permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of net assets available for benefits.
Investments measured at net asset value per share and excluded from the fair value hierarchy include common/collective funds in the amounts of $21,449,686 and $28,521,273 at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The fair value of these investments is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. These investments can be redeemed for general purposes daily and without any restrictions on the timing of the redemption. There are no unfunded commitments associated with these investments. The primary investment objective of these common/collective funds is to either provide capital appreciation and income, capital appreciation and total return or income while minimizing principal volatility. Included in the common/collective funds at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $1,560,121 and $1,436,441 respectively, of investments in the Federated Capital Preservation Fund. Plan level initiated redemption transactions within this fund require a twelve month redemption notice in order to withdraw at full book value. Plan level initiated transactions with less than a twelve month redemption notice may incur an adjustment to book value.
NOTE 7 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial instruments are defined as cash, evidence of ownership interest in an entity, or a contract which creates an obligation or right to receive or deliver cash or another financial instrument from/to a second entity on potentially favorable or unfavorable terms. Fair value is defined as the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties other than in a forced liquidation or sale. If a quoted market price is available for a financial instrument, the estimated fair value would be calculated based upon the market price per trading unit of the instrument.
Investments in mutual funds, money market funds, annuities, notes receivable from participants, common/collective funds, AmeriServ Financial, Inc. common stock and contributions receivable, accrued interest receivable, cash would be considered financial instruments. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate fair value.
NOTE 8– FULLY BENEFIT-RESPONSIVE INVESTMENT CONTRACT
The plan allows for participants to invest in individual fully benefit-responsive investment contracts with a variety of insurance companies. The guaranteed investment contract issuers are contractually obligated to repay the principal and a specified interest rate that is guaranteed to the Plan. The crediting rate is based on a formula established by the contract issuer and generally has a minimum and a maximum rate. The guaranteed investment contract does not permit the insurance company to terminate the agreement prior to the scheduled maturity date.
Management believes that these contracts meet the fully benefit-responsive investment contract criteria and therefore are reported at contract value. Contract value is the relevant measure for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because this is the amount received by participants if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals, and