NOTE 18 – FAIR VALUE

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (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. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The following presents the assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall, and the financial instruments carried on the consolidated balance sheet by caption and by level in the fair value hierarchy, for which a nonrecurring change in fair value has been recorded:

December 31, 2025

Total Gains

(Dollars in thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

Total

  ​ ​ ​

Level 1

  ​ ​ ​

Level 2

  ​ ​ ​

Level 3

  ​ ​ ​

(Losses)

Assets

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Recurring fair value measurements:

 

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Securities available for sale:

 

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Obligations of U.S. Government entities and agencies

$

12,542

$

$

9,947

$

2,595

 

  ​

States and political subdivisions

 

10,144

 

10,144

 

  ​

Mortgage-backed GSE residential

 

24,493

 

24,493

 

  ​

Total securities available for sale

 

47,179

 

44,584

 

2,595

 

  ​

Equity securities

18,646

18,646

SBA and USDA servicing asset

 

10,601

 

10,601

 

  ​

Interest rate derivatives

6,343

6,343

$

82,769

$

18,646

$

50,927

$

13,196

Nonrecurring fair value measurements:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Collateral-dependent loans

1,658

1,658

231

$

1,658

$

$

$

1,658

$

231

Liabilities

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Recurring fair value measurements:

Interest rate derivatives

$

451

$

$

451

$

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 2024

Total Gains

(Dollars in thousands)

Total

  ​ ​ ​

Level 1

  ​ ​ ​

Level 2

  ​ ​ ​

Level 3

  ​ ​ ​

(Losses)

Assets

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Recurring fair value measurements:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Securities available for sale:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Obligations of U.S. Government entities and agencies

$

4,467

$

$

$

4,467

 

  ​

States and political subdivisions

 

6,537

 

6,537

 

  ​

Mortgage-backed GSE residential

 

6,387

 

6,387

 

  ​

Total securities available for sale

 

17,391

 

12,924

 

4,467

 

  ​

Equity securities

10,300

10,300

SBA and USDA servicing asset

 

7,274

 

7,274

 

  ​

Interest rate derivatives

21,790

21,790

$

56,755

$

10,300

$

34,714

$

11,741

Nonrecurring fair value measurements:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Collateral-dependent loans

1,505

1,505

11

Foreclosed real estate, net

427

427

(278)

$

1,932

$

$

$

1,932

$

(267)

Liabilities

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Recurring fair value measurements:

Interest rate derivatives

$

243

$

$

243

$

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

Securities, Available for Sales: The Company carries securities available for sale at fair value. For securities where quoted prices are not available (Level 2), 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. The investments in the Company’s portfolio are generally not quoted on an exchange but are actively traded in the secondary institutional markets.

The Company owns certain SBA investments for which the fair value is determined using Level 3 hierarchy inputs and assumptions as the trading market for such securities was determined to be “not active.” This determination was based on the limited number of trades or, in certain cases, the existence of no reported trades. Discounted cash flows are calculated by a third party using interest rate curves that are updated to incorporate current market conditions, including prepayment vectors and credit risk. During time when trading is more liquid, broker quotes are used to validate the model.

Equity Securities: The Company carries equity securities at fair value. Equity securities are measured at fair value using quoted market prices on nationally recognized and foreign securities exchanges (Level 1).

SBA Servicing Assets and Interest Only Strip: The fair values of the Company’s servicing assets are determined using Level 3 inputs. All separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities are initially measured at fair value initially and at each reporting date and changes in fair value are reported in earnings in the period in which they occur.

Interest Rate Derivatives: Exchange-traded derivatives are valued using quoted prices and are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. However, few classes of derivative contracts are listed on an exchange; thus, the Company’s derivative positions are valued by third parties using their valuation models and confirmed by the Company. Since the model inputs can be observed in a liquid market and the models do not require significant judgement, such derivative contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company’s interest rate swap contracts (designated as cash flow hedges) are classified within Level 2.

Under certain circumstances we make adjustments to fair value for our assets and liabilities although they are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis.

Individually Assessed Collateral Dependent Loans: Collateral-dependent loans are loans where repayment is expected to be provided solely by the sale of the underlying collateral and there are no other available and reliable sources of repayment. Fair value for collateral-dependent is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans and are classified at a Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Collateral may include real estate, or business assets including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable. The value of real estate collateral is determined based on an appraisal by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company. The value of business equipment is based on an appraisal by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company if significant, or the equipment’s net book value on the business’ financial statements. Inventory and accounts receivable collateral are valued based on independent field examiner review or aging reports. Appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination or approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available for similar loans and collateral underlying such loans. Appraised values are reviewed by management using historical knowledge, market considerations, and knowledge of the client and client’s business.

Changes in level 3 fair value measurements

The table below presents a reconciliation of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023:

Obligations of

U.S. Government

SBA and USDA

Interest Only

(Dollars in thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

Entities and Agencies

  ​ ​ ​

Servicing Asset

  ​ ​ ​

Strip

  ​ ​ ​

Liabilities

Fair value, January 1, 2025

$

4,467

$

7,274

$

$

Acquired from First IC at fair value

3,851

Total loss included in income

 

 

(524)

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

Prepayments/paydowns

 

(1,872)

 

 

 

Transfers in and/or out of level 3

 

 

 

 

Fair value, December 31, 2025

$

2,595

$

10,601

$

$

Fair value, January 1, 2024

$

4,637

$

7,251

$

$

Total gain included in income

 

 

23

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

Prepayments/paydowns

 

(170)

 

 

 

Transfers in and/or out of level 3

 

 

 

 

Fair value, December 31, 2024

$

4,467

$

7,274

$

$

Fair value, January 1, 2023

$

5,059

$

7,038

$

47

$

Total gain (loss) included in income

 

 

213

(47)

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

Prepayments/paydowns

 

(422)

 

 

 

Transfers in and/or out of level 3

 

 

 

 

Fair value, December 31, 2023

$

4,637

$

7,251

$

$

There were no gains or losses included in earnings for securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the periods presented above. The only activity for these securities were prepayments. There were no purchases, sales, or transfers into and out of Level 3. The following table presents quantitative information about recurring Level 3 fair value measures at December 31, 2025 and 2024:

  ​ ​ ​

Valuation

  ​ ​ ​

Unobservable

  ​ ​ ​

General

Technique

Input

Range

December 31, 2025

Recurring:

Obligations of U.S. Government entities and agencies

 

Discounted Cash Flows

 

Discount Rate

 

3%-5%

SBA and USDA servicing asset

 

Discounted Cash Flows

Prepayment speed

 

6.42%-21.78%

 

Discount rate

 

5.75%-11.09%

Nonrecurring:

Collateral-dependent loans

Appraisal value less estimated selling costs

Estimated selling costs

6%

December 31, 2024

 

  ​

  ​

 

 

Recurring:

Obligations of U.S. Government entities and agencies

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

4%-6%

SBA and USDA servicing asset and interest only strip

Discounted Cash Flows

Prepayment speed

9.82%-21.47%

Discount rate

5.22%-10.78%

Nonrecurring:

Collateral-dependent loans

Appraisal value less estimated selling costs

Estimated selling costs

6%

Foreclosed real estate

Appraisal value less estimated selling costs

Estimated selling costs

6%

 

  ​

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:

Carrying

  ​ ​ ​

Estimated Fair Value at December 31, 2025

(Dollars in thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

Amount

  ​ ​ ​

Level 1

  ​ ​ ​

Level 2

  ​ ​ ​

Level 3

  ​ ​ ​

Total

Financial Assets:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Cash, due from banks, and federal funds sold

$

383,676

$

$

383,676

$

$

383,676

Investment securities

 

65,825

 

18,646

44,584

2,595

 

65,825

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

27,565

 

 

 

 

N/A

Loans held for sale

9,741

9,741

9,741

Loans, net

 

4,023,554

 

 

 

3,964,005

 

3,964,005

Accrued interest receivable

 

20,298

 

 

344

 

19,954

 

20,298

SBA and USDA servicing assets

 

10,601

 

 

 

10,601

 

10,601

Mortgage servicing assets

 

1,660

 

 

 

5,659

 

5,659

Interest rate derivatives

6,343

6,343

6,343

Financial Liabilities:

 

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

Deposits

 

3,646,001

 

 

3,645,272

 

 

3,645,272

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

510,000

513,060

513,060

Accrued interest payable

10,731

10,731

10,731

Interest rate derivatives

 

451

 

 

451

 

 

451

Carrying

Estimated Fair Value at December 31, 2024

(Dollars in thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

Amount

  ​ ​ ​

Level 1

  ​ ​ ​

Level 2

  ​ ​ ​

Level 3

  ​ ​ ​

Total

Financial Assets:

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

Cash, due from banks, and federal funds sold

$

249,875

$

$

249,875

$

$

249,875

Investment securities

 

27,691

 

10,300

12,924

4,467

 

27,691

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

 

20,251

 

 

 

 

N/A

Loans, net

 

3,139,191

 

 

 

3,043,446

 

3,043,446

Accrued interest receivable

 

15,858

 

 

99

 

15,759

 

15,858

SBA and USDA servicing assets

 

7,274

 

 

 

7,274

 

7,274

Mortgage servicing assets

 

1,409

 

 

 

6,760

 

6,760

Interest rate derivatives

21,790

21,790

21,790

Financial Liabilities:

 

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

Deposits

 

2,736,798

 

 

2,735,977

 

 

2,735,977

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

375,000

376,950

376,950

Accrued interest payable

3,498

3,498

3,498

Interest rate derivatives

 

243

 

 

243

 

 

243

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Mar 16, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 10, 2025
2023Mar 11, 2024
2022Mar 10, 2023

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.