EQBK 10-Q Quarterly Report March 31, 2019 | Alphaminr
EQUITY BANCSHARES INC

EQBK 10-Q Quarter ended March 31, 2019

EQUITY BANCSHARES INC
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10-Q 1 eqbk-10q_20190331.htm 10-Q eqbk-10q_20190331.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number 001-37624

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kansas

72-1532188

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 300

Wichita, KS

67207

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 316.612.6000

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer            ☐ Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer              ☐ Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company    ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ☐ Yes ☒ No

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Class A, Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Trading Symbol

EQBK

Name of each exchange on which registered

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

As of May 14, 2019, the registrant had 15,740,617 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I

Financial Information

5

Item 1.

Financial Statements

5

Consolidated Balance Sheets

5

Consolidated Statements of Operations

6

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

7

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

8

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

9

Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

11

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

38

Overview

38

Critical Accounting Policies

40

Results of Operations

42

Financial Condition

47

Liquidity and Capital Resources

60

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

62

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

65

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

67

Part II

Other Information

68

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

68

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

68

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

68

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

68

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

68

Item 5.

Other Information

68

Item 6.

Exhibits

68

Important Notice about Information in this Quarterly Report

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references in this Quarterly Report to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “Equity” refer to Equity Bancshares, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Equity Bank, which we sometimes refer to as “Equity Bank,” “the Bank” or “our Bank.”

The information contained in this Quarterly Report is accurate only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and as of the dates specified herein.

2


CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance.  These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature.  These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control.  Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 20, 2019, and in Item 1A – Risk Factors of this Quarterly Report.

There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following:

an economic downturn, especially one affecting our core market areas;

the occurrence of various events that negatively impact the real estate market, since a significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate;

difficult or unfavorable conditions in the market for financial products and services generally;

interest rate fluctuations, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability;

external economic and/or market factors, such as changes in monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), inflation or deflation, changes in the demand for loans, and fluctuations in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits, which may have an adverse impact on our financial condition;

continued or increasing competition from other financial institutions, credit unions, and non-bank financial services companies, many of which are subject to different regulations than we are;

costs arising from the environmental risks associated with making loans secured by real estate;

losses resulting from a decline in the credit quality of the assets that we hold;

the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses , and its impact on our allowance for loan losses and capital;

the effects of new federal tax laws, or changes to existing federal tax laws;

inadequacies in our allowance for loan losses, which could require us to take a charge to earnings and thereby adversely affect our financial condition;

differences in our qualitative factors used in our calculation of the allowance for loan losses from actual results;

inaccuracies or changes in the appraised value of real estate securing the loans that we originate, which could lead to losses if the real estate collateral is later foreclosed upon and sold at a price lower than the appraised value;

the costs of integrating the businesses we acquire, which may be greater than expected;

challenges arising from unsuccessful attempts to expand into new geographic markets, products, or services;

a lack of liquidity resulting from decreased loan repayment rates, lower deposit balances, or other factors;

restraints on the ability of Equity Bank to pay dividends to us, which could limit our liquidity;

the loss of our largest loan and depositor relationships;

limitations on our ability to lend and to mitigate the risks associated with our lending activities as a result of our size and capital position;

3


additional regulatory requirements and restrictions on our business, which could impose additional costs on us;

increased capital requirements imposed by banking regulators, which may require us to raise capital at a time when capital is not available on favorable terms or at all;

a failure in the internal controls we have implemented to address the risks inherent to the business of banking;

inaccuracies in our assumptions about future events, which could result in material differences between our financial projections and actual financial performance;

the departure of key members of our management personnel or our inability to hire qualified management personnel;

disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems;

unauthorized access to nonpublic personal information of our customers, which could expose us to litigation or reputational harm;

disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events affecting the third-party vendors who perform several of our critical processing functions;

required implementation of new accounting standards that significantly change certain of our existing recognition practices;

the occurrence of adverse weather or man-made events, which could negatively affect our core markets or disrupt our operations;

an increase in FDIC deposit insurance assessments, which could adversely affect our earnings;

an inability to keep pace with the rate of technological advances due to a lack of resources to invest in new technologies; and

other factors that are discussed in “Item 1A - Risk Factors.”

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included in this Quarterly Report.  If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate.  Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.  Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.  New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us.  In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or verbal forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

4


PAR T I

Item 1: Financial Statements

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

March 31,

December 31,

2019

2018

ASSETS

Cash and due from banks

$

167,016

$

192,735

Federal funds sold

437

83

Cash and cash equivalents

167,453

192,818

Interest-bearing time deposits in other banks

4,742

4,991

Available-for-sale securities

166,355

168,875

Held-to-maturity securities, fair value of $752,207 and $739,989

749,493

748,356

Loans held for sale

2,140

2,972

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $26,340 and $11,454

2,592,646

2,563,954

Other real estate owned, net

6,382

6,372

Premises and equipment, net

81,496

80,442

Bank-owned life insurance

73,594

73,105

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

22,569

29,214

Interest receivable

16,423

17,372

Goodwill

136,432

131,712

Core deposit intangibles, net

22,296

21,725

Other

23,333

19,808

Total assets

$

4,065,354

$

4,061,716

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Deposits

Demand

$

483,107

$

503,831

Total non-interest-bearing deposits

483,107

503,831

Savings, NOW, and money market

1,737,003

1,611,710

Time

1,040,760

1,007,906

Total interest-bearing deposits

2,777,763

2,619,616

Total deposits

3,260,870

3,123,447

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

43,433

50,068

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

264,954

384,898

Bank stock loan

8,500

15,450

Subordinated debentures

14,334

14,260

Contractual obligations

3,964

3,965

Interest payable and other liabilities

15,836

13,687

Total liabilities

3,611,891

3,605,775

Commitments and contingent liabilities, see Notes 11 and 12

Stockholders’ equity, see Note 7

Common stock

173

173

Additional paid-in capital

379,931

379,085

Retained earnings

95,868

101,326

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(2,767

)

(4,867

)

Employee stock loans

(87

)

(121

)

Treasury stock

(19,655

)

(19,655

)

Total stockholders’ equity

453,463

455,941

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

4,065,354

$

4,061,716

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

5


EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2019

2018

Interest and dividend income

Loans, including fees

$

36,533

$

29,048

Securities, taxable

5,082

3,723

Securities, nontaxable

953

879

Federal funds sold and other

634

473

Total interest and dividend income

43,202

34,123

Interest expense

Deposits

10,730

4,718

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

32

23

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

1,305

1,299

Bank stock loan

162

27

Subordinated debentures

334

269

Total interest expense

12,563

6,336

Net interest income

30,639

27,787

Provision for loan losses

15,646

1,170

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

14,993

26,617

Non-interest income

Service charges and fees

1,923

1,580

Debit card income

1,738

1,253

Mortgage banking

317

313

Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance

488

652

Net gain (loss) from securities transactions

6

(8

)

Other

852

461

Total non-interest income

5,324

4,251

Non-interest expense

Salaries and employee benefits

14,098

10,891

Net occupancy and equipment

1,967

1,802

Data processing

2,405

1,674

Professional fees

1,156

715

Advertising and business development

646

619

Telecommunications

585

369

FDIC insurance

278

244

Courier and postage

327

255

Free nationwide ATM cost

361

292

Amortization of core deposit intangibles

779

384

Loan expense

268

346

Other real estate owned

112

268

Merger expenses

639

531

Other

1,922

1,237

Total non-interest expense

25,543

19,627

Income (loss) before income taxes

(5,226

)

11,241

Provision for income taxes

(1,153

)

2,530

Net income (loss) and net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

(4,073

)

$

8,711

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

(0.26

)

$

0.60

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

(0.26

)

$

0.58

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

6


EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2019

2018

Net income (loss)

$

(4,073

)

$

8,711

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period on

available-for-sale securities

2,520

(2,937

)

Amortization of unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities

293

119

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

2,813

(2,818

)

Tax effect

(713

)

714

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

2,100

(2,104

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

(1,973

)

$

6,607

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

7


EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

Common Stock

Additional

Accumulated

Other

Employee

Total

Shares

Outstanding

Amount

Paid-In

Capital

Retained

Earnings

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

Stock

Loans

Treasury

Stock

Stockholders’

Equity

Balance at January 1, 2018

14,605,607

$

161

$

331,339

$

65,512

$

(3,092

)

$

(121

)

$

(19,655

)

$

374,144

Net income (loss)

8,711

8,711

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax effects

(2,104

)

(2,104

)

Stock based compensation

718

718

Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options

1,250

18

18

Common stock issued under stock-based incentive plan

2,557

Adoption of ASU 2016-01 reclassifying AFS equity securities with readily determined fair value

(11

)

11

Balance at March 31, 2018

14,609,414

$

161

$

332,075

$

74,212

$

(5,185

)

$

(121

)

$

(19,655

)

$

381,487

Balance at January 1, 2019

15,793,095

$

173

$

379,085

$

101,326

$

(4,867

)

$

(121

)

$

(19,655

)

$

455,941

Net income (loss)

(4,073

)

(4,073

)

Other comprehensive income,

net of tax effects

2,100

2,100

Stock based compensation

734

734

Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options

6,100

112

112

Common stock issued under stock-based incentive plan

21,108

Repayment on employee stock loans

34

34

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle from implementation of ASU 2017-08

(1,385

)

(1,385

)

Balance at March 31, 2019

15,820,303

$

173

$

379,931

$

95,868

$

(2,767

)

$

(87

)

$

(19,655

)

$

453,463

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

8


EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Three Months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

March 31,

2019

2018

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income (loss)

$

(4,073

)

$

8,711

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

Stock-based compensation

734

718

Depreciation

863

689

Amortization of operating lease right of use asset

148

Amortization of cloud computing implementation costs

20

Provision for loan losses

15,646

1,170

Net (accretion) amortization of purchase accounting adjustments

(1,233

)

(1,047

)

Amortization of premiums and discounts on securities

1,288

755

Amortization of intangibles

791

396

Deferred income taxes

(14

)

(19

)

FHLB stock dividends

(184

)

(254

)

Loss (gain) on sales and valuation adjustments on other real estate owned

(21

)

(182

)

Change in unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities

(6

)

8

Loss (gain) on disposal of premise and equipment

(10

)

(192

)

Loss (gain) on sale of foreclosed assets

15

Loss (gain) on sales of loans

(260

)

(256

)

Originations of loans held for sale

(11,448

)

(10,296

)

Proceeds from the sale of loans held for sale

12,540

11,064

Increase in the value of bank-owned life insurance

(488

)

(652

)

Change in fair value of derivatives recognized in earnings

(1,342

)

(4

)

Payments on operating lease payable

(222

)

Net change in:

Interest receivable

965

(80

)

Other assets

(156

)

1,034

Interest payable and other liabilities

(803

)

(1,377

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

12,750

10,186

Cash flows from (to) investing activities

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

(20,498

)

Purchases of held-to-maturity securities

(27,022

)

Proceeds from sales, calls, pay-downs, and maturities of available-for-sale securities

4,602

4,447

Proceeds from calls, pay-downs and maturities of held-to-maturity securities

23,942

13,963

Net change in interest-bearing time deposits in other banks

249

Net change in loans

(36,465

)

(17,183

)

Purchase of premises and equipment

(1,261

)

(814

)

Proceeds from sale of premise and equipment

10

1,194

Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets

73

35

Net redemption (purchase) of FHLB and FRB stock

6,829

(810

)

Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned

121

1,202

Proceeds from bank-owned life insurance death benefits

346

Cash paid for acquisition of Eastman

(55

)

Net cash received from acquisition of MidFirst locations

85,360

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

56,438

(18,173

)

Cash flows from (to) financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in deposits

38,824

(13,770

)

Net change in federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

(6,635

)

4,609

Net borrowings (payments) on Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit

(119,429

)

8,144

Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank term advances

(509

)

9


Principal payments on bank stock loan

(6,950

)

(62

)

Principal payments on employee stock loans

34

Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options

112

18

Net change in contractual obligations

(1

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

(94,553

)

(1,062

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(25,365

)

(9,049

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

192,818

52,195

Ending cash and cash equivalents

$

167,453

$

43,146

Supplemental cash flow information:

Interest paid

$

11,418

$

6,021

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

Supplemental noncash disclosures:

Other real estate owned acquired in settlement of loans

111

203

Operating leases recognized

3,546

Total fair value of assets acquired in purchase of MidFirst locations

13,246

Total fair value of liabilities acquired in purchase of MidFirst locations

98,606

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

10


EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2019

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Equity Bancshares, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries, EBAC, LLC and Equity Bank and Equity Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary, SA Holdings, Inc.  These entities are collectively referred to as the “Company”.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial information.  The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  In the opinion of management, the interim statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company on a consolidated basis and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  These financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2019.  Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2019, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019, or any other period.

Reclassifications

Some items in prior financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  Management determined the items reclassified are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole and did not result in a change in equity or net income for the periods reported.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, with the intention of improving financial reporting about leasing transactions.  The ASU required all lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet.  Lessor accounting was largely unchanged by the ASU; however, disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases are required of both lessees and lessors.  The ASU was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  Lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach.  The modified retrospective approach provides for optional practical expedients when applying the ASU to leases that commenced before the effective date of the ASU.  This accounting pronouncement was further modified in July 2018 with the issuance of ASU 2018-11, Leases – Targeted Improvements , to allow for another transition method by applying a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings at adoption and providing lessors a practical expedient to not separate non-lease and lease components in certain circumstances.  The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2019, and elected to record the adoption through a cumulative-effect adjustment at January 1, 2019 which resulted in the Company recording $3,251 in right of use assets and $3,251 of operating lease liabilities.  In addition, the Company elected the following practical expedients to all leases that commenced prior to January 1, 2019: (1) No reassessment of lease populations as long as the contract was properly scoped as a lease or not a lease under ASC 840; (2) No reassessment of existing lease classification; (3) No adjustment of existing costs.

In March 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. This update shortened the amortization period of certain callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date.  The amendments in this update was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within that fiscal year, however, early adoption was permitted.  If early adoption of this update was elected by the Company, any adjustments will be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year.  The amendments were applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings.  The Company adopted this accounting standard effective January 1, 2019, which resulted in the Company recording a $1,385 reduction in the amortized cost of investment securities and retained earnings.

In August 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities , with the stated objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better reflect the economics of hedging transactions and to simplify the application of hedge accounting.  The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  Potential effects on the Company’s current hedging activities

11


included eliminating the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness, providing additional flexibility for measuring the change in fair value of the hedged item in fair value hedges of interest r ate risk and easing certain hedge documentation and assessment requirements.  The adoption of  this accounting standard did not materially impact the Company’s financial statements but did result in changes to financial statement disclosures and changes to existing and future swap documentation.

In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This update required implementation costs of hosting arrangements that are considered a service contract to be capitalized.  The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for all entities.  The Company adopted this accounting standard effective October 1, 2018 and resulted in the Company capitalizing $311 of implementation costs during 2018.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which will change how the Company measures credit losses for most of its financial assets. This guidance is applicable to loans held for investment, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, such as loan commitments and standby letters of credit, and held-to-maturity investment securities.  The Company will be required to use a new forward-looking expected loss model that is anticipated to result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses.  For available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses, the Company will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, but will recognize those credit losses as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities.  In addition, the ASU requires significantly more disclosure including information about credit quality by year of origination for most loans.  The ASU is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2020.  Generally, the amendments will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective.  The Company is currently gathering the historical loss data by portfolio and class of financial instrument to estimate the life of financial instrument credit loss and is evaluating the supporting system requirements to routinely generate the reported values.  At this time an estimate of the impact to the Company’s financial statements is not known.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other , which will simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill.  Goodwill and other intangibles must be assessed for impairment annually.  If an entity’s assessment determines that the fair value of an entity is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, currently, the measurement of goodwill impairment requires that the entity’s identifiable net assets be valued following procedures similar to determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination.  Under ASU 2017-04, goodwill impairment is measured to the extent that the carrying amount of an entity exceeds its fair value.  The amendments in this update are effective for the Company’s annual goodwill impairment tests beginning in 2020.  The amendments will be applied on a prospective basis.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard, but does not expect a material impact to its financial statements.

NOTE 2 – SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are listed below.

Amortized

Cost

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

Fair

Value

March 31, 2019

Available-for-sale securities

Residential mortgage-backed securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

168,463

$

151

$

(2,259

)

$

166,355

$

168,463

$

151

$

(2,259

)

$

166,355

December 31, 2018

Available-for-sale securities

Residential mortgage-backed securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

173,503

$

12

$

(4,640

)

$

168,875

$

173,503

$

12

$

(4,640

)

$

168,875

12


The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity securities and the related gross unrecognized gains and losses are listed in the following table.

Amortized

Cost

Gross

Unrecognized

Gains

Gross

Unrecognized

Losses

Fair

Value

March 31, 2019

Held-to-maturity securities

U.S. Government-sponsored entities

$

3,879

$

14

$

(13

)

$

3,880

Residential mortgage-backed (securities issued by

government sponsored entities)

569,683

5,728

(5,072

)

570,339

Corporate

22,993

220

(37

)

23,176

Small Business Administration loan pools

1,584

(7

)

1,577

State and political subdivisions

151,354

2,271

(390

)

153,235

$

749,493

$

8,233

$

(5,519

)

$

752,207

December 31, 2018

Held-to-maturity securities

U.S. Government-sponsored entities

$

3,873

$

7

$

(20

)

$

3,860

Residential mortgage-backed (securities issued by

government sponsored entities)

567,766

2,354

(9,653

)

560,467

Corporate

22,993

234

(326

)

22,901

Small Business Administration loan pools

1,746

(18

)

1,728

State and political subdivisions

151,978

804

(1,749

)

151,033

$

748,356

$

3,399

$

(11,766

)

$

739,989

The tables above present unrecognized losses on held-to-maturity securities since date of designation.

The fair value and amortized cost of debt securities at March 31, 2019, by contractual maturity, is shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately.

Available-for-Sale

Held-to-Maturity

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Within one year

$

$

$

8,435

$

8,572

One to five years

37,789

38,310

Five to ten years

53,152

54,037

After ten years

80,434

80,949

Mortgage-backed securities

168,463

166,355

569,683

570,339

Total debt securities

$

168,463

$

166,355

$

749,493

$

752,207

The carrying value of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, was approximately $770,695 at March 31, 2019 and $800,744 at December 31, 2018.

13


The following tables show gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category, and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2019 and December 3 1, 2018.

Less Than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Loss

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Loss

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Loss

March 31, 2019

Available-for-sale securities

Residential mortgage-backed (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

$

$

130,905

$

(2,259

)

$

130,905

$

(2,259

)

Total temporarily impaired securities

$

$

$

130,905

$

(2,259

)

$

130,905

$

(2,259

)

December 31, 2018

Available-for-sale securities

Residential mortgage-backed (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

48,332

$

(575

)

$

115,844

$

(4,065

)

$

164,176

$

(4,640

)

Total temporarily impaired securities

$

48,332

$

(575

)

$

115,844

$

(4,065

)

$

164,176

$

(4,640

)

Less Than 12 Months

12 Months or More

Total

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Loss

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Loss

Fair

Value

Unrealized

Loss

March 31, 2019

Held-to-maturity securities

U.S. Government-sponsored entities

$

$

$

987

$

(12

)

$

987

$

(12

)

Residential mortgage-backed (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

1,168

(12

)

293,785

(6,023

)

294,953

(6,035

)

Corporate

7,807

(38

)

5,192

(14

)

12,999

(52

)

Small Business Administration loan pools

1,577

(38

)

1,577

(38

)

State and political subdivisions

34,491

(451

)

34,491

(451

)

Total temporarily impaired securities

$

8,975

$

(50

)

$

336,032

$

(6,538

)

$

345,007

$

(6,588

)

December 31, 2018

Held-to-maturity securities

U.S. Government-sponsored entities

$

1,882

$

(3

)

$

982

$

(17

)

$

2,864

$

(20

)

Residential mortgage-backed (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

31,270

(356

)

294,127

(10,579

)

325,397

(10,935

)

Corporate

7,500

(326

)

5,182

(49

)

12,682

(375

)

Small Business Administration loan pools

1,728

(37

)

1,728

(37

)

State and political subdivisions

40,415

(473

)

45,137

(1,561

)

85,552

(2,034

)

Total temporarily impaired securities

$

81,067

$

(1,158

)

$

347,156

$

(12,243

)

$

428,223

$

(13,401

)

The tables above present unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities since the date of purchase, independent of the impact associated with changes in cost basis upon transfer from the available-for-sale designation to the held-to-maturity designation. As of March 31, 2019, the Company held 31 available-for-sale securities and 284 held-to-maturity securities in an unrealized loss position.

Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized into income because the security issuers are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities prior to their anticipated recovery and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates.  The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity.

There were no proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018.

14


NOTE 3 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following table lists categories of loans at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Commercial real estate

$

1,234,186

$

1,231,217

Commercial and industrial

587,884

601,782

Residential real estate

510,092

446,060

Agricultural real estate

135,489

139,332

Consumer

71,753

62,894

Agricultural

79,582

94,123

Total loans

2,618,986

2,575,408

Allowance for loan losses

(26,340

)

(11,454

)

Net loans

$

2,592,646

$

2,563,954

From time to time the Company has purchased pools of residential real estate loans originated by other financial institutions to hold for investment with the intent to diversify the residential real estate portfolio.  During the first three months of 2019, the Company has purchased four pools of residential real estate loans totaling $63,277.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, residential real estate loans include $122,726 and $64,558 of purchased residential real estate loans.

The unamortized balance of merger purchase accounting adjustments related to non-purchase credit impaired loans included in the loan totals above are $10,783 with related loans of $768,121 at March 31, 2019, and $11,372 with related loans of $827,676 at December 31, 2018.

Overdraft deposit accounts are reclassified and included in consumer loans above.  These accounts totaled $1,225 at March 31, 2019 and $1,279 at December 31, 2018.

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses by class for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

March 31, 2019

Commercial

Real Estate

Commercial

and

Industrial

Residential

Real

Estate

Agricultural

Real

Estate

Consumer

Agricultural

Total

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

4,662

$

2,707

$

2,320

$

391

$

1,070

$

304

$

11,454

Provision for loan losses

(134

)

13,795

1,401

109

475

15,646

Loans charged-off

(26

)

(494

)

(114

)

(6

)

(292

)

(6

)

(938

)

Recoveries

26

48

10

94

178

Total ending allowance balance

$

4,528

$

16,056

$

3,617

$

494

$

1,347

$

298

$

26,340

March 31, 2018

Commercial

Real Estate

Commercial

and

Industrial

Residential

Real

Estate

Agricultural

Real

Estate

Consumer

Agricultural

Total

Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance

$

2,740

$

2,136

$

2,262

$

319

$

768

$

273

$

8,498

Provision for loan losses

291

260

290

(55

)

288

96

1,170

Loans charged-off

(29

)

(9

)

(123

)

(306

)

(39

)

(506

)

Recoveries

8

1

13

3

128

1

154

Total ending allowance balance

$

3,010

$

2,388

$

2,442

$

267

$

878

$

331

$

9,316

15


The following tables present the recorded investment in loans and the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio and class based on impairment method as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

March 31, 2019

Commercial

Real Estate

Commercial

and

Industrial

Residential

Real

Estate

Agricultural

Real

Estate

Consumer

Agricultural

Total

Allowance for loan losses:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

443

$

13,638

$

1,427

$

25

$

55

$

29

$

15,617

Collectively evaluated for impairment

3,206

2,395

2,142

367

1,234

269

9,613

Purchased credit impaired loans

879

23

48

102

58

1,110

Total

$

4,528

$

16,056

$

3,617

$

494

$

1,347

$

298

$

26,340

Loan Balance:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

5,105

$

33,081

$

15,536

$

1,928

$

596

$

411

$

56,657

Collectively evaluated for impairment

1,215,954

549,245

491,701

128,322

70,939

77,700

2,533,861

Purchased credit impaired loans

13,127

5,558

2,855

5,239

218

1,471

28,468

Total

$

1,234,186

$

587,884

$

510,092

$

135,489

$

71,753

$

79,582

$

2,618,986

December 31, 2018

Commercial

Real Estate

Commercial

and

Industrial

Residential

Real

Estate

Agricultural

Real

Estate

Consumer

Agricultural

Total

Allowance for loan losses:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

242

$

185

$

391

$

22

$

62

$

10

$

912

Collectively evaluated for impairment

3,695

2,493

1,861

367

925

293

9,634

Purchased credit impaired loans

725

29

68

2

83

1

908

Total

$

4,662

$

2,707

$

2,320

$

391

$

1,070

$

304

$

11,454

Loan Balance:

Individually evaluated for impairment

$

4,068

$

24,275

$

4,434

$

856

$

678

$

2,252

$

36,563

Collectively evaluated for impairment

1,213,653

571,171

438,739

133,415

61,978

89,194

2,508,150

Purchased credit impaired loans

13,496

6,336

2,887

5,061

238

2,677

30,695

Total

$

1,231,217

$

601,782

$

446,060

$

139,332

$

62,894

$

94,123

$

2,575,408

16


The following table presents information related to impaired loans, excluding purchased credit impaired loans which have not deteriorated since acquisition, by class of loans as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable due to immateriality.

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Unpaid

Principal

Balance

Recorded

Investment

Allowance for

Loan Losses

Allocated

Unpaid

Principal

Balance

Recorded

Investment

Allowance for

Loan Losses

Allocated

With no related allowance recorded:

Commercial real estate

$

2,216

$

2,153

$

$

1,685

$

1,647

$

Commercial and industrial

3,293

3,242

22,701

22,651

Residential real estate

529

516

533

527

Agricultural real estate

1,686

1,682

2,038

2,035

Consumer

45

38

61

55

Agricultural

120

120

756

756

Subtotal

7,889

7,751

27,774

27,671

With an allowance recorded:

Commercial real estate

8,661

7,318

1,322

8,700

7,179

967

Commercial and industrial

30,392

30,069

13,661

2,255

1,911

214

Residential real estate

15,786

15,497

1,475

4,934

4,582

459

Agricultural real estate

900

793

127

261

242

24

Consumer

1,072

774

113

1,144

859

145

Agricultural

307

290

29

162

106

11

Subtotal

57,118

54,741

16,727

17,456

14,879

1,820

Total

$

65,007

$

62,492

$

16,727

$

45,230

$

42,550

$

1,820

The tables below present average recorded investment and interest income related to impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.  Interest income recognized in the following table was substantially recognized on the cash basis.  The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable due to immateriality.

As of and for the three months ended

March 31, 2019

March 31, 2018

Average

Recorded

Investment

Interest

Income

Recognized

Average

Recorded

Investment

Interest

Income

Recognized

With no related allowance recorded:

Commercial real estate

$

11,527

$

$

1,742

$

Commercial and industrial

3,319

1

7,711

10

Residential real estate

521

679

1

Agricultural real estate

1,859

94

1

Consumer

46

Agricultural

439

231

Subtotal

17,711

1

10,457

12

With an allowance recorded:

Commercial real estate

7,249

74

1,230

1

Commercial and industrial

15,990

859

Residential real estate

10,039

3,870

Agricultural real estate

517

688

Consumer

817

509

Agricultural

198

2

850

Subtotal

34,810

76

8,006

1

Total

$

52,521

$

77

$

18,463

$

13

17


The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, by portfolio and class of loans.

March 31, 2019

30 - 59

Days

Past Due

60 - 89

Days

Past Due

Greater

Than

90 Days

Past

Due Still On

Accrual

Nonaccrual

Loans Not

Past Due

Total

Commercial real estate

$

2,168

$

225

$

$

13,275

$

1,218,518

$

1,234,186

Commercial and industrial

272

736

34,126

552,750

587,884

Residential real estate

1,791

628

16,013

491,660

510,092

Agricultural real estate

432

5,202

129,855

135,489

Consumer

611

68

812

70,262

71,753

Agricultural

17

332

1,619

77,614

79,582

Total

$

5,291

$

1,989

$

$

71,047

$

2,540,659

$

2,618,986

December 31, 2018

30 - 59

Days

Past Due

60 - 89

Days

Past Due

Greater

Than

90 Days

Past

Due Still On

Accrual

Nonaccrual

Loans Not

Past Due

Total

Commercial real estate

$

1,302

$

259

$

$

12,768

$

1,216,888

$

1,231,217

Commercial and industrial

509

2,467

6,954

591,852

601,782

Residential real estate

782

2,188

18

5,257

437,815

446,060

Agricultural real estate

30

4,857

134,445

139,332

Consumer

501

157

914

61,322

62,894

Agricultural

186

3

2,453

91,481

94,123

Total

$

3,280

$

5,104

$

18

$

33,203

$

2,533,803

$

2,575,408

Credit Quality Indicators

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors.  The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk.  Consumer loans are considered pass credits unless downgraded due to payment status or reviewed as part of a larger credit relationship.  The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Pass : Loans classified as pass do not have any noted weaknesses and repayment of the loan is expected.  These loans are considered unclassified.

Special Mention : Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date.  These loans are considered classified.

Substandard : Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  These loans are considered classified.

Doubtful : Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.  These loans are considered classified.

18


The risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

March 31, 2019

Unclassified

Classified

Total

Commercial real estate

$

1,218,159

$

16,027

$

1,234,186

Commercial and industrial

539,817

48,067

587,884

Residential real estate

493,900

16,192

510,092

Agricultural real estate

125,907

9,582

135,489

Consumer

70,941

812

71,753

Agricultural

75,168

4,414

79,582

Total

$

2,523,892

$

95,094

$

2,618,986

December 31, 2018

Unclassified

Classified

Total

Commercial real estate

$

1,194,240

$

36,977

$

1,231,217

Commercial and industrial

572,300

29,482

601,782

Residential real estate

440,704

5,356

446,060

Agricultural real estate

129,285

10,047

139,332

Consumer

61,976

918

62,894

Agricultural

90,848

3,275

94,123

Total

$

2,489,353

$

86,055

$

2,575,408

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

The Company has acquired loans, for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and it was probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments would not be collected.  The table below lists recorded investments in purchased credit impaired loans as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Contractually required principal payments

$

37,929

$

40,772

Discount

(9,461

)

(10,077

)

Recorded investment

$

28,468

$

30,695

The accretable yield associated with these loans was $3,681 and $3,785 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  The interest income recognized on these loans for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $686 and $565.  For the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, there was a provision for loan losses of $202 for these loans.  For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, there was a reversal of provision for loan losses of $171 recorded for these loans.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The Company had no loans modified under troubled debt restructurings as of March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

NOTE 4 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company is exposed to interest-rate risk primarily from the effect of interest rate changes on its interest-earning assets and its sources of funding these assets.  The Company will periodically enter into interest rate swaps or interest rate caps/floors to manage certain interest rate risk exposure.

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Fair Value Hedges

The Company periodically enters into interest rate swaps to hedge the fair value of certain commercial real estate loans.  These transactions are designated as fair value hedges.  In this type of transaction, the Company typically receives from the counterparty a variable-rate cash flow based on the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a spread to this index and pays a fixed-rate cash flow equal to the customer loan rate.  At March 31, 2019, the portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 7.4 years, a weighted average pay rate of 4.94% and a weighted average rate received of 5.17%.  At December 31, 2018, the portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 7.7 years, a weighted average pay rate of 4.94% and a weighted average rate received of 5.10%.

19


Stand-Alone Derivatives

The Company periodically enters into interest rate swaps with our borrowers and simultaneously enters into swaps with a counterparty with offsetting terms for the purpose of providing our borrowers long-term fixed rate loans.  Neither swap is designated as a hedge and both are marked to market through earnings.  At March 31, 2019, this portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 6.77 years, weighted average pay rate of 5.19% and a weighted rate received of 5.19%.  At December 31, 2018, this portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 7.6 years, weighted average pay rate of 5.18% and weighted rate received of 5.18%.

In 2009, the Company purchased an interest rate cap derivative to assist with interest rate risk management.  This derivative is not designated as a hedging instrument but rather as a stand-alone derivative.  At March 31, 2019, the interest rate cap had a term of 0.6 years and a cap rate of 4.50%.  At December 31, 2018, the interest rate cap had a term of 0.9 years and a cap rate of 4.50%.

Reconciliation of Derivative Fair Values and Gains/(Losses)

The notional amount of a derivative contract is a factor in determining periodic interest payments or cash flows received or paid.  The notional amount of derivatives serves as a level of involvement in various types of derivatives.  The notional amount does not represent the Company’s overall exposure to credit or market risk, generally, the exposure is significantly smaller.

The following table shows the notional balances and fair values (including net accrued interest) of the derivatives outstanding by derivative type at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Notional

Amount

Derivative

Assets

Derivative

Liabilities

Notional

Amount

Derivative

Assets

Derivative

Liabilities

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps

$

16,613

$

$

58

$

16,743

$

242

$

Total derivatives designated as hedging relationships

16,613

58

16,743

242

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps

62,639

1,296

1,445

38,073

690

777

Interest rate caps/floors

2,155

2,264

1

Total derivatives not designated as hedging

instruments

64,794

1,296

1,445

40,337

691

777

Total

$

81,407

1,296

1,503

$

57,080

933

777

Cash collateral

(1,412

)

(531

)

(541

)

Netting adjustments

289

289

Net amount presented in Balance Sheet

$

1,296

$

91

$

691

$

525

The table below lists designated and qualifying hedged items in fair value hedges at March 31, 2019.

March 31, 2019

Carrying Amount

Hedging Fair Value Adjustment

Fair Value Adjustments on Discontinued Hedges

Commercial real estate loans

$

16,686

$

60

$

Total

$

16,686

$

60

$

20


Prior to the implementation of ASU 2017-12, derivative gains/(losses) for derivatives in hedging relationships were reported in other income as hedge ineffectiveness; net interest settlements on those derivatives were recorded to loan interest income; and derivative gains/(losses) and the related net interest settlements for economic derivatives were reported in other income. The Company implemented ASU 2017-12 effective January 1, 2019, and currently reports hedging derivative gains/(losses) as adjustments to loan interest income along with the related net interest settlements; and the derivative gains/(losses) and net interest settlements for economic derivatives are reported in other income. F or the three-month periods ended M arch 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded net gains/(losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.

Three months ended

March 31, 2019

March 31, 2018

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Interest rate swaps

$

$

Total net gain (loss) related to fair value hedge

ineffectiveness

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Economic hedges:

Interest rate swaps

62

Interest rate caps/floors

(1

)

Total net gains (losses) related to derivatives not

designated as hedging instruments

61

Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities

$

61

$

The following table shows the recorded net gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedging relationships and the impact of those derivatives on the Company’s net interest income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

March 31, 2019

Gain/(Loss)

on Derivatives

Gain/(Loss)

on Hedged

Items

Net Fair Value

Hedge

Gain/(Loss)

Effect of

Derivatives on

Net Interest

Income

Commercial real estate loans

$

(301

)

$

301

$

$

9

Total

$

(301

)

$

301

$

$

9

March 31, 2018

Gain/(Loss)

on Derivatives

Gain/(Loss)

on Hedged

Items

Net Fair Value

Hedge

Ineffectiveness

Effect of

Derivatives on

Net Interest

Income

Commercial real estate loans

$

429

$

(429

)

$

$

(24

)

Total

$

429

$

(429

)

$

$

(24

)

NOTE 5 – LEASE OBLIGATIONS

The Company evaluates contracts that convey the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time for consideration to determine if they are lease obligations.  The Company evaluates each lease component to determine if the lease qualifies as a financing lease or as an operating lease.  Leases that meet any of the following criteria are considered financing leases: (1) the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset by the end of the lease term; (2) the lease grants the Company an option to purchase the underlying asset that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise; (3) the lease term is the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset; (4) the present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the Company that is not already reflected in lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset; or (5) the underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.  If none of the financing lease criteria are met the lease is considered an operating lease.

The Company evaluates each lease to determine the lease term which will be used based on the type and use of the leased equipment and future expected changes in operations.  The resulting lease term will consist of the noncancellable period for which the Company has the right to use the underlying asset plus (1) periods covered by an option to extend the lease if the Company is reasonably certain to exercise that option; (2) periods covered by an option to terminate the lease if the Company is reasonably certain

21


not to exercise that option; and (3) periods covered by an option to extend the lease in which exercise of the option is controlled by the lessor.  The Company has certain leases that contain options to extend the lease and contain options for changes in lease payments which are evalu ated by the Company to determine the recorded values for right-of-use assets and lease liability.

Lease payments that are contractually known at lease inception are used by the Company for calculating the right-of-use asset and lease liability.  Lease payments that vary because of facts or circumstances after the commencement date of the lease from other than passage of time are treated as variable lease payments and are recorded to lease expense in the period in which the obligation for the payments are incurred by the Company. Variable lease payments are not part of the lease payments for determining the right-of-use asset or the lease liability at the lease commencement date.

The discount rate to initially determine the present value of the lease payments is based on the information available at the lease commencement date and is either the rate implicit in the lease or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.  If the rate implicit in the lease is known or determinable that rate shall be used and if that rate is not known the Company’s incremental borrowing rate shall be used.  At the January 1, 2019, implementation of this accounting guidance, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate based on the remaining lease term was used to calculate the right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities.

Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease obligations are accounted for subsequent to initial recording by amortizing the right-of-use asset over the lease term on a straight-line method, and the lease obligation is increased by the accrual of interest and decreased by subsequent lease payments.  Operating lease right-of-use asset amortization and lease obligation interest are reported in non-interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Operating lease payments and variable lease payments are reflected within cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Financing lease right-of-use assets and lease obligations are accounted for subsequent to initial recording by amortizing the right-of-use asset similar to owned assets over the lessor of the lease term or economic life of the asset if the lease transfers ownership of the leased asset, and the lease obligation is increased by the accrual of interest and decreased by subsequent lease payments.  Financing lease right-of-use asset amortization is reported in non-interest expense, similar to other owned assets, and lease obligation interest accruals are reported in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Financing lease obligation principal payments are reflected within cash flows from financing activities and interest payments and variable lease payments are reflected with the cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

At March 31, 2019, the Company had lease liabilities totaling $3,349 and right-of-use assets totaling $3,399 related to these leases.  Lease liabilities and right-of-use assets are reflected in other liabilities and other assets.

Right-of-use asset and lease obligations by type of property are listed below.

March 31, 2019

Operating Leases

Right-of-Use

Asset

Lease

Liability

Weighted

Average

Lease Term

in Years

Weighted

Average

Discount

Rate

Land and building leases

$

3,360

$

3,307

13.47

3.05

%

Equipment leases

39

42

2.88

2.60

%

Total operating leases

$

3,399

$

3,349

13.35

3.04

%

Operating lease costs are listed below.

Three

Months

Ended

March 31, 2019

Operating lease cost

$

173

Short-term lease cost

Variable lease cost

13

Total operating lease cost

$

186

22


Rent expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018, prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02, was $165.

There were no sales and leaseback transactions, leverage leases, lease transactions with related parties or leases that had not yet commenced during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

A maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities and reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to the total operating lease liability is listed below.

Lease Payments

March 31, 2019

Due in one year or less

$

660

Due after one year through two years

602

Due after two years through three years

437

Due after three years through four years

418

Due after four years through five years

252

Thereafter

1,881

Total undiscounted cash flows

4,250

Discount on cash flows

(901

)

Total operating lease liability

$

3,349

NOTE 6 – BORROWINGS

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are listed below.

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Federal funds purchased

$

$

Retail repurchase agreements

43,433

50,068

The Company has available federal funds lines of credit with its correspondent banks.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (retail repurchase agreements) consist of obligations of the Company to other parties.  The obligations are secured by residential mortgage-backed securities held by the Company with a fair value of $47,222 and $51,701 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  The agreements are on a day-to-day basis and can be terminated on demand.

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Year-to-date average daily balance during the period

$

45,148

$

43,536

Maximum month-end balance year-to-date

$

43,433

$

53,815

Weighted average interest rate at period-end

0.29

%

0.28

%

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

Federal Home Loan Bank advances as of March 31, 2019 are listed below.

March 31,

2019

Weighted Average Rate

Weighted Average Term in Years

Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit advances

$

249,341

2.64

%

Federal Home Loan Bank fixed rate term advances

15,540

2.80

%

2.93

Total principal outstanding

264,881

Merger purchase accounting adjustment

73

Total Federal Home Loan Bank advances

$

264,954

Federal Home Loan Bank advances as of December 31, 2018 are listed below.

23


December 31,

2018

Weighted Average Rate

Weighted Average Term in Years

Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit advances

$

368,770

2.65

%

Federal Home Loan Bank fixed rate term advances

16,049

2.81

%

3.08

Total principal outstanding

384,819

Merger purchase accounting adjustment

79

Total Federal Home Loan Bank advances

$

384,898

The advances, Mortgage Partnership Finance credit enhancement obligations and letters of credit were collateralized by certain qualifying loans totaling $893,069 and $951,196 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of Federal Home Loan Bank stock, the Company was eligible to borrow an additional $563,779 and $534,627 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Future principal repayments of the March 31, 2019 outstanding balances are as follows.

Due in one year or less

$

252,312

Due after one year through two years

2,677

Due after two years through three years

2,357

Due after three years through four years

2,357

Due after four years through five years

2,357

Thereafter

2,821

Total

$

264,881

Bank stock loan

On March 13, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated financial institution that provided for a maximum borrowing facility of $30,000, secured by the Company’s stock in Equity Bank.  The borrowing facility was amended on March 11, 2019 to provide a maximum borrowing facility of $40,000 and extend the maturity to May 15, 2020.  Each draw of funds on the facility will create a separate note that is repayable over a term of five years.  Each note will bear interest at a variable interest rate equal to the prime rate published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal (or any generally recognized successor), floating daily.  Accrued interest and principal payments will be due quarterly with one final payment of unpaid principal and interest due at the end of the five year term of each separate note.  The Company is also required to pay an unused commitment fee in an amount equal to 20 basis points per annum on the unused portion of the maximum borrowing facility.

Bank stock loan advances as of March 31, 2019 are listed below.

March 31,

2019

Weighted Average Rate

Weighted Average Term in Years

Bank stock loan

$

8,500

5.50

%

4.25

Bank stock loan advances as of December 31, 2018 are listed below.

December 31,

2018

Weighted Average Rate

Weighted Average Term in Years

Bank stock loan

$

15,450

5.50

%

4.5

Future principal repayments of the March 31, 2019 outstanding balances are as follows.

Due in one year or less

$

1,600

Due after one year through two years

1,600

Due after two years through three years

1,600

Due after three years through four years

1,600

Due after four years through five years

1,600

Thereafter

500

Total

$

8,500

24


The terms of the borrowing facility require the Company and Equity Bank to maintain minimum capital ratios and other covenants.  In the event of default, the lender has the option to declare all outstanding balances immediately due.  The Company believes it is in compliance with the terms of the borrowing facility and has not been otherwise notified of noncompliance.

NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred stock

The Company’s articles of incorporation provide for the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock.  At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there was no preferred stock outstanding.

Common stock

The Company’s articles of incorporation provide for the issuance of 45,000,000 shares of Class A voting common stock (“Class A common stock”) and 5,000,000 shares of Class B non-voting common stock (“Class B common stock”), both of which have a par value of $0.01.

The following table presents shares that were issued and were held in treasury or were outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Class A common stock – issued

17,091,346

17,064,138

Class A common stock – held in treasury

(1,271,043

)

(1,271,043

)

Class A common stock – outstanding

15,820,303

15,793,095

Class B common stock – issued

234,903

234,903

Class B common stock – held in treasury

(234,903

)

(234,903

)

Class B common stock – outstanding

On January 27, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and reserved 500,000 shares of common stock for issuance.  The ESPP was approved by the Company’s stockholders on April 24, 2019.  The ESPP enables eligible employees to purchase the Company’s common stock at a price per share equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of each offering period.  The first offering period began on February 15, 2019 and will end on August 14, 2019.  ESPP compensation expense of $22 was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Treasury stock is stated at cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method.

On April 22, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,100,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, from time to time, beginning April 29, 2019 and concluding October 30, 2020.  The repurchase program does not obligate us to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and it may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time without notice.

Employee stock loans

In May 2015, in connection with the termination of a discontinued restricted stock unit plan (“Plan”), the Company agreed to loan electing participants an amount equal to each participant’s federal and state income tax withholding obligation associated with the Plan termination.  These loans totaling $87 at March 31, 2019 and $121 at December 31, 2018, are collateralized with the shares received, have a maturity date of December 31, 2019 and have an interest rate of 1.68%.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of (i) the after tax effect of unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and (ii) the after tax effect of unamortized unrealized gains (losses) on securities transferred from the available-for-sale designation to the held-to-maturity designation.

25


Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, are listed below.

Available-for-

Sale

Securities

Held-to-

Maturity

Securities

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

March 31, 2019

Net unrealized or unamortized gains (losses)

$

(2,108

)

$

(1,598

)

$

(3,706

)

Tax effect

534

405

939

$

(1,574

)

$

(1,193

)

$

(2,767

)

December 31, 2018

Net unrealized or unamortized gains (losses)

$

(4,628

)

$

(1,891

)

$

(6,519

)

Tax effect

1,173

479

1,652

$

(3,455

)

$

(1,412

)

$

(4,867

)

NOTE 8 – REGULATORY MATTERS

Banks and bank holding companies (on a consolidated basis) are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators.  Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action.  The final rules implementing Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks (Basel III rules) became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015 with full compliance with all of the requirements being phased in over a multi-year schedule, and fully phased in by January 1, 2019.  Beginning in January 2016, the implementation of the capital conservation buffer was effective for the Company starting at the 0.625% level and increasing 0.625% each year thereafter, until it reached 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress and requires increased capital levels for the purpose of capital distributions and other payments. Failure to meet the full amount of the buffer will result in restrictions on the Company's ability to make capital distributions, including dividend payments and stock repurchases, and to pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition.  If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits.  If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as are asset growth and acquisitions, and capital restoration plans are required.

As of March 31, 2019, management believes that the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject and the most recent notifications from the federal regulatory agencies categorized Equity Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, including the capital conservation buffer.  To be categorized as well capitalized, Equity Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table.  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed Equity Bank’s category.

26


The Company’s and Equity Bank’s capital amounts and ratios at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are presented in the table below.  Ratios provided for Equity Bancshares, In c. represent the ratios of the Company on a consolidated basis.

Actual

Minimum Required for

Capital Adequacy Under Basel III Phase-In

Minimum Required for

Capital Adequacy Under Basel III Fully Phased-In

To Be Well

Capitalized Under

Prompt Corrective

Provisions

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

Amount

Ratio

March 31, 2019

Total capital to risk weighted assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

$

342,072

11.87

%

$

302,543

10.50

%

$

302,543

10.50

%

$

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

332,559

11.56

%

302,083

10.50

%

302,083

10.50

%

287,699

10.00

%

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

315,732

10.96

%

244,916

8.50

%

244,916

8.50

%

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

306,219

10.64

%

244,544

8.50

%

244,544

8.50

%

230,159

8.00

%

Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

301,398

10.46

%

201,695

7.00

%

201,695

7.00

%

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

306,219

10.64

%

201,389

7.00

%

201,389

7.00

%

187,004

6.50

%

Tier 1 leverage to average assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

315,732

8.37

%

150,970

4.00

%

150,970

4.00

%

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

306,219

8.12

%

150,809

4.00

%

150,809

4.00

%

188,511

5.00

%

December 31, 2018

Total capital to risk weighted assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

$

337,649

11.92

%

$

279,621

9.88

%

$

297,319

10.50

%

$

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

338,180

11.96

%

279,244

9.88

%

296,918

10.50

%

282,779

10.00

%

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

326,195

11.52

%

222,989

7.88

%

240,687

8.50

%

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

326,726

11.55

%

222,688

7.88

%

240,362

8.50

%

226,223

8.00

%

Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

311,935

11.02

%

180,515

6.38

%

198,213

7.00

%

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

326,726

11.55

%

180,271

6.38

%

197,945

7.00

%

183,806

6.50

%

Tier 1 leverage to average assets

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

326,195

8.60

%

151,731

4.00

%

151,731

4.00

%

N/A

N/A

Equity Bank

326,726

8.62

%

151,590

4.00

%

151,590

4.00

%

189,488

5.00

%

Equity Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may declare without prior regulatory approval.


27


NOTE 9 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following table presents earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Three months ended

March 31,

2019

March 31,

2018

Basic:

Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

(4,073

)

$

8,711

Weighted average common shares outstanding

15,799,974

14,606,607

Weighted average vested restricted stock units

4,534

4,772

Weighted average shares

15,804,508

14,611,379

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

$

(0.26

)

$

0.60

Diluted:

Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

(4,073

)

$

8,711

Weighted average common shares outstanding for:

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

15,804,508

14,611,379

Dilutive effects of the assumed exercise of stock options

279,539

Dilutive effects of the assumed vesting of restricted stock units

3,262

Average shares and dilutive potential common shares

15,804,508

14,894,180

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

$

(0.26

)

$

0.58

Average shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because they were antidilutive are shown in the following table.

Three months ended

March 31,

2019

March 31,

2018

Stock options

560,890

287,713

Restricted stock units

24,209

Total antidilutive shares

585,099

287,713

NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments.  Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  For disclosure purposes, the Company groups its financial and non-financial assets and liabilities into three different levels based on the nature of the instrument and the availability and reliability of the information that is used to determine fair value.  The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values are defined as follows:

Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2:  Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3:  Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Level 1 inputs are considered to be the most transparent and reliable.  The Company assumes the use of the principal market to conduct a transaction of each particular asset or liability being measured and then considers the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.  Whenever possible, the Company first looks for quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1 inputs) to value each asset or liability.  However, when inputs from identical assets or liabilities on active markets are not available, the Company utilizes market observable data for similar assets and liabilities.  The Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and limits the use of unobservable inputs to occasions when observable inputs are not available.  The need to use unobservable inputs generally results from the lack of market liquidity of the actual financial instrument or

28


of the underlying collateral.  Although, in some instances, third party price indications may be available, limited trading activity can challenge the implied value of those quotations.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of each instrument under the hierarchy:

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

The fair values of securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value on a recurring basis.  To the extent possible, observable quoted prices in an active market are used to determine fair value and, as such, these securities are classified as Level 1.  For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities, generally determined by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs).  The Company’s available-for-sale securities, including U.S. Government sponsored entity securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (all of which are issued or guaranteed by government sponsored agencies), corporate securities, Small Business Administration securities, and State and Political Subdivision securities are classified as Level 2.

The fair values of derivatives are determined based on a valuation pricing model using readily available observable market parameters such as interest rate yield curves (Level 2 inputs) adjusted for credit risk attributable to the seller of the interest rate derivative.  Cash collateral received from or delivered to a derivative counterparty is classified as Level 1.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following table.

March 31, 2019

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets:

Available-for-sale securities:

Residential mortgage-backed securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

$

166,355

$

Derivative assets:

Derivative assets (included in other assets)

1,296

Total derivative assets

1,296

Other assets:

Equity securities with readily determinable fair value

481

Total other assets

481

Total assets

$

481

$

167,651

$

Liabilities:

Derivative liabilities:

Derivative liabilities (included in other liabilities)

$

$

1,503

$

Cash collateral held by counterparty and netting adjustments

(1,412

)

Total derivative liabilities

(1,412

)

1,503

Total liabilities

$

(1,412

)

$

1,503

$

29


December 31, 2018

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Assets:

Available-for-sale securities:

Residential mortgage-backed securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

$

168,875

$

Derivative assets:

Derivative assets (included in other assets)

933

Cash collateral held by counterparty and netting adjustments

(242

)

Total derivative assets

(242

)

933

Other assets:

Equity securities with readily determinable fair value

475

Total other assets

475

Total assets

$

233

$

169,808

$

Liabilities:

Derivative liabilities:

Derivative liabilities (included in other liabilities)

$

$

777

$

Cash collateral held by counterparty

(252

)

Total derivative liabilities

(252

)

777

Total liabilities

$

(252

)

$

777

$

There were no material transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or the year ended December 31, 2018.  The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of a level as of the end of a reporting period.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when there is evidence of impairment.  The fair value of impaired securities is determined as discussed previously for available-for-sale securities.  The fair values of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses are generally based on recent real estate appraisals of the collateral less estimated cost to sell.  Declines in the fair values of other real estate owned subsequent to their initial acquisitions are also based on recent real estate appraisals less selling costs.

Real estate appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach.  Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available.  We routinely value loans other than real estate as multiples of earnings or with the discounted cash flow approach and adjustments are made to observable market data to make the valuation consistent with the underlying credit.  Such adjustments made to real estate appraisals and other loan valuations are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below.

March 31, 2019

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Impaired loans:

Commercial real estate

$

$

$

6,966

Commercial and industrial

16,408

Residential real estate

8,657

Agricultural real estate

666

Other

922

Other real estate owned:

Commercial real estate

1,373

Residential real estate

46

30


December 31, 2018

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Impaired loans:

Commercial real estate

$

$

$

6,212

Commercial and industrial

1,697

Residential real estate

4,123

Agricultural real estate

218

Other

809

Other real estate owned:

Commercial real estate

1,391

Residential real estate

97

The Company did not record any liabilities for which the fair value was measured on a non-recurring basis at March 31, 2019 or at December 31, 2018.

Valuations of impaired loans and other real estate owned utilize third party appraisals or broker price opinions, and were classified as Level 3 due to the significant judgment involved.  Appraisals may include the utilization of unobservable inputs, subjective factors, and quantitative data to estimate fair market value.

The following table presents additional information about the unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of financial assets measured on a nonrecurring basis that were categorized with Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

Fair Value

Valuation

Technique

Unobservable

Input

Range

(weighted average) or Multiple of Earnings

March 31, 2019

Impaired real estate loans

$

18,858

Sales Comparison

Approach

Adjustments for

differences between

comparable sales

0% - 20% (10%)

Impaired other loans

$

14,761

Multiple of Earnings

Multiples of earnings for comparable entities

5.3X

December 31, 2018

Impaired loans

$

13,059

Sales Comparison

Approach

Adjustments for

differences between

comparable sales

4% - 22% (13%)

Measurable inputs for other real estate owned were not material.

31


Carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments at period end were as follows as of the date indicated:

March 31, 2019

Carrying

Amount

Estimated

Fair Value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Financial assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

167,453

$

167,453

$

167,453

$

$

Interest bearing deposits

4,742

4,742

4,742

Available-for-sale securities

166,355

166,355

166,355

Held-to-maturity securities

749,493

752,207

752,207

Loans held for sale

2,140

2,140

2,140

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses

2,592,646

2,571,049

2,571,049

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home

Loan Bank stock

22,569

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Interest receivable

16,423

16,423

16,423

Derivative assets

1,296

1,296

1,296

Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments

Total derivative assets

1,296

1,296

1,296

Total assets

$

3,723,117

$

3,681,665

$

167,453

$

943,163

$

2,571,049

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

$

3,260,870

$

3,265,367

$

$

3,265,367

$

Federal funds purchased and retail

repurchase agreements

43,433

43,433

43,433

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

264,954

264,954

264,954

Bank stock loan

8,500

8,500

8,500

Subordinated debentures

14,334

14,334

14,334

Contractual obligations

3,964

3,964

3,964

Interest payable

4,174

4,174

4,174

Derivative liabilities

1,503

1,503

1,503

Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments

(1,412

)

(1,412

)

(1,412

)

Total derivative liabilities

91

91

(1,412

)

1,503

Total liabilities

$

3,600,320

$

3,604,817

$

(1,412

)

$

3,606,229

$

32


December 31, 2018

Carrying

Amount

Estimated

Fair Value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Financial assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

192,818

$

192,818

$

192,818

$

$

Interest bearing deposits

4,991

4,991

4,991

Available-for-sale securities

168,875

168,875

168,875

Held-to-maturity securities

748,356

739,989

739,989

Loans held for sale

2,972

2,972

2,972

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses

2,563,954

2,565,526

2,565,526

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home

Loan Bank stock

29,214

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Interest receivable

17,372

17,372

17,372

Derivative assets

933

933

933

Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments

(242

)

(242

)

(242

)

Total derivative assets

691

691

(242

)

933

Total assets

$

3,729,243

$

3,693,234

$

192,576

$

935,132

$

2,565,526

Financial liabilities:

Deposits

$

3,123,447

$

3,124,654

$

$

3,124,654

$

Federal funds purchased and retail

repurchase agreements

50,068

50,068

50,068

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

384,898

384,898

384,898

Bank stock loan

15,450

15,450

15,450

Subordinated debentures

14,260

14,260

14,260

Contractual obligations

3,965

3,965

3,965

Interest payable

3,648

3,648

3,648

Derivative liabilities

777

777

777

Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments

(252

)

(252

)

(252

)

Total derivative liabilities

525

525

(252

)

777

Total liabilities

$

3,596,261

$

3,597,468

$

(252

)

$

3,597,720

$

The fair value of off-balance-sheet items is not considered material.

NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK

The Company extends credit for commercial real estate mortgages, residential mortgages, working capital financing and loans to businesses and consumers.

Commitments to Originate Loans and Available Lines of Credit

Commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments and lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since a portion of the commitments and lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment and lines of credit amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty.  Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate, and residential real estate.  Mortgage loans in the process of origination represent amounts that the Company plans to fund within a normal period of 60 to 90 days, and which are intended for sale to investors in the secondary market.

33


The contractual amounts of commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows.

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Fixed

Rate

Variable

Rate

Fixed

Rate

Variable

Rate

Commitments to make loans

$

27,306

$

182,679

$

29,543

$

171,857

Mortgage loans in the process of origination

13,536

1,755

6,785

2,860

Unused lines of credit

90,882

169,761

92,225

167,218

The fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 3.75% to 8.00% and maturities ranging from 1 month to 79 months.

Standby Letters of Credit

Standby letters of credit are irrevocable commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party once specified pre-conditions are met.  Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions.  Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations.  The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

The contractual amounts of standby letters of credit as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows.

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Fixed

Rate

Variable

Rate

Fixed

Rate

Variable

Rate

Standby letters of credit

$

3,695

$

3,112

$

4,474

$

2,716

NOTE 12 – LEGAL MATTERS

The Company is party to various matters of litigation in the ordinary course of business.  The Company periodically reviews all outstanding pending or threatened legal proceedings and determines if such matters will have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations or cash flows.  A loss contingency is recorded when the outcome is probable and reasonably able to be estimated.  The following loss contingency has been identified by the Company as reasonably possible to result in an unfavorable outcome for the Company or the Bank.

Equity Bank is a party to a February 3, 2015 lawsuit filed against it by CitiMortgage, Inc., (“Citi”).  The lawsuit involves an alleged breach of contract related to loan repurchase obligations and damages of $2,700 plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest.  In January 2018, judgement was entered by the court dismissing Citi’s claims with regard to six loans and holding Equity Bank liable with regard to six loans.  A loss contingency of $477 was recorded at December 31, 2017, in connection with this case.  Subsequently, Citi appealed the courts decision.  Equity Bank believes it has numerous and meritorious defenses to the claims and continues to contest the matter vigorously.

Except for the above mentioned lawsuit, there are no other outstanding claims for potential repurchase or indemnification demands regarding mortgage loans originated by Equity Bank and sold to investors.  However, the Company believes there is possible risk it may face similar demands based on comparable demands loan aggregators are facing from their investors, including Government Sponsored Entities such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and or settlement agreements loan aggregators have entered into with those investors.  The amount of potential loss and outcome of such possible litigation, if it were commenced, is uncertain and the Company would vigorously contest any claims.

NOTE 13 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

The majority of the Company’s revenues come from interest income on financial instruments, including loans, leases, securities and derivatives, which are outside the scope of ASC 606.  The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented with non-interest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer.  Services

34


within the scope of ASC 606 include service charges and fees on deposits, debit card income, investment refe rral income, insurance sales commissions and other non-interest income related to loans and deposits.

Except for gains or losses from the sale of OREO, all of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers within the scope of ASC 606 is recognized in non-interest income.  The following table presents the Company’s sources of non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and 2018.

Three Months Ended

March 31,

2019

2018

Non-interest income

Service charges and fees

$

1,923

$

1,580

Debit card income

1,738

1,253

Mortgage banking (a)

317

313

Increase in bank-owned life insurance (a)

488

652

Net gain (loss) from securities transactions (a)

6

(8

)

Other (b)

852

461

Total

$

5,324

$

4,251

(a) Not within the scope of ASC 606.

(b) The Other category includes investment referral income, insurance sales commissions and other non-interest income related to loans and deposits totaling $734 and $403 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, which is within the scope of ASC 606; the remaining balances of $118 and $58 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, represents recovery on zero-basis purchased loans, income from equity method investments and other remaining items considered insignificant, which is outside the scope of ASC 606.

A description of the Company’s revenue streams accounted for under ASC 606 follows.

Service Charges and Fees

The Company earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance and overdraft services.  Transaction-based fees, which include services such as stop payment charges, statement rendering and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request.  Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period over which the Company satisfies the performance obligation.  Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs.  Service charges on deposits are collected through withdrawal from the customer’s account balance.

Debit Card Income

The Company earns debit card income from cardholder transactions conducted through payment processors.  Debit card income from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

35


Investment Referral Income

Investment referral services are offered through an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer and investment advisor.  Investment referral income consists of transaction-based fees (i.e. trade commissions) and account fees (i.e. custodial fees).  The service obligation for transaction-based fees relates to processing of individual transactions and is considered earned at the time the transaction occurs.  The Company currently records this income when payment is received and at each month end for current-month transactions.  Account fees are considered earned over the period for which the fees relate.  These fees are received during the first month of each quarter and represent advance payment for the current quarter.  These fees are amortized ratably over the three months during the quarter.  Therefore, all account-based fees are currently recorded as performance obligations are satisfied.

Insurance Sales Commissions

Insurance commissions are received based on contracts with insurance companies which provide for a percentage of premiums to be paid to the Company in exchange for placement of policies with customers.  The commissions generally relate to a period of one year or less.  Under certain contracts, the Company may also assist with claims processing, but this performance obligation is considered insignificant compared to the initial placement of the policy.  As such, the performance obligation is considered to have been substantially satisfied at the time of policy placement.  While this indicates that all related revenue would be appropriately accrued at policy inception, in some cases recognition occurs over the policy period if received in installments from the insurance company.  In no cases would this deferral extend beyond 12 months and the effect is considered immaterial compared to recognition at the time of policy placement.  The Company also receives commission based on renewals of policies previously placed.  However, additional work is required to process the renewals, resulting in future performance obligations to earn the related revenues.  In addition, the occurrence of such renewals is not certain as initial policies are generally for one year or less and the fees earned are not determined until the time of renewal, based on underwriting at that time.  As such, the Company has determined that accrual of income, for future renewals, is not appropriate.

Other Non-interest Income

Other non-interest income related to loans and deposits is earned when the specific transaction is processed, similar to service charges and fees.

Gain or Loss on Sale of Other Real Estate

Gain or loss on sale of other real estate is reported in non-interest expense and is netted with other real estate expenses.  The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of other real estate when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed.  When the Company finances the sale of other real estate to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligation under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable.  Once these criteria are met, the other real estate is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer.  In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain or loss on sale if a significant financing component is present.  As a result, the Company has concluded that ASC 606 will affect the decision to recognize or defer gains on sales of other real estate in circumstances where the Company has financed the sale.

NOTE 14 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On February 8, 2019, Equity Bank acquired the assets and assumed the deposits and certain other liabilities of two branch locations in Guymon, Oklahoma and one branch location in Cordell, Oklahoma, from MidFirst Bank based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (“MidFirst”).  Results of operations of these new branches were included in the Company’s results of operations beginning February 9, 2019.  Acquisition-related costs associated with this acquisition were $626 ($477 on an after-tax basis) and are included in merger expenses in the Company’s income statement for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

36


Information necessary to recognize the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is not complete at March 31, 2019.  The fair value of consideration exchanged exceeded the recognized amounts of the id entifiable net assets and resulted in goodwill of $4,720.  Goodwill resulted from a combination of expected synergies including expansion into western Oklahoma with an additional three branch locations and growth opportunities.  The following table summari zes the consideration paid for the MidFirst assets acquired and liabilities assumed recognized at the acquisition date.

Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and

liabilities assumed:

Cash and due from banks

$

85,360

Available-for-sale securities

Held-to-maturity securities

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

Loans

6,507

Premises and equipment

656

Core deposit intangible

1,350

Other assets

13

Total assets acquired

93,886

Deposits

98,543

Interest payable and other liabilities

63

Total liabilities assumed

98,606

Total identifiable net assets

(4,720

)

Goodwill

4,720

$

The fair value of net assets acquired includes fair value adjustments to certain loans that were not considered impaired as of the acquisition date.  The fair value adjustments were determined using discounted contractual cash flows.  However, the Company believes that all contractual cash flows related to these financial instruments will be collected.  As such, these loans were not considered impaired at the acquisition date and were not subject to the guidance relating to purchased credit impaired loans, which have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination.  Cash flows associated with purchase credit impaired loans are not considered reasonably predictable and as such these loans are classified nonaccrual.

The following table presents information about the loans acquired in the MidFirst acquisition as of the date of acquisition.

Non-Credit Impaired

Purchased Credit Impaired

Contractually required principal

$

6,770

$

Non-accretable difference (expected losses)

Cash flows expected to be collected

6,770

Accretable yield

(263

)

Fair value of acquired loans

$

6,507

$

The following table presents the carrying value of the loans acquired in the MidFirst acquisition by class, as of the date of acquisition.

Non-Credit Impaired

Purchased Credit Impaired

Total

Commercial real estate

$

668

$

$

668

Commercial and industrial

34

34

Residential real estate

3,271

3,271

Agricultural real estate

Consumer

2,534

2,534

Agricultural

Fair value of acquired loans

$

6,507

$

$

6,507

37


Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2019 and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.  The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance.  We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material.  See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Also, see the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A: Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1A of this Quarterly Report.  We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation includes the following sections:

Overview – a general description of our business and financial highlights;

Critical Accounting Policies – a discussion of accounting policies that require critical estimates and assumptions;

Results of Operations – an analysis of our operating results, including disclosures about the sustainability of our earnings;

Financial Condition – an analysis of our financial position;

Liquidity and Capital Resources – an analysis of our cash flows and capital position; and

Non-GAAP Financial Measures – a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

Overview

We are a bank holding company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Our wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Equity Bank, provides a broad range of financial services primarily to businesses and business owners as well as individuals through our network of 52 full service banking sites located in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.  As of March 31, 2019, we had consolidated total assets of $4.07 billion, total loans held for investment of $2.59 billion, net of allowances, total deposits of $3.26 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $453.5 million.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, the Company had a net loss of $4.1 million as compared to net income of $8.7 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018.

38


Selected Financial Data for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

September 30,

2018

June 30,

2018

March 31,

2018

Statement of Income Data (for the quarterly period ended)

Interest and dividend income

$

43,202

$

45,580

$

43,022

$

38,831

$

34,123

Interest expense

12,563

12,244

10,267

7,911

6,336

Net interest income

30,639

33,336

32,755

30,920

27,787

Provision for loan losses

15,646

750

1,291

750

1,170

Net gain (loss) from securities transactions

6

5

(4

)

(2

)

(8

)

Other non-interest income

5,318

5,444

5,437

4,594

4,259

Merger expenses

639

938

757

5,236

531

Other non-interest expense

24,904

24,200

22,890

20,739

19,096

Income (loss) before income taxes

(5,226

)

12,897

13,250

8,787

11,241

Provision for income taxes

(1,153

)

2,972

2,928

1,920

2,530

Net income (loss)

(4,073

)

9,925

10,322

6,867

8,711

Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

(4,073

)

9,925

10,322

6,867

8,711

Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

(0.26

)

$

0.63

$

0.65

$

0.45

$

0.60

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$

(0.26

)

$

0.62

$

0.64

$

0.44

$

0.58

Balance Sheet Data (at period end)

Cash and cash equivalents

$

167,453

$

192,818

$

61,379

$

47,691

$

43,146

Available-for-sale securities

166,355

168,875

172,388

180,238

174,717

Held-to-maturity securities

749,493

748,356

713,899

665,995

522,021

Loans held for sale

2,140

2,972

1,698

3,574

1,840

Gross loans held for investment

2,618,986

2,575,408

2,598,729

2,451,772

2,134,596

Allowance for loan losses

26,340

11,454

11,010

10,083

9,316

Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses

2,592,646

2,563,954

2,587,719

2,441,689

2,125,280

Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net

158,728

153,437

154,189

145,285

113,767

Other intangible assets

1,216

1,228

1,241

1,253

1,265

Total assets

4,065,354

4,061,716

3,931,036

3,712,185

3,176,062

Total deposits

3,260,870

3,123,447

2,821,246

2,635,048

2,368,297

Borrowings

331,221

464,676

652,755

631,501

414,415

Total liabilities

3,611,891

3,605,775

3,487,799

3,278,903

2,794,575

Total stockholders’ equity

453,463

455,941

443,237

433,282

381,487

Tangible common equity*

293,519

301,276

287,807

286,744

266,455

Performance ratios

Return on average assets (ROAA) annualized

(0.42

)%

1.00

%

1.08

%

0.79

%

1.11

%

Return on average equity (ROAE) annualized

(3.59

)%

8.76

%

9.31

%

6.66

%

9.35

%

Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE)

annualized*

(4.62

)%

14.17

%

14.91

%

10.58

%

14.01

%

Yield on loans annualized

5.79

%

5.91

%

5.73

%

5.73

%

5.55

%

Cost of interest-bearing deposits annualized

1.61

%

1.45

%

1.15

%

1.00

%

0.94

%

Net interest margin annualized

3.49

%

3.70

%

3.76

%

3.93

%

3.91

%

Efficiency ratio*

69.26

%

62.40

%

59.93

%

58.40

%

59.59

%

Non-interest income / average assets annualized

0.55

%

0.55

%

0.57

%

0.53

%

0.54

%

Non-interest expense / average assets annualized

2.64

%

2.53

%

2.47

%

3.00

%

2.51

%

Capital Ratios

Tier 1 Leverage Ratio

8.37

%

8.60

%

8.60

%

9.36

%

9.45

%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio

10.46

%

11.02

%

10.57

%

11.13

%

11.80

%

39


Tier 1 Risk Based Capital Ratio

10.96

%

11.52

%

11.07

%

11.65

%

12.41

%

Total Risk Based Capital Ratio

11.87

%

11.92

%

11.46

%

12.03

%

12.81

%

Equity / Assets

11.15

%

11.23

%

11.28

%

11.67

%

12.01

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets*

7.52

%

7.71

%

7.62

%

8.04

%

8.70

%

Book value per share

$

28.66

$

28.87

$

28.07

$

27.44

$

26.09

Tangible common book value per share*

$

18.55

$

19.08

$

18.22

$

18.16

$

18.22

Tangible common book value per diluted share*

$

18.30

$

18.73

$

17.86

$

17.78

$

17.85

* The value noted is considered a Non-GAAP financial measure.  For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are integral to understanding the results reported.  Our accounting policies are described in detail in Note 1 to the December 31, 2018 audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2019.  There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies since that time.  We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgement and complexity.  We have identified the following accounting policies and estimates that, due to the difficult, subjective or complex judgements and assumptions inherent in those policies and estimates and the potential sensitivity of our financial statements to those judgements and assumptions, are critical to an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations.  We believe that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements are appropriate.

Business Combinations :  We apply the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations.  Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes 100% of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair values.  We use valuation techniques appropriate for the asset or liability being measured in determining these fair values.  Any excess of the purchase price over amounts allocated to assets acquired, including identified intangible assets and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.  Where amounts allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed is greater than the purchase price, a bargain purchase gain is recognized.  Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

Loans :  Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of previous charge-offs and an allowance for loan losses, and for purchased loans, net of unamortized purchase premiums and discounts.  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans :  As a part of acquisitions, we acquired certain loans for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination.  These purchased credit impaired loans were recorded at the amount paid, such that there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses.  After acquisition, losses are recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Such purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for individually.  We estimate the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each loan, and the expected cash flows in excess of the amount paid are recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield).  The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not recorded (non-accretable difference). Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated.  If the present value of the expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a loss is recorded.  If the present value of the expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income.

Nonaccrual Loans :  Generally, loans are designated as nonaccrual when either principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due based on contractual terms unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection.  Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due.  In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.  When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed against income.  Future interest income may be recorded on a cash basis after recovery of principal is reasonably assured.  Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Impaired Loans :  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest due according to the terms of the loan agreement.  All loans are individually evaluated for impairment.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or on the value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  We evaluate the collectability of both principal and interest when assessing the need for a loss accrual.

40


Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and th e probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays a nd payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of th e shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

Troubled Debt Restructurings :  In cases where a borrower experiences financial difficulties and we make certain concessionary modifications to contractual terms, the loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured loan and classified as impaired.  Generally, a nonaccrual loan that is a troubled debt restructuring remains on nonaccrual until such time that repayment of the remaining principal and interest is not in doubt, and the borrower has a period of satisfactory repayment performance.

Allowance for Loan Losses :  The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is unlikely.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.  Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors.  A loan review process, independent of the loan approval process, is utilized by management to verify loans are being made and administered in accordance with company policy, to review loan risk grades and potential losses, to verify that potential problem loans are receiving adequate and timely corrective measures to avoid or reduce losses, and to assist in the verification of the adequacy of the loan loss reserve.  Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported net at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the sale of the collateral.  Troubled debt restructurings are separately identified for impairment disclosures and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception.  If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral.  For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, we determine the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses.

The general component of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors.  The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio and class and is based on the actual loss history experienced by us.  This actual loss experience is then adjusted by comparing current conditions to the conditions that existed during the loss history.  We consider the changes related to (i) lending policies, (ii) economic conditions, (iii) nature and volume of the loan portfolio and class, (iv) lending staff, (v) volume and severity of past due, non-accrual, and risk graded loans, (vi) loan review system, (vii) value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans, (viii) concentration levels, and (ix) effects of other external factors.

Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles :  Goodwill results from business combinations and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets. Core deposit intangibles are acquired customer relationships arising from whole bank and branch acquisitions.  Core deposit intangibles are initially measured at fair value and then are amortized over their estimated useful lives.  The useful lives of the core deposits are estimated to generally be between seven and ten years.  Goodwill and core deposit intangibles are assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment is recognized and expensed in the period identified.  We have selected December 31 as the date to perform our annual goodwill impairment test.  Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite useful life.

Fair Value :  Fair values of assets and liabilities are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions.  Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, collateral values and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular assets and liabilities.  Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could materially affect the estimates.

Emerging Growth Company :  Pursuant to the JOBS Act, an emerging growth company is provided the option to adopt new or revised accounting standards that may be issued by the FASB or the SEC either (i) within the same periods as those otherwise applicable to non-emerging growth companies or (ii) within the same time periods as private companies.  We have irrevocably elected to adopt new accounting standards within the public company adoption period.

We may take advantage of some of the reduced regulatory and reporting requirements that are available to us so long as the Company qualifies as an emerging growth company, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation, and exemptions from the requirements of holding non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation and golden parachute payments.

41


Results of Operations

We generate most of our revenue from interest income and fees on loans, interest and dividends on investment securities and non-interest income, such as service charges and fees, debit card income and mortgage banking income.  We incur interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds and non-interest expense, such as salaries and employee benefits and occupancy expenses.  On May 4, 2018, we completed our mergers with Kansas Bank Corporation (“KBC”) of Liberal, Kansas, and Adams Dairy Bancshares, Inc. (“Adams”) of Blue Springs, Missouri.  The merger with KBC added five bank locations in Liberal and Hugoton, Kansas and the merger with Adams added one bank location in Blue Springs, Missouri.  Results of operations of KBC and Adams were included in our financial results beginning May 5, 2018.  On August 23, 2018, we completed our merger with City Bank and Trust (“City Bank”) of Guymon, Oklahoma.  The merger with City Bank added one bank location in Guymon, Oklahoma.  Results of operations of City Bank were included in our financial results beginning August 24, 2018.  On February 8, 2019, we completed our acquisition of the assets and assumption of the deposits and certain other liabilities for two branches in Guymon, Oklahoma and one branch in Cordell, Oklahoma from MidFirst Bank of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (“MidFirst acquisition”).  Results of operations of our MidFirst acquisition were included in our financial results beginning February 9, 2019.

Changes in interest rates earned on interest-earning assets or incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volume and types of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity, are usually the largest drivers of periodic change in net interest income.  Fluctuations in interest rates are driven by many factors, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, deflation, macroeconomic developments, changes in unemployment, the money supply, political and international conditions and conditions in domestic and foreign financial markets.  Periodic changes in the volume and types of loans in our loan portfolio are affected by, among other factors, economic and competitive conditions in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, as well as developments affecting the commercial, consumer and real estate sectors within these markets.

Net Income (Loss)

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with three months ended March 31, 2018: Net loss and net loss allocable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $4.1 million as compared to net income and net income allocable to common stockholders of $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $12.8 million.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, increases in net interest income of $2.9 million and non-interest income of $1.1 million were offset by an increase in non-interest expense of $5.9 million and an increase in provision for loan losses of $14.5 million when compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2018.  The changes in the components of net income (loss) are discussed in more detail in the following sections of “Results of Operations.”

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Analysis

Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, including loans and securities, and interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, including deposits and other borrowed funds.  To evaluate net interest income, management measures and monitors (1) yields on loans and other interest-earning assets, (2) the costs of deposits and other funding sources, (3) the net interest spread and (4) net interest margin.  Net interest spread is the difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  Net interest margin is calculated as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.  Because non-interest-bearing sources of funds, such as non-interest-bearing deposits and stockholders’ equity also fund interest-earning assets, net interest margin includes the benefit of these non-interest-bearing sources of funds.  Net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as a “volume change,” and it is also affected by changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and other borrowed funds, referred to as a “yield/rate change.”

42


Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with three months ended March 31, 2018 :  The following table shows the average balance of each princ ipal category of assets, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity and the average yields on interest-earning assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.  The yields and rates are calculated by d ividing annualized income or annualized expense by the average daily balances of the associated assets or liabilities.

Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

2019

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

Average

Outstanding

Balance

Interest

Income/

Expense

Average

Yield/

Rate (3)(4)

Average

Outstanding

Balance

Interest

Income/

Expense

Average

Yield/

Rate (3)(4)

Interest-earning assets:

Loans (1)

$

2,560,030

$

36,533

5.79

%

$

2,122,973

$

29,048

5.55

%

Taxable securities

776,636

5,082

2.65

%

585,055

3,723

2.58

%

Nontaxable securities

142,168

953

2.72

%

114,000

879

3.13

%

Federal funds sold and other

81,980

634

3.14

%

61,932

473

3.10

%

Total interest-earning assets

3,560,814

$

43,202

4.92

%

2,883,960

$

34,123

4.80

%

Non-interest-earning assets:

Other real estate owned, net

6,380

7,643

Premises and equipment, net

81,111

63,164

Bank-owned life insurance

73,273

68,430

Goodwill, core deposit and other intangibles, net

157,315

116,634

Other non-interest-earning assets

47,465

29,300

Total assets

$

3,926,358

$

3,169,131

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Interest-bearing demand deposits

$

700,690

$

2,181

1.26

%

$

583,495

$

1,088

0.76

%

Savings and money market

992,538

3,486

1.42

%

687,473

1,135

0.67

%

Savings, NOW and money market

1,693,228

5,667

1.36

%

1,270,968

2,223

0.71

%

Certificates of deposit

1,016,369

5,063

2.02

%

772,816

2,495

1.31

%

Total interest-bearing deposits

2,709,597

10,730

1.61

%

2,043,784

4,718

0.94

%

FHLB term and line of credit advances

197,610

1,305

2.68

%

332,438

1,299

1.59

%

Bank stock loan

12,120

162

5.41

%

2,439

27

4.56

%

Subordinated borrowings

14,287

334

9.47

%

13,993

269

7.78

%

Other borrowings

45,475

32

0.29

%

40,251

23

0.23

%

Total interest-bearing liabilities

2,979,089

$

12,563

1.71

%

2,432,905

$

6,336

1.06

%

Non-interest-bearing liabilities and

stockholders’ equity:

Non-interest-bearing checking accounts

468,568

346,864

Non-interest-bearing liabilities

18,988

11,467

Stockholders’ equity

459,713

377,895

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

3,926,358

$

3,169,131

Net interest income

$

30,639

$

27,787

Interest rate spread

3.21

%

3.74

%

Net interest margin (2)

3.49

%

3.91

%

Total cost of deposits, including non-interest

bearing deposits

$

3,178,165

$

10,730

1.37

%

$

2,390,648

$

4,718

0.80

%

Average interest-earning assets to

interest-bearing liabilities

119.53

%

118.54

%

(1)

Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.

(2)

Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earnings assets for the period.

(3)

Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax equivalent basis.

(4)

Actual unrounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed.  Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

43


Increases and decreases in interest income and interest exp ense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest yields/rates.  The following table analyzes the change in volume variances and yield/rate variances fo r the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

Increase (Decrease) Due to:

Total

Increase /

(Dollars in thousands)

Volume (1)

Yield/Rate (1)

(Decrease)

Interest-earning assets:

Loans

$

6,193

$

1,292

$

7,485

Taxable securities

1,251

108

1,359

Nontaxable securities

198

(124

)

74

Federal funds sold and other

155

6

161

Total interest-earning assets

$

7,797

$

1,282

$

9,079

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Savings, NOW and money market

$

916

$

2,528

$

3,444

Certificates of deposit

943

1,625

2,568

Total interest-bearing deposits

1,859

4,153

6,012

FHLB term and line of credit advances

(661

)

667

6

Bank stock loan

129

6

135

Subordinated borrowings

6

59

65

Other borrowings

3

6

9

Total interest-bearing liabilities

$

1,336

$

4,891

$

6,227

Net Interest Income

$

6,461

$

(3,609

)

$

2,852

(1)

The effect of changes in volume is determined by multiplying the change in volume by the previous year’s average rate. Similarly, the effect of rate changes is calculated by multiplying the change in average rate by the prior year’s volume.  The changes attributable to both volume and rate, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated to the volume variance and the rate variance in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of the change in each.

The increase in net interest income before the provision for loan losses is primarily due to the increase in the volume of average interest-earning assets and to a lesser extent an increase in yields on interest-earning assets.  The increase in average volume of interest-earning assets was primarily due to increases in loans and investment securities.  The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in the average rates and volume of interest-bearing liabilities incurred to fund the increased volume of interest-earning assets.

The increase in loan interest income, including loan fees, which consist of fees for loan origination, renewal, prepayment, covenant breakage and loan modification, was driven by the increase in average loan volume and a 24 basis point increase in yield on the loan portfolio from 5.55% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 5.79% for the three months ended March 31, 2019.  The impact to net interest income from loan fees for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $1.0 million compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Average balances of borrowings from the FHLB decreased by $134.8 million from an average balance of $332.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to an average balance of $197.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.  The positive effect of this decrease in average FHLB borrowings was offset by an increase in average rate on these borrowings of 109 basis points from 1.59% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to 2.68% for the three months ended March 31, 2019.  Interest expense on our bank stock loan for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $162 thousand compared to $27 thousand for the same time period in 2018.  Total cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 65 basis points to 1.71% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 from 1.06% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The decrease in net interest margin is largely due to the cost of interest-bearing liabilities rising at a faster rate than interest-earning assets.  The increase in cost of funds is primarily from the increase in cost of both retail and public fund deposits.  The cost of retail deposits increased as the general level of interest rates rose and due to an increased level of market competition for those deposits, which are more desirable due to lower interest rate sensitivity.  The cost of public fund deposits increased due to the level of

44


competition from other financial institutions and state investment funds and due to the timing of the investment of these funds in an elevated interest rate environment.

Provision for Loan Losses

We maintain an allowance for loan losses for probable incurred credit losses.  The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses, a charge to earnings, and subsequent recoveries of amounts previously charged off, but is decreased by charge-offs when the collectability of a loan balance is unlikely.  Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, discounted cash flows, economic conditions and other factors including regulatory guidance, as described in “Financial Condition—Allowance for loan losses.”  As these factors change, the amount of the loan loss provision changes.

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with three months ended March 31, 2018 :  The increased provision of $14.5 million was due to a provision for loss against a credit relationship that we believe to be an isolated incident unique within our portfolio.  Net charge-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $760 thousand compared to net charge-offs of $352 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019, gross charge-offs were $938 thousand offset by gross recoveries of $178 thousand.  In comparison, gross charge-offs were $506 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018 offset by gross recoveries of $154 thousand.

Non-Interest Income

The primary sources of non-interest income are service charges and fees, debit card income, mortgage banking income, increases in the value of bank-owned life insurance, investment referral income, the recovery of zero-basis purchased loans and net gain from securities transactions.  Non-interest income does not include loan origination or other loan fees which are recognized as an adjustment to yield using the interest method.

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with three months ended March 31, 2018 :  The following table provides a comparison of the major components of non-interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Non-Interest Income

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

2019 vs. 2018

(Dollars in thousands)

2019

2018

Change

%

Service charges and fees

$

1,923

$

1,580

$

343

21.7

%

Debit card income

1,738

1,253

485

38.7

%

Mortgage banking

317

313

4

1.3

%

Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance

488

652

(164

)

-25.2

%

Investment referral income

175

93

82

88.2

%

Recovery on zero-basis purchased loans

46

58

(12

)

-20.7

%

Other

631

310

321

103.5

%

Sub-Total

5,318

4,259

1,059

24.9

%

Net gain (loss) from securities transactions

6

(8

)

14

-175.0

%

Total non-interest income

$

5,324

$

4,251

$

1,073

25.2

%

The increase in non-interest income was due to increases in debit card income, service charges and fees, investment referral income, mortgage banking, net gains from securities transactions and other partially offset by decreases in increase in value of bank-owned life insurance and recovery on zero-basis purchased loans.  Debit card income was $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $485 thousand, or 38.7%, from $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, largely due to increased volume related to mergers and acquisitions.  Service charges and fees increased $343 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the same time period during 2018, mainly due to an increase in non-sufficient fund charges, principally due to increased volumes related to mergers and acquisitions.  In connection with acquisitions, we received the rights to certain loans that were previously charged off by the acquired bank.  At acquisition, there was no expectation of future cash flows from these previously charged-off loans and thus they were assigned a zero basis.  Subsequent to the acquisitions, we have received cash payments on several of these loans.  No interest has been accrued as cash flow payments have not been expected prior to receipt.  Cash receipts on these zero-basis loans totaled $46 thousand and $58 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

45


Non-Interest Expense

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with three months ended March 31, 2018 :  For the three months ended March 31, 2019, non-interest expense totaled $25.5 million, an increase of $5.9 million, or 30.1%, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2018.  This increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits of $3.2 million, an increase in data processing expense of $731 thousand, an increase in professional fees of $441 thousand, an increase in amortization of core deposit intangible of $395 thousand, an increase in telecommunications expense of $216 thousand and an increase in net occupancy and equipment expense of $165 thousand.  These items and other changes in the various components of non-interest expense are discussed in more detail below.

The following table provides a comparison of the major components of non-interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

Non-Interest Expense

For the Three Months Ended March 31,

2019 vs. 2018

(Dollars in thousands)

2019

2018

Change

%

Salaries and employee benefits

$

14,098

$

10,891

$

3,207

29.4

%

Net occupancy and equipment

1,967

1,802

165

9.2

%

Data processing

2,405

1,674

731

43.7

%

Professional fees

1,156

715

441

61.7

%

Advertising and business development

646

619

27

4.4

%

Telecommunications

585

369

216

58.5

%

FDIC insurance

278

244

34

13.9

%

Courier and postage

327

255

72

28.2

%

Free nationwide ATM cost

361

292

69

23.6

%

Loan expense

268

346

(78

)

-22.5

%

Amortization of core deposit intangible

779

384

395

102.9

%

Other real estate owned

112

268

(156

)

-58.2

%

Other

1,922

1,237

685

55.4

%

Sub-Total

24,904

19,096

5,808

30.4

%

Merger expenses

639

531

108

20.3

%

Total non-interest expense

$

25,543

$

19,627

$

5,916

30.1

%

Salaries and employee benefits :  There was a $3.2 million increase in salaries and employee benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared  to the three months ended March 31, 2018.  This increase reflects the addition of staff related to the May 2018 Kansas Bank Corporation (“KBC”) merger; the addition of staff related to the May 2018 Adams Dairy Bancshares, Inc. (“Adams”) merger; the addition of staff related to the August 2018 City Bank and Trust (“City Bank”) acquisition and to a lesser extent the addition of staff related to the February 2019 MidFirst acquisition, as well as additions to corporate and operations staff indirectly attributable to acquisitions and our growth.

Net occupancy and equipment :  Net occupancy and equipment includes expenses related to the use of premises and equipment, such as depreciation, operating leases, repairs and maintenance, insurance, property taxes and utilities and is net of incidental rental income of excess facilities.  The majority of the increase is due to the addition of five banking locations associated with the KBC merger, the addition of one banking location associated with the Adams merger, addition of one banking location associated with the City Bank acquisition and the addition of three banking locations associated with the MidFirst acquisition.

Data processing :  The increase was principally due to increased debit card processing costs as usage increased mainly related to mergers and acquisitions and software license expense.

Professional fees :  The increase of $441 thousand, or 61.7%, is principally due to an increase in consulting fees of $280 thousand, various advisor fees of $78 thousand and accounting fees of $61 thousand.

Advertising and business development :  Advertising and business development includes media advertising, community sponsorships, customer appreciation expenses and other forms of advertising.  The increase is due to additional advertising and business development in new markets added from the previously mentioned mergers.

46


Other real estate owned: Other real estate owned includes other real estate expenses, including provision for unrealized losses, gain or loss on other real estate owned and gain or loss on the sale of other repossessed property.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019, there was $137 thousand in other real estate owned expense, including provision for unrealized losses, partiall y offset by $25 thousand gain on the sale of other real estate owned.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, other real estate owned expense, including provision for unrealized losses, was $292 thousand, partially offset by gains on the sale of other real estate owned and gain on sale of other assets of $24 thousand.

Other: Other non-interest expenses consist of subscriptions; memberships and dues; employee expenses including travel, meals, entertainment and education; supplies; printing; insurance; account related losses; correspondent bank fees; customer program expenses; losses net of gains on the sale of fixed assets and other operating expenses.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019, employee expenses including travel, meals, entertainment and education were $402 thousand, insurance expense was $203 thousand and bank service charges were $188 thousand.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018, employee expenses including travel, meals, entertainment and education were $253 thousand, insurance expense was $146 thousand and bank service charges were $104 thousand.

Merger expenses :  Merger expenses were $639 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $531 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The merger expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 consisted of $13 thousand associated with the City Bank acquisition and $626 thousand associated with the MidFirst acquisition.

Efficiency Ratio

The efficiency ratio is a supplemental financial measure utilized in the internal evaluation of our performance and is not defined under GAAP.  For a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2.  Our efficiency ratio is computed by dividing non-interest expense, excluding merger expenses, by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding net gain or loss from securities transactions.  Generally, an increase in the efficiency ratio indicates that more resources are being utilized to generate the same volume of income, while a decrease would indicate a more efficient allocation of resources.

Our efficiency ratio was 69.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared with 59.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The increase was primarily due to the effect on net interest income of the cost of interest-bearing liabilities rising at a faster rate than the yield on interest-earning assets, as discussed in “Results of Operations – Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Analysis” and  increased non-interest expense, as discussed in “Results of Operations – Non-Interest Expense.”

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes is influenced by the amount of pre-tax income (loss), the amount of tax-exempt income, the amount of non-deductible expenses and available tax credits.

Three months ended March 31, 2019 compared with three months ended March 31, 2018 :  The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was 22.1% as compared to 22.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Impact of Inflation

Our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative value of money over time due to inflation or recession.

Unlike many industrial companies, substantially all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than the effects of general levels of inflation.  Interest rates may not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services.  However, other operating expenses reflect general levels of inflation.

Financial Condition

Our total assets increased $3.6 million to $4.07 billion at March 31, 2019.  The increase in total assets was primarily from an increase of $28.7 million in net loans held for investment, partially offset by a reduction of $25.4 million in cash and cash equivalents.  Our total liabilities increased $6.1 million to $3.61 billion at March 31, 2019.  The increase in total liabilities was primarily from increases in total deposits of $137.4 million, largely due to the MidFirst acquisition, partially offset by a reduction of $119.9 million in

47


FHLB borrowings.  Our total stockholders’ equity decreased $2.5 million from $455.9 million at Decemb er 31, 2018 to $453.5 million at March 31, 2019.

Loan Portfolio

Loans are our largest category of earning assets and typically provide higher yields than other types of earning assets.  At March 31, 2019, our gross loans held for investment totaled $2.62 billion, an increase of $43.6 million, or 1.7%, compared with December 31, 2018.  The overall increase in loan volume consisted of $68.5 million from real estate construction, $64.0 million from residential real estate, $8.9 million from consumer, partially offset by reductions of $65.5 million in commercial real estate, $14.5 million from agricultural, $13.9 million from commercial and industrial and $3.8 million from agricultural real estate.  We also had loans classified as held-for-sale totaling $2.1 million at March 31, 2019.

Our loan portfolio consists of various types of loans, most of which are made to borrowers located in the Wichita, Kansas City and Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSAs”), as well as various community markets throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.  The majority of our loan portfolio consists of commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans and a substantial portion of our borrowers’ ability to honor their obligations is dependent on local economic conditions in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.  As of March 31, 2019, there was no concentration of loans to any one type of industry exceeding 10% of total loans.

At March 31, 2019, gross total loans were 80.4% of deposits and 64.5% of total assets.  At December 31, 2018, gross total loans were 82.5% of deposits and 63.5% of total assets.

The organic, or non-acquired, changes in our loan portfolio are attributable to our ability to attract new customers from other financial institutions and overall growth in our markets.  Lending activities originate from the efforts of our lenders, with an emphasis on lending to individuals, professionals, small to medium-sized businesses and commercial companies located in the Wichita, Kansas City and Tulsa MSAs, as well as community markets in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

We provide commercial lines of credit, working capital loans, commercial real estate-backed loans (including loans secured by owner-occupied commercial properties), term loans, equipment financing, aircraft financing, real property acquisition and development loans, borrowing base loans, real estate construction loans, homebuilder loans, SBA loans, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans, letters of credit and other loan products to national and regional companies, real estate developers, mortgage lenders, manufacturing and industrial companies and other businesses.  The types of loans we make to consumers include residential real estate loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection and letters of credit.

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated:

Composition of Loan Portfolio

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Amount

Percent

Amount

Percent

Change

%

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial and industrial

$

587,884

22.4

%

$

601,782

23.4

%

$

(13,898

)

-2.3

%

Real estate loans:

Commercial real estate

1,041,358

39.8

%

1,106,871

43.0

%

(65,513

)

-5.9

%

Real estate construction

192,828

7.4

%

124,346

4.8

%

68,482

55.1

%

Residential real estate

510,092

19.5

%

446,060

17.3

%

64,032

14.4

%

Agricultural real estate

135,489

5.2

%

139,332

5.4

%

(3,843

)

-2.8

%

Total real estate loans

1,879,767

71.9

%

1,816,609

70.5

%

63,158

3.5

%

Consumer

71,753

2.7

%

62,894

2.4

%

8,859

14.1

%

Agricultural

79,582

3.0

%

94,123

3.7

%

(14,541

)

-15.4

%

Total loans held for investment

$

2,618,986

100.0

%

$

2,575,408

100.0

%

$

43,578

1.7

%

Total loans held for sale

$

2,140

100.0

%

$

2,972

100.0

%

$

(832

)

-28.0

%

Total loans held for investment (net of allowances)

$

2,592,646

100.0

%

$

2,563,954

100.0

%

$

28,692

1.1

%

Commercial and industrial :  Commercial and industrial loans include loans used to purchase fixed assets, provide working capital, or meet other financing needs of the business.

48


Commercial real estate :  Commercial real estate loans include all loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential properties and by multifamily residential properties, as well as 1-4 family investment-purpose real estate loans.

Real estate construction :  Real estate construction loans include loans made for the purpose of acquisition, development, or construction of real property, both commercial and consumer.

Residential real estate :  Residential real estate loans include loans secured by primary or secondary personal residences.

Agricultural real estate, Agricultural, Consumer and other :  Agricultural real estate loans are loans related to farmland.  Agricultural loans are primarily operating lines subject to annual farming revenues including productivity/yield of the agricultural commodities produced.  Consumer loans are generally secured by consumer assets, but may be unsecured.

The contractual maturity ranges of loans in our loan portfolio and the amount of such loans with predetermined interest rates and floating rates in each maturity range as of March 31, 2019 are summarized in the following table:

Loan Maturity and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

As of March 31, 2019

One year

or less

After one year

through five

years

After five

years

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial and industrial

$

220,278

$

222,408

$

145,198

$

587,884

Real Estate:

Commercial real estate

172,875

531,194

337,289

1,041,358

Real estate construction

62,188

99,887

30,753

192,828

Residential real estate

14,141

15,441

480,510

510,092

Agricultural real estate

49,134

47,486

38,869

135,489

Total real estate

298,338

694,008

887,421

1,879,767

Consumer

18,023

44,567

9,163

71,753

Agricultural

57,953

18,420

3,209

79,582

Total

$

594,592

$

979,403

$

1,044,991

$

2,618,986

Loans with a predetermined fixed interest rate

286,765

602,062

350,323

1,239,150

Loans with an adjustable/floating interest rate

307,827

377,341

694,668

1,379,836

Total

$

594,592

$

979,403

$

1,044,991

$

2,618,986

49


The contractual maturity ranges of loans in our loan portfolio and the amount of such loans with predetermined interest rates and floating rates in each maturity range as of December 31, 2018 are summarized in the following table:

Loan Maturity and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

As of December 31, 2018

One year

or less

After one year

through five

years

After five

years

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial and industrial

$

246,601

$

222,960

$

132,221

$

601,782

Real Estate:

Commercial real estate

171,544

590,101

345,226

1,106,871

Real estate construction

59,816

42,144

22,386

124,346

Residential real estate

13,232

14,888

417,940

446,060

Agricultural real estate

50,635

46,759

41,938

139,332

Total real estate

295,227

693,892

827,490

1,816,609

Consumer

10,879

42,570

9,445

62,894

Agricultural

71,003

19,583

3,537

94,123

Total

$

623,710

$

979,005

$

972,693

$

2,575,408

Loans with a predetermined fixed interest rate

327,086

629,327

340,452

1,296,865

Loans with an adjustable/floating interest rate

296,624

349,678

632,241

1,278,543

Total

$

623,710

$

979,005

$

972,693

$

2,575,408

Credit Quality Indicators

We categorize loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. Loans are analyzed individually and classified based on credit risk.  Consumer loans are considered pass credits unless downgraded due to payment status or reviewed as part of a larger credit relationship.  We use the following definitions for risk ratings:

Pass :  Loans classified as pass do not have any noted weaknesses and repayment of the loan is expected.  These loans are considered unclassified.

Special Mention :  Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of our credit position at some future date.  These loans are considered classified.

Substandard :  Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any.  Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  These loans are considered classified.

Doubtful :  Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.  These loans are considered classified.

50


The risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows as of March 31, 2019 .

Risk Category of Loans by Class

As of March 31, 2019

Unclassified

Classified

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial and industrial

$

539,817

$

48,067

$

587,884

Real estate:

Commercial real estate

1,026,434

14,924

1,041,358

Real estate construction

191,725

1,103

192,828

Residential real estate

493,900

16,192

510,092

Agricultural real estate

125,907

9,582

135,489

Total real estate

1,837,966

41,801

1,879,767

Consumer

70,941

812

71,753

Agricultural

75,168

4,414

79,582

Total

$

2,523,892

$

95,094

$

2,618,986

The risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows as of December 31, 2018.

Risk Category of Loans by Class

As of December 31, 2018

Unclassified

Classified

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Commercial and industrial

$

572,300

$

29,482

$

601,782

Real estate:

Commercial real estate

1,070,802

36,069

1,106,871

Real estate construction

123,438

908

124,346

Residential real estate

440,704

5,356

446,060

Agricultural real estate

129,285

10,047

139,332

Total real estate

1,764,229

52,380

1,816,609

Consumer

61,976

918

62,894

Agricultural

90,848

3,275

94,123

Total

$

2,489,353

$

86,055

$

2,575,408

At March 31, 2019, loans considered unclassified decreased to 96.4% of total loans, down from 96.7% of total loans at December 31, 2018.  Classified loans were $95.1 million at March 31, 2019, an increase of $9.0 million, or 10.5%, from $86.1 million at December 31, 2018.

51


Nonperforming Assets

The following table presents information regarding nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.

Nonperforming Assets

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

Nonaccrual loans

$

71,047

$

33,203

Accruing loans 90 or more days past due

18

Restructured loans-accruing

OREO acquired through foreclosure, net

6,382

6,372

Total nonperforming assets

$

77,429

$

39,593

Ratios:

Nonperforming assets to total assets

1.90

%

0.97

%

Nonperforming assets to total loans plus OREO

2.95

%

1.53

%

Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) include loans on nonaccrual status, accruing loans 90 or more days past due, restructured loans, and other real estate acquired through foreclosure.  Impaired loans do not include purchased loans that were identified upon acquisition as having experienced credit deterioration since origination (“purchased credit impaired loans” or “PCI loans”).  See the “Critical Accounting Policies” section for information regarding the review of loans for determining the allowance for loan loss and impairment.

Generally, loans are designated as nonaccrual when either principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due based on contractual terms, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due.  In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.  When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income is reversed against income.  Future interest income may be recorded on a cash basis after recovery of principal is reasonably assured.  Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

The nonperforming loans at March 31, 2019 consisted of 336 separate credits and 239 separate borrowers.  We had eleven non-performing loan relationships, totaling $52.1 million, with an outstanding balance in excess of $1.0 million as of March 31, 2019.  There was $507 thousand directly related to the KBC merger, $1.1 million directly related to the Adams merger and $4.2 million directly related to the City Bank acquisition.

There are several procedures in place to assist us in maintaining the overall quality of our loan portfolio.  We have established underwriting guidelines to be followed by lenders and also monitor delinquency levels for any negative or adverse trends.  In accordance with applicable regulation, appraisals or evaluations are required to independently value real estate and, as an important element, to consider when underwriting loans secured in part or in whole by real estate.  The value of real estate collateral provides additional support to the borrower’s credit capacity.  There can be no assurance, however, that our loan portfolio will not become subject to increasing pressures from deteriorating borrower credit due to general economic conditions.

Potential Problem Loans

Potential problem loans consist of loans that are performing in accordance with contractual terms, but for which management has concerns about the borrower’s ability to comply with repayment terms because of the borrower’s potential financial difficulties.  Potential problem loans are assigned a grade of special mention or substandard.  At March 31, 2019, the Company had $24.0 million in potential problem loans which were not included in either non-accrual or 90 days past due categories, compared to $52.9 million at December 31, 2018.

With respect to potential problem loans, all monitored and under-performing loans are reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are impaired.  If we determine that a loan is impaired, then we evaluate the borrower’s overall financial condition to determine the need, if any, for possible write downs or appropriate additions to the allowance for loan losses based on the unlikelihood of full repayment of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms or the net realizable value of the pledged collateral.

The Company also monitors the aging of loans less than 90 days past due as reported in “NOTE 3 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.  There were $5.3

52


million loans 30-59 days past due and $2.0 million loans 60-89 days past due at March 31, 2019, compared to $3.3 million loans 30-59 days past due and $5.1 million loans 60-89 days past due at December 31, 2018.

Allowance for loan losses

Please see “Critical Accounting Policies – Allowance for Loan Losses” for additional discussion of our allowance policy.

In connection with our review of the loan portfolio, risk elements attributable to particular loan types or categories are considered when assessing the quality of individual loans.  Some of the risk elements include:

Commercial and industrial loans are dependent on the strength of the industries of the related borrowers and the success of their businesses.  Commercial and industrial loans are advanced for equipment purchases, to provide working capital, or to meet other financing needs of the business.  These loans may be secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment, or other business assets.  Financial information is obtained from the borrower to evaluate the debt service coverage and ability to repay the loans.

Commercial real estate loans are dependent on the industries tied to these loans as well as the local commercial real estate market.  The loans are secured by the real estate, and appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount.  An evaluation of the project’s cash flows is performed to evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay the loan at the time of origination and periodically updated during the life of the loan.  Residential real estate loans are affected by the local residential real estate market, the local economy, and movement in interest rates.  We evaluate the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit reports and debt to income ratios.  Appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount.

Agricultural real estate loans are real estate loans related to farmland, and are affected by the value of farmland.  We evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay based on cash flows from farming operations.

Consumer loans are dependent on the local economy.  Consumer loans are generally secured by consumer assets, but may be unsecured.  We evaluate the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit scores and an evaluation of debt to income ratios.

Agricultural loans are primarily operating lines subject to annual farming revenues including productivity/yield of the agricultural commodities produced and the market pricing at the time of sale.

Purchased credit impaired loans : Please see “Critical Accounting Policies – Allowance for Loan Losses” for additional discussion of our purchased credit impaired loans policy.  For additional information about our purchased credit impaired loans see “NOTE E – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Analysis of allowance for loan losses :  At March 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses totaled $26.3 million, or 1.01% of total loans.  At December 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses aggregated $11.5 million, or 0.44% of total loans.

The allowance for loan losses on loans collectively evaluated for impairment totaled $9.6 million, or 0.38%, of the $2.53 billion in loans collectively evaluated for impairment at March 31, 2019, compared to an allowance for loan losses of $9.6 million, or 0.38% of the $2.51 billion in loans collectively evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2018.  The increases in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans and of loans collectively evaluated for impairment principally reflect management’s evaluation of current environmental conditions and changes in the composition and quality of our loan portfolio.  Also considered by management in evaluating the allowance for loan losses are applied loss factors which are based in part on historical loss experience.

Annualized net losses as a percentage of average loans increased to 0.12% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to 0.07% for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

53


The following table presents, as of and for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data.

Allowance for Loan Losses

As of and for the Three Months

Ended March 31,

2019

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

Average loans outstanding

$

2,560,030

$

2,122,973

Gross loans outstanding at end of period (1)

$

2,618,986

$

2,134,596

Allowance for loan losses at beginning of

the period

$

11,454

$

8,498

Provision for loan losses

15,646

1,170

Charge-offs:

Commercial and industrial

(494

)

(9

)

Real estate:

Commercial real estate

(26

)

(29

)

Real estate construction

Residential real estate

(114

)

(123

)

Agricultural real estate

(6

)

Consumer

(292

)

(306

)

Agricultural

(6

)

(39

)

Total charge-offs

(938

)

(506

)

Recoveries:

Commercial and industrial

48

1

Real estate:

Commercial real estate

2

8

Real estate construction

24

Residential real estate

10

13

Agricultural real estate

3

Consumer

94

128

Agricultural

1

Total recoveries

178

154

Net recoveries (charge-offs)

(760

)

(352

)

Allowance for loan losses at end of the

period

$

26,340

$

9,316

Ratio of allowance to period-end loans

1.01

%

0.44

%

Annualized ratio of net charge-offs

(recoveries) to average loans

0.12

%

0.07

%

(1)

Excluding loans held for sale.

54


The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among our loan categories and certain other information as of the dates indicated.  The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any loan category.

Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Amount

% of

Total

Allowance

Amount

% of

Total

Allowance

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance of allowance for loan losses applicable to:

Commercial and industrial

$

16,056

61.0

%

$

2,707

23.6

%

Real estate:

Commercial real estate

3,742

14.2

%

3,108

27.1

%

Real estate construction

786

3.0

%

1,554

13.6

%

Residential real estate

3,617

13.7

%

2,320

20.3

%

Agricultural real estate

494

1.9

%

391

3.4

%

Consumer

1,347

5.1

%

1,070

9.3

%

Agricultural

298

1.1

%

304

2.7

%

Total allowance for loan losses

$

26,340

100.0

%

$

11,454

100.0

%

We disclosed in our 10-K filed March 20, 2019, that the Company has a credit relationship with two related borrowers totaling $28.3 million at December 31, 2018, with potential problems, which consists of several loans to two related borrowers, whose principal businesses operate as franchisors.  In the first quarter of 2019, the borrowing entities filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection based on their overall obligations in excess of their willingness to invest more capital.  The loans were current at December 31, 2018.  The Company believed that all principal and interest due as of December 31, 2018, would ultimately be repaid, primarily based on the value of the entities at sale.  One borrowing entity showed negative cash flow and the Company believed the other entity generated enough adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to support the obligations of the overall relationship.  As such, the Company did not record any specific impairment on the credit relationship and believed that all principal and accrued interest at December 31, 2018, would be repaid.  The relationship was placed on nonaccrual status in the first quarter of 2019.

In April 2019, the Company received new information on the relationship which we believe necessitated an allowance for loan loss against the relationship of $14.5 million.  This new information included data that the expected sale proceeds of one of the entities was significantly less than previously anticipated.  The Company also received new and current financial information on the other entity which, included but was not limited to potential sales values, indicated that the potential sale value from such borrowing entity was less than expected as of December 31, 2018.

In addition, the Company has loans totaling $10.1 million, at March 31, 2019, against personal assets of the two principals of the companies noted above.  These loans are secured by residential real estate.

The Chapter 11 bankruptcy is ongoing and the focus has turned to the larger of the two franchisors and its related credit.  The Company has estimated the allowance for loan loss based on information available to us at the date of filing.  Actual values realized in a future disposition may be different than the value estimated by the Company at the date of filing, for example, the length of time the company is in operations while in bankruptcy.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2019 was adequate to cover probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio as of such date.  There can be no assurance, however, that we will not sustain losses in future periods, which could be substantial in relation to the size of the allowance at March 31, 2019.

Securities

We use our securities portfolio to provide a source of liquidity, to provide an appropriate return on funds invested, to manage interest rate risk, to meet pledging requirements and to meet regulatory capital requirements.  At March 31, 2019, the carrying amount of investment securities totaled $915.8 million, a decrease of $1.4 million compared with December 31, 2018.  At March 31, 2019, securities represented 22.5% of total assets compared with 22.6% at December 31, 2018.

55


At the date of purchase, debt securities are classified into one of two categories, held-to-maturity or available-for-sale.  We do not purchase securities for trading purposes.  At each reporting date, the appropriateness of the classification is reassessed. Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts, in the financial statements only if m anagement has the positive intent and ability to hold those securities to maturity.  Debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and measured at fair value in the financial statements with unrealized gains and lo sses reported, net of tax, as accumulated comprehensive income or loss until realized. Interest earned on securities is included in total interest and dividend income.  Also included in total interest and dividend income are dividends received on stock inv estments in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the FHLB of Topeka.  These stock investments are stated at cost.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value by classification of available-for-sale securities as of the dates shown.

Available-For-Sale Securities

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

(Dollars in thousands)

Residential mortgage-backed securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

168,463

$

166,355

$

173,503

$

168,875

Total available-for-sale securities

$

168,463

$

166,355

$

173,503

$

168,875

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value by classification of held-to-maturity securities as of the dates shown.

Held-To-Maturity Securities

March 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

Amortized

Cost

Fair

Value

(Dollars in thousands)

U.S. government-sponsored entities

$

3,879

$

3,880

$

3,873

$

3,860

Residential mortgage-backed securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

569,683

570,339

567,766

560,467

Corporate

22,993

23,176

22,993

22,901

Small Business Administration loan pools

1,584

1,577

1,746

1,728

State and political subdivisions

151,354

153,235

151,978

151,033

Total held-to-maturity securities

$

749,493

$

752,207

$

748,356

$

739,989

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we did not own securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government and its agencies or sponsored entities) for which aggregate adjusted cost exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity at the reporting dates noted.

56


The following tables summarize the contractual maturity of debt securities and their weighted average yields as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately.  Available-for-sale securities are shown at fair value and held-to-maturity securities are shown at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts.

March 31, 2019

Due in one year

or less

Due after one

year through

five years

Due after five

years through

10 years

Due after 10

years

Total

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

(Dollars in thousands)

Available-for-sale securities:

Residential mortgage-backed

securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

$

—%

$

8

3.50

%

$

85

2.50

%

$

166,262

2.65

%

$

166,355

2.65

%

Total available-for-sale securities

$

—%

$

8

3.50

%

$

85

2.50

%

$

166,262

2.65

%

$

166,355

2.65

%

Held-to-maturity securities:

U.S. government-sponsored

entities

$

1,890

2.43

%

$

1,989

2.21

%

$

—%

$

—%

$

3,879

2.32

%

Residential mortgage-backed

securities (issued by

government-sponsored entities)

1,383

2.24

%

3,201

2.57

%

75,038

2.94

%

490,061

2.90

%

569,683

2.90

%

Corporate

—%

5,149

2.74

%

17,844

5.30

%

—%

22,993

4.73

%

Small Business Administration

loan pools

—%

—%

—%

1,584

2.73

%

1,584

2.73

%

State and political subdivisions (1)

6,545

5.85

%

30,651

2.69

%

35,308

2.90

%

78,850

3.13

%

151,354

3.10

%

Total held-to-maturity securities

$

9,818

4.69

%

$

40,990

2.66

%

$

128,190

3.26

%

$

570,495

2.93

%

$

749,493

3.00

%

Total debt securities

$

9,818

4.69

%

$

40,998

2.66

%

$

128,275

3.26

%

$

736,757

2.87

%

$

915,848

2.93

%

(1)

The calculated yield is not presented on a tax equivalent basis.

57


December 31, 2018

Due in one year

or less

Due after one

year through

five years

Due after five

years through

10 years

Due after 10

years

Total

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

Carrying

Value

Yield

(Dollars in thousands)

Available-for-sale securities:

Residential mortgage-

backed securities

(issued by government-

sponsored entities)

$

—%

$

10

3.14

%

$

98

2.38

%

$

168,767

3.04

%

$

168,875

3.04

%

Total available-for-sale securities

$

—%

$

10

3.14

%

$

98

2.38

%

$

168,767

3.04

%

$

168,875

3.04

%

Held-to-maturity securities:

U.S. government-

sponsored entities

$

1,886

2.43

%

$

1,987

2.21

%

$

—%

$

—%

$

3,873

2.32

%

Residential mortgage-

backed securities

(issued by government-

sponsored entities)

1,373

2.23

%

8,280

2.76

%

72,060

2.83

%

486,053

3.10

%

567,766

3.05

%

Corporate

—%

5,166

2.74

%

17,827

5.21

%

—%

22,993

4.66

%

Small Business

Administration loan pools

—%

—%

—%

1,746

2.61

%

1,746

2.61

%

State and political subdivisions (1)

4,540

4.06

%

29,259

2.72

%

36,378

3.04

%

81,801

3.31

%

151,978

3.15

%

Total held-to-maturity securities

$

7,799

3.34

%

$

44,692

2.71

%

$

126,265

3.23

%

$

569,600

3.12

%

$

748,356

3.12

%

Total debt securities

$

7,799

3.34

%

$

44,702

2.71

%

$

126,363

3.23

%

$

738,367

3.10

%

$

917,231

3.10

%

(2)

The calculated yield is not presented on a tax equivalent basis.

Mortgage-backed securities are securities that have been developed by pooling a number of real estate mortgages and which are principally issued by federal agencies such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Unlike U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities, which have a lump sum payment at maturity, mortgage-backed securities provide cash flows from regular principal and interest payments and principal prepayments throughout the lives of the securities.  Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities are amortized and accreted over the expected life of the security and may be impacted by prepayments.  As such, mortgage-backed securities which are purchased at a premium will generally produce decreasing net yields as interest rates drop because home owners tend to refinance their mortgages resulting in prepayments and an acceleration of premium amortization.  Securities purchased at a discount will reflect higher net yields in a decreasing interest rate environment as prepayments result in an acceleration of discount accretion.

The contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities is not a reliable indicator of their expected lives because borrowers have the right to prepay their obligations at any time.  Monthly pay downs on mortgage-backed securities cause the average lives of these securities to be much different than their stated lives.  At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 89.2% and 88.9% of the mortgage-backed securities held by us had contractual final maturities of more than ten years with a weighted average life of 4.8 years and 5.0 years and a modified duration of 4.2 years and 4.4 years.

Deposits

Our lending and investing activities are primarily funded by deposits.  A variety of deposit accounts are offered with a wide range of interest rates and terms including demand, savings, money market and time deposits.  We rely primarily on competitive pricing policies, convenient locations, comprehensive marketing strategy and personalized service to attract and retain these deposits.

58


The following table shows our composition of deposits at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Composition of Deposits

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Amount

Percent

of Total

Amount

Percent

of Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Non-interest-bearing demand

$

483,107

14.8

%

$

503,831

16.1

%

Interest-bearing demand

702,522

21.6

%

671,320

21.5

%

Savings and money market

1,034,481

31.7

%

940,390

30.1

%

Time

1,040,760

31.9

%

1,007,906

32.3

%

Total deposits

$

3,260,870

100.0

%

$

3,123,447

100.0

%

The following table shows deposits assumed in our 2019 acquisition, as of the time of such acquisition.

MidFirst Acquisition

Amount

Percent

of Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Non-interest-bearing demand

$

12,662

12.9

%

Interest-bearing demand

11,538

11.7

%

Savings and money market

24,269

24.6

%

Time

50,074

50.8

%

Total deposits

$

98,543

100.0

%

Total deposits at March 31, 2019 were $3.26 billion, an increase of $137.4 million, or 4.4%, compared to total deposits of $3.12 billion at December 31, 2018.

Included in the savings and money market deposits are brokered deposit balances of $20.2 million as of March 31, 2019 and $21.0 million as of December 31, 2018.  These balances represent customer funds placed in the Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) service that allows Equity Bank to break large money market deposits into smaller amounts and place them in a network of other ICS banks to ensure FDIC insurance coverage on the entire deposit.  Although classified as brokered deposits for regulatory purposes, funds placed through the ICS service are Equity Bank’s customer relationships that management views as core funding.  Brokered certificates of deposit as of March 31, 2019 were $74.3 million and $131.1 million at December 31, 2018.  Of these balances, $19.4 million at March 31, 2019 and $20.9 million at December 31, 2018 were reciprocal customer funds placed in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) program.  CDARS allows Equity Bank to break large time deposits into smaller amounts and place them in a network of other CDARS banks to ensure FDIC insurance coverage on the entire deposit.  Reciprocal deposits are not considered brokered deposits as long as the aggregate balance is less than the lesser of 20% of total liabilities or $5.0 billion and Equity Bank is well capitalized and well rated.  All non-reciprocal deposits and reciprocal deposits in excess of regulatory limits are considered brokered deposits.

The following table provides information on the maturity distribution of time deposits of $100 thousand or more as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

Change

%

(Dollars in thousands)

3 months or less

$

178,238

$

157,033

$

21,205

13.5

%

Over 3 through 6 months

108,612

160,259

(51,647

)

-32.2

%

Over 6 through 12 months

196,231

183,862

12,369

6.7

%

Over 12 months

238,252

204,991

33,261

16.2

%

Total Time Deposits

$

721,333

$

706,145

$

15,188

2.2

%

59


Other Borrowed Funds

We utilize borrowings to supplement deposits to fund our lending and investing activities.  Short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings include federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, a bank stock loan, and subordinated debentures.

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements :  We have available federal funds lines of credit with our correspondent banks.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, there were no federal funds purchased outstanding.  Retail repurchase agreements outstanding represent the purchase of interests in securities by banking customers.  Retail repurchase agreements are stated at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction.  We do not account for any of our repurchase agreements as sales for accounting purposes in our financial statements.  Repurchase agreements with banking customers are settled on the following business day.  For additional information see “NOTE 6 – BORROWINGS” in the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

FHLB advances :  FHLB advances include both draws against our line of credit and fixed rate term advances.  Each term advance is payable in full at its maturity date and contains provision for prepayment penalties.  Our FHLB borrowings are used for operational liquidity needs for originating and purchasing loans, purchasing investments and general operating cash requirements.  For additional information see “NOTE 6 – BORROWINGS” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

Bank stock loan :  The Company maintains a borrowing facility through an unaffiliated financial institution.  The terms of the loan require us and Equity Bank to maintain minimum capital ratios and other covenants.  The loan and accrued interest may be prepaid at any time without penalty.  In the event of a default, the lender has the option to declare all outstanding balances as immediately due.  For additional information see “Note 6 – BORROWINGS” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.  We are in compliance with the terms of the borrowing facility.

Subordinated debentures :  In conjunction with the 2012 acquisition of First Community Bancshares, Inc., we assumed certain subordinated debentures owed to special purpose unconsolidated subsidiaries that are controlled by us, FCB Capital Trust II (“CTII”) and FCB Capital Trust III (“CTIII”).  The trust preferred securities issued by CTII accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 2.00% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on April 15, 2035 or upon earlier redemption.  The trust preferred securities issued by CTIII accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 1.89% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities.  These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on June 15, 2037 or upon earlier redemption.

In conjunction with the 2016 acquisition of Community First Bancshares, Inc., we assumed certain subordinated debentures owed to a special purpose unconsolidated subsidiary that is controlled by us, Community First (AR) Statutory Trust I, (“CFSTI”).  The trust preferred securities issued by CFSTI accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 3.25% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust preferred securities.  These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on December 26, 2032, or upon earlier redemption.

The subordinated debentures balance, including CTII, CTIII and CFSTI, was $14.3 million at March 31, 2019 and $14.3 million at December 31, 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Market and public confidence in our financial strength and financial institutions in general will largely determine access to appropriate levels of liquidity.  This confidence is significantly dependent on our ability to maintain sound asset quality and appropriate levels of capital reserves.

Liquidity is defined as the ability to meet anticipated customer demands for future funds under credit commitments and deposit withdrawals at a reasonable cost and on a timely basis.  We measure our liquidity position by giving consideration to both on- and off-balance sheet sources of and demands for funds on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.

60


Liquidity risk involves the risk of being unable to fund assets with the appropriate duration and rate-based liabilities, as well as the risk of not being able to meet unexpected cash needs.  Liquidity planning and mana gement are necessary to ensure the ability to fund operations in a cost-effective manner and to meet current and future potential obligations such as loan commitments, lease obligations, and unexpected deposit outflows.  In this process, we focus on both a ssets and liabilities and on the manner in which they combine to provide adequate liquidity to meet our needs.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 our liquidity needs have primarily been met by core deposits, security and loan maturities and amortizing investment and loan portfolios.  Other funding sources include federal funds purchased, brokered certificates of deposit, and borrowings from the FHLB.

Our largest sources of funds are deposits and FHLB borrowings and largest uses of funds are loans and securities.  Average loans were $2.56 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of 7.2% over December 31, 2018 average balance.  Excess deposits are primarily invested in our interest-bearing deposit account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, investment securities, federal funds sold or other short-term liquid investments until the funds are needed to fund loan growth.  Our securities portfolio has a weighted average life of 4.9 years and a modified duration of 4.3 years at March 31, 2019.

Cash and cash equivalents were $167.5 million at March 31, 2019, a decrease of $25.4 million from the $192.8 million cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018.  The decrease in cash and cash equivalents is driven primarily by $94.6 million in net cash used in financing activities somewhat offset by $56.4 million of net cash provided by investing activities combined with $12.8 million net cash from operating activities.  Cash and cash equivalents at January 1, 2019 plus liquidity provided by operating activities, pay downs, sales and maturities of investment securities and FHLB borrowings during the first three months of 2019 were used to originate or purchase loans and to purchase investment securities.  We believe that our daily funding needs can be met through cash provided by operating activities, payments and maturities on loans and investment securities, our core deposit base and FHLB advances and other borrowing relationships.

Off-Balance Sheet Items

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets.  We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers.  These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.  Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments.  The same credit policies and procedures are used in making these commitments as for on-balance sheet instruments.

Our commitments associated with outstanding standby and performance letters of credit and commitments to extend credit expiring by period as of March 31, 2019 are summarized below.  Since commitments associated with letters of credit and commitments to extend credit may expire unused, the amounts shown do not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements.

Credit Extensions Commitments

As of March 31, 2019

1 Year

or Less

More Than

1 Year but

Less Than

3 Years

3 Years or

More but

Less Than

5 Years

5 Years

or More

Total

(Dollars in thousands)

Standby and performance letters of credit

$

5,494

$

1,087

$

226

$

$

6,807

Commitments to extend credit

250,568

77,341

38,675

119,335

485,919

Total

$

256,062

$

78,428

$

38,901

$

119,335

$

492,726

Standby and Performance Letters of Credit :  Standby letters of credit are irrevocable commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party once specified pre-conditions are met.  Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions.  Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations.  The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

61


Commitments to Extend Credit :  Commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any co ndition established in the contract.  Commitments and lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since a portion of the commitments and lines of credit may expire without being draw n upon, the total commitment and lines of credit amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on man agement’s credit evaluation of the counterparty.  Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate, and residential real estate.  Mortgage loans in the process of origination repr esent amounts that we plan to fund within a normal period of 60 to 90 days, and which are intended for sale to investors in the secondary market.

Capital Resources

Capital management consists of providing equity to support our current and future operations.  The federal bank regulators view capital levels as important indicators of an institution’s financial soundness.  As a general matter, FDIC-insured depository institutions and their holding companies are required to maintain minimum capital relative to the amount and types of assets they hold.  As a bank holding company and a state-chartered-Fed-member bank, the Company and Equity Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements.

Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators.  Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. Management believes as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company and Equity Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition.  If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits.  If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as are asset growth and acquisitions, and capital restoration plans are required.

Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject the institution to a variety of enforcement remedies by federal bank regulatory agencies, including termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, restrictions on certain business activities and appointment of the FDIC as conservator or receiver.  As of March 31, 2019, the most recent notifications from the federal regulatory agencies categorized Equity Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, Equity Bank must maintain minimum total capital, Tier 1 capital, Common Equity Tier 1 capital, and Tier 1 leverage ratios.  For additional information see “NOTE 8 – REGULATORY MATTERS” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed Equity Bank’s category.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We identify certain financial measures discussed in this Quarterly Report as being “non-GAAP financial measures.”  In accordance with the SEC’s rules, we classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheet or statements of cash flows.  Non-GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures or ratios or statistical measures calculated using exclusively either financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, operating measures or other measures that are not non-GAAP financial measures or both.

The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Quarterly Report should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Moreover, the manner in which we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Quarterly Report may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.  You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures similar or with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this Quarterly Report when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share and Tangible Book Value Per Diluted Common Share :  Tangible book value is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions.  We calculate: (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of amortization); (b) tangible book value per common share as tangible common equity

62


(as described in clause (a)) divided by shares of common stock ou tstanding; and tangible book value per diluted common share as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by diluted shares of common stock outstanding.  For tangible book value, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is book value.

Management believes that these measures are important to many investors who are interested in changes from period to period in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets.  Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing our tangible book value.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, and tangible book value per diluted common share and compares these values with book value per common share.

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

September 30,

2018

June 30,

2018

March 31,

2018

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Total stockholders’ equity

$

453,463

$

455,941

$

443,237

$

433,282

$

381,487

Less: goodwill

136,432

131,712

131,723

125,485

103,412

Less: core deposit intangibles, net

22,296

21,725

22,466

19,800

10,355

Less: mortgage servicing asset, net

10

11

13

14

16

Less: naming rights, net

1,206

1,217

1,228

1,239

1,249

Tangible common equity

$

293,519

$

301,276

$

287,807

$

286,744

$

266,455

Common shares issued at period end

15,820,303

15,793,095

15,792,695

15,780,777

14,609,414

RSU shares vested

108

6,768

11,844

Common shares outstanding at period end

15,820,411

15,793,095

15,792,695

15,787,545

14,621,258

Diluted common shares outstanding at period end

16,036,700

16,085,729

16,118,067

16,131,096

14,923,798

Book value per common share

$

28.66

$

28.87

$

28.07

$

27.44

$

26.09

Tangible book value per common share

$

18.55

$

19.08

$

18.22

$

18.16

$

18.22

Tangible book value per diluted common share

$

18.30

$

18.73

$

17.86

$

17.78

$

17.85

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets :  Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions.  We calculate: (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); (b) tangible assets as total assets less goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); and (c) tangible common equity to tangible assets as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by tangible assets (as described in clause (b)).  For tangible common equity to tangible assets, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is total stockholders’ equity to total assets.

Management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets.  Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing both total stockholders’ equity and total assets while not increasing tangible common equity or tangible assets.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets.

63


March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

September 30,

2018

June 30,

2018

March 31,

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

Total stockholders’ equity

$

453,463

$

455,941

$

443,237

$

433,282

$

381,487

Less: goodwill

136,432

131,712

131,723

125,485

103,412

Less: core deposit intangibles, net

22,296

21,725

22,466

19,800

10,355

Less: mortgage servicing asset, net

10

11

13

14

16

Less: naming rights, net

1,206

1,217

1,228

1,239

1,249

Tangible common equity

$

293,519

$

301,276

$

287,807

$

286,744

$

266,455

Total assets

$

4,065,354

$

4,061,716

$

3,931,036

$

3,712,185

$

3,176,062

Less: goodwill

136,432

131,712

131,723

125,485

103,412

Less: core deposit intangibles, net

22,296

21,725

22,466

19,800

10,355

Less: mortgage servicing asset, net

10

11

13

14

16

Less: naming rights, net

1,206

1,217

1,228

1,239

1,249

Tangible assets

$

3,905,410

$

3,907,051

$

3,775,606

$

3,565,647

$

3,061,030

Equity to assets

11.15

%

11.23

%

11.28

%

11.67

%

12.01

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

7.52

%

7.71

%

7.62

%

8.04

%

8.70

%

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity :  Return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions.  We calculate: (a) average tangible common equity as total average stockholders’ equity less average goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); (b) adjusted net income allocable to common stockholders as net income allocable to common stockholders plus intangible asset amortization less tax effect on intangible assets amortization; and (c) return on average tangible common equity as annualized adjusted net income allocable to common stockholders (as described in clause (b)) divided by average tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)).  For return on average tangible common equity, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is return on average equity.

Management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in earnings quality on tangible common equity.  Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total stockholders’ equity while not increasing tangible common equity.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, return on average stockholders’ equity and return on average tangible common equity.

As of and for the three months ended

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

September 30,

2018

June 30,

2018

March 31,

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

Total average stockholders’ equity

$

459,713

$

449,450

$

439,771

$

413,474

$

377,895

Less: average intangible assets

157,315

154,944

150,256

134,146

116,634

Average tangible common equity

$

302,398

$

294,506

$

289,515

$

279,328

$

261,261

Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders

$

(4,073

)

$

9,925

$

10,322

$

6,867

$

8,711

Amortization of intangible assets

791

752

707

637

396

Less: tax effect of intangible assets amortization

166

158

148

134

83

Adjusted net income (loss) allocable to common

stockholders

$

(3,448

)

$

10,519

$

10,881

$

7,370

$

9,024

Return on total average stockholders’ equity

(ROAE) annualized

(3.59

)%

8.76

%

9.31

%

6.66

%

9.35

%

Return on average tangible common equity

(ROATCE) annualized

(4.62

)%

14.17

%

14.91

%

10.58

%

14.01

%

Efficiency Ratio :  The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions.  We calculate the efficiency ratio by dividing non-interest expense, excluding merger expenses and loss on debt extinguishment, by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding net gain from securities transactions and

64


net gain on acquisition.  The GAAP-based efficiency ratio is non-interest expenses divided by net interest income plus non-interest income.

In management’s judgment, the adjustments made to non-interest expense and non-interest income allow investors and analysts to better assess operating expenses in relation to operating revenue by removing merger expenses and net gain (loss) from securities transactions.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, the efficiency ratio to the GAAP-based efficiency ratio.

Three months ended

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

September 30,

2018

June 30,

2018

March 31,

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

Non-interest expense

$

25,543

$

25,138

$

23,647

$

25,975

$

19,627

Less: merger expenses

639

938

757

5,236

531

Non-interest expense, excluding merger expenses

$

24,904

$

24,200

$

22,890

$

20,739

$

19,096

Net interest income

$

30,639

$

33,336

$

32,755

$

30,920

$

27,787

Non-interest income

$

5,324

$

5,449

$

5,433

$

4,592

$

4,251

Less: net gain (loss) from securities transactions

6

5

(4

)

(2

)

(8

)

Non-interest income, excluding net gain (loss) from

securities transactions

$

5,318

$

5,444

$

5,437

$

4,594

$

4,259

Net interest income plus non-interest income,

excluding net gain (loss) from securities transactions

$

35,957

$

38,780

$

38,192

$

35,514

$

32,046

Non-interest expense to net interest income

plus non-interest income

71.03

%

64.81

%

61.92

%

73.14

%

61.26

%

Efficiency Ratio

69.26

%

62.40

%

59.93

%

58.40

%

59.59

%

Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our asset-liability policy provides guidelines to management for effective funds management, and management has established a measurement system for monitoring net interest rate sensitivity position within established guidelines.

As a financial institution, the primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility.  Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short-term held-to-maturity.  Interest rate risk is the potential of economic gains or losses due to future interest rate changes.  These changes can be reflected in future net interest income and/or fair market values.  The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income (“NII”) and economic value of equity (“EVE”) and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk, while at the same time maximizing income.

We manage exposure to interest rates by structuring the balance sheet in the ordinary course of business.  We have the ability to enter into instruments such as leveraged derivatives, interest rate swaps, financial options, financial future contracts or forward delivery contracts for the purpose of reducing interest rate risk; however, currently we do not have a material exposure to these instruments.  We also have the ability to enter into interest rate swaps as an accommodation to our customers in connection with an interest rate swap program.  Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk. We do not own any trading assets.

Our exposure to interest rate risk is managed by the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which is composed of certain members of senior management, in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Directors.  The ALCO formulates strategies based on appropriate levels of interest rate risk.  In determining the appropriate level of interest rate risk, the ALCO considers the impact on earnings and capital of the current outlook on interest rates, potential changes in interest rates, regional economies, liquidity, business strategies and other factors.  The ALCO meets monthly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, securities purchase and sale activities, commitments to originate loans and the maturities of investment securities and borrowings.  Additionally, the ALCO reviews liquidity, projected cash flows, maturities of deposits and consumer and commercial deposit activity.

65


ALCO uses a simulation analysis to monitor and manage the pricing and maturity of assets and liabilities in order to diminish the potential adverse impact that changes in interest rates could have on net interest income.  The simulation tests the sensitivity of NII and EVE. Contractual maturities and repricing opportunities of loans are incorporated in the simulation model as are prepayment assumption s, maturity data and call options within the investment securities portfolio.  Assumptions based on past experience are incorporated into the model for non-maturity deposit accounts.  The assumptions used are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the mode l cannot precisely measure the future NII and EVE.  Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of vari ous management strategies.

The change in the impact of net interest income from the base case for March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, was primarily driven by the rate and mix of variable and fixed rate financial instruments, the underlying duration of the financial instruments, and the level of response to changes in the interest rate environment.  The increase in the level of negative impact to net interest income in the up interest rate shock scenarios is due to the assumed migration of non-term deposit liabilities to higher rate term deposits; the level of fixed rate investments and loans receivable that will not reprice to higher rates; the variable rate Federal Home Loan Bank advances; the variable rate subordinated debentures and the non-term deposits that are assumed not to migrate to term deposits that are variable rate and will reprice to the higher rates; and a portion of our portfolio of variable rate loans contain restrictions on the amount of repricing and frequency of repricing that limit the amount of repricing to the current higher rates.  These factors result in the negative impacts to net interest income in the up interest rate shock scenarios that are detailed in the table below. In the down interest rate shock scenario the main drivers of the negative impact on net interest income are the decrease in investment income due to the negative convexity features of the fixed rate mortgage backed securities; assumed prepayment of existing fixed rate loans receivable; the downward pricing of variable rate loans receivable; the constraint of the shock on non-term deposits; and the level of term deposit repricing.  Our mortgage backed security portfolio is comprised of fixed rate investments and as rates decrease, the level of prepayments are assumed to increase and cause the current higher rate investments to prepay and the assumed reinvestment will be at lower interest rates.  Similar to our mortgage backed securities, the model assumes that our fixed rate loans receivable will prepay at a faster rate and reinvestment will occur at lower rates.  The level of downward shock on the non-term deposits is constrained to limit the downward shock to a non-zero rate which results in a minimal reduction in the average rate paid.  Term deposits repricing will only decrease the average cost paid by a minimal amount due to the assumed repricing occurring at maturity.  These factors result in the negative impact to net interest income in the down interest rate shock scenario.

The change in the EVE from the base case for March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is due to us being in a liability sensitive position and the level of convexity in our pre-payable assets.  Generally, with a liability sensitive position, as interest rates increase, the value of your assets decrease faster than the value of liabilities and as interest rates decrease, the value of your assets increase at a faster rate than liabilities.  However, due to the level of convexity in our fixed rate pre-payable assets, we do not experience a similar change in the value of assets in a down interest rate shock scenario.  Substantially all investments and approximately 50.4% of loans are pre-payable and fixed rate and as rates decrease, the level of modeled prepayments increase.  The prepaid principal is assumed to reprice at the assumed current rates, resulting in a smaller positive impact to the EVE.

Management utilizes static balance sheet rate shocks to estimate the potential impact on various rate scenarios.  This analysis estimates a percentage of change in the metric from the stable rate base scenario versus alternative scenarios of rising and falling market interest rates by instantaneously shocking a static balance sheet.  The following table summarizes the simulated immediate change in net interest income for twelve months as of the dates indicated.

Market Risk

Impact on Net Interest Income

Change in prevailing interest rates

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

+300 basis points

(12.4

)%

(13.0

)%

+200 basis points

(7.5

)%

(8.0

)%

+100 basis points

(3.3

)%

(3.8

)%

0 basis points

-100 basis points

1.1

%

2.0

%

66


The following table summarizes the simulated immediate impact on economic value of equity as of the dates indicated.

Impact on Economic Value

of Equity

Change in prevailing interest rates

March 31,

2019

December 31,

2018

+300 basis points

(15.2

)%

(16.2

)%

+200 basis points

(7.3

)%

(8.2

)%

+100 basis points

(2.0

)%

(2.5

)%

0 basis points

-100 basis points

(2.7

)%

0.3

%

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and management was required to apply judgement in evaluating its controls and procedures.  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

67


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1:  Legal Proceedings

From time to time we are a party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of our business.  See “NOTE 11 – LEGAL MATTERS” of the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 to this Quarterly report for a complete discussion of litigation matters.

Item 1A:  Risk Factors

There has been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 20, 2019.

Item 2:  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities

None

Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3:  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4:  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5:  Other Information

None

Item 6: Exhibits

Exhibit

No.

Description

10.1

Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, by and between Equity Bancshares, Inc. and ServisFirst Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Equity Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 14, 2019).

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

68


101.LAB*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

*

Filed herewith.

**

These exhibits are furnished herewith and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

69


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Equity Bancshares, Inc.

May 15, 2019

By:

/s/ Brad S. Elliott

Date

Brad S. Elliott

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

May 15, 2019

By:

/s/ Gregory H. Kossover

Date

Gregory H. Kossover

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

70

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part IItem 1: Financial StatementsNote 1 Basis Of PresentationNote 2 SecuritiesNote 3 Loans and Allowance For Loan LossesNote 3 Loans and Allowance ForNote 4 Derivative Financial InstrumentsNote 5 Lease ObligationsNote 6 BorrowingsNote 7 Stockholders EquityNote 8 Regulatory MattersNote 9 Earnings (loss) Per ShareNote 10 Fair ValueNote 11 Commitments and Credit RiskNote 12 Legal MattersNote 13 Revenue RecognitionNote 14 Business CombinationsItem 2: Management S Discussion and Analysis Of Financial Condition and Results Of OperationsItem 2: Management S Discussion and Analysis OfItem 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market RiskItem 4: Controls and ProceduresPart II Other InformationPart II OtherItem 1: Legal ProceedingsItem 1A: Risk FactorsItem 2: Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of ProceedsItem 3: Defaults Upon Senior SecuritiesItem 4: Mine Safety DisclosuresItem 5: Other InformationItem 6: Exhibits

Exhibits

10.1 Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, by and between Equity Bancshares, Inc. and ServisFirst Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Equity Bancshares, Inc.s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 14, 2019). 31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.1** Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 32.2** Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.