The following fair value hierarchy is used based on the lowest level of input significant to the fair value measurement. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active 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; or 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.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Placements with Banks, Accrued Interest Receivable, Advance Payments by Borrowers for Taxes and Insurance, and Accrued Interest Payable: The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value. These assets and liabilities are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Available-for-Sale Securities: These financial instruments are recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models (e.g., matrix pricing) or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics and are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Examples of such instruments include government agency bonds and mortgage-backed securities. Level 3 securities are securities for which significant unobservable inputs are utilized. There were no changes in valuation techniques used to measure similar assets during the period.

FHLBNY Stock: The carrying value of FHLBNY stock approximates fair value since the Bank can redeem such stock with FHLBNY at cost. As a member of the FHLBNY, the Company is required to purchase this stock, which is carried at cost and classified as restricted equity securities.

Loans Receivable: For variable rate loans, which reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, carrying values are a reasonable estimate of fair values, adjusted for credit losses inherent in the portfolios. The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using estimated market rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities, adjusted for credit losses inherent in the portfolios. Impaired loans are valued using a present value discounted cash flow method, or the fair value of the collateral. Loans are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Loans Held for Sale: Loans held for sale, at fair value, consists of loans originated for sale by the Bank and accounted for under the fair value option. These assets are valued using stated investor pricing for substantially equivalent loans as Level 2. In determining fair value, such measurements are derived based on observable market data, including whole-loan transaction pricing and similar market transactions adjusted for portfolio composition, servicing value and market conditions. Loans held for sale by the Bank are carried at the lower of cost or fair value as determined by investor bid prices.

Under the fair value option, management has elected, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, fair value for substantially all forms of mortgage loans originated for sale on a recurring basis. The fair value carrying amount of mortgages held for sale measured under the fair value option was $14.1 million and the aggregate unpaid principal amounted to $14.0 million.

Other Real Estate Owned: Other real estate owned represents real estate acquired through foreclosure, and is recorded at fair value less estimated disposal costs on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management's estimation of the value of the collateral. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the asset is classified as Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the asset is classified as Level 3.

Deposits: The fair values of demand deposits, savings, NOW and money market accounts equal their carrying amounts, which represent the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date. Fair values for fixed-term, fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies market interest rates on certificates of deposit to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on such deposits. Deposits are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

FHLBNY Advances: The fair value of the advances is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies current market-based FHLBNY interest rates for advances of similar maturity to a schedule of maturities of such advances. These borrowings are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Warehouse Lines of Credit: The carrying amounts of warehouse lines of credit and mortgage loan funding payable approximate fair value and due to their short-term nature are classified as Level 2. One of the warehouse lines of credit was terminated on March 31, 2022 and one was terminated on February 7, 2023

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Fair values for off-balance-sheet instruments (lending commitments and standby letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties' credit standing. Off-balance-sheet instruments are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

The following tables detail the assets that are carried at fair value and measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and indicate the level within the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine the fair value:


			September 30, 2023
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	2,713	$	2,713	$	—	$	—
Corporate bonds		23,190		729		22,461		—
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		32,989		—		32,989		—
FHLMC Certificates		8,537		—		8,537		—
FNMA Certificates		49,219		—		49,219		—
GNMA Certificates		105		—		105		—
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, at fair value		14,103		—		14,103		—
	$	130,856	$	3,442	$	127,414	$	—


			December 31, 2022
Description	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(in thousands)
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value:
U.S. Government Bonds	$	2,689	$	2,689	$	—	$	—
Corporate bonds		23,359		730		22,629		—
Mortgage-Backed Securities:
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations		37,777		—		37,777		—
FHLMC Certificates		9,634		—		9,634		—
FNMA Certificates		55,928		—		55,928		—
GNMA Certificates		118		—		118		—
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale, at fair value		1,979		—		1,979		—
Derivatives from interest rate lock commitments		22		—		—		22
	$	131,506	$	3,419	$	128,065	$	22

Management’s assessment and classification of an investment within a level can change over time based upon maturity or liquidity of the investment and would be reflected at the beginning of the quarter in which the change occurred.

Losses on assets carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis were de minimis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:


	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
	Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
September 30, 2023
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	117,012	$	117,012	$	—	$	—	$	117,012
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value		116,753		3,442		113,311		—		116,753
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost, net		471,065		—		444,864		—		444,864
Placements with banks		996		—		996		—		996
Loans held for sale, at fair value		14,103		—		14,103		—		14,103
Loans receivable, net		1,787,607		—		—		1,720,035		1,720,035
Accrued interest receivable		16,624		—		16,624		—		16,624
FHLBNY stock		18,870		18,870		—		—		18,870
Financial liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand deposits		265,862		265,862		—		—		265,862
Interest-bearing deposits		593,559		593,559		—		—		593,559
Certificates of deposit		541,711		—		529,450		—		529,450
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		13,743		—		13,743		—		13,743
Borrowings		675,100		—		654,847		—		654,847
Accrued interest payable		8,385		—		8,385		—		8,385


	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
	Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
December 31, 2022
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	54,360	$	54,360	$	—	$	—	$	54,360
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value		129,505		3,419		126,086		—		129,505
Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost		510,820		—		495,851		—		495,851
Placements with banks		1,494		—		1,494		—		1,494
Loans held for sale, at fair value		1,979		—		1,979		—		1,979
Loans receivable, net		1,493,127		—		—		1,430,864		1,430,864
Accrued interest receivable		15,049		—		15,049		—		15,049
FHLBNY stock		24,661		24,661		—		—		24,661
Financial liabilities:
Deposits:
Demand deposits		289,149		289,149		—		—		289,149
Interest-bearing deposits		504,973		504,973		—		—		504,973
Certificates of deposit		458,290		—		450,224		—		450,224
Advance payments by borrowers for taxes and insurance		9,724		—		9,724		—		9,724
Borrowings		517,375		—		503,406		—		503,406
Accrued interest payable		1,390		—		1,390		—		1,390

The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the valuation hierarchy at the end of the applicable reporting periods. There were no transfers into or out of Level 3 assets or liabilities in the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2023 and one security transferred out of Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2022. Fair value for Level 3 securities was determined using a third-party pricing service with limited levels of activity and price transparency.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Loan commitments on which the committed interest rate is less than the current market rate are insignificant at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

The fair value information about financial instruments are disclosed, whether or not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial condition, for which it is practicable to estimate that value. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented do not represent the underlying value of the Company. The estimated fair value amounts for 2023 and 2022 have been measured as of their respective period-ends and have not been reevaluated or updated for purposes of these consolidated financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than amounts reported at each period.

The information presented should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only required for a limited portion of the Company's assets and liabilities. Due to the wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company's disclosures and those of other banks may not be meaningful.