Company: NWBI
Filing Date: 2025-05-06
Form Type: 10-Q
Source: 0001471265-25-000077
Chunk: 120

Company: Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-05-06
Form: 10-Q
Item: Item 8
Chunk 120
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Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which may include Level 3 inputs that are not identifiable, or by using the discounted cash flow method if the loan is not collateral dependent.

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(10)    Derivative Financial Instruments

 We are a party to derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business to manage our own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and to meet the needs of our customers. The primary derivatives that we use are interest rate swaps and caps and foreign exchange contracts, which are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards. We believe that the credit risk inherent in all of our derivative contracts is minimal based on our credit standards and the netting and collateral provisions of the interest rate swap agreements. Derivatives Designated as Hedging InstrumentsAs of  March 31, 2025, the Company had entered into seven separate pay-fixed interest rate swaps in order to synthetically convert short-term three month FHLB advances to fixed-rate term funding with an aggregate value of $175 million with maturities ranging from three to five years. Our risk management objective and strategy for these interest rate swaps at such time was to reduce our exposure to variability in interest-related cash outflows attributable to changes in the USD-SOFR swap rate, the designated benchmark interest rate being hedged. Based upon our contemporaneous quantitative analysis at the inception of the interest rate swaps, we have determined these interest rate swaps qualify for hedge accounting in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging.  Our cash flow hedges are recorded within other assets on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition at their estimated fair value. As long as the hedge remains highly effective, the changes in the fair value of derivatives designated, and that qualify, as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. A hedging relationship that is determined to not be highly effective no longer qualifies for hedge accounting and any gain or loss is recognized immediately into earnings. Amounts reclassified into earnings are included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income.   Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsWe act as an interest rate or foreign exchange swap counterparty for certain commercial borrowers in the normal course of servicing our customers, which are accounted for at fair value. We manage our exposure to such interest rate or foreign exchange swaps by entering into corresponding and offsetting interest rate swaps with third parties