CarMax 2009 Annual Report Download - page 59

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Our fair value processes include controls that are designed to ensure that fair values are appropriate. Such controls
include model validation, review of key model inputs, analysis of period-over-period fluctuations and reviews by
senior management.
Valuation Methodologies
Money market securities. Money market securities are cash equivalents, which are included in either cash and cash
equivalents or other assets, and consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
We use quoted market prices for identical assets to measure fair value. Therefore, all money market securities are
classified as Level 1.
Retained interest in securitized receivables. We retain an interest in the auto loan receivables that we securitize,
including interest-only strip receivables, various reserve accounts, required excess receivables and retained
subordinated bonds. Excluding the retained subordinated bonds, we estimate the fair value of the retained interest
using internal valuation models. These models include a combination of market inputs and our own assumptions as
described in Note 4. As the valuation models include significant unobservable inputs, we classified the retained
interest as Level 3.
For the retained subordinated bonds, we base our valuation on observable market prices for similar assets when
available. Otherwise, our valuations are based on input from independent third parties and internal valuation
models, as described in Note 4. As the key assumption used in the valuation is currently based on unobservable
inputs, we classified the retained subordinated bonds as Level 3.
Financial derivatives. Financial derivatives are included in either prepaid expenses and other current assets or
accounts payable. As part of our risk management strategy, we utilize interest rate swaps relating to our auto loan
receivable securitizations and our investment in retained subordinated bonds. Swaps are used to better match
funding costs to the interest on the fixed-rate receivables being securitized and the retained subordinated bonds and
to minimize the funding costs related to certain of our securitization trusts. Our derivatives are not exchange-traded
and are over-the-counter customized derivative instruments. All of our derivative exposures are with highly rated
bank counterparties.
We measure derivative fair values assuming that the unit of account is an individual derivative instrument and that
derivatives are sold or transferred on a stand-alone basis. We estimate the fair value of our derivatives using quotes
determined by the swap counterparties. We validate these quotes using our own internal model. Both our internal
model and quotes received from bank counterparties project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a
present value using market-based expectations for interest rates and the contractual terms of the derivative
instruments. Because model inputs can typically be observed in the liquid market and the models do not require
significant judgment, these derivatives are classified as Level 2.
Our derivative fair value measurements consider assumptions about counterparty and our own nonperformance risk.
We monitor counterparty and our own nonperformance risk and, in the event that we determine that a party is
unlikely to perform under terms of the contract, we would adjust the derivative fair value to reflect the
nonperformance risk.