Note 12 — Fair Value

Fair value measurements — Fair value represents 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. To measure fair value, GAAP has established a hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. This hierarchy uses three levels of inputs to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities as follows:

Note 12 — Fair Value – Continued

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation methodology:

Investment securities, available for sale — Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the hierarchy. Level 1 includes securities that have quoted prices in an active market for identical assets. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows, and accordingly, are classified as Level 2 or 3. The Company has categorized its available-for-sale investment securities as Level 1 or 2.

Impaired loans and other real estate owned — Fair value applies to loans and other real estate owned measured for impairment. Impaired loans are measured at an observable market price (if available) or at the fair value of the loan’s collateral (if collateral dependent). Fair value of the loan’s collateral is determined by appraisals or independent valuation which is then adjusted for the cost related to liquidation of the collateral. The Company has categorized its impaired loans and other real estate owned as Level 2.

Assets measured at fair value are summarized as follows:

Fair value of financial instruments — The following table summarizes carrying amounts, estimated fair values and assumptions used to estimate fair values of financial instruments:

Note 12 — Fair Value – Continued

The above summary excludes financial assets and liabilities for which carrying value approximates fair value. For financial assets, these include cash and cash equivalents, held-to-maturity securities (see Note 2), loans held for sale, bank-owned life insurance, accrued interest receivable and FHLB stock. For financial liabilities, these include non-interest bearing deposits, short-term borrowings, and accrued interest payable. Also excluded from the summary are financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, as previously described.

Fair values of off-balance sheet commitments such as lending commitments, standby letters of credit and guarantees are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counter parties’ credit standing. The fair value of the fees as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were insignificant.

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

Net loans — The fair value 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.

Interest bearing deposits — The fair value of interest bearing deposits is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits with similar remaining maturities.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. Fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in the above methodologies and assumptions could significantly affect the estimates. Further, certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from the applicable disclosure requirements. Therefore, the fair value amounts shown in the table do not, by themselves, represent the underlying value of the Company as a whole.