Note 17.

Fair Value

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value

The following discussion describes the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments under the valuation hierarchy.

Assets and Liabilities Reported at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Available-for-Sale Securities. Securities available for sale are reported at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of Level 1 securities is based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. The Company also uses Level 1 inputs to value equity securities that are traded in active markets. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are primarily derived from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 2 securities use fair value measurements from independent pricing services obtained by the Company. These fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information, and bond terms and conditions. The Company’s Level 2 securities include Treasury securities, single issue trust preferred securities, corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities, and certain equity securities that are not actively traded. Securities are based on Level 3 inputs when there is limited activity or less transparency to the valuation inputs. In the absence of observable or corroborated market data, internally developed estimates that incorporate market-based assumptions are used when such information is available.

Fair value models may be required when trading activity has declined significantly or does not exist, prices are not current, or pricing variations are significant. For Level 3 securities, the Company obtains the cash flow of specific securities from third parties that use modeling software to determine cash flows based on market participant data and knowledge of the structures of each individual security. The fair values of Level 3 securities are determined by applying proper market observable discount rates to the cash flow derived from third-party models. Discount rates are developed by determining credit spreads above a benchmark rate, such as LIBOR, and adding premiums for illiquidity, which are based on a comparison of initial issuance spread to LIBOR versus a financial sector curve for recently issued debt to LIBOR. Securities with increased uncertainty about the receipt of cash flows are discounted at higher rates due to the addition of a deal specific credit premium based on assumptions about the performance of the underlying collateral. Finally, internal fair value model pricing and external pricing observations are combined by assigning weights to each pricing observation. Pricing is reviewed for reasonableness based on the direction of specific markets and the general economic indicators.

Loans Held for Investment. Loans held for investment are reported at fair value using discounted future cash flows that apply current interest rates for loans with similar terms and borrower credit quality. Loans related to fair value hedges are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Deferred Compensation Assets and Liabilities. Securities held for trading purposes are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. These securities include assets related to employee deferred compensation plans, which are generally invested in Level 1 equity securities. The liability associated with these deferred compensation plans is carried at the fair value of the obligation to the employee, which corresponds to the fair value of the invested assets.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities. Derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company obtains dealer quotes, Level 2 inputs, based on observable data to value derivatives.

The following tables summarize financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, by the level of valuation inputs in the fair value hierarchy, as of the dates indicated:


	December 31, 2016
	Total Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements Using
(Amounts in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. Agency securities	$	1,345	$	—	$	1,345	$	—
Municipal securities		113,331		—		113,331		—
Single issue trust preferred securities		19,939		—		19,939		—
Mortgage-backed Agency securities		30,891		—		30,891		—
Equity securities		73		55		18		—

Total available-for-sale securities		165,579		55		165,524		—
Fair value loans		4,701		—		4,701		—
Deferred compensation assets		3,224		3,224		—		—
Deferred compensation liabilities		3,224		3,224		—		—
Derivative liabilities		167		—		167		—


	December 31, 2015
	Total Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements Using
(Amounts in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. Agency securities	$	30,702	$	—	$	30,702	$	—
Municipal securities		128,678		—		128,678		—
Single issue trust preferred securities		47,832		—		47,832		—
Corporate securities		70,333		—		70,333		—
Certificates of deposit		5,000		—		5,000		—
Mortgage-backed Agency securities		83,556		—		83,556		—
Equity securities		72		54		18		—

Total available-for-sale securities		366,173		54		366,119		—
Fair value loans		4,886		—		4,886		—
Deferred compensation assets		3,464		3,464		—		—
Deferred compensation liabilities		3,464		3,464		—		—
Derivative liabilities		251		—		251		—

No changes in valuation techniques or transfers into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy occurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 or 2015.

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Impaired Loans. Impaired loans are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when repayment is expected solely from the sale of the loan’s collateral. Fair value is based on appraised value adjusted for customized discounting criteria, Level 3 inputs.

The Company maintains an active and robust problem credit identification system. The impairment review includes obtaining third-party collateral valuations to help management identify potential credit impairment and determine the amount of impairment to record. The Company’s Special Assets staff manages and monitors all impaired loans. Internal collateral valuations are generally performed within two to four weeks of identifying the initial potential impairment. The internal valuation compares the original appraisal to current local real estate market conditions and considers experience and expected liquidation costs. The Company typically receives a third-party valuation within thirty to forty-five days of completing the internal valuation. When a third-party valuation is received, it is reviewed for reasonableness. Once the valuation is reviewed and accepted, discounts are applied to fair market value, based on, but not limited to, our historical liquidation experience for like collateral, resulting in an estimated net realizable value. The estimated net realizable value is compared to the outstanding loan balance to determine the appropriate amount of specific impairment reserve.

Specific reserves are generally recorded for impaired loans while third-party valuations are in process and for impaired loans that continue to make some form of payment. While waiting to receive the third-party appraisal, the Company regularly reviews the relationship to identify any potential adverse developments and begins the tasks necessary to gain control of the collateral and prepare it for liquidation, including, but not limited to, engagement of counsel, inspection of collateral, and continued communication with the borrower. Generally, the only difference between the current appraised value, less liquidation costs, and the carrying amount of the loan, less the specific reserve, is any downward adjustment to the appraised value that the Company deems appropriate, such as the costs to sell the property. Impaired loans that do not meet certain criteria and do not have a specific reserve have typically been written down through partial charge-offs to net realizable value. Based on prior experience, the Company rarely returns loans to performing status after they have been partially charged off. Credits identified as impaired move quickly through the process towards ultimate resolution, except in cases involving bankruptcy and various state judicial processes that may extend the time for ultimate resolution.

OREO. OREO is recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. The Company calculates the fair value of OREO from current or prior appraisals that have been adjusted for valuation declines, estimated selling costs, and other proprietary qualitative adjustments that are deemed necessary.

The following tables present assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, by the level of valuation inputs in the fair value hierarchy, as of the dates indicated:


	December 31, 2016
	Total Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements Using
(Amounts in thousands)	Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Impaired loans, non-covered	$	4,078	$	—	$	—	$	4,078
OREO, non-covered		5,109		—		—		5,109
OREO, covered		265		—		—		265

	December 31, 2015
	Total Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements Using
	Total Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
(Amounts in thousands)
Impaired loans, non-covered	$	9,164	$	—	$	—	$	9,164
OREO, non-covered		4,819		—		—		4,819
OREO, covered		4,034		—		—		4,034

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The following table provides quantitative information for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 valuation inputs as of the dates indicated:

Valuation

Technique

Unobservable

Input

Discount Range (Weighted Average)

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

Impaired loans, non-covered

Discounted appraisals⁽¹⁾

Appraisal adjustments⁽²⁾

3% to 39% (17%)

1% to 39% (21%)

OREO, non-covered

Discounted appraisals⁽¹⁾

Appraisal adjustments⁽²⁾

0% to 88% (30%)

1% to 100% (33%)

OREO, covered

Discounted appraisals⁽¹⁾

Appraisal adjustments⁽²⁾

0% to 44% (40%)

21% to 65% (46%)

(1)	Fair value is generally based on appraisals of the underlying collateral.

(2)	Appraisals may be adjusted by management for customized discounting criteria, estimated sales costs, and proprietary qualitative adjustments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company uses various methodologies and assumptions to estimate the fair value of certain financial instruments. A description of valuation methodologies used for instruments not previously discussed is as follows:

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are reported at their carrying amount, which is considered a reasonable estimate due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Held-to-Maturity Securities. Securities held to maturity are reported at fair value using quoted market prices or dealer quotes.

FDIC Indemnification Asset. The FDIC indemnification asset is reported at fair value using discounted future cash flows that apply current discount rates.

Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable. Accrued interest receivable/payable is reported at their carrying amount, which is considered a reasonable estimate due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Deposits and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase. Deposits without a stated maturity, such as demand, interest-bearing demand, and savings, are reported at their carrying amount, the amount payable on demand as of the reporting date, which is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value. Deposits and repurchase agreements with fixed maturities and rates are reported at fair value using discounted future cash flows that apply interest rates available in the market for instruments with similar characteristics and maturities.

FHLB and Other Borrowings. FHLB and other borrowings are reported at fair value using discounted future cash flows that apply interest rates available to the Company for borrowings with similar characteristics and maturities. Trust preferred obligations are reported at fair value using current credit spreads in the market for similar issues.

Off-Balance Sheet Instruments. The Company believes that fair values of unfunded commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, and financial guarantees are not meaningful; therefore, off-balance sheet instruments are not addressed in the fair value disclosures. The Company believes it is not feasible or practical to accurately disclose the fair values of off-balance sheet instruments due to the uncertainty and difficulty in assessing the likelihood and timing of advancing available proceeds, the lack of an established market for these instruments, and the diversity in fee structures. For additional information about the unfunded, contractual value of off-balance sheet financial instruments, see Note 20, “Litigation, Commitments, and Contingencies,” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this report.

The following tables present the carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments, by the level of valuation inputs in the fair value hierarchy, as of the dates indicated:


	December 31, 2016
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements Using
(Amounts in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	76,307	$	76,307	$	76,307	$	—	$	—
Securities available for sale		165,579		165,579		55		165,524		—
Securities held to maturity		47,133		47,266		—		47,266		—
Loans held for investment, net of allowance		1,835,000		1,805,999		—		4,701		1,801,298
FDIC indemnification asset		12,173		8,112		—		—		8,112
Interest receivable		5,553		5,553		—		5,553		—
Deferred compensation assets		3,224		3,224		3,224		—		—

Liabilities
Demand deposits		427,705		427,705		—		427,705		—
Interest-bearing demand deposits		378,339		378,339		—		378,339		—
Savings deposits		523,260		523,260		—		523,260		—
Time deposits		512,034		507,917		—		507,917		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		98,005		98,879		—		98,879		—
Interest payable		1,280		1,280		—		1,280		—
FHLB and other borrowings		80,708		83,551		—		83,551		—
Derivative financial liabilities		167		167		—		167		—
Deferred compensation liabilities		3,224		3,224		3,224		—		—


	December 31, 2015
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements Using
(Amounts in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	51,787	$	51,787	$	51,787	$	—	$	—
Securities available for sale		366,173		366,173		54		366,119		—
Securities held to maturity		72,541		72,490		—		72,490		—
Loans held for investment, net of allowance		1,686,308		1,685,061		—		4,886		1,680,175
FDIC indemnification asset		20,844		10,753		—		—		10,753
Interest receivable		6,007		6,007		—		6,007		—
Deferred compensation assets		3,464		3,464		3,464		—		—

Liabilities
Demand deposits		451,511		451,511		—		451,511		—
Interest-bearing demand deposits		347,705		347,705		—		347,705		—
Savings deposits		530,585		530,585		—		530,585		—
Time deposits		543,458		541,059		—		541,059		—
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		138,614		140,880		—		140,880		—
Interest payable		1,260		1,260		—		1,260		—
FHLB and other borrowings		80,756		85,774		—		85,774		—
Derivative financial liabilities		251		251		—		251		—
Deferred compensation liabilities		3,464		3,464		3,464		—		—