Fair Value Hierarchy for Financial Instruments

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When assets need a price today
Three levels show us just the way
Level One's the golden rule
Active markets are the tool
Quoted prices, plain to see
That's our best reality

[Chorus]
One-Two-Three, that's the key
Observable to mystery
Level One is crystal clear
Two has inputs we can hear
Three's where models take the wheel
Fair value hierarchy's real
Mark to market, mark to model
That's the valuation throttle

[Verse 2]
Level Two steps in the game
When active markets aren't the same
Similar assets give us clues
Interest rates and yield curve news
Quoted prices for the peer
Make the value crystal clear

[Chorus]
One-Two-Three, that's the key
Observable to mystery
Level One is crystal clear
Two has inputs we can hear
Three's where models take the wheel
Fair value hierarchy's real
Mark to market, mark to model
That's the valuation throttle

[Verse 3]
Level Three's the judgment call
Unobservable inputs all
Management makes assumptions here
Cash flow forecasts, discount rates appear
Private equity, complex debt
Internal models place the bet

[Bridge]
Transparency's the goal we seek
From strongest evidence to weak
Balance sheets must tell the tale
Which level makes the numbers sail
Auditors will check the source
Hierarchy keeps us on course

[Chorus]
One-Two-Three, that's the key
Observable to mystery
Level One is crystal clear
Two has inputs we can hear
Three's where models take the wheel
Fair value hierarchy's real
Mark to market, mark to model
That's the valuation throttle

[Outro]
Most reliable to least
That's how fair value's released
Level One-Two-Three today
Shows investors the true way

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