NOTE 14 – DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Fair value 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. A fair value measurement must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. There is a hierarchy of three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as the general classifications of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Available-for-Sale Securities

The fair values of available-for-sale securities are determined by various valuation methodologies. Level 2 securities include obligations of the U.S. Treasury and government agencies, mortgage-backed securities, obligations of political and state subdivisions, and other corporate securities. Level 2 inputs do not include quoted prices for individual securities in active markets; however, they do include inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable for the individual security being valued. Such observable inputs include interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, credit risks and default rates. Also included are inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Interest Rate Contracts

The fair values of interest rate contracts are based upon the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the contracts or agreements, taking into account underlying interest rates, creditworthiness of underlying customers for credit derivatives and, when appropriate, the creditworthiness of the counterparties (Level 2).

Forward contracts

The fair values of forward contracts on to-be-announced securities are determined using quoted prices in active markets or benchmarked thereto (Level 1).

Interest Rate Lock Commitments (IRLCs)

The fair value of IRLCs are determined using the projected sale price of individual loans based on changes in the market interest rates, projected “pull-through” rates (the probability that an IRLC will ultimately result in an originated loan), the reduction in the value of the applicant’s option due to the passage of time, and the remaining origination costs to be incurred based on management’s estimate of market costs (Level 3).

The following tables present the fair value measurements of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fell at March 31, 2025, and at December 31, 2024.

Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

Level 2 - significant other observable inputs

Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of recurring fair value measurements recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs for the three months ended March 31, 2025, and 2024.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies and inputs used for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Collateral-dependent Individually evaluated Loans, Net of ACL

The estimated fair value of collateral-dependent individually evaluated loans is based on the appraised value of the collateral, less estimated cost to sell. Collateral-dependent individually evaluated loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. This method requires obtaining an independent appraisal of the collateral, which is reviewed for accuracy and consistency by management. Appraisers are selected from an approved list which is maintained by management. The appraised values are reduced by applying a discount factor to the value based on the Company’s loan review policy. All individually evaluated loans held by the Company were collateral dependent at March 31, 2025, and at December 31, 2024.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices. Accordingly, fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow models associated with the servicing rights and discounting the cash flows using discount market rates, prepayment speeds and default rates. The servicing portfolio has been valued using all relevant positive and negative cash flows including servicing fees; miscellaneous income and float; marginal costs of servicing; the cost of carry of advances; and foreclosure losses; and applying certain prevailing assumptions used in the marketplace. Due to the nature of the valuation inputs, mortgage servicing rights are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. These mortgage servicing rights are tested for impairment on a quarterly basis.

Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets

Level 2 - significant other observable inputs

Level 3 - significant unobservable inputs

Unobservable (Level 3) Inputs

The following tables present quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements.

There were no changes in the inputs or methodologies used to determine fair value at March 31, 2025, as compared to December 31, 2024.

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all other financial instruments recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at amounts other than fair value.

Cash and Due From Banks, Interest Bearing Time Deposits, Federal Reserve and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, and Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable

The carrying amount approximates the fair value.

Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of loans held for sale is based upon quoted market prices, where available, or is determined by discounting estimated cash flows using interest rates approximating the Company’s current origination rates for similar loans and adjusted to reflect the inherent credit risk.

Loans

The estimated fair value of loans follows the guidance in ASU 2016-01, which prescribes an “exit price” approach in estimating and disclosing fair value of financial instruments. The “exit price” is determined based on discounted estimated future cash flows using rates that incorporate discounts for credit, liquidity, and marketability factors.

Deposits, Short-Term Borrowings, and FHLB Advances

Deposits include demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits. Short-term borrowings include federal funds borrowed and REPO agreements. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates the fair value. The estimated fair value for fixed-maturity time deposits and FHLB advances are based on estimates of the rate State Bank could pay on similar instruments with similar terms and maturities at March 31, 2025, and at December 31, 2024.

Loan Commitments

The fair value of loan commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. The estimated fair values for other financial instruments and off-balance-sheet loan commitments approximate cost at March 31, 2025, and at December 31, 2024, and are not considered significant to this presentation.

Trust Preferred Securities

The fair value for Trust Preferred Securities is estimated by discounting the cash flows using an appropriate discount rate.

Subordinated Debt

The fair value for subordinated debt is estimated by discounting the cash flows using a discount rate equal to the rate currently offered on similar borrowings.

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s other financial instruments carried at other than fair value. The fair values of certain of these instruments were calculated by discounting expected cash flows, which involves significant judgments by management and uncertainties. Fair value is the estimated amount at which financial assets or liabilities could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Because no market exists for certain of these financial instruments, and because management does not intend to sell these financial instruments, the Company does not know whether the fair values shown below represent values at which the respective financial instruments could be sold individually or in the aggregate.