– Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Numerator:
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share – Net income available to common shareholders	$	29,389	$	21,999	$	50,428	$	36,478
Denominator–
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding		39,399		39,641		39,567		39,493
Effect of dilutive securities– Employee stock options and restricted stock awards		1,291		1,198		1,400		1,244
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions		40,690		40,839		40,967		40,737
Basic earnings per common share	$	.75	$	.55	$	1.27	$	.92
Diluted earnings per common share and common share equivalents	$	.72	$	.54	$	1.23	$	.90

Options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding for the

three

months and

six

months ended

June 30, 2018,

and

2017,

that were

not

included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Weighted average anti-dilutive options		753		662		420		695