gsbc-10q093012.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, 2012

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: 13,590,950 shares of common stock, par value $.01, outstanding at November 7, 2012.
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Cash
 
$
89,345
   
$
87,911
 
Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions
   
395,502
     
248,569
 
Federal funds sold
   
337
     
43,769
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
485,184
     
380,249
 
Available-for-sale securities
   
787,118
     
875,411
 
Held-to-maturity securities (fair value $1,098 – September 2012;
               
     $2,101 - December 2011)
   
920
     
1,865
 
Mortgage loans held for sale
   
35,093
     
28,920
 
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses of
               
     $40,307 - September 2012; $41,232 - December 2011
   
2,332,510
     
2,124,161
 
FDIC indemnification asset
   
130,939
     
108,004
 
Interest receivable
   
13,183
     
13,848
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
79,636
     
85,175
 
Foreclosed assets held for sale, net
   
74,045
     
67,621
 
Premises and equipment, net
   
100,861
     
84,192
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
   
7,002
     
6,929
 
Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock
   
10,066
     
12,088
 
Current and deferred income tax asset
   
--
     
1,549
 
          Total Assets
 
$
4,056,557
   
$
3,790,012
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
Deposits
 
$
3,250,864
   
$
2,963,539
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
   
126,296
     
184,437
 
Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers
   
198,052
     
216,737
 
Short-term borrowings
   
522
     
660
 
Structured repurchase agreements
   
53,052
     
53,090
 
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts
   
30,929
     
30,929
 
Accrued interest payable
   
1,609
     
2,277
 
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance
   
5,000
     
1,572
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
15,756
     
12,184
 
Current and deferred income tax liability
   
12,644
     
--
 
          Total Liabilities
   
3,694,724
     
3,465,425
 
Stockholders' Equity:
               
Capital stock
               
  Serial preferred stock – $.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued
    and outstanding September 2012 and December 2011 - 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 2012  – 13,589,580 shares;
               
    December 2011 - 13,479,856 shares
   
136
     
134
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
18,259
     
17,183
 
Retained earnings
   
266,831
     
236,914
 
Accumulated other comprehensive gain
   
18,664
     
12,413
 
          Total Stockholders' Equity
   
361,833
     
324,587
 
          Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
4,056,557
   
$
3,790,012
 
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,
 
 
 
2012
 
 
2011
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
(Unaudited)
 
Loans
 
$
44,606
 
 
$
43,286
 
Investment securities and other
 
 
5,553
 
 
 
6,679
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
 
 
50,159
 
 
 
49,965
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
5,092
 
 
 
6,120
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
 
1,023
 
 
 
1,319
 
Short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements
 
 
634
 
 
 
746
 
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts
 
 
155
 
 
 
140
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
6,904
 
 
 
8,325
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
 
43,255
 
 
 
41,640
 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
8,400
 
 
 
8,500
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
34,855
 
 
 
33,140
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions
 
 
1,998
 
 
 
2,003
 
Service charges and ATM fees
 
 
4,900
 
 
 
4,734
 
Net realized gains on sales of loans
 
 
1,404
 
 
 
743
 
Net realized gains (losses) on sales and impairments of available-for-sale securities
   
507
   
 
483
 
Late charges and fees on loans
 
 
195
 
 
 
187
 
Accretion (amortization) of income related to business acquisitions
 
 
(5,959
)
 
 
(9,911
)
Other income
 
 
835
 
 
 
554
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
3,880
 
 
 
(1,207
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
 
14,244
 
 
 
11,760
 
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
 
5,798
 
 
 
3,977
 
Postage
 
 
863
 
 
 
719
 
Insurance
 
 
1,168
 
 
 
1,589
 
Advertising
 
 
483
 
 
 
366
 
Office supplies and printing
 
 
350
 
 
 
288
 
Telephone
 
 
734
 
 
 
640
 
Legal, audit and other professional fees
 
 
953
 
 
 
983
 
Expense on foreclosed assets
 
 
2,536
 
 
 
848
 
Other operating expenses
 
 
3,722
 
 
 
1,847
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
30,851
 
 
 
23,017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
 
7,884
 
 
 
8,916
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
 
780
 
 
 
2,463
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
 
7,104
 
 
 
6,453
 
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion
 
 
150
 
 
 
798
 
Non-cash deemed preferred stock dividend
 
 
--
 
 
 
1,212
 
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
$
6,954
 
 
$
4,443
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.51
 
 
$
0.33
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.51
 
 
$
0.33
 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.18
 
 
$
0.18
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 

 
 
3
 
 


GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)

 
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
 
 
2012
 
 
2011
 
INTEREST INCOME
 
(Unaudited)
 
Loans
 
$
124,572
 
 
$
127,613
 
Investment securities and other
 
 
18,486
 
 
 
20,536
 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
 
 
143,058
 
 
 
148,149
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
16,663
 
 
 
20,267
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
 
3,430
 
 
 
3,920
 
Short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements
 
 
1,993
 
 
 
2,249
 
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts
 
 
468
 
 
 
420
 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
22,554
 
 
 
26,856
 
NET INTEREST INCOME
 
 
120,504
 
 
 
121,293
 
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
36,077
 
 
 
25,131
 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
 
84,427
 
 
 
96,162
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions
 
 
6,955
 
 
 
6,926
 
Service charges and ATM fees
 
 
14,272
 
 
 
13,270
 
Net realized gains on sales of loans
 
 
3,650
 
 
 
2,352
 
Net realized gains (losses) on sales and impairments of available-for-sale securities
   
1,787
     
83
 
Late charges and fees on loans
 
 
605
 
 
 
471
 
Initial gain recognized on business acquisition
   
31,312
     
--
 
Accretion (amortization) of income related to business acquisitions
 
 
(12,147
)
 
 
(29,960
)
Other income
 
 
3,866
 
 
 
1,721
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
 
50,300
 
 
 
(5,137
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
 
42,823
 
 
 
35,042
 
Net occupancy and equipment expense
 
 
15,994
 
 
 
11,306
 
Postage
 
 
2,531
 
 
 
2,285
 
Insurance
 
 
3,398
 
 
 
4,534
 
Advertising
 
 
1,320
 
 
 
1,049
 
Office supplies and printing
 
 
1,103
 
 
 
920
 
Telephone
 
 
2,241
 
 
 
1,778
 
Legal, audit and other professional fees
 
 
3,390
 
 
 
2,468
 
Expense on foreclosed assets
 
 
4,203
 
 
 
1,903
 
Other operating expenses
 
 
10,724
 
 
 
5,478
 
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
87,727
 
 
 
66,763
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
 
 
47,000
 
 
 
24,262
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
 
10,743
 
 
 
6,024
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET INCOME
 
 
36,257
 
 
 
18,238
 
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS AND DISCOUNT ACCRETION
 
 
440
 
 
 
2,426
 
Non-cash deemed preferred stock dividend
 
 
--
 
 
 
1,212
 
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
 
$
35,817
 
 
$
14,600
 
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
2.65
 
 
$
1.08
 
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
2.62
 
 
$
1.08
 
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE
 
$
0.54
 
 
$
0.54
 

 
 
4
 
 

 

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

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
       
             
Net Income
  $ 7,104     $ 6,453  
                 
Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities, net of
               
taxes of $1,648 and $1,671, for 2012 and 2011, respectively
    3,062       3,103  
                 
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 $(17) and $51, for
               
2012 and 2011, respectively
    (31 )     96  
                 
Other-than-temporary impairment loss recognized in earnings on
               
available for sale securities, net of taxes of $0
               
for 2012 and 2011, respectively
    --       --  
                 
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income,
               
net of taxes of $177 and $169 for 2012 and 2011, respectively
    (330 )     (314 )
                 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 9,805     $ 9,338  
                 
                 

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
       
             
Net Income
  $ 36,257     $ 18,238  
                 
Unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale securities, net of
               
taxes of $4,102 and $3,988, for 2012 and 2011, respectively
    7,620       7,406  
                 
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 $298, for
               
2012 and 2011, respectively
    (37 )     554  
                 
Other-than-temporary impairment loss recognized in earnings on
               
available for sale securities, net of taxes (credit) of $(92) and $(140),
               
for 2012 and 2011, respectively
    (170 )     (260 )
                 
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income,
               
net of taxes of $624 and $169 for 2012 and 2011, respectively
    (1,162 )     (314 )
                 
Comprehensive Income
  $ 42,508     $ 25,624  
                 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
               



 
 
 
5
 
 
 


GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
 
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
 
 
 
2012
 
 
2011
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
36,257
 
 
$
18,238
 
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
 
 
185,387
 
 
 
123,123
 
Originations of loans held for sale
 
 
(190,534
)
 
 
(119,759
)
Items not requiring (providing) cash:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation
 
 
5,246
 
 
 
3,721
 
Amortization of other assets
 
 
4,743
 
 
 
1,681
 
Compensation expense for stock option grants
   
320
     
360
 
Provision for loan losses
 
 
36,077
 
 
 
25,131
 
Net gains on loan sales
 
 
(3,650
)
 
 
(2,352
)
Net (gains) losses on sale or impairment of available-for-sale investment securities
   
(1,787
)
 
 
(83
)
Net losses on sale of premises and equipment
 
 
159
 
 
 
152
 
(Gain) loss on sale of foreclosed assets
 
 
856
 
 
 
867
 
Gain on purchase of additional business units
   
(31,312
)
   
--
 
Amortization of deferred income, premiums, discounts
 
 
     
 
   
and fair value adjustments
 
 
10,115
 
 
 
29,456
 
(Gain) loss on derivative interest rate products
   
124
 
 
 
--
 
Deferred income taxes
 
 
3,504
 
 
 
(2,765
)
Changes in:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest receivable
 
 
2,337
 
 
 
1,046
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
 
73,932
 
 
 
(13,183
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
 
(1,157
)
 
 
(867
)
Income taxes refundable/payable
 
 
7,323
 
 
 
(1,793
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
137,940
 
 
 
62,973
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (increase) decrease in loans
 
 
(4,395
)
 
 
(123,500
)
Purchase of loans
 
 
(12,107
)
 
 
(2,100
)
Proceeds from sale of student loans
   
--
     
804
 
Cash received from purchase of additional business units
   
75,328
   
 
--
 
Purchase of additional business units
   
--
   
 
(1
)
Purchase of premises and equipment
 
 
(22,562
)
 
 
(12,446
)
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment
 
 
488
 
 
 
449
 
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets
 
 
38,710
 
 
 
10,446
 
Capitalized costs on foreclosed assets
 
 
(275
)
 
 
(239
)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investment securities
   
77,849
   
 
21,217
 
Proceeds from maturing investment securities
   
1,830
   
 
1,202
 
Proceeds from called investment securities
 
 
29,745
 
 
 
7,835
 
Principal reductions on mortgage-backed securities
 
 
107,581
 
 
 
89,451
 
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
 
 
(85,803
)
 
 
(136,811
)
Purchase of held-to-maturity investment securities
   
--
     
(840
)
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
 
2,607
 
 
 
336
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
 
208,996
 
 
 
(144,197
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in certificates of deposit
 
 
(279,366
)
 
 
(115,249
)
Net increase in checking and savings deposits
 
 
111,406
 
 
 
138,905
 
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
 
(52,850
)
 
 
(1,402
)
Net decrease in short-term borrowings and structured repo
 
 
(18,823
)
 
 
(11,575
)
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance
 
 
3,417
 
 
 
1,570
 
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock
   
--
 
   
57,943
 
Redemption of preferred stock
   
--
     
(58,000
)
Purchase of common stock warrant
   
--
     
(6,436
)
Dividends paid
 
 
(7,949
)
 
 
(9,466
)
Stock options exercised
 
 
2,164
 
 
 
263
 
Net cash used in financing activities
 
 
(242,001
)
 
 
(3,447
)
INCREASE  (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 
 
104,935
 
 
 
(84,671
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
 
 
380,249
 
 
 
429,971
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
 
$
485,184
 
 
$
345,300
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 


 
 
 
6
 
 

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, 2012 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, 2011, 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 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NOTE 2: OPERATING SEGMENTS
 
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 deposits attracted from the general public and correspondent account relationships, brokered deposits and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLBank") and others. The operating results of this segment are regularly reviewed by management to make decisions about resource allocations and to assess performance.
 
Revenue from segments below the reportable segment threshold is attributable to three operating segments of the Company. These segments include insurance services, travel services and investment services. 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.
 
NOTE 3: RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-12 to amend FASB ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income.  The Update defers the effective date for amendments to the presentation of reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income in ASU No. 2011-05.  The Update was effective for the Company January 1, 2012, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02 to amend FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.  The Update clarifies the process of performing an impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by simplifying how an entity tests those assets for impairment and improves consistency in impairment testing guidance among long-lived asset categories.  The Update will be effective for the Company January 1, 2013, and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 
7
 
 


In October 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-06 to amend FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations.  The Update addresses the diversity in practice when subsequently measuring an indemnification asset recognized in a government-assisted (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or National Credit Union Administration) acquisition of a financial institution that includes a loss-sharing agreement (indemnification agreement).  When a reporting entity recognizes an indemnification asset as a result of a government-assisted acquisition of a financial institution and subsequently a change in the cash flows expected to be collected on the indemnification asset occurs (as a result of a change in cash flows expected to be collected on the assets subject to indemnification), the reporting entity should subsequently account for the change in the measurement of the indemnification asset on the same basis as the change in the assets subject to indemnification. Any amortization of changes in value should be limited to the contractual term of the indemnification agreement (that is, the lesser of the term of the indemnification agreement and the remaining life of the indemnified assets).  The Update will be effective for the Company January 1, 2013, 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,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands, Except
 
   
Per Share Data)
 
             
Basic:
           
  Average shares outstanding
    13,550       13,466  
  Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 6,954     $ 4,443  
  Per share amount
  $ 0.51     $ 0.33  
                 
Diluted:
               
  Average shares outstanding
    13,550       13,466  
  Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants – based on
               
    the treasury stock method using average market price
    119       27  
  Diluted shares
    13,669       13,493  
  Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 6,954     $ 4,443  
  Per share amount
  $ 0.51     $ 0.33  


 
8
 
 


Options to purchase 81,375 and 661,935 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for each three-month period because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market prices of the common shares for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands, Except
 
   
Per Share Data)
 
             
Basic:
           
  Average shares outstanding
    13,533       13,462  
  Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 35,817     $ 14,600  
  Per share amount
  $ 2.65     $ 1.08  
                 
Diluted:
               
  Average shares outstanding
    13,533       13,462  
  Net effect of dilutive stock options and warrants – based on
               
    the treasury stock method using average market price
    119       33  
  Diluted shares
    13,652       13,495  
  Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 35,817     $ 14,600  
  Per share amount
  $ 2.62     $ 1.08  

Options to purchase 81,375 and 616,235 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for each nine-month period because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market prices of the common shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

NOTE 6: INVESTMENT SECURITIES

   
September 30, 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     $ 60     $ --     $ 30,060       1.25 %
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    4,587       597       305       4,879       5.35  
Mortgage-backed securities
    556,431       16,624       40       573,015       2.70  
Small Business Administration
                                       
loan pools
    51,580       1,264       --       52,844       2.12  
States and political subdivisions
    114,912       9,104       --       124,016       5.61  
Corporate bonds
    47       275       --       322       45.49  
Equity securities
    847       1,135       --       1,982       --  
    $ 758,404     $ 29,059     $ 345     $ 787,118       3.06 %
                                         
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
                                       
States and political subdivisions
  $ 920     $ 178     $ --     $ 1,098       7.37 %


 
9
 
 



   
December 31, 2011
 
         
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     $ 60     $ --     $ 20,060       1.12 %
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    5,220       --       380       4,840       5.53  
Mortgage-backed securities
    628,729       13,728       802       641,655       3.12  
Small Business Administration
                                       
loan pools
    55,422       1,070       --       56,492       1.68  
States and political subdivisions
    145,663       5,478       903       150,238       5.72  
Corporate bonds
    50       245       --       295       39.65  
Equity securities
    1,230       601       --       1,831       --  
    $ 856,314     $ 21,182     $ 2,085     $ 875,411       3.44 %
                                         
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
                                       
States and political subdivisions
  $ 1,865     $ 236     $ --     $ 2,101       4.39 %

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 2012, 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
  $ 241     $ 241  
After one through five years
    975       992  
After five through ten years
    10,135       10,661  
After ten years
    185,188       195,348  
Securities not due on a single maturity date
    561,018       577,894  
Equity securities
    847       1,982  
                 
    $ 758,404     $ 787,118  

The held-to-maturity securities at September 30, 2012, 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
  $ 920     $ 1,098  

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, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, was approximately $11.1 million and $172.6 million, which is approximately 1.4% and 19.7% of the Company’s available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment portfolio, respectively.
 
Based on 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, 2012.

 
 
10
 
 
 
 
 
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.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company determined that the impairment of a non-agency collateralized mortgage obligation with a book value of $1.8 million had become other than temporary.  Consequently, the Company recorded a $400,000 pre-tax charge to income.

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, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

   
September 30, 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
  $ --     $ --     $ 969     $ (305 )   $ 969     $ (305 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    10,127       (40 )     --       --       10,127       (40 )
    $ 10,127     $ (40 )   $ 969     $ (305 )   $ 11,096     $ (345 )

   
December 31, 2011
 
   
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
  $ 3,760     $ (110 )   $ 1,460     $ (270 )   $ 5,220     $ (380 )
Mortgage-backed securities
    61,720       (365 )     91,824       (437 )     153,544       (802 )
States and political
                                               
subdivisions
    6,436       (44 )     7,381       (859 )     13,817       (903 )
    $ 71,916     $ (519 )   $ 100,665     $ (1,566 )   $ 172,581     $ (2,085 )

Gross gains of $572,000 and $483,000 and gross losses of $66,000 and $0 resulting from sales of available-for-sale securities were realized for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Gross gains of $2.7 million and $483,000 and gross losses of $625,000 and $0 resulting from sales of available-for-sale securities were realized for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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 conducts periodic reviews to identify and evaluate each investment security to determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.  The Company considers the

 
11
 
 


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.

Credit Losses Recognized on Investments.  Certain debt securities have experienced fair value deterioration due to credit losses.

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, 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
     
  July 1, 2011
  $ 3,383  
    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, 2011
  $ 3,383  

   
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  


 
12
 
 



   
Accumulated
 
   
Credit Losses
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Credit losses on debt securities held
     
  January 1, 2011
  $ 2,983  
    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
    400  
    Reductions due to sales
    --  
         
  September 30, 2011
  $ 3,383  

NOTE 7: LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 30,747     $ 23,976  
Subdivision construction
    37,387       61,140  
Land development
    63,964       68,771  
Commercial construction
    124,612       119,589  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    84,086       91,994  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    148,854       145,781  
Commercial real estate
    650,952       639,857  
Other residential
    272,271       243,742  
Commercial business
    255,441       236,384  
Industrial revenue bonds
    44,209       59,750  
Consumer auto
    74,838       59,368  
Consumer other
    82,555       77,540  
Home equity lines of credit
    53,383       47,114  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (TeamBank)
    87,873       128,875  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (Vantus Bank)
    105,050       123,036  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (Sun Security Bank)
    101,951       144,626  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts (InterBank)
    269,889       --  
      2,488,062       2,271,543  
Undisbursed portion of loans in process
    (112,926 )     (103,424 )
Allowance for loan losses
    (40,307 )     (41,232 )
Deferred loan fees and gains, net
    (2,319 )     (2,726 )
    $ 2,332,510     $ 2,124,161  
                 
Weighted average interest rate
    5.56 %     5.86 %


 
13
 
 


Classes of loans by aging were as follows:

   
September 30, 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
  $ 204     $     $     $ 204     $ 30,543     $ 30,747     $  
Subdivision construction
    156       18       770       944       36,443       37,387        
Land development
    12             6,887       6,899       57,065       63,964        
Commercial construction
                            124,612       124,612        
Owner occupied one- to four-
                                                       
  family residential
    525       476       1,758       2,759       81,327       84,086        
Non-owner occupied one- to
                                                       
  four-family residential
    1,216       1,108       4,445       6,769       142,085       148,854        
Commercial real estate
    7,116       581       2,825       10,522       640,430       650,952        
Other residential
    4,459             2,950       7,409       264,862       272,271        
Commercial business
    595       33       2,404       3,032       252,409       255,441        
Industrial revenue bonds
                2,110       2,110       42,099       44,209        
Consumer auto
    443       50       130       623       74,215       74,838       31  
Consumer other
    864       429       973       2,266       80,289       82,555       601  
Home equity lines of credit
    252       55       99       406       52,977       53,383        
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
  discounts (TeamBank)
    1,167       167       18,842       20,176       67,697       87,873        
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
  discounts (Vantus Bank)
    487       53       8,014       8,554       96,496       105,050       1  
FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
  net of discounts
                                                       
  (Sun Security Bank)
    5,304       273       23,607       29,184       72,767       101,951        
FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
  net of discounts
                                                       
  (InterBank)
    5,673       1,052       33,219       39,944       229,945       269,889        
      28,473       4,295       109,033       141,801       2,346,261       2,488,062       633  
Less FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
  net of discounts
    12,631       1,545       83,682       97,858       466,905       564,763       1  
                                                         
    Total
  $ 15,842     $ 2,750     $ 25,351     $ 43,943     $ 1,879,356     $ 1,923,299     $ 632  


 
14
 
 



   
December 31, 2011
 
                                       
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
  $ 2,082     $ 342     $ --     $ 2,424     $ 21,552     $ 23,976     $ --  
Subdivision construction
    4,014       388       6,661       11,063       50,077       61,140       --  
Land development
    --       4       2,655       2,659       66,112       68,771       --  
Commercial construction
    --       --       --       --       119,589       119,589       --  
Owner occupied one- to four-
                                                       
  family residential
    833       --       3,999       4,832       87,162       91,994       40  
Non-owner occupied one- to
                                                       
  four-family residential
    117       --       3,425       3,542       142,239       145,781       --  
Commercial real estate
    6,323       535       6,204       13,062       626,795       639,857       --  
Other residential
    --       --       --       --       243,742       243,742       --  
Commercial business
    426       10       1,362       1,798       234,586       236,384       --  
Industrial revenue bonds
    --       --       2,110       2,110       57,640       59,750       --  
Consumer auto
    455       56       107       618       58,750       59,368       10  
Consumer other
    1,508       641       800       2,949       74,591       77,540       356  
Home equity lines of credit
    45       29       174       248       46,866       47,114       --  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
  discounts (TeamBank)
    2,422       862       19,215       22,499       106,376       128,875       --  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                                       
  discounts (Vantus Bank)
    562       57       5,999       6,618       116,418       123,036       5  
FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
  net of discounts
                                                       
  (Sun Security Bank)
    5,628       6,851       40,299       52,778       91,848       144,626       150  
      24,415       9,775       93,010       127,200       2,144,343       2,271,543       561  
Less FDIC-supported loans,
                                                       
  net of discounts
    8,612       7,770       65,513       81,895       314,642       396,537       155  
                                                         
    Total
  $ 15,803     $ 2,005     $ 27,497     $ 45,305     $ 1,829,701     $ 1,875,006     $ 406  

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

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ --     $ --  
Subdivision construction
    770       6,661  
Land development
    6,887       2,655  
Commercial construction
    --       --  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    1,758       3,959  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,445       3,425  
Commercial real estate
    2,825       6,204  
Other residential
    2,950       --  
Commercial business
    2,404       1,362  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,110       2,110  
Consumer auto
    99       97  
Consumer other
    372       444  
Home equity lines of credit
    99       174  
                 
  Total
  $ 24,719     $ 27,091  

 
 
15
 
 
 
 
 
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.  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, 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 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 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  
                                                         
Ending balance:
                                                       
  Individually evaluated for
                                                       
    impairment
  $ 1,700     $ 711     $ 3,299     $ 755     $ 1,541     $ 178     $ 8,184  
  Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
    impairment
  $ 5,284     $ 3,361     $ 13,993     $ 4,002     $ 2,758     $ 2,579     $ 31,977  
  Loans acquired and
                                                       
    accounted for under
                                                       
    ASC 310-30
  $ 11     $ --     $ 118     $ --     $ 16     $ 1     $ 146  
                                                         
                                                         
                                                         
Loans
                                                       
  Individually evaluated for
                                                       
    impairment
  $ 18,051     $ 18,517     $ 49,052     $ 11,922     $ 6,208     $ 1,118     $ 104,868  
  Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
    impairment
  $ 283,024     $ 253,754     $ 646,108     $ 176,653     $ 249,233     $ 209,659     $ 1,818,431  
  Loans acquired and
                                                       
    accounted for under
                                                       
    ASC 310-30
  $ 285,454     $ 58,272     $ 154,512     $ 1,969     $ 18,826     $ 45,730     $ 564,763  


 
16
 
 


The following table presents the activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011:

   
One- to Four-
                                     
   
Family
                                     
   
Residential and
   
Other
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
             
   
Construction
   
Residential
   
Real Estate
   
Construction
   
Business
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Balance July 1, 2011
  $ 11,562     $ 3,629     $ 15,003     $ 5,155     $ 2,324     $ 2,814     $ 40,487  
  Provision charged to expense
    (784 )     533       7,709       (3 )     1,050       (5 )     8,500  
  Losses charged off
    (836 )     (23 )     (5,104 )     (2,107 )     (506 )     (966 )     (9,542 )
  Recoveries
    7       1       17       395       153       448       1,021  
Balance September 30, 2011
  $ 9,949     $ 4,140     $ 17,625     $ 3,440     $ 3,021     $ 2,291     $ 40,466  
                                                         
Balance January 1, 2011
  $ 11,483     $ 3,866     $ 14,336     $ 5,852     $ 3,281     $ 2,669     $ 41,487  
  Provision charged to expense
    2,892       3,183       13,595       3,475       1,058       928       25,131  
  Losses charged off
    (4,462 )     (2,911 )     (10,374 )     (6,291 )     (2,222 )     (2,773 )     (29,033 )
  Recoveries
    36       2       68       404       904       1,467       2,881  
Balance September 30, 2011
  $ 9,949     $ 4,140     $ 17,625     $ 3,440     $ 3,021     $ 2,291     $ 40,466  
                                                         

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, 2011:

   
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
  $ 4,989     $ 89     $ 3,584     $ 594     $ 736     $ 38     $ 10,030  
  Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
    impairment
  $ 6,435     $ 2,999     $ 14,806     $ 2,358     $ 2,238     $ 2,336     $ 31,172  
  Loans acquired and
                                                       
    accounted for under
                                                       
    ASC 310-30
  $ --     $ --     $ --     $ 30     $ --     $ --     $ 30  
                                                         
Loans
                                                       
  Individually evaluated for
                                                       
    impairment
  $ 39,519     $ 20,802     $ 99,254     $ 27,592     $ 10,720     $ 839     $ 198,726  
  Collectively evaluated for
                                                       
    impairment
  $ 283,371     $ 222,940     $ 600,353     $ 160,768     $ 225,665     $ 183,183     $ 1,676,280  
  Loans acquired and
                                                       
    accounted for under
                                                       
    ASC 310-30
  $ 109,909     $ 25,877     $ 157,805     $ 40,215     $ 28,784     $ 33,947     $ 396,537  

 
 
17
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 and construction 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

Impaired loans are summarized as follows:

   
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  

   
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     $ 17     $ 738     $ 39  
Subdivision construction
    3,188       153       10,225       440  
Land development
    15,826       408       12,286       889  
Commercial construction
    1,020       --       510       35  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,970       208       5,094       370  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    10,389       289       10,854       743  
Commercial real estate
    42,607       1,742       44,223       3,266  
Other residential
    17,718       686       17,408       1,267  
Commercial business
    3,290       119       3,927       279  
Industrial revenue bonds
    3,267       --       3,117       --  
Consumer auto
    154       12       163       24  
Consumer other
    679       60       662       122  
Home equity lines of credit
    134       9       136       15  
                                 
  Total
  $ 103,854     $ 3,703     $ 109,343     $ 7,489  


 
18
 
 



   
At or for the Year Ended December 31, 2011
 
                     
Average
       
         
Unpaid
         
Investment
   
Interest
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Specific
   
in Impaired
   
Income
 
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Loans
   
Recognized
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 873     $ 917     $ 12     $ 1,939     $ 39  
Subdivision construction
    12,999       14,730       2,953       10,154       282  
Land development
    7,150       7,317       594       9,983       379  
Commercial construction
    --       --       --       308       --  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    5,481       6,105       776       4,748       76  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    11,259       11,768       1,249       9,658       425  
Commercial real estate
    49,961       55,233       3,562       34,403       1,616  
Other residential
    12,102       12,102       89       9,475       454  
Commercial business
    4,679       5,483       736       4,173       125  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,110       2,190       22       2,137       --  
Consumer auto
    147       168       3       192       6  
Consumer other
    579       680       22       544       10  
Home equity lines of credit
    174       184       12       227       1  
                                         
  Total
  $ 107,514     $ 116,877     $ 10,030     $ 87,941     $ 3,413  

   
September 30, 2011
 
         
Unpaid
       
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Specific
 
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Allowance
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                   
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 2,708     $ 4,138     $ 358  
Subdivision construction
    12,159       16,992       1,016  
Land development
    6,436       6,489       985  
Commercial construction
    --       --       --  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    5,202       5,793       792  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    8,752       8,987       945  
Commercial real estate
    52,567       53,533       3,695  
Other residential
    8,286       9,259       66  
Commercial business
    2,917       4,395       451  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,110       2,190       22  
Consumer auto
    117       134       3  
Consumer other
    432       536       23  
Home equity lines of credit
    197       208       12  
                         
  Total
  $ 101,883     $ 112,654     $ 8,368  


 
19
 
 



   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2011
 
   
Average
         
Average
       
   
Investment
   
Interest
   
Investment
   
Interest
 
   
in Impaired
   
Income
   
in Impaired
   
Income
 
   
Loans
   
Recognized
   
Loans
   
Recognized
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
                         
One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 2,334     $ 16     $ 2,033     $ 34  
Subdivision construction
    11,260       97       9,692       212  
Land development
    7,034       68       10,846       301  
Commercial construction
    --       --       411       --  
Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,399       21       4,512       55  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    8,603       84       9,497       285  
Commercial real estate
    34,181       659       28,915       1,120  
Other residential
    8,288       53       10,118       244  
Commercial business
    2,560       18       4,363       80  
Industrial revenue bonds
    2,110       --       2,145       --  
Consumer auto
    116       1       213       5  
Consumer other
    473       1       544       8  
Home equity lines of credit
    184       --       239       1  
                                 
  Total
  $ 81,542     $ 1,018     $ 83,528     $ 2,345  

At September 30, 2012, $39.8 million of impaired loans had specific valuation allowances totaling $8.2 million.  At December 31, 2011, all impaired loans had specific valuation allowances totaling $10.0 million.  Previous to the third quarter of 2012, the Company reported all impaired loans as having specific valuation allowances, even though in many instances the allowance assigned to a particular loan was actually only the general valuation percentage used for that particular category of loans.  In the third quarter of 2012, the Company began reporting specific valuation allowances on impaired loans only if the recorded loan balance was greater than the calculated fair value of the collateral supporting the loan.  This change was also factored into the general valuation allowances recorded by the Company, and did not result in a significant change to the overall allowance for loan losses recorded by the Company.

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.

At September 30, 2012, the Company had $8.0 million of construction loans, $18.2 million of single family and multi-family residential mortgage loans, $31.8 million of commercial real estate loans, $3.1 million of commercial business loans and $140,000 of consumer loans that were modified in troubled debt restructurings and impaired.  Of the total troubled debt restructurings, $51.8 million were accruing interest at September 30, 2012.  During the previous 12 months, five non-owner occupied residential mortgage loans totaling $605,000, five commercial real estate loans totaling $5.8 million, and one consumer loan totaling $20,000, were modified as troubled debt restructurings and had payment defaults subsequent to the modifications.  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, 2011, the Company had $9.0 million of construction loans, $17.0 million of single family and multi-family residential mortgage loans, $31.3 million of commercial real estate loans, $671,000 of commercial business loans and $156,000 of consumer loans that were modified in troubled debt restructurings and impaired.  Of the total troubled debt restructurings, $50.8 million were accruing interest at December 31, 2011.

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

 
20
 
 


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.  However, since these loans are accounted for in pools and are currently substantially covered through loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, all of the loan pools were considered satisfactory at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 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:

    September 30, 2012  
               
Special
                   
   
Satisfactory
   
Watch
   
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Doubtful
   
Total
 
         
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family residential
                                   
  construction
  $ 30,135     $ --     $ --     $ 612     $ --     $ 30,747  
Subdivision construction
    32,191       2,990       --       2,206       --       37,387  
Land development
    51,016       5,201       --       7,747       --       63,964  
Commercial construction
    124,612       --       --       --       --       124,612  
Owner occupied one- to four-
                                            --  
  family residential
    80,059       636       --       3,391       --       84,086  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-
                                            --  
  family residential
    134,147       6,071       --       8,636       --       148,854  
Commercial real estate
    568,150       52,279       --       30,523       --       650,952  
Other residential
    253,493       9,466       --       9,312       --       272,271  
Commercial business
    244,179       7,839       --       1,107       2,316       255,441  
Industrial revenue bonds
    41,424       675       --       2,110       --       44,209  
Consumer auto
    74,679       --       --       159       --       74,838  
Consumer other
    81,813       --       --       742       --       82,555  
Home equity lines of credit
    53,206       --       --       177       --       53,383  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
  Discounts (TeamBank)
    87,873       --       --       --       --       87,873  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
  discounts (Vantus Bank)
    105,050       --       --       --       --       105,050  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
  discounts (Sun Security Bank)
    101,951       --       --       --       --       101,951  
FDIC-supported loans, net of
                                               
  discounts (InterBank)
    269,889       --       --       --       --       269,889  
                                                 
    Total
  $ 2,333,867     $ 85,157     $ --     $ 66,722     $ 2,316     $ 2,488,062  


 
21
 
 



   
December 31, 2011
 
               
Special
             
   
Satisfactory
   
Watch
   
Mention
   
Substandard
   
Total
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family residential
                             
  construction
  $ 21,436     $ 2,354     $ --     $ 186     $ 23,976  
Subdivision construction
    45,754       2,701       --       12,685       61,140  
Land development
    41,179       20,902       245       6,445       68,771  
Commercial construction
    119,589       --       --       --       119,589  
Owner occupied one- to four-family
                                       
  residential
    86,725       1,018       --       4,251       91,994  
Non-owner occupied one- to four-family
                                       
  residential
    129,458       5,232       249       10,842       145,781  
Commercial real estate
    542,712       51,757       13,384       32,004       639,857  
Other residential
    222,940       13,262       --       7,540       243,742  
Commercial business
    225,664       5,403       638       4,679       236,384  
Industrial revenue bonds
    57,640       --       --       2,110       59,750  
Consumer auto
    59,237       --       --       131       59,368  
Consumer other
    77,006       --       --       534       77,540  
Home equity lines of credit
    46,940       --       --       174       47,114  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts
                                       
  (TeamBank)
    128,875       --       --       --       128,875  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts
                                       
  (Vantus Bank)
    123,036       --       --       --       123,036  
FDIC-supported loans, net of discounts
                                       
  (Sun Security Bank)
    144,626       --       --       --       144,626  
    Total
  $ 2,072,817     $ 102,629     $ 14,516     $ 81,581     $ 2,271,543  

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.  A detailed discussion of this transaction is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, under the section titled “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Information.”
 
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 which affords the Bank at least 80% protection against losses. Under the loss sharing agreement, the Bank will share in the losses on assets covered under the agreement (referred to as covered assets). On losses up to $115.0 million, the FDIC has agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of the losses. On losses exceeding $115.0 million, the FDIC has 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, 2012 was $267,000 and $1.0 million, respectively.  The amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $588,000 and $2.0 million, respectively.
 

 
22
 
 


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.  A detailed discussion of this transaction is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, under the section titled “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Information.”
 
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 which affords the Bank at least 80%  protection against losses. Under the loss sharing agreement, the Bank will share in the losses on assets covered under the agreement (referred to as covered assets). On losses up to $102.0 million, the FDIC has agreed to reimburse the Bank for 80% of the losses. On losses exceeding $102.0 million, the FDIC has 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, 2012 was $76,000 and $338,000, respectively.  The amount accreted to yield during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $217,000 and $740,000, 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.  A detailed discussion of this transaction is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, under the section titled “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Information.”
 
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 has 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, 2012 was $500,000 and $1.2 million, respectively.


 
23
 
 


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.  Established in 1965, InterBank operated four locations in three counties in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.  Great Southern Bank assumed deposits with a fair value of $456.3 million at no premium and purchased loans with a fair value of $285.5 million and foreclosed assets with a fair value of $6.2 million at a discount of $59.9 million.
 
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 has 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.  The Company’s estimates of its cash flows to be collected regarding the InterBank assets has not materially changed.  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, 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, 2012, increases in expected cash flows related to the TeamBank, Vantus Bank and Sun Security Bank acquired loan portfolios resulted in adjustments of $8.8 million and $18.8 , 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, 2011, similar such adjustments totaling $13.2 million and $24.5 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, 2012, this resulted in a corresponding adjustment of $7.0 million and $15.0 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.

 
24
 
 



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 $12.8 million and the remaining adjustment to the indemnification assets that will affect non-interest income (expense) is $(11.0) million.  Of the remaining adjustments, we expect to recognize $3.5 million of interest income and $(2.9) million of non-interest income (expense) in the remainder of 2012.  Additional adjustments may be recorded in future periods from the 2009, 2011 and 2012 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, 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    

 
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2011
September 30, 2011
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data
 
and Basis Points Data)
             
Impact on net interest income/
           
  net interest margin (in basis points)
  $ 14,233  
184 bps
  $ 39,715  
171 bps
Non-interest income
    (12,717 )       (35,470 )  
  Net impact to pre-tax income
  $ 1,516       $ 4,245    
  Net impact net of taxes
  $ 986       $ 2,759    
  Impact to diluted earnings per common share
  $ 0.07       $ 0.20    

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.

TeamBank FDIC Indemnification Asset.  The following tables present the balances of the FDIC indemnification asset related to the TeamBank transaction at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $333.3 million since the transaction date because of $204.1 million of repayments from borrowers, $54.9 million in transfers to foreclosed assets and $74.3 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.

 
25
 
 



   
September 30, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
  net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 102,895     $ 15,372  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (321 )     --  
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
  due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (4,199 )     --  
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (87,873 )     (10,682 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    10,502       4,690  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    80 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    8,421       3,783  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
  change in expected losses
    3,541       --  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (1,034 )     --  
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 10,928     $ 3,783  

   
December 31, 2011
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
  net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 164,284     $ 16,225  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (1,363 )     --  
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
  due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (6,093 )     --  
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (128,875 )     (10,342 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    27,953       5,883  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    80 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    22,404       4,712  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
  change in expected losses
    5,726       --  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (2,719 )     --  
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 25,411     $ 4,712  

Vantus Bank Indemnification Asset.  The following tables present the balances of the FDIC indemnification asset related to the Vantus Bank transaction at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $215.2 million since the transaction date because of $175.1  million of repayments from borrowers, $14.3 million in transfers to foreclosed assets and $25.8 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.

 
26
 
 



   
September 30, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
  net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 116,304     $ 4,532  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (165 )     --  
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
  due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (7,065 )     --  
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (105,050 )     (3,359 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    4,024       1,173  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    79 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    3,174       938  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
  change in expected losses
    5,652       --  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (910 )     --  
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 7,916     $ 938  

   
December 31, 2011
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
  net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 149,215     $ 3,410  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (503 )     --  
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
  due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
    (11,267 )     --  
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (123,036 )     (2,069 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    14,409       1,341  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    80 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    11,526       1,073  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
  change in expected losses
    9,014       --  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (1,946 )     --  
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 18,594     $ 1,073  

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, 2012 and December 31, 2011.  At September 30, 2012, the Company concluded that the assumptions utilized to determine the preliminary fair value of loans, foreclosed assets and the FDIC indemnification asset had not materially changed since the analysis performed at acquisition on October 7, 2011.  Expected cash flows and the present value of future cash flows related to these assets also did not materially change since the analysis performed at acquisition on October 7, 2011.  Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $90.6 million since the transaction date because of $58.7 million of repayments by the borrower, $9.6 million in transfers to foreclosed assets and $22.3 million of charge-offs to customer loan balances.

 
27
 
 



   
September 30, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
  net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 143,853     $ 10,224  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (1,506 )     --  
Reclassification from nonaccretable discount to accretable discount
               
  due to change in expected losses (net of accretion to date)
     (1,571        
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (101,951 )     (5,641 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    38,825       4,583  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    76 %     81 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    29,664       3,698  
Indemnification asset to be amortized resulting from
               
  change in expected losses
    1,224       --  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (3,284 )     (561 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 27,604     $ 3,137  

   
December 31, 2011
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
  net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 217,549     $ 20,964  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    (2,658 )     --  
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (144,626 )     (8,338 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    70,265       12,626  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    79 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    55,382       10,101  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (5,457 )     (1,811 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 49,925     $ 8,290  

InterBank Indemnification Asset.  The following table presents the balances of the FDIC indemnification asset related to the InterBank transaction at September 30, 2012.  At September 30, 2012, the Company concluded that the assumptions utilized to determine the preliminary fair value of loans, foreclosed assets and the FDIC indemnification asset had not materially changed since the analysis performed at acquisition on April 27, 2012.  Expected cash flows and the present value of future cash flows related to these assets also did not materially change since the analysis performed at acquisition on April 27, 2012.  Gross loan balances (due from the borrower) were reduced approximately $22.4 million since the transaction date because of $20.5 million of repayments by the borrower and $1.9 million of charge-offs to customer loan balances.

   
September 30, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination,
           
  net of activity since acquisition date
  $ 370,853     $ 3,410  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    2,978       --  
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (269,889 )     (2,849 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    103,942       561  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    81 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    84,087       449  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (7,811 )     (93 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 76,276     $ 356  


 
28
 
 



   
April 27, 2012
 
         
Foreclosed
 
   
Loans
   
Assets
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Initial basis for loss sharing determination
  $ 393,274     $ 9,908  
Non-credit premium/(discount), net of activity since acquisition date
    3,105       --  
Original estimated fair value of assets, net of activity since
               
  acquisition date
    (285,458 )     (6,216 )
                 
Expected loss remaining
    110,921       3,692  
Assumed loss sharing recovery percentage
    81 %     80 %
                 
Estimated loss sharing value
    89,669       2,954  
Accretable discount on FDIC indemnification asset
    (8,411 )     (223 )
FDIC indemnification asset
  $ 81,258     $ 2,731  

Changes in the accretable yield for acquired loan pools were as follows for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

               
Sun Security
       
   
TeamBank
   
Vantus Bank
   
Bank
   
InterBank
 
   
(In Thousands)
       
                         
Balance, July 1, 2011
  $ 23,145     $ 26,883     $     $  
Accretion
    (11,263 )     (6,855 )            
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference(1)
    7,700       5,651              
Balance, September 30, 2011
  $ 19,582     $ 25,679     $     $  
                                 
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 difference(1)
    5,863       4,510       2,902        
                                 
Balance, September 30, 2012
  $ 12,557     $ 15,412     $ 9,009     $ 38,924  

(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, and Sun Security Bank for the three months ended September 30, 2012, totaling $3.1 million, $4.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, and for the three months ended September 30, 2011, totaling $6.7 million, $6.6 million and $0, respectively.


 
29
 
 


Changes in the accretable yield for acquired loan pools were as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

               
Sun Security
       
   
TeamBank
   
Vantus Bank
   
Bank
   
InterBank
 
   
(In Thousands)
       
                         
Balance, January 1, 2011
  $ 36,765     $ 35,796     $     $  
Accretion
    (32,786 )     (22,365 )            
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference(1)
    15,603       12,248              
Balance, September 30, 2011
  $ 19,582     $ 25,679     $     $  
                                 
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 difference(1)
    11,694       10,765       6,990        
                                 
Balance, September 30, 2012
  $ 12,557     $ 15,412     $ 9,009     $ 38,924  

(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, and Sun Security Bank for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, totaling $6.0 million, $7.6 million, and $5.2 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, totaling $13.8 million, $10.7 million and $0, respectively.

 
NOTE 9: FORECLOSED ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Major classifications of foreclosed assets were as follows:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One-to four-family construction
  $ 531     $ 1,630  
Subdivision construction
    17,867       15,573  
Land development
    13,110       13,634  
Commercial construction
    6,511       2,747  
One-to four-family residential
    1,735       1,849  
Other residential
    8,584       7,853  
Commercial real estate
    2,633       2,290  
Commercial business
    175       85  
Consumer
    369       1,211  
      51,515       46,872  
FDIC-supported foreclosed assets, net of discounts
    22,530       20,749  
    $ 74,045     $ 67,621  


 
30
 
 


Expenses applicable to foreclosed assets included the following:
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Net loss on sales of foreclosed assets
  $ 320     $ 95  
Valuation write-downs
    1,292       --  
Operating expenses, net of rental income
    924       753  
                 
    $ 2,536     $ 848  

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Net gain on sales of foreclosed assets
  $ (1,077 )   $ (189 )
Valuation write-downs
    2,691       --  
Operating expenses, net of rental income
    2,589       2,092  
                 
    $ 4,203     $ 1,903  


NOTE 10: DEPOSITS

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Time Deposits:
           
0.00% - 1.99%
  $ 1,221,185     $ 1,060,841  
2.00% - 2.99%
    101,298       158,696  
3.00% - 3.99%
    14,112       17,228  
4.00% - 4.99%
    8,159       26,526  
5.00% and above
    2,325       5,708  
Total time deposits (1.04% - 1.29%)
    1,347,079       1,268,999  
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
    357,016       330,813  
Interest-bearing demand and savings deposits (0.35% - 0.61%)
    1,546,769       1,363,727  
Total Deposits
  $ 3,250,864     $ 2,963,539  

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,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Tax at statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %
Nontaxable interest and dividends
    (5.2 )     (6.2 )
Tax credits
    (18.4 )     (2.5 )
State taxes
    0.8       0.6  
Other
    (2.3 )     0.7  
                 
      9.9 %     27.6 %


 
31
 
 



   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Tax at statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %
Nontaxable interest and dividends
    (3.1 )     (6.8 )
Tax credits
    (9.3 )     (5.1 )
State taxes
    0.4       1.1  
Other
    (0.1 )     0.6  
                 
      22.9 %     24.8 %

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.
 
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 balance sheets at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 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 period ended September 30, 2012.

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 1 securities include exchange traded equity securities. Recurring Level 2 securities available for sale include U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-

 
32
 
 


backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, Small Business Administration (SBA) loan pools, state and municipal bonds, corporate 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, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

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 Swaps. Interest rate swaps 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 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 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.

         
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, 2012
                       
U.S. government agencies
  $ 30,060     $ --     $ 30,060     $ --  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    4,879       --       4,879       --  
Mortgage-backed securities
    573,015       --       573,015       --  
Small Business Administration loan pools
    52,844       --       52,844       --  
Corporate bonds
    322       --       322       --  
States and political subdivisions
    124,016       --       124,016       --  
Equity securities
    1,982       --       1,982       --  
Mortgage servicing rights
    179       --       --       179  
Interest rate swap asset
    1,775       --       --       1,775  
Interest rate swap liability
    (1,909 )     --       --       (1,909 )
                                 
December 31, 2011
                               
U.S. government agencies
  $ 20,060     $ --     $ 20,060     $ --  
Collateralized mortgage obligations
    4,840       --       4,840       --  
Mortgage-backed securities
    641,655       --       641,655       --  
Small Business Administration loan pools
    56,492       --       56,492       --  
Corporate bonds
    295       --       295       --  
States and political subdivisions
    150,238       --       150,238       --  
Equity securities
    1,831       387       1,444       --  
Mortgage servicing rights
    292       --       --       292  
Interest rate swap asset
    111       --       --       111  
Interest rate swap liability
    (121 )     --       --       (121 )

The Company considers transfers between the levels of the hierarchy to be recognized at the end of related reporting periods.  From December 31, 2011 to September 30, 2012, no assets for which fair value is measured on a recurring basis transferred between any levels of the hierarchy.


 
33
 
 


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
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, July 1
  $ 194     $ 450  
Additions
    71       4  
Amortization
    (86 )     (87 )
Balance, September 30
  $ 179     $ 367  

   
Mortgage Servicing Rights
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, January 1
  $ 292     $ 637  
Additions
    102       16  
Amortization
    (215 )     (286 )
Balance, September 30
  $ 179     $ 367  

   
Interest Rate Swap Asset
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, July 1
  $ 1,200     $ --  
Change in fair value through earnings
    575       --  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,775     $ --  

   
Interest Rate Swap Asset
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, January 1
  $ 111     $ --  
Change in fair value through earnings
    1,664       --  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,775     $ --  


   
Interest Rate Swap Liability
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, July 1
  $ 1,230     $ --  
Change in fair value through earnings
    679       --  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,909     $ --  

   
Interest Rate Swap Liability
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
             
Balance, January 1
  $ 121     $ --  
Change in fair value through earnings
    1,788       --  
Balance, September 30
  $ 1,909     $ --  


 
34
 
 



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, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 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.
 
 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, approved foreclosure bids, 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, 2012 or the year ended December 31, 2011, are shown in the table below (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 within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  The foreclosed assets represented in the table below were re-measured during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 or the year ended December 31, 2011, subsequent to their initial transfer to foreclosed assets.


 
35
 
 


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, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
 
         
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, 2012
                       
Impaired loans
                       
  One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 502     $ --     $ --     $ 502  
  Subdivision construction
    1,905       --       --       1,905  
  Land development
    4,070       --       --       4,070  
  Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    2,693       --       --       2,693  
  Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,054       --       --       4,054  
  Commercial real estate
    31,219       --       --       31,219  
  Other residential
    8,143       --       --       8,143  
  Commercial business
    3,381       --       --       3,381  
  Consumer auto
    --       --       --       --  
  Consumer other
    299       --       --       299  
  Home equity lines of credit
    45       --       --       45  
    Total impaired loans
  $ 56,374     $ --     $ --     $ 56,374  
                                 
Foreclosed assets held for sale
  $ 5,093     $ --     $ --     $ 5,093  
                                 
December 31, 2011
                               
Impaired loans
                               
  One- to four-family residential construction
  $ 964     $ --     $ --     $ 964  
  Subdivision construction
    3,188       --       --       3,188  
  Land development
    4,298       --       --       4,298  
  Owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    2,210       --       --       2,210  
  Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential
    4,639       --       --       4,639  
  Commercial real estate
    13,354       --       --       13,354  
  Other residential
    4,771       --       --       4,771  
  Commercial business
    3,207       --       --       3,207  
  Consumer auto
    46       --       --       46  
  Consumer other
    258       --       --       258  
  Home equity lines of credit
    46       --       --       46  
    Total impaired loans
  $ 36,981     $ --     $ --     $ 36,981  
                                 
Foreclosed assets held for sale
  $ 14,042     $ --     $ --     $ 14,042  

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all other financial instruments recognized in the accompanying balance sheet 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.  The market rates used are based on current rates the Bank would impose for similar loans and reflect a market participant assumption about risks associated with non-performance, illiquidity, and the structure and term of the loans along with local and economic market conditions.  Loans with similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations.  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value, and is determined using the interest rate, balance and last payment date.


 
36
 
 


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.  Interest rates on these types of deposits are regularly adjusted to market rates. The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the rates currently offered by the Bank and its competitors for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value, and is determined using the interest rate, balance and last payment date.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances.  Rates offered by the FHLB currently available to the Company for advnces with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing advances by discounting the future cash flows.
 
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 Company can redeem these instruments at par on a quarterly basis beginning in February 2012 (with respect to $25.8 million of the subordinated debentures) and October 2012 (with respect to $5.2 million of the subordinated debentures), respectively.  The carrying amount of these debentures approximates their fair value.
 
Structured Repurchase Agreements.  Structured repurchase agreements are collateralized borrowings from counterparties.  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.

 
37
 
 



   
September 30, 2012
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Hierarchy
 
   
Amount
   
Value
   
Level
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Financial assets
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 485,184     $ 485,184       1  
Held-to-maturity securities
    920       1,098       2  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    35,093       35,093       2  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
    2,332,510       2,341,194       3  
Accrued interest receivable
    13,183       13,183       3  
Investment in FHLB stock
    10,066       10,066       3  
                         
Financial liabilities
                       
Deposits
    3,250,864       3,254,399       3  
FHLB advances
    126,296       130,480       3  
Short-term borrowings
    198,574       198,574       3  
Structured repurchase agreements
    53,052       59,563       3  
Subordinated debentures
    30,929       30,929       3  
Accrued interest payable
    1,609       1,609       3  
Unrecognized financial instruments
                       
  (net of contractual value)
                       
    Commitments to originate loans
    --       --       3  
    Letters of credit
    75       75       3  
    Lines of credit
    --       --       3  

   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
   
Amount
   
Value
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
Financial assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 380,249     $ 380,249  
Held-to-maturity securities
    1,865       2,101  
Mortgage loans held for sale
    28,920       28,920  
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses
    2,124,161       2,124,032  
Accrued interest receivable
    13,848       13,848  
Investment in FHLB stock
    12,088       12,088  
                 
Financial liabilities
               
Deposits
    2,963,539       2,966,874  
FHLB advances
    184,437       189,793  
Short-term borrowings
    217,397       217,397  
Structured repurchase agreements
    53,090       60,471  
Subordinated debentures
    30,929       30,929  
Accrued interest payable
    2,277       2,277  
Unrecognized financial instruments
               
  (net of contractual value)
               
    Commitments to originate loans
    --       --  
    Letters of credit
    84       84  
    Lines of credit
    --       --  

The following disclosure relates to financial assets for which it is not practicable for the Company to estimate the fair value at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.


 
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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, 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, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying value was $14.7 million and $30.1 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, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying value of the FDIC indemnification asset was $8.9 million and $19.7 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, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the carrying value of the FDIC indemnification asset was $30.7 million and $58.2 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, 2012, the carrying value of the FDIC indemnification asset was $76.6 million.

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.

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.  However, the Company’s existing interest rate derivatives result from a service provided to certain qualifying loan customers and, therefore, are not used to manage interest

 
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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.

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
 
2012
   
2011
 
     
(In Thousands)
 
Asset Derivatives
             
Derivatives not designated
             
  as hedging instruments
             
               
Interest rate products
Prepaid expenses and other assets
  $ 1,775     $ 111  
                   
Total derivatives not designated
                 
  as hedging instruments
    $ 1,775     $ 111  
                   
Liability Derivatives
                 
Derivatives not designated
                 
  as hedging instruments
                 
                   
Interest rate products
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 1,909     $ 121  
                   
Total derivatives not designated
                 
as hedging instruments
    $ 1,909     $ 121  

Nondesignated Hedges

None of the Company’s derivatives are 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, 2012, the Company had ten interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $57.1 million related to this program.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized a net loss of $104,000 and $124,000, respectively, in noninterest income related to changes in the fair value of these swaps.

Agreements with Derivative Counterparties

The Company has agreements with its derivative counterparties containing certain provisions that must be met.  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.


 
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As of September 30, 2012, the termination value of derivatives in a net asset position, which included accrued interest but excluded any adjustment for nonperformance risk, related to these agreements was $1.9 million.  The Company has minimum collateral posting thresholds with its derivative counterparties.  At September 30, 2012, the Company’s activity with its derivative counterparties had met the level in which the minimum collateral posting thresholds take effect and the Company had posted $1.7 million of collateral.  If the Company had breached any of these provisions at September 30, 2012, it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at the termination value.
 
 
NOTE 14:  SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
On November 9, 2012, the Company entered into separate definitive agreements to sell Great Southern Travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Adelman Travel and Great Southern Insurance to St. Louis-based HM, effective November 30, 2012, for both entities.  These transactions will result in the transfer of assets to HM on December 1, 2012, and to Adelman Travel on December 3, 2012. The combined sales are expected to result in transaction gains totaling approximately $6.8 million (pre-tax), which will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, Great Southern Travel and Great Southern Insurance on a combined basis produced $6.3 million in non-interest income, $5.4 million in non-interest expense and $640,000 in net income, or a diluted earnings per share effect of $0.05.  In the year ended December 31, 2012, Great Southern Travel and Great Southern Insurance on a combined basis produced $8.1 million in non-interest income, $7.2 million in non-interest expense and $673,000 in net income, or a diluted earnings per share effect of $0.05.  See Note 2: Operating Segments.

 

 
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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 filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in the Company's press releases or other public or shareholder communications, and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases "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) expected cost savings, synergies and other benefits from the Company’s merger and acquisition activities, including but not limited to the recently completed FDIC-assisted transactions involving Sun Security Bank and InterBank, might not be realized within the anticipated time frames or at all, the possibility that the amount of the gain the Company ultimately recognizes from the InterBank transaction will be materially different from the preliminary gain recorded, and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customer and employee retention, might be greater than expected; (ii) changes in economic conditions, either nationally or in the Company’s market areas; (iii) fluctuations in interest rates; (iv) the risks of lending and investing activities, including changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses; (v) the possibility of other-than-temporary impairments of securities held in the Company’s securities portfolio; (vi) the Company’s ability to access cost-effective funding; (vii) fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; (viii) demand for loans and deposits in the Company’s market areas; (ix) 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 new overdraft protection regulations and customers’ responses thereto; (x) monetary and fiscal policies of the Federal Reserve Board and the U.S. Government and other governmental initiatives affecting the financial services industry; (xi) results of examinations of the Company and the Bank 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; (xii) 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; (xiii) costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; and (xiv) competition.  The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above and other risks described from time to time in the Company’s 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.

 
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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.

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, 2011, 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

 
43
 
 


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 intangibles 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, 2012, the Company has two reporting units to which goodwill has been allocated – the Bank and the Travel division (which is a division of a subsidiary of 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, 2012, goodwill consisted of $379,000 at the Bank reporting unit and $877,500 at the Travel reporting unit. Other identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from three to seven years. At September 30, 2012, the amortizable intangible assets consisted of core deposit intangibles of $5.7 million at the Bank reporting unit and $6,300 of non-compete agreements at the Travel reporting unit.  These amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment if circumstances indicate their value may not be recoverable based on a comparison of fair value.

While the Company believes no impairment existed at September 30, 2012, 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

The current economic environment presents financial institutions with unprecedented circumstances and challenges which in some cases have resulted in large declines in the fair values 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 have been prepared using values and information currently available to the Company.

Given the volatility of current 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.

Current economic conditions have impacted the markets in which we operate. Throughout our market areas, the economic downturn negatively affected consumer confidence and elevated unemployment levels.   Economic conditions have not changed significantly during the third quarter of 2012.  There are some modest signs of improvement especially in the housing sector, but economic uncertainty remains. According to the October 10, 2012 “Summary of Commentary on Current Economic Conditions” by the Federal Reserve, overall economic activity in the Company’s footprint expanded at a modest pace from early July 2012 to early September 2012. Retail sales increased slightly or were flat. Housing sales and construction increased slightly with some home inventory declining.

 
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Commercial real estate leasing and construction showed some improvement. Loan demand has increased slightly.

Average prices for existing home sales in the Midwest, which includes our market areas, are up 19.6% in 2012 over 2011 according to the National Association of Realtors.  Retail, office and industrial types of commercial real estate properties had vacancy rates that averaged 7.8%, 11.3% and 8.6%, respectively, in the Company’s primary markets through September 30, 2012 according to real estate services firm Colliers International.  These vacancy rates in the Company’s primary markets are down from averages of 9.6%, 15.1% and 8.8%, respectively, for 2007, prior to the economic downturn. High vacancy rates negatively impact cash flows on commercial real estate loans.  Increased vacancy rates for commercial real estate properties can correlate to fewer commercial land development sales because of the risk involved in developing these types of properties when similar completed properties have vacancies.  

The Missouri unemployment rate has declined from 7.7% at the end of 2011 to 6.3% at the end of September 2012, and was below the national average of 7.8% at the end of September 2012. Unemployment rates also declined from the end of 2011 to the end of September 2012, respectively, for all of the states in the Company’s franchise:  Arkansas from 7.4 to 6.5%; Iowa from 5.8% to 4.4%; Kansas from 5.9% to 5.3%; Minnesota from 5.7% to 5.3%; and Nebraska from 4.1% to 3.4%.  Unemployment rates do not reflect underemployed individuals or unemployed individuals who have stopped looking for work; accordingly, a decrease in the unemployment rate does not necessarily reflect improved job market conditions.  Loan types specifically impacted by certain market areas in Missouri include loans secured by condominiums and condominium development in the St. Louis, Central Missouri and Branson market areas.  Many borrowers with loans secured by condominiums and condominium development are now changing business strategies to remarket units for rent as opposed to sale.  The St. Louis market area has experienced the highest level of unemployment among our market areas with a rate of 7.8% at the end of August 2012; however, the market unemployment rate is decreasing.  We have a minimal level of one- to four-family residential and consumer loans in this market and the negative impact of the economy specific to this area has generally been in condominium loans as previously discussed. The unemployment rate for the Springfield market area was 6.3% at the end of August 2012 and well below the national average with overall lending activity improving modestly but still well below historic levels.  

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, 2012, Great Southern's total assets increased $266.5 million, or 7.0%, from $3.79 billion at December 31, 2011, to $4.06 billion at September 30, 2012. Full details of the current period changes in total assets are provided in the “Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011” section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Loans.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, net loans increased $208.3 million, or 9.8%, from $2.12 billion at December 31, 2011, to $2.33 billion at September 30, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the loans acquired in the InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition that occurred on April 27, 2012.  Included in the increase is $269.9 million in FDIC-covered loans from the InterBank FDIC-assisted transaction.  Partially offsetting these increases were decreases of $101.7 million in the 2009

 
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and 2011 FDIC-covered loan portfolios.  Excluding covered loans and mortgage loans held for sale, total loans increased $38.8 million, primarily due to increases in multi-family residential, commercial business and consumer loans, partially offset by decreases in construction and land development 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 risk to be involved and 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, 2012 and December 31, 2011, an estimated 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively of total owner occupied one- to four-family residential loans had loan-to-value ratios above 100% at origination.  At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, an estimated 0.7% and 0.4%, respectively, of total non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential loans had loan-to-value ratios above 100% at origination.

At September 30, 2012 troubled debt restructurings totaled $61.3 million, or 2.6% of total loans, up $3.2 million from $58.1 million, or 2.7% of total loans, at December 31, 2011.  This increase is primarily due to the continuing effects of the recent economic downturn and the resulting increased number of borrowers who have experienced 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 increase in troubled debt restructurings.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, nine loans totaling $27.8 million were each restructured into multiple new loans.  During the year ended December 31, 2011, twelve loans totaling $41.0 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, 2012, approximately six 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, 2012, approximately seven 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 September 30, 2012, approximately nine 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 eleven years.  At September 30, 2012, approximately nine 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 seven to fourteen years.  At September 30, 2012, approximately one and one-half years remain on the loss sharing agreement for non-single family loans acquired from TeamBank and the remaining loans have an estimated average life of one to four years.  At September 30, 2012, approximately two years 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 two to five years.  At September 30, 2012,

 
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approximately four 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, 2012, approximately four 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 four 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, and through September 30, 2012, have had minimal impact on the allowance.  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.  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.  We expect the loan loss provision, non-performing assets and foreclosed assets will generally remain elevated and will fluctuate from period to period.  In addition, expenses related to the credit resolution process could also remain elevated.

Available-for-sale Securities.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, Great Southern's available-for-sale securities decreased $88.3 million, or 10.1%, from $875.4 million at December 31, 2011, to $787.1 million at September 30, 2012.  The decrease was primarily due to calls and sales of state and political subdivision bonds, which decreased $26.2 million, or 17.5%, and paydowns, maturities and sales of mortgage-backed securities, which decreased $68.6 million, or 10.7%.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  Great Southern had cash and cash equivalents of $485.2 million at September 30, 2012, an increase of $105.0 million, or 27.6%, from $380.2 million at December 31, 2011. The increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period resulted from the cash acquired through the acquisition of InterBank, increased deposits, slower loan demand, and proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities.

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, 2012, total deposit balances increased $287.3 million, or 9.7%.  Transaction accounts increased $209.2 million, while total brokered deposits (excluding CDARS accounts) decreased $38.3 million and retail certificates of deposit increased $174.4 million. Great Southern Bank customer deposits totaling $158.3 million and $216.3 million, at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 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, 2012.  The increase in deposits of $287.3 million at September 30, 2012 over December 31, 2011 was primarily due to the deposits assumed in the InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition.  If loan demand trends upward in future periods, excess liquidity can be used to cover a portion of this demand.  In addition, rates paid on deposits can be increased to increase deposit balances and the utilization of brokered deposits can be increased to provide additional funding, if necessary.  However, 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

 
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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 could negatively impact the Company’s net interest margin.  As discussed below, 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 continue to lower its funding costs significantly in the current low interest rate environment, while interest rates on assets may decline further.

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 variable rate funding, if desired, which more closely matches the variable 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 market interest rate changes. 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 previously described in Note 8, 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 cut interest rates on December 16, 2008. Great Southern has a significant portfolio of loans which are tied to a "prime rate" of interest. Some of these loans are tied to some national index of "prime," while most 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.”


 
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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, 2012, the Company had a portfolio (excluding loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions) of prime-based loans totaling approximately $735 million with rates that change immediately with changes to the prime rate of interest. Of this total, $731 million also had interest rate floors. These floors were at varying rates, with $28 million of these loans having floor rates of 7.0% or greater and another $538 million of these loans having floor rates between 5.0% and 7.0%. In addition, $165 million of these loans have floor rates between 3.25% and 5.0%.  At September 30, 2012, all of these loans were at their floor rates.  The loan yield for the total loan portfolio was approximately 231 basis points higher than the national “prime rate of interest” at September 30, 2012, 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 improve, 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, commissions earned by our travel, insurance and investment divisions, accretion income (net of amortization) related to the FDIC-assisted acquisitions, late charges and prepayment fees on loans, gains on sales of loans and available-for-sale investments and other general operating income.  In 2012 and 2011, 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.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2012, the Company recognized a preliminary one-time gain based on the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition.  Non-interest income may also be affected by the Company's interest rate hedging activities, if the Company chooses to implement hedges.  On July 1, 2011, a federal rule went into effect which prohibits a financial institution from automatically enrolling customers in overdraft protection programs, on ATM and one-time debit card transactions, unless a consumer consents, or opts in, to the overdraft service.  As expected, this rule has adversely affected the amount of non-interest income we generate. 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, 2012 and 2011” section of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Effect of Federal Laws and Regulations

General.  Federal legislation and regulations significantly affect the banking 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 depository institutions 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, will provide increased consumer financial protection, amend capital requirements for financial institutions, 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.

 
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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 these provisions of the rule on the basis of asset size, there is some uncertainty about the impact there will be on the interchange rates for issuers below the $10 billion level of assets.

In December 2010 and January 2011, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published the final texts of reforms on capital and liquidity generally referred to as “Basel III.”  Although Basel III is intended to be implemented by participating countries for large, internationally active banks, its provisions are being considered by United States banking regulators in developing new regulations applicable to other banks in the United States, including Great Southern.  For banks in the United States, among the provisions in proposed regulations implementing Basel III and the Dodd-Frank Act’s requirements concerning regulatory capital are: (i) a minimum ratio of common equity to risk-weighted assets reaching 4.5% by 2015 after a phase-in period, plus an additional 2.5% as a capital conservation buffer, by 2019 after a phase-in period; (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets reaching 6.0% by 2019 after a phase-in period; (iii) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets, plus the additional 2.5% capital conservation buffer, reaching 10.5% by 2019 after a phase -in period; (iv) for banking organizations with $250 billion or more in assets, an additional countercyclical capital buffer to be imposed by applicable national banking regulators periodically at their discretion, with advance notice; and (v) restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses applicable when capital ratios fall within the buffer zone.  We cannot predict when or if final regulations will be adopted or become effective or to what extent the final regulations will differ from the proposed regulations.

Business Initiatives

The Company completed the final operational milestones pertaining to the InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition. Integration of the InterBank operating system into Great Southern’s operating system was completed at the close of business on August 10, 2012. The system conversion allows all customers to conveniently conduct their banking business at all 107 banking centers in the Great Southern franchise.

In October, a new banking center at 600 W. Republic in Springfield, Mo., was opened, which replaced a leased facility at 3961 S. Campbell.  A new banking center in Greenfield, Mo., is expected to open in November 2012.  The full-service banking center replaces a previously razed drive-thru facility on the same lot. At the same time as the opening of the new facility, a leased banking center in downtown Greenfield will be closed.

The Company expects to expand its presence in the Omaha, Neb., market. In mid-October the Company purchased a lot in a commercial district in Omaha, Neb.  A full-service banking center will be constructed with expectations of a second quarter 2013 opening. A commercial lending team will be housed in this facility.  The Company currently operates two banking centers in the Omaha metropolitan area – one in Bellevue and one in Fort Calhoun.

 
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Text banking is expected to be launched for customers in November 2012 providing another channel to access account information. Tablet computer applications and remote check deposit for smartphones are under development and are expected to be available at the beginning of 2013.

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, 2012, was $30.91.

Headquartered in Springfield, Mo., Great Southern offers a broad range of banking, investment, insurance and travel services to customers and clients. The Company operates 107 banking centers and more than 200 ATMs in Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota and Nebraska.

Comparison of Financial Condition at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company increased total assets by $266.5 million to $4.06 billion.  Most of the increase was attributable to the assets acquired, including cash, loans, other real estate owned and other assets, as part of the InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition on April 27, 2012.  Net loans increased $208.3 million from December 31, 2011, to $2.33 billion at September 30, 2012.  The increase was primarily due to the loans acquired as part of the FDIC-assisted acquisition noted above.  Offsetting these increases were decreases in net loans acquired through the 2009 and 2011 FDIC-assisted transactions of $101.7 million, or 25.6%.  Excluding covered loans and mortgage loans held for sale, total loans increased $38.8 million, primarily in the areas of multi-family residential mortgage loans, commercial business loans and consumer loans, partially offset by decreases in construction and land development loans.  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.  Based upon the current lending environment and economic conditions, the Company does not expect to grow the overall loan portfolio significantly at this time.  Cash and cash equivalents increased $105.0 million as compared to December 31, 2011, as the Company acquired cash through the InterBank acquisition in addition to the excess liquidity resulting from increases in deposits and slower loan demand.  The Company may maintain a higher level of cash and cash equivalents for the time being as excess liquidity in these uncertain times for the U.S. economy and the banking industry, subject to funding activities which are discussed below, and recognizing that this could potentially have the effect of suppressing net interest margin and net interest income.

The Company's available-for-sale securities decreased $88.3 million compared to December 31, 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to calls and sales of state and political subdivision bonds and paydowns, maturities and sales of mortgage-backed securities.

The Company’s net premises and equipment increased $16.7 million as compared to December 31, 2011.  The primary reason for the increase was the purchase of approximately $6.1 million of fixed assets from the FDIC for the Sun Security branch locations, the purchase of approximately $2.8 million of fixed assets from the FDIC for the InterBank branch locations and the addition of new locations added as a result of the growth of the Company and to provide for future growth.

The FDIC indemnification asset increased $22.9 million from December 31, 2011 due primarily to the net addition of $76.6 million for the InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition.  That increase was partially offset by a decrease of $53.7 million due to the billing and collection of realized losses and amortization relating to the reduction in expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements for the 2009 and 2011 FDIC-assisted acquisitions, previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


 
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Total liabilities increased $229.3 million from $3.47 billion at December 31, 2011 to $3.69 billion at September 30, 2012.  The increase was primarily attributable to increases in deposits from the InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition, partially offset by decreases in FHLBank advances and securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers.  Total deposits increased $287.3 million from December 31, 2011.  Transaction account balances increased $209.2 million to $1.90 billion at September 30, 2012, up from $1.69 billion at December 31, 2011, while retail certificates of deposit increased $174.4 million to $1.18 billion at September 30, 2012, up from $1.00 billion at December 31, 2011.  Since the second quarter of 2010, the Company’s transaction account balances have trended upward while 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.  Total brokered deposits (excluding CDARS customer account balances) were $10.0 million at September 30, 2012, compared to $48.3 million at December 31, 2011.  The decrease was the result of brokered deposits that matured during the period.  In addition, at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Great Southern Bank customer deposits totaling $158.3 million and $216.3 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, 2012.  Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers decreased $18.7 million from December 31, 2011, as these balances fluctuate over time.  FHLBank advances decreased $58.1 million from December 31, 2011. The Company elected to prepay $30.0 million of FHLB advances which were assumed as part of the Sun Security transaction during the first quarter of 2012.  The penalties incurred to prepay these advances were primarily accounted for as part of the purchase accounting adjustments at the time of acquisition, resulting in no additional material expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The level of FHLBank advances also fluctuates depending on growth in the Company's loan portfolio and other funding needs and sources available to the Company. Most of the Company’s FHLBank advances are fixed-rate advances that cannot be repaid prior to maturity without incurring significant penalties.

Total stockholders' equity increased $37.2 million from $324.6 million at December 31, 2011 to $361.8 million at September 30, 2012.  The Company recorded net income of $36.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, common and preferred dividends declared were $7.7 million and accumulated other comprehensive gain increased $6.3 million.  The increase in accumulated other comprehensive gain resulted from increases in the fair value of the Company's available-for-sale investment securities.  In addition, total stockholders’ equity increased $2.2 million due to stock option exercises.

Results of Operations and Comparison for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

General

Net income was $7.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to net income of $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. This increase of $651,000, or 10.1%, was primarily due to an increase in non-interest income of $5.1 million, a decrease in provision for income taxes of $1.7 million, or 68.3%, and an increase in net interest income of $1.6 million, or 3.9%, partially offset by an increase in non-interest expense of $7.8 million, or 34.0%.  Net income available to common shareholders was $7.0 million and $4.4 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.


 
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Net income was $36.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to net income of $18.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This increase of $18.1 million, or 99.5%, was primarily due to an increase in non-interest income of $55.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in net interest income of $789,000, or 0.7%, an increase in non-interest expense of $21.0 million, or 31.4%, an increase in provision for loan losses of $10.9 million, or 43.6%, and an increase in provision for income taxes of $4.7 million, or 78.3%.  Net income available to common shareholders was $35.8 million and $14.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Total Interest Income

Total interest income increased $194,000, or 0.4%, during the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase was due to a $1.3 million increase in interest income on loans, partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in interest income on investments and other interest-earning assets.  Total interest income decreased $5.1 million, or 3.4%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease was due to a $3.0 million decrease in interest income on loans and a $2.1 million decrease in interest income on investments and other interest-earning assets.  Interest income on loans decreased primarily due to a reduction in the increases in expected cash flows to be received from the FDIC-acquired loan pools and the resulting adjustment to accretable yield which were previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Interest income from investment securities and other interest-earning assets decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily due to lower average rates of interest. 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, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011, interest income on loans increased due to higher average balances, partially offset by lower average interest rates.  Interest income increased $7.1 million as the result of higher average loan balances, which increased from $1.99 billion during the quarter ended September 30, 2011, to $2.35 billion during the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The higher average balance resulted primarily from the FDIC-assisted acquisitions of the assets of Sun Security Bank in October 2011 and InterBank in April 2012.

Interest income decreased $5.7 million as a result of lower average interest rates on loans.  The average yield on loans decreased from 8.63% during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 7.57% during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  This decrease was due to 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 each quarter beginning with the third quarter of 2010, based on the payment histories and reduced loss expectations of the loan pools, resulting in a total of $104.8 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 each quarter since the third quarter of 2010, resulting in a total of $90.7 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 quarters ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the adjustments increased interest income by $10.0 million and $14.2 million, respectively, and decreased non-interest income by $8.2 million and $12.7 million, respectively.  The net impact to pre-tax income was $1.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for

 
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the quarters ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  Because the adjustments will be recognized over the estimated remaining lives of the loan pools and the remainder of the loss sharing agreements, respectively, they will impact future periods as well.  As of September 30, 2012, the remaining accretable yield adjustment that will affect interest income is $12.8 million and the remaining adjustment to the indemnification assets that will affect non-interest income (expense) is $(11.0) million.  Of the remaining adjustments, we expect to recognize $3.5 million of interest income and $(2.9) million of non-interest income (expense) in the remainder of 2012.  These amounts do not account for any adjustments that may occur relating to the InterBank transaction, which was completed on April 27, 2012.  Additional adjustments may be recorded in future periods from the 2009, 2011 and 2012 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 5.88% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, up slightly from 5.79% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, as a result of the slightly higher yield of the loans added in the 2012 FDIC-assisted acquisition, partially offset by both normal amortization of higher-rate loans and new loans that were made at current lower market rates.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, interest income on loans decreased due to lower average interest rates, partially offset by higher average balances. Interest income decreased $23.9 million as a result of lower average interest rates on loans.  The average yield on loans decreased from 8.73% during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 7.22% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  This decrease was due to a decrease in additional yield accretion recognized in conjunction with the fair value of the loan pools acquired in the 2009 and 2011 FDIC-assisted transactions as discussed above for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and as previously discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  The adjustments increased interest income by $24.1 million and decreased non-interest income by $19.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, for a net impact of $4.8 million to pre-tax income.  Apart from the yield accretion, the average yield on loans was 5.82% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, down from 6.02% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Interest income increased $20.9 million as the result of higher average loan balances which increased from $1.95 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $2.30 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The higher average balance resulted primarily from the FDIC-assisted acquisitions of the assets of Sun Security Bank in October 2011 and InterBank in April 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, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011. Interest income decreased $1.1 million due to a decrease in average interest rates from 2.44% during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 1.73% during the three months ended September 30, 2012. Interest income was only slightly changed as a result of an increase in average balances from $1.09 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $1.27 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Average balances of securities decreased slightly due primarily to the normal monthly payments received on the portfolio of mortgage-backed securities while average interest-earning deposits increased due to an increase in average interest-bearing deposits, primarily due to the Sun Security Bank and InterBank acquisitions.


 
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Interest income on investments and other interest-earning assets decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Interest income decreased $2.8 million as a result of a decrease in average interest rates from 2.37% during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 1.90% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Interest income increased $747,000 as a result of an increase in average balances from $1.16 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $1.30 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  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, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $485.2 million compared to $380.2 million at December 31, 2011.  The increase in cash and cash equivalents during the period resulted from the cash acquired through the InterBank acquisition, in addition to excess liquidity resulting from increased deposits, slower loan demand, and proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities.  See "Net Interest Income" for additional information on the impact of this interest activity.

Total Interest Expense

Total interest expense decreased $1.4 million, or 17.1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2012, when compared with the three months ended September 30, 2011, due to a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $1.0 million, or 16.8%, a decrease in interest expense on FHLBank advances of $296,000, or 22.4%, and a decrease in interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings of $112,000, or 15.0%, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts of $15,000, or 10.7%.

Total interest expense decreased $4.3 million, or 16.0%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, when compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to a decrease in interest expense on deposits of $3.6 million, or 17.8%, a decrease in interest expense on FHLBank advances of $490,000, or 12.5%, a decrease in interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings of $256,000, or 11.4%, slightly offset by an increase in interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts of $48,000, or 11.4%.

Interest Expense – Deposits

Interest expense on demand deposits decreased $912,000 due to a decrease in average rates from 0.74% during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 0.45% during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The average interest rates decreased due to lower overall market rates of interest since September 30, 2011 and because the Company chose to pay lower rates during the three months ended September 30, 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011. 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 increased $773,000 due to an increase in average balances from $1.00 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $1.54 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The increase in average balances of demand deposits was primarily a result of the Sun Security Bank and InterBank acquisitions and customer preference to transition from time deposits to demand deposits.

Interest expense on demand deposits decreased $1.9 million due to a decrease in average rates from 0.75% during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 0.54% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Interest expense on demand deposits increased $1.7 million due to an increase in average balances from $1.07 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $1.43 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The reasons for these changes in the comparable nine-month periods are the same as those described previously for the comparable three-month periods.

 
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Interest expense on time deposits decreased $1.5 million as a result of a decrease in average rates of interest from 1.40% during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 0.96% during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  A large portion of the Company’s certificate of deposit portfolio matures within one year and therefore reprices fairly quickly; this is consistent with the portfolio over the past several years.  Interest expense on time deposits increased $592,000 due to an increase in average balances of time deposits from $1.21 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $1.39 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  As previously mentioned, the increase in average balances of time deposits was due to the Sun Security Bank and InterBank acquisitions and was partially offset by  customer preference to transition from time deposits to demand deposits.

Interest expense on time deposits decreased $5.2 million due to a decrease in average rates from 1.52% during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 1.04% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Interest expense on time deposits increased $1.7 million due to an increase in average balances from $1.26 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $1.39 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The reasons for these changes in the comparable nine-month periods are the same as those described previously for the comparable three-month periods.  Also offsetting the increase in average balances was the redemption of brokered deposits that matured during the first quarter.

The Dodd-Frank Act repealed the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts beginning July 21, 2011. Although the ultimate impact of this legislation on the Company has not yet been determined, the Company expects interest costs associated with demand deposits may increase as a result of competitor responses to this change.

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, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011, interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased due to lower average interest rates and lower average balances.  Interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased $182,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $152 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $130 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012. This decrease was primarily due to repayments of maturing advances.  Interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased $114,000 due to a decrease in average interest rates from 3.45% in the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 3.14% in the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Most of the remaining advances are fixed-rate and are subject to penalty if paid off prior to maturity.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased due to lower average interest rates and lower average balances.  Interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased $477,000 due to a decrease in average interest rates from 3.44% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 3.02% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Interest expense on FHLBank advances decreased $13,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $152 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $151 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.


 
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Interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings decreased $122,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $301 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $253 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The decrease in balances of short-term borrowings 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 short-term and structured repo borrowings increased $10,000 due to an increase in average rates on short-term borrowings from 0.98% in the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 1.00% in the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The overall average interest rate did not decrease in the 2012 period compared to the 2011 period even though the actual interest expense did decrease.  The rates paid and the average balance of securities sold under repurchase agreements both decreased in 2012; however, the rates paid on these repurchase agreements is very low compared to the rate paid on the structured repo borrowing.  The change in mix of balances between the two categories, along with the rates paid on each, resulted in little change to the overall effective interest rate.

Interest expense on short-term and structured repo borrowings decreased $301,000 due to a decrease in average balances from $305 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $265 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in balances of short-term borrowings 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 short-term and structured repo borrowings increased $45,000 due to an increase in average rates on short-term borrowings from 0.98% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 1.00% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts increased $15,000 due to an increase in average rates from 1.79% in the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 1.98% in the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts increased $48,000 due to an increase in average rates from 1.82% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 2.02% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  These debentures are not subject to an interest rate swap; however, they are variable-rate debentures and 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, 2012 increased $1.6 million to $43.2 million compared to $41.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Net interest margin was 4.75% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to 5.37% in the three months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of 62 basis points, or 11.5%.  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, 2012 and 2011 were increases in interest income of $10.0 million and $14.2 million, respectively, and increases in net interest margin of 109 basis points and 184 basis points, respectively.  Excluding the positive impact of the additional yield accretion, net interest margin increased thirteen basis points during the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily due to decreases in the rates paid on deposits.  During 2011 and 2012, lower-rate transaction deposits increased as customers added to existing accounts or new customer accounts were opened, while higher-rate brokered deposits decreased and retail time deposits renewed at lower rates of interest.  While retail certificates of deposit increased over the year-ago quarter because of the deposits assumed in the Sun Security Bank and InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisitions, those assumed were at relatively low market rates.  The former InterBank generally paid above-market rates on its certificates of deposit.  We have elected to reduce those rates as deposits have matured.  The Company has also experienced decreases in yield 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 originated are at rates which are lower than the rates on those repaying loans and may be lower than existing portfolio rates.


 
57
 
 


The Company's overall interest rate spread decreased 53 basis points, or 10.2%, from 5.22% during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to 4.69% during the three months ended September 30, 2012. The gross change was due to a 93 basis point decrease in the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and a 40 basis point decrease in the weighted average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities. In comparing the two periods, the yield on loans decreased 106 basis points while the yield on investment securities and other interest-earning assets decreased 71 basis points. The rate paid on deposits decreased 41 basis points, the rate paid on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts increased 19 basis points, the rate paid on FHLBank advances decreased 31 basis points and the rate paid on short-term borrowings increased two basis points.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased $789,000 to $120.5 million compared to $121.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Net interest margin was 4.47% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to 5.21% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of 74 basis points, or 14.2%.  The Company's overall interest rate spread decreased 70 basis points, or 13.8%, from 5.09% during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to 4.39% during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The gross change was due to a 105 basis point decrease in the weighted average rate paid on interest-earning assets, and a 35 basis point decrease in the weighted average yield on interest-bearing liabilities.  In comparing the two periods, the yield on loans decreased 151 basis points while the yield on investment securities and other interest-earning assets decreased 46 basis points. The rate paid on deposits decreased 38 basis points, the rate paid on FHLBank advances decreased 42 basis points, the rate paid on subordinated debentures issued to capital trusts increased 20 basis points and the rate paid on short-term borrowings increased two 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

The provision for loan losses decreased $100,000, from $8.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011, to $8.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The provision for loan losses increased $11.0 million from $25.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, to $36.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  At September 30, 2012, the allowance for loan losses was $40.3 million, a decrease of $925,000 from December 31, 2011.  Net charge-offs were $8.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012, versus $8.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Net charge-offs were $37.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, versus $26.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. One relationship accounted for $5.5 million of the net charge-off total for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Seven relationships accounted for $22.7 million of the net charge-off total for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  General market conditions, and more specifically, housing supply, absorption rates and unique circumstances related to individual borrowers and projects contributed to increased provisions and charge-offs.  As loans were categorized as potential problem loans, non-performing loans or foreclosed assets, evaluations were made of the value of the properties securing these assets with corresponding charge-offs as appropriate.

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, regular reviews by internal staff and regulatory examinations.


 
58
 
 


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. More recently, additional procedures have been implemented to provide for more frequent management review of the loan portfolio based on loan size, loan type and delinquencies.  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.

Loans acquired in the TeamBank, Vantus Bank, Sun Security Bank and InterBank  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.  At September 30, 2012, six Vantus Bank loan pools and three TeamBank loans pools exhibited risk of loss and had allowances for loan losses totaling $146,000.  These loan pools were acquired through FDIC-assisted transactions, and because of the loss sharing agreements for the transactions, this amount represents the 20% of the anticipated loss that would be ultimately borne by the Bank.

The Bank's allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans, excluding loans covered by the FDIC loss sharing agreements, was 2.22% and 2.33% at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Management considers the allowance for loan losses adequate to cover losses inherent in the Company's loan portfolio at September 30, 2012, based on recent reviews of the Company's loan portfolio and current economic conditions.  If economic conditions remain weak or deteriorate significantly, 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 and 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 substantially cover principal losses that may be incurred in these portfolios.  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 TeamBank, Vantus Bank and Sun Security Bank FDIC-covered loan pools has been better than original expectations as of the acquisition dates. Because of the recent acquisition date for the InterBank FDIC-covered loan pools, original performance expectations have not materially changed.


 
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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, 2012, were $76.9 million, an increase of $2.5 million from $74.4 million at December 31, 2011. Non-performing assets, excluding FDIC-covered assets, as a percentage of total assets were 1.89% at September 30, 2012, compared to 1.96% at December 31, 2011.

Compared to December 31, 2011, non-performing loans decreased $2.1 million to $25.4 million and foreclosed assets increased $4.6 million to $51.5 million.  Construction and land development loans comprised $7.7 million, or 30.2%, of the total $25.4 million of non-performing loans at September 30, 2012, compared with $9.3 million, or 33.9%, of the total $27.5 million of non-performing loans at December 31, 2011.  Non-performing commercial real estate loans were $2.8 million, or 11.1%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2012, compared with $6.2 million, or 22.6%, at December 31, 2011, a decrease of $3.4 million.  Non-performing one-to-four-family residential loans were $6.1 million, or 24.2%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2012, compared with $7.3 million, or 26.6%, at December 31, 2011.

Non-performing Loans.  Non-performing loans have increased since the economic recession began in 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, economic growth was slow and because of this, we experienced continued higher levels of activity in non-performing loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Activity in the non-performing loans category during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was as follows:

               
Removed
   
Transfers to
                         
   
Beginning
   
Additions
   
from
   
Potential
   
Transfers to
               
Ending
 
   
Balance,
   
to Non-
   
Non-
   
Problem
   
Foreclosed
   
Charge-
         
Balance,
 
   
January 1
   
Performing
   
Performing
   
Loans
   
Assets
   
Offs
   
Payments
   
September 30
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family construction
  $ --     $ --     $ --     $ --     $ --     $ --     $ --     $ --  
Subdivision construction
    6,661       3,465       (196 )     --       (2,882 )     (2,761 )     (3,517 )     770  
Land development
    2,655       8,451       --       --       (2,220 )     (1,629 )     (370 )     6,887  
Commercial construction
    --       --       --       --       --       --       --       --  
One- to four-family residential
    7,424       5,292       (310 )     (1,171 )     (2,156 )     (1,197 )     (1,747 )     6,135  
Other residential
    --       4,214       --       --       --       (1,264 )     --       2,950  
Commercial real estate
    6,204       6,650       --       --       (5,978 )     (3,202 )     (849 )     2,825  
Commercial business
    3,472       2,738       --       (6 )     (18 )     (712 )     (960 )     4,514  
Consumer
    1,081       2,069       (134 )     (603 )     (237 )     (339 )     (567 )     1,270  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 27,497     $ 32,879     $ (640 )   $ (1,780 )   $ (13,491 )   $ (11,104 )   $ (8,010 )   $ 25,351  

At September 30, 2012, the land development category included nine loans, of which five were added during the quarter.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during the current quarter, was $2.9 million, or 42.0% of the total category, and was collateralized by land located in the Rogers, Ark. area.  The one- to four-family residential category included 35 loans, nine of which were added during the quarter.  The commercial real estate category included six loans, four of which were added during the quarter.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during the current quarter, was $1.6 million, or 55.2% of the total category, and was collateralized by an office building located in the Branson, Mo. area.  The commercial business category included seven loans, none of which were added during the quarter.

Potential Problem Loans.  Potential problem loans have increased since the economic recession began in 2008.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we experienced continued higher levels of additions to potential problem loans.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, $63.5 million of loans were added to potential problem loans and approximately one-third of the additions were in the land development and subdivision construction categories.  Compared to December 31, 2011, potential problem loans decreased $10.1 million, or 18.7%.  This decrease was partially due to $27.0 million of loans being transferred to non-performing loan categories and $19.7

 
60
 
 


million in charge-offs.  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, 2012, was as follows:

               
Removed
                               
   
Beginning
   
Additions to
   
from
   
Transfers to
   
Transfers to
               
Ending
 
   
Balance,
   
Potential
   
Potential
   
Non-
   
Foreclosed
   
Charge-
         
Balance,
 
   
January 1
   
Problem
   
Problem
   
Performing
   
Assets
   
Offs
   
Payments
   
September 30
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family construction
  $ 144     $ 687     $ --     $ (142 )   $ --     $ --     $ (77 )   $ 612  
Subdivision construction
    6,024       7,896       (728 )     (2,931 )     (3,553 )     (4,539 )     (771 )     1,398  
Land development
    3,691       15,214       (3,450 )     (6,919 )     (804 )     (6,588 )     (344 )     800  
Commercial construction
    --       --       --       --       --       --       --       --  
One- to four-family residential
    7,665       6,484       (3,124 )     (3,922 )     (177 )     (117 )     (845 )     5,964  
Other residential
    7,640       16,482       (7,900 )     (4,852 )     (2,511 )     (1,478 )     (900 )     6,481  
Commercial real estate
    25,799       14,244       (531 )     (5,413 )     --       (5,841 )     (559 )     27,699  
Commercial business
    3,318       2,144       (604 )     (2,774 )     --       (1,136 )     (25 )     923  
Consumer
    45       359       (26 )     (7 )     (4 )     (3 )     (67 )     297  
                                                                 
Total
  $ 54,326     $ 63,510     $ (16,363 )   $ (26,960 )   $ (7,049 )   $ (19,702 )   $ (3,588 )   $ 44,174  

At September 30, 2012, the commercial real estate category of potential problem loans included 22 loans.  The largest three relationships in this category, one of which was added during the quarter, had balances of $5.0 million, $4.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively, or 47.9% of the total category.  The relationship added during the current quarter was collateralized by property located in St. Louis, Mo.  Both of the other relationships were collateralized by properties located in southwest Missouri.  The one- to four-family residential category included 51 loans, 12 of which were added during the current quarter.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during the quarter ended December 31, 2011, and included 14 loans, totaled $1.0 million, or 17.3% of the total category, and was collateralized by over 30 separate properties located in southwest Missouri.   Another relationship in this category, which was added during the current quarter, included three loans, totaling $983,000, or 16.5% of the total category, and was collateralized by multiple properties located in Springfield, Mo.  The other residential category included four loans, one of which was added during the current quarter.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during the current quarter, totaled $3.7 million, or 57.7% of the total category, and was collateralized by apartments located in the St. Louis, Mo. area.  The subdivision construction category included six loans, one of which was added during the current quarter.  The largest relationship in this category, which was added during a previous quarter, had a balance of $437,000, or 31.2% of the total category, and was collateralized by lots in the Joplin, Mo. area.

Foreclosed Assets.  Of the total $74.0 million of foreclosed assets at September 30, 2012, $22.5 million represents the fair value of foreclosed assets acquired in the FDIC-assisted transactions in 2009, 2011 and 2012.  These acquired foreclosed assets are subject to the 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, 2012, economic growth was slow and real estate markets 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, 2012.  Because sales of foreclosed properties have been slower than additions, total foreclosed assets increased.  Activity in foreclosed assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was as follows:

 
61
 
 



   
Beginning
                     
ORE
   
Ending
 
   
Balance,
         
ORE
   
Capitalized
   
Write-
   
Balance,
 
   
January 1
   
Additions
   
Sales
   
Costs
   
Downs
   
September 30
 
   
(In Thousands)
 
One- to four-family construction
  $ 1,630     $ 27     $ (1,296 )   $ 206     $ (36 )   $ 531  
Subdivision construction
    15,573       6,361       (3,866 )     --       (201 )     17,867  
Land development
    13,634       136       (517 )     45       (188 )     13,110  
Commercial construction
    2,747       3,764       --       --       --       6,511  
One- to four-family residential
    1,849       2,689       (2,597 )     11       (217 )     1,735  
Other residential
    7,853       1,683       (127 )     12       (837 )     8,584  
Commercial real estate
    2,290       5,718       (4,681 )     --       (694 )     2,633  
Commercial business
    85       90       --       --       --       175  
Consumer
    1,211       869       (1,711 )     --       --       369  
                                                 
Total
  $ 46,872     $ 21,337     $ (14,795 )   $ 274     $ (2,173 )   $ 51,515  

At September 30, 2012, the subdivision construction category of foreclosed assets included 48 properties, the largest of which was located in the St. Louis, Mo. metropolitan area and had a balance of $3.6 million, or 19.9% of the total category.  Of the total dollar amount in the subdivision construction category, 18.3% and 15.4% is located in Springfield, Mo., and Branson, Mo., respectively.  The land development category of foreclosed assets included 20 properties, the largest of which had a balance of $2.8 million, or 21.6% of the total category.  Of the total dollar amount in the land development category, 45.2% and 37.3% is located in the Branson, Mo., area and in northwest Arkansas, respectively, including the largest property previously mentioned.

Non-interest Income

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, non-interest income increased $5.1 million to $3.9 million when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the following items:

Amortization of indemnification asset:  As previously described in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, due to the increase in cash flows expected to be collected from the TeamBank, Vantus Bank and Sun Security Bank FDIC-covered loan portfolios, $8.2 million of amortization (expense) was recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2012, relating to reductions of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, which are recorded as indemnification assets.  This amortization (expense) amount was down $4.5 million from the $12.7 million that was recorded in the quarter ended September 30, 2011, relating to reductions of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.  In addition, the Bank had additional income from the accretion of the discount on the indemnification assets related to the FDIC-assisted acquisitions involving Sun Security Bank, which was completed in October 2011, and InterBank, which was completed in April 2012.

Gains on sales of single-family loans: An increase of $661,000 in gains was recorded as originations (primarily refinancings) of fixed-rate loans increased due to lower fixed rates and were then sold in the secondary market during the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.

Interest rate derivative income:  The Company recognized non-interest income of $303,000 during the period related to its matched book interest rate derivatives program.  The Company provides interest rate derivatives to certain qualifying customers in order to facilitate their respective interest rate management objectives.  Those interest rate swaps are economically 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.  However, the Company does not account for these transactions as hedges.  The Company earns non-interest income related to the derivatives it provides to its customers, which represents compensation for credit risk and administrative costs associated with making a market in derivatives..

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, non-interest income increased $55.4 million to $50.3 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the following items:

 
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InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition:  The Bank recognized a preliminary one-time gain on the FDIC-assisted acquisition of InterBank of $31.3 million (pre-tax) during the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

Amortization of indemnification asset:  As previously described in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, due to the increase in cash flows expected to be collected from the TeamBank, Vantus Bank and Sun Security Bank FDIC-covered loan portfolios, $19.3 million of amortization (expense) was recorded in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, relating to reductions of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, which are recorded as indemnification assets. This amortization (expense) amount was down $16.2 million from the $35.5 million that was recorded in the period ended September 30, 2011, relating to reductions of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC.  In addition, the Bank had additional income from the accretion of the discount on the indemnification assets related to the FDIC-assisted acquisitions involving Sun Security Bank, which was completed in October 2011, and InterBank which was completed in April 2012.

Gains on sales of single-family loans: An increase of $1.3 million in gains was recorded as originations (primarily refinancings) of fixed-rate loans increased due to lower fixed rates and were then sold in the secondary market during the first nine months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.

Tax credits:  The Bank sold or utilized several state tax credits during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, which resulted in a gain of $1.0 million.

Interest rate derivative income:  The Company recognized non-interest income of $793,000 during the period related to its matched book interest rate derivatives program.  The Company provides interest rate derivatives to certain qualifying customers in order to facilitate their respective interest rate management objectives.  Those interest rate swaps are economically 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.  However, the Company does not account for these transactions as hedges.  The Company earns non-interest income related to the derivatives it provides to its customers, which represents compensation for credit risk and administrative costs associated with making a market in derivatives.

Securities gains and impairments:  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized a net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities of $1.8 million, an increase of $1.7 million from the net gain $83,000 recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Certain securities were sold during the quarter ended June 30, 2012, and a gain of $1.3 million was realized. That gain was partially offset by an impairment charge of $262,000 on a non-agency collateralized mortgage obligation.
 
During the quarter ending December 31, 2012, the Company expects to record gains totaling approximately $6.8 million (pre-tax) from the pending sales of its Great Southern Travel and Great Southern Insurance divisions.  The absence of revenues from these divisions following the sales will have the effect of reducing the Company’s non-interest income in future periods. See Note 14 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the pending sales of the insurance and travel divisions and regarding the effect these divisions had on the Company’s results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011.

Non-interest Expense

For the three months ended September 30, 2012, non-interest expense increased $7.8 million to $30.9 million, when compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase was primarily due to the following items:

Amortization of tax credits:  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 quarter ended September 30, 2012, tax credits used to reduce the Company’s tax expense totaled $1.6 million, up $1.4 million from $200,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.  These tax credits resulted in corresponding amortization expense (reflected in other operating expenses in the income statement) of $1.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2012, up $848,000 from $352,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. 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.


 
63
 
 


Foreclosure-related expenses:  Expenses on foreclosed assets increased $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011, due primarily to an increase in the loss on sale of real estate of $1.8 million, which includes an increase in write-downs on ORE of $696,000.  Expenses on foreclosed properties increased $455,000 due to higher levels of foreclosed properties held.  This amount was partially offset by an increase in the accretion of the discount on foreclosed assets acquired through the 2009, 2011 and 2012 FDIC-assisted acquisitions of $574,000.

Sun Security Bank FDIC-assisted acquisition:  Non-interest expense increased $1.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011, due to operating costs related to the operations acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisition involving the former Sun Security Bank on October 7, 2011.

InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition:  Non-interest expense increased $1.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011, due to operating costs related to the operations acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisition involving the former InterBank on April 27, 2012.  Of this amount, $970,000 related to non-recurring acquisition-related expenses incurred during the quarter, primarily related to salaries and benefits ($221,000) and computer license and support ($491,000).

New banking centers:  Continued internal growth of the Company since the quarter ended September 30, 2011, caused an increase in non-interest expense during the quarter ended September 30, 2012.  The Company opened two retail banking centers in the St. Louis, Mo., market area – one in O’Fallon, Mo., in February 2012 and one in Affton, Mo., in December 2011. The operation of these two new locations increased non-interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, by $147,000 over the same period in 2011.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, non-interest expense increased $21.0 million to $87.7 million, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase was primarily due to the following items:

Amortization of tax credits:  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, tax credits used to reduce the Company’s tax expense totaled $4.8 million, up $3.6 million from $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  These tax credits resulted in corresponding amortization expense (reflected in other operating expenses in the income statement) of $3.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, up $1.5 million from $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. 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.

Foreclosure-related expenses:  Expenses on foreclosed assets increased $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, due primarily to an increase in the loss on sale of real estate of $2.0 million, which includes an increase in write-downs on ORE of $1.6 million. Expenses on foreclosed properties increased $701,000 due to higher levels of foreclosed properties held. These amounts were partially offset by an increase in the accretion of the discount on foreclosed assets acquired through the 2009, 2011 and 2012 FDIC-assisted acquisitions of $1.4 million.  

Sun Security Bank FDIC-assisted acquisition:  Non-interest expense increased $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, due to operating costs related to the operations acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisition involving the former Sun Security Bank on October 7, 2011. Of this amount, $497,000 related to non-recurring acquisition-related costs incurred during the first quarter of 2012, primarily salaries ($127,000) and occupancy and equipment expenses ($215,000).


 
64
 
 


InterBank FDIC-assisted acquisition:  Non-interest expense increased $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, due to operating costs related to the operations acquired in the FDIC-assisted acquisition involving the former InterBank on April 27, 2012.  Of this amount, $2.5 million related to non-recurring acquisition-related expenses incurred during the second and third quarters of 2012, primarily related to salaries and benefits ($710,000), computer license and support ($627,000) and legal and other professional fees ($442,000).

New banking centers:  Continued internal growth of the Company since the nine months ended September 30, 2011, caused an increase in non-interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The Company opened two retail banking centers in the St. Louis, Mo., market area – one in O’Fallon, Mo., in February 2012 and one in Affton, Mo., in December 2011. The operation of these two new locations increased non-interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, by $493,000 over the same period in 2011.

The Company’s efficiency ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2012, was 65.45% compared to 56.93% for the same period in 2011.  The efficiency ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, was 51.36% compared to 57.48% for the same period in 2011.  The increase in the ratio in the 2012 three-month period was primarily due to the increases in non-interest expense described above.  The decrease in the ratio in the 2012 nine-month period was primarily due to the gain recognized on the FDIC-assisted acquisition, partially offset by increases in non-interest expense described above.  The Company’s ratio of non-interest expense to average assets increased from 2.70% and 2.58% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, to 3.04% and 2.92% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The increase in the current period ratios was due to higher expenses in the 2012 periods, as described above.  Average assets for the three months ended September 30, 2012 increased $645 million, or 18.9%, from the three months ended September 30, 2011.  Average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, increased $564 million, or 16.4%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
As described in Note 14 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has entered into agreements to sell its Great Southern Travel and Great Southern Insurance divisions.  The absence of expenses for these divisions following the sales will have the effect of reducing the Company’s non-interest expense in future periods.  See Note 14 for additional information regarding the pending sales of the insurance and travel divisions and regarding the effect these divisions had on the Company’s results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011.

Provision for Income Taxes

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company’s effective tax rates were 9.9% and 22.9%, respectively, which were lower than the base corporate tax rate, 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. The Company’s tax rate, however, was higher than in recent periods in the nine months ended September 30, 2012, due to the significant gain recognized on the FDIC-assisted transaction completed in the quarter ended June 30, 2012.  In future periods, the Company expects its effective tax rate will be approximately 10%-18% if 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 and the level of tax-exempt investments and loans.  The Company’s effective tax rates were 27.6% and 24.8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, due to the effects of tax-exempt investments and tax-exempt loans which reduced the Company’s effective tax rate.

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 $814,000 and $555,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Fees included in interest income were $2.3 million and $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, 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,
   
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
2012(2)
   
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
 
Yield/
   
Average
       
Yield/
 
Average
       
Yield/
 
 
Rate
   
Balance
   
Interest
 
Rate
 
Balance
   
Interest
 
Rate
 
       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                 
Loans receivable:
                                 
  One- to four-family residential
5.11
%
 
$
494,883
   
$
7,656
 
6.15
%
$
305,348
   
$
5,684
 
7.39
%
  Other residential
4.98
     
328,510
     
4,582
 
5.55
   
257,646
     
3,997
 
6.15
 
  Commercial real estate
5.32
     
774,541
     
13,086
 
6.72
   
698,642
     
14,857
 
8.44
 
  Construction
5.15
     
196,038
     
5,673
 
11.51
   
255,787
     
7,587
 
11.77
 
  Commercial business
5.38
     
230,955
     
6,901
 
11.89
   
196,578
     
5,878
 
11.86
 
  Other loans
6.37
     
269,508
     
5,939
 
8.77
   
208,882
     
4,272
 
8.11
 
  Industrial revenue bonds (1)
5.88
     
50,941
     
769
 
6.01
   
68,156
     
1,011
 
5.89
 
                                           
Total loans receivable
5.56
     
2,345,376
     
44,606
 
7.57
   
1,991,039
     
43,286
 
8.63
 
                                           
Investment securities (1)
3.02
     
815,972
     
5,366
 
2.62
   
828,484
     
6,595
 
3.16
 
Other interest-earning assets
0.14
     
458,747
     
187
 
0.16
   
257,107
     
84
 
0.13
 
                                           
Total interest-earning assets
4.42
     
3,620,095
     
50,159
 
5.51
   
3,076,630
     
49,965
 
6.44
 
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                         
  Cash and cash equivalents
       
85,198
               
73,952
             
  Other non-earning assets
       
353,879
               
263,598
             
Total assets
     
$
4,059,172
             
$
3,414,180
             
                                           
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                         
Interest-bearing demand and savings
0.35
   
$
1,541,897
     
1,725
 
0.45
 
$
1,000,382
     
1,864
 
0.74
 
Time deposits
1.04
     
1,394,932
     
3,367
 
0.96
   
1,205,885
     
4,256
 
1.40
 
Total deposits
0.67
     
2,936,829
     
5,092
 
0.69
   
2,206,267
     
6,120
 
1.10
 
Short-term borrowings and structured
                                         
  repurchase agreements
0.99
     
253,367
     
634
 
1.00
   
301,185
     
746
 
0.98
 
Subordinated debentures issued to
                                         
  capital trusts
2.01
     
30,929
     
155
 
1.98
   
30,929
     
140
 
1.79
 
FHLB advances
3.63
     
129,793
     
1,023
 
3.14
   
151,749
     
1,319
 
3.45
 
                                           
Total interest-bearing liabilities
0.82
     
3,350,918
     
6,904
 
0.82
   
2,690,130
     
8,325
 
1.22
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                         
  Demand deposits
       
344,952
               
390,192
             
  Other liabilities
       
3,633
               
12,664
             
Total liabilities
       
3,699,503
               
3,092,986
             
Stockholders’ equity
       
359,669
               
321,194
             
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
     
$
4,059,172
             
$
3,414,180
             
                                           
Net interest income:
                                         
  Interest rate spread
3.60%
           
$
43,255
 
4.69
%
       
$
41,640
 
5.22
%
  Net interest margin*
                   
4.75
%
             
5.37
%
Average interest-earning assets to
                           
 
           
  average interest-bearing liabilities
       
108.0
%
             
114.4
%            


 
 
 
66
 
 



_____________________
*
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 $85.7 million and $102.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition, average tax-exempt loans and industrial revenue bonds were $38.1 million and $43.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest income on tax-exempt assets included in this table was $1.3 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest income net of disallowed interest expense related to tax-exempt assets was $1.2 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(2)
 
The yield/rate on loans at September 30, 2012 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, 2012.


 
 
 
67
 
 



 
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
2012(2)
   
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2011
 
 
Yield/
   
Average
       
Yield/
 
Average
       
Yield/
 
 
Rate
   
Balance
   
Interest
 
Rate
 
Balance
   
Interest
 
Rate
 
       
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                                 
Loans receivable:
                                 
  One- to four-family residential
5.11
%
 
$
448,813
   
$
22,316
 
6.64
%
$
308,292
   
$
17,560
 
7.62
%
  Other residential
4.98
     
311,466
     
13,609
 
5.84
   
249,112
     
11,340
 
6.09
 
  Commercial real estate
5.32
     
782,085
     
40,661
 
6.94
   
669,835
     
41,291
 
8.24
 
  Construction
5.15
     
225,785
     
15,150
 
8.96
   
263,700
     
25,676
 
13.02
 
  Commercial business
5.38
     
225,263
     
15,550
 
9.22
   
183,295
     
16,176
 
11.80
 
  Other loans
6.37
     
251,010
     
14,700
 
7.82
   
209,146
     
12,483
 
7.98
 
  Industrial revenue bonds (1)
5.88
     
58,811
     
2,586
 
5.87
   
70,320
     
3,087
 
5.87
 
                                           
Total loans receivable
5.56
     
2,303,233
     
124,572
 
7.22
   
1,953,700
     
127,613
 
8.73
 
                                           
Investment securities (1)
3.02
     
860,701
     
17,923
 
2.78
   
835,251
     
20,117
 
3.22
 
Other interest-earning assets
0.14
     
435,987
     
563
 
0.17
   
324,037
     
419
 
0.17
 
                                           
Total interest-earning assets
4.42
     
3,599,921
     
143,058
 
5.31
   
3,112,988
     
148,149
 
6.36
 
Non-interest-earning assets:
                                         
  Cash and cash equivalents
       
81,044
               
74,081
             
  Other non-earning assets
       
330,784
               
260,887
             
Total assets
     
$
4,011,749
             
$
3,447,956
             
                                           
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                                         
Interest-bearing demand and savings
0.35
   
$
1,430,777
     
5,803
 
0.54
 
$
1,067,565
     
5,990
 
0.75
 
Time deposits
1.04
     
1,390,183
     
10,860
 
1.04
   
1,257,592
     
14,277
 
1.52
 
Total deposits
0.67
     
2,820,960
     
16,663
 
0.79
   
2,325,157
     
20,267
 
1.17
 
Short-term borrowings and structured
                                         
  repurchase agreements
0.99
     
265,123
     
1,993
 
1.00
   
305,289
     
2,249
 
0.98
 
Subordinated debentures issued to
                                         
  capital trusts
2.01
     
30,929
     
468
 
2.02
   
30,929
     
420
 
1.82
 
FHLB advances
3.63
     
151,782
     
3,430
 
3.02
   
152,284
     
3,920
 
3.44
 
                                           
Total interest-bearing liabilities
0.82
     
3,268,794
     
22,554
 
0.92
   
2,813,659
     
26,856
 
1.27
 
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
                                         
  Demand deposits
       
391,594
               
302,975
             
  Other liabilities
       
4,557
               
14,268
             
Total liabilities
       
3,664,945
               
3,130,902
             
Stockholders’ equity
       
346,804
               
317,054
             
  Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
     
$
4,011,749
             
$
3,447,956
             
                                           
Net interest income:
                                         
  Interest rate spread
3.60
%
         
$
120,504
 
4.39
%
       
$
121,293
 
5.09
%
  Net interest margin*
                   
4.47
%
             
5.21
%
Average interest-earning assets to
                                         
  average interest-bearing liabilities
       
110.1
%
             
110.6
%
           


 
 
 
68
 
 



_____________________
*
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 $95.7 million and $98.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition, average tax-exempt loans and industrial revenue bonds were $40.6 million and $44.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest income on tax-exempt assets included in this table was $4.5 million and $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Interest income net of disallowed interest expense related to tax-exempt assets was $4.1 million and $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
(2)
 
The yield/rate on loans at September 30, 2012 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, 2012.

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,
 
   
2012 vs. 2011
 
   
Increase
       
   
(Decrease)
   
Total
 
   
Due to
   
Increase
 
   
Rate
   
Volume
   
(Decrease)
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                 
Loans receivable
 
$
(5,734
)
 
$
7,054
 
 
$
1,320
 
Investment securities
   
(1,130
)
   
(99
)
   
(1,229
)
Other interest-earning assets
   
25
     
78
     
103
 
  Total interest-earning assets
   
(6,839
)
   
7,033
 
   
194
 
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                       
Demand deposits
   
(912
)
   
  773
     
(139
)
Time deposits
   
(1,481
)
   
592
 
   
   (889
)
  Total deposits
   
(2,393
)
   
1,365
 
   
   (1,028
)
Short-term borrowings and structured repo
   
 10
     
(122
)
   
(112
)
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust
   
15
     
--
     
15
 
FHLBank advances
   
(114
)
   
(182
)
   
 (296
)
  Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
(2,482
)
   
1,061
 
   
   (1,421
)
Net interest income
 
$
(4,357
)
 
$
5,972
 
 
$
1,615
 


 
 
 
69
 
 



   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012 vs. 2011
 
   
Increase
       
   
(Decrease)
   
Total
 
   
Due to
   
Increase
 
   
Rate
   
Volume
   
(Decrease)
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Interest-earning assets:
                 
Loans receivable
 
$
(23,945
)
 
$
 20,904
 
 
$
(3,041
Investment securities
   
(2,796
)
   
602
 
   
(2,194
)
Other interest-earning assets
   
(1
)
   
145
     
144
 
  Total interest-earning assets
   
(26,742
)
   
21,651
 
   
(5,091
)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                       
Demand deposits
   
(1,918
)
   
  1,731
     
(187
)
Time deposits
   
(5,157
)
   
1,740
 
   
   (3,417
)
  Total deposits
   
(7,075
)
   
3,471
 
   
   (3,604
)
Short-term borrowings and structured repo
   
45
     
(301
)
   
(256
)
Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust
   
48
     
--
     
48
 
FHLBank advances
   
(477
)
   
(13
)
   
 (490
)
  Total interest-bearing liabilities
   
(7,459
)
   
3,157
 
   
   (4,302
)
Net interest income
 
$
(19,283
)
 
$
18,494
 
 
$
(789

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, 2012, the Company had commitments of approximately $194.5 million to fund loan originations, $239.6 million of unused lines of credit and unadvanced loans, and $27.0 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, 2012, the Company had these available secured lines and on-balance sheet liquidity:

Federal Home Loan Bank line
$374.9 million
Federal Reserve Bank line
$378.5 million
Cash and cash equivalents
$485.2 million
Unpledged Securities
$68.0 million


 
 
 
70
 
 


Statements of Cash Flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company had positive cash flows from operating activities.  Cash flows from investing activities were positive for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and negative for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Cash flows from financing activities were negative for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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 $137.9 million and $63.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, investing activities provided cash of $209.0 million primarily due to the net decrease in investment securities for the period.  In addition, the Company received cash from the FDIC as part of the acquisition of InterBank in an FDIC-assisted transaction.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, investing activities used cash of $144.2 million primarily due to the net increase in loans and purchases of 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 $242.0 million and $3.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, 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, 2012, the Company's total stockholders' equity was $361.8 million, or 8.9% of total assets. At September 30, 2012, common stockholders' equity was $303.9 million, or 7.5% of total assets, equivalent to a book value of $22.36 per common share. Total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2011, was $324.6 million, or 8.6%, of total assets. At December 31, 2011, common stockholders' equity was $266.6 million, or 7.0% of total assets, equivalent to a book value of $19.78 per common share.

At September 30, 2012, the Company’s tangible common equity to total assets ratio was 7.3%, compared to 6.9% at December 31, 2011. The Company’s tangible common equity to total risk-weighted assets ratio was 12.0% at September 30, 2012, compared to 11.5% at December 31, 2011.

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, 2012, the Bank's Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 13.9%,

 
 
 
71
 
 


total risk-based capital ratio was 15.2% and the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.5%. As of September 30, 2012, 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, 2012, the Company's Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 14.8%, total risk-based capital ratio was 16.0% and the Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.0%. As of September 30, 2012, the Company was "well capitalized" under the capital ratios described above.

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 (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 2011 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 2012 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 2012 is expected to be approximately 1.2%.  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.  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.

Dividends. 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 three months ended September 30, 2011, the Company declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.18 per share, or 55% 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 2011).  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company declared common stock cash dividends of $0.54 per share, or 21% of net income per common diluted share for that nine month period, and paid common stock cash dividends of $0.54 per share.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company declared common stock cash dividends of $0.54 per share,

 
 
 
72
 
 


or 50% of net income per common diluted share for that six month period, and paid common stock cash dividends of $0.54 per share. The Board of Directors meets regularly to consider the level and the timing of dividend payments.  The dividend declared but unpaid as of September 30, 2012, was paid to stockholders on October 11, 2012.  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, 2012, we satisfied this condition.

The “Tier 1 Dividend Threshold” means 90% of $272,747,865, which is the Company’s consolidated Tier 1 capital as of September 30, 2011, less the $58 million in TARP preferred stock then-outstanding and repaid on August 18, 2011, plus the $57,943,000 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 $5,794,300 (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., $201,374,000) 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, 2012, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company issued 83,180 shares of stock at an average price of $20.38 per share and 109,724 shares of stock at an average price of $19.71 per share, respectively, to cover stock option exercises.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company issued 13,699 shares of stock at an average price of $12.43 per share and 21,313 shares of stock at an average price of $12.37 per share, respectively, 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 repurchased and the price paid is the result of 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 and the price of the stock within the market as determined by the market.

 
 
 
73
 
 

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. Since the Company uses laddered brokered deposits and FHLBank advances to fund a portion of its loan growth, the Company's assets tend to reprice more quickly than its liabilities.

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, 2012, Great Southern's internal interest rate risk models indicate a one-year interest rate sensitivity gap that is neutral to slightly negative. Generally, a rate increase by the FRB would be expected to have an immediate negative impact on Great Southern’s net interest income. 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. 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 “Wall Street Journal Prime.” While these interest rate floors and prime rate adjustments 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 and the “Wall Street Journal Prime” interest rate exceeds 5.00%. If rates remain generally unchanged in the short-term, we expect that our cost of funds will continue to decrease somewhat as we continue to redeem some of our wholesale

 
 
 
74
 
 


funds. In addition, a significant portion of our retail certificates of deposit mature in the next few 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.
 
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.  Prior to December 31, 2009, the Company used interest-rate swap derivatives, primarily as an asset/liability management strategy, in order to hedge against the effects of changes in the fair value of its liabilities for fixed rate brokered certificates of deposit caused by changes in market interest rates. The swap agreements

 
 
 
75
 
 


generally provided for the Company to pay a variable rate of interest based on a spread to the one-month or three-month London Interbank Offering Rate (LIBOR) and to receive a fixed rate of interest equal to that of the hedged instrument. Under the swap agreements the Company paid or received interest monthly, quarterly, semiannually or at maturity.  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.

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, 2012, 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, 2012, 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, 2012, 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.


 
 
 
76
 
 


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 for which the relief or damages sought are substantial. 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 results of operations or stockholders' equity. We are not able to predict at this time whether the outcome of such actions may or may not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular future period as the timing and amount of any resolution of such actions and its relationship to the future results of operations are not known.

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.  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, 2011.
 
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.  Prior to our redemption of the CPP Preferred Stock, 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.”


 
 
 
77
 
 


As indicated below, no shares were purchased during the three months ended September 30, 2012.
 
               
Total Number
   
Maximum
               
of Shares
   
Number of
               
Purchased
   
Shares that
               
As Part of
   
May Yet Be
   
Total Number
   
Average
   
Publicly
   
Purchased
   
of Shares
   
Price
   
Announced
   
Under the
   
Purchased
   
Per Share
   
Plan
   
Plan(1)
                       
July 1, 2012 – July 31, 2012
   
---
   
$
----
     
---
     
396,562
 
August 1, 2012 – August 31, 2012
   
---
   
$
----
     
---
     
396,562
 
September 1, 2012 – September 30, 2012
   
---
   
$
----
     
---
     
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.

 
 
 
78
 
 


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 9, 2012
/s/ Joseph W. Turner
 
Joseph W. Turner
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: November 9, 2012
/s/ Rex A. Copeland
 
Rex A. Copeland
Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 


 
 
 
79
 
 


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, 2011 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 March 31, 2012 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, 2011 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, 2011 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.
     
(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, 2012, 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.