gsbc-10q093013.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period ended September 30, 2013

Commission File Number 0-18082

GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
 
43-1524856
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
     
1451 E. Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri
 
65804
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
(417) 887-4400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
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 /  /
 
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 /  /
 
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 “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer /  /
Accelerated filer /X/
Non-accelerated filer /  /
Smaller reporting company /  /
   
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company) 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 
Yes /  /   No /X/
 
The number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock: 13,666,829 shares of common stock, par value $.01, outstanding at November 7, 2013.
 


 
 
 
1
 
 
 


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In thousands, except number of shares)

   
SEPTEMBER 30,
   
DECEMBER 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Cash
  $ 109,254     $ 107,949  
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
    230,560       295,855  
Federal funds sold
          337  
Cash and cash equivalents
    339,814       404,141  
Available-for-sale securities
    580,980       807,010  
Held-to-maturity securities (fair value $915  – September 2013;
               
     $1,084 - December 2012)
    805       920  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    10,047       26,829  
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of
               
     $39,456 – September 2013; $40,649 - December 2012
    2,328,738       2,319,638  
FDIC indemnification asset
    80,554       117,263  
Interest receivable
    10,932       12,755  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    76,293       79,560  
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net
    55,606       68,874  
Premises and equipment, net
    104,811       102,286  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    4,890       5,811  
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    9,855       10,095  
          Total Assets
  $ 3,603,325     $ 3,955,182  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Deposits
  $ 2,852,534     $ 3,153,193  
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    127,808       126,730  
Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers
    135,158       179,644  
Short-term borrowings
    633       772  
Structured repurchase agreements
    50,000       53,039  
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts
    30,929       30,929  
Accrued interest payable
    1,121       1,322  
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance
    5,814       2,154  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    18,307       12,128  
Current and deferred income tax liability
    5,448       25,397  
          Total Liabilities
    3,227,752       3,585,308  
Stockholders' Equity:
               
Capital stock
               
Serial preferred stock – $.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued
     and outstanding September 2013 and December 2012 - 57,943 shares,
     $1,000 liquidation amount
    57,943       57,943  
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares;
issued and outstanding September 2013  – 13,665,706 shares;
               
December 2012 - 13,596,335 shares
    137       136  
Additional paid-in capital
    19,407       18,394  
Retained earnings
    294,420       276,751  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,666       16,650  
          Total Stockholders' Equity
    375,573       369,874  
          Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 3,603,325     $ 3,955,182  
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


 
 
 
2
 
 
 

GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
(Unaudited)
 
Loans
 
$
40,087
 
 
$
44,606
 
Investment securities and other
 
 
2,932
 
 
 
5,553
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
 
 
43,019
 
 
 
50,159
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
2,822
 
 
 
5,092
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
 
1,005
 
 
 
1,023
 
Short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements
 
 
587
 
 
 
634
 
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts
 
 
141
 
 
 
155
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
4,555
 
 
 
6,904
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
 
38,464
 
 
 
43,255
 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
2,677
 
 
 
8,400
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
35,787
 
 
 
34,855
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions
 
 
158
 
 
 
231
 
Service charges and ATM fees
 
 
4,729
 
 
 
4,900
 
Net realized gains on sales of loans
 
 
1,179
 
 
 
1,404
 
Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities
   
110
   
 
507
 
Late charges and fees on loans
 
 
284
 
 
 
195
 
Gain (loss) on derivative interest rate products
   
(125
)
   
(104
)
Accretion (amortization) of income/expense related to business acquisitions
 
 
(6,339
)
 
 
(5,959
)
Other income
 
 
933
 
 
 
911
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
929
 
 
 
2,085
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
 
13,034
 
 
 
13,013
 
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
 
5,216
 
 
 
5,556
 
Postage
 
 
790
 
 
 
845
 
Insurance
 
 
1,083
 
 
 
1,143
 
Advertising
 
 
433
 
 
 
449
 
Office supplies and printing
 
 
320
 
 
 
340
 
Telephone
 
 
679
 
 
 
684
 
Legal, audit and other professional fees
 
 
1,186
 
 
 
946
 
Expense on foreclosed assets
 
 
1,068
 
 
 
2,536
 
Partnership tax credit investment amortization
   
1,578
     
1,463
 
Other operating expenses
 
 
1,791
 
 
 
2,177
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
27,178
 
 
 
29,152
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
 
9,538
 
 
 
7,788
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
 
1,099
 
 
 
746
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
 
8,439
 
 
 
7,042
 
                 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
               
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
   
     
62
 
                 
NET INCOME
   
8,439
     
7,104
 
                 
Preferred stock dividends
 
 
145
 
 
 
150
 
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
 
$
8,294
 
 
$
6,954
 
 
 
 
3
 
 
 
 
 
 
THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.61
 
 
$
0.51
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.61
 
 
$
0.51
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
$
0.61
   
$
0.50
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING
   OPERATIONS
 
$
0.61
   
$
0.50
 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.18
 
 
$
0.18
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
4
 
 
 


GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
(Unaudited)
 
Loans
 
$
122,226
 
 
$
124,572
 
Investment securities and other
 
 
11,630
 
 
 
18,486
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
 
 
133,856
 
 
 
143,058
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
9,611
 
 
 
16,663
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
 
2,968
 
 
 
3,430
 
Short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements
 
 
1,758
 
 
 
1,993
 
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts
 
 
421
 
 
 
468
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
14,758
 
 
 
22,554
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
 
119,098
 
 
 
120,504
 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
14,573
 
 
 
36,077
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
104,525
 
 
 
84,427
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions
 
 
836
 
 
 
769
 
Service charges and ATM fees
 
 
13,800
 
 
 
14,272
 
Net realized gains on sales of loans
 
 
4,236
 
 
 
3,650
 
Net realized gains on sales and impairments of available-for-sale securities
   
241
   
 
1,787
 
Late charges and fees on loans
 
 
785
 
 
 
605
 
Gain (loss) on derivative interest rate products
   
283
     
(124
)
Initial gain recognized on business acquisition
   
     
31,312
 
Accretion (amortization) of income/expense related to business acquisitions
 
 
(17,900
)
 
 
(12,147
)
Other income
 
 
3,898
 
 
 
3,898
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
6,179
 
 
 
44,022
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
 
39,334
 
 
 
38,842
 
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
 
15,451
 
 
 
15,234
 
Postage
 
 
2,454
 
 
 
2,473
 
Insurance
 
 
3,204
 
 
 
3,321
 
Advertising
 
 
1,599
 
 
 
1,216
 
Office supplies and printing
 
 
950
 
 
 
1,061
 
Telephone
 
 
2,169
 
 
 
2,088
 
Legal, audit and other professional fees
 
 
2,936
 
 
 
3,366
 
Expense on foreclosed assets
 
 
3,478
 
 
 
4,203
 
Partnership tax credit investment amortization
   
4,500
     
3,799
 
Other operating expenses
 
 
5,663
 
 
 
6,691
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
81,738
 
 
 
82,294
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
 
28,966
 
 
 
46,155
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
 
3,910
 
 
 
10,447
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
 
25,056
 
 
 
35,708
 
                 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
               
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
   
     
549
 
                 
NET INCOME
   
25,056
     
36,257
 
                 
Preferred stock dividends
 
 
435
 
 
 
440
 
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
 
$
24,621
 
 
$
35,817
 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
1.81
 
 
$
2.65
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
1.80
 
 
$
2.62
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
 
$
1.81
   
$
2.61
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING
   OPERATIONS
 
$
1.80
   
$
2.59
 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.54
 
 
$
0.54
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 



GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)

   
THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
Net Income
  $ 8,439     $ 7,104  
                 
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities, net of
               
taxes (credit) of $(2,812) and $1,648, for 2013 and 2012, respectively
    (5,221 )     3,062  
                 
Non-credit component of unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale debt
               
securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment
               
has been recognized, net of taxes  (credit) of $0 and $(17), for
               
2013 and 2012, respectively
          (31 )
                 
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income,
               
net of taxes of $(38) and $(177), for 2013 and 2012, respectively
    (72 )     (330 )
                 
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of taxes (credit) of $(24)
               
and $0, for 2013 and 2012, respectively
    (45 )      
                 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 3,101     $ 9,805  
                 
                 
   
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
      2013       2012  
                 
Net Income
  $ 25,056     $ 36,257  
                 
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities, net of
               
taxes (credit) of $(6,863) and $4,102, for 2013 and 2012, respectively
    (12,745 )     7,620  
                 
Non-credit component of unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale debt
               
securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment
               
has been recognized, net of taxes (credit) of $(20) and ($20),
               
for 2013 and 2012, respectively
    (37 )     (37 )
                 
Other-than-temporary impairment loss recognized in earnings on
               
available for sale securities, net of taxes (credit) of $0 and $(92),
               
for 2013 and 2012, respectively
          (170 )
                 
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income,
               
net of taxes of $(84) and $(625), for 2013 and 2012, respectively
    (157 )     (1,162 )
                 
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of taxes (credit) of $(24)
               
and $0, for 2013 and 2012, respectively
    (45 )      
                 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 12,072     $ 42,508  
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
7
 
 


GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
 
 
 
2013
 
 
2012
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
25,056
 
 
$
36,257
 
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
 
 
184,382
 
 
 
185,387
 
Originations of loans held for sale
 
 
(171,035
)
 
 
(190,534
)
Items not requiring (providing) cash:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
 
5,971
 
 
 
5,246
 
Amortization of other assets
 
 
5,421
 
 
 
4,743
 
Compensation expense for stock option grants
   
333
     
320
 
Provision for loan losses
 
 
14,573
 
 
 
36,077
 
Net gains on loan sales
 
 
(4,236
)
 
 
(3,650
)
Net gains on sale or impairment of available-for-sale investment securities
   
(241
)
 
 
(1,787
)
Net (gains) losses on sale of premises and equipment
 
 
(10
)
 
 
159
 
(Gain) loss on sale of foreclosed assets
 
 
1,823
 
 
 
856
 
Gain on purchase of additional business units
   
   
 
(31,312
)
Amortization of deferred income, premiums, discounts
 
 
     
 
   
and fair value adjustments
 
 
22,518
 
 
 
10,115
 
(Gain) loss on derivative interest rate products
   
(284
)
 
 
124
 
Deferred income taxes
 
 
(13,625
)
 
 
3,504
 
Changes in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest receivable
 
 
1,823
 
 
 
2,337
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
 
16,244
 
 
 
73,932
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
 
4,376
 
 
 
(1,157
)
Income taxes refundable/payable
 
 
668
 
 
 
7,323
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
93,757
 
 
 
137,940
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase in loans
 
 
(19,044
)
 
 
(4,395
)
Purchase of loans
 
 
           (20,388
)
 
 
(12,107
)
Cash received from purchase of additional business units
   
   
 
75,328
 
Purchase of premises and equipment
 
 
(9,761
)
 
 
(22,562
)
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
 
 
1,275
 
 
 
488
 
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
 
 
35,973
 
 
 
38,710
 
Capitalized costs on foreclosed assets
 
 
(291
)
 
 
(275
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities
   
108,485
   
 
77,849
 
Proceeds from maturing investment securities
   
   
 
1,830
 
Proceeds from called investment securities
 
 
4,160
 
 
 
29,745
 
Principal reductions on mortgage-backed securities
 
 
179,710
 
 
 
107,581
 
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
 
 
(92,425
)
 
 
(85,803
)
Redemption (purchase) of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
 
240
 
 
 
2,607
 
Net cash provided by investing activities
 
 
187,934
 
 
 
208,996
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in certificates of deposit
 
 
(163,327
)
 
 
(279,366
)
Net increase (decrease) in checking and savings deposits
 
 
(136,191
)
 
 
111,406
 
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
 
1,980
 
 
 
 
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
 
(246
)
 
 
(52,850
)
Net decrease in short-term borrowings
 
 
(44,625
)
 
 
(18,823
)
Repayments of structured repurchase agreements
   
(3,000
)
   
 
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance
 
 
3,660
 
 
 
3,417
 
Dividends paid
 
 
(5,361
)
 
 
(7,949
)
Stock options exercised
 
 
1,092
 
 
 
2,164
 
Net cash used in financing activities
 
 
(346,018
)
 
 
(242,001
)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
(64,327
)
 
 
104,935
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
 
404,141
 
 
 
380,249
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
 
$
339,814
 
 
$
485,184
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

 
 
 
8
 
 

GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "Great Southern") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The financial statements presented herein reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company for the periods presented. Those adjustments consist only of normal recurring adjustments. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The consolidated statement of financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2012, has been derived from the audited consolidated statement of financial condition of the Company as of that date.   Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.  These reclassifications had no effect on net income.
 
Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company's annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NOTE 2: NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND OPERATING SEGMENTS
 
The Company operates as a one-bank holding company.  The Company’s business primarily consists of the operations of Great Southern Bank (the “Bank”), which provides a full range of financial services to customers primarily located in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Arkansas.  The Company and the Bank are subject to the regulation of certain federal and state agencies and undergo periodic examinations by those regulatory agencies.
 
The Company’s banking operation is its only reportable segment.  The banking operation is principally engaged in the business of originating residential and commercial real estate loans, construction loans, commercial business loans and consumer loans and funding these loans through attracting deposits from the general public, accepting brokered deposits and borrowing from the Federal Home Loan Bank and others.  The operating results of this segment are regularly reviewed by management to make decisions about resource allocations and to assess performance.  Selected information is not presented separately for the Company’s reportable segment, as there is no material difference between that information and the corresponding information in the consolidated financial statements.
 
Effective November 30, 2012, Great Southern Bank sold its Great Southern Travel and Great Southern Insurance divisions.  In the Company’s statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, operations of the two divisions have been restated to include all revenues and expenses of the two divisions in discontinued operations. 
 
 
NOTE 3: RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 to amend FASB ASC Topic 220, Reporting Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  The objective of this update is to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  The amendments in this Update require an entity to disaggregate the total change of each component of other comprehensive income (e.g., unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale investment securities) and separately present reclassification adjustments and current period other comprehensive income.  The Update does not change the current requirements for reporting of net income or other comprehensive income.  The Update was effective for the Company January 1, 2013, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-10 to amend FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.  The Update permits the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815, in addition to interest rates on treasury obligations of the U.S. Government and LIBOR rates, which were previously allowed.  The Update was effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated
 
 
 
9
 
 
 
 
hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013.  The Update did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11 to amend FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes.  The objective of this Update is to provide explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exist.  An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in specific situations as described in the Update.  The Update will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2014, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


NOTE 4: STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Previously, the Company's stockholders approved the Company's reincorporation to the State of Maryland. Under Maryland law, there is no concept of "Treasury Shares." Instead, shares purchased by the Company constitute authorized but unissued shares under Maryland law. Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America state that accounting for treasury stock shall conform to state law. The cost of shares purchased by the Company has been allocated to Common Stock and Retained Earnings balances.


NOTE 5: EARNINGS PER SHARE
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
Basic:
           
Average shares outstanding
    13,647       13,550  
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 8,294     $ 6,954  
Per share amount
  $ 0.61     $ 0.51  
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders
  $ 8,294     $ 6,892  
Per share amount
  $ 0.61     $ 0.50  
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders
  $     $ 62  
Per share amount
  $     $ 0.01  
                 
Diluted:
               
Average shares outstanding
    13,647       13,550  
Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants – based on the treasury
               
stock method using average market price
    58       119  
Diluted shares
    13,705       13,669  
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 8,294     $ 6,954  
Per share amount
  $ 0.61     $ 0.51  
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders
  $ 8,294     $ 6,892  
Per share amount
  $ 0.61     $ 0.50  
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders
  $     $ 62  
Per share amount
  $     $ 0.01  
                 


 
10
 
 



   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
Basic:
           
Average shares outstanding
    13,634       13,533  
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 24,621     $ 35,817  
Per share amount
  $ 1.81     $ 2.65  
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders
  $ 24,621     $ 35,268  
Per share amount
  $ 1.81     $ 2.61  
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders
  $     $ 549  
Per share amount
  $     $ 0.04  
                 
Diluted:
               
Average shares outstanding
    13,634       13,533  
Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants – based on the treasury
               
stock method using average market price
    58       119  
Diluted shares
    13,692       13,652  
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 24,621     $ 35,817  
Per share amount
  $ 1.80     $ 2.62  
Income from continuing operations available to common stockholders
  $ 24,621     $ 35,268  
Per share amount
  $ 1.80     $ 2.59  
Income from discontinued operations available to common stockholders
  $     $ 549  
Per share amount
  $     $ 0.03  

Options to purchase 304,630 and 81,375 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for each of the three month and nine month periods because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market prices of the common shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


NOTE 6: INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
         
Tax
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Equivalent
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Yield
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                               
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
                         
U.S. government agencies
  $ 20,000     $     $ 2,170     $ 17,830       2.00 %
Mortgage-backed securities
    391,320       5,435       2,862       393,893       1.59  
Small Business Administration
                                       
loan pools
    45,478       1,650             47,128       1.46  
States and political subdivisions
    117,627       3,037       1,107       119,557       5.51  
Equity securities
    847       1,725             2,572        
    $ 575,272     $ 11,847     $ 6,139     $ 580,980       2.39 %
                                         
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
                                 
States and political subdivisions
  $ 805     $ 110     $     $ 915       7.37 %


 
11
 
 



   
December 31, 2012
 
         
Gross
   
Gross
         
Tax
 
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Equivalent
 
   
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Yield
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                               
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
                         
U.S. government agencies
  $ 30,000     $ 40     $     $ 30,040       1.25 %
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    3,939       576       8       4,507       1.72  
Mortgage-backed securities
    582,039       14,861       814       596,086       2.42  
Small Business Administration
                                       
loan pools
    50,198       1,295             51,493       1.99  
States and political subdivisions
    114,372       8,506             122,878       5.61  
Equity securities
    847       1,159             2,006        
    $ 781,395     $ 26,437     $ 822     $ 807,010       2.80 %
                                         
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
                                 
States and political subdivisions
  $ 920     $ 164     $     $ 1,084       7.37 %

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
One year or less
  $ 110     $ 110  
After one through five years
    467       473  
After five through ten years
    10,017       10,216  
After ten years
    172,511       173,716  
Securities not due on a single maturity date
    391,320       393,893  
Equity securities
    847       2,572  
                 
    $ 575,272     $ 580,980  
                 

The held-to-maturity securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
After five through ten years
  $ 805     $ 915  

Certain investments in debt securities are reported in the financial statements at an amount less than their historical cost. Total fair value of these investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, was approximately $244.1 million and $106.6 million, which is approximately 42.0% and 13.2% of the Company’s available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment portfolio, respectively.
 
Based on an evaluation of available evidence, including recent changes in market interest rates, credit rating information and information obtained from regulatory filings, management believes the declines in fair value for these debt securities are temporary at September 30, 2013.

The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
12
 
 
 
 

 
   
September 30, 2013
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
Description of Securities
 
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                                     
U.S. government agencies
  $ 20,000     $ (2,170 )   $     $     $ 20,000     $ (2,170 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    182,088       (2,862 )     1             182,089       (2,862 )
State and political
                                               
subdivisions
    42,054       (1,107 )                 42,054       (1,107 )
    $ 244,142     $ (6,139 )   $ 1     $     $ 244,143     $ (6,139 )

   
December 31, 2012
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
Description of Securities
 
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
   
Value
   
Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                                     
Collateralized mortgage
                                   
obligations
  $     $     $ 414     $ (8 )   $ 414     $ (8 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    106,136       (814 )                 106,136       (814 )
    $ 106,136     $ (814 )   $ 414     $ (8 )   $ 106,550     $ (822 )

Gross gains of $644,000 and $795,000 and gross losses of $534,000 and $554,000 resulting from sales of available-for-sale securities were realized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Gross gains of $572,000 and $2.7 million and gross losses of $66,000 and $625,000 resulting from sales of available-for-sale securities were realized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific-identification method.

Other-than-temporary Impairment.  Upon acquisition of a security, the Company decides whether it is within the scope of the accounting guidance for beneficial interests in securitized financial assets or will be evaluated for impairment under the accounting guidance for investments in debt and equity securities.

The accounting guidance for beneficial interests in securitized financial assets provides incremental impairment guidance for a subset of the debt securities within the scope of the guidance for investments in debt and equity securities.  For securities where the security is a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets, the Company uses the beneficial interests in securitized financial asset impairment model.  For securities where the security is not a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets, the Company uses the debt and equity securities impairment model.  The Company does not currently have securities within the scope of this guidance for beneficial interests in securitized financial assets.

The Company routinely conducts periodic reviews to identify and evaluate each investment security to determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.  The Company considers the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position, the relative amount of the unrealized loss compared to the carrying value of the security, the type of security and other factors.  If certain criteria are met, the Company performs additional review and evaluation using observable market values or various inputs in economic models to determine if an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary.  The Company uses quoted market prices for marketable equity securities and uses broker pricing quotes based on observable inputs for equity investments that are not traded on a stock exchange.  For non-agency collateralized mortgage obligations, to determine if the unrealized loss is other-than-temporary, the Company projects total estimated defaults of the underlying assets (mortgages) and multiplies that calculated amount by an estimate of realizable value upon sale in the marketplace (severity) in order to determine the projected collateral loss.  The Company also evaluates any current credit enhancement underlying these securities to determine the impact on cash flows.  If the Company determines that a given security position will be subject to a write-down or loss, the Company records the expected credit loss as a charge to earnings.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, no securities were determined to have impairment that was other than temporary.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company determined that the impairment of a non-agency collateralized mortgage obligation with a book value of $962,000 had become other than temporary.  Consequently, the Company recorded a $262,000 pre-tax charge to income.
 
 
 
13
 
 
 

 
Credit Losses Recognized on Investments.  Certain debt securities have experienced fair value deterioration due to credit losses, as well as due to other market factors, but are not otherwise other-than-temporarily impaired.

The following table provides information about debt securities for which only a credit loss was recognized in income and other losses are recorded in other comprehensive income.
 
   
Accumulated
 
   
Credit Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Credit losses on debt securities held
     
July 1, 2013
  $  
Additions related to other-than-temporary losses not previously recognized
     
Additions related to increases in credit losses on debt securities for which
       
other-than-temporary impairment losses were previously recognized
     
Reductions due to final principal payments
     
         
September 30, 2013
  $  

 
   
Accumulated
 
   
Credit Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Credit losses on debt securities held
     
July 1, 2012
  $ 3,860  
Additions related to other-than-temporary losses not previously recognized
     
Additions related to increases in credit losses on debt securities for which
       
other-than-temporary impairment losses were previously recognized
     
Reductions due to sales
     
         
September 30, 2012
  $ 3,860  

   
Accumulated
 
   
Credit Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Credit losses on debt securities held
     
January 1, 2013
  $ 4,176  
Additions related to other-than-temporary losses not previously recognized
     
Additions related to increases in credit losses on debt securities for which
       
other-than-temporary impairment losses were previously recognized
     
Reductions due to final principal payments
    (4,176 )
         
September 30, 2013
  $  

   
Accumulated
 
   
Credit Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Credit losses on debt securities held
     
January 1, 2012
  $ 3,598  
Additions related to other-than-temporary losses not previously recognized
     
Additions related to increases in credit losses on debt securities for which
       
other-than-temporary impairment losses were previously recognized
    262  
Reductions due to sales
     
         
September 30, 2012
  $ 3,860  


 
14
 
 


Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and the affected line items in the statements of income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, were as follows (in thousands):

         
   
Amounts Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
   
2013
   
2012
 
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Income
   
(In Thousands)
   
               
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-
           
Net realized gains on available-
for-sale securities
  $ 110     $ 507  
for-sale securities
                 
(Total reclassified amount before tax)
Income Taxes
    (38 )     (177 )
Provision for income taxes
Total reclassifications out of accumulated
                 
other comprehensive income
  $ 72     $ 330    
                   

         
   
Amounts Reclassified from Other Comprehensive Income
Nine months Ended September 30,
   
   
2013
   
2012
 
Affected Line Item in the Statements of Income
   
(In Thousands)
   
               
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-
           
Net realized gains on available-
for-sale securities
  $ 241     $ 1,787  
for-sale securities
                 
(Total reclassified amount before tax)
Income Taxes
    (84 )     (625 )
Provision for income taxes
Total reclassifications out of accumulated
                 
other comprehensive income
  $ 157     $ 1,162    
                   

 

 
15
 
 

NOTE 7: LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 33,454     $ 29,071  
Subdivision construction
    34,264       35,805  
Land development
    62,368       62,559  
Commercial construction
    174,691       150,515  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    86,390       83,859  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    144,100       145,458  
Commercial real estate
    757,679       692,377  
Other residential
    252,608       267,518  
Commercial business
    279,874       264,631  
Industrial revenue bonds
    41,016       43,762  
Consumer auto
    122,329       82,610  
Consumer other
    83,639       83,815  
Home equity lines of credit
    56,885       54,225  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (TeamBank)
    55,825       77,615  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (Vantus Bank)
    68,489       95,483  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (Sun Security Bank)
    70,020       91,519  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (InterBank)
    218,962       259,232  
      2,542,593       2,520,054  
Undisbursed portion of loans in process
    (171,473 )     (157,574 )
Allowance for loan losses
    (39,456 )     (40,649 )
Deferred loan fees and gains, net
    (2,926 )     (2,193 )
    $ 2,328,738     $ 2,319,638  
                 
Weighted average interest rate
    5.12 %     5.39 %


 
16
 
 


Classes of loans by aging were as follows:
   
September 30, 2013
 
                                       
Total Loans
 
   
30-59 Days
   
60-89 Days
   
Over 90
   
Total Past
         
Total Loans
   
> 90 Days and
 
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Days
   
Due
   
Current
   
Receivable
   
Still Accruing
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family
                                         
residential construction
  $     $     $     $     $ 33,454     $ 33,454     $  
Subdivision construction
    2,047             879       2,926       31,338       34,264        
Land development
    6,905       182       260       7,347       55,021       62,368        
Commercial construction
                            174,691       174,691        
Owner occupied one- to four-
                                                       
family residential
    423       454       2,475       3,352       83,038       86,390       183  
Non-owner occupied one- to
                                                       
four-family residential
    3,222       229       1,173       4,624       139,476       144,100       115  
Commercial real estate
    7,591       161       9,765       17,517       740,162       757,679        
Other residential
    2,375             713       3,088       249,520       252,608        
Commercial business
    871       13       4,878       5,762       274,112       279,874        
Industrial revenue bonds
                            41,016       41,016        
Consumer auto
    907       132       149       1,188       121,141       122,329       10  
Consumer other
    1,118       321       686       2,125       81,514       83,639       310  
Home equity lines of credit
    319       54       410       783       56,102       56,885        
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
discounts (TeamBank)
    173       46       3,690       3,909       51,916       55,825        
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
discounts (Vantus Bank)
    213       824       1,730       2,767       65,722       68,489        
FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
net of discounts
                                                       
(Sun Security Bank)
    123       337       6,242       6,702       63,318       70,020        
FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
net of discounts
                                                       
(InterBank)
    1,346       2,249       20,168       23,763       195,199       218,962       110  
      27,633       5,002       53,218       83,853       2,456,740       2,542,593       728  
Less FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
net of discounts
    1,855       3,456       31,830       37,141       376,155       413,296       110  
                                                         
Total
  $ 25,778     $ 1,546     $ 21,388     $ 48,713     $ 2,080,585     $ 2,129,297     $ 618  


 
17
 
 



   
December 31, 2012
 
                                       
Total Loans
 
   
30-59 Days
   
60-89 Days
   
Over 90
   
Total Past
         
Total Loans
   
> 90 Days and
 
   
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Days
   
Due
   
Current
   
Receivable
   
Still Accruing
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family
                                         
residential construction
  $ 178     $     $     $ 178     $ 28,893     $ 29,071     $  
Subdivision construction
    478             3       481       35,324       35,805        
Land development
                2,471       2,471       60,088       62,559        
Commercial construction
                            150,515       150,515        
Owner occupied one- to four-
                                                       
family residential
    3,305       263       2,352       5,920       77,939       83,859       237  
Non-owner occupied one- to
                                                       
four-family residential
    2,600             1,905       4,505       140,953       145,458        
Commercial real estate
    1,346       726       8,324       10,396       681,981       692,377        
Other residential
    3,741                   3,741       263,777       267,518        
Commercial business
    2,094       153       4,139       6,386       258,245       264,631        
Industrial revenue bonds
                2,110       2,110       41,652       43,762        
Consumer auto
    690       73       120       883       81,727       82,610       26  
Consumer other
    1,522       242       834       2,598       81,217       83,815       449  
Home equity lines of credit
    185       146       220       551       53,674       54,225        
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
discounts (TeamBank)
    1,608       2,077       8,020       11,705       65,910       77,615       173  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
discounts (Vantus Bank)
    1,545       669       5,641       7,855       87,628       95,483        
FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
net of discounts
                                                       
(Sun Security Bank)
    1,539       384       21,342       23,265       68,254       91,519       1,274  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
discounts (InterBank)
    10,212       4,662       33,928       48,802       210,430       259,232       347  
      31,043       9,395       91,409       131,847       2,388,207       2,520,054       2,506  
Less FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
net of discounts
    14,904       7,792       68,931       91,627       432,222       523,849       1,794  
                                                         
Total
  $ 16,139     $ 1,603     $ 22,478     $ 40,220     $ 1,955,985     $ 1,996,205     $ 712  


Nonaccruing loans (excluding FDIC-supported loans, net of discount) are summarized as follows:

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
One- to four-family residential construction
  $     $  
Subdivision construction
    879       3  
Land development
    260       2,471  
Commercial construction
           
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    2,292       2,115  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    1,058       1,905  
Commercial real estate
    9,765       8,324  
Other residential
    713        
Commercial business
    4,878       6,249  
Consumer auto
    139       94  
Consumer other
    376       385  
Home equity lines of credit
    410       220  
                 
Total
  $ 20,770     $ 21,766  


 
18
 
 


The following table presents the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Also presented are the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans based on portfolio segment and impairment method as of September 30, 2013:

   
One- to Four-
                                     
   
Family
                                     
   
Residential and
   
Other
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
             
   
Construction
   
Residential
   
Real Estate
   
Construction
   
Business
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Allowance for loan losses
                                         
Balance July 1, 2013
  $ 6,125     $ 3,373     $ 16,419     $ 5,789     $ 5,664     $ 2,815     $ 40,185  
Provision (benefit) charged to expense
    (234 )     (372 )     1,474       1,291       (1,732 )     2,250       2,677  
Losses charged off
    (847 )     (201 )     (608 )     (346 )     (1,303 )     (2,215 )     (5,520 )
Recoveries
    87       6       888       50       648       435       2,114  
Balance September 30, 2013
  $ 5,131     $ 2,806     $ 18,173     $ 6,784     $ 3,277     $ 3,285     $ 39,456  
                                                         
Balance January 1, 2013
  $ 6,822     $ 4,327     $ 17,441     $ 3,938     $ 5,096     $ 3,025     $ 40,649  
Provision charged to expense
    292       1,329       6,736       3,413       137       2,666       14,573  
Losses charged off
    (2,088 )     (2,887 )     (7,138 )     (675 )     (2,672 )     (3,884 )     (19,344 )
Recoveries
    105       37       1,134       108       716       1,478       3,578  
Balance September 30, 2013
  $ 5,131     $ 2,806     $ 18,173     $ 6,784     $ 3,277     $ 3,285     $ 39,456  
                                                         
Ending balance:
                                                       
Individually evaluated for
                                                       
impairment
  $ 1,650     $ 169     $ 2,416     $ 2,192     $ 1,512     $ 208     $ 8,147  
Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
impairment
  $ 3,481     $ 2,637     $ 15,754     $ 4,592     $ 1,762     $ 3,071     $ 31,297  
Loans acquired and
                                                       
accounted for under
                                                       
ASC 310-30
  $     $     $ 3     $     $ 4     $ 5     $ 12  
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
Loans
                                                       
Individually evaluated for
                                                       
impairment
  $ 13,310     $ 11,367     $ 40,981     $ 15,444     $ 8,836     $ 1,189     $ 91,127  
Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
impairment
  $ 284,897     $ 241,241     $ 757,715     $ 221,615     $ 271,038     $ 261,664     $ 2,038,170  
Loans acquired and
                                                       
accounted for under
                                                       
ASC 310-30
  $ 235,141     $ 41,772     $ 94,417     $ 6,041     $ 6,780     $ 29,145     $ 413,296  
                                                         



 
19
 
 


The following table presents the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012:

   
One- to Four-
                                     
   
Family
                                     
   
Residential and
   
Other
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
             
   
Construction
   
Residential
   
Real Estate
   
Construction
   
Business
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Allowance for loan losses
                                         
Balance July 1, 2012
  $ 7,899     $ 4,012     $ 15,592     $ 6,929     $ 3,341     $ 2,949     $ 40,722  
Provision (benefit) charged to expense
    (724 )     348       2,950       4,227       1,512       87       8,400  
Losses charged off
    (245 )     (310 )     (1,579 )     (6,870 )     (648 )     (699 )     (10,351 )
Recoveries
    65       22       448       471       110       420       1,536  
Balance September 30, 2012
  $ 6,995     $ 4,072     $ 17,411     $ 4,757     $ 4,315     $ 2,757     $ 40,307  
                                                         
Balance January 1, 2012
  $ 11,424     $ 3,088     $ 18,390     $ 2,982     $ 2,974     $ 2,374     $ 41,232  
Provision (benefit) charged to expense
    (1,830 )     4,206       12,265       17,525       2,758       1,153       36,077  
Losses charged off
    (2,740 )     (3,562 )     (13,784 )     (16,462 )     (1,701 )     (1,661 )     (39,910 )
Recoveries
    141       340       540       712       284       891       2,908  
Balance September 30, 2012
  $ 6,995     $ 4,072     $ 17,411     $ 4,757     $ 4,315     $ 2,757     $ 40,307  
                                                         


The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans based on portfolio segment and impairment method as of December 31, 2012:

   
One- to Four-
                                     
   
Family
                                     
   
Residential and
   
Other
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
             
   
Construction
   
Residential
   
Real Estate
   
Construction
   
Business
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Allowance for loan losses
                                         
Individually evaluated for
                                         
impairment
  $ 2,288     $ 1,089     $ 4,990     $ 96     $ 2,778     $ 156     $ 11,397  
Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
impairment
  $ 4,532     $ 3,239     $ 12,443     $ 3,842     $ 2,315     $ 2,864     $ 29,235  
Loans acquired and
                                                       
accounted for under
                                                       
ASC 310-30
  $ 1     $     $ 9     $     $ 4     $ 3     $ 17  
                                                         
Loans
                                                       
Individually evaluated for
                                                       
impairment
  $ 14,691     $ 16,405     $ 48,476     $ 12,009     $ 10,064     $ 980     $ 102,625  
Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
impairment
  $ 279,502     $ 251,113     $ 687,663     $ 201,065     $ 254,567     $ 219,670     $ 1,893,580  
Loans acquired and
                                                       
accounted for under
                                                       
ASC 310-30
  $ 278,889     $ 53,280     $ 129,128     $ 7,997     $ 14,939     $ 39,616     $ 523,849  


The portfolio segments used in the preceding two tables correspond to the loan classes used in all other tables in Note 7 as follows:
 
·
The one-to four-family residential and construction segment includes the one- to four-family residential construction, subdivision construction, owner occupied one- to four-family residential and non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential classes
 
·
The other residential segment corresponds to the other residential class
 
·
The commercial real estate segment includes the commercial real estate and industrial revenue bonds classes
 
·
The commercial construction segment includes the land development and commercial construction classes
 
·
The commercial business segment corresponds to the commercial business class
 
·
The consumer segment includes the consumer auto, consumer other and home equity lines of credit classes
 
 
 
20
 
 
 

 
  Impaired loans (excluding FDIC-supported loans, net of discount), are summarized as follows:

   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Unpaid
       
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Specific
 
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Allowance
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                   
One- to four-family residential construction
  $     $     $  
Subdivision construction
    3,785       3,896       851  
Land development
    15,444       15,848       2,192  
Commercial construction
                 
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    5,174       5,393       430  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,351       5,233       369  
Commercial real estate
    40,981       42,507       2,416  
Other residential
    11,367       11,367       169  
Commercial business
    6,138       6,140       1,512  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,698       2,778        
Consumer auto
    184       228       28  
Consumer other
    595       664       89  
Home equity lines of credit
    410       424       91  
                         
Total
  $ 91,127     $ 94,478     $ 8,147  

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2013
   
September 30, 2013
 
   
Average
         
Average
       
   
Investment
   
Interest
   
Investment
   
Interest
 
   
in Impaired
   
Income
   
in Impaired
   
Income
 
   
Loans
   
Recognized
   
Loans
   
Recognized
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 48     $     $ 48     $ 5  
Subdivision construction
    4,062       34       3,206       140  
Land development
    15,573       111       13,025       477  
Commercial construction
                       
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    5,035       60       4,899       176  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,832       12       5,112       173  
Commercial real estate
    40,792       506       44,374       1,246  
Other residential
    11,444       136       14,895       353  
Commercial business
    6,274       86       7,074       161  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,698             2,701       14  
Consumer auto
    153       7       130       11  
Consumer other
    593       12       639       44  
Home equity lines of credit
    333       10       316       20  
                                 
Total
  $ 91,837     $ 974     $ 96,419     $ 2,820  


 
21
 
 



   
At or for the Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
   
Recorded
Balance
   
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   
Specific
Allowance
   
Average
Investment
in Impaired
Loans
   
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
       
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 410     $ 410     $ 239     $ 679     $ 22  
Subdivision construction
    2,577       2,580       688       8,399       143  
Land development
    12,009       13,204       96       12,614       656  
Commercial construction
                      383        
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    5,627       6,037       550       5,174       295  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    6,077       6,290       811       10,045       330  
Commercial real estate
    48,476       49,779       4,990       45,181       2,176  
Other residential
    16,405       16,405       1,089       16,951       836  
Commercial business
    7,279       8,615       2,778       4,851       329  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,785       2,865             3,034       5  
Consumer auto
    143       170       22       157       17  
Consumer other
    602       682       89       654       65  
Home equity lines of credit
    235       248       45       162       15  
                                         
Total
  $ 102,625     $ 107,285     $ 11,397     $ 108,284     $ 4,889  

   
September 30, 2012
 
         
Unpaid
       
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Specific
 
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Allowance
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                   
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 612     $ 612     $ 283  
Subdivision construction
    3,204       4,854       310  
Land development
    11,922       18,665       755  
Commercial construction
                 
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    5,168       5,392       493  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    9,067       9,491       615  
Commercial real estate
    49,052       49,921       3,299  
Other residential
    18,517       19,781       711  
Commercial business
    3,423       3,774       1,541  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,785       2,865        
Consumer auto
    160       177       25  
Consumer other
    781       837       116  
Home equity lines of credit
    177       177       36  
                         
Total
  $ 104,868     $ 116,546     $ 8,184  


 
22
 
 



   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2012
   
September 30, 2012
 
   
Average
         
Average
       
   
Investment
   
Interest
   
Investment
   
Interest
 
   
in Impaired
   
Income
   
in Impaired
   
Income
 
   
Loans
   
Recognized
   
Loans
   
Recognized
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 612     $ 6     $ 738     $ 17  
Subdivision construction
    3,188       153       10,225       153  
Land development
    15,826       19       12,286       408  
Commercial construction
    1,020             510        
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,970       93       5,094       208  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    10,389             10,854       289  
Commercial real estate
    42,607       754       44,223       1,742  
Other residential
    17,718       223       17,408       686  
Commercial business
    3,290       35       3,927       119  
Industrial revenue bonds
    3,267             3,117        
Consumer auto
    154       4       163       12  
Consumer other
    679       20       662       60  
Home equity lines of credit
    134       6       136       9  
                                 
Total
  $ 103,854     $ 1,313     $ 109,343     $ 3,703  


At September 30, 2013, $27.4 million of impaired loans had specific valuation allowances totaling $8.1 million.  At December 31, 2012, $43.4 million of impaired loans had specific valuation allowances totaling $11.4 million.

Included in certain loan categories in the impaired loans are troubled debt restructurings that were classified as impaired. Troubled debt restructurings are loans that are modified by granting concessions to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties.  These concessions could include a reduction in the interest rate on the loan, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions intended to maximize collection.  The types of concessions made are factored into the estimation of the allowance for loan losses for troubled debt restructurings primarily using a discounted cash flows or collateral adequacy approach.

The following table presents newly restructured loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 by type of modification:
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
                     
Total
 
   
Interest Only
   
Term
   
Combination
   
Modification
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Mortgage loans on real estate:
                       
Subdivision construction
  $     $ 251     $ 568     $ 819  
Land development
          2,016             2,016  
Commercial real estate
    57       1,818             1,875  
Consumer
          14             14  
                                 
    $ 57     $ 4,099     $ 568     $ 4,724  


 
23
 
 


   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
                     
Total
 
   
Interest Only
   
Term
   
Combination
   
Modification
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Mortgage loans on real estate:
                       
One- to four-family
                       
residential construction
  $     $ 286     $     $ 286  
Subdivision construction
          2,067       568       2,635  
Land development
          2,078             2,078  
Residential-one-to four-family
          1,423             1,423  
Other residential
          1,874             1,874  
Commercial real estate
    57       1,818             1,875  
Consumer
          183             183  
                                 
    $ 57     $ 9,729     $ 568     $ 10,354  


At September 30, 2013, the Company had $48.1 million of loans that were modified in troubled debt restructurings and impaired, as follows:  $7.3 million of construction and land development loans, $15.3 million of single family and multi-family residential mortgage loans, $24.4 million of commercial real estate loans, $827,000 of commercial business loans and $289,000 of consumer loans.  Of the total troubled debt restructurings at September 30, 2013, $45.6 million were accruing interest and $12.6 million were classified as substandard using the Company’s internal grading system, which is described below.  The Company had troubled debt restructurings which were modified in the previous 12 months and subsequently defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of approximately $1.4 million, including three commercial real estate loans totaling $912,000, three non-owner occupied residential mortgage loan totaling $260,000, two owner occupied residential mortgage loan totaling $187,000, three consumer loans totaling $41,000, and one commercial business loan totaling $13,000.  When loans modified as troubled debt restructuring have subsequent payment defaults, the defaults are factored into the determination of the allowance for loan losses to ensure specific valuation allowances reflect amounts considered uncollectible.  At December 31, 2012, the Company had $2.8 million of construction loans, $15.0 million of single family and multi-family residential mortgage loans, $26.9 million of commercial real estate loans, $1.9 million of commercial business loans and $167,000 of consumer loans that were modified in troubled debt restructurings and impaired.  Of the total troubled debt restructurings at December 31, 2012, $38.1 million were accruing interest and $14.6 million were classified as substandard and $1.0 million were classified as doubtful using the Company’s internal grading system.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, there were no borrowers with loans designated as troubled debt restructurings that met the criteria for placement back on accrual status.  This criteria is a minimum of six months of payment performance under existing or modified terms.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, borrowers with loans designated as troubled debt restructurings totaling $2.2 million met the criteria for placement back on accrual status.  The $2.2 million was made up of $2.1 million of residential mortgage loans, $92,000 of commercial real estate loans and $4,000 of consumer loans.
 
The Company reviews the credit quality of its loan portfolio using an internal grading system that classifies loans as “Satisfactory,” “Watch,” “Special Mention,” “Substandard” and “Doubtful.”  Substandard loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if certain deficiencies are not corrected.  Doubtful loans are those having all the weaknesses inherent to those classified Substandard with the added characteristics that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.  Special mention loans possess potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention but do not expose the Bank to a degree of risk that warrants substandard classification.  Loans classified as watch are being monitored because of indications of potential weaknesses or deficiencies that may require future classification as special mention or substandard.  Loans not meeting any of the criteria previously described are considered satisfactory.  The FDIC-covered loans are evaluated using this internal grading system.  These loans are accounted for in pools and are currently substantially covered through loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.  Minimal adverse classification in the loan pools was identified as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  See Note 8 for further discussion of the acquired loan pools and loss sharing agreements.  The loan grading system is presented by loan class below:

 
24
 
 



    September 30, 2013  
               
Special
                   
   
Satisfactory
   
Watch
   
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Total
 
         
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family residential
                                   
construction
  $ 33,390     $ 64     $     $     $     $ 33,454  
Subdivision construction
    29,840       1,230             3,194             34,264  
Land development
    47,007       1,464             13,896             62,367  
Commercial construction
    174,691                               174,691  
Owner occupied one- to four-
                                               
family residential
    82,953       497             2,940             86,390  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-
                                               
family residential
    135,512       5,954             2,635             144,101  
Commercial real estate
    698,740       37,242             21,696             757,678  
Other residential
    237,645       12,790             2,173             252,608  
Commercial business
    272,966       868             6,041             279,874  
Industrial revenue bonds
    38,319       675             2,023             41,017  
Consumer auto
    122,158                   171             122,329  
Consumer other
    83,154       6             478             83,638  
Home equity lines of credit
    54,589             1,885       410             56,885  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
 Discounts (TeamBank)
    55,626                   199             55,825  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
discounts (Vantus Bank)
    68,186                   304             68,490  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
discounts (Sun Security Bank)
    70,020                               70,020  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
discounts (InterBank)
    218,962                               218,962  
                                                 
Total
  $ 2,423,758     $ 60,790     $ 1,885     $ 56,160     $     $ 2,542,593  

    December 31, 2012  
               
Special
                   
   
Satisfactory
   
Watch
   
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Total
 
         
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family residential
                                   
construction
  $ 28,662     $     $     $ 409     $     $ 29,071  
Subdivision construction
    31,156       2,993             1,656             35,805  
Land development
    47,388       3,887             11,284             62,559  
Commercial construction
    150,515                               150,515  
Owner occupied one- to four-
                                               
family residential
    79,411       792             3,656             83,859  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-
                                               
family residential
    132,073       7,884             5,501             145,458  
Commercial real estate
    619,387       42,753             30,237             692,377  
Other residential
    252,238       6,793             8,487             267,518  
Commercial business
    253,165       4,286             6,180       1,000       264,631  
Industrial revenue bonds
    40,977       675             2,110             43,762  
Consumer auto
    82,467                   143             82,610  
Consumer other
    83,250                   565             83,815  
Home equity lines of credit
    52,076             1,913       236             54,225  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
 Discounts (TeamBank)
    77,568                   47             77,615  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
discounts (Vantus Bank)
    95,281                   202             95,483  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
discounts (Sun Security Bank)
    91,519                               91,519  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
discounts (InterBank)
    259,210                   22             259,232  
                                                 
Total
  $ 2,376,343     $ 70,063     $ 1,913     $ 70,735     $ 1,000     $ 2,520,054  

 
 
25
 
 

 
NOTE 8: LOSS SHARING AGREEMENTS AND FDIC INDEMNIFICATION ASSETS
 
On March 20, 2009, Great Southern Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with loss share with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to assume all of the deposits (excluding brokered deposits) and acquire certain assets of TeamBank, N.A., a full service commercial bank headquartered in Paola, Kansas.
 
The loans, commitments and foreclosed assets purchased in the TeamBank transaction are covered by a loss sharing agreement between the FDIC and Great Southern Bank.  Under the loss sharing agreement, the Bank shares in the losses on assets covered under the agreement (referred to as covered assets). On losses up to $115.0 million, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of the losses. On losses exceeding $115.0 million, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 95% of the losses.  Realized losses covered by the loss sharing agreement include loan contractual balances (and related unfunded commitments that were acquired), accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days, the book value of foreclosed real estate acquired, and certain direct costs, less cash or other consideration received by the Bank.  This agreement extends for ten years for 1-4 family real estate loans and for five years for other loans.  The value of this loss sharing agreement was considered in determining fair values of loans and foreclosed assets acquired.  The loss sharing agreement is subject to the Bank following servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC.  The expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreement were recorded as an indemnification asset at their preliminary estimated fair value on the acquisition date.  Based upon the acquisition date fair values of the net assets acquired, no goodwill was recorded.  A discount was recorded in conjunction with the fair value of the acquired loans and the amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $0 and $134,000, respectively.  The amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $267,000 and $1.0 million, respectively.
 
On September 4, 2009, Great Southern Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with loss share with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits and acquire certain assets of Vantus Bank, a full service thrift headquartered in Sioux City, Iowa.
 
The loans, commitments and foreclosed assets purchased in the Vantus Bank transaction are covered by a loss sharing agreement between the FDIC and Great Southern Bank.  Under the loss sharing agreement, the Bank shares in the losses on assets covered under the agreement (referred to as covered assets). On losses up to $102.0 million, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of the losses. On losses exceeding $102.0 million, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 95% of the losses. Realized losses covered by the loss sharing agreement include loan contractual balances (and related unfunded commitments that were acquired), accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days, the book value of foreclosed real estate acquired, and certain direct costs, less cash or other consideration received by the Bank.  This agreement extends for ten years for 1-4 family real estate loans and for five years for other loans.  The value of this loss sharing agreement was considered in determining fair values of loans and foreclosed assets acquired.  The loss sharing agreement is subject to the Bank following servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC.  The expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreement were recorded as an indemnification asset at their
 
 
 
26
 
 
 
 
preliminary estimated fair value on the acquisition date.  Based upon the acquisition date fair values of the net assets acquired, no goodwill was recorded.  A discount was recorded in conjunction with the fair value of the acquired loans and the amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $19,000 and $99,000, respectively.  The amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $76,000 and $338,000, respectively.

On October 7, 2011, Great Southern Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with loss share with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits and acquire certain assets of Sun Security Bank, a full service bank headquartered in Ellington, Missouri.
 
The loans and foreclosed assets purchased in the Sun Security Bank transaction are covered by a loss sharing agreement between the FDIC and Great Southern Bank.  Under the loss sharing agreement, the FDIC agreed to cover 80% of the losses on the loans (excluding approximately $4 million of consumer loans) and foreclosed assets purchased subject to certain limitations.  Realized losses covered by the loss sharing agreement include loan contractual balances (and related unfunded commitments that were acquired), accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days, the book value of foreclosed real estate acquired, and certain direct costs, less cash or other consideration received by Great Southern.  This agreement extends for ten years for 1-4 family real estate loans and for five years for other loans.  The value of this loss sharing agreement was considered in determining fair values of loans and foreclosed assets acquired.  The loss sharing agreement is subject to the Bank following servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC.  The expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreement were recorded as an indemnification asset at their preliminary estimated fair value on the acquisition date.  Based upon the acquisition date fair values of the net assets acquired, no goodwill was recorded.  A discount was recorded in conjunction with the fair value of the acquired loans and the amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $210,000 and $827,000, respectively.  The amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $500,000 and $1.2 million, respectively.

On April 27, 2012, Great Southern Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with loss share with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits and acquire certain assets of Inter Savings Bank, FSB (“InterBank”), a full service bank headquartered in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
 
The loans and foreclosed assets purchased in the InterBank transaction are covered by a loss sharing agreement between the FDIC and Great Southern Bank.  Under the loss sharing agreement, the FDIC agreed to cover 80% of the losses on the loans (excluding approximately $60,000 of consumer loans) and foreclosed assets purchased subject to certain limitations.  Realized losses covered by the loss sharing agreement include loan contractual balances (and related unfunded commitments that were acquired), accrued interest on loans for up to 90 days, the book value of foreclosed real estate acquired, and certain direct costs, less cash or other consideration received by Great Southern.  This agreement extends for ten years for 1-4 family real estate loans and for five years for other loans.  The value of this loss sharing agreement was considered in determining fair values of loans and foreclosed assets acquired.  The loss sharing agreement is subject to the Bank following servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC.  The expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreement were recorded as an indemnification asset at their preliminary estimated fair value on the acquisition date.  Based upon the acquisition date fair values of the net assets acquired, no goodwill was recorded.  A premium was recorded in conjunction with the fair value of the acquired loans and the amount amortized to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $155,000 and $485,000, respectively.  The amount amortized to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $(68,000) and $126,000, respectively.
 
Fair Value and Expected Cash Flows.  At the time of these acquisitions, the Company determined the fair value of the loan portfolios based on several assumptions. Factors considered in the valuations were projected cash flows for the loans, type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan, current discount rates and whether or not the loan was amortizing. Loans were grouped together according to similar characteristics and were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. Management also estimated the amount of credit losses that were expected to be realized for the loan portfolios. The discounted cash flow approach was used to value each pool of loans. For non-performing loans, fair value was estimated by calculating the present value of the recoverable cash flows using a discount rate based on comparable corporate bond rates. This valuation of the acquired loans is a significant component leading to the valuation of the loss sharing assets recorded.

The amount of the estimated cash flows expected to be received from the acquired loan pools in excess of the fair values recorded for the loan pools is referred to as the accretable yield.  The accretable yield is recognized as interest income over the estimated lives of the loans.  The Company continues to evaluate the fair value of the loans including cash flows expected to be collected.  Increases in the Company’s cash flow expectations are recognized as increases to the accretable yield while decreases are recognized as impairments through the allowance for loan losses.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, increases in expected cash flows related to the acquired loan portfolios resulted in adjustments of $11.9 million and $26.9 million, respectively, to the accretable yield to be spread over the estimated remaining lives of the loans on a level-yield basis. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, similar such adjustments totaling $8.8 million and $18.8 million, respectively, were made to the accretable yield.  The current year increases in expected cash flows also reduced the amount of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, this resulted in a corresponding adjustment of $9.4 million and $21.3 million, respectively, to the indemnification assets to be amortized on a level-yield basis over the remainder of the loss sharing agreements or the remaining expected lives of the loan pools, whichever is shorter.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, corresponding adjustments of $7.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively, were made to the indemnification assets.  The impact to net interest income and net interest margin was greater in the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2013 due to additional estimated cash flows, primarily related to the Sun Security Bank and InterBank loan portfolios.

Because these adjustments will be recognized over the remaining lives of the loan pools and the remainder of the loss sharing agreements, respectively, they will impact future periods as well.  The remaining accretable yield adjustment that will affect interest income is $25.0 million and the remaining adjustment to the indemnification assets, including the effects of the clawback liability related to Interbank, that will affect non-interest income (expense) is $(20.7)
 
 
 
27
 
 
 
 
million.  Of the remaining adjustments, we expect to recognize $5.7 million of interest income and $(5.0) million of non-interest income (expense) in the remainder of 2013.  Additional adjustments may be recorded in future periods from the FDIC-assisted acquisitions, as the Company continues to estimate expected cash flows from the acquired loan pools.

The impact of adjustments on the Company’s financial results is shown below:

   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
   
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
   
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data
   
and Basis Points Data)
                 
Impact on net interest income/
               
net interest margin (in basis points)
  $ 8,412  
101 bps
  $ 26,508  
103 bps
Non-interest income
    (7,074 )       (22,037 )  
Net impact to pre-tax income
  $ 1,338       $ 4,471    
Net impact net of taxes
  $ 870       $ 2,906    
Impact to diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.06       $ 0.21    

 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2012
September 30, 2012
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data
 
and Basis Points Data)
             
Impact on net interest income/
           
net interest margin (in basis points)
  $ 9,956  
109 bps
  $ 24,136  
90 bps
Non-interest income
    (8,169 )       (19,319 )  
Net impact to pre-tax income
  $ 1,787       $ 4,817    
Net impact net of taxes
  $ 1,162       $ 3,131    
Impact to diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.09       $ 0.23    

The loss sharing asset is measured separately from the loan portfolio because it is not contractually embedded in the loans and is not transferable with the loans should the Bank choose to dispose of them. Fair value was estimated using projected cash flows available for loss sharing based on the credit adjustments estimated for each loan pool (as discussed above) and the loss sharing percentages outlined in the Purchase and Assumption Agreement with the FDIC. These cash flows were discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing and receipt of the loss sharing reimbursement from the FDIC. The loss sharing asset is also separately measured from the related foreclosed real estate.

The loss sharing agreement on the InterBank transaction includes a clawback provision whereby if credit loss performance is better than certain pre-established thresholds, then a portion of the monetary benefit is shared with the FDIC.  The pre-established threshold for credit losses is $115.7 million for this transaction.  The monetary benefit required to be paid to the FDIC under the clawback provision, if any, will occur shortly after the termination of the loss sharing agreement, which in the case of InterBank is 10 years from the acquisition date.
 
At September 30, 2013, the Bank’s internal estimate of credit performance is expected to be better than the threshold set by the FDIC in the loss sharing agreement.  Therefore, a separate clawback liability totaling $2.6 million was recorded as of September 30, 2013.  As changes in the fair values of the loans and foreclosed assets are determined due to changes in expected cash flows, changes in the amount of the clawback liability will occur.
 


 
28
 
 


TeamBank FDIC Indemnification Asset.  The following tables present the balances of the FDIC indemnification asset related to the TeamBank transaction at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $376.2 million since the transaction date because of $242.8 million of repayments from borrowers, $61.4 million in transfers to foreclosed assets and $72.0 million in charge-offs to customer loan balances.  Based upon the collectability analyses performed during the acquisition, we expected certain levels of foreclosures and charge-offs and actual results have been better than our expectations.  As a result, cash flows expected to be received from the acquired loan pools have increased, resulting in adjustments that were made to the related accretable yield as described above.
 
   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 60,010     $ 2,356  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
           
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (3,378 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (55,825 )     (2,066 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    807       290  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    82 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    663       232  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    1,455        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (21 )      
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 2,097     $ 232  

   
December 31, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 86,657     $ 9,056  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (134 )      
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (5,120 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (77,615 )     (7,669 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    3,788       1,387  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    81 %     82 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    3,051       1,141  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    4,036        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (332 )      
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 6,755     $ 1,141  




 
29
 
 


Vantus Bank Indemnification Asset.  The following tables present the balances of the FDIC indemnification asset related to the Vantus Bank transaction at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $260.4 million since the transaction date because of $215.2 million of repayments from borrowers, $16.3 million in transfers to foreclosed assets and $28.9 million in charge-offs to customer loan balances.  Based upon the collectability analyses performed during the acquisition, we expected certain levels of foreclosures and charge-offs and actual results have been better than our expectations.  As a result, cash flows expected to be received from the acquired loan pools have increased, resulting in adjustments that were made to the related accretable yield as described above.

   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 71,155     $ 3,570  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (5 )      
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (1,779 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (68,490 )     (2,353 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    881       1,217  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    75 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    658       974  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    1,399        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (48 )      
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 2,009     $ 974  

   
December 31, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 103,910     $ 4,383  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (104 )      
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (5,429 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (95,483 )     (3,214 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    2,894       1,169  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    78 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    2,270       935  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    4,343        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (240 )      
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 6,373     $ 935  



 
30
 
 


Sun Security Bank Indemnification Asset.  The following tables present the balances of the FDIC indemnification asset related to the Sun Security Bank transaction at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $147.7 million since the transaction date because of $92.2 million of repayments by the borrower, $25.8 million in transfers to foreclosed assets and $29.7 million of charge-offs to customer loan balances.  Based upon the collectability analyses performed during the acquisition, we expected certain levels of foreclosures and charge-offs and actual results have been better than our expectations.  As a result, cash flows expected to be received from the acquired loan pools have increased, resulting in adjustments that were made to the related accretable yield as described above.
 
   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 86,700     $ 7,143  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (252 )      
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
   due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (4,688 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (70,020 )     (4,929 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    11,740       2,214  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    73 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    8,555       1,771  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    3,718        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (832 )     (93 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 11,441     $ 1,678  

   
December 31, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 126,933     $ 10,980  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (1,079 )      
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (4,182 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (91,519 )     (6,227 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    30,153       4,753  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    76 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    23,017       3,785  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    3,345        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (2,867 )     (561 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 23,495     $ 3,224  



 
31
 
 


InterBank Indemnification Asset.  The following table presents the balances of the FDIC indemnification asset related to the InterBank transaction at September 30, 2013.  Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $96.0 million since the transaction date because of $71.5 million of repayments by the borrower, $6.0 million in transfers to foreclosed assets and $18.5 million of charge-offs to customer loan balances.  Based upon the collectability analyses performed during the acquisition, we expected certain levels of foreclosures and charge-offs and actual results have been better than our expectations.  As a result, cash flows expected to be received from the acquired loan pools have increased, resulting in adjustments that were made to the related accretable yield as described above.
   
September 30, 2013
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 297,252     $ 4,788  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    2,056        
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (15,147 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (218,962 )     (4,457 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    65,199       331  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    82 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    53,114       265  
FDIC loss share clawback
    2,000        
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    12,118        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (5,341 )     (33 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 61,891     $ 232  


   
December 31, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 356,844     $ 2,001  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    2,541        
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (9,897 )      
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
acquisition date
    (259,232 )     (1,620 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    90,256       381  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    81 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    73,151       304  
FDIC loss share clawback
    1,000        
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
change in expected losses
    7,871        
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (6,893 )     (93 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 75,129     $ 211  


 
32
 
 

Changes in the accretable yield for acquired loan pools were as follows for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

               
Sun Security
       
   
TeamBank
   
Vantus Bank
   
Bank
   
InterBank
 
   
(In Thousands)
     
                         
Balance, July 1, 2012
  $ 11,403     $ 17,882     $ 9,775     $  
Additions
                      43,227  
Accretion
    (4,709 )     (6,980 )     (3,668 )     (4,303 )
Reclassification from nonaccretable yield(1)
    5,863       4,510       2,902        
                                 
Balance, September 30, 2012
  $ 12,557     $ 15,412     $ 9,009     $ 38,924  
                                 
Balance July 1, 2013
  $ 8,610     $ 8,647     $ 10,055     $ 34,967  
Accretion
    (1,450 )     (1,832 )     (4,795 )     (7,034 )
Reclassification from nonaccretable yield(1)
    1,109       (379 )     5,293       7,774  
                                 
Balance, September 30, 2013
  $ 8,269     $ 6,436     $ 10,553     $ 35,707  

(1)
Represents increases in estimated cash flows expected to be received from the acquired loan pools, primarily due to lower estimated credit losses.  The numbers also include changes in expected accretion of the loan pools for TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank for the three months ended September 30, 2013, totaling $340,000, $0, $4.3 million and $7.3 million, respectively, and for the three months ended September 30, 2012, totaling $3.1 million, $4.0 million, $1.8 million and $0, respectively.
 
 
Changes in the accretable yield for acquired loan pools were as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

               
Sun Security
       
   
TeamBank
   
Vantus Bank
   
Bank
   
InterBank
 
   
(In Thousands)
     
                         
Balance, January 1, 2012
  $ 14,662     $ 21,967     $ 12,769     $  
Additions
                      46,078  
Accretion
    (13,799 )     (17,320 )     (10,750 )     (7,154 )
Reclassification from nonaccretable yield(1)
    11,694       10,765       6,990        —  
                                 
Balance, September 30, 2012
  $ 12,557     $ 15,412     $ 9,009     $ 38,924  
                                 
Balance January 1, 2013
  $ 12,128     $ 13,538     $ 11,259     $ 42,574  
Accretion
    (7,050 )     (7,492 )     (13,021 )     (20,423 )
Reclassification from nonaccretable yield(1)
    3,191       390       12,315       13,556  
                                 
Balance, September 30, 2013
  $ 8,269     $ 6,436     $ 10,553     $ 35,707  

(1)
Represents increases in estimated cash flows expected to be received from the acquired loan pools, primarily due to lower estimated credit losses.  The numbers also include changes in expected accretion of the loan pools for TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, totaling $2.5 million, $516,000, $9.0 million and $14.9 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, totaling $6.0 million, $7.6 million, $5.2 million and $0, respectively.


 
33
 
 



NOTE 9: FORECLOSED ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Major classifications of foreclosed assets were as follows:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One-to four-family construction
  $     $ 627  
Subdivision construction
    13,092       17,147  
Land development
    15,293       14,058  
Commercial construction
    2,245       6,511  
One-to four-family residential
    1,070       1,200  
Other residential
    5,632       7,232  
Commercial real estate
    3,239       2,738  
Commercial business
    98       160  
Consumer
    1,132       471  
      41,801       50,144  
FDIC-supported foreclosed assets, net of discounts
    13,805       18,730  
    $ 55,606     $ 68,874  

Expenses applicable to foreclosed assets included the following:
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Net loss on sales of foreclosed assets
  $ 27     $ 320  
Valuation write-downs
    258       1,292  
Operating expenses, net of rental income
    783       924  
                 
    $ 1,068     $ 2,536  

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Net gain on sales of foreclosed assets
  $ (255 )   $ (1,077 )
Valuation write-downs
    1,313       2,691  
Operating expenses, net of rental income
    2,420       2,589  
                 
    $ 3,478     $ 4,203  


NOTE 10: DEPOSITS

     
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
     
2013
   
2012
 
     
(In Thousands)
 
Time Deposits:
             
0.00% - 0.99%     $ 679,662     $ 666,573  
1.00% - 1.99%       278,679       426,589  
2.00% - 2.99%       66,170       90,539  
3.00% - 3.99%       10,483       13,240  
4.00% - 4.99%          2,950        5,190
5.00% and above
      1,535       1,816  
Total time deposits (0.73% - 1.00%)
      1,039,479       1,203,947  
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
      540,617       385,778  
Interest-bearing demand and savings deposits (0.21% - 0.33%)
      1,272,438       1,563,468  
Total Deposits
    $ 2,852,534     $ 3,153,193  

 
 
34
 
 
 
 

 
NOTE 11: INCOME TAXES

Reconciliations of the Company’s effective tax rates to the statutory corporate tax rates were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Tax at statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %
Nontaxable interest and dividends
    (4.3 )     (5.2
Tax credits
    (20.8 )     (18.4 )
State taxes
    3.0       0.8  
Other
    (1.4 )     (2.3 )
                 
      11.5 %     9.9 %

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Tax at statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %
Nontaxable interest and dividends
    (4.3 )     (3.1 )
Tax credits
    (19.1 )     (9.3 )
State taxes
    2.1       0.4  
Other
    (0.2 )     0.1  
                 
      13.5 %     22.9 %

NOTE 12: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
 
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  Topic 820 also specifies a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
·  
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1): Inputs that are quoted unadjusted prices in active markets for identical assets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. An active market for the asset is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
 
·  
Other observable inputs (Level 2): Inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity including quoted prices for similar assets, quoted prices for securities in inactive markets and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
 
·  
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3): Inputs that reflect assumptions of a source independent of the reporting entity or the reporting entity's own assumptions that are supported by little or no market activity or observable inputs.
 
Financial instruments are broken down as follows by recurring or nonrecurring measurement status. Recurring assets are initially measured at fair value and are required to be remeasured at fair value in the financial statements at each reporting date. Assets measured on a nonrecurring basis are assets that, due to an event or circumstance, were required to be remeasured at fair value after initial recognition in the financial statements at some time during the reporting period.


 
35
 
 


Recurring Measurements

         
Fair value measurements using
 
         
Quoted prices
             
         
in active
             
         
markets
   
Other
   
Significant
 
         
for identical
   
observable
   
unobservable
 
         
assets
   
inputs
   
inputs
 
   
Fair value
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
September 30, 2013
                       
U.S. government agencies
  $ 17,830     $     $ 17,830     $  
Mortgage-backed securities
    393,893             393,893        
Small Business Administration loan pools
    47,128             47,128        
States and political subdivisions
    119,558             119,558        
Equity securities
    2,572             2,572        
Mortgage servicing rights
    236                   236  
Interest rate derivative asset
    2,230                   2,230  
Interest rate derivative liability
    (1,326 )                 (1,326 )
                                 
December 31, 2012
                               
U.S. government agencies
  $ 30,040     $     $ 30,040     $  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    4,507             4,507        
Mortgage-backed securities
    596,086             596,086        
Small Business Administration loan pools
    51,493             51,493        
States and political subdivisions
    122,878             122,878        
Equity securities
    2,006             2,006        
Mortgage servicing rights
    152                   152  
Interest rate derivative asset
    2,112                   2,112  
Interest rate derivative liability
    (2,160 )                 (2,160 )

The following is a description of inputs and valuation methodologies used for assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying statements of financial condition at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.  There have been no significant changes in the valuation techniques during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.

Securities Available for Sale. Investment securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values used by the Company are obtained from an independent pricing service, which represent either quoted market prices for the identical asset or fair values determined by pricing models, or other model-based valuation techniques, that consider observable market data, such as interest rate volatilities, LIBOR yield curve, credit spreads and prices from market makers and live trading systems.  Recurring Level 2 securities include U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, Small Business Administration (SBA) loan pools, state and municipal bonds and equity securities. Inputs used for valuing Level 2 securities include observable data that may include dealer quotes, benchmark yields, market spreads, live trading levels and market consensus prepayment speeds, among other things. Additional inputs include indicative values derived from the independent pricing service’s proprietary computerized models. There were no Recurring Level 3 securities at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Mortgage Servicing Rights. Mortgage servicing rights do not trade in an active, open market with readily observable prices.  Accordingly, fair value is estimated using discounted cash flow models.  Due to the nature of the valuation inputs, mortgage servicing rights are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Interest Rate Derivatives. Interest rate derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values used by the Company are obtained from an independent valuation service, and are based on prevailing observable market data, such as the LIBOR swap curves and Overnight Index Swap “OIS” curves, and derived from proprietary models based on well recognized financial principles and reasonable estimates about future market conditions (which may include assumptions and estimates that are not readily observable in the marketplace).  Included in the fair values are credit valuation adjustments which represent the consideration of credit risk (credit standing) of the counterparties to the
 
 
 
36
 
 
 
 
transaction and the effect of any credit enhancements related to the transaction.  Certain inputs to the credit valuation models may be based on assumptions and best estimates that are not readily observable in the marketplace.

The Company considers transfers between the levels of the hierarchy to be recognized at the end of related reporting periods.  From December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013, no assets for which fair value is measured on a recurring basis transferred between any levels of the hierarchy.


Level 3 Reconciliation

The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of recurring fair value measurements recognized in the accompanying balance sheet using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs.

   
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, July 1
  $ 246     $ 194  
Additions
    32       71  
Amortization
    (42 )     (86 )
Balance, September 30
  $ 236     $ 179  
                 

   
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, January 1
  $ 152     $ 292  
Additions
    224       102  
Amortization
    (140 )     (215 )
Balance, September 30
  $ 236     $ 179  
                 


   
Interest Rate Swap Asset
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, July 1
  $ 1,379     $ 1,200  
Change in fair value through earnings
    182       575  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,561     $ 1,775  
                 

   
Interest Rate Swap Asset
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, January 1
  $ 2,112     $ 111  
Change in fair value through earnings
    (551 )     1,664  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,561     $ 1,775  
                 


 
37
 
 



   
Interest Rate Cap Derivative Asset
Designated as Hedging Instrument
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, July 1
  $     $  
Additions
    738        
Change in fair value through other
               
comprehensive income
    (69 )      
Balance, September 30
  $ 669     $  
                 

   
Interest Rate Cap Derivative Asset
Designated as Hedging Instrument
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, January 1
  $     $  
Additions
    738        
Change in fair value through other
               
comprehensive income
    (69 )      
Balance, September 30
  $ 669     $  
                 

   
Interest Rate Swap Liability
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, July 1
  $ 1,019     $ 1,230  
Change in fair value through earnings
    307       679  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,326     $ 1,909  
                 

   
Interest Rate Swap Liability
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, January 1
  $ 2,160     $ 121  
Change in fair value through earnings
    (834 )     1,788  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,326     $ 1,909  
                 

Nonrecurring Measurements
 
The following tables present the fair value measurements of assets measured at fair value during the periods presented on a nonrecurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
 

 
38
 
 



         
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
         
Quoted prices
             
         
in active
             
         
markets
   
Other
   
Significant
 
         
for identical
   
observable
   
unobservable
 
         
assets
   
inputs
   
inputs
 
   
Fair value
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
September 30, 2013
                       
Impaired loans
                       
One- to four-family residential construction
  $     $     $     $  
Subdivision construction
    163                   163  
Land development
    1,953                   1,953  
Owner occupied one- to four-family        residential
    342                   342  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    254                   254  
Commercial real estate
    7,064                   7,064  
Other residential
    2,113                   2,113  
Commercial business
    61                   61  
Consumer auto
    30                   30  
Consumer other
    293                   293  
Home equity lines of credit
    72                   72  
Total impaired loans
  $ 12,345     $     $     $ 12,345  
                                 
Foreclosed assets held for sale
  $ 2,184     $     $     $ 2,184  
                                 
December 31, 2012
                               
Impaired loans
                               
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 171     $     $     $ 171  
Subdivision construction
    1,482                   1,482  
Land development
    1,463                   1,463  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    2,638                   2,638  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    2,392                   2,392  
Commercial real estate
    21,764                   21,764  
Other residential
    4,162                   4,162  
Commercial business
    2,186                   2,186  
Consumer auto
    51                   51  
Consumer other
    286                   286  
Home equity lines of credit
    44                   44  
Total impaired loans
  $ 36,639     $     $     $ 36,639  
                                 
Foreclosed assets held for sale
  $ 11,360     $     $     $ 11,360  

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and recognized in the accompanying statements of financial condition, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Loans Held for Sale.  Mortgage loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of carrying value or fair value.  The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics.  As such, the Company classifies mortgage loans held for sale as Nonrecurring Level 2.  Write-downs to fair value typically do not occur as the Company generally enters into commitments to sell individual mortgage loans at the time the loan is originated to reduce market risk.  The Company typically does not have commercial loans held for sale.  At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the aggregate fair value of mortgage loans held for sale exceeded their cost.  Accordingly, no mortgage loans held for sale were marked down and reported at fair value.
 
 
 
 
39
 
 
 
Impaired Loans.  A loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that all of the principal and interest due may not be collected according to its contractual terms. Generally, when a loan is considered impaired, the amount of reserve required under FASB ASC 310, Receivables, is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral. The Company makes such measurements on all material loans deemed impaired using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans. The fair value of collateral used by the Company is determined by obtaining an observable market price or by obtaining an appraised value from an independent, licensed or certified appraiser, using observable market data. This data includes information such as selling price of similar properties and capitalization rates of similar properties sold within the market, expected future cash flows or earnings of the subject property based on current market expectations, and other relevant factors. All appraised values are adjusted for market-related trends based on the Company’s experience in sales and other appraisals of similar property types as well as estimated selling costs.  Each quarter management reviews all collateral dependent impaired loans on a loan-by-loan basis to determine whether updated appraisals are necessary based on loan performance, collateral type and guarantor support.  At times, the Company measures the fair value of collateral dependent impaired loans using appraisals with dates prior to one year from the date of review.  These appraisals are discounted by applying current, observable market data about similar property types such as sales contracts, estimations of value by individuals familiar with the market, other appraisals, sales or collateral assessments based on current market activity until updated appraisals are obtained.  Depending on the length of time since an appraisal was performed and the data provided through our reviews, these appraisals are typically discounted 10-40%.  The policy described above is the same for all types of collateral dependent impaired loans.
 
The Company records impaired loans as Nonrecurring Level 3. If a loan’s fair value as estimated by the Company is less than its carrying value, the Company either records a charge-off of the portion of the loan that exceeds the fair value or establishes a reserve within the allowance for loan losses specific to the loan.  Loans for which such charge-offs or reserves were recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or the year ended December 31, 2012, are shown in the table above (net of reserves).

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale.  Foreclosed assets held for sale are initially recorded at fair value less estimated cost to sell at the date of foreclosure.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated cost to sell.  Foreclosed assets held for sale are classified as Level 3.  The foreclosed assets represented in the table above have been re-measured during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or the year ended December 31, 2012, subsequent to their initial transfer to foreclosed assets.

The following disclosure relates to financial assets for which it is not practicable for the Company to estimate the fair value at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
FDIC Indemnification Asset: As part of the Purchase and Assumption Agreements, the Bank and the FDIC entered into loss sharing agreements. These agreements cover realized losses on loans and foreclosed real estate, subject to certain limitations which are more fully described in Note 8.
 
Under the TeamBank agreement, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of the first $115 million in realized losses and 95% for realized losses that exceed $115 million.  The indemnification asset was originally recorded at fair value on the acquisition date (March 20, 2009) and at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying value was $2.3 million and $7.9 million, respectively.
 
Under the Vantus Bank agreement, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of the first $102 million in realized losses and 95% for realized losses that exceed $102 million.  The indemnification asset was originally recorded at fair value on the acquisition date (September 4, 2009) and at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying value of the FDIC indemnification asset was $3.0 million and $7.3 million, respectively.
 
Under the Sun Security Bank agreement, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of realized losses.  The indemnification asset was originally recorded at fair value on the acquisition date (October 7, 2011) and at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying value of the FDIC indemnification asset was $13.1 million and $26.8 million, respectively.
 
Under the InterBank agreement, the FDIC agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of realized losses.  The indemnification asset was originally recorded at fair value on the acquisition date (April 27, 2012) and at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying value of the FDIC indemnification asset was $62.1 million and $75.3 million, respectively.
 
 
 
40
 
 
 
 
From the dates of acquisition, each of the four agreements extend ten years for 1-4 family real estate loans and five years for other loans.  The loss sharing assets are measured separately from the loan portfolios because they are not contractually embedded in the loans and are not transferable with the loans should the Bank choose to dispose of them.  Fair values on the acquisition dates were estimated using projected cash flows available for loss sharing based on the credit adjustments estimated for each loan pool and the loss sharing percentages.  These cash flows were discounted to reflect the uncertainty of the timing and receipt of the loss sharing reimbursements from the FDIC.  The loss sharing assets are also separately measured from the related foreclosed real estate.  Although the assets are contractual receivables from the FDIC, they do not have effective interest rates.  The Bank will collect the assets over the next several years.  The amount ultimately collected will depend on the timing and amount of collections and charge-offs on the acquired assets covered by the loss sharing agreements.  While the assets were recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates, it is not practicable to complete fair value analyses on a quarterly or annual basis.  Estimating the fair value of the FDIC indemnification asset would involve preparing fair value analyses of the entire portfolios of loans and foreclosed assets covered by the loss sharing agreements from all four acquisitions on a quarterly or annual basis.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all other financial instruments recognized in the accompanying statements of financial condition at amounts other than fair value:

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock. The carrying amount approximates fair value.
 
Loans and Interest Receivable.  The fair value of loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.  Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value.

Deposits and Accrued Interest Payable.  The fair value of demand deposits and savings accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, i.e., their carrying amounts.  The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances.  Rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing advances.
 
Short-Term Borrowings.  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Subordinated Debentures Issued to Capital Trusts.  The subordinated debentures have floating rates that reset quarterly.  The carrying amount of these debentures approximates their fair value.
 
Structured Repurchase Agreements.  Structured repurchase agreements are collateralized borrowings from a counterparty.  In addition to the principal amount owed, the counterparty also determines an amount that would be owed by either party in the event the agreement is terminated prior to maturity by the Company.  The fair values of the structured repurchase agreements are estimated based on the amount the Company would be required to pay to terminate the agreement at the reporting date.

Commitments to Originate Loans, Letters of Credit and Lines of Credit.  The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties.  For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.  The fair value of letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date.

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments.  The fair values of certain of these instruments were calculated by discounting expected cash flows, which method involves significant judgments by management and uncertainties.  Fair value is the estimated amount at which financial assets or liabilities could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.  Because no market exists for certain of these financial instruments and because management does not intend to sell these financial instruments, the Company does not know whether the fair values shown below represent values at which the respective financial instruments could be sold individually or in the aggregate.
 
 
 
41
 
 
 

 
   
September 30, 2013
   
December 31, 2012
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Hierarchy
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Hierarchy
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Level
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Level
 
Financial assets
                                   
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 339,814     $ 339,814       1     $ 404,141     $ 404,141       1  
Held-to-maturity securities
    805       915       2       920       1,084       2  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    10,047       10,047       2       26,829       26,829       2  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
    2,328,738       2,329,551       3       2,319,638       2,326,051       3  
Accrued interest receivable
    10,932       10,932       3       12,755       12,755       3  
Investment in FHLB stock
    9,855       9,855       3       10,095       10,095       3  
                                                 
Financial liabilities
                                               
Deposits
    2,852,534       2,860,194       3       3,153,193       3,162,288       3  
FHLB advances
    127,808       132,368       3       126,730       131,280       3  
Short-term borrowings
    135,791       135,791       3       180,416       180,416       3  
Structured repurchase agreements
    50,000       53,946       3       53,039       58,901       3  
Subordinated debentures
    30,929       30,929       3       30,929       30,929       3  
Accrued interest payable
    1,121       1,121       3       1,322       1,322       3  
Unrecognized financial instruments (net of
                                               
contractual value)
                                               
Commitments to originate loans
                3                   3  
Letters of credit
     82        82       3       84       84       3  
Lines of credit
                3                   3  

NOTE 13:  DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
 
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
 
The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions.  The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities.  The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources and duration of its assets and liabilities.  In the normal course of business, the Company may use derivative financial instruments (primarily interest rate swaps) from time to time to assist in its interest rate risk management.  The Company has interest rate derivatives that result from a service provided to certain qualifying loan customers that are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities and are not designated in a qualifying hedging relationship.  The Company manages a matched book with respect to its derivative instruments in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.  In addition, the Company has interest rate derivatives that are designated in a qualified hedging relationship.
 
Nondesignated Hedges
 
The Company has interest rate swaps that are not designated in qualifying hedging relationships.  Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and result from a service the Company provides to certain loan customers, which the Company began offering during the fourth quarter of 2011.  The Company executes interest rate swaps with commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies.  Those interest rate swaps are simultaneously hedged by offsetting interest rate swaps that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.  As the interest rate swaps associated with this program do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer swaps and the offsetting swaps are recognized directly in earnings.  As of September 30, 2013, the Company had 26 interest rate swaps totaling $112.8 million with commercial customers, and 26 interest rate swaps with the same notional amount with third parties related to this program.  As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 16 interest rate swaps totaling $81.7 million with commercial customers, and 16 interest rate swaps with the same notional amount with third parties related to this program.  During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the
 
 
 
42
 
 
 
 
Company recognized a net loss of $125,000 and a net loss of $104,000, respectively, in noninterest income related to changes in the fair value of these swaps.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized a net gain of $283,000 and a net loss of $104,000, respectively, in noninterest income related to changes in the fair value of these swaps.
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
As a strategy to maintain acceptable levels of exposure to the risk of changes in future cash flows due to interest rate fluctuations, the Company entered into two interest rate cap agreements related to its floating rate debt associated with its trust preferred securities.  The agreement with a notional amount of $25 million states that the Company will pay interest on its trust preferred debt in accordance with the original debt terms at a rate of 3-month LIBOR + 1.60%.  Should interest rates rise above a certain threshold, the counterparty will reimburse the Company for interest paid such that the Company will have an effective interest rate on that portion of its trust preferred securities no higher than 2.37%.  The second agreement with a notional amount of $5 million states that the Company will pay interest on its trust preferred debt in accordance with the original debt terms at a rate of 3-month LIBOR + 1.40%.  Should interest rates rise above a certain threshold, the counterparty will reimburse the Company for interest paid such that the Company will have an effective interest rate on that portion of its trust preferred securities no higher than 2.17%.  The interest rate cap agreements were effective on August 1, 2013 and July 1, 2013, respectively, and have a term of four years.
 
The effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
 
The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:
 
 
Location in
 
Fair Value
 
 
Consolidated Statements
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
 
of Financial Condition
 
2013
   
2012
 
     
(In Thousands)
 
Derivatives designated as
             
  hedging instruments
             
               
Interest rate caps
Prepaid expenses and other assets
  $ 669     $  
                   
Total derivatives designated
                 
  as hedging instruments
    $ 669     $  
                   
Derivatives not designated
                 
  as hedging instruments
                 
                   
Asset Derivatives
                 
Interest rate products
Prepaid expenses and other assets
  $ 1,561     $ 2,112  
                   
Total derivatives not designated
                 
  as hedging instruments
    $ 1,561     $ 2,112  
                   
Liability Derivatives
                 
Interest rate products
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 1,326     $ 2,160  
                   
Total derivatives not designated
                 
as hedging instruments
    $ 1,326     $ 2,160  
                   

 

 
43
 
 


The following tables present the effect of derivative instruments on the statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
    
Three Months Ended September 30
   
Nine Months Ended September 30
 
Cash Flow Hedges
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI
   
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Interest rate cap
  $ 45     $       $ 45     $  
                                 
 
 
 
Agreements with Derivative Counterparties
 
The Company has agreements with its derivative counterparties.  If the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.  If the Bank fails to maintain its status as a well capitalized institution, then the counterparty could terminate the derivative positions and the Company would be required to settle its obligations under the agreements.  Similarly, the Company could be required to settle its obligations under certain of its agreements if certain regulatory events occurred, such as the issuance of a formal directive, or if the Company’s credit rating is downgraded below a specified level.
 
As of September 30, 2013, the termination value of derivatives in a net liability position, which included accrued interest but excluded any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $0.  The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with its derivative counterparties.  The Company’s activity with its derivative counterparties had previously met the level in which the minimum collateral posting thresholds take effect and the Company had posted $185,000 of collateral to satisfy the agreements at September 30, 2013.  If the Company had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2013, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value.
 

 
NOTE 14:  CONSOLIDATION OF BANKING CENTERS
 
On July 12, 2013, the Company announced plans to consolidate operations of 11 banking centers into other nearby Great Southern banking center locations.  The closing of these facilities, which resulted in the transfer of deposits and other banking center operations, occurred on October 25, 2013.  The 11 banking centers which were consolidated were all in Missouri and were acquired in 2011, as part of the FDIC-assisted acquisition of the former 27-branch Sun Security Bank.

The Company expects a positive pre-tax income statement impact of approximately $1.2 million to $1.5 million on an annual basis due to the anticipated reduction in non-interest expenses.  In addition, the Company anticipates recording one-time expenses totaling approximately $300,000 to $600,000 during the fourth quarter of 2013 in connection with severance costs for affected employees and shortened useful lives of certain furniture and equipment. The affected premises, which have a total carrying value of approximately $1.5 million, will be marketed for sale.  No significant impairment of the value of these premises is expected, as they were purchased near the end of 2011 from the FDIC at fair value as determined by current appraisals at that time.

NOTE 15:  SUBSEQUENT EVENT – LOAN PURCHASE
 
On October 25, 2013, the Bank completed an acquisition of loans with a par value totaling $86.1 million which were being auctioned by an unrelated FDIC-insured financial institution.  The acquired loan portfolio included 119 loans with collateral securing the notes consisting primarily of multi-family real estate in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.  The Bank paid $87.9 million for the loans, which resulted in a 2.125% premium over the principal balances of the portfolio.

The process of bidding on the portfolio was competitive in nature with numerous institutions bidding on all or a portion of the loans.  The Bank estimates the average yield of the portfolio to be approximately 4.3% based on the weighted average maturity of the portfolio (less than four years), with an average yield potentially as high as 4.7% if loan balances are retained beyond the initial maturity dates.
 
 
 
44
 
 
 

 
As part of the due diligence process, lending personnel of the Bank re-underwrote each of the 119 loans in order to determine the credit quality of the portfolio in addition to an extensive review of the enforceability and validity of the loan and collateral documents.  Portfolio underwriting included assessments of maturities concentration, adjustable vs. fixed rate financing based on loan maturity, and geographic concentration.  Each property securing a loan in the portfolio was inspected by a senior member of the Great Southern Bank Loan Committee as part of the due diligence process completed prior to the final bid.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
45
 
 


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Forward-looking Statements
 
When used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other documents filed or furnished by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in the Company's press releases or other public or stockholder communications, and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or “expects,” “anticipates,” “will be,” "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate," "project," "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, (i) non-interest expense reductions from the planned Great Southern banking center consolidation might be less than anticipated and the costs of the consolidation and impairment of the value of the affected premises might be greater than expected; (ii) expected cost savings, synergies and other benefits from the Company’s merger and acquisition activities, might not be realized within the anticipated time frames or at all, and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customer and employee retention, might be greater than expected; (iii) changes in economic conditions, either nationally or in the Company’s market areas; (iv) fluctuations in interest rates; (v) the risks of lending and investing activities, including changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and writeoffs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; (vi) the possibility of other-than-temporary impairments of securities held in the Company’s securities portfolio; (vii) the Company’s ability to access cost-effective funding; (viii) fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; (ix) demand for loans and deposits in the Company’s market areas; (x) legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect the Company’s business, including, without limitation, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and its implementing regulations, and the overdraft protection regulations and customers’ responses thereto; (xi) monetary and fiscal policies of the Federal Reserve Board and the U.S. Government and other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry; (xii) results of examinations of the Company and Great Southern by their regulators, including the possibility that the regulators may, among other things, require the Company to increase its allowance for loan losses or to write-down assets; (xiii) the uncertainties arising from the Company’s participation in the Small Business Lending Fund program, including uncertainties concerning the potential future redemption by us of the U.S. Treasury’s preferred stock investment under the program, including the timing of, regulatory approvals for, and conditions placed upon, any such redemption; (xiv) costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; and (xv) competition. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s other filings with the SEC could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements.

The Company does not undertake-and specifically declines any obligation-to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Valuation of Foreclosed Assets
 
The Company believes that the determination of the allowance for loan losses involves a higher degree of judgment and complexity than its other significant accounting policies. The allowance for loan losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining an allowance level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated loan losses. Management's determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on periodic evaluations of the loan portfolio and other relevant factors. However, this evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates of,  among others, expected default probabilities, loss once loans default, expected commitment usage, the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, value of collateral, estimated losses, and general amounts for historical loss experience.
 
 
 
46
 
 
 
 
 
The process also considers economic conditions, uncertainties in estimating losses and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. All of these factors may be susceptible to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provisions for loan losses may be required which would adversely impact earnings. In addition, the Bank’s regulators could require additional provisions for loan losses as part of their examination process.
 
Additional discussion of the allowance for loan losses is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, under the section titled "Item 1. Business - Allowances for Losses on Loans and Foreclosed Assets." Inherent in this process is the evaluation of individual significant credit relationships. From time to time certain credit relationships may deteriorate due to payment performance, cash flow of the borrower, value of collateral, or other factors. In these instances, management may have to revise its loss estimates and assumptions for these specific credits due to changing circumstances. In some cases, additional losses may be realized; in other instances, the factors that led to the deterioration may improve or the credit may be refinanced elsewhere and allocated allowances may be released from the particular credit. For the periods included in the financial statements contained in this report, management's overall methodology for evaluating the allowance for loan losses has not changed significantly.
 
In addition, the Company considers that the determination of the valuations of foreclosed assets held for sale involves a high degree of judgment and complexity. The carrying value of foreclosed assets reflects management’s best estimate of the amount to be realized from the sales of the assets.  While the estimate is generally based on a valuation by an independent appraiser or recent sales of similar properties, the amount that the Company realizes from the sales of the assets could differ materially from the carrying value reflected in the financial statements, resulting in losses that could adversely impact earnings in future periods.

Carrying Value of FDIC-covered Loans and Indemnification Asset
 
The Company considers that the determination of the carrying value of loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted transactions and the carrying value of the related FDIC indemnification assets involve a high degree of judgment and complexity. The carrying value of the acquired loans and the FDIC indemnification assets reflect management’s best ongoing estimates of the amounts to be realized on each of these assets. The Company determined initial fair value accounting estimates of the assumed assets and liabilities in accordance with FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. However, the amount that the Company realizes on these assets could differ materially from the carrying value reflected in its financial statements, based upon the timing of collections on the acquired loans in future periods. Because of the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC on these assets, the Company should not incur any significant losses. To the extent the actual values realized for the acquired loans are different from the estimates, the indemnification asset will generally be impacted in an offsetting manner due to the loss sharing support from the FDIC.  Subsequent to the initial valuation, the Company continues to monitor identified loan pools and related loss sharing assets for changes in estimated cash flows projected for the loan pools, anticipated credit losses and changes in the accretable yield.  Analysis of these variables requires significant estimates and a high degree of judgment.  See Note 8 “Loss Sharing Agreements and FDIC Indemnification Assets” included in Item 1 for additional information regarding the TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank FDIC-assisted transactions.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are subject to an impairment test at least annually and more frequently if circumstances indicate their value may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment using a process that estimates the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units compared with its carrying value. The Company defines reporting units as a level below each of its operating segments for which there is discrete financial information that is regularly reviewed. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has one reporting unit to which goodwill has been allocated – the Bank.  If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then no impairment is recorded. If the carrying value amount exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit, further testing is completed comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying value to measure the amount of impairment. Intangible assets that are not amortized will be tested for impairment at least annually by comparing the fair values of those assets to their carrying values. At September 30, 2013, goodwill consisted of $379,000 at the Bank reporting unit. Other identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of seven years. At September 30, 2013, the amortizable intangible assets consisted of core deposit intangibles of $4.5 million.  These amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their value may not be recoverable based on a comparison of fair value.
 
 
 
47
 
 
 

 
While the Company believes no impairment existed at September 30, 2013, different conditions or assumptions used to measure fair value of reporting units, or changes in cash flows or profitability, if significantly negative or unfavorable, could have a material adverse effect on the outcome of the Company’s impairment evaluation in the future.

Current Economic Conditions
 
Economic conditions in recent years have presented financial institutions with unprecedented circumstances and challenges which, in some cases, have resulted in large declines in the fair value of investments and other assets, constraints on liquidity and significant credit quality problems, including severe volatility in the valuation of real estate and other collateral supporting loans.  The Company’s financial statements are prepared using values and information currently available to the Company.

Given the potential volatility of economic conditions, the values of assets and liabilities recorded in the financial statements could change rapidly, resulting in material future adjustments in asset values, the allowance for loan losses, or capital that could negatively impact the Company’s ability to meet regulatory capital requirements and maintain sufficient liquidity.

The economic downturn beginning in 2008 negatively affected consumer confidence and elevated unemployment levels, resulting in a detrimental impact on industry-wide performance nationally as well as throughout the Company's market areas.  Over the past two years, economic indicators have shown continued improvement with consumer confidence levels reaching a six year high in July 2013 and with a continued decline in unemployment levels.      

Unemployment levels nationally, as well as across our market areas, have decreased.  All six states in which Great Southern Bank has offices had unemployment levels lower than the National seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 7.3% as of August 31, 2013; e.g., Missouri at 7.1%, Kansas at 5.9%, Arkansas at 7.2%, Iowa at 4.6%, Nebraska at 3.8% and Minnesota at 4.8%.  Three of these six states had unemployment rates among the eleven lowest in the country.  The increase in unemployment in both the State of Missouri and the St. Louis market area has been attributed to slow growth in population and average wage. Of the metropolitan areas in which Great Southern Bank does business, the St. Louis market area continues to carry the highest level of unemployment at 7.9% which is an increase over the 7.0% rate reported as of December of 2012.  While showing slight increase, the unemployment rate at 6.2% for the Springfield market area was below the national and state averages as of August 31, 2013.  Metropolitan areas in Iowa and Nebraska boasted unemployment levels ranging from 4.6% - 4.9%; ranking them among the lowest unemployment levels in the nation.
 
After turning the corner in 2012, the U.S. housing market continued its improvement throughout the first half of 2013 with new home sales hitting a five-year high in June 2013.  Average prices for existing home sales in the Midwest, which includes our market areas, increased 5.8% in 2012 over 2011 according to the National Association of Realtors.  As of August 2013, existing home sales in the Midwest increased 3.1%; 18.9% higher than a year ago.  The median price in the Midwest was $166,100, which is 10.0 percent above August 2012.  Building permits have increased across our market areas, and foreclosure filings have decreased to their lowest level since 2007.
 
The performance of commercial real estate markets also improved substantially in the Company’s market areas as shown by increased real estate sales activity and financing of those activities. According to real estate services firm CoStar Group, retail, office and industrial types of commercial real estate properties continue to show improvement in occupancy, absorption and rental income both nationally and in our market areas.
 
Economic conditions have presented financial institutions with unprecedented challenges over the past few years and have impacted the markets in which we operate.  While the Federal Reserve has adjusted its monetary policy to accommodate for the downturn, recent indications are that the Federal Reserve may begin slowing asset purchases.  While current economic indicators for the Midwest show improvement in employment, housing starts and prices, commercial real estate occupancy, absorption and rental income, Bank management will continue to closely monitor regional, national and global economic conditions as these could have significant impacts on our market areas.
 


 
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General
 
The profitability of the Company and, more specifically, the profitability of its primary subsidiary, Great Southern Bank (the "Bank"), depends primarily on its net interest income, as well as provisions for loan losses and the level of non-interest income and non-interest expense. Net interest income is the difference between the interest income the Bank earns on its loan and investment portfolios, and the interest it pays on interest-bearing liabilities, which consists mainly of interest paid on deposits and borrowings. Net interest income is affected by the relative amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on these balances. When interest-earning assets approximate or exceed interest-bearing liabilities, any positive interest rate spread will generate net interest income.
 
In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Great Southern's total assets decreased $351.9 million, or 8.9%, from $3.96 billion at December 31, 2012, to $3.60 billion at September 30, 2013. Full details of the current period changes in total assets are provided in the “Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012” section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Loans.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, net loans increased $9.1 million, or 0.4%, from $2.32 billion at December 31, 2012, to $2.33 billion at September 30, 2013.  Partially offsetting the increases in loans were decreases of $110.6 million in the FDIC-covered loan portfolios.  Excluding covered loans and mortgage loans held for sale, total loans increased $119.2 million, primarily due to increases in commercial real estate, commercial business and consumer loans, partially offset by a decrease in other residential loans.  As loan demand is affected by a variety of factors, including general economic conditions, and because of the competition we face and our focus on pricing discipline and credit quality, we cannot be assured that our loan growth will match or exceed the level of increases achieved in prior years.  Based upon the current lending environment and economic conditions, the Company does not expect to grow the overall loan portfolio significantly at this time.  The Company's strategy continues to be focused on maintaining credit risk and interest rate risk at appropriate levels. 
 
While our policy allows us to lend up to 95% of the appraised value on single-family properties and up to 90% on two- to four-family residential properties, originations of loans with loan-to-value ratios at those levels are minimal.  When they are made at those levels, private mortgage insurance is typically required for loan amounts above the 80% level unless our analyses determines minimal additional risk to be involved; therefore, these loans are not considered to have more risk to us than other residential loans.  We consider these lending practices to be consistent with, or more conservative than, what we believe to be the norm for banks our size.  At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, an estimated 0.4% and 0.2%, respectively, of total owner occupied one- to four-family residential loans had loan-to-value ratios above 100% at origination.  At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, an estimated 0.6% and 0.8%, respectively, of total non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential loans had loan-to-value ratios above 100% at origination.

At September 30, 2013, troubled debt restructurings totaled $48.1 million, or 2.0% of total loans, up $1.3 million from $46.8 million, or 2.0% of total loans, at December 31, 2012.  This elevated level of troubled debt restructurings is primarily due to the continuing effects of the recent economic downturn and the resulting increased number of borrowers experiencing financial difficulty.  Concessions granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties may include a reduction in the interest rate on the loan, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions intended to maximize collection.  While the types of concessions made have not changed as a result of the economic recession, the number of concessions granted has increased as reflected in the historically high level of troubled debt restructurings.  During the three months ended September 30, 2013, one loan totaling $737,000 was restructured into multiple new loans.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, two loans totaling $2.6 million were each restructured into multiple new loans.  During the year ended December 31, 2012, eleven loans totaling $38.0 million were each restructured into multiple new loans.  For further information on troubled debt restructurings, see Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

The loss sharing agreements with the FDIC are subject to limitations on the types of losses covered and the length of time losses are covered, and are conditioned upon the Bank complying with its requirements in the agreements with the FDIC, including requirements regarding servicing and other loan administration matters.  The loss sharing agreements extend for ten years for single family real estate loans and for five years for other loans.  At September 30, 2013, approximately five and one half years remain on the loss sharing agreement for single family real estate loans acquired from TeamBank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of two to eleven years.  At September 30, 2013, approximately six years remain on the loss sharing agreement for single family real estate loans acquired from Vantus Bank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of two to thirteen years.   At
 
 
 
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September 30, 2013, approximately eight years remain on the loss sharing agreement for single family real estate loans acquired from Sun Security Bank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of four to twelve years.  At September 30, 2013, approximately eight and one half years remain on the loss sharing agreement for single family real estate loans acquired from InterBank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of five to fourteen years.    At September 30, 2013, approximately six months remain on the loss sharing agreement for non-single family loans acquired from TeamBank and the remaining loans are have an estimated average life of one to six years.  At September 30, 2013, approximately twelve months remain on the loss sharing agreement for non-single family loans acquired from Vantus Bank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of one to five years.  At September 30, 2013, approximately three years remain on the loss sharing agreement for non-single family loans acquired from Sun Security Bank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of one to two years.  At September 30, 2013, approximately three and one half years remain on the loss sharing agreement for non-single family loans acquired from InterBank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of three years.  While the expected repayments for certain of the acquired loans extend beyond the terms of the loss sharing agreements, the Bank has identified and will continue to identify problem loans and will make every effort to resolve them within the time limits of the agreements.  The Company may sell any loans remaining at the end of the loss sharing agreement subject to the approval of the FDIC.  Acquired loans are currently included in the analysis and estimation of the allowance for loan losses.  However, when the loss sharing agreements end, the allowance for loan losses related to any acquired loans retained in the portfolio may need to increase if additional weakness or losses are determined to be in the portfolio subsequent to the end of the loss sharing agreements. The loss sharing agreements and their related limitations are described in detail in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

The level of non-performing loans and foreclosed assets affects our net interest income and net income. We generally do not accrue interest income on these loans and do not recognize interest income until the loans are repaid or interest payments have been made for a period of time sufficient to provide evidence of performance on the loans. Generally, the higher the level of non-performing assets, the greater the negative impact on interest income and net income.  
 
Available-for-sale Securities.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Great Southern's available-for-sale securities decreased $226.0 million, or 28.0%, from $807.0 million at December 31, 2012, to $581.0 million at September 30, 2013.  The decrease was primarily due to paydowns of mortgage-backed securities, as well as calls, maturities and sales of securities.  These funds were used to cover decreases in deposits and to fund increases in loans.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Great Southern had cash and cash equivalents of $339.8 million at September 30, 2013, a decrease of $64.3 million, or 15.9%, from $404.1 million at December 31, 2012. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents during the period was due to a decrease in total deposits.
 
Deposits.  The Company attracts deposit accounts through its retail branch network, correspondent banking and corporate services areas, and brokered deposits. The Company then utilizes these deposit funds, along with Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) advances and other borrowings, to meet loan demand or otherwise fund its activities. In the nine months ended September 30, 2013, total deposit balances decreased $300.7 million, or 9.5%.  Transaction accounts decreased $136.2 million, while retail certificates of deposit decreased $172.9 million.  Great Southern Bank customer deposits totaling $77.5 million and $109.1 million, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, were part of the CDARS program which allows bank customers to maintain balances in an insured manner that would otherwise exceed the FDIC deposit insurance limit. The FDIC considers these customer accounts to be brokered deposits due to the fees paid in the CDARS program.  The Company did not actively try to grow CDARS customer deposits during the current period and decreased interest rates offered on these deposits during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. 
 
 
 
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Our deposit balances may fluctuate from time to time depending on customer preferences and our relative need for funding.  We do not consider our retail certificates of deposit to be guaranteed long-term funding because customers can withdraw their funds at any time with minimal interest penalty.  When loan demand begins trending upward, we can increase rates paid on deposits to increase deposit balances and may again utilize brokered deposits to provide necessary funding.  Because the Federal Funds rate is already very low, there may be a negative impact on the Company’s net interest income due to the Company’s inability to lower its funding costs significantly in the current low interest rate environment, although interest rates on assets may decline further.  The level of competition for deposits in our markets is high. While it is our goal to gain checking account and retail certificate of deposit market share in our branch footprint, we cannot be assured of this in future periods.  In addition, while we have been generally lowering our deposit rates over the past several quarters, increasing rates paid on deposits can help to attract deposits if needed; however, this could negatively impact the Company’s net interest margin.

Our ability to fund growth in future periods may also depend on our ability to continue to access brokered deposits and FHLBank advances. In times when our loan demand has outpaced our generation of new deposits, we have utilized brokered deposits and FHLBank advances to fund these loans. These funding sources have been attractive to us because we can create either fixed or variable rate funding, if desired, which more closely matches the interest rate nature of much of our loan portfolio. While we do not currently anticipate that our ability to access these sources will be reduced or eliminated in future periods, if this should happen, the limitation on our ability to fund additional loans could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Net Interest Income and Interest Rate Risk Management.  Our net interest income may be affected positively or negatively by interest rate changes in the market. A large portion of our loan portfolio is tied to the "prime rate" and adjusts immediately when this rate adjusts (subject to the effect of loan interest rate floors, which are discussed below). We monitor our sensitivity to interest rate changes on an ongoing basis (see "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk").  In addition, our net interest income may be impacted by changes in the cash flows expected to be received from acquired loan pools.  As described in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report, the Company’s evaluation of cash flows expected to be received from acquired loan pools is on-going and increases in cash flow expectations are recognized as increases in accretable yield through interest income.  Decreases in cash flow expectations are recognized as impairments through the allowance for loan losses.
 
The current level and shape of the interest rate yield curve poses challenges for interest rate risk management. The FRB last changed interest rates on December 16, 2008. Great Southern has a significant portfolio of loans which are tied to a "prime rate" of interest. Many of these loans are tied to some national index of "prime," while others are indexed to "Great Southern prime." The Company has elected to leave its “Great Southern prime rate” of interest at 5.00%. This does not affect a large number of customers, as a majority of the loans indexed to “Great Southern prime” are already at interest rate floors which are provided for in individual loan documents. But for the interest rate floors, a rate cut by the FRB generally would have an anticipated immediate negative impact on the Company’s net interest income due to the large total balance of loans which generally adjust immediately as the Federal Funds rate adjusts. Loans at their floor rates are subject to the risk that borrowers will seek to refinance elsewhere at the lower market rate, however.  Because the Federal Funds rate is already very low, there may also be a negative impact on the Company's net interest income due to the Company's inability to lower its funding costs significantly in the current environment, although interest rates on assets may decline further. Conversely, interest rate increases would normally result in increased interest rates on our prime-based loans.  The interest rate floors in effect may limit the immediate increase in interest rates on these loans, until such time as rates rise above the floors.  However, the Company may have to increase rates paid on deposits to maintain deposit balances and pay higher rates on borrowings.  The impact of the low rate environment on our net interest margin in future periods is expected to be fairly neutral.  As our time deposits mature in future periods, we expect to be able to continue to reduce rates somewhat as they renew.  However, any margin gained by these rate reductions is likely to be offset by reduced yields from our investment securities as payments are made on our mortgage-backed securities and the proceeds are reinvested at lower rates.  Similarly, interest rates on adjustable rate loans may reset lower according to their contractual terms and new loans may be originated at lower market rates.  For further discussion of the processes used to manage our exposure to interest rate risk, see Item 3. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – How We Measure the Risks to Us Associated with Interest Rate Changes.”

The negative impact of declining loan interest rates has been mitigated by the positive effects of the Company’s loans that have interest rate floors. At September 30, 2013, the Company had a portfolio (excluding loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions) of prime-based loans totaling approximately $530 million with rates that change immediately with changes to the prime rate of interest. Of this total, $491 million also had interest rate floors. These floors were at varying rates, with $13 million of these loans having floor rates of 7.0% or greater and another $293 million of these loans having floor rates between 5.0% and 7.0%. In addition, $185 million of these loans have floor rates between 3.25% and 5.0%.  At September 30, 2013, all of these loans were at their floor rates.  The loan yield for the total loan portfolio was approximately 187 basis points higher than the national “prime rate of interest” at September 30, 2013, partly because of these interest rate floors.  While interest rate floors have had an overall positive effect on the Company’s results during this period, they do subject the Company to the risk that borrowers will elect to refinance their loans with other lenders.  To the extent economic conditions strengthen, the likelihood that borrowers will seek to refinance their loans increases.
 
Non-Interest Income and Operating Expenses.  The Company's profitability is also affected by the level of its non-interest income and operating expenses. Non-interest income consists primarily of service charges and ATM fees, accretion income (net of amortization) related to the FDIC-assisted acquisitions, late charges and prepayment fees
 
 
 
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on loans, gains on sales of loans and available-for-sale investments and other general operating income.  In 2013 and 2012, increases in the cash flows expected to be collected from the FDIC-covered loan portfolios resulted in amortization (expense) recorded relating to reductions of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, which are recorded as indemnification assets.  Non-interest income may also be affected by the Company's interest rate hedging activities, if the Company chooses to implement hedges.  Operating expenses consist primarily of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy-related expenses, expenses related to foreclosed assets, postage, FDIC deposit insurance, advertising and public relations, telephone, professional fees, office expenses and other general operating expenses.  Details of the current period changes in non-interest income and non-interest expense are provided in the “Results of Operations and Comparison for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012” section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Effect of Federal Laws and Regulations

General.  Federal legislation and regulation significantly affect the operations of the Company and the Bank, and have increased competition among commercial banks, savings institutions, mortgage banking enterprises and other financial institutions. In particular, the capital requirements and operations of regulated banking organizations such as the Company and the Bank have been and will be subject to changes in applicable statutes and regulations from time to time, which changes could, under certain circumstances, adversely affect the Company or the Bank.

Legislation Impacting the Financial Services Industry.  On July 21, 2010, sweeping financial regulatory reform legislation entitled the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act implements far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including provisions that, among other things, centralize responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, with broad rulemaking authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks, require new capital rules (discussed below), change the assessment base for federal deposit insurance, repeal the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, amend the account balance limit for federal deposit insurance protection, and increase the authority of the Federal Reserve Board to examine the Company and its non-bank subsidiaries.

Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Company and the financial services industry more generally. Provisions in the legislation that affect deposit insurance assessments, and payment of interest on demand deposits could increase the costs associated with deposits. Provisions in the legislation that require revisions to the capital requirements of the Company and the Bank could require the Company and the Bank to seek additional sources of capital in the future.

A provision of the Dodd-Frank Act, commonly referred to as the “Durbin Amendment,” directed the FRB to analyze the debit card payments system and fix the interchange rates based upon their estimate of actual costs. The FRB has established the interchange rate for all debit transactions for issuers with over $10 billion in assets, effective October 1, 2011, at $0.21 per transaction. An additional five basis points of the transaction amount and an additional $0.01 may be collected by the issuer for fraud prevention and recovery, provided the issuer performs certain actions.  Although the Bank is currently exempt from the provisions of the rule on the basis of asset size, there is some uncertainty about the long-term impact there will be on the interchange rates for issuers below the $10 billion level of assets.

New Capital Rules. The federal banking agencies have adopted new regulatory capital rules that substantially amend the risk-based capital rules applicable to the Bank and the Company. The new rules would implement the “Basel III” regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. “Basel III” refers to various documents released by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.  For the Company and the Bank, the general effective date of the new rules is January 1, 2015, and, for certain provisions, various phase-in periods and later effective dates apply.  The chief features of the new rules are summarized below.
 
The new rules refine the definitions of what constitutes regulatory capital and add a new regulatory capital element, common equity Tier 1 capital.  The minimum capital ratios are (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6%; (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4%.  In addition to the minimum capital ratios, the new rules include a capital conservation buffer, under which a banking organization must have capital more than 2.5% above each of its minimum risk-based capital ratios in order to avoid restrictions on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying certain discretionary bonuses.
 
 
 
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Effective January 1, 2015, the new rules also revise the prompt corrective action framework, which is designed to place restrictions on insured depository institutions if their capital levels show signs of weakness. Under the  new prompt corrective action requirements, insured depository institutions would be required to meet the following in order to qualify as “well capitalized:” (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%; (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%; and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5%.
 
Basel III also contains provisions on liquidity include complex criteria establishing a liquidity coverage ratio (“LCR”) and net stable funding ratio (“NSFR”).  The purpose of the LCR is to ensure that a bank maintains adequate unencumbered, high quality liquid assets to meet its liquidity needs for 30 days under a severe liquidity stress scenario.  The purpose of the NSFR is to promote more medium and long-term funding of assets and activities, using a one-year horizon.  The federal banking agencies published proposed regulations on these provisions of Basel III on October 24, 2012.  As proposed, these regulations will not apply to a bank holding company that has less than $50 billion of total consolidated assets and is not internationally active.

Business Initiatives

Several initiatives are underway related to the Company’s banking center network. On October 25, 2013, 11 Missouri banking centers closed and were consolidated into other nearby Great Southern banking center locations. Consolidation of these banking centers, which included the transfer of deposits and other banking center operations, was announced in July 2013 as a result of a review of the entire banking center network. The affected banking centers were acquired in 2011, as part of the FDIC-assisted acquisition of the former 27-branch Sun Security Bank.  Six of the 11 banking centers were located in southeastern Missouri:  Annapolis, Arcadia, Centerville, Lesterville, Marquand and Piedmont. The remaining banking centers were located in central Missouri:  Fair Play, Gravois Mills, Holts Summit, Humansville and Weaubleau. Great Southern ATMs will remain operational at each of the affected banking center sites.

As noted at the time these consolidations were announced, the Company expects a positive pre-tax income statement impact of approximately $1.2 million to $1.5 million on an annual basis due to the anticipated reduction in non-interest expenses.  In addition, the Company anticipates recording one-time expenses totaling approximately $300,000 to $600,000 during the fourth quarter of 2013 in connection with severance costs for affected employees and shortened useful lives of certain furniture and equipment.  The affected premises, which have a total carrying value of approximately $1.5 million, will be marketed for sale.  No significant impairment of the value of these premises is expected, as they were purchased near the end of 2011 from the FDIC at fair value as determined by current appraisals at that time.

On October 7, 2013, a full-service banking center in a commercial district in Omaha, Neb., opened for business. In addition to the banking center, a commercial lending team is housed in this facility. The Company currently operates three banking centers in the Omaha metropolitan area – two in Bellevue and one in Fort Calhoun.

In Maple Grove, Minn., a new banking center opened on October 21, 2013, replacing a leased banking center a short distance away. The new banking center is also home to a commercial lending team led by a recently-hired 25-year Twin Cities banking veteran.  The Company operates a total of four banking centers in the Minneapolis market – one each in Edina, Lakeville, Maple Grove and Roseville.

On November 4, 2013, a new and larger banking center in Ava, Mo., opened replacing the current bank-owned property less than a mile away. The Company has served customers in Ava since 1979.

On October 25, 2013, the Bank completed an acquisition of loans with a par value totaling $86.1 million which were being auctioned by an unrelated FDIC-insured financial institution.  The acquired loan portfolio included 119 loans with collateral securing the notes consisting primarily of multi-family real estate in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.  The Bank paid $87.9 million for the loans, which resulted in a 2.125% premium over the principal balances of the portfolio.  See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report for further details.

The common stock of Great Southern Bancorp, Inc., is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “GSBC”. The last reported sale price of GSBC common stock in the quarter ended September 30, 2013, was $28.23. Headquartered in Springfield, Mo., Great Southern offers a broad range of banking services to customers. The Company operates 97 banking centers and more than 200 ATMs in Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska.
 
 
 
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Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s total assets decreased by $351.9 million to $3.60 billion.  Most of the decrease was attributable to decreases in available-for-sale-securities, cash and cash equivalents, and the FDIC indemnification asset.  The Company chose to reduce certain deposit categories and utilize cash to repay these deposits.  In addition, the Company chose to sell certain investment securities due to significant liquidity.  Net loans increased $9.1 million from December 31, 2012, to $2.33 billion at September 30, 2013.  Excluding covered loans and mortgage loans held for sale, total loans increased $119.2 million from December 31, 2012, to September 30, 2013, primarily in the areas of commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans and other consumer loans, partially offset by a decrease in other residential loans.  Offsetting these increases were decreases in net loans acquired through FDIC-assisted transactions of $110.6 million, or 21.1%.  The Company's strategy continues to be focused on maintaining credit risk and interest rate risk at appropriate levels given the current credit and economic environments. 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $64.3 million as compared to December 31, 2012, resulting from decreases in deposits, primarily due to decreases in retail certificates of deposit, transaction accounts and CDARS customer deposits.

The Company's available-for-sale securities decreased $226.0 million compared to December 31, 2012.  The decrease was primarily due to paydowns on mortgage-backed securities and calls, maturities and sales of securities with proceeds used to fund new loans and pay off maturing deposits.

The FDIC indemnification asset decreased $36.7 million from December 31, 2012, due primarily to the billing and collection of realized losses from the FDIC as well as estimated improved cash flows to be collected from the loan obligors, resulting in reductions in payments expected to be received from the FDIC.  The expected cash flows are further discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Total liabilities decreased $357.6 million from $3.58 billion at December 31, 2012 to $3.23 billion at September 30, 2013.  The decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in deposits, securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers, and current and deferred income taxes.  Total deposits decreased $300.7 million from December 31, 2012.  Transaction account balances decreased $136.2 million to $1.81 billion at September 30, 2013, up from $1.95 billion at December 31, 2012, while retail certificates of deposit decreased $172.9 million to $912.0 million at September 30, 2013, down from $1.08 billion at December 31, 2012.  Transaction accounts decreased mainly due to planned reductions in certain account types, including accounts with collateralized deposit balances.   Since the second quarter of 2010, retail certificates of deposit (excluding acquired deposits) have trended downward because of customer preference to have immediate access to funds during the current low interest rate environment, when excluding the effect of the deposits added from the 2011 and 2012 FDIC-assisted acquisitions.  In addition, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Great Southern Bank customer deposits totaling $77.5 million and $109.1 million, respectively, were part of the CDARS program which allows bank customers to maintain balances in an insured manner that would otherwise exceed the FDIC deposit insurance limit. The FDIC counts these deposits as brokered, but these are deposit accounts that we generate with customers in our local markets. The Company did not actively try to grow CDARS customer deposits during the current period and decreased interest rates offered on these deposits during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. 

Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers decreased $44.5 million from December 31, 2012, as these balances fluctuate over time. 

Current and deferred income taxes decreased $19.9 million from December 31, 2012 as these balances fluctuate with changes in net income and utilization of tax credits.
 
 
 
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Total stockholders' equity increased $5.7 million from $369.9 million at December 31, 2012 to $375.6 million at September 30, 2013.  The Company recorded net income of $25.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and common and preferred dividends declared were $8.0 million.  Accumulated other comprehensive income decreased $12.9 million due to decreases in the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities.  The market value of these securities decreased due to increases in market rates of interest.  In addition, total stockholders’ equity increased $1.1 million due to stock option exercises.

Results of Operations and Comparison for the Three and Nine months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

General

Net income was $8.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to net income of $7.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. This increase of $1.3 million, or 18.8%, was primarily due to a decrease in provision for loan losses of $5.7 million, or 68.1%, and a decrease in non-interest expense of $2.0 million, or 6.8%, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income of $4.8 million, or 11.1%, and a decrease in non-interest income of $1.2 million, or 55.4%.  Net income available to common stockholders was $8.3 million and $7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Net income was $25.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to net income of $36.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  This decrease of $11.2 million, or 30.9%, was primarily due to a decrease in non-interest income of $37.8 million, or 86.0% and a decrease in net interest income of $1.4 million or 1.2%, partially offset by a decrease in provision for loan losses of $21.5 million, or 59.6%, and a decrease in provision for income taxes of $6.5 million, or 62.6%.  Net income available to common stockholders was $24.6 million and $35.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Total Interest Income
 
Total interest income decreased $7.1 million, or 14.2%, during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The decrease was due to a $4.5 million decrease in interest income on loans and a $2.6 million decrease in interest income on investments and other interest-earning assets.  Total interest income decreased $9.2 million, or 6.4%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The decrease was due to a $6.9 million decrease in interest income on investments and other interest-earning assets and a $2.3 million decrease in interest income on loans.  Interest income on loans decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, from lower average interest rates due primarily to a decrease in the additional expected cash flows to be received from the FDIC-acquired loan pools and the resulting adjustment to accretable yield, both of which were previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  Interest income also decreased due to lower average interest rates on loans.  Interest income from investment securities and other interest-earning assets decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to lower average rates of interest and lower average balances. The lower average investment yields were primarily a result of lower yields on mortgage-backed securities as interest rates reset downward.  Prepayments on the mortgages underlying these securities resulted in amortization of premiums which also reduced yields.

Interest Income – Loans
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, interest income on loans decreased due to lower average interest rates, partially offset by higher average balances.

Interest income decreased $5.0 million as a result of lower average interest rates on loans.  The average yield on loans decreased from 7.57% during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 6.70% during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  This decrease was due to lower overall loan rates, and a lower amount of accretion income in the current year period compared to the prior year period resulting from the increases in expected cash flows to be received from the FDIC-acquired loan pools as previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  On an on-going basis the Company estimates the cash flows expected to be collected from the acquired loan pools. This cash flows estimate has increased, based on the payment histories and reduced loss expectations of the loan pools, resulting in a total of $155.5 million of adjustments to be spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loan pools. The increases in expected cash flows also reduced the amount of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, which are recorded as indemnification assets. Therefore, the expected indemnification assets have also been reduced, resulting in a total of $131.1 million of adjustments to be amortized on a comparable basis over the remainder of the loss sharing agreements or the remaining expected life of the loan pools, whichever is shorter.  For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the adjustments increased interest income by $8.4 million and $10.0 million, respectively, and decreased non-interest
 
 
 
55
 
 
 
 
 
income by $7.1 million and $8.2 million, respectively.  The net impact to pre-tax income was $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.  As of September 30, 2013, the remaining accretable yield adjustment that will affect interest income is $25.0 million and the remaining adjustment to the indemnification assets, including the effects of the clawback liability related to InterBank, that will affect non-interest income (expense) is $(20.7) million.  Of the remaining adjustments, we expect to recognize $5.7 million of interest income and $(5.0) million of non-interest income (expense) in the remainder of 2013.  Additional adjustments may be recorded in future periods from the FDIC-assisted transactions, as the Company continues to estimate expected cash flows from the acquired loan pools.  Apart from the yield accretion, the average yield on loans was 5.30% for the three months ended September 30, 2013, down from 5.88% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as a result of normal amortization of higher-rate loans and new loans that were made at current lower market rates.

Interest income increased $514,000 as the result of higher average loan balances, which increased from $2.35 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $2.37 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The higher average balances were primarily due to increases in commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans, and other consumer loans, partially offset by decreases in other residential loans.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, interest income on loans decreased due to lower average interest rates, partially offset by higher average balances.  Interest income decreased $6.8 million as a result of lower average interest rates on loans.  The average yield on loans decreased from 7.22% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 6.84% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  This decrease was due to a reduction in overall loan rates, partially offset by an increase in additional yield accretion recognized in conjunction with the fair value of the loan pools acquired in the FDIC-assisted transactions as discussed above for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and as previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  The adjustments increased interest income by $26.5 million and decreased non-interest income by $22.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, for a net impact of $4.5 million to pre-tax income.  Apart from the yield accretion, the average yield on loans was 5.36% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, down from 5.82% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 for the reasons discussed above.

Partially offsetting the decrease in interest income described above, interest income increased $4.4 million as the result of higher average loan balances, which increased from $2.30 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $2.39 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The higher average balances were primarily due to the loans acquired in the InterBank FDIC-assisted transaction, which occurred during the second quarter of 2012.

Interest Income – Investments and Other Interest-earning Assets
 
Interest income on investments and other interest-earning assets decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Interest income decreased $1.7 million due to a decrease in average interest rates from 1.73% during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 1.27% during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Interest income decreased $948,000 as a result of a decrease in average balances from $1.27 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $914.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Average balances of securities decreased due primarily to the normal monthly payments received on the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities and the sale of securities during 2013, with proceeds being used to fund new loan originations and deposit outflows, while average interest-earning deposits decreased due to decreases in the Bank’s customer deposits
.
Interest income on investments and other interest-earning assets decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Interest income decreased $4.8 million as a result of a decrease in average interest rates from 1.90% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 1.44% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Interest income decreased $2.0 million as a result of a decrease in average balances from $1.30 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $1.08 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The reasons for these changes in the comparable nine-month periods are the same as those described previously for the comparable three-month periods.

The Company’s interest-earning deposits and non-interest-earning cash equivalents currently earn very low or no yield and therefore negatively impact the Company’s net interest margin. At September 30, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $339.8 million compared to $404.1 million at December 31, 2012.  See "Net Interest Income" for additional information on the impact of this interest activity.
 
 
 
56
 
 
 

 
Total Interest Expense
 
Total interest expense decreased $2.3 million, or 34.0 %, during the three months ended September 30, 2013, when compared with the three months ended September 30, 2012, due to a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $2.3 million, or 44.6%, a decrease in interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings of $47,000, or 7.4%, a decrease in interest expense on FHLBank advances of $18,000, or 1.8%, and a decrease in interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts of $14,000, or 9.0%.

Total interest expense decreased $7.8 million, or 34.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $7.1 million, or 42.3%, a decrease in interest expense on FHLBank advances of $462,000, or 13.5%, a decrease in interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings of $235,000, or 11.8%, and a decrease in interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts of $47,000, or 10.0%.

Interest Expense – Deposits
 
Interest expense on demand deposits decreased $810,000 due to a decrease in average rates from 0.45% during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 0.21% during the three months ended September 30, 2013. The average interest rates decreased due to lower overall market rates of interest since September 30, 2012 and because the Company continued to pay lower rates in line with the market during the three months ended September 30, 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012.  Market rates of interest on checking and money market accounts have decreased since late 2007 when the FRB began reducing short-term interest rates.  Interest expense on demand deposits decreased $205,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $1.54 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $1.34 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease in average balances of demand deposits was primarily a result of decreases in NOW accounts and money market accounts, including accounts with collateralized deposit balances.

Interest expense on demand deposits decreased $3.3 million due to a decrease in average rates from 0.54% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 0.25% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Interest expense on demand deposits increased $353,000 due to an increase in average balances from $1.43 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $1.52 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The reasons for the decrease in interest rates in the comparable nine-month periods are the same as those described previously for the comparable three-month periods.  The increase in average balances of demand deposits was primarily a result of the InterBank acquisition in April of 2012, and customer preference to transition from time deposits to demand deposits.

Interest expense on time deposits decreased $782,000 due to a decrease in average balances of time deposits from $1.39 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $1.03 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The decrease in time deposit balances was primarily due to some customers choosing not to renew their deposits with us upon maturity.  Also contributing to the decrease was the decrease in CDARS deposits of $31.6 million compared to September 30, 2012.  Interest expense on time deposits decreased $473,000 as a result of a decrease in average rates of interest from 0.96% during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 0.81% during the three months ended September 30, 2013 due to a reduction in market rates of interest.  A large portion of the Company’s certificate of deposit portfolio matures within one to two years and therefore reprices fairly quickly; this is consistent with the portfolio over the past several years.

Interest expense on time deposits decreased $2.1 million due to a decrease in average rates from 1.04% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 0.82% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Interest expense on time deposits decreased $2.1 million due to a decrease in average balances from $1.39 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $1.10 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The reasons for these changes in the comparable nine-month periods are the same as those described previously for the comparable three-month periods, and due to customer preference to transition from time deposits to demand deposits.

Interest Expense – FHLBank Advances, Short-term Borrowings and Structured Repo Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures Issued to Capital Trusts
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased due to lower average balances and lower average rates.  Interest expense on
 
 
 
57
 
 
 
 
FHLBank advances decreased due to a decrease in interest expense on FHLBank advances of $16,000 due to a decrease in average interest rates from 3.14% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 3.08% in the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Advances in the 2012 period included some short-term advances which carried very low rates of interest.  Most of the remaining advances are fixed-rate and are subject to penalty if paid off prior to maturity.  Interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased $2,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $129.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $129.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased due to lower average balances, partially offset by higher average rates.  Interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased $561,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $152 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $128 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  This decrease was primarily due to repayments of maturing advances.  Interest expense on FHLBank advances increased $99,000 due to an increase in average interest rates from 3.02% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 3.11% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Most of the remaining advances are fixed-rate and are subject to penalty if paid off prior to maturity.

Interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings decreased $84,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $253 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $221 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings increased $37,000 due to an increase in average rates on short-term borrowings from 1.00% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 1.06% in the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The decrease in balances of short-term borrowings in the three month period was primarily due to increases in average securities sold under repurchase agreements with the Company’s deposit customers, which tend to fluctuate.  The reduced balance of these lower-rate borrowings led to the increase in average interest rates.

Interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings decreased $145,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $265 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $245 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings decreased $90,000 due to a decrease in average rates on short-term borrowings from 1.00% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 0.96% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The decrease in balances of short-term borrowings in the nine month period was primarily due to decreases in average securities sold under repurchase agreements with the Company’s deposit customers, which tend to fluctuate.

Interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts decreased $14,000 due to a decrease in average rates from 1.98% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 1.81% in the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts decreased $47,000 due to a decrease in average rates from 2.02% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 1.82% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  These are variable-rate debentures which bear interest at an average rate of three-month LIBOR plus 1.57%, adjusting quarterly.

Net Interest Income
 
Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 decreased $4.8 million to $38.5 million compared to $43.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Net interest margin was 4.64% in the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 4.75% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of 11 basis points, or 2.3%.  In both three-month periods, the Company’s margin was positively impacted primarily by the increases in expected cash flows to be received from the FDIC-acquired loan pools and the resulting increase to accretable yield which were previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The positive impact of these changes on the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were increases in interest income of $8.4 million and $10.0 million, respectively, and increases in net interest margin of 101 basis points and 109 basis points, respectively.  Excluding the positive impact of the additional yield accretion, net interest margin decreased three basis points when compared to the year-ago quarter, and increased twelve basis points when compared to the second quarter of 2013.   During 2012 and 2013, higher-rate brokered deposits decreased and retail time deposits renewed at lower rates of interest.  The Company has also experienced decreases in yields on loans and investments, excluding the yield accretion income discussed above, when compared to the year-ago quarter.  Existing loans continue to repay, and in many cases new loans are originated at rates which are lower than the rates on those repaying loans and may be lower than existing average portfolio rates.  In addition, premium amortization on the Company’s mortgage-backed securities investments has been higher in 2013 compared to 2012.
 
 
 
58
 
 
 

 
The Company's overall average interest rate spread decreased 16 basis points, or 3.4%, from 4.69% during the three months ended September 30, 2012, to 4.53% during the three months ended September 30, 2013. The gross change was due to a 32 basis point decrease in the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and a 16 basis point decrease in the weighted average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. In comparing the two periods, the yield on loans decreased 87 basis points while the yield on investment securities and other interest-earning assets decreased 46 basis points. The rate paid on deposits decreased 22 basis points, the rate paid on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts decreased 17 basis points, the rate paid on FHLBank advances decreased six basis points, and the rate paid on short-term borrowings increased six basis points.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased $1.4 million to $119.1 million compared to $120.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Net interest margin was 4.60% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 4.47% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of 13 basis points, or 2.9%.  In both nine-month periods, the Company’s margin was positively impacted by the increases in expected cash flows to be received from the FDIC-acquired loan pools and the resulting increase to accretable yield which were previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The positive impact of these changes on the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were increases in interest income of $26.5 million and $24.1 million, respectively, and increases in net interest margin of 103 basis points and 90 basis points, respectively.  Excluding the positive impact of the additional yield accretion, net interest margin decreased one basis point when compared to the year-ago period.

The Company's overall interest rate spread increased 12 basis points, or 2.7%, from 4.39% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to 4.51% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The gross change was due to a 15 basis point decrease in the weighted average rate paid on interest-earning assets, and a 27 basis point decrease in the weighted average yield on interest-bearing liabilities.  In comparing the two periods, the yield on loans decreased 38 basis points while the yield on investment securities and other interest-earning assets decreased 46 basis points. The rate paid on deposits decreased 30 basis points, the rate paid on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts decreased 20 basis points, the rate paid on short-term borrowings decreased four basis points and the rate paid on FHLBank advances increased nine basis points.

For additional information on net interest income components, refer to the "Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields" table in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Provision for Loan Losses and Allowance for Loan Losses

Management records a provision for loan losses in an amount it believes sufficient to result in an allowance for loan losses that will cover current net charge-offs as well as risks believed to be inherent in the loan portfolio of the Bank. The amount of provision charged against current income is based on several factors, including, but not limited to, past loss experience, current portfolio mix, actual and potential losses identified in the loan portfolio, economic conditions, and internal as well as external reviews.  Based on the Company’s current assessment of these factors and their expected impact on the loan portfolio, management believes that provision expenses and net charge-offs for 2013 will likely continue to be less than those for 2012.  As noted previously, however, the levels of non-performing assets, potential problem loans, loan loss provisions and net charge-offs fluctuate from period to period and are difficult to predict.

Weak economic conditions, higher inflation or interest rates, or other factors may lead to increased losses in the portfolio and/or requirements for an increase in loan loss provision expense. Management long ago established various controls in an attempt to limit future losses, such as a watch list of possible problem loans, documented loan administration policies and a loan review staff to review the quality and anticipated collectability of the portfolio. Additional procedures provide for frequent management review of the loan portfolio based on loan size, loan type, delinquencies, on-going correspondence with borrowers and problem loan work-outs. Management determines which loans are potentially uncollectible, or represent a greater risk of loss, and makes additional provisions to expense, if necessary, to maintain the allowance at a satisfactory level.
 
The provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2013, decreased $5.7 million to $2.7 million when compared with the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, decreased $21.5 million to $14.6 million when compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  At September 30, 2013, the allowance for loan losses was $39.5 million, a decrease of $1.2 million from December 31, 2012.  Total net charge-offs were $3.4 million and $8.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Total net charge-offs were $15.8 million and $37.0 million for the nine
 
 
 
59
 
 
 
 
months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Three relationships made up $3.0 million of the net charge-off total for the three months ended September 30, 2013. General market conditions, and more specifically, real estate absorption rates and unique circumstances related to individual borrowers and projects also contributed to the level of provisions and charge-offs.  As properties were categorized as potential problem loans, non-performing loans or foreclosed assets, evaluations were made of the values of these assets with corresponding charge-offs as appropriate.
 
Loans acquired in the 2009, 2011 and 2012 FDIC-assisted transactions are covered by loss sharing agreements between the FDIC and Great Southern Bank which afford Great Southern Bank at least 80% protection from losses in the acquired portfolio of loans.  The FDIC loss sharing agreements are subject to limitations on the types of losses covered and the length of time losses are covered and are conditioned upon the Bank complying with its requirements in the agreements with the FDIC.  These limitations are described in detail in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The acquired loans were grouped into pools based on common characteristics and were recorded at their estimated fair values, which incorporated estimated credit losses at the acquisition dates.  These loan pools are systematically reviewed by the Company to determine the risk of losses that may exceed those identified at the time of the acquisition.  Techniques used in determining risk of loss are similar to those used to determine the risk of loss for the legacy Great Southern Bank portfolio, with most focus being placed on those loan pools which include the larger loan relationships and those loan pools which exhibit higher risk characteristics. Review of the acquired loan portfolio also includes meetings with customers, review of financial information and collateral valuations to determine if any additional losses are apparent.  Included in the net charge-off total for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were charge-offs of $2.2 million and net recoveries of $1.1 million related to loans covered by the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.  In the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Bank recorded $2.2 million in net charge-offs (with a corresponding provision for loan losses) related to the covered loans.  Under these agreements, the FDIC will reimburse the Bank for 80% of the losses, so the Bank expected reimbursement of $1.8 million of this charge-off and recorded income of this amount in the three months ended March 31, 2013.  During the three months ended June 30, 2013, these covered loans were resolved more favorably than originally anticipated, with the Bank experiencing a recovery of $1.1 million of the previously recorded charge-off.  The Bank expected to reimburse the FDIC $0.9 million of this recovery and recorded expense of this amount in the three months ended June 30, 2013.
 
The Bank's allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, excluding loans covered by the FDIC loss sharing agreements, was 2.01%, 2.21% and 2.22% at September 30, 2013, December 31, 2012, and September 30, 2012, respectively.  Management considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover losses inherent in the Company's loan portfolio at September 30, 2013, based on recent reviews of the Company's loan portfolio and current economic conditions.  If economic conditions were to deteriorate or management’s assessment of the loan portfolio were to change, it is possible that additional loan loss provisions would be required, thereby adversely affecting future results of operations and financial condition.
 
Non-performing Assets
 
Former TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank non-performing assets, including foreclosed assets, are not included in the totals or in the discussion of non-performing loans, potential problem loans and foreclosed assets below due to the respective loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, which cover at least 80% of principal losses that may be incurred in these portfolios for the applicable terms under the agreement.  In addition, FDIC-supported TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank assets were initially recorded at their estimated fair values as of their acquisition dates of March 20, 2009, September 4, 2009, October 7, 2011, and April 27, 2012, respectively.  The overall performance of the FDIC-covered loan pools has been better than original expectations as of the acquisition dates.
 
As a result of changes in balances and composition of the loan portfolio, changes in economic and market conditions that occur from time to time, and other factors specific to a borrower's circumstances, the level of non-performing assets will fluctuate.  Non-performing assets, excluding FDIC-covered non-performing assets, at September 30, 2013, were $63.2 million, a decrease of $9.4 million from $72.6 million at December 31, 2012. Non-performing assets, excluding FDIC-covered assets, as a percentage of total assets were 1.75% at September 30, 2013, compared to 1.84% at December 31, 2012.
 
 
 
60
 
 
 

 
Compared to December 31, 2012, non-performing loans decreased $1.1 million to $21.4 million and foreclosed assets decreased $8.3 million to $41.8 million.  Commercial real estate loans comprised $9.8 million, or 45.7%, of the total $21.4 million of non-performing loans at September 30, 2013, an increase of $1.4 million from December 31, 2012.  Non-performing other commercial business loans decreased $2.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and were $4.9 million, or 22.8%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2013.  Non-performing one-to four-family residential loans comprised $4.1 million, or 19.0%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2013, an increase of $568,000 from December 31, 2012.  Non-performing land development and construction loans decreased $393,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and were $1.1 million, or 5.3%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2013.

Non-performing Loans.  Activity in the non-performing loans category during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was as follows:

   
Beginning
Balance,
January 1
   
Additions
to Non-
Performing
   
Removed
from Non-
Performing
   
Transfers to
Potential
Problem
Loans
   
Transfers to
Foreclosed
Assets
   
Charge-Offs
   
Payments
   
Ending
Balance,
September 30
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family construction
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Subdivision construction
    2       1,293             (2 )     (281 )     (133 )           879  
Land development
    2,471       416                   (2,231 )     (276 )     (120 )     260  
Commercial construction
                                               
One- to four-family residential
    4,581       3,455             (705 )     (1,357 )     (1,071 )     (845 )     4,058  
Other residential
          4,535                         (505 )     (3,317 )     713  
Commercial real estate
    8,324       9,539             (92 )     (2,989 )     (3,341 )     (1,676 )     9,765  
Commercial business
    6,248       4,873                   (126 )     (2,764 )     (3,353 )     4,878  
Consumer
    852       907       (399 )     (35 )     (43 )     (50 )     (397 )     835  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 22,478     $ 25,018     $ (399 )   $ (834 )   $ (7,027 )   $ (8,140 )   $ (9,708 )   $ 21,388  

At September 30, 2013, the non-performing commercial real estate category included eight loans, one of which was added during the quarter and totaled $1.1 million.  It is collateralized by a shopping center and other real estate. The largest relationship in this category, which was added in previous quarters, is comprised of three loans totaling $6.1 million, or 62.7%, of the total category, and is collateralized by three hotel buildings.  The non-performing other commercial category included nine loans, four of which are related and were added during the quarter.  This is the largest relationship in this category, totaling $2.7 million, or 55.5% of the total category, and is collateralized by inventory and assets of a business.  The non-performing one- to four-family residential category included 55 loans, 22 of which were added during the quarter.

Potential Problem Loans.  Compared to December 31, 2012, potential problem loans decreased $14.8 million, or 29.9%. This decrease was due to $11.1 million in loans transferred to the non-performing category, $6.2 million in loans removed from potential problem loans due to improvements in the credits, $6.1 million in charge-offs, $6.0 million in loans transferred to foreclosed assets, and $3.1 million in payments on potential problem loans, partially offset by the addition of $17.7 million of loans to potential problem loans.  Potential problem loans are loans which management has identified through routine internal review procedures as having possible credit problems that may cause the borrowers difficulty in complying with the current repayment terms.  These loans are not reflected in non-performing assets, but are considered in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.  Activity in the potential problem loans category during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was as follows:

 
61
 
 


   
Beginning
Balance,
January 1
   
Additions to
Potential
Problem
   
Removed
from
Potential
Problem
   
Transfers
to Non-
Performing
   
Transfers to
Foreclosed
Assets
   
Charge-Offs
   
Payments
   
Ending
Balance,
September 30
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family construction
  $     $     $     $     $     $     $     $  
Subdivision construction
    1,652       1,858       (76 )     (724 )     (36 )     (149 )     (210 )     2,315  
Land development
    9,458       5,025             (158 )     (645 )           (43 )     13,637  
Commercial construction
                                               
One- to four-family residential
    5,386       837       (1,104 )     (465 )     (754 )     (965 )     (978 )     1,957  
Other residential
    8,487       851       (4,414 )     (713 )           (2,181 )     (571 )     1,459  
Commercial real estate
    21,913       5,696       (513 )     (7,020 )     (4,605 )     (2,352 )     (1,188 )     11,931  
Commercial business
    2,398       3,253             (2,027 )           (431 )     (7 )     3,186  
Consumer
    129       218       (77 )     (5 )                 (125 )     140  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 49,423     $ 17,738     $ (6,184 )   $ (11,112 )   $ (6,040 )   $ (6,078 )   $ (3,122 )   $ 34,625  
                                                                 

At September 30, 2013, the land development category included six loans, all of which were added during previous quarters.  The largest relationship in this category totaled $6.0 million, or 43.8% of the total category, and was collateralized by property located in the Branson, Mo. area.  The second largest relationship in this category totaled $5.0 million, or 36.7% of the total category, and was collateralized by property in the Lake of the Ozarks, Mo. area.  The commercial real estate category of potential problem loans included 12 loans, six of which were added during the current quarter, totaling $1.2 million.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during a previous quarter, had a balance of $5.0 million, or 41.7% of the total category.  The relationship was collateralized by properties located near Branson, Mo.  The other commercial category of potential problem loans included five loans, one of which was added in the current quarter.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during the current quarter, had a balance of $2.4 million, or 75.3% of the total category, and was collateralized by assignments of interests in real estate partnerships.  The one- to four-family residential category of potential problem loans included 18 loans, one of which was added during the current quarter.  The subdivision construction category of potential problem loans included six loans, three of which were added during the current quarter.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during the current quarter, had a balance of $1.8 million, or 78.4% of the total category, and was collateralized by properties in the Branson, Mo. area.  The other residential category of potential problem loans included one loan which was added in a previous quarter, and was collateralized by properties located in the Branson, Mo. area.

Foreclosed Assets.  Of the total $55.6 million of foreclosed assets at September 30, 2013, $13.8 million represents the fair value of foreclosed assets acquired in the FDIC-assisted transactions.  These acquired foreclosed assets are subject to loss sharing agreements with the FDIC and, therefore, are not included in the following table and discussion of foreclosed assets.  Foreclosed assets have increased since the economic recession began in 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, economic growth was slow and the market for land development properties did not experience a recovery.  Because of this, we experienced continued higher levels of additions to foreclosed assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Because sales of foreclosed properties exceeded additions, total foreclosed assets decreased.  Activity in foreclosed assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was as follows:

   
Beginning
Balance,
January 1
   
Additions
   
ORE
 Sales
   
Capitalized
Costs
   
ORE Write-
Downs
   
Ending
Balance,
September 30
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family construction
  $ 627     $     $ (627 )   $     $     $  
Subdivision construction
    17,147       332       (4,240 )     45       (192 )     13,092  
Land development
    14,058       2,912       (1,672 )     45       (50 )     15,293  
Commercial construction
    6,511       113       (4,167 )           (212 )     2,245  
One- to four-family residential
    1,200       2,224       (2,312 )           (42 )     1,070  
Other residential
    7,232             (1,600 )     204       (204 )     5,632  
Commercial real estate
    2,738       7,595       (7,014 )           (80 )     3,239  
Commercial business
    160             (62 )                 98  
Consumer
    471       2,634       (1,973 )                 1,132  
                                                 
Total
  $ 50,144     $ 15,810     $ (23,667 )   $ 294     $ (780 )   $ 41,801  
 
 
 
62
 
 
 

 
At September 30, 2013, the land development category of foreclosed assets included 27 properties, the largest of which was located in northwest Arkansas and had a balance of $2.3 million, or 15.0% of the total category.  Of the total dollar amount in the land development category of foreclosed assets, 48.4% and 35.0% was located in northwest Arkansas and in the Branson, Mo. area, respectively, including the largest property previously mentioned.  The subdivision construction category of foreclosed assets included 37 properties, the largest of which was located in the St. Louis, Mo. metropolitan area and had a balance of $3.4 million, or 25.6% of the total category.  Of the total dollar amount in the subdivision construction category of foreclosed assets, 15.3% and 14.6% is located in Branson, Mo. and Springfield, Mo., respectively. The other residential category of foreclosed assets included 17 properties, 15 of which were all part of the same condominium community, which was located in Branson, Mo. and had a balance of $2.5 million, or 44.1% of the total category.  Of the total dollar amount in the other residential category of foreclosed assets, 93.8% was located in the Branson, Mo. area, including the largest properties previously mentioned.

Non-interest Income
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, non-interest income decreased $1.2 million to $929,000 when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily as a result of the following items:

Amortization of income related to business acquisitions:  There was a larger decrease to non-interest income from amortization related to business acquisitions compared to the prior year period.  The net amortization, an amount which reduces non-interest income, increased $380,000 from the prior year period.  As described above in the net interest income section, due to the increase in cash flows expected to be collected from the TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank FDIC-covered loan portfolios, $7.1 million of amortization (decrease in non-interest income) was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2013.  This amortization (decrease in non-interest income) amount was down $1.1 million from the $8.2 million that was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2012, relating to reductions of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.  Offsetting this, the Bank had additional income from the accretion of the discount on the indemnification assets related to the FDIC-assisted acquisitions.  Income from the accretion of the discount related to all of the acquisitions was $940,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities:  Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities decreased $397,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Due to generally low yields and a reduction in pledging needs, the Company sold $104 million of mortgage-backed securities in the 2013 period at a small net gain.

Gains on sales of single-family loans: Gains on sales of single-family loans decreased $225,000 compared to the prior year period.  This was due to a decrease in originations of fixed-rate loans, which were then sold in the secondary market, due to higher fixed rates on these loans in the 2013 period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, non-interest income decreased $37.8 million to $6.2 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily as a result of the following items:

InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition:  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Bank recognized a one-time gain on the FDIC-assisted acquisition of InterBank of $31.3 million (pre-tax).

Amortization of income related to business acquisitions:  There was a larger decrease to non-interest income from amortization related to business acquisitions compared to the prior year period.  The net amortization, an amount which reduces non-interest income, increased $5.8 million from the prior year period.  As described above in the net interest income section, due to the increase in cash flows expected to be collected from the TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank FDIC-covered loan portfolios, $22.0 million of amortization (decrease in non-interest income) was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  This amortization (decrease in non-interest income) amount was up $2.7 million from the $19.3 million that was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, relating to reductions of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.  Offsetting this, the Bank had additional income from the accretion of the discount on the indemnification assets related to the FDIC-assisted acquisitions.  Income from the accretion of the discount related to all of the acquisitions was $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $6.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
 
 
 
63
 
 
 

 
Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities:  Net realized gains on sales of available-for-sale securities decreased $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The Company realized significant gains on the sale of certain mortgage-backed and municipal securities in the 2012 period.

Service charges and ATM fees:  Service charges and ATM fees decreased $472,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to a decrease in overdraft charges in the current period compared to the prior period.

Partially offsetting the decrease in non-interest income was an increase in the following items:

Gains on sales of single-family loans: Gains on sales of single-family loans increased $586,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  This was due to an increase in originations of fixed-rate loans due to lower fixed rates in the first six months of the nine-month period.  These loans were then sold in the secondary market.

Change in interest rate swap fair value:  The Company recorded income during the 2013 nine month period due to the increase in the interest rate swap fair value related to its matched book interest rate derivatives program of $283,000.  This compares to expense of $124,000 recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Non-interest Expense
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2013, non-interest expense decreased $2.0 million to $27.2 million, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The decrease was primarily due to the following items:

Foreclosure-related expenses:  Expenses on foreclosed assets decreased $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, due primarily to large write-downs of carrying values of foreclosed assets and losses on sales of assets in the 2012 period.

Net occupancy expense:  Net occupancy expense decreased $340,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to one-time expenses related to the InterBank transaction in the 2012 period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, non-interest expense decreased $556,000 to $81.7 million, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The increase was primarily due to the following items:

Other operating expense:  Other operating expense decreased $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, due primarily to InterBank one-time acquisition-related expenses incurred in the 2012 period.

Foreclosure-related expenses:  Expenses on foreclosed assets decreased $725,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, due primarily to large write-downs of carrying values of foreclosed assets and losses on sales of assets in the 2012 period.

Legal, audit and other professional fees:  Legal, audit and other professional fees decreased $430,000 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to the FDIC-assisted acquisition of InterBank, which created $442,000 of non-recurring legal, accounting and other professional fees in the 2012 period.

Partially offsetting the decrease in non-interest expense was an increase in the following items:

Partnership tax credit:  The partnership tax credit expense increased $701,000 from the prior year period.  The Company has invested in certain federal low-income housing tax credits and federal new market tax credits.  These credits are typically purchased at 70-90% of the amount of the credit and are generally utilized to offset taxes payable over ten-year and seven-year periods, respectively.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, tax credits used to reduce the Company’s tax expense totaled $5.5 million, up $700,000 from $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  These tax credits resulted in corresponding amortization expense of $4.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, up $700,000 from $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30,
 
 
 
64
 
 
 
 
2012. The net result of these transactions was an increase to non-interest expense and a decrease to income tax expense, which positively impacted the Company’s effective tax rate, but negatively impacted the Company’s non-interest expense and efficiency ratio.

Salaries and employee benefits:   Salaries and employee benefits increased $492,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to the internal growth of the Company and the increased number of employees, as well as salary increases for existing employees.

Advertising:  Advertising expense increased $383,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, due to additional marketing campaigns across the franchise in the current year period, including business banking and mobile banking promotions.

Provision for Income Taxes
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s effective tax rates were 11.5% and 13.5%, respectively, which were lower than the statutory federal tax rate of 35%, due primarily to the effects of the tax credits discussed above and to tax-exempt investments and tax-exempt loans which reduced the Company’s effective tax rate.  In future periods, the Company expects its effective tax rate typically will be approximately 12%-18% of pre-tax net income, assuming it continues to maintain or increase its use of investment tax credits.  The Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate as it is impacted by the level and timing of the Company’s utilization of tax credits, the level of tax-exempt investments and loans and the overall level of pre-tax income.

Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields
 
The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the total dollar amounts of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates, and the net interest margin. Average balances of loans receivable include the average balances of non-accrual loans for each period. Interest income on loans includes the amortization of net loan fees, which were deferred in accordance with accounting standards. Fees included in interest income were $851,000 and $814,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  Fees included in interest income were $2.5 million and $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Tax-exempt income was not calculated on a tax equivalent basis. The table does not reflect any effect of income taxes.
 
 
 
 

 
 
65
 
 

 
   
September 30,
2013(2)
   
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2012
 
   
Yield/
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
         
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Loans receivable:
                                   
 One- to four-family residential
   
    4.86
%
 
$
461,892
   
$
8,434
 
7.24
%
$
494,883
   
$
7,656
 
6.15
%
 Other residential
   
4.63
     
285,040
     
5,754
 
8.01
   
328,510
     
4,582
 
5.55
 
 Commercial real estate
   
4.80
     
817,080
     
12,401
 
6.02
   
774,541
     
13,086
 
6.72
 
 Construction
   
4.55
     
210,072
     
3,303
 
6.24
   
196,038
     
5,673
 
11.51
 
 Commercial business
   
5.04
     
248,826
     
3,850
 
6.14
   
230,955
     
6,901
 
11.89
 
 Other loans
   
6.09
     
303,776
     
5,695
 
7.44
   
269,508
     
5,939
 
8.77
 
 Industrial revenue bonds (1)
   
5.73
     
       45,333
     
            650
 
5.68
   
       50,941
     
769
 
6.01
 
                                               
Total loans receivable
   
5.12
     
2,372,019
     
40,087
 
6.70
   
2,345,376
     
44,606
 
7.57
 
             
 
                               
Investment securities (1)
   
2.39
     
    667,950
     
        2,820
 
1.68
   
815,972
     
5,366
 
2.62
 
Other interest-earning assets
   
0.19
     
246,708
     
112
 
0.18
   
458,747
     
187
 
0.16
 
                                               
Total interest-earning assets
   
4.28
     
3,286,677
     
43,019
 
5.19
   
3,620,095
     
50,159
 
5.51
 
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                             
 Cash and cash equivalents
           
90,021
               
85,198
             
 Other non-earning assets
           
295,593
               
353,879
             
Total assets
         
$
3,672,291
             
$
4,059,172
             
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                             
Interest-bearing demand and savings
   
0.21
   
$
1,336,049
     
710
 
0.21
 
$
1,541,897
     
1,725
 
0.45
 
Time deposits
   
0.73
     
  1,034,460
     
         2,112
 
0.81
   
1,394,932
     
3,367
 
0.96
 
Total deposits
   
0.44
     
2,370,509
     
2,822
 
0.47
   
2,936,829
     
5,092
 
0.69
 
Short-term borrowings and structured
      repurchase agreements
   
1.20
     
220,645
     
587
 
1.06
   
253,367
     
634
 
1.00
 
Subordinated debentures issued to capital
      trusts
   
 
1.83
     
30,929
     
141
 
1.81
   
30,929
     
155
 
1.98
 
FHLB advances
   
3.10
     
    129,488
     
         1,005
 
3.08
   
129,793
     
1,023
 
3.14
 
                                               
Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
0.64
     
2,751,571
     
4,555
 
0.66
   
3,350,918
     
6,904
 
0.82
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                             
 Demand deposits
           
523,578
               
344,952
             
 Other liabilities
           
 19,689
               
 3,633
             
Total liabilities
           
3,294,838
               
3,699,503
             
Stockholders’ equity
           
377,453
               
359,669
             
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
         
$
3,672,291
             
$
4,059,172
             
                                               
Net interest income:
                                             
 Interest rate spread
   
3.64%
           
$
38,464
 
4.53
%
       
$
43,255
 
4.69
 Net interest margin*
                       
4.64
%
             
4.75
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
           
119.4
%
             
108.0
%
           
 
_____________________
   
*
Defined as the Company’s net interest income divided by total interest-earning assets.
   

 (1)
 
 
Of the total average balances of investment securities, average tax-exempt investment securities were $77.9 million and $85.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, average tax-exempt loans and industrial revenue bonds were $37.3 million and $38.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Interest income on tax-exempt assets included in this table was $1.2 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Interest income net of disallowed interest expense related to tax-exempt assets was $1.2 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 (2)
 
The yield/rate on loans at September 30, 2013 does not include the impact of the accretable yield (income) on loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted transactions.  See “Net Interest Income” for a discussion of the effect on results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013.
 
 
 
66
 
 
 
 
 
   
September 30,
2013(2)
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012
 
   
Yield/
Rate
   
Average
Balance
   
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
Average
Balance
   
Interest
 
Yield/
Rate
 
         
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                   
Loans receivable:
                                   
 One- to four-family residential
   
    4.86
%
 
$
481,032
   
$
25,835
 
7.18
%
$
448,813
   
$
22,316
 
6.64
%
 Other residential
   
4.63
     
302,603
     
17,948
 
7.93
   
311,466
     
13,609
 
5.84
 
 Commercial real estate
   
4.80
     
803,493
     
37,432
 
6.23
   
782,085
     
40,661
 
6.94
 
 Construction
   
4.55
     
208,669
     
11,523
 
7.38
   
225,785
     
15,150
 
8.96
 
 Commercial business
   
5.04
     
248,865
     
11,118
 
5.97
   
225,263
     
15,550
 
9.22
 
 Other loans
   
6.09
     
291,406
     
16,184
 
7.43
   
251,010
     
14,700
 
7.82
 
 Industrial revenue bonds (1)
   
5.73
     
51,766
     
2,186
 
          5.65
   
58,811
     
2,586
 
5.87
 
                                               
Total loans receivable
   
5.12
     
2,387,834
     
122,226
 
6.84
   
2,303,233
     
124,572
 
7.22
 
                                               
Investment securities (1)
   
2.39
     
763,143
     
11,291
 
         1.98
   
860,701
     
17,923
 
2.78
 
Other interest-earning assets
   
0.19
     
313,402
     
339
 
0.14
   
435,987
     
563
 
0.17
 
                                               
Total interest-earning assets
   
4.28
     
3,464,379
     
133,856
 
         5.16
   
3,599,921
     
143,058
 
5.31
 
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                             
 Cash and cash equivalents
           
87,585
               
81,044
             
 Other non-earning assets
           
308,303
               
330,784
             
Total assets
         
$
3,860,267
             
$
4,011,749
             
                                               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                             
Interest-bearing demand and savings
   
0.21
   
$
1,523,320
     
2,866
 
0.25
 
$
1,430,777
     
5,803
 
0.54
 
Time deposits
   
0.73
     
  1,095,145
     
6,745
 
         0.82
   
1,390,183
     
10,860
 
1.04
 
Total deposits
   
0.44
     
2,618,465
     
9,611
 
0.49
   
2,820,960
     
16,663
 
0.79
 
Short-term borrowings and structured
      repurchase agreements
   
1.20
     
245,351
     
1,758
 
0.96
   
265,123
     
1,993
 
1.00
 
Subordinated debentures issued to capital
      trusts
   
 
1.83
     
30,929
     
421
 
1.82
   
30,929
     
468
 
2.02
 
FHLB advances
   
3.10
     
    127,650
     
2,968
 
          3.11
   
151,782
     
3,430
 
3.02
 
                                               
Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
0.64
     
3,022,395
     
14,758
 
         0.65
   
3,268,794
     
22,554
 
0.92
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                             
 Demand deposits
           
439,076
               
391,594
             
 Other liabilities
           
 20,856
               
4,557
             
Total liabilities
           
3,482,327
               
3,664,945
             
Stockholders’ equity
           
377,940
               
346,804
             
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
         
$
3,860,267
             
$
4,011,749
             
                                               
Net interest income:
                                             
 Interest rate spread
   
3.64
%
         
$
119,098
 
         4.51
%
       
$
120,504
 
4.39
%
 Net interest margin*
                       
4.60
%
             
4.47
%
Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities
           
114.6
%
             
110.1
%
           
 
_____________________
   
*
Defined as the Company’s net interest income divided by total interest-earning assets.
   

 (1)
 
 
Of the total average balances of investment securities, average tax-exempt investment securities were $79.3 million and $95.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, average tax-exempt loans and industrial revenue bonds were $38.6 million and $40.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Interest income on tax-exempt assets included in this table was $3.8 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Interest income net of disallowed interest expense related to tax-exempt assets was $3.6 million and $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 (2)
 
The yield/rate on loans at September 30, 2013 does not include the impact of the accretable yield (income) on loans acquired in the FDIC-assisted transactions.  See “Net Interest Income” for a discussion of the effect on results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
 
 
 
67
 
 
 

 
Rate/Volume Analysis
 
The following tables present the dollar amounts of changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities for the periods shown. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to (i) changes in rate (i.e., changes in rate multiplied by old volume) and (ii) changes in volume (i.e., changes in volume multiplied by old rate). For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately to volume and rate. Tax-exempt income was not calculated on a tax equivalent basis.
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013 vs. 2012
 
   
Increase
(Decrease)
Due to
       
       
   
Total
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
Rate
   
Volume
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                 
Loans receivable
 
$
(5,033
)
 
$
514
 
 
$
(4,519
Investment securities
   
(1,692
)
   
(854
)
   
(2,546
)
Other interest-earning assets
   
19
     
(94
)
   
(75
)
Total interest-earning assets
   
(6,706
)
   
(434
)
   
(7,140
)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                       
Demand deposits
   
(810
)
   
  (205
)
   
(1,015
)
Time deposits
   
(473
)
   
(782
)
   
   (1,255
)
Total deposits
   
(1,283
)
   
(987
)
   
   (2,270
)
Short-term borrowings and structured repo
   
 37
     
(84
)
   
(47
)
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust
   
(14
)
   
     
(14
)
FHLBank advances
   
(16
)
   
(2
)
   
 (18
)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
(1,276
)
   
(1,073
)
   
   (2,349
)
Net interest income
 
$
(5,430
)
 
$
639
 
 
$
(4,791
)

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2013 vs. 2012
 
   
Increase
(Decrease)
Due to
       
       
   
Total
Increase
(Decrease)
 
   
Rate
   
Volume
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                 
Loans receivable
 
$
(6,771
)
 
$
4,425
 
 
$
(2,346
Investment securities
   
(4,763
)
   
(1,869
)
   
(6,632
)
Other interest-earning assets
   
(82
)
   
(142
)
   
(224
)
Total interest-earning assets
   
(11,616
)
   
2,414
 
   
(9,202
)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                       
Demand deposits
   
(3,290
)
   
353
 
   
(2,937
)
Time deposits
   
(2,051
)
   
(2,064
)
   
   (4,115
)
Total deposits
   
(5,341
)
   
(1,711
)
   
   (7,052
)
Short-term borrowings and structured repo
   
 (90
)
   
(145
)
   
(235
)
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust
   
(47
)
   
     
(47
)
FHLBank advances
   
99
     
(561
)
   
 (462
)
Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
(5,379
)
   
(2,417
)
   
   (7,796
)
Net interest income
 
$
(6,237
)
 
$
4,831
 
 
$
(1,406
)
 
 
 
68
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidity

Liquidity is a measure of the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash to meet present and future financial obligations in a timely manner through either the sale or maturity of existing assets or the acquisition of additional funds through liability management. These obligations include the credit needs of customers, funding deposit withdrawals, and the day-to-day operations of the Company. Liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions and certain investment securities and loans. The Company manages its ability to generate liquidity primarily through liability funding in such a way that it believes it maintains overall liquidity sufficient to satisfy its depositors' requirements and meet its customers' credit needs. At September 30, 2013, the Company had commitments of approximately $102.8 million to fund loan originations, $313.3 million of unused lines of credit and unadvanced loans, and $28.6 million of outstanding letters of credit.

The Company's primary sources of funds are customer deposits, FHLBank advances, other borrowings, loan repayments, unpledged securities, proceeds from sales of loans and available-for-sale securities and funds provided from operations. The Company utilizes particular sources of funds based on the comparative costs and availability at the time. The Company has from time to time chosen not to pay rates on deposits as high as the rates paid by certain of its competitors and, when believed to be appropriate, supplements deposits with less expensive alternative sources of funds.
 
At September 30, 2013, the Company had these available secured lines and on-balance sheet liquidity:
 
Federal Home Loan Bank line
$376.5 million
 
Federal Reserve Bank line
$393.4 million
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$339.8 million
 
Unpledged securities
$101.6 million
 

Statements of Cash Flows. During both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company had positive cash flows from operating activities and investing activities.  Cash flows from financing activities were negative for both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
 
Cash flows from operating activities for the periods covered by the Statements of Cash Flows have been primarily related to changes in accrued and deferred assets, credits and other liabilities, the provision for loan losses, depreciation, impairments of investment securities, gains on sales of investment securities and the amortization of deferred loan origination fees and discounts (premiums) on loans and investments, all of which are non-cash or non-operating adjustments to operating cash flows. Net income adjusted for non-cash and non-operating items and the origination and sale of loans held for sale were the primary source of cash flows from operating activities. Operating activities provided cash flows of $93.8 million and $137.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, investing activities provided cash of $187.9 and $209.0 million primarily due to the net increase in loans and investment securities for the period.

Changes in cash flows from financing activities during the periods covered by the Statements of Cash Flows are due to changes in deposits after interest credited, changes in FHLBank advances, changes in short-term borrowings, and changes in structured repurchase agreements, as well as dividend payments to stockholders.  Financing activities used cash of $346.0 million and $242.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Financing activities in the future are expected to primarily include changes in deposits, changes in FHLBank advances, changes in short-term borrowings and dividend payments to stockholders.

Capital Resources

Management continuously reviews the capital position of the Company and the Bank to ensure compliance with minimum regulatory requirements, as well as to explore ways to increase capital either by retained earnings or other means.

At September 30, 2013, the Company's total stockholders' equity was $375.6 million, or 10.4% of total assets. At September 30, 2013, common stockholders' equity was $317.6 million, or 8.8% of total assets, equivalent to a book value of $23.15 per common share. Total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2012, was $369.9 million, or 9.4%, of total assets. At December 31, 2012, common stockholders' equity was $311.9 million, or 7.9% of total assets, equivalent to a book value of $22.94 per common share.
 
 
 
69
 
 
 

 
At September 30, 2013, the Company’s tangible common equity to total assets ratio was 8.7%, compared to 7.7% at December 31, 2012. The Company’s tangible common equity to total risk-weighted assets ratio was 12.9% at September 30, 2013, compared to 12.7% at December 31, 2012.

Banks are required to maintain minimum risk-based capital ratios. These ratios compare capital, as defined by the risk-based regulations, to assets adjusted for their relative risk as defined by the regulations. Guidelines require banks to have a minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, as defined, of 4.00%, a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.00%, and a minimum 4.00% Tier 1 leverage ratio. To be considered "well capitalized," banks must have a minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, as defined, of 6.00%, a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 10.00%, and a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5.00%. On September 30, 2013, the Bank's Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 15.1%, total risk-based capital ratio was 16.4% and the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.0%. As of September 30, 2013, the Bank was "well capitalized" as defined by the Federal banking agencies' capital-related regulations. The Federal Reserve Board has established capital regulations for bank holding companies that generally parallel the capital regulations for banks. On September 30, 2013, the Company's Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 16.4%, total risk-based capital ratio was 17.7% and the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.8%. As of September 30, 2013, the Company was "well capitalized" under the capital ratios described above.  These ratios are the current capital requirements.  As discussed above in “Effect of Federal Laws and Regulations”, the Company and the Bank will be subject to new capital requirements due to the changes from “Basel III”, for which the provisions become effective beginning January 1, 2015.

On August 18, 2011, the Company entered into a Small Business Lending Fund-Securities Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with the Secretary of the Treasury, pursuant to which the Company sold 57,943 shares of the Company’s Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, liquidation amount $1,000 per share (the “SBLF Preferred Stock”) to the Secretary of the Treasury for a purchase price of $57,943,000.  The SBLF Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to Treasury’s SBLF program, a $30 billion fund established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 that was created to encourage lending to small businesses by providing Tier 1 capital to qualified community banks and holding companies with assets of less than $10 billion.  As required by the Purchase Agreement, the proceeds from the sale of the SBLF Preferred Stock were used to redeem the 58,000 shares of preferred stock, previously issued to the Treasury pursuant to the TARP Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”), at a redemption price of $58.0 million plus the accrued dividends owed on the preferred shares.

The SBLF Preferred Stock qualifies as Tier 1 capital.  The holder of the SBLF Preferred Stock is entitled to receive non-cumulative dividends, payable quarterly, on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1.  The dividend rate, as a percentage of the liquidation amount, can fluctuate between one percent (1%) and five percent (5%) per annum on a quarterly basis during the first 10 quarters during which the SBLF Preferred Stock is outstanding, based upon changes in the level of “Qualified Small Business Lending” or “QSBL” (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) by the Bank over the adjusted baseline level calculated under the terms of the SBLF Preferred Stock ($201,374,000).  The dividend rate for the third quarter of 2013 was 1.0%.  Based upon the increase in the Bank’s level of QSBL over the adjusted baseline level, the dividend rate for the fourth quarter of 2013 is expected to be approximately 1.0%.  For the tenth calendar quarter through four and one half years after issuance, the dividend rate will be fixed at between one percent (1%) and seven percent (7%) based upon the level of qualifying loans at September 30, 2013.  After four and one half years from issuance, the dividend rate will increase to 9% (including a quarterly lending incentive fee of 0.5%).

The SBLF Preferred Stock is non-voting, except in limited circumstances.  In the event that the Company misses five dividend payments, whether or not consecutive, the holder of the SBLF Preferred Stock will have the right, but not the obligation, to appoint a representative as an observer on the Company’s Board of Directors.  In the event that the Company misses six dividend payments, whether or not consecutive, and if the then outstanding aggregate liquidation amount of the SBLF Preferred Stock is at least $25,000,000, then the holder of the SBLF Preferred Stock will have the right to designate two directors to the Board of Directors of the Company.

The SBLF Preferred Stock may be redeemed at any time at the Company’s option, at a redemption price of 100% of the liquidation amount plus accrued but unpaid dividends to the date of redemption for the current period, subject to the approval of its federal banking regulator.


 
 
 
70
 
 


Dividends. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.18 per share, or 30% of net income per diluted common share for that three month period, and paid a common stock cash dividend of $0.18 per share (which was declared in June 2013).  During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.18 per share, or 35% of net income per diluted common share for that three month period, and paid a common stock cash dividend of $0.18 per share (which was declared in June 2012).  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company declared common stock cash dividends totaling $0.54 per share, or 30% of net income per diluted common share for that nine month period, and paid common stock cash dividends totaling $0.36 per share.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company declared common stock cash dividends totaling $0.54 per share, or 21% of net income per diluted common share for that nine month period, and paid common stock cash dividends totaling $0.54 per share.  The Board of Directors meets regularly to consider the level and the timing of dividend payments.  The $0.18 per share dividend declared but unpaid as of September 30, 2013, was paid to stockholders on October 10, 2013.  In addition, the Company paid preferred dividends as described below.

The terms of the SBLF Preferred Stock impose limits on the ability of the Company to pay dividends and repurchase shares of common stock. Under the terms of the SBLF Preferred Stock, no repurchases may be effected, and no dividends may be declared or paid on preferred shares ranking pari passu with the SBLF Preferred Stock, junior preferred shares, or other junior securities (including the common stock) during the current quarter and for the next three quarters following the failure to declare and pay dividends on the SBLF Preferred Stock, except that, in any such quarter in which the dividend is paid, dividend payments on shares ranking pari passu may be paid to the extent necessary to avoid any resulting material covenant breach.

Under the terms of the SBLF Preferred Stock, the Company may only declare and pay a dividend on the common stock or other stock junior to the SBLF Preferred Stock, or repurchase shares of any such class or series of stock, if, after payment of such dividend, or after giving effect to such repurchase, (i) the dollar amount of the Company’s Tier 1 Capital would be at least equal to the “Tier 1 Dividend Threshold” and (ii) full dividends on all outstanding shares of SBLF Preferred Stock for the most recently completed dividend period have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid.  As of September 30, 2013, we satisfied this condition.

The “Tier 1 Dividend Threshold” means 90% of $272.7 million, which was the Company’s consolidated Tier 1 capital as of June 30, 2011, less the $58 million in TARP preferred stock then-outstanding and repaid on August 18, 2011, plus the $58 million in SBLF Preferred Stock issued and minus the net loan charge-offs by the Bank since August 18, 2011.  The Tier 1 Dividend Threshold is subject to reduction, beginning on the first day of the eleventh dividend period following the date of issuance of the SBLF Preferred Stock, by $5.8 million (ten percent of the aggregate liquidation amount of the SBLF Preferred Stock initially issued, without regard to any subsequent partial redemptions) for each one percent increase in qualified small business lending from the adjusted baseline level under the terms of the SBLF preferred stock (i.e., $201.4 million) to the ninth dividend period.

Common Stock Repurchases and Issuances. The Company has been in various buy-back programs since May 1990. Our ability to repurchase common stock  is currently restricted under the terms of the SBLF preferred stock as noted above, under “-Dividends” and was previously generally precluded due to our participation in the CPP beginning in December 2008.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.  During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 41,927 shares of stock at an average price of $20.10 per share to cover stock option exercises.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company issued 69,371 shares of stock at an average price of $19.75 per share to cover stock option exercises.  During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company issued 83,180 shares of stock at an average price of $20.38 per share to cover stock option exercises.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company issued 109,724 shares of stock at an average price of $19.71 per share to cover stock option exercises. 

Management has historically utilized stock buy-back programs from time to time as long as management believed that repurchasing the stock would contribute to the overall growth of shareholder value. The number of shares of stock that will be repurchased at any particular time and the prices that will be paid are subject to many factors, several of which are outside of the control of the Company. The primary factors, however, are the number of shares available in the market from sellers at any given time, the price of the stock within the market as determined by the market and the projected impact on the Company’s earnings per share and capital.

 
 
 
71
 
 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Asset and Liability Management and Market Risk
 
A principal operating objective of the Company is to produce stable earnings by achieving a favorable interest rate spread that can be sustained during fluctuations in prevailing interest rates. The Company has sought to reduce its exposure to adverse changes in interest rates by attempting to achieve a closer match between the periods in which its interest-bearing liabilities and interest-earning assets can be expected to reprice through the origination of adjustable-rate mortgages and loans with shorter terms to maturity and the purchase of other shorter term interest-earning assets.
 
Our Risk When Interest Rates Change
 
The rates of interest we earn on assets and pay on liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time. Market interest rates change over time. Accordingly, our results of operations, like those of other financial institutions, are impacted by changes in interest rates and the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities. The risk associated with changes in interest rates and our ability to adapt to these changes is known as interest rate risk and is our most significant market risk.

How We Measure the Risk to Us Associated with Interest Rate Changes
 
In an attempt to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates and comply with applicable regulations, we monitor Great Southern's interest rate risk. In monitoring interest rate risk we regularly analyze and manage assets and liabilities based on their anticipated payment streams and interest rates, the timing of their maturities and their sensitivity to actual or potential changes in market interest rates.
 
The ability to maximize net interest income is largely dependent upon the achievement of a positive interest rate spread that can be sustained despite fluctuations in prevailing interest rates. Interest rate sensitivity is a measure of the difference between amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities which either reprice or mature within a given period of time. The difference, or the interest rate repricing "gap," provides an indication of the extent to which an institution's interest rate spread will be affected by changes in interest rates. A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities repricing during the same period, and is considered negative when the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities exceeds the amount of interest-rate sensitive assets during the same period. Generally, during a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap within shorter repricing periods would adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap within shorter repricing periods would result in an increase in net interest income. During a period of falling interest rates, the opposite would be true. As of September 30, 2013, Great Southern's internal interest rate risk models indicate that, generally, rising interest rates are expected to have a positive impact on the Company’s net interest income, while declining interest rates would have a negative impact on net interest income.  We model various interest rate scenarios for rising and falling rates, including both parallel and non-parallel shifts in rates.  The results of our modeling indicate that net interest income is not likely to be materially affected either positively or negatively in the first twelve months following a rate change, regardless of any changes in interest rates, because our portfolios are relatively well matched in a twelve-month horizon.  The effects of interest rate changes, if any, are expected to be more impacting to net interest income in the 12 to 36 months following a rate change.  As the Federal Funds rate is now very low, the Company’s interest rate floors have been reached on most of its “prime rate” loans. As discussed under “General-Net Interest Income and Interest Rate Risk Management,” at September 30, 2013, there were $491 million of adjustable rate loans which were tied to a national prime rate of interest which had interest rate floors.  In addition, Great Southern has elected to leave its “Great Southern Prime Rate” at 5.00% for those loans that are indexed to “Great Southern Prime” rather than a national prime rate of interest. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were $310 million and $376 million, respectively, of loans indexed to “Great Southern Prime.”  While these interest rate floors and, to a lesser extent, the utilization of the “Great Southern Prime” rate have helped keep the rate on our loan portfolio higher in this very low interest rate environment, they will also reduce the positive effect to our loan rates when market interest rates, specifically the “prime rate,” begin to increase. The interest rate on these loans will not increase until the loan floors are reached. Also, a significant portion of our retail certificates of deposit mature in the next twelve months and we expect that they will be replaced with new certificates of deposit at somewhat lower interest rates.
 
Interest rate risk exposure estimates (the sensitivity gap) are not exact measures of an institution's actual interest rate risk. They are only indicators of interest rate risk exposure produced in a simplified modeling environment designed to allow management to gauge the Bank's sensitivity to changes in interest rates. They do not necessarily indicate the impact of general interest rate movements on the Bank's net interest income because the repricing of certain categories of assets and liabilities is subject to competitive and other factors beyond the Bank's control. As a result, certain assets and liabilities indicated as maturing or otherwise repricing within a stated period may in fact mature or reprice at different times and in different amounts and cause a change, which potentially could be material, in the Bank's interest rate risk.
 
 
 
72
 
 
 
 
 
In order to minimize the potential for adverse effects of material and prolonged increases and decreases in interest rates on Great Southern's results of operations, Great Southern has adopted asset and liability management policies to better match the maturities and repricing terms of Great Southern's interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Management recommends and the Board of Directors sets the asset and liability policies of Great Southern which are implemented by the asset and liability committee. The asset and liability committee is chaired by the Chief Financial Officer and is comprised of members of Great Southern's senior management. The purpose of the asset and liability committee is to communicate, coordinate and control asset/liability management consistent with Great Southern's business plan and board-approved policies. The asset and liability committee establishes and monitors the volume and mix of assets and funding sources taking into account relative costs and spreads, interest rate sensitivity and liquidity needs. The objectives are to manage assets and funding sources to produce results that are consistent with liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability goals. The asset and liability committee meets on a monthly basis to review, among other things, economic conditions and interest rate outlook, current and projected liquidity needs and capital positions and anticipated changes in the volume and mix of assets and liabilities. At each meeting, the asset and liability committee recommends appropriate strategy changes based on this review. The Chief Financial Officer or his designee is responsible for reviewing and reporting on the effects of the policy implementations and strategies to the Board of Directors at their monthly meetings.
 
In order to manage its assets and liabilities and achieve the desired liquidity, credit quality, interest rate risk, profitability and capital targets, Great Southern has focused its strategies on originating adjustable rate loans, and managing its deposits and borrowings to establish stable relationships with both retail customers and wholesale funding sources.
 
At times, depending on the level of general interest rates, the relationship between long- and short-term interest rates, market conditions and competitive factors, we may determine to increase our interest rate risk position somewhat in order to maintain or increase our net interest margin.
 
The asset and liability committee regularly reviews interest rate risk by forecasting the impact of alternative interest rate environments on net interest income and market value of portfolio equity, which is defined as the net present value of an institution's existing assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments, and evaluating such impacts against the maximum potential changes in net interest income and market value of portfolio equity that are authorized by the Board of Directors of Great Southern.

In the normal course of business, the Company may use derivative financial instruments (primarily interest rate swaps) from time to time to assist in its interest rate risk management.  In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company began executing interest rate swaps with commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies.  Those interest rate swaps are simultaneously hedged by offsetting interest rate swaps that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.  Because the interest rate swaps associated with this program do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer swaps and the offsetting swaps are recognized directly in earnings. These interest rate derivatives result from a service provided to certain qualifying customers and, therefore, are not used to manage interest rate risk in the Company’s assets or liabilities. The Company manages a matched book with respect to its derivative instruments in order to minimize its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company entered into two interest rate cap agreements related to its floating rate debt associated with its trust preferred securities.  The agreements provide that the counterparty will reimburse the Company if interest rates rise above a certain threshold, thus creating a cap on the effective interest rate paid by the Company.  These agreements are classified as hedging instruments, and the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

For further information on derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this report.

 

 
 
 
73
 
 


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")) that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported accurately and within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate. An evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures was carried out as of September 30, 2013, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and several other members of our senior management. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2013, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Act is (i) accumulated and communicated to our management (including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer) to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and (ii) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
 
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13(a)-15(f) under the Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
We do not expect that our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedure are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns in controls or procedures can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any control procedure also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control procedure, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to pending and threatened legal actions, some of which seek substantial relief or damages.  While the ultimate outcome of such legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, after reviewing pending and threatened litigation with counsel, management believes at this time that, except as noted below, the outcome of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

On November 22, 2010, a suit was filed against the Bank in Missouri state court in Springfield by a customer alleging that the fees associated with the Bank’s automated overdraft program in connection with its debit card and ATM cards constitute unlawful interest in violation of Missouri’s usury laws.  The suit seeks class-action status for Bank customers who have paid overdraft fees on their checking accounts.  The Court denied a motion to dismiss filed by the Bank and litigation is ongoing.  At this stage of the litigation, it is not possible for management of the Bank to determine the probability of a material adverse outcome or reasonably estimate the amount of any potential loss.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
 

 
 
 
74
 
 


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
On November 15, 2006, the Company's Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase up to 700,000 shares of the Company's outstanding common stock, under a program of open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions. The plan does not have an expiration date.  From the date we issued our CPP Preferred Stock (December 5, 2008) until the date we redeemed it in connection with our issuance of the SBLF Preferred Stock (August 18, 2011), we were generally precluded from purchasing shares of the Company’s stock without the Treasury's consent.  Our participation in the SBLF program does not preclude us from purchasing shares of the Company’s stock, provided that after giving effect to such purchase, (i) the dollar amount of the Company’s Tier 1 capital would be at least equal to the “Tier 1 Dividend Threshold” under the terms of the SBLF Preferred Stock and (ii) full dividends on all outstanding shares of SBLF Preferred Stock for the most recently completed dividend period have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid, as described under “Part I. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Capital Resources.”

As indicated below, no shares were purchased during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
 
   
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   
Average
Price
Per Share
   
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
As Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plan
   
Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plan(1)
                       
July 1, 2013 – July 31, 2013
   
---
   
$
----
     
---
     
396,562
 
August 1, 2013 – August 31, 2013
   
---
   
$
----
     
---
     
396,562
 
September 1, 2013 – September 30, 2013
   
---
   
$
----
     
---
     
396,562
 
     
---
   
$
----
     
---
         
 
_______________________
   
(1)
Amount represents the number of shares available to be repurchased under the November 2006 plan as of the last calendar day of the month shown.
 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None.
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable
 
Item 5. Other Information
 
None.
 
Item 6. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
 
a)
Exhibits
 
 
See Exhibit Index.

 
 
 
75
 
 


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.
 
 
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
 
Registrant
 
 
Date: November 8, 2013
/s/ Joseph W. Turner
 
Joseph W. Turner
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: November 8, 2013
/s/ Rex A. Copeland
 
Rex A. Copeland
Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
76
 
 


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.
Description
   
(2)
Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, or succession
     
 
(i)
The Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of March 20, 2009, among Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of TeamBank, N.A., Paola, Kansas, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Great Southern Bank, previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 26, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 2.1(i).
     
 
(ii)
The Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2009, among Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Vantus Bank, Sioux City, Iowa, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Great Southern Bank, previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 2.1(ii).
     
 
(iii)
The Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2011, among Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Sun Security Bank, Ellington, Missouri, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Great Southern Bank, previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 2.1(iii) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 2(iii).
     
 
(iv)
The Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2012, among Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Inter Savings Bank, FSB, Maple Grove, Minnesota, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Great Southern Bank, previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 2.1(iv) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 2(iv)
     
(3)
Articles of incorporation and Bylaws
     
 
(i)
The Registrant's Charter previously filed with the Commission as Appendix D to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on September 30, 2004 (File No. 000-18082), is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 3.1.
     
 
(iA)
The Articles Supplementary to the Registrant's Charter setting forth the terms of the Registrant's Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 18, 2011, are incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 3(i).
     
 
(ii)
The Registrant's Bylaws, previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 23, 2007, is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 3.2.
     
(4)
Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
     
 
The Company hereby agrees to furnish the SEC upon request, copies of the instruments defining the rights of the holders of each issue of the Registrant's long-term debt.
     
(9)
Voting trust agreement
     
 
Inapplicable.
     


 
 
 
 
 
 



(10)
Material contracts
     
 
The Registrant's 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Annex A to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on September 18, 1997 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.1.
     
 
The Registrant's 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission (File No. 000-18082) as Annex A to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 14, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.2.
     
 
The employment agreement dated September 18, 2002 between the Registrant and William V. Turner previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.3.
     
 
The employment agreement dated September 18, 2002 between the Registrant and Joseph W. Turner previously filed with the Commission (File no. 000-18082) as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.4.
     
 
The form of incentive stock option agreement under the Registrant's 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File no. 000-18082) filed on February 24, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.5.
     
 
The form of non-qualified stock option agreement under the Registrant's 2003 Stock Option and Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (File no. 000-18082) filed on February 24, 2005 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.6.
     
 
A description of the current salary and bonus arrangements for 2012 for the Registrant's named executive officers previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.7.
     
 
A description of the current fee arrangements for the Registrant's directors previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.8.
     
 
Small Business Lending Fund – Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 18, 2011, between the Registrant and the Secretary of the United States Department of the Treasury, previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 18, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.9.
     
 
The Registrant's 2013 Equity Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission (File No. 000-18082) as Annex A to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 4, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.10.
     
 
The form of incentive stock option award agreement under the Registrant's 2013 Equity Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File no. 333-189497) filed on June 20, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.11.
     
 
The form of non-qualified stock option award agreement under the Registrant's 2013 Equity Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File no. 333-189497) filed on June 20, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.12.
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
The form of stock appreciation right award agreement under the Registrant's 2013 Equity Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File no. 333-189497) filed on June 20, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.13.
     
 
The form of restricted stock award agreement under the Registrant's 2013 Equity Incentive Plan previously filed with the Commission as Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File no. 333-189497) filed on June 20, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 10.14.
     
(11)
Statement re computation of per share earnings
     
 
Included in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
     
(15)
Letter re unaudited interim financial information
     
 
Inapplicable.
     
(18)
Letter re change in accounting principles
     
 
Inapplicable.
     
(19)
Report furnished to securityholders.
     
 
Inapplicable.
     
(22)
Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of security holders
     
 
Inapplicable.
     
(23)
Consents of experts and counsel
     
 
Inapplicable.
     
(24)
Power of attorney
     
 
None.
     
(31.1)
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
     
 
Attached as Exhibit 31.1
     
(31.2)
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Treasurer
     
 
Attached as Exhibit 31.2
     
(32)
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
     
 
Attached as Exhibit 32.
     
(99)
Additional Exhibits
     
 
None.
     
(101)
Attached as Exhibit 101 are the following financial statements from the Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in Extensive Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) consolidated statements of financial condition, (ii) consolidated statements of income, (iii) consolidated statements of cash flows and (iv) the notes to consolidated financial statements.