STI 2018 Annual Report

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, continued 157 “Trading Assets and Derivative Instruments and Investment Securities.” During the second quarter of 2009, in connection with its sale ofVisaClassBshares, theCompany entered into a derivative contract whereby the ultimate cash payments received or paid, if any, under the contract are based on the ultimate resolution of the Litigation involving Visa. The fair value of the derivative is estimated based on the Company’s expectations regarding the ultimate resolution of that Litigation. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the derivative involve a high degree of judgment and subjectivity; accordingly, the derivative liability is classified as level 3. See Note 18, “Guarantees,” for a discussion of the valuation assumptions. Brokered Time Deposits The Company has elected to measure certain CDs that contain embedded derivatives at fair value. This fair value election better aligns the economics of the CDs with the Company’s risk management strategies. The Company evaluated, on an instrument by instrument basis, whether a new issuance would be measured at fair value. The Company has classified CDs measured at fair value as level 2 instruments due to the Company's ability to reasonably measure all significant inputs based on observable market variables. The Company employs a discounted cash flow approach based on observable market interest rates for the term of the CD and an estimate of the Bank’s credit risk. For any embedded derivative features, the Company uses the same valuation methodologies as if the derivative were a standalone derivative, as discussed in the “Derivative Instruments” section above. Long-Term Debt The Company has elected to measure at fair value certain fixed rate issuances of public debt that are valued by obtaining price indications from a third party pricing service and utilizing broker quotes to corroborate the reasonableness of those marks. Additionally, information frommarket data of recent observable trades and indications from buy side investors, if available, are taken into consideration as additional support for the value. Due to the availability of this information, the Company classifies these debt issuances as level 2. The Company utilizes derivative instruments to convert interest rates on its fixed rate debt to floating rates. The Company elected to measure certain fixed rate debt issuances at fair value to align the accounting for the debt with the accounting for offsetting derivative positions, without having to apply complex hedge accounting. The Company has elected to measure certain debt issuances that contain embedded derivatives at fair value. This fair value election better aligns the economics of the debt with the Company’s risk management strategies. The Company evaluated, on an instrument by instrument basis, whether a new issuance would be measured at fair value. The Company has classified these instruments measured at fair value as level 2 instruments due to the Company's ability to reasonably measure all significant inputs based on observable market variables. The Company employs a discounted cash flow approach based on observable market interest rates for the term of the debt and an estimate of the Parent Company's credit risk. For any embedded derivative features, the Company uses the same valuation methodologies that would be used if the derivative were a standalone derivative, as discussed in the “Derivative Instruments” section above.