Customers Bancorp, Inc.CUBI
Customers Bancorp, Inc. Fair Value Disclosure
DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Customers uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments. ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the estimated fair value of an entity’s assets and liabilities considered to be financial instruments. For Customers, as for most financial institutions, the majority of its assets and liabilities are considered to be financial instruments. Many of these instruments lack an available trading market as characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaging in an exchange transaction. For fair value disclosure purposes, Customers utilized certain fair value measurement criteria under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”) as explained below.
In accordance with ASC 820, the fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for Customers’ various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.
The fair value guidance provides a consistent definition of fair value, focusing on an exit price in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. If there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability, a change in valuation technique or the use of multiple valuation techniques may be appropriate. In such instances, determining the price at which willing market participants would transact at the measurement date under current market conditions depends on the facts and circumstances and requires the use of significant judgment. The fair value is a reasonable point within the range that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions.
The fair value guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy and describes the following three levels used to classify fair value measurements:
| Level 1: | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. | ||||
| Level 2: | Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. | ||||
| Level 3: | Prices or valuation techniques that require adjustments to inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity). | ||||
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of Customers’ financial instruments as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Investment securities:
The fair values of equity securities with a readily determinable fair value, AFS debt securities and debt securities reported at fair value based on a fair value option election are determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized and foreign securities exchanges (Level 1), quoted prices in markets that are not active (Level 2), matrix pricing (Level 2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices, or internally and externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument (Level 3).
When quoted market prices are not available, Customers employs an independent pricing service that utilizes matrix pricing to calculate fair value. Such fair value measurements consider observable data such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, yield curves, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayments speeds, credit information, and respective terms and conditions for debt instruments. Management maintains procedures to monitor the pricing service’s results and has an established process to challenge their valuations, or methodologies, that appear unusual or unexpected.
Customers also utilizes internally and externally developed models that use unobservable inputs due to limited or no market activity of the instrument. These models use unobservable inputs that are inherently judgmental and reflect our best estimates of the assumptions a market participant would use to calculate fair value. Certain unobservable inputs in isolation may have either a directionally consistent or opposite impact on the fair value of the instrument for a given change in that input. When multiple inputs are used within the valuation techniques, a change in one input in a certain direction may be offset by an opposite change from another input. These assets are classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Loans held for sale - Residential mortgage loans (fair value option):
Customers generally estimates the fair values of residential mortgage loans held for sale based on commitments on hand from investors within the secondary market for loans with similar characteristics. These assets are classified as Level 2 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Loans held for sale and Loans receivable - Consumer other installment loans (fair value option):
The fair value of medical and home improvement installment loans within consumer other installment loans is the amount of cash initially advanced to fund the loan, as specified in the agreements with fintech companies, and generally held for up to 90 days prior to sale. During the year ended December 31, 2025, Customers transferred medical installment loans from held for sale to held for investment in connection with a lending arrangement with a fintech company that expired in 2025. These assets are classified as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Loans receivable - Mortgage finance loans (fair value option):
The fair value of mortgage finance loans is the amount of cash initially advanced to fund the mortgage, plus accrued interest and fees, as specified in the respective agreements. The loan is used by mortgage companies as short-term bridge financing between the funding of mortgage loans and the finalization of the sale of the loans to an investor. Changes in fair value are not generally expected to be recognized because at inception of the transaction the underlying mortgage loans have already been sold to an approved investor. Additionally, the interest rate is variable, and the transaction is short-term, with an average life of under 30 days from purchase to sale. These assets are classified as Level 2 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Derivatives (assets and liabilities):
The fair values of interest rate swaps, caps, collars and credit derivatives are determined using models that incorporate readily observable market data into a market standard methodology. This methodology nets the discounted future cash receipts and the discounted expected cash payments. The discounted variable cash receipts and payments are based on expectations of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves. In addition, fair value is adjusted for the effect of nonperformance risk by incorporating credit valuation adjustments for Customers and its counterparties. These assets and liabilities are classified as Level 2 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Derivative assets and liabilities are presented in other assets and accrued interest payable and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Collateral-dependent loans:
Collateral-dependent loans are those loans that are accounted for under ASC 326, in which the Bank has measured impairment generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral or DCF analysis. Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third-party appraisals of the properties that collateralize the loans, DCF based upon the expected proceeds, sales agreements or letters of intent with third parties. These assets are generally classified as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
Other real estate owned:
The fair value of OREO is determined by using appraisals, which may be discounted based on management’s review and changes in market conditions or sales agreements with third parties. All appraisals must be performed in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Appraisals are certified to the Bank and performed by appraisers on the Bank’s approved list of appraisers. Evaluations are completed by a person independent of management. The content of the appraisal depends on the complexity of the property. Appraisals are completed on a “retail value” and an “as is value”. These assets are classified as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.
The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of Customers’ fair value in its entirety because fair value calculations are only provided for a limited portion of Customers’ assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making these estimates, comparisons between Customers’ disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful.
The estimated fair values of Customers’ financial instruments at December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
| Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (amounts in thousands) | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,411,463 | $ | 4,411,463 | $ | 4,411,463 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities, available for sale | 1,906,535 | 1,906,535 | — | 1,668,722 | 237,813 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities, held to maturity | 729,134 | 683,598 | — | 426,981 | 256,617 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for sale | 26,102 | 26,102 | — | 1,851 | 24,251 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans and leases receivable, net of allowance for credit losses on loans and leases | 16,600,758 | 16,307,551 | — | 1,612,997 | 14,694,554 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB, Federal Reserve Bank, and other restricted stock | 110,411 | 110,411 | — | 110,411 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11,369 | 11,369 | — | 11,325 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | $ | 20,778,704 | $ | 20,806,081 | $ | 17,482,736 | $ | 3,323,345 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 1,325,068 | 1,327,565 | — | 1,327,565 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 99,208 | 93,834 | — | 93,834 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 281,147 | 277,105 | — | 277,105 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15,799 | 15,799 | — | 15,799 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Estimated Fair Value | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (amounts in thousands) | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,785,931 | $ | 3,785,931 | $ | 3,785,931 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities, available for sale | 1,985,438 | 1,985,438 | — | 1,972,202 | 13,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt securities, held to maturity | 991,937 | 934,677 | — | 461,307 | 473,370 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for sale | 204,794 | 204,794 | — | 1,836 | 202,958 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total loans and leases receivable, net of allowance for credit losses on loans and leases | 14,311,987 | 14,104,884 | — | 1,321,128 | 12,783,756 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB, Federal Reserve Bank, and other restricted stock | 96,214 | 96,214 | — | 96,214 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15,263 | 15,263 | — | 15,223 | 40 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deposits | $ | 18,846,461 | $ | 18,842,810 | $ | 16,138,256 | $ | 2,704,554 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| FHLB advances | 1,128,352 | 1,103,324 | — | 1,103,324 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings | 99,068 | 88,000 | — | 88,000 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subordinated debt | 182,509 | 167,601 | — | 167,601 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22,570 | 22,570 | — | 22,570 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
For financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (amounts in thousands) | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 237,813 | $ | 237,813 | |||||||||||||||
| Agency-guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities | — | 413,761 | — | 413,761 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Agency-guaranteed residential collateralized mortgage obligations | — | 493,507 | — | 493,507 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Agency-guaranteed commercial collateralized mortgage obligations | — | 115,576 | — | 115,576 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate notes | — | 285,858 | — | 285,858 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Private label collateralized mortgage obligations | — | 360,020 | — | 360,020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | — | 11,325 | 44 | 11,369 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for sale – fair value option | — | 1,851 | 894 | 2,745 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loans receivable, mortgage finance – fair value option | — | 1,612,997 | — | 1,612,997 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loans receivable, installment – fair value option | — | — | 102,077 | 102,077 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets – recurring fair value measurements | $ | — | $ | 3,294,895 | $ | 340,828 | $ | 3,635,723 | |||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | $ | — | $ | 15,799 | $ | — | $ | 15,799 | |||||||||||||||
| Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateral-dependent loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 20,668 | $ | 20,668 | |||||||||||||||
| Other real estate owned | — | — | 12,432 | 12,432 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets – nonrecurring fair value measurements | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 33,100 | $ | 33,100 | |||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (amounts in thousands) | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
| Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Available for sale securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 13,236 | $ | 13,236 | |||||||||||||||
| Agency-guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities | — | 327,038 | — | 327,038 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Agency-guaranteed residential collateralized mortgage obligations | — | 226,746 | — | 226,746 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Agency-guaranteed commercial collateralized mortgage obligations | — | 93,075 | — | 93,075 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Collateralized loan obligations | — | 255,407 | — | 255,407 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Commercial mortgage-backed securities | — | 77,708 | — | 77,708 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate notes | — | 516,330 | — | 516,330 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Private label collateralized mortgage obligations | — | 475,898 | — | 475,898 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | — | 15,223 | 40 | 15,263 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loans held for sale – fair value option | — | 1,836 | 162,055 | 163,891 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loans receivable, mortgage finance – fair value option | — | 1,321,128 | — | 1,321,128 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets - recurring fair value measurements | $ | — | $ | 3,310,389 | $ | 175,331 | $ | 3,485,720 | |||||||||||||||
| Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | $ | — | $ | 22,570 | $ | — | $ | 22,570 | |||||||||||||||
| Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collateral-dependent loans | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18,048 | $ | 18,048 | |||||||||||||||
| Total assets – nonrecurring fair value measurements | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18,048 | $ | 18,048 | |||||||||||||||
The changes in asset-backed securities (Level 3 assets) measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are summarized in the table below:
| Asset-backed securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (amounts in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1 | $ | 13,236 | $ | 34,949 | $ | 73,266 | ||||||||||||||
| Purchases | 322,032 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Principal payments and premium amortization | (97,594) | (23,867) | (40,041) | |||||||||||||||||
| Increase in allowance for credit losses | (421) | (224) | (1,487) | |||||||||||||||||
| Decrease in allowance for credit losses | 196 | 345 | 1,582 | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value recognized in OCI | 364 | 2,033 | 1,629 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31 | $ | 237,813 | $ | 13,236 | $ | 34,949 | ||||||||||||||
The changes in other installment loans (Level 3 assets) classified as held for sale and held for investment, and measured at fair value on a recurring basis, based on an election made to account for the loans at fair value for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are summarized in the table below:
Other Installment Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (amounts in thousands) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 1 | $ | 162,055 | $ | 188,062 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
| Originations | 198,156 | 924,183 | 218,794 | |||||||||||||||||
Sales | (177,323) | (743,682) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Principal payments | (81,955) | (206,508) | (30,732) | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value recognized in earnings | 2,038 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31 | $ | 102,971 | $ | 162,055 | $ | 188,062 | ||||||||||||||
There were no transfers between levels during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
The following tables summarize financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 on a recurring and nonrecurring basis for which Customers utilized Level 3 inputs to measure fair value. The unobservable Level 3 inputs noted below contain a level of uncertainty that may differ from what is realized in an immediate settlement of the assets. Therefore, Customers may realize a value higher or lower than the current estimated fair value of the assets.
| Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | Fair Value Estimate | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Range (Weighted Average) (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | 237,813 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate Annualized loss rate Constant prepayment rate | 8% - 9% (8%) 3% - 13% (4%) 17% - 20% (19%) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other real estate owned | 12,432 | Collateral appraisal (1) | Liquidation expenses (2) | 6% - 7% (6%) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in thousands) | Fair Value Estimate | Valuation Technique | Unobservable Input | Range (Weighted Average) (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset-backed securities | $ | 13,236 | Discounted cash flow | Discount rate Annualized loss rate Constant prepayment rate | 9% - 10% (10%) 5% - 10% (7%) 19% - 20% (19%) | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) Obtained from approved independent appraisers. Appraisals are current and in compliance with credit policy. Customers does not generally discount appraisals. Fair value is also estimated based on sale agreements or letters of intent with third parties.
(2) Appraisals are adjusted by management for liquidation expenses. The range and weighted average of liquidation expense adjustments are presented as a percentage of the appraisal.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 27, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 28, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Feb 28, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Feb 28, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Mar 2, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Mar 2, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Mar 1, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Feb 23, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Mar 8, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Feb 26, 2016 | |
About Fair Value Disclosures
Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.
Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.