Note 11. Fair Value

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s 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. Accounting guidance for fair value excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

The Company records fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and determines fair value disclosures utilizing a definition of fair value of assets and liabilities that states that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Additional considerations are involved to determine the fair value of financial assets in markets that are not active.

The Company uses a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy based on these two types of inputs are as follows:

Level 1 – Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 – Valuation is based on observable inputs including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in less active markets, and

model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions can be derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data in the market.

Level 3 – Valuation is based on model-based techniques that use one or more significant inputs or assumptions that are unobservable in the market.

Fair Value - Recurring Basis

The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the financial statements.

Securities

Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities would include highly-liquid government bonds and exchange traded equities. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flow methods. Level 2 securities would include U.S. agency securities, mortgage-backed agency securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and certain corporate, asset-backed and other securities. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

The carrying value of restricted FRB and FHLB stock approximates fair value based upon the redemption provisions of each entity and is therefore excluded from the tables below.

Rabbi Trust Assets

The Company's rabbi trust is associated with a deferred compensation plan. The assets held by the rabbi trust are invested at the direction of the individual participants and are generally invested in marketable investment securities, such as common stocks and mutual funds or short-term investments (e.g., cash) (Level 1). Rabbi trust assets and the associated deferred compensation plan liability are included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company has interest rate swap assets and liabilities associated with certain commercial loan borrowers. The interest rate swap asset with the borrower is offset with an equal swap agreement with a highly-rated third-party financial institution (i.e., “back-to-back”). Both the interest rate swap assets and liabilities are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.

Prior to the sale of the Company's mortgage division in the first quarter of 2025, derivative instruments were used to hedge residential mortgage loans held for sale and the related interest rate lock commitments include forward commitments to sell mortgage loans and were reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The fair values of derivative financial instruments were based on derivative market data inputs as of the valuation date and the underlying value of mortgage loans for rate lock commitments.

Fair Value - Nonrecurring Basis

Certain financial assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure certain financial assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the financial statements.

Other Equity Investments

The fair value of other equity investments, including the Company's investments in certain fintech and limited partnership companies, is based on either observable market prices, if available, or observable market transactions for identical or significantly similar investments (Level 2). These investments are periodically evaluated for impairment, and if impairment triggers are identified, the valuation of the investment may include quantitative

and/or qualitative information obtained either directly from the investee or a third-party broker or valuation specialist. When qualitative factors indicate that the fair value of an investment is below its carrying amount, a valuation technique the Company has used is a probability-weighted expected return method. This technique considers multiple potential exit scenarios, assigns market participant-based probabilities to each scenario, and discounts expected proceeds to present value using a rate commensurate with the risks of the investment. (Level 3).

Collateral-dependent Loans

Collateral-dependent loans with specific reserves are carried at fair value, which equals the estimated market value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell. Collateral may be in the form of real estate, securities, or business assets, including equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. A loan may have multiple types of collateral; however, the majority of the Company’s loan collateral is real estate. The value of real estate collateral is generally determined utilizing a market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed appraiser outside of the Company using observable market data (Level 2). However, if the collateral value is significantly adjusted due to differences in the comparable properties or is discounted by the Company because of lack of marketability, then the fair value is considered Level 3. The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant or the net book value on the applicable borrower’s financial statements if not considered significant. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivables collateral are based on financial statement balances or aging reports (Level 3). Fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for credit losses on the consolidated statements of operations.

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market (i.e., loans held for sale) are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair market value in the aggregate. Changes in fair value are recognized as noninterest income on the Company's consolidated statements of operations (Level 2). As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, $0 and $7.7 million, respectively, of mortgage loans classified as held for sale were included on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Certain consumer loans originated by the Bank and sourced by fintech partners are classified on the consolidated balance sheets as held for sale. After origination, these loans are sold directly to the applicable fintech partner or another investor at par, generally up to three days from origination. Due to relatively short time between origination and sale, these loans are held at cost, which approximates fair value (Level 2).

Other Real Estate Owned

Certain assets such as OREO are measured at fair value less estimated costs to sell. Valuation of OREO is generally determined using current appraisals from independent appraisers, a Level 2 input. If current appraisals cannot be obtained prior to reporting dates, or if declines in value are identified after the most recent appraisal, appraisal values are discounted, resulting in Level 3 estimates. If the Company markets the property with a real estate agent or broker, estimated selling costs reduce the listing price, resulting in a valuation based on Level 3 inputs.

Included with OREO balances are other non-real estate owned assets, which are measured at fair value less estimated costs to sell. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, these assets totaled $0.2 million and $0, respectively. The balance, as of December 31, 2025, represented a nonmarketable equity interest in a company the Bank received in a court-approved settlement with a former borrower. The fair value of this equity interest was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis and included assumptions on the amount and timing of expected future cash flows and a risk-adjusted discount rate, resulting in a valuation based on Level 3 inputs.

As of December 31, 2025, OREO included a property with a carrying value of $1.3 million that served as collateral for a government guaranteed loan. The guaranteed portion of the loan (90%) is owned by the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA"), and the Company is obligated to remit to the SBA its contractual share of the liquidation proceeds upon the sale of the property. Accordingly, the Company recorded a $1.2 million liability, reported in other liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as December 31, 2025, representing the SBA's contractual interest in the expected proceeds from the sale of the property. This liability does not represent a separate fair value measurement under ASC 820, as it was calculated based on a fixed contractual percentage of the recorded carrying value of the related OREO property.

Fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, for which it is practical to estimate the value is based upon the characteristics of the instruments and relevant market information. Financial instruments include cash, evidence of ownership in an entity, or contracts that convey or impose on an entity that contractual right or obligation to either receive or deliver cash for another financial instrument. The information used to determine fair value is highly subjective and judgmental in nature and, therefore, the results may not be precise. Subjective factors include, among other things, estimates of cash flows, risk characteristics, credit quality, and interest rates, all of which are subject to change. Since the fair value is estimated as of the balance sheet date, the amounts that will actually be realized or paid upon settlement or maturity on these various instruments could be significantly different.

The carrying values of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, and restricted cash are of such short duration that carrying value reasonably approximates fair value (Level 1).

The carrying values of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable are of such short duration that carrying value reasonably approximates fair value (Level 2).

The carrying value of restricted equity investments approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the issuer (Level 2). The fair value of other investments is approximated by its carrying value (Level 3).

The fair value of the Company’s loan portfolio includes a credit risk assumption in the determination of the fair value of its loans. This credit risk assumption is intended to approximate the fair value that a market participant would realize in a hypothetical orderly transaction. The Company’s loan portfolio is initially fair valued using a segmented approach. The Company divides its loan portfolio into the following categories: variable rate loans, impaired loans, and all other loans. The results are then adjusted to account for credit risk as described above. The fair value of the Company’s loan portfolio also considers illiquidity risk through the use of a discounted cash flow model to compensate for, based on certain assumptions included within the discounted cash flow model, primarily the use of discount rates that better capture inherent credit risk over the lifetime of a loan. This consideration of both credit risk and illiquidity risk provides an estimated exit price for the Company’s loan portfolio. Loans held for investment are reported as Level 3.

The carrying value of BOLI reasonably approximates fair value, as these policies are reported at their cash surrender value, which is estimated based on information provided by insurance carriers (Level 2).

The carrying value of noninterest-bearing deposits approximates fair value (Level 1). The carrying values of interest-bearing demand, money market, and savings deposits approximates fair value based on their current pricing and are reported as Level 2. The fair values of time deposits were obtained using a discounted cash flow calculation that includes a market rate analysis of the current rates offered by market participants for time deposits that mature in the same period. Time deposits are reported as Level 2.

The fair value of the FHLB borrowings is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current interest rates offered for similar advances (Level 2).

The fair value of FRB borrowings is approximated by its carrying value as there is no comparable debt to Bank Term Funding Program advances (Level 2).

The fair value of the Company’s subordinated notes is estimated by utilizing recent issuance interest rates for subordinated debt offerings of similar issuer size and adjusted for judgmental inputs such as call behavior and liquidity adjustments (Level 3).

The Company assumes interest rate risk (the risk that general interest rate levels will change) as a result of its normal operations. As a result, the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments will change when interest rate levels change and that change may be either favorable or unfavorable to the Company. Borrowers with fixed rate obligations may be less likely to prepay in a rising rate environment and more likely to prepay in a falling rate environment. Conversely, depositors who are receiving fixed rates may be more likely to withdraw funds before maturity in a rising rate environment and less likely to do so in a falling rate environment. Management monitors rates and maturities of assets and liabilities and attempts to minimize interest rate risk by adjusting terms of new loans and deposits and by investing in securities with terms that mitigate the Company’s overall interest rate risk.