Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 defines fair value as 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. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active exchange markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active and other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

We have established and documented the Company's process for determining the fair values of the Company's assets and liabilities, where applicable. Fair value is based on quoted market prices, when available, for identical or similar assets or liabilities. In the absence of quoted market prices, fair value is determined using valuation models or third-party appraisals. The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to measure and report the fair value of financial assets and liabilities on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.

Measured on a Recurring Basis

Available-for-Sale Securities and Derivative Contracts

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of debt securities are priced using model pricing based on the securities' relationship to other benchmark quoted prices as provided by an independent third party, and under GAAP are considered a Level 2 input method. Securities that are traded on active exchanges, including the Company's equity securities, are measured using the closing price in an active market and are considered a Level 1 input method.

The Company offers interest rate swaps to its variable rate borrowers who want to manage their interest rate risk. At the same time, the Company enters into the opposite trade with a counter party to offset its interest rate risk. The Company has also entered into commercial loan hedges as well as borrowings hedges using interest rate swaps. The fair value of these interest rate swaps are estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique. These are considered a Level 2 input method.

The following tables present the balance of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.



	December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
Equity securities	$	503	$	—	$	—	$	503
U.S. government and agency securities	—		194,869		—		194,869
Municipal bonds	—		26,212		—		26,212
Corporate debt securities	—		184,416		—		184,416
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	—		831,489		—		831,489
Commercial MBS	—		8,366		—		8,366
Total available-for-sale securities	503		1,245,352		—		1,245,855
Interest rate contracts	—		7,587		—		7,587
Borrowings hedges	—		4,997		—		4,997
Total financial assets	$	503	$	1,257,936	$	—	$	1,258,439

Financial Liabilities
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	7,587	$	—	$	7,587
Commercial loan hedges	—		36		—		36
Total financial liabilities	$	—	$	7,623	$	—	$	7,623

There were no transfers between, into and/or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the three months ended December 31, 2017.



	September 30, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Financial Assets
Available-for-sale securities:
Equity securities	$	522	$	—	$	—	$	522
U.S. government and agency securities	—		211,077		—		211,077
Municipal bonds	—		26,624		—		26,624
Corporate debt securities	—		185,298		—		185,298
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	—		834,297		—		834,297
Commercial MBS	—		8,391		—		8,391
Total available-for-sale securities	522		1,265,687		—		1,266,209
Interest rate contracts	—		1,139		—		1,139
Total financial assets	$	522	$	1,266,826	$	—	$	1,267,348

Financial Liabilities
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	1,139	$	—	$	1,139
Commercial loan hedges	—		174		—		174
Borrowings hedges	—		1,693		—		1,693
Total financial liabilities	$	—	$	3,006	$	—	$	3,006

There were no transfers between, into and/or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis

Impaired Loans & Real Estate Owned

Real estate owned ("REO") consists principally of properties acquired through foreclosure. From time to time, and on a nonrecurring basis, adjustments using fair value measurements are recorded to reflect increases or decreases based on the discounted cash flows, the current appraisal or estimated value of the collateral, but only up to the fair value of the real estate owned as of the initial transfer date less selling costs.

When management determines that the fair value of the collateral or the real estate owned requires additional adjustments, either as a result of an updated appraised value or when there is no observable market price, the Company classifies the impaired loan or real estate owned as Level 3. Level 3 assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2017 included loans for which a specific reserve allowance was established or a partial charge-off was recorded based on the fair value of collateral, as well as real estate owned where the fair value of the property was less than the cost basis.

The following tables present the aggregated balance of assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and the total gains (losses) resulting from those fair value adjustments for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The estimated fair value measurements are shown gross of estimated selling costs.



	December 31, 2017								Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Total Gains (Losses)
	(In thousands)
Impaired loans (1)	$	—	$	—	$	688	$	688	$	(507	)
Real estate owned (2)	—		—		2,055		2,055		(180		)
Balance at end of period	$	—	$	—	$	2,743	$	2,743	$	(687	)


(1)	The gains (losses) represent remeasurements of collateral-dependent loans.


(2)	The gains (losses) represent aggregate writedowns and charge-offs on REO.



	December 31, 2016								Three Months Ended December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Total Gains (Losses)
	(In thousands)
Impaired loans (1)	$	—	$	—	$	3,353	$	3,353	$	(422	)
Real estate owned (2)	—		—		2,299		2,299		(241		)
Balance at end of period	$	—	$	—	$	5,652	$	5,652	$	(663	)


(1)	The gains (losses) represent remeasurements of collateral-dependent loans.


(2)	The gains (losses) represent aggregate writedowns and charge-offs on REO.

Impaired loans - The Company adjusts the carrying amount of impaired loans when there is evidence of probable loss and the expected fair value of the loan is less than its contractual amount. The amount of the impairment may be determined based on the estimated present value of future cash flows or the fair value of the underlying collateral. Impaired loans with a specific reserve allowance based on cash flow analysis or the value of the underlying collateral are classified as Level 3 assets.

The evaluations for impairment are prepared by the Problem Loan Review Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Credit Officer and includes the Loan Review manager and Special Credits manager, as well as senior credit officers, division managers and group executives, as applicable. These evaluations are performed in conjunction with the quarterly allowance for loan loss process.

Applicable loans that were included in the previous quarter's review are reevaluated and if their values are materially different from the prior quarter evaluation, the underlying information (loan balance and collateral value) are compared. Material differences are evaluated for reasonableness and discussions are held between the relationship manager and their division manager to understand the difference and determine if any adjustment is necessary.

The inputs are developed and substantiated on a quarterly basis, based on current borrower developments, market conditions and collateral values. The following methods are used to value impaired loans:

•

The fair value of the collateral, which may take the form of real estate or personal property, is based on internal estimates, field observations, assessments provided by third-party appraisers and other valuation models. The Company performs or reaffirms valuations of collateral-dependent impaired loans at least annually. Adjustments are made if management believes that more recent information is available and relevant with respect to the fair value of the collateral.


•	The present value of the expected future cash flows of the loans is used for measurement of non collateral-dependent loans to test for impairment.

Real estate owned - When a loan is reclassified from loan status to real estate owned due to the Company taking possession of the collateral, a special credits officer, along with the special credits manager, obtains a valuation, which may include appraisals or third-party price opinions, which is used to establish the fair value of the underlying collateral. The determined fair value, less selling costs, becomes the carrying value of the REO asset.

The fair value of REO assets is re-evaluated quarterly and the REO asset is adjusted to reflect the fair value as necessary. After foreclosure, the valuations are updated periodically and current market conditions may require the assets to be written down further or up to the cost basis established on the date of transfer. The carrying balance of REO assets are also written down once a bona fide offer is contractually accepted, through execution of a purchase and sale agreement, where the accepted price is lower than the cost established on the transfer date.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

ASC 825 requires disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized on the statement of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate those values. Certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from the disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value estimates presented do not reflect the underlying fair value of the Company. Although management is not aware of any factors that would materially affect the estimated fair value amounts presented below, such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since the dates shown, and therefore, estimates of fair value subsequent to those dates may differ significantly from the amounts presented below.



		December 31, 2017				September 30, 2017
	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
		(In thousands)
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	309,713	$	309,713	$	313,070	$	313,070
Available-for-sale securities
Equity securities	1	503		503		522		522
U.S. government and agency securities	2	194,869		194,869		211,077		211,077
Municipal bonds	2	26,212		26,212		26,624		26,624
Corporate debt securities	2	184,416		184,416		185,298		185,298
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	2	831,489		831,489		834,297		834,297
Commercial MBS	2	8,366		8,366		8,391		8,391
Total available-for-sale securities		1,245,855		1,245,855		1,266,209		1,266,209
Held-to-maturity securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	2	1,750,886		1,738,337		1,646,856		1,635,913
Commercial MBS	2	15,000		15,005		—		—
Total held-to-maturity securities		1,765,886		1,753,342		1,646,856		1,635,913

Loans receivable	3	11,107,042		11,503,407		10,882,622		11,247,586
FHLB and FRB stock	2	130,590		130,590		122,990		122,990
Other assets - interest rate contracts	2	7,587		7,587		1,139		1,139
Other assets - borrowings hedges	2	4,997		4,997		—		—

Financial liabilities
Customer accounts	2	11,001,579		10,483,114		10,835,008		10,411,686
FHLB advances	2	2,415,000		2,431,792		2,225,000		2,266,791
Other liabilities - interest rate contracts	2	7,587		7,587		1,139		1,139
Other liabilities - commercial loan hedges	2	36		36		174		174
Other liabilities - borrowings hedges	2	—		—		1,693		1,693

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities – Securities at fair value are primarily priced using model pricing based on the securities' relationship to other benchmark quoted prices as provided by an independent third party, and are considered a Level 2 input method. Equity securities which are exchange traded are considered a Level 1 input method.

Loans receivable – For certain homogeneous categories of loans, such as fixed- and variable-rate residential mortgages, fair value is estimated for securities backed by similar loans, adjusted for differences in loan characteristics, using the same methodology described above for AFS and HTM securities. The fair value of other loan types is estimated by discounting the future cash flows and estimated prepayments using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining term. Some loan types were valued at carrying value because of their floating rate or expected maturity characteristics. Net deferred loan fees are not included in the fair value calculation but are included in the carrying amount.

FHLB and FRB stock – The fair value is based upon the par value of the stock which equates to its carrying value.

Customer accounts – The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and money market accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.

FHLB advances – The fair value of FHLB advances and other borrowings is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar remaining maturities.

Interest rate contracts – The bank offers interest rate swaps to its variable rate borrowers who want to manage their interest rate risk. At the same time, the bank enters into the opposite trade with a counterparty to offset its interest rate risk. The fair value of these interest rate swaps are estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique.

Commercial loan hedges – The fair value of the interest rate swaps are estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique.

Borrowings hedges – The fair value of the interest rate swaps are estimated by a third party pricing service using a discounted cash flow technique.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of amortized cost to fair value of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities.



	December 31, 2017
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized					Fair Value		Yield
	Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses			Fair Value		Yield
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. government and agency securities due
Within 1 year	$	3,300	$	70	$	—		$	3,370	9.80	%
1 to 5 years	2,123		—		—			2,123		1.61
5 to 10 years	68,326		—		(1,174		)	67,152		2.03
Over 10 years	122,171		215		(162		)	122,224		2.09
Equity securities due
1 to 5 years	500		3		—			503		1.80
Corporate debt securities due
1 to 5 years	63,657		1,936		—			65,593		3.14
5 to 10 years	119,962		213		(1,352		)	118,823		2.66
Over 10 years	—		—		—			—		—
Municipal bonds due
Within 1 year	2,352		—		(4		)	2,348		1.23
1 to 5 years	1,374		8		—			1,382		2.05
Over 10 years	20,338		2,144		—			22,482		6.45
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	825,744		8,181		(2,436		)	831,489		3.11
Commercial MBS	8,350		16		—			8,366		3.55
	1,238,197		12,786		(5,128		)	1,245,855		2.98
Held-to-maturity securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	1,750,886		6,218		(18,767		)	1,738,337		3.16
Commercial MBS	15,000		5		—			15,005		2.23
	1,765,886		6,223		(18,767		)	1,753,342		3.15
	$	3,004,083	$	19,009	$	(23,895	)	$	2,999,197	3.08	%



	September 30, 2017
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized						Fair Value		Yield
	Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses				Fair Value		Yield
	(In thousands)
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. government and agency securities due
Within 1 year	$	9,300	$	146		$	—		$	9,446	10.38	%
1 to 5 years	5,688		2			—			5,690		1.51
5 to 10 years	69,108		—			(1,238		)	67,870		1.93
Over 10 years	127,936		353			(218		)	128,071		1.92
Equity Securities
1 to 5 years	500		22			—			522		1.80
Corporate bonds due
Within 1 year	—		—			—			—		—
1 to 5 years	63,622		2,083			—			65,705		2.96
5 to 10 years	119,960		210			(577		)	119,593		2.62
Over 10 years	—		—			—			—		—
Municipal bonds due
Within 1 year	2,344		10			—			2,354		1.23
1 to 5 years	1,367		55			—			1,422		2.05
5 to 10 years	—		—			—			—		—
Over 10 years	20,343		2,505			—			22,848		6.45
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	828,069		8,402			(2,174		)	834,297		2.96
Commercial MBS	8,350		41			—			8,391		3.31
	1,256,587		13,829			(4,207		)	1,266,209		2.86
Held-to-maturity securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Agency pass-through certificates	1,646,856		7,143			(18,086		)	1,635,913		3.14
	1,646,856		7,143			(18,086		)	1,635,913		—
	$	2,903,443	$	20,972		$	(22,293	)	$	2,902,122	3.02	%

For available-for-sale investment securities, there were no sales during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and sales totaling $350,890,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2016. There were purchases of $40,884,000 of available-for-sale investment securities during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and no purchases during the three months ended December 31, 2016. For held-to-maturity investment securities, there were purchases totaling $170,836,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2017 and purchases of $415,729,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2016. There were no sales of held-to-maturity investment securities during either period. Substantially all of the agency mortgage-backed securities have contractual due dates that exceed 10 years.

The following tables show the unrealized gross losses and fair value of securities as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, by length of time that individual securities in each category have been in a continuous loss position. The decline in fair value since purchase is attributable to changes in interest rates. Because the Company does not intend to sell these securities and does not consider it more likely than not that it will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of amortized cost basis, which may be upon maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired.



December 31, 2017	Less than 12 months					12 months or more					Total
	Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Corporate debt securities	$	—		$	—	$	(1,352	)	$	98,648	$	(1,352	)	98,648
Municipal bonds due	—			—		(4		)	2,347		(4		)	2,347
U.S. government and agency securities	—			—		(1,336		)	104,572		(1,336		)	104,572
Agency pass-through certificates	(131		)	71,537		(21,072		)	1,218,036		(21,203		)	1,289,573
	$	(131	)	$	71,537	$	(23,764	)	$	1,423,603	$	(23,895	)	$	1,495,140



September 30, 2017	Less than 12 months					12 months or more					Total
	Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Gross Losses			Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Corporate debt securities	$	—		$	—	$	(577	)	$	49,423	$	(577	)	$	49,423
U.S. government and agency securities	(759		)	24,400		(697		)	96,195		(1,456		)	120,595
Agency pass-through certificates	(17,683		)	1,163,358		(2,577		)	249,304		(20,260		)	1,412,662
	$	(18,442	)	$	1,187,758	$	(3,851	)	$	394,922	$	(22,293	)	$	1,582,680