6,290
	$	—	$	438,768	$	19,118	$	457,886

Liabilities:
Advances from FHLB	$	—	$	32,250	$	—	$	32,250
Junior subordinated debentures, net of unamortized deferred issuance costs	—		—		78,001		78,001
Derivatives
Interest rate sales forward commitments, net	—		198		—		198
Interest rate swaps	—		6,290		—		6,290
	$	—	$	38,738	$	78,001	$	116,739

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments above:

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Securities: The estimated fair values of investment securities are priced using current active market quotes, if available, which are considered Level 1 measurements. For most of the portfolio, matrix pricing based on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices is used to establish the fair value. These measurements are considered Level 2. Due to the continued limited activity in the trust preferred markets that have limited the observability of market spreads for some of the Company’s TPS and TRUP CDO securities, management has classified these securities as a Level 3 fair value measure. Management periodically reviews the pricing information received from third-party pricing services and tests those prices against other sources to validate the reported fair values.

Loans Held for Sale: Fair values for residential mortgage loans held for sale are determined by comparing actual loan rates to current secondary market prices for similar loans.

Loans Receivable: Fair values are estimated first by stratifying the portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as multifamily real estate, residential mortgage, nonresidential mortgage, commercial/agricultural, consumer and other. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed- and adjustable-rate interest terms. A preliminary estimate of fair value is then calculated based on discounted cash flows using as a discount rate the current rate offered on similar products, plus an adjustment for liquidity to reflect the non-homogeneous nature of the loans. The preliminary estimate is then further reduced by the amount of the allowance for loan losses to arrive at a final estimate of fair value. Fair value for impaired loans is also based on recent appraisals or estimated cash flows discounted using rates commensurate with risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.

FHLB Stock: The fair value is based upon the redemption value of the stock which equates to its carrying value.

Bank-owned Life Insurance: The fair value of BOLI policies owned is based on the various insurance contracts' cash surrender value.

Mortgage Servicing Rights: Fair values are estimated based on an independent dealer analysis of discounted cash flows. The evaluation utilizes assumptions market participants would use in determining fair value including prepayment speeds, delinquency and foreclosure rates, the discount rate, servicing costs, and the timing of cash flows. The mortgage servicing portfolio is stratified by loan type and fair value estimates are adjusted up or down based on the serviced loan interest rates versus current rates on new loan originations since the most recent independent analysis.

Deposits: The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as savings and checking accounts, is estimated by applying decay rate assumptions to segregated portfolios of similar deposit types to generate cash flows which are then discounted using short-term market interest rates. The market value of certificates of deposit is based upon the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is determined using the rates currently offered on comparable instruments.

FHLB Advances: Fair valuations for Banner’s FHLB advances are estimated using fair market values provided by the lender, the FHLB of Des Moines. The FHLB of Des Moines prices advances by discounting the future contractual cash flows for individual advances using its current cost of funds curve to provide the discount rate.

Junior Subordinated Debentures: The fair value of junior subordinated debentures is estimated using an income approach technique. The significant inputs included in the estimation of fair value are the credit risk adjusted spread and three month LIBOR. The credit risk adjusted spread represents the nonperformance risk of the liability. The Company utilizes an external valuation firm to validate the reasonableness of the credit risk adjusted spread used to determine the fair value. The junior subordinated debentures are carried at fair value which represents the estimated amount that would be paid to transfer these liabilities in an orderly transaction amongst market participants. Due to credit concerns in the capital markets and inactivity in the trust preferred markets that have limited the observability of market spreads, we have classified this as a Level 3 fair value measure.

Other Borrowings: Other borrowings include securities sold under agreements to repurchase and occasionally federal funds purchased and their carrying amount is considered a reasonable approximation of their fair value.

Derivatives: Derivatives include interest rate swap agreements, interest rate lock commitments to originate loans held for sale and forward sales contracts to sell loans and securities related to mortgage banking activities. Fair values for these instruments, which generally change as a result of changes in the level of market interest rates, are estimated based on dealer quotes and secondary market sources.

Off-Balance Sheet Items: Off-balance sheet financial instruments include unfunded commitments to extend credit, including standby letters of credit, and commitments to purchase investment securities. The fair value of these instruments is not considered to be material.

Limitations: The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the reported 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.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3):

The following table provides a description of the valuation technique, unobservable inputs, and qualitative information about the unobservable inputs for certain of the Company's assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:



			Weighted Average Rate
Financial Instruments	Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
TPS securities	Discounted cash flows	Discount rate	5.33	%	5.26	%
TRUP CDOs	Discounted cash flows	Discount rate	n/a		3.96
Junior subordinated debentures	Discounted cash flows	Discount rate	5.33		5.26
Impaired loans	Collateral Valuations	Market values	n/a		n/a
REO	Appraisals	Market values	n/a		n/a

TPS and TRUP CDOs: Management believes that the credit risk-adjusted spread used to develop the discount rate utilized in the fair value measurement of TPS and TRUP CDOs is indicative of the risk premium a willing market participant would require under current market conditions for instruments with similar contractual rates and terms and conditions and issuers with similar credit risk profiles and with similar expected probability of default. Management attributes the change in fair value of these instruments, compared to their par value, primarily to perceived general market adjustments to the risk premiums for these types of assets subsequent to their issuance.

Junior subordinated debentures: Similar to the TPS and TRUP CDOs discussed above, management believes that the credit risk-adjusted spread utilized in the fair value measurement of the junior subordinated debentures is indicative of the risk premium a willing market participant would require under current market conditions for an issuer with Banner's credit risk profile. Management attributes the change in fair value of the junior subordinated debentures, compared to their par value, primarily to perceived general market adjustments to the risk premiums for these types of liabilities subsequent to their issuance. Future contractions in the risk adjusted spread relative to the spread currently utilized to measure the Company's junior subordinated debentures at fair value as of September 30, 2015, or the passage of time, will result in negative fair value adjustments. At September 30, 2015, the discount rate utilized was based on a credit spread of 500 basis points and three-month LIBOR of 33 basis points.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on a recurring basis during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2015					September 30, 2015
	Level 3 Fair Value Inputs					Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
	TPS and TRUP CDOs			Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures		TPS and TRUP CDOs			Borrowings— Junior Subordinated Debentures
Beginning balance	$	12,571		$	84,694	$	19,119		$	78,001
Total gains or losses recognized
Assets gains (losses), including OTTI	(596		)	—		1,475			—
Liabilities losses	—			489		—			1,223
Purchases, issuances and settlements, including the Siuslaw acquisition	6,338			—		6,338			5,959
Sales, maturities and paydowns, net of discount amortization	27			—		(8,592		)	—
Ending balance at September 30, 2015	$	18,340		$	85,183	$	18,340		$	85,183

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2014					September 30, 2014
	Level 3 Fair Value Inputs					Level 3 Fair Value Inputs
	TPS and TRUP CDOs			Borrowings—Junior Subordinated Debentures		TPS and TRUP CDOs			Borrowings— Junior Subordinated Debentures
Beginning balance	$	38,529		$	77,313	$	35,140		$	73,928
Total gains or losses recognized
Assets gains, including OTTI	1,969			—		5,389			—
Liabilities losses	—			311		—			3,696
Sales, maturities and paydowns, net of discount amortization	(11,485		)	—		(11,516		)	—
Ending balance at September 30, 2014	$	29,013		$	77,624	$	29,013		$	77,624

The Company has elected to continue to recognize the interest income and dividends from the securities reclassified to fair value as a component of interest income as was done in prior years when they were classified as available-for-sale. Interest expense related to the FHLB advances and junior subordinated debentures continues to be measured based on contractual interest rates and reported in interest expense. The change in fair market value of these financial instruments has been recorded as a component of other operating income.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis:

The following tables present financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy of the fair value measurements for those assets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in thousands):



	At or For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Impaired loans	$	—	$	—	$	5,272	$	5,272
REO	—		—		6,363		6,363

	At or For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Impaired loans	$	—	$	—	$	4,725	$	4,725
REO	—		—		3,352		3,352

The following table presents the losses resulting from nonrecurring fair value adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Impaired loans	$	(600	)	$	(150	)	$	(916	)	$	(2,828	)
REO	(34		)	(25		)	(244		)	(458		)
Total loss from nonrecurring measurements	$	(634	)	$	(175	)	$	(1,160	)	$	(3,286	)

Impaired loans: Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If this practical expedient is used, the impaired loans are considered to be held at fair value. Subsequent changes in the value of impaired loans are included within the provision for loan losses in the same manner in which impairment initially was recognized or as a reduction in the provision that would otherwise be reported. Impaired loans are periodically evaluated to determine if valuation adjustments, or partial write-downs, should be recorded. The need for valuation adjustments arises when observable market prices or current appraised values of collateral indicate a shortfall in collateral value compared to current carrying values of the related loan. If the Company determines that the value of the impaired loan is less than the carrying value of the loan, the Company either establishes an impairment reserve as a specific component of the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL) or charges off the impaired amount. These valuation adjustments are considered non-recurring fair value adjustments. The remaining impaired loans are evaluated for reserve needs in homogenous pools within the Company’s ALLL methodology.

REO: The Company records REO (acquired through a lending relationship) at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value adjustments on REO are based on updated real estate appraisals which are based on current market conditions. All REO properties are recorded at the lower of the estimated fair value of the real estate, less expected selling costs, or the carrying amount of the defaulted loans. From time to time, non-recurring fair value adjustments to REO are recorded to reflect partial write-downs based on an observable market price or current appraised value of property. Banner considers any valuation inputs related to REO to be Level 3 inputs. The individual carrying values of these assets are reviewed for impairment at least annually and any additional impairment charges are expensed to operations.