FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC Fair Value Disclosure
(20.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Determination of Fair Value — Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Valuation Hierarchy
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. 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. There have been no changes in the valuation techniques used during the current period. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:
Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recorded as of the end of the reporting period.
In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Furthermore, the reported fair value amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since the presentation dates, and therefore, estimates of fair value after the balance sheet date may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. A more detailed description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.
(20.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
Securities available for sale: Securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements 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, among other things.
Derivative instruments: The fair value of derivative instruments is determined using quoted secondary market prices for similar financial instruments and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Loans held for sale: The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted secondary market prices and investor commitments. Loans held for sale are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Collateral dependent loans: Fair value of collateral dependent loans with specific allocations of the allowance for credit losses - loans is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Collateral may be real estate and/or business assets including equipment, inventory and/or accounts receivable and collateral value is determined based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Appraised and reported values may be discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and the client’s business. Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Collateral dependent loans are reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above.
Long-lived assets held for sale: The fair value of the long-lived assets held for sale was based on estimated market prices from independently prepared current appraisals, adjusted for expected costs to sell, and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Loan servicing rights: Loan servicing rights do not trade in an active market with readily observable market data. As a result, the Company estimates the fair value of loan servicing rights by using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model are those that the Company believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, including estimates of loan prepayment rates, servicing costs, ancillary income, impound account balances, and discount rates. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s loan servicing rights are the constant prepayment rates and weighted average discount rate. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Although the constant prepayment rate and the discount rate are not directly interrelated, they will generally move in opposite directions. Loan servicing rights are classified as Level 3 measurements due to the use of significant unobservable inputs, as well as significant management judgment and estimation.
Other real estate owned (foreclosed assets): Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Fair values are generally based on third-party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification. The appraisals are sometimes further discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business. Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.
Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit: Commitments to extend credit and fund letters of credit are principally at current interest rates, and, therefore, the carrying amount approximates fair value. The fair value of commitments is not material.
(20.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
Assets Measured at Fair Value
The following tables present for each of the fair-value hierarchy levels the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31 (in thousands):
|
|
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities |
|
|
Significant Other Observable Inputs |
|
|
Significant Unobservable Inputs |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Measured on a recurring basis: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Securities available for sale: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
877,631 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
877,631 |
|
Other debt securities |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
44,841 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
44,841 |
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Hedging derivative instruments |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,188 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,188 |
|
Fair value adjusted through comprehensive income |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
924,660 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
924,660 |
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative instruments–interest rate products |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
26,817 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
26,817 |
|
Derivative instruments–mortgage banking |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
112 |
|
Other liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative instruments–interest rate products |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(26,819 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(26,819 |
) |
Derivative instruments–mortgage banking |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
Fair value adjusted through net income |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
97 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Measured on a nonrecurring basis: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Loans: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Loans held for sale |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
3,365 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
3,365 |
|
Collateral dependent loans |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
45,541 |
|
|
|
45,541 |
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Long-lived assets held for sale |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
264 |
|
Mortgage servicing rights |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
|
|
1,767 |
|
Other real estate owned |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
94 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
3,365 |
|
|
$ |
47,666 |
|
|
$ |
51,031 |
|
(20.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
|
|
Quoted Prices |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
Significant |
|
|
Total |
|
||||
2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Measured on a recurring basis: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Securities available for sale: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored enterprises |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
902,384 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
902,384 |
|
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
8,721 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
8,721 |
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Hedging derivative instruments |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,693 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,693 |
|
Fair value adjusted through comprehensive income |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
915,798 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
915,798 |
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative instruments – interest rate products |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
41,318 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
41,318 |
|
Derivative instruments – mortgage banking |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
122 |
|
Other liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Derivative instruments – interest rate products |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(41,319 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(41,319 |
) |
Derivative instruments – mortgage banking |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(91 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(91 |
) |
Fair value adjusted through net income |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Measured on a nonrecurring basis: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Loans: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Loans held for sale |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
2,280 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
2,280 |
|
Collateral dependent loans |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
56,246 |
|
|
|
56,246 |
|
Other assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Long-lived assets held for sale |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
596 |
|
|
|
596 |
|
Mortgage servicing rights |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,597 |
|
|
|
1,597 |
|
Other real estate owned |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
Total |
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
2,280 |
|
|
$ |
58,499 |
|
|
$ |
60,779 |
|
There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024. There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value (dollars in thousands) at December 31, 2025:
Asset |
|
Fair |
|
|
Valuation Technique |
|
Unobservable Input |
|
Unobservable Input |
|
Collateral dependent loans |
|
$ |
45,541 |
|
|
Appraisal of collateral (1) |
|
Appraisal adjustments (2) |
|
10.72% (3) / 0 - 50.0% |
Loan servicing rights |
|
$ |
1,767 |
|
|
Discounted cash flow |
|
Discount rate |
|
12.5% (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Constant prepayment rate |
|
16.7% (3) |
|
Long-lived assets held for sale |
|
$ |
264 |
|
|
Appraisal of collateral (1) |
|
Appraisal adjustments (2) |
|
12.0% (3) |
Other real estate owned |
|
$ |
94 |
|
|
Appraisal of collateral (1) |
|
Appraisal adjustments (2) |
|
40.0% |
(20.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
There were no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of or during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The assumptions used below are expected to approximate those that market participants would use in valuing these financial instruments.
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available market information and judgments about the financial instrument, including estimates of timing, amount of expected future cash flows and the credit standing of the issuer. Such estimates do not consider the tax impact of the realization of unrealized gains or losses. In some cases, the fair value estimates cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets. In addition, the disclosed fair value may not be realized in the immediate settlement of the financial instrument. Care should be exercised in deriving conclusions about our business, its value or financial position based on the fair value information of financial instruments presented below.
The estimated fair value approximates carrying value for cash and cash equivalents, FHLB and FRB stock, accrued interest receivable, non-maturity deposits, short-term borrowings and accrued interest payable. Fair value estimates for other financial instruments not included elsewhere in this disclosure are discussed below.
Securities held to maturity: The fair value of the Company’s investment securities held to maturity is primarily measured using information from a third-party 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, among other things.
Loans: The fair value of the Company’s loans was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans would be made for the same remaining maturities. Loans were first segregated by type, such as commercial, residential mortgage, and consumer, and were then further segmented into fixed and variable rate and loan quality categories. Expected future cash flows were projected based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments.
Time deposits: The fair value of time deposits was estimated using a discounted cash flow approach that applies prevailing market interest rates for similar maturity instruments. The fair values of the Company’s time deposit liabilities do not take into consideration the value of the Company’s long-term relationships with depositors, which may have significant value.
Long-term borrowings: Long-term borrowings consist of $75 million of subordinated notes and $50 million of long-term borrowings from the FHLB. The subordinated notes are publicly traded and are valued based on market prices, which are characterized as Level 2 liabilities in the fair value hierarchy. The FHLB borrowings are valued using discounted cash flows based on current market rates for borrowings with similar remaining maturities and are characterized as Level 2 liabilities in the fair value hierarchy.
(20.) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
The following presents the carrying amount, estimated fair value, and placement in the fair value measurement hierarchy of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Level in Fair Value Measurement Hierarchy |
|
Carrying Amount |
|
|
Estimated Fair Value |
|
|
Carrying Amount |
|
|
Estimated Fair Value |
|
||||
Financial assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
Level 1 |
|
$ |
108,751 |
|
|
$ |
108,751 |
|
|
$ |
87,321 |
|
|
$ |
87,321 |
|
Securities available for sale |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
922,472 |
|
|
|
922,472 |
|
|
|
911,105 |
|
|
|
911,105 |
|
Securities held to maturity, net |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
84,708 |
|
|
|
76,256 |
|
|
|
116,001 |
|
|
|
104,556 |
|
Loans held for sale |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
3,365 |
|
|
|
3,365 |
|
|
|
2,280 |
|
|
|
2,280 |
|
Loans |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
4,564,939 |
|
|
|
4,492,272 |
|
|
|
4,374,917 |
|
|
|
4,277,167 |
|
Loans⁽¹⁾ |
|
Level 3 |
|
|
45,541 |
|
|
|
45,541 |
|
|
|
56,246 |
|
|
|
56,246 |
|
Long-lived assets held for sale |
|
Level 3 |
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
596 |
|
|
|
596 |
|
Accrued interest receivable |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
25,103 |
|
|
|
25,103 |
|
|
|
23,748 |
|
|
|
23,748 |
|
Derivative instruments–cash flow hedge |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
2,188 |
|
|
|
2,188 |
|
|
|
4,693 |
|
|
|
4,693 |
|
Derivative instruments–interest rate products |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
26,817 |
|
|
|
26,817 |
|
|
|
41,318 |
|
|
|
41,318 |
|
Derivative instruments–mortgage banking |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
122 |
|
FHLB and FRB stock |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
21,632 |
|
|
|
21,632 |
|
|
|
18,261 |
|
|
|
18,261 |
|
Financial liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Non-maturity deposits |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
3,519,848 |
|
|
|
3,519,848 |
|
|
|
3,559,559 |
|
|
|
3,559,559 |
|
Time deposits |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
1,686,500 |
|
|
|
1,683,492 |
|
|
|
1,545,172 |
|
|
|
1,541,013 |
|
Short-term borrowings |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
109,000 |
|
|
|
109,000 |
|
|
|
99,000 |
|
|
|
99,000 |
|
Long-term borrowings |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
193,653 |
|
|
|
227,081 |
|
|
|
124,842 |
|
|
|
127,402 |
|
Accrued interest payable |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
21,436 |
|
|
|
21,436 |
|
|
|
25,856 |
|
|
|
25,856 |
|
Derivative instruments–interest rate products |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
26,819 |
|
|
|
26,819 |
|
|
|
41,319 |
|
|
|
41,319 |
|
Derivative instruments–mortgage banking |
|
Level 2 |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 9, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Mar 12, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Mar 13, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Mar 9, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Mar 10, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Mar 15, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Mar 4, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Mar 8, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Mar 14, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Mar 7, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Mar 8, 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.