FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value of an asset or liability is the price that would be received to sell that asset or paid to transfer that liability in an orderly transaction occurring in the principal market (or most advantageous market in the absence of a principal market) for such asset or liability. In estimating fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. Such valuation techniques are consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques include the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:


•	Level 1 Inputs - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

•

Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These might include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (such as interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data by correlation or other means.


•	Level 3 Inputs - Unobservable inputs for determining the fair values of assets or liabilities that reflect an entity's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

Fair value on a recurring basis

The following table summarizes financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value.



	December 31, 2015
(in thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Fair Value
Assets
Securities available for sale
Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises	$	—	$	99,008	$	—	$	99,008
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		38,624		3,077		41,701
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		311,061		—		311,061
Total securities available for sale	$	—	$	448,693	$	3,077	$	451,770
State tax credits held for sale	—		—		5,941		5,941
Derivative financial instruments	—		1,155		—		1,155
Total assets	$	—	$	449,848	$	9,018	$	458,866

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	1,155	$	—	$	1,155
Total liabilities	$	—	$	1,155	$	—	$	1,155



	December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Fair Value
Assets
Securities available for sale
Obligations of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises	$	—	$	91,826	$	—	$	91,826
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		31,822		3,059		34,881
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—		273,439		—		273,439
Total securities available for sale	$	—	$	397,087	$	3,059	$	400,146
State tax credits held for sale	—		—		11,689		11,689
Derivative financial instruments	—		909		—		909
Total assets	$	—	$	397,996	$	14,748	$	412,744

Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	907	$	—	$	907
Total liabilities	$	—	$	907	$	—	$	907

•

Securities available for sale. Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. Fair values for Level 2 securities are based upon dealer quotes, market spreads, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond's terms and conditions at the security level. At December 31, 2015, Level 3 securities available for sale consist primarily of three Auction Rate Securities that are valued based on the securities' estimated cash flows, yields of comparable securities, and live trading levels.

•

State tax credits held for sale. At December 31, 2015, of the $45.9 million of state tax credits held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet, approximately $5.9 million were carried at fair value. The remaining $39.9 million of state tax credits were accounted for at cost. The Company elected not to account for the state tax credits purchased since 2010 at fair value in order to limit the volatility of the fair value changes in our consolidated statements of operations.

The Company is not aware of an active market that exists for the 10-year streams of state tax credit financial instruments. However, the Company’s principal market for these tax credits consists of Missouri state residents who buy these credits and local and regional accounting firms who broker them. As such, the Company employed a discounted cash flow analysis (income approach) to determine the fair value.

The fair value measurement is calculated using an internal valuation model with market data including discounted cash flows based upon the terms and conditions of the tax credits. If the underlying project remains in compliance with the various federal and state rules governing the tax credit program, each project will generate about 10 years of tax credits. The inputs to the discounted cash flow calculation include: the amount of tax credits generated each year, the anticipated sale price of the tax credit, the timing of the sale and a discount rate. The discount rate is estimated using the LIBOR swap curve at a point equal to the remaining life in years of credits plus a 205 basis point spread. With the exception of the discount rate, the other inputs to the fair value calculation are observable and readily available. The discount rate is considered a Level 3 input because it is an “unobservable input” and is based on the Company’s assumptions. An increase in the discount rate utilized would generally result in a lower estimated fair value of the tax credits. Alternatively, a decrease in the discount rate utilized would generally result in a higher estimated fair value of the tax credits. Given the significance of this input to the fair value calculation, the state tax credit assets are reported as Level 3 assets.

Economically, the Company equates the state tax credits to a fixed rate loan. After considering various risks, such as credit risk, compliance risk, and recapture risk, management concluded the state tax credits are equivalent to a fixed rate loan priced at Prime minus 75 basis points. When pricing a fixed rate loan, most banks utilize the Prime-based swap curve, which is based on the LIBOR swap curve plus a prime equivalent spread of 265 to 285 basis points depending on market pricing and the maturity of the underlying loan. The Prime-based swap curve is available daily on Bloomberg or other national pricing services. As a result, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, management concluded the spread of 205 basis points to the LIBOR curve should be utilized in the fair value calculation.

At December 31, 2015, the discount rates utilized in our state tax credits fair value calculation ranged from 2.30% to 4.82%. Resulting changes in the fair value of the state tax credits held for sale decreased Gain on state tax credits, net in the consolidated statement of operations by $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.

•

Derivatives. Derivatives are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The Company obtains counterparty quotations to value its interest rate swaps and caps. In addition, the Company validates the counterparty quotations with third party valuation sources. Derivatives with negative fair values are included in Other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Derivatives with positive fair value are included in Other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Level 3 financial instruments

The following table presents the changes in Level 3 financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.


•	Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements. There were no Level 3 purchases during the year ended December 31, 2015.


•	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3. There were no transfers in and/or out of Level 3 for the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014.



	Securities available for sale, at fair value
	Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2015		2014
Beginning balance	$	3,059	$	3,040
Total gains:
Included in other comprehensive income	18		19
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements:
Purchases	—		—
Transfer in and/or out of Level 3	—		—
Ending balance	$	3,077	$	3,059

Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held at the reporting date	$	18	$	19



	State tax credits held for sale, at fair value
	Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2015			2014
Beginning balance	$	11,689		$	16,491
Total gains:
Included in earnings	406			558
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements:
Sales	(6,154		)	(5,360		)
Ending balance	$	5,941		$	11,689

Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held at the reporting date	$	(1,212	)	$	(868	)

Fair value on a non-recurring basis

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the instruments 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).

•

Impaired loans. Impaired loans are included as Portfolio loans on the Company's consolidated balance sheets with amounts specifically reserved for credit impairment in the Allowance for loan losses. On a quarterly basis, fair value adjustments are recorded on impaired loans to account for (1) partial write-downs that are based on the current appraised or market-quoted value of the underlying collateral or (2) the full charge-off of the loan carrying value. In some cases, the properties for which market quotes or appraised values have been obtained are located in areas where comparable sales data is limited, outdated, or unavailable. In addition, the Company may adjust the valuations based on other relevant market conditions or information. Accordingly, fair value estimates, including those obtained from real estate brokers or other third-party consultants, for collateral-dependent impaired loans are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.


•	Other Real Estate. These assets are reported at the lower of the loan carrying amount at foreclosure or fair value. Fair value is based on third party appraisals of each property and the Company's judgment of other relevant market conditions. These are considered Level 3 inputs.

The following table presents financial instruments and non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.



	December 31, 2015
	(1)		(1)		(1)		(1)
(in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total losses for the year ended December 31, 2015
Impaired loans	$	2,561	$	—	$	—	$	2,561	$	(6,091	)
Other real estate	753		—		—		753		(83		)
Total	$	3,314	$	—	$	—	$	3,314	$	(6,174	)



	December 31, 2014
	(1)		(1)		(1)		(1)
(in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total losses for the year ended December 31, 2014
Impaired loans	$	6,726	$	—	$	—	$	6,726	$	(5,556	)
Other real estate	3,788		—		—		3,788		(696		)
Total	$	10,514	$	—	$	—	$	10,514	$	(6,252	)

(1) The amounts represent only balances measured at fair value during the period and still held as of the reporting date.

Impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral. Fair values for impaired loans are obtained from current appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers or independent valuation specialists. Other real estate owned is adjusted to fair value upon foreclosure of the underlying loan. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value of other real estate is based upon the current appraised values of the properties as determined by qualified licensed appraisers and the Company’s judgment of other relevant market conditions. Certain state tax credits are reported at cost.

Carrying amount and fair value at December 31, 2015 and 2014

Following is a summary of the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2015 and 2014.



	December 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Estimated fair value		Carrying Amount		Estimated fair value
Balance sheet assets
Cash and due from banks	$	47,935	$	47,935	$	42,903	$	42,903
Federal funds sold	91		91		35		35
Interest-bearing deposits	47,131		47,131		63,058		63,058
Securities available for sale	451,770		451,770		400,146		400,146
Securities held to maturity	43,714		43,441		45,985		45,795
Other investments, at cost	17,455		17,455		17,037		17,037
Loans held for sale	6,598		6,598		4,033		4,033
Derivative financial instruments	1,155		1,155		909		909
Portfolio loans, net	2,781,879		2,782,704		2,487,424		2,482,700
State tax credits, held for sale	45,850		49,588		38,309		42,970
Accrued interest receivable	8,399		8,399		7,956		7,956

Balance sheet liabilities
Deposits	2,784,591		2,784,654		2,491,510		2,494,624
Subordinated debentures	56,807		35,432		56,807		34,124
Federal Home Loan Bank advances	110,000		109,994		144,000		144,000
Other borrowings	270,326		270,286		239,883		239,950
Derivative financial instruments	1,155		1,155		907		907
Accrued interest payable	629		629		843		843

The following table presents the level in the fair value hierarchy for the estimated fair values of only the Company’s financial instruments that are not already on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value at December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2014.



	Estimated Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using						Balance at December 31, 2015
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Securities held to maturity	$	—	$	43,441	$	—	$	43,441
Portfolio loans, net	—		—		2,782,704		2,782,704
State tax credits, held for sale	—		—		43,647		43,647
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	2,428,403		—		356,251		2,784,654
Subordinated debentures	—		35,432		—		35,432
Federal Home Loan Bank advances	—		109,994		—		109,994
Other borrowings	—		270,286		—		270,286

	Estimated Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using						Balance at December 31, 2014
(in thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets:
Securities held to maturity	$	—	$	45,795	$	—	$	45,795
Portfolio loans, net	—		—		2,482,700		2,482,700
State tax credits, held for sale	—		—		31,281		31,281
Financial Liabilities:
Deposits	1,986,158		—		508,466		2,494,624
Subordinated debentures	—		34,124		—		34,124
Federal Home Loan Bank advances	—		144,000		—		144,000
Other borrowings	—		239,950		—		239,950

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

Cash, Federal funds sold, and other short-term instruments

For cash and due from banks, federal funds purchased, interest-bearing deposits, and accrued interest receivable (payable), the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value, as such instruments reprice in a short time period (Level 1).

Securities available for sale and held to maturity

The Company obtains fair value measurements for debt instruments from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond's terms and conditions (Level 2).

Other investments

Other investments, which primarily consists of membership stock in the FHLB, is reported at cost, which approximates fair value (Level 2).

Loans held for sale

These loans consist of mortgages that are sold on the secondary market generally within three months of origination. They are reported at cost, which approximates fair value (Level 2).

Portfolio loans, net

The fair value of adjustable-rate loans approximates cost. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers for the same remaining maturities. The fair value of the acquired loans are based on the present value of expected future cash flows (Level 3). The method of estimating fair value does not incorporate the exit-price concept of fair value prescribed by ASC Topic 820.

State tax credits held for sale

The fair value of state tax credits held for sale is calculated using an internal valuation model with unobservable market data as discussed in further detail above (Level 3).

Derivative financial instruments

The fair value of derivative financial instruments is based on quoted market prices by the counterparty and verified by the Company using public pricing information (Level 2).

Deposits

The fair value of demand deposits, interest-bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts and savings deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (Level 1). The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities (Level 3).

Subordinated debentures

Fair value of subordinated debentures is based on discounting the future cash flows using rates currently offered for financial instruments of similar remaining maturities (Level 2).

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

The fair value of the FHLB advances is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using current rates on borrowed money with similar remaining maturities (Level 2).

Other borrowed funds

Other borrowed funds include customer repurchase agreements, federal funds purchased, notes payable, and secured borrowings related to loan participations. The fair value of federal funds purchased, customer repurchase agreements and notes payable are assumed to be equal to their carrying amount since they have an adjustable interest rate (Level 2).

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit

The fair value of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements, the likelihood of the counterparties drawing on such financial instruments, and the present creditworthiness of such counterparties (Level 2). The Company believes such commitments have been made on terms which are competitive in the markets in which it operates; however, no premium or discount is offered thereon and accordingly, the Company has not assigned a value to such instruments for purposes of this disclosure.

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment, and therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Such estimates include the valuation of loans, goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets, along with assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Decreasing real estate values, illiquid credit markets, volatile equity markets, and declines in consumer spending have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statement in future periods. In addition, 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. Fair value estimates are based on existing on-balance and off-balance-sheet 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 realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the estimates.