NOTE 15. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company determines the fair value of its instruments based on the requirements established in ASC Topic 820: Fair Value Measurements (“ASC 820”), which provides a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exit price, the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date under current market conditions. 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.

ASC 820 establishes a 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. The Company groups assets and liabilities which are recorded at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

The following methods and assumptions are used by the Company in estimating its fair value measurements:

Securities – Securities represent securities available for sale. Fair value measurements are obtained from a third-party pricing service and are not adjusted by management. The securities measured at fair value in Level 2 are based on pricing models that consider standard observable input factors such as benchmark yields, interest rate volatilities, broker/dealer quotes, credit spreads and new issue data for debt securities.

MSRs – The Company accounts for MSRs at fair value using the amortized method. The Company obtains loan level valuations from independent third parties to determine the fair value of servicing rights. The Company classifies MSRs as recurring Level 2.

Interest rate swaps – The fair value of derivative arrangements is estimated by the Company using a third- party derivative valuation expert who relies on Level 2 inputs, namely interest cash flow models to determine a fair value by calculating a settlement termination value with the counterparty.

Individually analyzed loans - Certain individually analyzed loans were adjusted to the fair value, less costs to sell, of the underlying collateral securing these loans resulting in losses. The loss is not recorded directly as an adjustment to current earnings, but rather as a component in determining the ACL. Fair value was measured using appraised values of collateral and adjusted as necessary by management based on unobservable Level 3 inputs for specific properties. The ACL calculated for the collateral-based individually analyzed loans outstanding at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was $805 thousand and $1.1 million, respectively.

Loans held for sale – Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, which is evaluated on a pool-level basis. The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted prices for similar assets, adjusted for specific attributes of that loan or other observable market data. Management has estimated fair values of loans held for sale using Level 2 inputs.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

The Company may also be required, from time to time, to measure certain other assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These adjustments to fair value usually result from application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. There are no liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024.

There were no transfers between levels during the year ended December 31, 2025.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments ("ASC 825"), requires disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, if the fair values can be reasonably determined. 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 using observable inputs when available. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. ASC 825 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 following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount of these items is a reasonable estimate of their fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are reported in the Level 1 fair value category.

Securities available for sale and held to maturity – Securities are primarily priced using model pricing based on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices as provided by an independent third-party and are considered a Level 2 input method.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock – The fair value is based upon the par value of the stock that equates to its carrying value and are reported in the Level 2 fair value category.

Loans – Fair value for these instruments is calculated using FASB’s exit pricing guidelines and are considered Level 3.

Accrued interest receivable – The carrying amount approximates fair value for these instruments and are reported in the Level 2 category.

Bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) – BOLI is carried at net cash surrender value of the policies which approximates fair value since that is the approximate liquidation value of these assets. BOLI is reported in the Level 2 fair value category.

MSRs – MSRs are accounted for at fair value using the amortized method. The Company obtains loan level valuations from independent third parties to determine the fair value of servicing rights. MSRs are considered Level 2.

Deposits – The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity date, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings, NOW, and money market accounts, is based on the carrying value. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based upon the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar maturities. Deposits are reported in the Level 2 fair value category.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances – Fair value is estimated based on discounted cash flows using current market rates for borrowings with similar terms and are considered Level 2.

Subordinated debt - Fair value is estimated based on discounted cash flows using current market rates for borrowings with similar terms and are considered Level 2.

Accrued interest payable – The carrying amount approximates fair value for these instruments and are reported in the Level 2 category.