FIRST FINANCIAL CORP /IN/ Fair Value Disclosure
2.FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) of 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 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 reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
The fair value of securities available-for-sale is determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs) or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs).
For those securities that cannot be priced using quoted market prices or observable inputs, a Level 3 valuation is determined. These securities are primarily trust preferred securities, which are priced using Level 3 due to current market illiquidity, and state and municipal securities. The fair value of the trust preferred securities is obtained from a third party provider without adjustment. Management obtains values from other pricing sources to validate the Standard & Poors pricing that they currently utilizes. The fair value of state and municipal obligations are derived by comparing the securities to current market rates plus an appropriate credit spread to determine an estimated value. Illiquidity spreads are then considered. Credit reviews are performed on each of the issuers. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Corporation’s state and municipal obligations are credit spreads related to specific issuers. Significantly higher credit spread assumptions would result in significantly lower fair value measurement. Conversely, significantly lower credit spreads would result in a significantly higher fair value measurement.
The fair value of derivatives is based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2 inputs).
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, are summarized below:
December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||
Fair Value Measurements Using | ||||||||||||
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | ||||
U.S. Government agencies | $ | — | $ | 84,310 | $ | — | $ | 84,310 | ||||
Mortgage Backed Securities-residential |
| — |
| 515,419 |
| — |
| 515,419 | ||||
Mortgage Backed Securities-commercial |
| — |
| 12,386 |
| — |
| 12,386 | ||||
Collateralized mortgage obligations |
| — |
| 158,098 |
| — |
| 158,098 | ||||
State and municipal |
| — |
| 357,718 |
| — |
| 357,718 | ||||
Municipal taxable |
| — |
| 18,745 |
| — |
| 18,745 | ||||
Collateralized debt obligations |
| — |
| — |
| 2,850 |
| 2,850 | ||||
TOTAL | $ | — | $ | 1,146,676 | $ | 2,850 | $ | 1,149,526 | ||||
Derivative Assets | 2,709 |
| |
| | |||||||
Derivative Liabilities |
| (2,709) |
| |
| | ||||||
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||
Fair Value Measurements Using | ||||||||||||
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | ||||
U.S. Government agencies | $ | — | $ | 78,982 | $ | — | $ | 78,982 | ||||
Mortgage Backed Securities-residential | — | 541,320 |
| — | 541,320 | |||||||
Mortgage Backed Securities-commercial |
| — |
| 13,661 |
| — |
| 13,661 | ||||
Collateralized mortgage obligations |
| — |
| 163,026 |
| — |
| 163,026 | ||||
State and municipal |
| — |
| 359,523 |
| 805 |
| 360,328 | ||||
Municipal taxable |
| — |
| 35,777 |
| — |
| 35,777 | ||||
Collateralized debt obligations |
| — |
| — |
| 2,896 |
| 2,896 | ||||
TOTAL | $ | — | $ | 1,192,289 | $ | 3,701 | $ | 1,195,990 | ||||
Derivative Assets | 3,060 |
| |
| | |||||||
Derivative Liabilities |
| (3,060) |
| |
| | ||||||
There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2025 and 2024.
The table below presents a reconciliation and income statement classification of gains and losses for all assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
| Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||
Year Ended | |||||||||
December 31, 2025 | |||||||||
| State and | | | ||||||
municipal | Collateralized | ||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | obligations | | debt obligations | | Total | |||
Beginning balance, January 1 | $ | 805 | $ | 2,896 | $ | 3,701 | |||
Total realized/unrealized gains or losses |
|
| | ||||||
Included in earnings |
| — |
| — |
| — | |||
| — |
| (46) |
| (46) | ||||
Transfers |
| — |
| — |
| — | |||
Settlements |
| (805) |
| — |
| (805) | |||
Ending balance, December 31 | $ | — | $ | 2,850 | $ | 2,850 | |||
| Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | ||||||||
Year Ended | |||||||||
December 31, 2024 | |||||||||
State and | |||||||||
municipal | Collateralized | ||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | obligations | | debt obligations | Total | ||||
Beginning balance, January 1 | $ | 1,180 | $ | 3,002 | $ | 4,182 | |||
Total realized/unrealized gains or losses |
| | |||||||
Included in earnings |
| — |
| — | — | ||||
| — |
| (106) | (106) | |||||
Purchases |
| — |
| — | — | ||||
Settlements |
| (375) |
| — | (375) | ||||
Ending balance, December 31 | $ | 805 | $ | 2,896 | $ | 3,701 | |||
There were no unrealized gains and losses recorded in earnings for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 or 2023.
Other real estate owned is valued at Level 3. Other real estate owned at December 31, 2025 with a value of $94 thousand was reduced by $9 thousand for fair value adjustment. At December 31, 2025, other real estate owned was comprised of zero from commercial loans and $94 thousand from residential loans. Other real estate owned at December 31, 2024 with a value of $523 thousand was reduced by zero for fair value adjustment. At December 31, 2024, other real estate owned was comprised of $433 thousand from commercial loans and $90 thousand from residential loans.
Fair value for collateral dependent loans is measured based on the value of the collateral securing those loans, and is determined using several methods. Generally the fair value of real estate is determined based on appraisals by qualified licensed appraisers. Appraisals for real estate generally use three methods to derive value: cost, sales or market comparison and income approach. The cost method bases value on the cost to replace current property. The market comparison evaluates the sales price of similar properties in the same market area. The income approach considers net operating income generated by the property and the investor’s required return. The final fair value is based on a reconciliation of these three approaches. If an appraisal is not available, the fair value may be determined by using a cash flow analysis, a broker’s opinion of value, the net present value of future cash flows, or an observable market price from an active market. Fair value of other real estate is based upon the current appraised values of the properties as determined by qualified licensed appraisers and the Company’s judgment of other relevant market conditions. Appraisals are obtained annually and reductions in value are recorded as a valuation through a charge to expense. The primary unobservable input used by management in estimating fair value are additional discounts to the appraised value to consider market conditions and the age of the appraisal, which are based on management’s past experience in resolving these types of properties. These discounts range from 10% to 100% with an average discount of 66%. Values for non-real estate collateral, such as business equipment, are based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers or the customers financial statements. Values for non-real estate collateral use much higher discounts than real estate collateral. Other real estate and collateral dependent loans carried at fair value are primarily comprised of smaller balance properties.
The following tables present quantitative information about recurring and non-recurring Level 3 fair value measurements at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | Fair Value | | Valuation Technique(s) | | Unobservable Input(s) | | Range | | |
Collateralized debt obligations | $ | 2,850 |
| Discounted cash flow |
| Discount rate |
| 5.96 | % | |
Collateral dependent loans | $ | 7,328 |
| Discounted cash flow |
| Discount rate for age of appraisal and market conditions |
| 10.00%-100.00 | % | |
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | Fair Value | | Valuation Technique(s) | | Unobservable Input(s) | | Range |
| |
State and municipal obligations | $ | 805 |
| Discounted cash flow |
| Discount rate |
| 4.24%-4.44 | % | |
Collateralized debt obligations | $ | 2,896 |
| Discounted cash flow |
| Discount rate |
| 6.62 | % | |
Collateral dependent loans | 3,099 |
| Discounted cash flow |
| Discount rate for age of appraisal and market conditions |
| 20.00%-100.00 | % | ||
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments are shown below. Carrying amount is the estimated fair value for cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, accrued interest receivable and payable, demand deposits, short-term and certain other borrowings, and variable-rate loans or deposits that reprice frequently and fully. Security fair values are determined as previously described. It is not practicable to determine the fair value of restricted stock due to restrictions placed on their transferability. For fixed-rate loans or deposits, variable rate loans or deposits with infrequent repricing or repricing limits, and for longer-term borrowings, fair value is based on discounted cash flows using current market rates applied to the estimated life and credit risk. Loan fair value estimates represent an exit price for 2025 and 2024. Fair values for collateral dependent loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis or underlying collateral values. Fair value of debt is based on current rates for similar financing. The fair value of off-balance sheet items is not considered material.
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial assets and liabilities are presented in the tables below and were determined based on the above assumptions:
| December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||
Carrying | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | Value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |||||
Cash and due from banks | $ | 130,369 | $ | 38,587 | $ | 91,782 | $ | — | $ | 130,369 | |||||
Federal funds sold | 475 | — | 475 | — | 475 | ||||||||||
Securities available-for-sale |
| 1,149,526 |
| — |
| 1,146,676 |
| 2,850 |
| 1,149,526 | |||||
Restricted stock |
| 18,536 |
| n/a |
| n/a |
| n/a |
| n/a | |||||
Loans, net |
| 4,007,308 |
| — |
| — |
| 3,949,043 |
| 3,949,043 | |||||
Accrued interest receivable |
| 27,762 |
| — |
| 6,482 |
| 21,280 |
| 27,762 | |||||
Deposits |
| (4,551,111) |
| — |
| (4,554,207) |
| — |
| (4,554,207) | |||||
Short-term borrowings |
| (292,468) |
| — |
| (292,468) |
| — |
| (292,468) | |||||
Other borrowings |
| (188,208) |
| — |
| (188,208) |
| — |
| (188,208) | |||||
Accrued interest payable |
| (3,084) |
| — |
| (3,084) |
| — |
| (3,084) | |||||
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||
Carrying | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
(Dollar amounts in thousands) | | Value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |||||
Cash and due from banks | $ | 93,526 | $ | 35,889 | $ | 57,637 | $ | — | $ | 93,526 | |||||
Federal funds sold | 820 | — | 820 | — | 820 | ||||||||||
Securities available-for-sale |
| 1,195,990 |
| — |
| 1,192,289 |
| 3,701 |
| 1,195,990 | |||||
Restricted stock |
| 17,555 |
| n/a |
| n/a |
| n/a |
| n/a | |||||
Loans, net |
| 3,790,409 |
| — |
| — |
| 3,717,843 |
| 3,717,843 | |||||
Accrued interest receivable |
| 26,934 |
| — |
| 6,543 |
| 20,391 |
| 26,934 | |||||
Deposits |
| (4,718,914) |
| — |
| (4,723,356) |
| — |
| (4,723,356) | |||||
Short-term borrowings |
| (187,057) |
| — |
| (187,057) |
| — |
| (187,057) | |||||
Other borrowings |
| (28,120) |
| — |
| (29,693) |
| — |
| (29,693) | |||||
Accrued interest payable |
| (3,799) |
| — |
| (3,799) |
| — |
| (3,799) | |||||
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 4, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Mar 5, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Mar 11, 2024 | |
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.