For the three months ended March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2022, the change in the carrying value of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights accounted for under the fair value measurement method was as follows:

The key data and assumptions used in estimating the fair value of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights as of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, were as follows:

Note 13. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

Fair Value Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for an asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GAAP established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation methodologies into the following three levels:

In some instances, an instrument may fall into multiple levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level 3 being the lowest) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale

Level 1 investment securities are comprised of debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, as quoted prices were available, unadjusted, for identical securities in active markets. Level 2 investment securities were primarily comprised of debt securities issued by the Small Business Administration, states and municipalities, corporations, as well as mortgage-backed securities issued by government agencies and government-sponsored enterprises. Fair values were estimated primarily by obtaining quoted prices for similar assets in active markets or through the use of pricing models. In cases where there may be limited or less transparent information provided by the Company’s third party pricing service, fair value may be estimated by the use of secondary pricing services or through the use of non-binding third party broker quotes.

Loans Held for Sale

The fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale was determined based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets, and therefore, is classified as a Level 2 measurement.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

The Company estimates the fair value of mortgage servicing rights by using a discounted cash flow model to calculate the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The Company stratifies its mortgage servicing portfolio on the basis of loan type. The assumptions used in the discounted cash flow model are those that the Company believes market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income. Significant assumptions in the valuation of mortgage servicing rights include estimated loan repayment rates, the discount rate, servicing costs, and the timing of cash flows, among other factors. Mortgage servicing rights are classified as Level 3 measurements due to the use of significant unobservable inputs, as well as significant management judgment and estimation.

Other Assets

Other assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are primarily comprised of investments related to deferred compensation arrangements. Quoted prices for these investments, primarily in mutual funds, are available in active markets. Thus, the Company’s investments related to deferred compensation arrangements are classified as Level 1 measurements in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are comprised of interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”), forward commitments, interest rate swap agreements, foreign exchange contracts, and Visa Class B to Class A shares conversion rate swap agreements. The fair values of IRLCs are calculated based on the value of the underlying loan held for sale, which in turn is based on quoted prices for similar loans in the secondary market. However, this value is adjusted by a factor which considers the likelihood that the loan in a locked position will ultimately close. This factor, the closing ratio, is derived from the Bank’s internal data and is adjusted using significant management judgment. As such, IRLCs are classified as Level 3 measurements. Forward commitments are classified as Level 2 measurements as they are primarily based on quoted prices from the secondary market based on the settlement date of the contracts, interpolated or extrapolated, if necessary, to estimate a fair value as of the end of the reporting period.

The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are calculated using a discounted cash flow approach and utilize Level 2 observable inputs such as a market yield curve, effective date, maturity date, notional amount, and stated interest rate. The valuation methodology for interest rate swaps with financial institution counterparties (and the related customer interest rate swaps) is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. In addition, the Company includes in its fair value calculation a credit factor adjustment which is based primarily on management judgment. Thus, interest rate swap agreements are classified as a Level 3 measurement. The fair values of foreign exchange contracts are calculated using the Bank’s multi-currency accounting system which utilizes contract specific information such as currency, maturity date, contractual amount, and strike price, along with market data information such as the spot rates of specific currency and yield curves. Foreign exchange contracts are classified as Level 2 measurements because while they are valued using the Bank’s multi-currency accounting system, significant management judgment or estimation is not required. The fair value of the Visa Class B restricted shares to Class A unrestricted common shares conversion rate swap agreements represent the amount owed by the Company to the buyer of the Visa Class B shares as a result of a reduction of the conversion ratio subsequent to the sales date. As of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the conversion rate swap agreements were valued at zero as reductions to the conversion ratio were neither probable nor reasonably estimable by management. See Note 11 Derivative Financial Instruments for more information.

The Company is exposed to credit risk if borrowers or counterparties fail to perform. The Company seeks to minimize credit risk through credit approvals, limits, monitoring procedures, and collateral requirements. The Company generally enters into transactions with borrowers of high credit quality and counterparties that carry high quality credit ratings. Credit risk associated with borrowers or counterparties as well as the Company’s non-performance risk is factored into the determination of the fair value of derivative financial instruments.

Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. Although the constant prepayment rate and the discount rate are not directly interrelated, they generally move in opposite directions of each other.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

As previously mentioned, all of the Company's mortgage servicing rights are classified as Level 3 measurements due to the use of significant unobservable inputs, as well as significant management judgment and estimation.

Fair Value Option

Changes in the estimated fair value of residential mortgage loans held for sale are reported as a component of mortgage banking income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, and year ended December 31, 2022, the net gains or losses from the change in fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage loans held for sale were not material.

Financial Instruments Not Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company’s loan and lease portfolio was comprised of the following as of March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022: