The Company adopted ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" ("ASC 820") to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. This statement clarifies that fair value of certain assets and liabilities 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 willing market participants.

ASC 820 specifies 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 under ASC 820 based on these two types of inputs are as follows:

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.

Interest rate swap agreement used for interest rate risk management

Interest rate swaps are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company utilizes an interest rate swap agreement as part of the management of interest rate risk to modify the repricing characteristics of certain portions of the Company's interest-bearing liabilities. The Company determines the fair value of its interest rate swap using externally developed pricing models based on market observable inputs and therefore classifies such valuation as Level 2. The Company has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap assets and has considered its own credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap liabilities.

Securities available for sale

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (Level 1). If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data. Third party vendors compile prices from various sources and may determine the fair value of identical or similar securities by using pricing models that consider observable market data (Level 2). If the inputs used to provide the evaluation for certain securities are unobservable and/or there is little, if any, market activity then the security would fall to the lowest level of the hierarchy (Level 3). The carrying value of restricted Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of each entity and is therefore excluded from the following table.

The following tables present the balances of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):

Certain financial assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. Adjustments to the fair value of these assets usually result from the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

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

Loans held for sale

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. These loans currently consist of residential loans originated for sale in the secondary market. Fair value is based on the price secondary markets are currently offering for similar loans using observable market data which is not materially different from cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2). As such, the Company records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. No nonrecurring fair value adjustments were recorded on loans held for sale during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recorded within income from the mortgage segment on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Impaired Loans

Loans are designated as impaired when, in the judgment of management based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements will not be collected. The measurement of loss associated with an impaired loan can be based on either the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral. Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets, including equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. The vast majority of the Company's collateral is real estate. The value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed appraiser using observable market data (Level 2). However, if the collateral is a house or building in the process of construction or if an appraisal of the property is more than two years old, then a Level 3 valuation is considered to measure the fair value. The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable business's financial statements if not considered significant using observable market data. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivables collateral are based on financial statement balances or aging reports (Level 3). Impaired loans allocated to the allowance for loan losses are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan losses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. At September 30, 2011, the Company's Level 3 loans consisted of eleven relationships secured by residential real estate and lots of $17.9 million with a valuation reserve of $1.6 million; one relationship secured by commercial real estate of $891 thousand with a valuation reserve of $379,000; and one relationship secured by inventory, receivables, or equipment of $3.2 million with a valuation reserve of $803,000.

Other Real Estate Owned

Fair values of other real estate owned are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less selling costs. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral or management's estimation of the value of the collateral. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the foreclosed asset as Level 2 valuation. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the foreclosed asset as Level 3 valuation. Total valuation expenses related to two OREO properties for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were zero and $165,000, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $43,000 for both periods.

The following tables summarize the Company's assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (dollars in thousands):

ASC 825, Financial Instruments requires disclosure about fair value of financial instruments for interim periods and excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For those short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Loans

The fair value of performing loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. Fair value for significant nonperforming loans is based on recent external appraisals. If appraisals are not available, estimated cash flows are discounted using rates commensurate with the risks associated with the estimated cash flows.

Deposits

The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Borrowings

The carrying value of short-term borrowings is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of long-term borrowings is estimated based on interest rates currently available for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Accrued Interest

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

Cash Flow Hedge

The carrying amount of the cash flow hedge approximates fair value.

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit

The fair value of 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. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value of letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. At September 30, 2011, the fair value of loan commitments and standby letters of credit was immaterial and excluded from the table below.

The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments as of September 30, 2011 are in the following table (dollars in thousands):