WTBA 10-Q Quarterly Report Sept. 30, 2013 | Alphaminr
WEST BANCORPORATION INC

WTBA 10-Q Quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013

WEST BANCORPORATION INC
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10-Q 1 wtba-20130930x10q.htm 10-Q WTBA-2013.09.30-10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
or
o
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: 0-49677

WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

IOWA
42-1230603
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1601 22 nd Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266

Telephone Number: (515) 222-2300

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 x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

Yes x No o

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

Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
x
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o No x

As of October 24, 2013 , there were 15,976,204 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding.



WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.

INDEX
Page
PART I.
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.

2


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks
$
62,592

$
60,417

Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
29,400

111,057

Cash and cash equivalents
91,992

171,474

Securities available for sale
359,556

292,314

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
11,629

11,789

Loans held for sale
421

3,363

Loans
959,016

927,401

Allowance for loan losses
(14,741
)
(15,529
)
Loans, net
944,275

911,872

Premises and equipment, net
7,405

5,609

Accrued interest receivable
4,481

3,652

Bank-owned life insurance
26,222

25,730

Other real estate owned
6,276

8,304

Deferred tax assets
9,758

6,991

Other assets
9,098

7,077

Total assets
$
1,471,113

$
1,448,175

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand
$
347,957

$
367,281

Interest-bearing demand
164,993

160,745

Savings
495,550

428,710

Time of $100,000 or more
87,604

100,627

Other time
69,688

77,213

Total deposits
1,165,792

1,134,576

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
44,458

55,596

Subordinated notes
20,619

20,619

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net of discount
95,015

93,890

Long-term debt
16,750


Accrued expenses and other liabilities
7,322

8,907

Total liabilities
1,349,956

1,313,588

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 12)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued
and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012


Common stock, no par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 15,976,204 and
17,403,882 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and
December 31, 2012, respectively
3,000

3,000

Additional paid-in capital
18,305

33,805

Retained earnings
103,227

95,856

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(3,375
)
1,926

Total stockholders' equity
121,157

134,587

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,471,113

$
1,448,175


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Interest income:
Loans, including fees
$
11,382

$
10,928

$
33,617

$
33,324

Securities:
Taxable securities
1,366

1,118

3,784

3,217

Tax-exempt securities
676

471

1,777

1,485

Federal funds sold and other short-term investments
20

36

99

129

Total interest income
13,444

12,553

39,277

38,155

Interest expense:


Deposits
854

1,054

2,591

3,604

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase
23

23

76

89

Subordinated notes
180

189

534

568

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
668

1,030

1,995

3,068

Long-term debt
93


98


Total interest expense
1,818

2,296

5,294

7,329

Net interest income
11,626

10,257

33,983

30,826

Provision for loan losses
(1,000
)
300

(850
)
300

Net interest income after provision for loan
losses
12,626

9,957

34,833

30,526

Noninterest income:


Service charges on deposit accounts
747

768

2,190

2,236

Debit card usage fees
527

403

1,351

1,193

Trust services
266

201

743

595

Gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages
212

816

949

2,144

Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
162

181

492

571

Gain from bank-owned life insurance



841

Investment securities impairment losses

(6
)

(179
)
Realized investment securities gains, net



246

Other income
216

185

643

648

Total noninterest income
2,130

2,548

6,368

8,295

Noninterest expense:


Salaries and employee benefits
4,007

3,686

11,962

10,893

Occupancy
984

880

2,917

2,612

Data processing
532

576

1,515

1,582

FDIC insurance expense
182

183

547

516

Other real estate owned expense
1,137

240

1,138

1,228

Professional fees
286

276

922

855

Consulting fees
58

191

227

498

Other expenses
1,227

1,072

3,846

3,598

Total noninterest expense
8,413

7,104

23,074

21,782

Income before income taxes
6,343

5,401

18,127

17,039

Income taxes
1,980

1,649

5,518

4,927

Net income
$
4,363

$
3,752

$
12,609

$
12,112

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.27

$
0.22

$
0.75

$
0.70

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.27

$
0.22

$
0.75

$
0.69

Cash dividends declared per common share
$
0.11

$
0.10

$
0.31

$
0.26

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Net income
$
4,363

$
3,752

$
12,609

$
12,112

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:


Unrealized gains on securities for which a
portion of an other than temporary impairment
has been recorded in earnings before tax:
Unrealized holding gains arising during
the period
187

139

469

31

Less: reclassification adjustment for impairment
losses realized in net income

6


179

Net unrealized gains on securities with
other than temporary impairment before
tax expense
187

145

469

210

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities without other


than temporary impairment before tax:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during
the period
(4,699
)
758

(12,215
)
2,536

Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains
realized in net income



(246
)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on other
securities before tax expense
(4,699
)
758

(12,215
)
2,290

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising
during the period before tax
(577
)

3,196


Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax
(5,089
)
903

(8,550
)
2,500

Tax (expense) benefit related to other comprehensive
income (loss)
1,934

(343
)
3,249

(950
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
(3,155
)
560

(5,301
)
1,550

Comprehensive income
$
1,208

$
4,312

$
7,308

$
13,662


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(unaudited)
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Preferred
Common Stock
Paid-In
Retained
Comprehensive
(in thousands, except per share data)
Stock
Shares
Amount
Capital
Earnings
Income
Total
Balance, December 31, 2011
$

17,404

$
3,000

$
33,687

$
86,110

$
654

$
123,451

Net income




12,112


12,112

Other comprehensive income, net of tax





1,550

1,550

Cash dividends declared, $0.26 per common share




(4,525
)

(4,525
)
Stock-based compensation costs



55



55

Balance, September 30, 2012
$

17,404

$
3,000

$
33,742

$
93,697

$
2,204

$
132,643

Balance, December 31, 2012
$

17,404

$
3,000

$
33,805

$
95,856

$
1,926

$
134,587

Net income




12,609


12,609

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax





(5,301
)
(5,301
)
Cash dividends declared, $0.31 per common share




(5,238
)

(5,238
)
Repurchase and cancellation of common stock

(1,441
)

(15,774
)


(15,774
)
Stock-based compensation costs



272



272

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted


stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes

13


(14
)


(14
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units



16



16

Balance, September 30, 2013
$

15,976

$
3,000

$
18,305

$
103,227

$
(3,375
)
$
121,157


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


6


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
2013
2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income
$
12,609

$
12,112

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses
(850
)
300

Net amortization and accretion
3,821

3,238

Loss on disposition of premises and equipment
7

124

Investment securities gains, net

(246
)
Investment securities impairment losses

179

Stock-based compensation
272

55

Gain on sale of loans
(802
)
(1,773
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
79,275

88,344

Originations of loans held for sale
(75,531
)
(88,953
)
Gain on sale of other real estate owned
(168
)
(109
)
Write-down of other real estate owned
1,200

1,203

Gain from bank-owned life insurance

(841
)
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance
(492
)
(571
)
Depreciation
580

515

Deferred income taxes
482

834

Change in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accrued interest receivable
(829
)
(240
)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
417

(331
)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
(791
)
454

Net cash provided by operating activities
19,200

14,294

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:


Proceeds from sales, calls and maturities of securities available for sale
61,714

66,533

Purchases of securities available for sale
(143,384
)
(95,132
)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
(2,107
)
(1,642
)
Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
2,267

1,327

Net increase in loans
(31,737
)
(16,505
)
Net proceeds from sales of other real estate owned
1,130

798

Purchases of premises and equipment
(1,618
)
(794
)
Proceeds of principal and earnings from bank-owned life insurance

1,573

Net cash used in investing activities
(113,735
)
(43,842
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:


Net increase (decrease) in deposits
31,216

(28,447
)
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and securities sold under
agreements to repurchase
(11,138
)
17,243

Proceeds from long-term borrowings
16,000


Principal payments on long-term borrowings
(15
)

Common stock dividends paid
(5,238
)
(4,525
)
Repurchase and cancellation of common stock
(15,774
)

Tax withholding related to net share settlements of restricted stock units
(14
)

Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
16


Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
15,053

(15,729
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(79,482
)
(45,277
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning
171,474

87,104

Ending
$
91,992

$
41,827


7


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
2013
2012
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash payments for:
Interest
$
5,235

$
7,392

Income taxes
5,125

2,986

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Transfer of loans to other real estate owned
$
185

$
672

Sale of other real estate owned financed by issuance of a loan

800

Purchases of premises financed by issuance of long-term borrowings
765


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

8


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)



1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by West Bancorporation, Inc. (the Company) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented understandable, it is suggested that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 .  In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , the net income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 .  The results for these interim periods may not be indicative of results for the entire year or for any other period.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).  References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™ , sometimes referred to as the Codification or ASC.  In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are the fair value of financial instruments and other than temporary impairment (OTTI), the valuation of other real estate owned and the allowance for loan losses.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, West Bank, West Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation (which owns an interest in a partnership) and West Bank's 99.99 percent owned subsidiary ICD IV, LLC (a community development entity).  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  In accordance with GAAP, West Bancorporation Capital Trust I is recorded on the books of the Company using the equity method of accounting and is not consolidated.

Recent accounting developments: In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income , to improve the transparency of reporting reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in the update do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. The new amendments require an organization to present (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income if the item reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. Additionally, for other amounts that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP to provide additional detail about those amounts. For public companies, the amendments were effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists . The update requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, in the statement of financial position as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows: to the extent a net operating loss carryforward or tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use and the entity does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the statement of financial position as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2013 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.



9


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


2.  Critical Accounting Policies

Management has identified its most critical accounting policies to be those related to asset impairment judgments, including fair value and OTTI of available for sale investment securities, the valuation of other real estate owned and the allowance for loan losses.

Securities available for sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes.  The Company evaluates each of its investment securities whose value has declined below amortized cost to determine whether the decline in fair value is OTTI.  The investment portfolio is evaluated for OTTI by segregating the portfolio into two segments and applying the appropriate OTTI model. Investment securities classified as available for sale are generally evaluated for OTTI under FASB ASC 320, Investments - Debt and Equity Securities . However, certain purchased beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, including asset-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations that had credit ratings below AA at the time of purchase, are evaluated using the model outlined in FASB ASC 325, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets .

In determining OTTI under the FASB ASC 320 model, the review takes into consideration the severity and duration of the decline in fair value, the length of time expected for recovery, the financial condition of the issuer and other qualitative factors, as well as whether the Company intends to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery.

Under the FASB ASC 325 model for the second segment of the portfolio, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows as estimated at the preceding evaluation date to the current expected remaining cash flows. An OTTI is deemed to have occurred if there has been an adverse change in the remaining expected future cash flows.

When OTTI occurs under either model, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment's amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI is separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the total OTTI related to the credit loss is determined based on the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, using the original yield as the discount rate, and is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total OTTI related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment. The assessment of whether an OTTI exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at the time.

Other real estate owned includes real estate properties acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure.  Properties are initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of foreclosure, thus establishing a new cost basis.  Fair value is determined by management by obtaining appraisals or other market value information at least annually.  Any write-downs in value at the date of acquisition are charged to the allowance for loan losses. After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management by obtaining updated appraisals or other market information. Any subsequent write-downs are recorded as a charge to operations, if necessary, to reduce the carrying value of a property to the updated fair value less estimated selling cost. Net costs related to the holding of properties are included in noninterest expense.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense.  Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely.  The Company has policies and procedures for evaluating the overall credit quality of its loan portfolio, including timely identification of potential problem loans.  On a quarterly basis, management reviews the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses, incorporating a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative.  Quantitative factors include the Company's historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, known information about individual loans and other factors.  Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in the Company's market areas and the expected trend of those economic conditions.  While management uses the best information available to make its evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or the other factors relied upon.  To the extent actual results differ from forecasts and management's judgment, the allowance for loan losses may be greater or less than future charge-offs.


10


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


3.  Securities Available for Sale

For securities available for sale, the following tables show the amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses (pre-tax) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and estimated fair value by security type as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
12,598

$
276

$

$
12,874

State and political subdivisions
90,970

1,517

(4,635
)
87,852

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
181,020

2,320

(2,748
)
180,592

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
61,592

650

(1,676
)
60,566

Trust preferred securities
5,921


(3,228
)
2,693

Corporate notes and equity securities
15,353

45

(419
)
14,979

$
367,454

$
4,808

$
(12,706
)
$
359,556





December 31, 2012
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
12,614

$
420

$

$
13,034

State and political subdivisions
54,075

2,754

(68
)
56,761

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
170,557

3,140

(103
)
173,594

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
36,965

1,459


38,424

Trust preferred securities
5,913


(3,818
)
2,095

Corporate notes and equity securities
8,341

69

(4
)
8,406

$
288,465

$
7,842

$
(3,993
)
$
292,314

(1)
All collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA or issued by FNMA, and real estate mortgage investment conduits guaranteed by FHLMC or GNMA.

Securities with an amortized cost of $74,391 and $72,367 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , respectively, were pledged as collateral on securities sold under agreements to repurchase, interest rate swaps and for other purposes as required or permitted by law or regulation.  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are held in safekeeping at a correspondent bank on behalf of the Company.

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale as of September 30, 2013 , by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table.  Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the securities prior to maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities in collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Therefore, collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories within the summary.
September 30, 2013
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
361

$
367

Due after one year through five years
33,747

34,272

Due after five years through ten years
19,035

19,132

Due after ten years
70,215

63,441

123,358

117,212

Collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities
242,612

241,158

Equity securities
1,484

1,186

$
367,454

$
359,556


11


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The details of the sales of securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are summarized in the following table.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Proceeds from sales
$

$

$

$
16,121

Gross gains on sales



288

Gross losses on sales



42

The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Less than 12 months
12 months or longer
Total
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
State and political subdivisions
$
51,607

$
(4,635
)
$

$

$
51,607

$
(4,635
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
89,570

(2,747
)
150

(1
)
89,720

(2,748
)
Mortgage-backed securities
43,535

(1,676
)


43,535

(1,676
)
Trust preferred securities


2,693

(3,228
)
2,693

(3,228
)
Corporate notes and equity securities
9,743

(419
)


9,743

(419
)
$
194,455

$
(9,477
)
$
2,843

$
(3,229
)
$
197,298

$
(12,706
)






December 31, 2012
Less than 12 months
12 months or longer
Total
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
State and political subdivisions
$
5,617

$
(62
)
$
305

$
(6
)
$
5,922

$
(68
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
19,477

(103
)


19,477

(103
)
Trust preferred securities


2,095

(3,818
)
2,095

(3,818
)
Corporate notes and equity securities
1,032

(4
)


1,032

(4
)
$
26,126

$
(169
)
$
2,400

$
(3,824
)
$
28,526

$
(3,993
)

See Note 2 for a discussion of accounting policies related to securities with unrealized losses. As of September 30, 2013 , the available for sale investment portfolio included one collateralized mortgage obligation security and two trust preferred securities (TPS) with unrealized losses that have existed for longer than one year.

The Company believes the unrealized losses on investments in municipal obligations, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and corporate notes as of September 30, 2013 , were due to market conditions, not reduced estimated cash flows. There was a significant increase in market interest rates in June 2013 and rates continued to rise slightly during the third quarter of 2013, particularly in the longer part of the interest rate curve. This caused a measurable decline in the fair market value of the bond portfolio. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, does not anticipate that these securities will be required to be sold before anticipated recovery, and expects full principal and interest to be collected. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to have OTTI at September 30, 2013 .

The Company believes the unrealized loss of $859 on an investment in one single-issuer TPS issued by Heartland Financial, USA, Inc. as of September 30, 2013 , was due to market conditions, not reduced estimated cash flows.  The Company does not intend to sell this security, does not anticipate that this security will be required to be sold before anticipated recovery and expects full principal and interest will be collected.  Therefore, the Company did not consider this investment to have OTTI at September 30, 2013 .

12


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


As of September 30, 2013 , the Company had one pooled TPS, ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd., it has considered to have OTTI since 2009.  The Company engaged an independent consulting firm to assist in the valuation of this security.  In accordance with ASC 325, a discounted cash flow model was used to determine the estimated fair value of this security. Based on that valuation, management determined the security had an estimated fair value of $1,802 at September 30, 2013 .  Based on the valuation work performed, no additional credit loss was recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 . A credit loss of $6 was recognized in the third quarter of 2012 and $179 was recognized during the first nine months of 2012 . The remaining unrealized loss of $2,369 is reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes of $900 .  The Company will continue to periodically estimate the present value of cash flows expected to be collected over the life of the security.
The following table provides a roll forward of the cumulative amount of credit-related losses recognized in earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 .
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Balance at beginning of period
$
729

$
699

$
729

$
526

Current period credit loss recognized in earnings

6


179

Reductions for securities sold during the period




Reductions for securities where there is an intent to
sell or requirement to sell




Reductions for increases in cash flows expected to
be collected




Balance at end of period
$
729

$
705

$
729

$
705


4. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans consisted of the following segments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Commercial
$
230,841

$
282,124

Real estate:
Construction, land and land development
134,048

121,911

1-4 family residential first mortgages
46,520

49,280

Home equity
26,683

25,536

Commercial
513,617

441,857

Consumer and other loans
7,917

7,099

959,626

927,807

Net unamortized fees and costs
(610
)
(406
)
$
959,016

$
927,401

Real estate loans of approximately $468,000 and $397,000 were pledged as security for Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , respectively.

Loans are stated at the principal amounts outstanding, net of unamortized loan fees and costs, with interest income recognized on the interest method based upon those outstanding loan balances.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. Loans are reported by the portfolio segments identified above and are analyzed by management on this basis. All loan policies identified below apply to all segments of the loan portfolio.


13


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


Delinquencies are determined based on the payment terms of the individual loan agreements. The accrual of interest on past due and other impaired loans is generally discontinued at 90 days or when, in the opinion of management, the borrower may be unable to make all payments pursuant to contractual terms.  Unless considered collectible, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income, if accrued in the current year, or charged to the allowance for loan losses, if accrued in the prior year.  Generally, all payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied to the principal balance of the loan. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

A loan is classified as troubled debt restructured (TDR) when the Company concludes that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a concession was granted that would not otherwise be considered. Concessions may include a restructuring of the loan terms to alleviate the burden on the borrower's cash requirements, such as an extension of the payment terms beyond the original maturity date or a change in the interest rate charged.  TDR loans with extended payment terms are accounted for as impaired until performance is established. A change to the interest rate would change the classification of a loan to a TDR loan if the restructured loan yields a rate that is below a market rate for that of a new loan with comparable risk. TDR loans with below-market rates are considered impaired until fully collected. TDR loans may be reported as nonaccrual or past due 90 days, rather than as a TDR, if they are not performing per the restructured terms.

Based upon its ongoing assessment of credit quality within the loan portfolio, the Company maintains a Watch List, which includes classified loans. These loans involve anticipated potential payment defaults or collateral inadequacies. A loan on the Watch List is considered impaired when management believes it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  The amount of impairment, if any, and any subsequent changes are included in the allowance for loan losses.


14


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following table sets forth the recorded investment in nonperforming loans, disaggregated by segment, held by the Company as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 . The recorded investment represents principal balances net of any partial charge-offs. Related accrued interest and net unamortized fees and costs are immaterial and are excluded from the table.
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Nonaccrual loans:
Commercial
$
4,874

$
655

Real estate:
Construction, land and land development

3,356

1-4 family residential first mortgages
773

406

Home equity
8


Commercial
1,631

1,983

Consumer and other loans


Total nonaccrual loans
7,286

6,400

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest (1) :
Commercial
537


Real estate:
Construction, land and land development


1-4 family residential first mortgages


Home equity


Commercial
509


Consumer and other loans


Total loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest
1,046


Troubled debt restructured loans (2) :
Commercial

20

Real estate:
Construction, land and land development
435

470

1-4 family residential first mortgages

273

Home equity


Commercial
93

93

Consumer and other loans


Total troubled debt restructured loans
528

856

Total nonperforming loans
$
8,860

$
7,256


(1)
Subsequent to September 30, 2013, the two loans comprising this category were brought current by the borrowers.
(2)
While TDR loans are commonly reported by the industry as nonperforming, those not classified in the nonaccrual category are accruing interest due to payment performance. TDR loans on nonaccrual status, if any, are included in the nonaccrual category. As of September 30, 2013 , there were three TDR loans totaling $819 included in the nonaccrual category. As of December 31, 2012 , there was one TDR loan with a balance of $810 included in the nonaccrual category.



15


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables show the pre- and post-modification recorded investment in TDR loans by type of modification and loan segment that have occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 .

Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Pre-Modification
Post-Modification
Pre-Modification
Post-Modification
Number
Outstanding
Outstanding
Number
Outstanding
Outstanding
of Loans
Recorded Investment
Recorded Investment
of Loans
Recorded Investment
Recorded Investment
Lengthened amortization:
Commercial

$

$


$

$

Real estate:
Construction, land and
land development






1-4 family residential
first mortgages






Home equity






Commercial






Consumer and other loans
1

31

31

1

31

31

1

$
31

$
31

1

$
31

$
31


Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Pre-Modification
Post-Modification
Pre-Modification
Post-Modification
Number
Outstanding
Outstanding
Number
Outstanding
Outstanding
of Loans
Recorded Investment
Recorded Investment
of Loans
Recorded Investment
Recorded Investment
Lengthened amortization:
Commercial

$

$

1

$
28

$
28

Real estate:
Construction, land and
land development






1-4 family residential
first mortgages



1

74

74

Home equity






Commercial






Consumer and other loans







$

$

2

$
102

$
102


Subsequent to the modification of the loans shown in the previous tables, a charge-off of $31 was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , and a charge-off of $4 was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 .



16


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables show the recorded investment in TDR loans by segment that have been modified within the twelve months preceding September 30, 2013 and 2012 , and have subsequently had a payment default during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 . A TDR loan is considered to have a payment default when it is past due 30 days or more.

Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Number
Recorded
Number
Recorded
Number
Recorded
Number
Recorded
of Loans
Investment
of Loans
Investment
of Loans
Investment
of Loans
Investment
Commercial

$


$


$


$

Real estate:
Construction, land and
land development








1-4 family residential
first mortgages
1

104

1

74

1

104

1

74

Home equity








Commercial


1

820



1

820

Consumer and other loans
1

31



1

31



Total
2

$
135

2

$
894

2

$
135

2

$
894



17


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables summarize the recorded investment in impaired loans by segment, broken down by loans with no related allowance and loans with a related allowance and the amount of that allowance as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 , and the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on these loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 .
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Recorded Investment
Unpaid Principal Balance
Related Allowance
Recorded Investment
Unpaid Principal Balance
Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial
$
18

$
18

N/A

$
282

$
292

N/A

Real Estate:
Construction, land and land development
435

1,037

N/A

3,825

5,292

N/A

1-4 family residential first mortgages
499

509

N/A

679

679

N/A

Home equity
8

8

N/A



N/A

Commercial
1,725

2,694

N/A

2,077

3,046

N/A

Consumer and other


N/A



N/A

2,685

4,266

N/A

6,863

9,309

N/A

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial
5,086

5,086

$
1,515

3,615

3,615

$
1,297

Real Estate:
Construction, land and land development
2,457

2,457

1,900

4,441

4,441

3,000

1-4 family residential first mortgages
467

467

60




Home equity



458

458

86

Commercial



1,574

1,574

523

Consumer and other






8,010

8,010

3,475

10,088

10,088

4,906

Total:
Commercial
5,104

5,104

1,515

3,897

3,907

1,297

Real Estate:
Construction, land and land development
2,892

3,494

1,900

8,266

9,733

3,000

1-4 family residential first mortgages
966

976

60

679

679


Home equity
8

8


458

458

86

Commercial
1,725

2,694


3,651

4,620

523

Consumer and other






$
10,695

$
12,276

$
3,475

$
16,951

$
19,397

$
4,906



18


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance
recorded:
Commercial
$
355

$

$
215

$
1

$
244

$
9

$
494

$
80

Real Estate:
Construction, land and
land development
437

4

3,836

4

1,791

13

2,378

4

1-4 family residential
first mortgages
510


1,054

1

594

1

1,088

4

Home equity
2


30


1


12


Commercial
1,854

2

3,381

14

1,962

5

3,463

49

Consumer and other
16




6




3,174

6

8,516

20

4,598

28

7,435

137

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial
4,063


100


3,838

82

916

24

Real Estate:
Construction, land and
land development
2,629

34

10,820

152

3,667

138

13,655

454

1-4 family residential
first mortgages
292

3

243


137

8

390

15

Home equity
108


285

8

311

11

145

8

Commercial
241


1,264

19

1,037

44

1,269

65

Consumer and other






15

1

7,333

37

12,712

179

8,990

283

16,390

567

Total:
Commercial
4,418


315

1

4,082

91

1,410

104

Real Estate:
Construction, land and
development
3,066

38

14,656

156

5,458

151

16,033

458

1-4 family residential
first mortgages
802

3

1,297

1

731

9

1,478

19

Home equity
110


315

8

312

11

157

8

Commercial
2,095

2

4,645

33

2,999

49

4,732

114

Consumer and other
16




6


15

1

$
10,507

$
43

$
21,228

$
199

$
13,588

$
311

$
23,825

$
704

The following table reconciles the balance of nonaccrual loans with impaired loans as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Nonaccrual loans
$
7,286

$
6,400

Troubled debt restructured loans
528

856

Other impaired loans still accruing interest
2,881

9,695

Total impaired loans
$
10,695

$
16,951

The balance of impaired loans at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was comprised of 18 and 22 different borrowers, respectively. The Company has no commitments to advance additional funds on any of the impaired loans.


19


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables provide an analysis of the payment status of the recorded investment in loans as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
30-59
Days Past
Due
60-89
Days Past
Due
Greater
Than 90
Days
Past Due
Total
Past Due
Current
Total
Loans
90 Days
Past Due and Still
Accruing (1)
Commercial
$
91

$
4,257

$
848

$
5,196

$
225,645

$
230,841

$
537

Real estate:
Construction, land and
land development
216



216

133,832

134,048


1-4 family residential
first mortgages
65


704

769

45,751

46,520


Home equity
106


8

114

26,569

26,683


Commercial
118


1,443

1,561

512,056

513,617

509

Consumer and other
48



48

7,869

7,917


Total
$
644

$
4,257

$
3,003

$
7,904

$
951,722

$
959,626

$
1,046

Nonaccrual loans included
above
$

$
4,257

$
1,957

$
6,214

$
1,072

$
7,286

December 31, 2012
30-59
Days Past
Due
60-89
Days Past
Due
Greater
Than 90
Days
Past Due
Total
Past Due
Current
Total
Loans
90 Days
Past Due and Still
Accruing
Commercial
$
146

$

$
331

$
477

$
281,647

$
282,124

$

Real estate:
Construction, land and
land development


3,356

3,356

118,555

121,911


1-4 family residential
first mortgages
89

143

152

384

48,896

49,280


Home equity
279

27


306

25,230

25,536


Commercial
38

236

1,744

2,018

439,839

441,857


Consumer and other
195



195

6,904

7,099


Total
$
747

$
406

$
5,583

$
6,736

$
921,071

$
927,807

$

Nonaccrual loans included
above
$
74

$
236

$
5,583

$
5,893

$
507

$
6,400

(1)
Subsequent to September 30, 2013, the two loans comprising the category 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing, were brought current by the borrowers.

20


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables show the recorded investment in loans by credit quality indicator and portfolio segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Pass
Watch
Substandard
Doubtful
Total
Commercial
$
213,635

$
10,188

$
7,018

$

$
230,841

Real estate:
Construction, land and land development
115,428

11,986

6,634


134,048

1-4 family residential first mortgages
44,843

371

1,306


46,520

Home equity
25,051

1,486

146


26,683

Commercial
496,294

8,896

8,427


513,617

Consumer and other
7,882

35



7,917

Total
$
903,133

$
32,962

$
23,531

$

$
959,626

December 31, 2012
Pass
Watch
Substandard
Doubtful
Total
Commercial
$
258,677

$
17,234

$
6,213

$

$
282,124

Real estate:
Construction, land and land development
94,855

15,030

12,026


121,911

1-4 family residential first mortgages
47,392

861

1,027


49,280

Home equity
24,659

105

772


25,536

Commercial
420,888

8,101

12,868


441,857

Consumer and other
7,063

36



7,099

Total
$
853,534

$
41,367

$
32,906

$

$
927,807

All loans are subject to the assessment of a credit quality indicator. Risk ratings are assigned for each loan at the time of approval, and they change as circumstances dictate during the term of the loan. The Company utilizes a 9-point risk rating scale as shown below, with ratings 1 - 5 included in the Pass column, rating 6 included in the Watch column, ratings 7 - 8 included in the Substandard column and rating 9 included in the Doubtful column. All loans classified as impaired that are included in the specific evaluation of the allowance for loan losses, are included in the Substandard column along with all other loans with ratings of 7 - 8.

Risk rating 1: The loan is secured by cash equivalent collateral.

Risk rating 2: The loan is secured by properly margined marketable securities, bonds or cash surrender value of life insurance.

Risk rating 3: The borrower is in strong financial condition and has strong debt service capacity. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends of the borrower exceed industry statistics.

Risk rating 4: The borrower is in satisfactory financial condition and has satisfactory debt service capacity. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends of the borrower fall in line with industry statistics.

Risk rating 5: The borrower's financial condition is less than satisfactory. The loan is still generally paying as agreed, but strained cash flow may cause some slowness in payments. The collateral values adequately preclude loss on the loan. Financial characteristics and trends lag industry statistics. There may be noncompliance with loan covenants.

Risk rating 6: The borrower's financial condition is deficient. Payment delinquencies may be more common. Collateral values still protect from loss, but margins are narrow. The loan may be reliant on secondary sources of repayment, including liquidation of collateral and guarantor support.


21


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


Risk rating 7: The loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Well-defined weaknesses exist that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. The Company is inadequately protected by the valuation or paying capacity of the collateral pledged. If deficiencies are not corrected, there is a distinct possibility that a loss will be sustained.

Risk rating 8: All the characteristics of rating 7 exist with the added condition that the loan is past due more than 90 days or there is reason to believe the Company will not receive its principal and interest according to the terms of the loan agreement.

Risk rating 9: All the weaknesses inherent in risk ratings 7 and 8 exist with the added condition that collection or liquidation, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, is highly questionable and improbable. A loan reaching this category would most likely be charged off.

Credit quality indicators for all loans and the Company's risk rating process are dynamic and updated on a continuous basis. Risk ratings are updated as circumstances that could affect the repayment of an individual loan are brought to management's attention through an established monitoring process. Individual lenders initiate changes as appropriate for ratings 1 through 5, and changes for ratings 6 through 9 are initiated via communications with management. The likelihood of loss increases as the risk rating increases and is generally preceded by a loan appearing on the Watch List, which consists of all loans with a risk rating of 6 or worse. Written action plans with firm target dates for resolution of identified problems are maintained and reviewed on a quarterly basis for all segments of criticized loans.

In addition to the Company's internal credit monitoring practices and procedures, an outsourced independent credit review function is in place to further assess assigned internal risk classifications and monitor compliance with internal lending policies and procedures.

In all portfolio segments, the primary risks are that a borrower's income stream diminishes to the point that it is not able to make scheduled principal and interest payments and any collateral securing the loan has declined in value. The risk of declining collateral values is present for most types of loans.

Commercial loans consist primarily of loans to businesses for various purposes, including revolving lines to finance current operations, inventory and accounts receivable, and capital expenditure loans to finance equipment and other fixed assets.  These loans generally have short maturities, have either adjustable or fixed interest rates, and are either unsecured or secured by inventory, accounts receivable and/or fixed assets. For commercial loans, the primary source of repayment is from the operation of the business.

Real estate loans include various types of loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral and consist of loans on commercial properties and single and multifamily residences.  Real estate loans are typically structured to mature or reprice every 5 years with payments based on amortization periods up to 30 years.  The majority of construction loans are to contractors and developers for construction of commercial buildings or residential real estate. These loans typically have maturities up to 24 months. The Company's loan policy includes minimum appraisal and other credit guidelines.

Consumer loans include loans extended to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures not secured by real estate.  The majority of the Company's consumer lending is for vehicles, consolidation of personal debts and household improvements. The repayment source for consumer loans, including 1-4 family residential and home equity loans, is typically wages.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense.  Loans in each of the Company's segments are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely.  The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans, based on an evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior loss experience.  This evaluation also takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, the review of specific problem loans, and current economic conditions that may affect the borrower's ability to pay.  While management uses the best information available to make its evaluation, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or the other factors relied upon.



22


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that meet the definition of impaired.  The general component covers the remaining loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors such as delinquency trends, loan growth, economic elements and local market conditions.  These same policies are applied to all segments of loans. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses, and may require the Company to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

The following tables detail changes in the allowance for loan losses by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 .
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,108

$
3,933

$
663

$
441

$
6,780

$
34

$
15,959

Charge-offs
(315
)

(10
)


(31
)
(356
)
Recoveries
34


3

99


2

138

Provision (1)
369

(158
)
(38
)
(171
)
(1,032
)
30

(1,000
)
Ending balance
$
4,196

$
3,775

$
618

$
369

$
5,748

$
35

$
14,741

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Beginning balance
$
3,996

$
3,066

$
1,090

$
596

$
6,561

$
64

$
15,373

Charge-offs
(27
)

(120
)
(10
)
(2
)

(159
)
Recoveries
36


77

10



123

Provision (1)
(648
)
1,390

(150
)
24

(308
)
(8
)
300

Ending balance
$
3,357

$
4,456

$
897

$
620

$
6,251

$
56

$
15,637

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,116

$
4,616

$
637

$
568

$
5,564

$
28

$
15,529

Charge-offs
(514
)

(40
)
(5
)

(32
)
(591
)
Recoveries
254

42

121

212

2

22

653

Provision (1)
340

(883
)
(100
)
(406
)
182

17

(850
)
Ending balance
$
4,196

$
3,775

$
618

$
369

$
5,748

$
35

$
14,741

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,409

$
3,572

$
1,215

$
832

$
6,667

$
83

$
16,778

Charge-offs
(27
)
(1,508
)
(184
)
(105
)
(3
)
(12
)
(1,839
)
Recoveries
271


92

18


17

398

Provision (1)
(1,296
)
2,392

(226
)
(125
)
(413
)
(32
)
300

Ending balance
$
3,357

$
4,456

$
897

$
620

$
6,251

$
56

$
15,637


(1)
The negative provisions for the various segments are either related to the decline in each of those portfolio segments during the time periods disclosed or improvement in the credit quality factors related to those portfolio segments.

23


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables show a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,515

$
1,900

$
60

$

$

$

$
3,475

Collectively evaluated for impairment
2,681

1,875

558

369

5,748

35

11,266

Total
$
4,196

$
3,775

$
618

$
369

$
5,748

$
35

$
14,741

December 31, 2012
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,297

$
3,000

$

$
86

$
523

$

$
4,906

Collectively evaluated for impairment
2,819

1,616

637

482

5,041

28

10,623

Total
$
4,116

$
4,616

$
637

$
568

$
5,564

$
28

$
15,529

The following tables show the recorded investment in loans, exclusive of unamortized fees and costs, disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
5,104

$
2,892

$
966

$
8

$
1,725

$

$
10,695

Collectively evaluated for impairment
225,737

131,156

45,554

26,675

511,892

7,917

948,931

Total
$
230,841

$
134,048

$
46,520

$
26,683

$
513,617

$
7,917

$
959,626

December 31, 2012
Real Estate
Commercial
Construction and Land
1-4 Family Residential
Home Equity
Commercial
Consumer and Other
Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
3,897

$
8,266

$
679

$
458

$
3,651

$

$
16,951

Collectively evaluated for impairment
278,227

113,645

48,601

25,078

438,206

7,099

910,856

Total
$
282,124

$
121,911

$
49,280

$
25,536

$
441,857

$
7,099

$
927,807



24


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


5. Derivatives

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to assist in its interest rate risk management. The notional amounts of the interest rate swaps do not represent amounts exchanged by the counterparties. The notional amount of a derivative is used to determine, along with other terms of the derivative, the amounts to be exchanged between the counterparties.

The Company has variable rate FHLB advances, which create exposure to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. In December 2012, to manage the interest rate risk related to the variability of interest payments, the Company entered into three forward-starting interest rate swap transactions, with a total notional amount of $80,000 . The interest rate swaps effectively convert $80,000 of variable rate FHLB advances to fixed interest rate debt as of the forward-starting dates. The forward-starting dates on the interest rate swaps range from December 2014 to December 2015. The three swap transactions were designated as cash flow hedges of the changes in cash flows attributable to changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments made on the underlying FHLB advances with quarterly interest rate reset dates.

In June 2013, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap transaction, with a total notional amount of $20,000 , to effectively convert $20,000 of variable rate junior subordinated notes to fixed rate debt as of the forward-starting date of the swap transaction. The forward-starting date of this swap is June 30, 2014. This swap transaction was designated as a cash flow hedge of the variability in cash flows attributable to the change in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments made on $20,000 of the Company's junior subordinated debt, which has a quarterly interest reset date.

At inception of each hedge transaction, the Company asserted that the underlying principal balance would remain outstanding throughout the hedge transaction, making it probable that sufficient LIBOR-based interest payments would exist through the maturity date of the swaps. The cash flow hedges were determined to be fully effective during the remaining terms of the swaps. Therefore, the aggregate fair value of the swaps is recorded in other assets or other liabilities with changes in market value recorded in other comprehensive income, net of deferred taxes. See Note 7 for additional fair value information and disclosures. The amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income will be reclassified to interest expense should the hedge no longer be considered effective. No amount of ineffectiveness was included in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , and the Company expects there will be no reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense for the next twelve months through September 30, 2014. The Company will continue to assess the effectiveness of the hedges on a quarterly basis.

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by the interest rate swap counterparty. The Company minimizes this risk by entering into derivative contracts with only large, stable financial institutions, and the Company has not experienced, and does not expect, any losses from counterparty nonperformance on the interest rate swaps. The Company monitors counterparty risk in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 815. In addition, the interest rate swap agreements contain language outlining collateral-pledging requirements for each counterparty. Collateral must be posted when the market value exceeds certain threshold limits. As of September 30, 2013, the counterparty had pledged $2,770 of required collateral in the form of cash on deposit with a third party. The Company was not required to pledge any collateral to the counterparty as of September 30, 2013 ; however, the Company may need to pledge collateral in the future.

The tables below identify the balance sheet category and fair values of the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Notional
Amount
Fair Value
Balance Sheet
Category
Receive Rate
Pay Rate
Maturity
Interest rate swap
(1)
$
25,000

$
602

Other Assets
0.54
%
2.10
%
12/23/2019
Interest rate swap
(2)
25,000

736

Other Assets
0.56
%
2.34
%
6/22/2020
Interest rate swap
(3)
30,000

961

Other Assets
0.56
%
2.52
%
9/21/2020
Interest rate swap
(4)
20,000

154

Other Assets
3.30
%
4.88
%
6/30/2019

25


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


December 31, 2012
Notional
Amount
Fair Value
Balance Sheet
Category
Receive Rate
Pay Rate
Maturity
Interest rate swap
(1)
$
25,000

$
(239
)
Other Liabilities
0.60
%
2.10
%
12/23/2019
Interest rate swap
(2)
25,000

(238
)
Other Liabilities
0.62
%
2.34
%
6/22/2020
Interest rate swap
(3)
30,000

(267
)
Other Liabilities
0.62
%
2.52
%
9/21/2020
The table below identifies the pre-tax gains recognized on the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 .
Effective Portion
Ineffective Portion
Amount of
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income
Recognized in Income on
Derivatives
Pre-tax Gain
Recognized in
Amount of
Amount of
OCI
Category
Gain (Loss)
Category
Gain (Loss)
Interest rate swap
(1)
$
841

Interest Expense
$

Other Income
$

Interest rate swap
(2)
973

Interest Expense

Other Income

Interest rate swap
(3)
1,228

Interest Expense

Other Income

Interest rate swap
(4)
154

Interest Expense

Other Income


6. Long-Term Debt

On June 27, 2013, the Company borrowed $16,000 from a commercial bank in the form of a five-year amortizing secured term loan with a variable rate of 1.95 percent plus 30-day LIBOR . The proceeds were used to finance the repurchase and cancellation of 1,440,592 shares of common stock discussed in Note 8. In the event that the Company defaults under the note, the interest rate would increase by an additional 5.0 percent. The Company also entered into a $5,000 secured line of credit that expires on June 27, 2014. Both the note and the secured line of credit are secured by a pledge of certain Company assets, including the stock of West Bank.

During June 2013, the Company purchased a commercial lot in Coralville for construction of a new eastern Iowa main office. The purchase was financed with an eight-and-one-half-year variable payment contract for $765 with a fixed interest rate of 1.25 percent .

7. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system, and defines required disclosures.  It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts business.

The Company's balance sheet contains securities available for sale and derivative instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  The three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value is as follows:

Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 uses observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between Levels at the end of each reporting period, if applicable. There were no transfers between Levels of the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 .


26


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Securities available for sale: When available, quoted market prices are used to determine the fair value of investment securities. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company determines fair value based on various sources and may apply matrix pricing with observable prices for similar bonds where a price for the identical bond is not observable. The fair values of these securities are determined by pricing models that consider observable market data such as interest rate volatilities, LIBOR yield curve, credit spreads, prices from market makers and live trading systems. Level 1 securities include certain corporate bonds and preferred stocks, and would include U.S. Treasuries, if any were held. Level 2 securities include U.S. government and agency securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities, state and political subdivision securities, and certain corporate bonds and trust preferred securities. Certain securities are not valued based on observable inputs and are, therefore, classified as Level 3. The fair value of these securities is based on management's best estimates.

Generally, management obtains the fair value of investment securities at the end of each reporting period via a third party pricing service. Management, with the assistance of an independent investment advisory firm, reviewed the valuation process used by the third party and believes that process is valid. On a quarterly basis, management corroborates the fair values of investment securities by obtaining pricing from an independent investment advisory firm and compares the two sets of fair values. Any significant variances are reviewed and investigated. In addition, the Company has instituted a practice of further testing the fair values of a sample of securities. For that sample, the prices are further validated by management, with assistance from an independent investment advisory firm, by obtaining details of the inputs used by the pricing service. Those inputs were independently tested, and management concluded the fair values were consistent with GAAP requirements and securities were properly classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative instruments: The Company's derivative instruments consist of interest rate swaps, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company's derivative position is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and is valued using models generally accepted in the financial services industry and that use actively quoted or observable market input values from external market data providers and/or non-binding broker-dealer quotations. The fair value of the derivative is determined using discounted cash flow models. These models’ key assumptions include the contractual terms of the respective contract along with significant observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curves, nonperformance risk and volatility. Derivative contracts are executed with a Credit Support Annex, which is a bilateral ratings-sensitive agreement that requires collateral postings at established credit threshold levels. These agreements protect the interests of the Company and its counterparties should either party suffer a credit rating deterioration.

The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Description
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
12,874

$

$
12,874

$

State and political subdivisions
87,852


87,852


Collateralized mortgage obligations
180,592


180,592


Mortgage-backed securities
60,566


60,566


Trust preferred securities
2,693


891

1,802

Corporate notes and equity securities
14,979

14,679

300


Total securities available for sale
359,556

14,679

343,075

1,802

Derivative instruments:
Interest rate swaps
2,453


2,453


Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
$
362,009

$
14,679

$
345,528

$
1,802

Derivative instruments:
Interest rate swaps
$

$

$

$

Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
$

$

$

$


27


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


December 31, 2012
Description
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Securities available for sale:




U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
13,034

$

$
13,034

$

State and political subdivisions
56,761


56,761


Collateralized mortgage obligations
173,594


173,594


Mortgage-backed securities
38,424


38,424


Trust preferred securities
2,095


761

1,334

Corporate notes and equity securities
8,406

7,780

626


Total securities available for sale
292,314

7,780

283,200

1,334

Derivative instruments:
Interest rate swaps




Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
$
292,314

$
7,780

$
283,200

$
1,334

Derivative instruments:
Interest rate swaps
$
744

$

$
744

$

Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
$
744

$

$
744

$

The following table presents changes in securities available for sale with significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 . The activity in the table consists of one pooled TPS (ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd.).
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
2012
2013
2012
Beginning balance
$
1,616

$
1,137

$
1,334

$
1,245

Transfer into level 3




Total gains or (losses):
Included in earnings

(6
)

(179
)
Included in other comprehensive income
186

145

468

210

Sale of security




Principal payments




Ending balance
$
1,802

$
1,276

$
1,802

$
1,276

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured on a recurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of September 30, 2013.
September 30, 2013
Fair Value
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range (Average)
ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd.
$
1,802

Discounted cash flow
Discount rate
NA (17.0%)
Prepayment rate
0.0% - 75.0% (5.6%)
Probability of default
2.0% - 100.0% (19.4%)
Expected losses on
defaulted collateral
20.0% - 100.0% (88.3%)
Recovery probabilities
for deferring collateral
0.0% - 75.0% (26.3%)


28


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  The following tables present those assets carried on the balance sheet by caption and by level within the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
Description
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
Impaired loans
$
4,535

$

$

$
4,535

Other real estate owned
6,276



6,276

Total
$
10,811

$

$

$
10,811





December 31, 2012
Description
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:




Impaired loans
$
5,182

$

$

$
5,182

Other real estate owned
8,304



8,304

Total
$
13,486

$

$

$
13,486

Loans in the previous tables consist of impaired loans for which a fair value adjustment was recorded.  Impaired loans are evaluated and valued at the lower of cost or fair value when the loan is identified as impaired.  Fair value is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans.  Collateral may be real estate or business assets such as equipment, inventory or accounts receivable. Fair value is determined by management evaluations or independent appraisals.  Appraised or reported values may be discounted based on management's opinions concerning market developments or the client's business.  Other real estate owned in the tables above consists of property acquired through foreclosures and settlements of loans.  Property acquired is carried at fair value of the property less estimated disposal costs. Fair value of other real estate owned is determined by management by obtaining appraisals or other market value information at the time of acquisition, is updated at least annually and may be discounted.

The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for which the Company has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value as of September 30, 2013.
September 30, 2013
Fair Value
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Range (Average)
Impaired loans
$
4,535

Evaluation of collateral
Estimation of value
NM*
Other real estate owned
6,276

Appraisal
Appraisal adjustment
2.2% - 20.0% (16.3%)
* Not Meaningful. Evaluations of the underlying assets are completed for each impaired loan with a specific reserve. The types of collateral vary widely and could include accounts receivables, inventory, a variety of equipment and real estate. Collateral evaluations are reviewed and discounted as appropriate based on knowledge of the specific type of collateral. In the case of real estate, an independent appraisal may be obtained. Types of discounts considered included aging of receivables, condition of the collateral, potential market for the collateral and estimated disposal costs. These discounts will vary from loan to loan, thus providing a range would not be meaningful.
GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis.  The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above.  The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.

Cash and due from banks :  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Federal funds sold and other short-term investments :  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

FHLB stock :  The fair value of this restricted stock is estimated at its carrying value and redemption price of $100 per share.

Loans held for sale :  The fair values of loans held for sale are based on estimated sales prices.

29


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


Loans :  The fair values of fixed-rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on observable market interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The carrying value of variable-rate loans approximate their fair values.

Deposits :  The carrying amounts for demand and savings deposits, which represent the amounts payable on demand, approximate their fair values.  The fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered on certificates with similar terms. The carrying value of variable-rate certificates of deposit approximate their fair values.

Accrued interest receivable and payable :  The fair values of both accrued interest receivable and payable approximate their carrying amounts.

Borrowings :  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximates their fair values.  Fair values of FHLB advances, subordinated notes and other long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered with similar terms.

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit :  The approximate fair values of commitments and standby letters of credit are based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and creditworthiness of the counterparties.

The following table includes the carrying amounts and approximate fair values of financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
Carrying Amount
Approximate Fair Value
Carrying Amount
Approximate Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks
Level 1
$
62,592

$
62,592

$
60,417

$
60,417

Federal funds sold and other short-term
investments
Level 1
29,400

29,400

111,057

111,057

Securities available for sale
See previous table
359,556

359,556

292,314

292,314

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
Level 1
11,629

11,629

11,789

11,789

Loans held for sale
Level 2
421

425

3,363

3,409

Loans, net
Level 2
944,275

961,880

911,872

928,048

Accrued interest receivable
Level 1
4,481

4,481

3,652

3,652

Interest rate swaps
See previous table
2,453

2,453



Financial liabilities:
Deposits
Level 2
1,165,792

1,166,672

1,134,576

1,136,378

Federal funds purchased and securities sold
under agreements to repurchase
Level 1
44,458

44,458

55,596

55,596

Accrued interest payable
Level 1
531

531

472

472

Subordinated notes
Level 2
20,619

11,539

20,619

12,010

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net
Level 2
95,015

95,333

93,890

95,741

Long-term debt
Level 2
16,750

16,750



Interest rate swaps
See previous table


744

744

Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:
Commitments to extend credit
Level 3




Standby letters of credit
Level 3






30


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


8. Common Stock Repurchase

On June 4, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to repurchase 1,440,592 shares of its common stock from American Equity Investment Life Holding Company and American Equity Life Insurance Company. The shares represented 8.27 percent of the total outstanding common shares of the Company as of that date. The purchase took place on June 5, 2013 at a purchase price of $10.95 per share. The repurchased shares were canceled, thus reducing the Company's total issued and outstanding common shares to 15,969,464 as of that date. This transaction was the result of the seller indicating a desire to sell the shares. The purchase was financed as described in Note 6.

9.  Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if the Company's outstanding restricted stock units were vested. The dilutive effect was computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes all stock-based awards were exercised during the time period they were outstanding and the hypothetical proceeds from exercise were used by the Company to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  The incremental shares, to the extent they would have been dilutive, were included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation.  The calculation of earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is presented in the following table.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share information)
2013
2012
2013
2012
Net income
$
4,363

$
3,752

$
12,609

$
12,112

Weighted average common shares outstanding
15,973

17,404

16,786

17,404

Weighted average effect of restricted stock
units outstanding
42

29

44

48

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
16,015

17,433

16,830

17,452





Basic earnings per common share
$
0.27

$
0.22

$
0.75

$
0.70

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.27

$
0.22

$
0.75

$
0.69


10.  Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income consists of the net change in unrealized gains and losses on the Company's securities available for sale, including the noncredit-related portion of unrealized gains and losses of any OTTI securities, and the effective portion of the change in value of derivative instruments.


31


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables summarize the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 .
Noncredit-related
Unrealized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Accumulated
Gains (Losses)
Gains (Losses)
Gains
Other
on Securities
on Securities
(Losses) on
Comprehensive
with OTTI
without OTTI
Derivatives
Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2012
$
(1,759
)
$
4,146

$
(461
)
$
1,926

Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassifications
290

(7,573
)
1,982

(5,301
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income




Net current period other comprehensive income
(loss)
290

(7,573
)
1,982

(5,301
)
Balance, September 30, 2013
$
(1,469
)
$
(3,427
)
$
1,521

$
(3,375
)
Balance, December 31, 2011
$
(1,940
)
$
2,594

$

$
654

Net current period other comprehensive income
130

1,420


1,550

Balance, September 30, 2012
$
(1,810
)
$
4,014

$

$
2,204


32


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


The following tables show the tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 .
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Before Tax
Tax (Expense)
Net of Tax
Before Tax
Tax (Expense)
Net of Tax
Amount
Benefit
Amount
Amount
Benefit
Amount
Unrealized gains on securities
with OTTI:
Unrealized holding gains arising
during period
$
187

$
(72
)
$
115

$
469

$
(179
)
$
290

Less: reclassification adjustment
for net losses realized in net
income






Net unrealized holding gains for
securities with OTTI
187

(72
)
115

469

(179
)
290

Unrealized losses on securities
without OTTI:
Unrealized holding losses arising
during the period
(4,699
)
1,786

(2,913
)
(12,215
)
4,642

(7,573
)
Less: reclassification adjustment
for net gains realized in net
income






Net unrealized losses on securities
without OTTI
(4,699
)
1,786

(2,913
)
(12,215
)
4,642

(7,573
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on
derivatives
(577
)
220

(357
)
3,196

(1,214
)
1,982

Other comprehensive (loss)
$
(5,089
)
$
1,934

$
(3,155
)
$
(8,550
)
$
3,249

$
(5,301
)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Before Tax
Tax (Expense)
Net of Tax
Before Tax
Tax (Expense)
Net of Tax
Amount
Benefit
Amount
Amount
Benefit
Amount
Unrealized gains on securities
with OTTI:
Unrealized holding gains arising
during period
$
139

$
(53
)
$
86

$
31

$
(12
)
$
19

Less: reclassification adjustment
for net losses realized in net
income
6

(2
)
4

179

(68
)
111

Net unrealized holding gains for
securities with OTTI
145

(55
)
90

210

(80
)
130

Unrealized gains on securities
without OTTI:
Unrealized holding gains arising
during period
758

(288
)
470

2,536

(964
)
1,572

Less: reclassification adjustment
for net losses realized in net
income



(246
)
94

(152
)
Net unrealized gains on securities
without OTTI
758

(288
)
470

2,290

(870
)
1,420

Other comprehensive income
$
903

$
(343
)
$
560

$
2,500

$
(950
)
$
1,550


33


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


11.  Deferred Income Taxes

Net deferred tax assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Allowance for loan losses
$
5,602

$
5,901

Investment security impairment
106

106

Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale
3,001


Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps

283

Intangibles
1,464

1,695

Other real estate owned
1,754

1,475

Accrued expenses
758

766

Other deferred tax assets
277

288

State net operating loss carryforward
600

529

Capital loss carryforward
4,065

4,065

Net deferred loan fees and costs
(271
)
(272
)
Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale

(1,463
)
Net unrealized gains on interest rate swaps
(932
)

Premises and equipment
(589
)
(513
)
Loans
(998
)
(878
)
Other deferred tax liabilities
(308
)
(291
)
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
14,529

11,691

Valuation allowance
(4,771
)
(4,700
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
9,758

$
6,991

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the tax effect of the state net operating loss carryforwards, federal and state capital loss carryforwards and investment security impairment as management believes it is more likely than not that such carryforwards will expire without being utilized.

12.  Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations that it uses for on-balance-sheet instruments.  The Company's commitments as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 consisted of the following approximate amounts.
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Commitments to extend credit
$
467,388

$
360,879

Standby letters of credit
3,518

10,488

$
470,906

$
371,367

West Bank has executed Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) Master Commitments (the Commitments) with the FHLB of Des Moines to deliver mortgage loans and to guarantee the payment of any realized losses that exceed the FHLB's first loss account for mortgages delivered under the Commitments.  West Bank receives credit enhancement fees from the FHLB for providing this guarantee and continuing to assist with managing the credit risk of the MPF Program mortgage loans.  The term of the current Commitment is through January 16, 2014.  At September 30, 2013 , the liability represented by the present value of the credit enhancement fees less any expected losses in the mortgages delivered under the Commitments was approximately $457 .


34


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)


On September 29, 2010, West Bank was sued in a purported class action lawsuit that, as amended, asserts that nonsufficient funds fees charged by West Bank to Iowa resident noncommercial customers on bank debit card transactions, but not checks or Automated Clearing House items, are usurious under Iowa law, rather than allowable fees, and that the sequence in which West Bank formerly posted items for payment in consumer demand accounts violated various alleged duties of good faith. As West Bank understands the current claims, plaintiffs are seeking alternative remedies that include injunctive relief, damages (including treble damages), punitive damages, refund of fees, and attorney fees. West Bank believes the lawsuit allegations are factually and legally incorrect in multiple material ways and is vigorously defending the action. The amount of potential loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated now because the multiple alternative claims involve different time periods and present different defenses related to potential liability, class certification, and damages.

In the normal course of business, the Company and West Bank are involved in various other legal proceedings.  In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT

Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “should,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “future,” “may,” “will,” “strategy,” “plan,” “opportunity,” “will be,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar references, or references to estimates, predictions or future events.  Such forward-looking statements are based upon certain underlying assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Because of the possibility that the underlying assumptions are incorrect or do not materialize as expected in the future, actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties that may affect future results include: interest rate risk; competitive pressures; pricing pressures on loans and deposits; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company's loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values, or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; actions of bank and non-bank competitors; changes in local and national economic conditions; changes in regulatory requirements, limitations and costs; changes in customers' acceptance of the Company's products and services; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of this and other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current or future events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


35

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

OVERVIEW

The following discussion describes the consolidated operations and financial condition of the Company, which includes West Bank, West Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation (which owns an interest in SmartyPig, LLC), and West Bank's 99.99 percent owned subsidiary ICD IV, LLC (a community development entity).  Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are compared to the results for the same periods in 2012 , and the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of September 30, 2013 is compared to balances as of December 31, 2012 .
Net income for the third quarter of 2013 increased 16.3 percent to $4,363 , or $0.27 per basic and diluted common share, compared to $3,752 , or $0.22 per basic and diluted common share for the third quarter of 2012 . The Company's annualized return on average equity and return on average assets for the third quarter of 2013 were 14.41 and 1.19 percent , respectively, compared to 11.36 and 1.14 percent , respectively, for the same period in 2012 .

The increase in net income for the third quarter of 2013 was due to several significant fluctuations compared to the same period last year. Net interest income for the third quarter of 2013 was up 13.3 percent over the same period last year primarily as the result of loan growth. The provision for loan losses for the third quarter of 2013 was a negative $1,000 compared to an expense of $300 in the same quarter of 2012 . The negative provision was based upon sustained improvement in the credit quality of the loan portfolio. Meanwhile, gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages declined $604 due to the rise in long-term interest rates, and noninterest expense increased primarily because of write-downs of other real estate owned properties and an increase in the number of West Bank employees.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $12,609 , or $0.75 per basic and diluted common share compared to $12,112 , or $0.70 per basic share and $0.69 per diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 . The Company's annualized return on average equity and return on average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were 13.02 and 1.17 percent, respectively, compared to 12.61 and 1.23 percent, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 .

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , net interest income increased $3,157 compared to the same period in 2012 due to a higher average volume of loans and investment securities and a reduction in deposit and borrowing costs. On a year-to-date basis, the provision for loan losses was a negative $850 in 2013 compared to an expense of $300 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 . Other significant changes between the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 were a $1,195 reduction in gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages and a $1,069 increase in salaries and benefits primarily as a result of an increase in the number of bank employees.

During the first nine months of 2013 , total loans outstanding increased $31,615 . Management believes the loan portfolio will continue to grow during the remainder of 2013 as the pipeline for new loans remains strong. It is expected that the new office, located in Rochester, Minnesota, will contribute to the continued growth. After two full quarters of operations, this location had approximately $7,200 of loans outstanding as of September 30, 2013 . The Rochester office originally opened as a loan production office in March 2013 and began operating as an office effective July 1, 2013.

As of September 30, 2013 , the allowance for loan losses was 1.54 percent of loans outstanding and was deemed by management to be adequate to absorb any losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

Investment securities purchases of approximately $143,400 during the first nine months of 2013 caused the investment portfolio to grow by $67,242 compared to December 31, 2012. The purchases were made in a planned effort to reduce the level of federal funds sold and subsequently improve the net interest margin during a continuing period of downward pressure on the margin.

The Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.11 per common share at its meeting on October 23, 2013. The dividend is payable on November 26, 2013 to shareholders of record as of November 6, 2013.


36

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table shows selected financial results and measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared with the same period in 2012 .
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change
Change %
2013
2012
Change
Change %
Net income
$
4,363

$
3,752

$
611

16.3
%
$
12,609

$
12,112

$
497

4.1
%
Average assets
1,459,442

1,305,262

154,180

11.8
%
1,442,336

1,313,861

128,475

9.8
%
Average stockholders' equity
120,155

131,450

(11,295
)
(8.6
)%
129,504

128,347

1,157

0.9
%
Return on average assets
1.19
%
1.14
%
0.05
%
1.17
%
1.23
%
(0.06
)%

Return on average equity
14.41
%
11.36
%
3.05
%
13.02
%
12.61
%
0.41
%

Efficiency ratio
51.14
%
51.92
%
(0.78
)%
52.70
%
50.98
%
1.72
%
Dividend payout ratio
40.27
%
46.40
%
(6.13
)%
41.54
%
37.36
%
4.18
%

Average equity to average
assets ratio
8.23
%
10.07
%
(1.84
)%
8.98
%
9.77
%
(0.79
)%

As of September 30,
2013
2012
Change
Texas ratio
12.46
%
12.99
%
(0.53
)%
Equity to assets ratio
8.24
%
10.46
%
(2.22
)%

Tangible common equity ratio
8.24
%
10.46
%
(2.22
)%

Definitions of ratios:
Return on average assets - annualized net income divided by average assets.
Return on average equity - annualized net income divided by average stockholders' equity.
Efficiency ratio - noninterest expense (excluding other real estate owned expense) divided by noninterest income (excluding net securities gains and net impairment losses) plus tax-equivalent net interest income.
Dividend payout ratio - dividends paid to common stockholders divided by net income.
Texas ratio - total nonperforming assets divided by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses.
Equity to assets ratio - equity divided by assets.
Tangible common equity ratio - common equity less intangible assets divided by tangible assets.


37

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Net Interest Income

The following tables show average balances and related interest income or interest expense, with the resulting average yield or rate by category of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities.  Interest income and the resulting net interest income are shown on a fully taxable basis.
Data for the three months ended September 30:
Average Balance
Interest Income/Expense
Yield/Rate
2013
2012
Change
Change-
%
2013
2012
Change
Change-
%
2013
2012
Change
Interest-earning assets:
Loans:
Commercial
$
242,010

$
256,432

$
(14,422
)
(5.62
)%
$
2,569

$
3,106

$
(537
)
(17.29
)%
4.21
%
4.82
%
(0.61
)%
Real estate
717,991

589,740

128,251

21.75
%
8,851

7,919

932

11.77
%
4.89
%
5.34
%
(0.45
)%
Consumer and other
8,246

6,217

2,029

32.64
%
97

75

22

29.33
%
4.67
%
4.80
%
(0.13
)%
Total loans
968,247

852,389

115,858

13.59
%
11,517

11,100

417

3.76
%
4.72
%
5.18
%
(0.46
)%










Investment securities:











Taxable
293,424

268,934

24,490

9.11
%
1,365

1,118

247

22.09
%
1.86
%
1.66
%
0.20
%
Tax-exempt
86,576

55,372

31,204

56.35
%
1,015

709

306

43.16
%
4.69
%
5.12
%
(0.43
)%
Total investment securities
380,000

324,306

55,694

17.17
%
2,380

1,827

553

30.27
%
2.51
%
2.25
%
0.26
%











Federal funds sold and short-
term investments
28,837

52,852

(24,015
)
(45.44
)%
20

36

(16
)
(44.44
)%
0.28
%
0.27
%
0.01
%
Total interest-earning assets
$
1,377,084

$
1,229,547

$
147,537

12.00
%
13,917

12,963

954

7.36
%
4.01
%
4.19
%
(0.18
)%











Interest-bearing liabilities:











Deposits:











Interest-bearing demand,
savings and money
market
$
664,832

$
537,313

$
127,519

23.73
%
420

454

(34
)
(7.49
)%
0.25
%
0.34
%
(0.09
)%
Time deposits
164,821

161,387

3,434

2.13
%
435

600

(165
)
(27.50
)%
1.05
%
1.48
%
(0.43
)%
Total deposits
829,653

698,700

130,953

18.74
%
855

1,054

(199
)
(18.88
)%
0.41
%
0.60
%
(0.19
)%
Other borrowed funds
191,395

182,221

9,174

5.03
%
964

1,242

(278
)
(22.38
)%
2.00
%
2.71
%
(0.71
)%
Total interest-bearing
liabilities
$
1,021,048

$
880,921

$
140,127

15.91
%
1,819

2,296

(477
)
(20.78
)%
0.71
%
1.04
%
(0.33
)%











Tax-equivalent net interest income



$
12,098

$
10,667

$
1,431

13.42
%



Net interest spread








3.30
%
3.15
%
0.15
%
Net interest margin








3.49
%
3.45
%
0.04
%


38

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Data for the nine months ended September 30:
Average Balance
Interest Income/Expense
Yield/Rate
2013
2012
Change
Change-
%
2013
2012
Change
Change-
%
2013
2012
Change
Interest-earning assets:
Loans:
Commercial
$
252,172

$
259,005

$
(6,833
)
(2.64
)%
$
8,352

$
9,661

$
(1,309
)
(13.55
)%
4.43
%
4.98
%
(0.55
)%
Real estate
684,722

587,993

96,729

16.45
%
25,398

23,968

1,430

5.97
%
4.96
%
5.44
%
(0.48
)%
Consumer and other
7,323

6,023

1,300

21.58
%
258

211

47

22.27
%
4.71
%
4.68
%
0.03
%
Total loans
944,217

853,021

91,196

10.69
%
34,008

33,840

168

0.50
%
4.82
%
5.30
%
(0.48
)%










Investment securities:











Taxable
293,691

263,790

29,901

11.34
%
3,783

3,217

566

17.59
%
1.72
%
1.63
%
0.09
%
Tax-exempt
76,363

53,919

22,444

41.63
%
2,664

2,234

430

19.25
%
4.65
%
5.52
%
(0.87
)%
Total investment securities
370,054

317,709

52,345

16.48
%
6,447

5,451

996

18.27
%
2.32
%
2.29
%
0.03
%











Federal funds sold and short-
term investments
50,607

67,072

(16,465
)
(24.55
)%
99

129

(30
)
(23.26
)%
0.26
%
0.26
%
%
Total interest-earning assets
$
1,364,878

$
1,237,802

$
127,076

10.27
%
40,554

39,420

1,134

2.88
%
3.97
%
4.25
%
(0.28
)%











Interest-bearing liabilities:











Deposits:











Interest-bearing demand,
savings and money
market
$
637,556

$
542,860

$
94,696

17.44
%
1,183

1,632

(449
)
(27.51
)%
0.25
%
0.40
%
(0.15
)%
Time deposits
172,938

164,464

8,474

5.15
%
1,408

1,972

(564
)
(28.60
)%
1.09
%
1.60
%
(0.51
)%
Total deposits
810,494

707,324

103,170

14.59
%
2,591

3,604

(1,013
)
(28.11
)%
0.43
%
0.68
%
(0.25
)%
Other borrowed funds
185,597

195,930

(10,333
)
(5.27
)%
2,703

3,725

(1,022
)
(27.44
)%
1.95
%
2.54
%
(0.59
)%
Total interest-bearing
liabilities
$
996,091

$
903,254

$
92,837

10.28
%
5,294

7,329

(2,035
)
(27.77
)%
0.71
%
1.08
%
(0.37
)%











Tax-equivalent net interest income



$
35,260

$
32,091

$
3,169

9.88
%



Net interest spread








3.26
%
3.17
%
0.09
%
Net interest margin








3.45
%
3.46
%
(0.01
)%

Fluctuations in net interest income can result from the combination of changes in the balances of asset and liability categories and changes in interest rates.  Interest rates earned and paid are affected by general economic conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, and by competitive factors, government policies and the actions of regulatory authorities.  Net interest margin is a measure of the net return on interest-earning assets and is computed by dividing annualized tax-equivalent net interest income by the average of total interest-earning assets for the period.

The net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2013 , increased four basis points to 3.49 percent compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012 , and declined two basis points compared to the second quarter of 2013 . For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , the net interest margin declined by one basis point compared to the same period in 2012 . The $3,169 increase in tax-equivalent net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , was primarily the result of growth in earning assets and the decline in the rate paid on interest-bearing deposits and borrowings. Management believes the net interest margin will remain under pressure due to continued low market interest rates but will be relatively consistent throughout the rest of 2013 if market interest rates do not change significantly in the fourth quarter. Two management actions taken in December 2012 and during the first nine months of 2013 have and will continue to assist in maintaining the net interest margin. The first was the modification of $80,000 of the Company's FHLB advances in December 2012. The FHLB advances were refinanced as variable rate borrowings tied to three-month LIBOR. The overall interest rate effective as of September 30, 2013 on the FHLB advances was 2.63 percent, including amortization of prepayment fees. To prevent a negative impact to interest expense in the long-term, the Company entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps that, in effect, convert the payment streams to a fixed interest rate beginning in 2014 and 2015. The second action was the decision to reinvest federal funds sold into investment securities in 2013. Approximately $143,400 was invested during the first nine months of 2013.


39

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Year-to-date tax-equivalent interest on loans increased $168 for the first nine months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The increase was due to the net effect of a $91,196 increase in average volume and a 48 basis point decline in yield. The Company continues to focus on expanding existing customer relationships and developing new relationships. The yield on the Company's loan portfolio is affected by the mix of the loans in the portfolio, the interest rate environment, the effects of competition, the level of nonaccrual loans and reversals of previously accrued interest on charged-off loans.  The political and interest rate environments can influence the volume of new loan originations and the mix of variable-rate versus fixed-rate loans.
For the first nine months of 2013 , the average balance of investment securities was $52,345 higher than in the first nine months of 2012 due to the previously mentioned plan to reinvest federal funds sold. The yield on the investment portfolio increased 3 basis points during the same time period.

The average rate paid on deposits for the first nine months of 2013 declined to 43 basis points from 68 basis points for the same period last year.  Total interest expense on deposits declined by $1,013 compared to the first nine months of 2012 , as the decline in rates exceeded the effect of a 14.59 percent increase in average interest-bearing deposits.

The average rate paid on other borrowings declined by 59 basis points compared to the first nine months of 2012 primarily due to the previously mentioned refinancing of the FHLB borrowings.  The rate on the FHLB advances declined to 2.82 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 , compared to 3.90 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 . The rate on the Company's subordinated notes is variable with the rate tied to LIBOR. The average rate paid on the subordinated notes during the first nine months of 2013 was 3.46 percent compared to 3.68 percent for the first nine months of 2012 . In June 2013, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap to manage the interest rate risk of the variability of interest payments on $20,000 of the outstanding subordinated notes. The forward-starting date of the interest rate swap is June 30, 2014.

Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents charges made to earnings to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses.  The allowance for loan losses is management's best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower; the value and adequacy of loan collateral; the condition of the local economy; the condition of the borrower's specific industry; the levels and trends of loans by segment; and a review of delinquent and classified loans.

The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated quarterly by management and reviewed by the Board of Directors.  This evaluation focuses on factors such as specific loan reviews, loan growth, changes in the components of the loan portfolio given the current and forecasted economic conditions, and historical loss experience.  Any one of the following conditions may result in the review of a specific loan: concern about whether the borrower's cash flow or net worth is sufficient to repay the loan; delinquency status; criticism of the loan in a regulatory examination; the suspension of interest accrual; or other factors, including whether the loan has other unusual characteristics that suggest special monitoring is warranted. The Company's concentration risks include geographic concentration in central Iowa.  The local economies are comprised primarily of service industries and state and county governments.

The Company has a significant portion of its loan portfolio in commercial real estate loans, commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans and construction or land development loans.  The Company's typical commercial borrower is a small or medium-sized, privately-owned Iowa business entity.  The Company's commercial loans typically have greater credit risks than residential mortgages or consumer loans because they often have larger balances and repayment usually depends on the borrowers' successful business operations.  Commercial loans also involve additional risks because they generally are not fully repaid over the loan period and, thus, usually require refinancing or a large payoff at maturity.  When the economy turns downward, commercial borrowers may not be able to repay their loans due to reduced cash flows, and the value of their assets, which are usually pledged as collateral, may decrease rapidly and significantly.

While management uses available information to recognize potential losses on loans, further reduction in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in circumstances or information acquired later.  Furthermore, changes in future economic activity are always uncertain.  Identifiable sectors within the general economy are subject to additional volatility, which at any time may have a substantial impact on the loan portfolio.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the estimated losses on loans.  Those agencies may require the Company to recognize additional losses based on information available to them at the time of their examinations.


40

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The Company's policy is to charge off loans when, in management's opinion, the loan or a portion of a loan is deemed uncollectible, although concerted efforts are made to maximize future recoveries.  The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and related ratios.
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses for the
Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses for the
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
2012
Change
2013
2012
Change
Balance at beginning of period
$
15,959

$
15,373

$
586

$
15,529

$
16,778

$
(1,249
)
Charge-offs
(356
)
(159
)
(197
)
(591
)
(1,839
)
1,248

Recoveries
138

123

15

653

398

255

Net (charge-offs) recoveries
(218
)
(36
)
(182
)
62

(1,441
)
1,503

Provision for loan losses charged to operations
(1,000
)
300

(1,300
)
(850
)
300

(1,150
)
Balance at end of period
$
14,741

$
15,637

$
(896
)
$
14,741

$
15,637

$
(896
)
Average loans outstanding, excluding
loans held for sale
$
965,881

$
847,902

$
941,789

$
850,346

Ratio of annualized net charge-offs (recoveries)
during the period to average loans outstanding
0.09
%
0.02
%
(0.01
)%
0.23
%
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to
average loans outstanding
1.53
%
1.84
%
1.57
%
1.84
%
The allowance for loan losses represented 166.38 percent of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2013 , compared to 214.02 percent percent at December 31, 2012 . Out of the total charge-offs of $591 for the first nine months of 2013, $514 related to two customers. During the first nine months of 2013, the majority of the $653 of year-to-date recoveries were from six customers.

After evaluating the various components of our allowance methodology it was decided it was appropriate to record a negative provision for loan losses of $1,000 for the third quarter of 2013.  This results in a negative provision of $850 for the first nine months of 2013.  As disclosed in Note 4, the portion of the allowance for loan losses related to loans individually evaluated for impairment declined from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013, primarily due to the improvement of and paydowns on a land development loan relationship.  Also factored into the decision to record a negative provision was the belief the loan relationship placed on nonaccrual status in the third quarter will be resolved without additional loss.

The portion of the allowance for loan losses related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased for the first nine months of 2013 in line with loan growth. While the economic environment in Iowa is continuing to cautiously improve, the relative strength and growth of the economy is not back to pre-recession levels. Therefore, the Company has refrained from significantly lowering the economic factors within the allowance for loan losses evaluation in the third quarter of 2013 . The Company has slightly increased the factor for local market conditions as several significant payoffs within the commercial segment of the portfolio caused a slight downward shift in the overall risk profile of that segment. Management believes the resulting allowance for loan losses of $14,741 as of September 30, 2013 was adequate to absorb the losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the end of the quarter.






41

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Noninterest Income

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest income categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  In addition, accounts within the “Other income” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest income:
2013
2012
Change
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
747

$
768

$
(21
)
(2.73
)%
Debit card usage fees
527

403

124

30.77
%
Trust services
266

201

65

32.34
%
Gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages
212

816

(604
)
(74.02
)%
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
162

181

(19
)
(10.50
)%
Investment securities impairment losses

(6
)
6

NM

Other income:
Credit card fees
57

51

6

11.76
%
Loan fees
24

11

13

118.18
%
All other income
135

123

12

9.76
%
Total other income
216

185

31

16.76
%
Total noninterest income
$
2,130

$
2,548

$
(418
)
(16.41
)%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest income:
2013
2012
Change
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
2,190

$
2,236

$
(46
)
(2.06
)%
Debit card usage fees
1,351

1,193

158

13.24
%
Trust services
743

595

148

24.87
%
Gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages
949

2,144

(1,195
)
(55.74
)%
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
492

571

(79
)
(13.84
)%
Gain from bank-owned life insurance

841

(841
)
(100.00
)%
Investment securities impairment losses

(179
)
179

100.00
%
Realized investment securities gains, net

246

(246
)
(100.00
)%
Other income:


Credit card fees
166

147

19

12.93
%
Loan fees
44

14

30

214.29
%
All other income
433

487

(54
)
(11.09
)%
Total other income
643

648

(5
)
(0.77
)%
Total noninterest income
$
6,368

$
8,295

$
(1,927
)
(23.23
)%
Debit card usage fees grew during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , compared to the same time periods for 2012, as customers continued to move away from traditional check writing. West Bank changed debit card processors at the end of June 2013. The new processor provides debit card fees to West Bank sooner than the previous processor. Due to the switch in processors and the resulting change in the timing of receiving fees, there is approximately $100 in debit card income that will not be recurring in future quarters.  The Company believes these fees may decline in the future due to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the Federal Reserve's final rule that sets a cap on interchange fees at a rate below the market-driven levels. While financial institutions such as West Bank, with less than $10 billion in assets, are exempt from the cap, industry groups believe the price controls may have a negative impact on community banks over time.

Revenue from trust services increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , compared to the same periods in 2012 as a result of a combination of new business and strong asset values resulting from favorable market conditions.


42

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The volume of residential mortgage originations sold into the secondary market during the third quarter of 2013 declined to $25,907 as compared to $33,900 for the third quarter of 2012. This decline resulted in a 2013 year-to-date reduction in volume to $78,473, as compared to $86,571 for the same time period in 2012 . The decline in volume for the third quarter occurred due to the sudden rise in long-term interest rates at the end of June 2013. In addition to causing the volume of originations sold in the third quarter of 2013 to fall, the rise in interest rates in June 2013 resulted in recognition of a $166 loss in the second quarter of 2013 due to the decline in value of mortgages held for sale at that time.

Along with the rise in interest rates, total revenue from gains and fees on sales of residential mortgages declined due to a lower proportion of refinancings as compared to purchase transactions, which have a lower level of profit per loan. Approximately 58 percent of the originations in the first nine months of 2013 involved homeowners refinancing current mortgages as compared to approximately 70 percent during the same period in 2012. Improvements in the level of home sales along with recent additions to the mortgage origination staff are expected to continue to provide a strong volume of originations for the remainder of 2013 . The Company is carefully monitoring interest rate fluctuations.

The lower increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance was due to lower crediting rates within the policies, which are attributable to the low interest rate environment. Gain from bank-owned life insurance occurred in the second quarter of 2012 due to the death of a bank officer; there was no such occurrence during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 .

As of September 30, 2013 , the Company held one pooled TPS it considered to have OTTI. As a result of the quarterly valuations of this security, a credit loss of $179 was recognized in the first nine months of 2012, while no additional credit loss occurred in the first nine months of 2013.

The Company did not sell any securities during the first nine months of 2013 . During the second quarter of 2012, the Company took advantage of an opportunity to sell two collateralized mortgage obligations at a gain and was able to replace them with similar bonds with comparable yields.

Credit card fees increased for both time periods as a result of the Company's expanded customer base and an increase in transaction volume. The increase in loan fees was due to increases in prepayment fees and loan covenant waiver fees compared to the prior year periods, as well as amortization of commitment fees related to one customer that began in March 2013.


43

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Noninterest Expense

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest expense categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, accounts within the “Other expenses” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest expense:
2013
2012
Change
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
4,007

$
3,686

$
321

8.71
%
Occupancy
984

880

104

11.82
%
Data processing
532

576

(44
)
(7.64
)%
FDIC insurance expense
182

183

(1
)
(0.55
)%
Other real estate owned expense
1,137

240

897

373.75
%
Professional fees
286

276

10

3.62
%
Consulting fees
58

191

(133
)
(69.63
)%
Other expenses:
Marketing
69

52

17

32.69
%
Business development
133

86

47

54.65
%
Director fees
145

105

40

38.10
%
Insurance expense
89

82

7

8.54
%
Bank service charges and investment advisory fees
122

125

(3
)
(2.40
)%
Postage and courier
81

79

2

2.53
%
Charitable contributions
45

45


%
Supplies
75

74

1

1.35
%
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
1

1


%
Miscellaneous losses
48

2

46

2,300.00
%
All other
419

421

(2
)
(0.48
)%
Total other
1,227

1,072

155

14.46
%
Total noninterest expense
$
8,413

$
7,104

$
1,309

18.43
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest expense:
2013
2012
Change
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
11,962

$
10,893

$
1,069

9.81
%
Occupancy
2,917

2,612

305

11.68
%
Data processing
1,515

1,582

(67
)
(4.24
)%
FDIC insurance expense
547

516

31

6.01
%
Other real estate owned expense
1,138

1,228

(90
)
(7.33
)%
Professional fees
922

855

67

7.84
%
Consulting fees
227

498

(271
)
(54.42
)%
Other expenses:


Marketing
278

172

106

61.63
%
Business development
403

306

97

31.70
%
Director fees
430

319

111

34.80
%
Insurance expense
279

255

24

9.41
%
Bank service charges and investment advisory fees
371

384

(13
)
(3.39
)%
Postage and courier
248

244

4

1.64
%
Charitable contributions
135

235

(100
)
(42.55
)%
Supplies
253

221

32

14.48
%
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
7

124

(117
)
(94.35
)%
Miscellaneous losses
201

114

87

76.32
%
All other
1,241

1,224

17

1.39
%
Total other
3,846

3,598

248

6.89
%
Total noninterest expense
$
23,074

$
21,782

$
1,292

5.93
%

44

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)


The increase in salaries and employee benefits for the first nine months of 2013 consisted of normal salary increases and salaries for employees added in the past year ($754), recognition of stock-based compensation costs ($134), higher bonus accruals ($152) and higher benefit costs ($234). The benefit cost increases were primarily for health insurance, 401(k) plan expenses and payroll taxes.

Occupancy expense increased for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 due to higher depreciation and equipment service contract expenses related to technology upgrades. Rental expense also increased due to the addition of the new Rochester, Minnesota, location, an upgraded office in West Des Moines and the lease of additional space at the main bank location.

FDIC insurance expense increased in the first nine months of 2013 because of the growth in total average assets. The assessment rate declined slightly compared to 2012 and is expected to remain at the lowest established rate for the foreseeable future.

Other real estate owned expense in the first nine months of 2013 declined by $90 compared to the same period last year. There were property valuation write-downs during the first nine months of 2013 of $1,200 compared to write-downs of $1,203 for the same time period in 2012 that resulted from updated appraisals and estimated disposal costs. The entire $1,200 of other real estate owned write-downs for 2013 occurred during the third quarter of 2013, which explains the $897 increase in other real estate owned expense for the third quarter of 2013 as compared to the third quarter of 2012. The Company's practice is to obtain updated appraisals on other real estate owned at least annually. The year-to-date decline in other real estate owned expense can also be attributed to the Company having a smaller inventory of properties in other real estate owned as compared to September 30, 2012.

Professional fees increased for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , compared to the same time periods in 2012 primarily due to higher legal fees incurred to defend the previously disclosed potential class-action lawsuit. Consulting fees declined year-over-year as a number of projects were completed in 2012 and have not been repeated in 2013 .

Marketing expense grew primarily as a result of costs related to opening an upgraded office in West Des Moines and the opening of the previously mentioned location in Minnesota. The increase in business development costs was the result of expanding sponsorships of local events in the communities the Company serves. Director fees increased by $111 compared to the first nine months of 2012 primarily due to the recognition of stock-based compensation expense related to the grant of restricted stock units.

On a year-to-date basis, charitable contributions declined by $100 compared to the same period last year due to a larger donation to the West Bancorporation Foundation in the second quarter of 2012. The cost of supplies for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included one-time costs to reissue debit cards related to changing processors. Loss on disposal of fixed assets in the first nine months of 2012 included the write-off of design costs related to the construction of a new leased replacement office that were not used in the final plans.

Miscellaneous losses increased during the first nine months of 2013 compared to 2012 as the result of increased fraudulent debit card and check forgery activity that has occurred throughout 2013 .

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $1,980 (31.2 percent of pre-tax income) and $5,518 (30.4 percent of pre-tax income), respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 , compared with $1,649 (30.5 percent of pre-tax income) and $4,927 (28.9 percent of pre-tax income), respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 .  The Company's consolidated income tax rate varied from the statutory rate primarily due to tax-exempt income, including interest on municipal securities and the increase in the cash value of bank-owned life insurance. The tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was lower than the tax rate for the same period in 2013 primarily due to $841 of tax-exempt gains from bank-owned life insurance recorded during the second quarter of 2012. The tax rate for both years was also impacted by West Bank's 2007 investment in a qualified community development entity, which generated a $2,730 federal new markets tax credit over a seven-year period. The credit for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is $420 for each year, with 2013 being the last year for the credit.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets as of September 30, 2013 increased minimally compared to total assets as of December 31, 2012 , but there were significant changes in the components as federal funds sold were utilized to purchase investment securities and fund new loans.  A summary of changes in the components of the balance sheet are described in the following paragraphs.


45

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Investment Securities

Investment securities available for sale increased $67,242 to $359,556 at September 30, 2013 , compared to December 31, 2012 . The increase was caused by the planned reinvestment of low-rate federal funds sold into securities in an effort to enhance net interest income.

As of September 30, 2013 , approximately 67 percent of the available for sale investment securities portfolio consisted of government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities. In the current low interest rate environment, both provide relatively good yields, have little to no credit risk and provide fairly consistent cash flows. Approximately 67 percent of all year-to-date 2013 security purchases totaling approximately $96,350 were in these categories of securities. During the first nine months of 2013, the Company also purchased approximately $34,800 of securities originated by municipalities in states other than Iowa, due to their somewhat higher yields compared to Iowa municipalities with similar credit risks.

The significant increase in long-term market interest rates at the end of the second quarter of 2013 and the subsequent continued increase during the third quarter caused the fair value of our investment portfolio to decline to a level below the overall amortized cost basis. Management believes the unrealized losses (other than on the security discussed below) are due to market conditions, and not reduced estimated cash flows.
At September 30, 2013 , the most significant risk of a future impairment charge is related to the Company's investment in a pooled TPS, ALESCO Preferred Funding X, Ltd.  As of September 30, 2013 , this TPS, with a cost basis of $4,171 , was valued at $1,802 .  Management first considered this pooled TPS to have OTTI in 2009.  Any potential future loss that would be considered a credit loss would negatively impact net income and regulatory capital; however, the fair value adjustment at September 30, 2013 , has already been recorded against equity.
Loans and Nonperforming Assets

Loans outstanding increased $31,615 from $927,401 as of December 31, 2012 to $959,016 as of September 30, 2013 . Management believes the loan portfolio will continue to grow as the economy shows some signs of improvement and as the result of continuing business development efforts. The volume of loans in the pipeline remains strong and the March 18, 2013 addition of the Rochester, Minnesota, location and its experienced lenders produced loan balances of approximately $7,200 as of September 30, 2013, after two quarters of operations. While the loan portfolio has grown during the first nine months of 2013, the commercial loan category has declined. Over half the decrease is due to loans paying off when two customers sold their businesses. The remaining decrease can generally be attributed to the notion that some businesses are paying down loans and retaining cash in these uncertain economic times.

Credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio remains good as nonperforming loans remain at less than one percent of total loans outstanding as of September 30, 2013, as shown in the table below. The Company's Texas ratio, which is computed by dividing nonperforming assets by tangible equity plus the allowance for loan losses, was 12.46 percent as of September 30, 2013, up slightly from 11.25 percent as of December 31, 2012. The increase as of September 30, 2013, was due to two loans totaling $1,046 that were past due as of the end of the quarter, and the placement of one loan relationship totaling approximately $4,250 on nonaccrual status during the third quarter. The two loans that were past due at the end of the quarter were brought current in early October. Management believes the loan placed on nonaccrual status during the third quarter may be paid off before year end. The ratios for both dates were significantly better than peer group averages, which were approximately 20 percent as of June 30, 2013 according to data in the June 2013 Bank Holding Company Performance Report. Management believes that it continues to devote appropriate resources to monitoring and reducing nonperforming assets


46

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The following table sets forth the amount of nonperforming loans and other nonperforming assets held by the Company and common ratio measurements of those items as of the dates shown.
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Change
Nonaccrual loans
$
7,286

$
6,400

$
886

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest (1)
1,046


1,046

Troubled debt restructured loans (2)
528

856

(328
)
Total nonperforming loans
8,860

7,256

1,604

Other real estate owned
6,276

8,304

(2,028
)
Nonaccrual investment securities
1,802

1,334

468

Total nonperforming assets
$
16,938

$
16,894

$
44




Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.92
%
0.78
%
0.14
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
1.15
%
1.17
%
(0.02
)%

(1)
Subsequent to September30, 2013, the two loans comprising this category were brought current by the borrowers.
(2)
While TDR loans are commonly reported by the industry as nonperforming, those not classified in the nonaccrual category are accruing interest due to payment performance. TDR loans on nonaccrual status are included in the nonaccrual category. As of September 30, 2013 , there were three TDR loans totaling $819 included the nonaccrual category. As of December 31, 2012 , there was one TDR loan with a balance of $810 included in the nonaccrual category.

The following tables set forth the activity within each category of nonperforming loans and assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , respectively.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Nonaccrual
Loans Past Due 90 Days and Still Accruing Interest
Troubled Debt Restructured
Total Nonperforming Loans
Other Real Estate Owned
Nonaccrual Investment Securities
Total Nonperforming Assets
Balance at beginning of period
$
6,400

$

$
856

$
7,256

$
8,304

$
1,334

$
16,894

Increase in fair market value





468

468

Additions
5,419

1,051

31

6,501

(19
)

6,482

Transfers:


Troubled debt to nonaccrual
104


(104
)




Nonaccrual to OREO
(153
)


(153
)
153



Upgrade in classification


(186
)
(186
)


(186
)
Sales




(962
)

(962
)
Subsequent write-downs/
impairment
(554
)
(5
)
(31
)
(590
)
(1,200
)

(1,790
)
Payments
(3,930
)

(38
)
(3,968
)


(3,968
)
Balance at end of period
$
7,286

$
1,046

$
528

$
8,860

$
6,276

$
1,802

$
16,938


47

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
Nonaccrual
Loans Past Due 90 Days and Still Accruing Interest
Troubled Debt Restructured
Total Nonperforming Loans
Other Real Estate Owned
Nonaccrual Investment Securities
Total Nonperforming Assets
Balance at beginning of period
$
8,572

$

$
2,121

$
10,693

$
10,967

$
1,245

$
22,905

Increase in fair market value





210

210

Additions
1,496


102

1,598

119


1,717

Transfers:
Troubled debt to past due

480

(480
)




Troubled debt to nonaccrual
894


(894
)




Past due to troubled debt

(480
)
480





Nonaccrual to OREO
(553
)


(553
)
553



Upgrade in classification
(309
)


(309
)


(309
)
Sales




(1,489
)

(1,489
)
Subsequent write-downs/
impairment
(935
)

(606
)
(1,541
)
(1,256
)
(179
)
(2,976
)
Payments
(740
)

(54
)
(794
)


(794
)
Balance at end of period
$
8,425

$

$
669

$
9,094

$
8,894

$
1,276

$
19,264

The following table provides the composition of other real estate owned as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 .
September 30, 2013
December 31, 2012
Construction, land development and other land
$
5,957

$
7,967

1-4 family residential properties
319

223

Commercial properties

114

$
6,276

$
8,304

The Company is actively marketing the assets included in the previous table.  There has been increased interest from potential buyers but demand for development land remains low and has not picked up as quickly as the residential real estate market.  Valuations of other real estate owned are performed by management at least annually, so that the properties are carried at current fair value less estimated disposal costs.  Fair values are determined by obtaining updated appraisals or other market information.  As of September 30, 2013 , the construction and land development category included two properties in the Des Moines metropolitan area, one property in Missouri and one property in Arkansas.  The 1-4 family residential category consisted of one home in the Des Moines area and one home in the Iowa City area.
Reference is also made to the information and discussion earlier in this report under the heading “Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses,” and Notes 4 and 7 to the financial statements.

Deposits

Deposits totaled $1,165,792 as of September 30, 2013 , which was approximately 3 percent higher than balances as of December 31, 2012 .  An increase in money market savings accounts exceeded the decline in noninterest-bearing demand and certificates of deposit categories. The increase in money market savings is primarily due to corporate customers moving funds from certificates of deposit products to a more liquid option in the current low interest rate environment. The decline in noninterest-bearing demand account balances was considered a normal fluctuation as corporate customers' liquidity needs vary at any given time. Certificates of deposit continue to decline as customers avoid tying up their assets for longer time frames in an environment where deposit rates have remained at historic lows.


48

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

Borrowings

The balance of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase declined $11,138 in the first nine months of 2013 to $44,458 , with most of the reduction attributed to securities sold under agreements to repurchase. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are fluid funds that fluctuate based on the cash flow needs of our customers. Federal funds purchased consisted of funds sold to West Bank by two Iowa banks as part of the correspondent bank services provided by West Bank. By the end of 2013, all customer repurchase agreements will be migrated to an interest-bearing demand deposit product. The new product provides customers with FDIC insurance coverage by reciprocating balances through a network of participating banks and eliminates the investment security pledging requirements for repurchase agreements.

On June 27, 2013, the Company borrowed $16,000 in the form of a five-year amortizing secured term loan with a variable rate of 1.95 percent plus 30-day LIBOR. The proceeds were used to finance the previously mentioned repurchase and cancellation of 1,440,592 shares of common stock. Also occurring during June 2013 was the purchase of a commercial lot in Coralville for a new eastern Iowa main office. The purchase was financed with a $765 eight-and-one-half-year variable payment contract with a fixed interest rate of 1.25 percent. The contract financing was requested by the sellers to accommodate their cash flow planning.
Liquidity and Capital Resources

The objective of liquidity management is to ensure the availability of sufficient cash flows to meet all financial commitments and to capitalize on opportunities for profitable business expansion.  The Company's principal source of funds is deposits.  Other sources include loan principal repayments, proceeds from the maturity and sale of investment securities, principal payments on collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities, federal funds purchased, repurchase agreements, advances from the FHLB, and funds provided by operations.  Liquidity management is conducted on both a daily and a long-term basis.  Investments in liquid assets are adjusted based on expected loan demand, projected loan and investment securities maturities and payments, expected deposit flows and the objectives set by the Company's asset-liability management policy. The Company had liquid assets (cash and cash equivalents) of $91,992 as of September 30, 2013 , compared with $171,474 as of December 31, 2012 .  The decline was primarily caused by the planned purchases of investment securities and growth in the loan portfolio during the first nine months of 2013 .

As of September 30, 2013, West Bank had additional borrowing capacity available from the FHLB of approximately $116,294, as well as $67,000 through unsecured federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks.  In addition, during the second quarter of 2013, the Company obtained a $5,000 line of credit with a community bank for general corporate purposes. Neither West Bank nor the Company was drawing on any of these lines of credit as of September 30, 2013 .  Net cash from operating activities contributed $19,200 and $14,294 to liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 , respectively.  The combination of high levels of potentially liquid assets, cash flows from operations and additional borrowing capacity provided the Company with strong liquidity as of September 30, 2013 .

The Company's total stockholders' equity declined to $121,157 at September 30, 2013 from $134,587 at December 31, 2012 .  The decline was primarily due to the previously mentioned repurchase and cancellation of 1,440,592 shares of common stock at a price of $10.95 per share on June 5, 2013. Management believes the repurchase, which was financed at favorable terms, will enhance future earnings per share. The stock repurchase plus dividends paid exceeded year-to-date net income. Total stockholders' equity also declined as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) went down as the result of unrealized losses in the investment portfolio.

The Company and West Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements (as shown in the following table) can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators which, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and West Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Management believes the Company and West Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject as of September 30, 2013 .




49

(dollars in thousands, except share and per share information)

The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table.
Actual
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
As of September 30, 2013:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated
$
158,388

14.08
%
$
89,979

8.00
%
N/A

N/A

West Bank
153,883

14.07

87,482

8.00

$
109,353

10.00
%






Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)






Consolidated
144,321

12.83

44,990

4.00

N/A

N/A

West Bank
140,201

12.82

43,741

4.00

65,612

6.00







Tier I Leverage






Consolidated
144,321

9.84

58,682

4.00

N/A

N/A

West Bank
140,201

9.67

58,013

4.00

72,516

5.00







As of December 31, 2012:






Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)






Consolidated
$
165,995

15.56
%
$
85,331

8.00
%
N/A

N/A

West Bank
145,252

14.03

82,844

8.00

$
103,555

10.00
%






Tier I Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)






Consolidated
152,635

14.31

42,666

4.00

N/A

N/A

West Bank
132,276

12.77

41,422

4.00

62,133

6.00







Tier I Leverage






Consolidated
152,635

11.23

54,387

4.00

N/A

N/A

West Bank
132,276

9.85

53,722

4.00

67,153

5.00


In early July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC issued final rules implementing the Basel III regulatory capital framework and related Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act changes. The rules revise minimum capital requirements and adjust prompt corrective action thresholds. The final rules revise the regulatory capital elements, add a new common equity Tier I capital ratio, and increase the minimum Tier I capital ratio requirement. The rules also permit certain banking organizations to retain, through a one-time election, the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income and implement a new capital conservation buffer. The final rules will take effect for community banks January 1, 2015, subject to a transition period for certain parts of the rules. The complex final rules will require careful review and analysis, but management believes the Company and West Bank will remain well capitalized.

At September 30, 2013 , tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets was 8.24 percent compared to 9.29 percent as of December 31, 2012 . The decline is primarily due to the previously discussed repurchase of common stock.

The Company is planning to begin construction on the previously mentioned new main office for the eastern Iowa market during the fourth quarter of 2013. The construction will be funded with liquid assets.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of earnings volatility that results from adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. The Company's market risk is primarily interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking. Interest rate risk is the risk that the change in market interest rates may adversely affect the Company's net interest income.  Management continually develops and implements strategies to mitigate this risk.  The analysis of the Company's interest rate risk was presented in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2013 and is incorporated herein by reference.  The Company has not experienced any material changes to its market risk position since December 31, 2012 .  Management does not believe the Company's primary market risk exposures and how those exposures were managed in the first nine months of 2013 changed when compared to 2012 .


50


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

a. Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 240.13a-15(f)) was performed under the supervision, and with the participation of, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's current disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

b. Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

On September 29, 2010, West Bank was sued in a purported class action lawsuit that, as amended, asserts that nonsufficient funds fees charged by West Bank to Iowa resident noncommercial customers on bank debit card transactions, but not checks or Automated Clearing House items, are usurious under Iowa law, rather than allowable fees, and that the sequence in which West Bank formerly posted items for payment in consumer demand accounts violated various alleged duties of good faith. As West Bank understands the current claims, plaintiffs are seeking alternative remedies that include injunctive relief, damages (including treble damages), punitive damages, refund of fees, and attorney fees. West Bank believes the lawsuit allegations are factually and legally incorrect in multiple material ways and is vigorously defending the action. The amount of potential loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated now because the multiple alternative claims involve different time periods and present different defenses related to potential liability, class certification and damages.

The Company and West Bank are not parties to any other pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary litigation incidental to West Bank's business, and no property of these entities is the subject of any such proceeding.  The Company does not know of any proceeding contemplated by a governmental authority against the Company or West Bank or any of the Company's property.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Management does not believe there have been any material changes in the risk factors that were disclosed in the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2013.

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

On July 24, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan. Management was authorized to purchase up to $2 million of the Company's common stock within a nine-month period ending April 24, 2014. There were no purchases of the Company's common shares during the third quarter of 2013. The authorization does not require such purchases and is subject to certain restrictions. Shares of Company common stock may be repurchased on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The extent to which the shares are repurchased and the timing of such repurchase will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information

None.


51


Item 6.  Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibits
Description
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under 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
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


52


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.

West Bancorporation, Inc.
(Registrant)
October 25, 2013
By:
/s/ David D. Nelson
Date
David D. Nelson
Chief Executive Officer and President
October 25, 2013
By:
/s/ Douglas R. Gulling
Date
Douglas R. Gulling
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
October 25, 2013
/s/ Marie I. Roberts
Date
Marie I. Roberts
Senior Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)


53


EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:
Exhibit No.
Description
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under 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
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

54
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