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Note 5 - Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements  
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]
NOTE
5:
LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
At
September 30, 2017,
the Company’s loan portfolio was
$6.303
billion, compared to
$5.633
billion at
December 31, 2016.  
The various categories of loans are summarized as follows:
 
(In thousands)   September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2016
         
Consumer:                
Credit cards   $
176,316
    $
184,591
 
Other consumer    
317,946
     
303,972
 
Total consumer    
494,262
     
488,563
 
Real Estate:                
Construction    
515,274
     
336,759
 
Single family residential    
1,048,403
     
904,245
 
Other commercial    
2,231,223
     
1,787,075
 
Total real estate    
3,794,900
     
3,028,079
 
Commercial:                
Commercial    
688,960
     
639,525
 
Agricultural    
207,849
     
150,378
 
Total commercial    
896,809
     
789,903
 
Other    
25,341
     
20,662
 
Loans    
5,211,312
     
4,327,207
 
Loans acquired, net of discount and allowance
(1)
   
1,092,039
     
1,305,683
 
Total loans   $
6,303,351
    $
5,632,890
 
______________________
 
(
1
)
See Note
6,
Loans Acquired, for segregation of loans acquired by loan class.
 
Loan Origination/Risk Management
– The Company seeks to manage its credit risk by diversifying its loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral; obtaining and monitoring collateral; providing an adequate allowance for loans losses by regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process.  The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose and industry.  The Company seeks to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce its credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers.  Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and
may
be used to recover the debt in case of default. Furthermore, a factor that influenced the Company’s judgment regarding the allowance for loan losses consists of a
five
-year historical loss average segregated by each primary loan sector. On an annual basis, historical loss rates are calculated for each sector.
 
Consumer
– The consumer loan portfolio consists of credit card loans and other consumer loans.  Credit card loans are diversified by geographic region to reduce credit risk and minimize any adverse impact on the portfolio. Although they are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of creditworthiness, credit card loans are unsecured loans, making them more susceptible to be impacted by economic downturns resulting in increasing unemployment. Other consumer loans include direct and indirect installment loans and overdrafts.  Loans in this portfolio segment are sensitive to unemployment and other key consumer economic measures.
 
Real estate
– The real estate loan portfolio consists of construction loans, single family residential loans and commercial loans.  Construction and development loans (“C&D”) and commercial real estate loans (“CRE”) can be particularly sensitive to valuation of real estate.  Commercial real estate cycles are inevitable.  The long planning and production process for new properties and rapid shifts in business conditions and employment create an inherent tension between supply and demand for commercial properties.  While general economic trends often move individual markets in the same direction over time, the timing and magnitude of changes are determined by other forces unique to each market.  CRE cycles tend to be local in nature and longer than other credit cycles.  Factors influencing the CRE market are traditionally different from those affecting residential real estate markets; thereby making predictions for
one
market based on the other difficult.  Additionally, submarkets within commercial real estate – such as office, industrial, apartment, retail and hotel – also experience different cycles, providing an opportunity to lower the overall risk through diversification across types of CRE loans.  Management realizes that local demand and supply conditions will also mean that different geographic areas will experience cycles of different amplitude and length.  The Company monitors these loans closely.
 
Commercial
– The commercial loan portfolio includes commercial and agricultural loans, representing loans to commercial customers and farmers for use in normal business or farming operations to finance working capital needs, equipment purchase or other expansion projects.  Collection risk in this portfolio is driven by the creditworthiness of the underlying borrowers, particularly cash flow from customers’ business or farming operations.  The Company continues its efforts to keep loan terms short, reducing the negative impact of upward movement in interest rates.  Term loans are generally set up with
one
or
three
year balloons, and the Company has recently instituted a pricing mechanism for commercial loans.  It is standard practice to require personal guaranties on commercial loans for closely-held or limited liability entities.
 
Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans
– Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have
not
been received as of the date such payments were due.  Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower
may
be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions.  Loans
may
be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or
not
such loans are considered past due.  When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
 
Nonaccrual loans, excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans, are as follows:
 
(In thousands)   September 30,
2017
  December 31,
2016
         
Consumer:                
Credit cards   $
273
    $
373
 
Other consumer    
3,880
     
1,793
 
Total consumer    
4,153
     
2,166
 
Real estate:                
Construction    
2,403
     
3,411
 
Single family residential    
13,034
     
12,139
 
Other commercial    
18,811
     
12,385
 
Total real estate    
34,248
     
27,935
 
Commercial:                
Commercial    
13,827
     
7,765
 
Agricultural    
2,210
     
1,238
 
Total commercial    
16,037
     
9,003
 
Total   $
54,438
    $
39,104
 
 
An age analysis of past due loans, excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans, is as follows:
 
(In thousands)   Gross
30-89 Days
Past Due
  90 Days
or More
Past Due
  Total
Past Due
  Current   Total
Loans
  90 Days
Past Due &
Accruing
                         
September 30, 2017                                                
Consumer:                                                
Credit cards   $
655
    $
492
    $
1,147
    $
175,169
    $
176,316
    $
218
 
Other consumer    
4,870
     
2,570
     
7,440
     
310,506
     
317,946
     
4
 
Total consumer    
5,525
     
3,062
     
8,587
     
485,675
     
494,262
     
222
 
Real estate:                                                
Construction    
440
     
1,478
     
1,918
     
513,356
     
515,274
     
--
 
Single family residential    
5,516
     
4,785
     
10,301
     
1,038,102
     
1,048,403
     
--
 
Other commercial    
3,032
     
8,945
     
11,977
     
2,219,246
     
2,231,223
     
--
 
Total real estate    
8,988
     
15,208
     
24,196
     
3,770,704
     
3,794,900
     
--
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
991
     
10,745
     
11,736
     
677,224
     
688,960
     
10
 
Agricultural    
469
     
1,793
     
2,262
     
205,587
     
207,849
     
--
 
Total commercial    
1,460
     
12,538
     
13,998
     
882,811
     
896,809
     
10
 
Other    
--
     
--
     
--
     
25,341
     
25,341
     
--
 
Total   $
15,973
    $
30,808
    $
46,781
    $
5,164,531
    $
5,211,312
    $
232
 
                                                 
December 31, 2016                                                
Consumer:                                                
Credit cards   $
716
    $
275
    $
991
    $
183,600
    $
184,591
    $
275
 
Other consumer    
3,786
     
1,027
     
4,813
     
299,159
     
303,972
     
11
 
Total consumer    
4,502
     
1,302
     
5,804
     
482,759
     
488,563
     
286
 
Real estate:                                                
Construction    
1,420
     
1,246
     
2,666
     
334,093
     
336,759
     
--
 
Single family residential    
6,310
     
5,927
     
12,237
     
892,008
     
904,245
     
14
 
Other commercial    
4,212
     
6,722
     
10,934
     
1,776,141
     
1,787,075
     
--
 
Total real estate    
11,942
     
13,895
     
25,837
     
3,002,242
     
3,028,079
     
14
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
2,040
     
5,296
     
7,336
     
632,189
     
639,525
     
--
 
Agricultural    
121
     
1,215
     
1,336
     
149,042
     
150,378
     
--
 
Total commercial    
2,161
     
6,511
     
8,672
     
781,231
     
789,903
     
--
 
Other    
--
     
--
     
--
     
20,662
     
20,662
     
--
 
Total   $
18,605
    $
21,708
    $
40,313
    $
4,286,894
    $
4,327,207
    $
300
 
 
Impaired Loans
– A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will
not
receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loans, including scheduled principal and interest payments.  This includes loans that are delinquent
90
days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain other loans identified by management.  Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. Impaired loans are carried at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  
 
Impairment is evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of a similar nature and on an individual loan basis for other loans.  Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged-off when deemed uncollectible.
 
Impaired loans, net of government guarantees and excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans, are as follows:
 
(In thousands)   Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Average
Investment in Impaired
Loans
  Interest
Income
Recognized
  Average Investment in
Impaired
Loans
  Interest
Income Recognized
September 30, 2017
                      Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
Consumer:                                    
Credit cards   $
273
    $
273
    $
--
    $
273
    $
--
    $
283
    $
12
    $
292
    $
23
 
Other consumer    
4,022
     
3,880
     
--
     
3,880
     
--
     
3,314
     
23
     
2,711
     
53
 
Total consumer    
4,295
     
4,153
     
--
     
4,153
     
--
     
3,597
     
35
     
3,003
     
76
 
Real estate:                                                                        
Construction    
2,652
     
1,496
     
907
     
2,403
     
220
     
2,582
     
17
     
2,828
     
56
 
Single family residential    
13,782
     
12,450
     
584
     
13,034
     
53
     
12,878
     
85
     
12,772
     
251
 
Other commercial    
19,065
     
7,260
     
10,983
     
18,243
     
2,052
     
19,306
     
121
     
19,313
     
380
 
Total real estate    
35,499
     
21,206
     
12,474
     
33,680
     
2,325
     
34,766
     
223
     
34,913
     
687
 
Commercial:                                                                        
Commercial    
13,774
     
4,805
     
8,112
     
12,917
     
3,996
     
14,543
     
84
     
12,943
     
255
 
Agricultural    
2,184
     
1,059
     
--
     
1,059
     
--
     
1,562
     
8
     
1,645
     
32
 
Total commercial    
15,958
     
5,864
     
8,112
     
13,976
     
3,996
     
16,105
     
92
     
14,588
     
287
 
Total   $
55,752
    $
31,223
    $
20,586
    $
51,809
    $
6,321
    $
54,468
    $
350
    $
52,504
    $
1,050
 
 
December 31, 2016
                      Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
Consumer:                                    
Credit cards   $
373
    $
373
    $
--
    $
373
    $
--
    $
439
    $
--
    $
340
    $
10
 
Other consumer    
1,836
     
1,797
     
3
     
1,800
     
1
     
1,324
     
14
     
882
     
32
 
Total consumer    
2,209
     
2,170
     
3
     
2,173
     
1
     
1,763
     
14
     
1,222
     
42
 
Real estate:                                                                        
Construction    
4,275
     
1,038
     
2,374
     
3,412
     
156
     
4,474
     
44
     
4,692
     
170
 
Single family residential    
12,970
     
10,630
     
1,753
     
12,383
     
162
     
10,897
     
119
     
8,762
     
317
 
Other commercial    
20,993
     
6,891
     
7,315
     
14,206
     
99
     
18,981
     
178
     
15,113
     
547
 
Total real estate    
38,238
     
18,559
     
11,442
     
30,001
     
417
     
34,352
     
341
     
28,567
     
1,034
 
Commercial:                                                                        
Commercial    
11,848
     
2,734
     
7,573
     
10,307
     
262
     
4,402
     
59
     
3,256
     
118
 
Agricultural    
2,226
     
1,215
     
--
     
1,215
     
--
     
1,604
     
16
     
1,003
     
36
 
Total commercial    
14,074
     
3,949
     
7,573
     
11,522
     
262
     
6,006
     
75
     
4,259
     
154
 
Total   $
54,521
    $
24,678
    $
19,018
    $
43,696
    $
680
    $
42,121
    $
430
    $
34,048
    $
1,230
 
 
At
September 30, 2017,
and
December 31, 2016,
impaired loans, net of government guarantees and excluding loans acquired, totaled
$51.8
million and
$43.7
million, respectively.  Allocations of the allowance for loan losses relative to impaired loans were
$6.3
million and
$680,000
at
September 30, 2017
and
December 
31,
2016,
respectively. Approximately
$350,000
and
$1.1
million of interest income was recognized on average impaired loans of
$54.5
 million and
$52.5
million for the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017.  
Interest income recognized on impaired loans on a cash basis during the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017
and
2016
was
not
material.
 
Included in certain impaired loan categories are troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”).  When the Company restructures a loan to a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty and grants a concession that it would
not
otherwise consider, a “troubled debt restructuring” results and the Company classifies the loan as a TDR.  The Company grants various types of concessions, primarily interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.
 
Under ASC Topic
310
-
10
-
35
Subsequent Measurement
, a TDR is considered to be impaired, and an impairment analysis must be performed.  The Company assesses the exposure for each modification, either by collateral discounting or by calculation of the present value of future cash flows, and determines if a specific allocation to the allowance for loan losses is needed.
 
Once an obligation has been restructured because of such credit problems, it continues to be considered a TDR until paid in full; or, if an obligation yields a market interest rate and
no
longer has any concession regarding payment amount or amortization, then it is
not
considered a TDR at the beginning of the calendar year after the year in which the improvement takes place.  The Company returns TDRs to accrual status only if (
1
) all contractual amounts due can reasonably be expected to be repaid within a prudent period, and (
2
) repayment has been in accordance with the contract for a sustained period, typically at least
six
months.
 
The following table presents a summary of troubled debt restructurings, excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans.
 
    Accruing TDR Loans   Nonaccrual TDR Loans   Total TDR Loans
(Dollars in thousands)   Number   Balance   Number   Balance   Number   Balance
                         
September 30, 2017
                       
Real estate:                        
Construction    
--
    $
--
     
1
    $
432
     
1
    $
432
 
Single-family residential    
4
     
144
     
14
     
838
     
18
     
982
 
Other commercial    
5
     
6,877
     
3
     
6,152
     
8
     
13,029
 
Total real estate    
9
     
7,021
     
18
     
7,422
     
27
     
14,443
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
7
     
2,191
     
6
     
749
     
13
     
2,940
 
Total commercial    
7
     
2,191
     
6
     
749
     
13
     
2,940
 
Total    
16
    $
9,212
     
24
    $
8,171
     
40
    $
17,383
 
                                                 
December 31, 2016                                                
Consumer:                                                
Other consumer    
--
    $
--
     
1
    $
3
     
1
    $
3
 
Total consumer    
--
     
--
     
1
     
3
     
1
     
3
 
Real estate:                                                
Construction    
--
     
--
     
1
     
18
     
1
     
18
 
Single-family residential    
3
     
167
     
29
     
2,078
     
32
     
2,245
 
Other commercial    
23
     
9,048
     
2
     
780
     
25
     
9,828
 
Total real estate    
26
     
9,215
     
32
     
2,876
     
58
     
12,091
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
15
     
1,783
     
5
     
297
     
20
     
2,080
 
Total commercial    
15
     
1,783
     
5
     
297
     
20
     
2,080
 
Total    
41
    $
10,998
     
38
    $
3,176
     
79
    $
14,174
 
 
The following table presents loans that were restructured as TDRs during the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017
and
2016,
excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans.
 
                Modification Type    
(Dollars in thousands)   Number of
Loans
  Balance Prior
to TDR
  Balance at
September 30
  Change in
Maturity
Date
  Change in
Rate
  Financial Impact
on Date of
Restructure
                         
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
                       
Commercial:                        
Commercial    
1
    $
608
    $
607
    $
607
    $
--
    $
--
 
Total commercial    
1
     
608
     
607
     
607
     
--
     
--
 
Total    
1
    $
608
    $
607
    $
607
    $
--
    $
--
 
                                                 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016                                                
Consumer:                                                
Other consumer    
1
    $
47
    $
8
    $
8
    $
--
    $
--
 
Total consumer    
1
     
47
     
8
     
8
     
--
     
--
 
Real Estate:                                                
Single-family residential    
13
     
742
     
694
     
694
     
--
     
--
 
Other commercial    
2
     
835
     
834
     
66
     
768
     
--
 
Total real estate    
15
     
1,577
     
1,528
     
760
     
768
     
--
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
5
     
1,387
     
1,387
     
1,387
     
--
     
--
 
Total commercial    
5
     
1,387
     
1,387
     
1,387
     
--
     
--
 
Total    
21
    $
3,011
    $
2,923
    $
2,155
    $
768
    $
--
 
                                                 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017                                                
Real estate:                                                
Construction    
1
    $
456
    $
456
    $
456
    $
--
    $
--
 
Other commercial    
2
     
7,362
     
7,362
     
7,362
     
--
     
33
 
Total real estate    
3
     
7,818
     
7,818
     
7,818
     
--
     
33
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
10
     
1,419
     
1,407
     
1,368
     
39
     
--
 
Total commercial    
10
     
1,419
     
1,407
     
1,368
     
39
     
--
 
Total    
13
    $
9,237
    $
9,225
    $
9,186
    $
39
    $
33
 
                                                 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016                                                
Consumer:                                                
Other consumer    
2
    $
50
    $
11
    $
11
    $
--
    $
--
 
Total consumer    
2
     
50
     
11
     
11
     
--
     
--
 
Real estate:                                                
Single-family residential    
22
     
1,538
     
1,487
     
933
     
554
     
--
 
Other commercial    
27
     
9,797
     
9,765
     
8,633
     
1,132
     
--
 
Total real estate    
49
     
11,335
     
11,252
     
9,566
     
1,686
     
--
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
16
     
1,987
     
1,959
     
1,959
     
--
     
--
 
Total commercial    
16
     
1,987
     
1,959
     
1,959
     
--
     
--
 
Total    
67
    $
13,372
    $
13,222
    $
11,536
    $
1,686
    $
--
 
 
During the
three
months ended
September 30, 2017,
the Company modified
one
loan with a recorded investment of
$608,000
prior to modification that was deemed troubled debt restructuring.  The restructured loan was modified by changing the maturity date.  Based on the fair value of the collateral,
no
specific reserve was determined necessary for this loan.  Also, there was
no
immediate financial impact from the restructuring of the loan, as it was
not
considered necessary to charge-off interest or principal on the date of restructure.
 
During the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017,
the Company modified
13
loans with a recorded investment of
$9.2
million prior to modification which was deemed troubled debt restructuring. The restructured loans were modified by deferring amortized principal payments, changing the maturity date and requiring interest only payments for a period of
12
months. Based on the fair value of the collateral, a specific reserve of
$33,000
was determined necessary for these loans. Also, there was
no
immediate financial impact from the restructuring of these loans, as it was
not
considered necessary to charge-off interest or principal on the date of restructure.
 
During the
three
months ended
September 30, 2016,
the Company modified
21
loans with a recorded investment of
$3.0
million and during the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2016,
the Company modified
67
loans with a total recorded investment of
$13.4
million prior to modification which were deemed troubled debt restructuring.  The restructured loans were modified by changing various terms, including changing the maturity date, deferring amortized principal payments and requiring interest only payments for a period of
12
months.  Based on the fair value of the collateral, a specific reserve of
$402,000
was determined necessary for these loans.  Also, there was
no
immediate financial impact from the restructuring of these loans, as it was
not
considered necessary to charge-off interest or principal on the date of restructure.
 
There was
one
commercial real estate loan for which a payment default occurred during the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017,
and that had been modified as a TDR within
12
months or less of the payment default, excluding loans acquired. A charge off of approximately
$440,000
was recorded for this loan during the
third
quarter
2017.
There was
one
consumer loan for which a payment default occurred during the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2016,
that had been modified as a TDR within
12
months or less of the payment default, excluding loans acquired.  A charge off of
$39,000
was recorded for this loan. We define a payment default as a payment received more than
90
days after its due date.
 
In addition to the TDRs that occurred during the period provided in the preceding tables, the Company had TDRs with pre-modification loan balances of
$117,000
and
$166,500
at
September 30, 2017
and
2016,
respectively, for which other real estate owned (“OREO”) was received in full or partial satisfaction of the loans. The majority of such TDRs were in commercial real estate and residential real estate. At
September 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016,
the Company had
$1,180,000
and
$1,714,000,
respectively, of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process. At
September 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016,
the Company had
$5,275,000
and
$5,094,000,
respectively, of OREO secured by residential real estate properties.
 
Credit Quality Indicators
– As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including trends related to (i) the weighted-average risk rating of commercial and real estate loans, (ii) the level of classified commercial and real estate loans, (iii) net charge-offs, (iv) non-performing loans (see details above) and (v) the general economic conditions in the States of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Tennessee.
 
The Company utilizes a risk rating matrix to assign a risk rate to each of its commercial and real estate loans. Loans are rated on a scale of
1
to
8.
  A description of the general characteristics of the
8
risk ratings is as follows:
 
 
·
Risk Rate
1
– Pass (Excellent)
– This category includes loans which are virtually free of credit risk.  Borrowers in this category represent the highest credit quality and greatest financial strength.
 
 
·
Risk Rate
2
– Pass (Good)
- Loans under this category possess a nominal risk of default.  This category includes borrowers with strong financial strength and superior financial ratios and trends.  These loans are generally fully secured by cash or equivalents (other than those rated "excellent”).
 
 
·
Risk Rate
3
– Pass (Acceptable – Average)
- Loans in this category are considered to possess a normal level of risk.  Borrowers in this category have satisfactory financial strength and adequate cash flow coverage to service debt requirements.  If secured, the perfected collateral should be of acceptable quality and within established borrowing parameters.
 
 
·
Risk Rate
4
– Pass (Monitor)
- Loans in the Watch (Monitor) category exhibit an overall acceptable level of risk, but that risk
may
be increased by certain conditions, which represent "red flags".  These "red flags" require a higher level of supervision or monitoring than the normal "Pass" rated credit.  The borrower
may
be experiencing these conditions for the
first
time, or it
may
be recovering from weakness, which at
one
time justified a harsher rating.  These conditions
may
include: weaknesses in financial trends; marginal cash flow;
one
-time negative operating results; non-compliance with policy or borrowing agreements; poor diversity in operations; lack of adequate monitoring information or lender supervision; questionable management ability/stability.
 
 
·
Risk Rate
5
– Special Mention
- A loan in this category has potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses
may
result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institution's credit position at some future date.  Special Mention loans are
not
adversely classified (although they are "criticized") and do
not
expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.  Borrowers
may
be experiencing adverse operating trends, or an ill-proportioned balance sheet.  Non-financial characteristics of a Special Mention rating
may
include management problems, pending litigation, a non-existent, or ineffective loan agreement or other material structural weakness, and/or other significant deviation from prudent lending practices.
 
 
·
Risk Rate
6
– Substandard
- A Substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  The loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are
not
corrected.  This does
not
imply ultimate loss of the principal, but
may
involve burdensome administrative expenses and the accompanying cost to carry the loan.
 
 
·
Risk Rate
7
– Doubtful
– A loan classified Doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in a substandard loan except that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full (on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values) highly questionable and improbable. Doubtful borrowers are usually in default, lack adequate liquidity, or capital, and lack the resources necessary to remain an operating entity.  The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of specific pending events that
may
strengthen the asset, its classification as loss is deferred.  Pending factors include: proposed merger or acquisition; liquidation procedures; capital injection; perfection of liens on additional collateral; and refinancing plans.  Loans classified as Doubtful are placed on nonaccrual status.
 
 
·
Risk Rate
8
– Loss
- Loans classified Loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is
not
warranted.  This classification does
not
mean that the loans has absolutely
no
recovery or salvage value, but rather it is
not
practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless loan, even though partial recovery
may
be affected in the future.  Borrowers in the Loss category are often in bankruptcy, have formally suspended debt repayments, or have otherwise ceased normal business operations.  Loans should be classified as Loss and charged-off in the period in which they become uncollectible.
 
Loans acquired are evaluated using this internal grading system. Loans acquired are evaluated individually and include purchased credit impaired loans of
$7.9
million and
$17.8
million that are accounted for under ASC Topic
310
-
30
and are classified as substandard (Risk Rating
6
) as of
September 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016,
respectively. Of the remaining loans acquired and accounted for under ASC Topic
310
-
20,
$22.6
million and
$47.8
million were classified (Risk Ratings
6,
7
and
8
– see classified loans discussion below) at
September 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016,
respectively.
 
Purchased credit impaired loans are loans that showed evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts contractually owed. Their fair value was initially based on the estimate of cash flows, both principal and interest, expected to be collected or estimated collateral values if cash flows are
not
estimable, discounted at prevailing market rates of interest. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the fair value at acquisition is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition are
not
recognized as a yield adjustment. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment.
 
Classified loans for the Company include loans in Risk Ratings
6,
7
and
8.
Loans
may
be classified, but
not
considered impaired, due to
one
of the following reasons: (
1
) The Company has established minimum dollar amount thresholds for loan impairment testing. Loans rated
6
8
that fall under the threshold amount are
not
tested for impairment and therefore are
not
included in impaired loans.  (
2
) Of the loans that are above the threshold amount and tested for impairment, after testing, some are considered to
not
be impaired and are
not
included in impaired loans. Total classified loans, excluding loans accounted for under ASC Topic
310
-
30,
were
$130.6
million and
$166.0
 million, as of
September 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016,
respectively.
 
The following table presents a summary of loans by credit risk rating as of
September 30, 2017
and
December 31, 2016,
segregated by class of loans. Loans accounted for under ASC Topic
310
-
30
are all included in Risk Rate
1
-
4
in this table.
 
(In thousands)   Risk Rate
1-4
  Risk Rate
5
  Risk Rate
6
  Risk Rate
7
  Risk Rate
8
  Total
                         
September 30, 2017
                       
Consumer:                        
Credit cards   $
176,316
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
    $
--
    $
176,316
 
Other consumer    
313,725
     
--
     
4,221
     
--
     
--
     
317,946
 
Total consumer    
490,041
     
--
     
4,221
     
--
     
--
     
494,262
 
Real estate:                                                
Construction    
507,128
     
2,085
     
6,045
     
16
     
--
     
515,274
 
Single family residential    
1,022,886
     
2,553
     
22,675
     
289
     
--
     
1,048,403
 
Other commercial    
2,175,968
     
11,729
     
43,526
     
--
     
--
     
2,231,223
 
Total real estate    
3,705,982
     
16,367
     
72,246
     
305
     
--
     
3,794,900
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
661,635
     
6,267
     
21,057
     
1
     
--
     
688,960
 
Agricultural    
205,524
     
26
     
2,276
     
23
     
--
     
207,849
 
Total commercial    
867,159
     
6,293
     
23,333
     
24
     
--
     
896,809
 
Other    
25,341
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
25,341
 
Loans acquired    
1,051,889
     
9,673
     
29,862
     
615
     
--
     
1,092,039
 
Total   $
6,140,412
    $
32,333
    $
129,662
    $
944
    $
--
    $
6,303,351
 
 
(In thousands)   Risk Rate
1-4
  Risk Rate
5
  Risk Rate
6
  Risk Rate
7
  Risk Rate
8
  Total
                         
December 31, 2016
                       
Consumer:                        
Credit cards   $
183,943
    $
--
    $
648
    $
--
    $
--
    $
184,591
 
Other consumer    
301,632
     
26
     
2,314
     
--
     
--
     
303,972
 
Total consumer    
485,575
     
26
     
2,962
     
--
     
--
     
488,563
 
Real estate:                                                
Construction    
330,080
     
98
     
6,565
     
16
     
--
     
336,759
 
Single family residential    
875,603
     
4,024
     
24,460
     
158
     
--
     
904,245
 
Other commercial    
1,738,207
     
6,874
     
41,994
     
--
     
--
     
1,787,075
 
Total real estate    
2,943,890
     
10,996
     
73,019
     
174
     
--
     
3,028,079
 
Commercial:                                                
Commercial    
616,805
     
558
     
22,162
     
--
     
--
     
639,525
 
Agricultural    
148,218
     
104
     
2,033
     
--
     
23
     
150,378
 
Total commercial    
765,023
     
662
     
24,195
     
--
     
23
     
789,903
 
Other    
20,662
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
--
     
20,662
 
Loans acquired    
1,217,886
     
22,181
     
64,075
     
1,541
     
--
     
1,305,683
 
Total   $
5,433,036
    $
33,865
    $
164,251
    $
1,715
    $
23
    $
5,632,890
 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
– The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic
310
-
10,
Receivables
, and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic
450
-
20,
Loss Contingencies
. Accordingly, the methodology is based on the Company’s internal grading system, specific impairment analysis, qualitative and quantitative factors.
 
As mentioned above, allocations to the allowance for loan losses are categorized as either specific allocations or general allocations.
 
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will
not
receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled principal and interest payments. For a collateral dependent loan, the Company’s evaluation process includes a valuation by appraisal or other collateral analysis. This valuation is compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan. If a loss is determined to be probable, the loss is included in the allowance for loan losses as a specific allocation. If the loan is
not
collateral dependent, the measurement of loss is based on the difference between the expected and contractual future cash flows of the loan.
 
The general allocation is calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (
1
) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, (
2
) volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, (
3
) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, (
4
) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (
5
) external factors and pressure from competition, (
6
) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff, (
7
) seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and (
8
) other factors and trends that will affect specific loans and categories of loans. The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category. This category also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards,
one
-to-
four
family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans.
 
The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017.  
Allocation of a portion of the allowance to
one
category of loans does
not
preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.
 
(In thousands)   Commercial   Real
Estate
  Credit
Card
  Other
Consumer
and Other
  Total
                     
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
                                       
Balance, beginning of period
(2)
  $
8,105
    $
25,731
    $
3,754
    $
3,789
    $
41,379
 
Provision for loan losses
(1)
   
2,310
     
2,150
     
761
     
241
     
5,462
 
Charge-offs    
(2,442
)    
(896
)    
(1,017
)    
(819
)    
(5,174
)
Recoveries    
21
     
309
     
275
     
445
     
1,050
 
Net charge-offs    
(2,421
)    
(587
)    
(742
)    
(374
)    
(4,124
)
Balance, September 30, 2017
(2)
  $
7,994
    $
27,294
    $
3,773
    $
3,656
    $
42,717
 
                                         
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
                                       
Balance, beginning of period
(2)
  $
7,739
    $
21,817
    $
3,779
    $
2,951
    $
36,286
 
Provision for loan losses
(1)
   
3,255
     
7,984
     
2,168
     
1,920
     
15,327
 
Charge-offs    
(3,083
)    
(3,264
)    
(2,962
)    
(2,986
)    
(12,295
)
Recoveries    
83
     
757
     
788
     
1,771
     
3,399
 
Net charge-offs    
(3,000
)    
(2,507
)    
(2,174
)    
(1,215
)    
(8,896
)
Balance, September 30, 2017
(2)
  $
7,994
    $
27,294
    $
3,773
    $
3,656
    $
42,717
 
                                         
Period-end amount allocated to:                                        
Loans individually evaluated for impairment   $
3,996
    $
2,325
    $
--
    $
--
    $
6,321
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment    
3,998
     
24,969
     
3,773
     
3,656
     
36,396
 
Balance, September 30, 2017
(2)
  $
7,994
    $
27,294
    $
3,773
    $
3,656
    $
42,717
 
______________________
 
(
1
)
Provision for loan losses of
$1,464,000
attributable to loans acquired was excluded from this table for the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017 (
total provision for loan losses for the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017
was
$5,462,000
and
$16,792,000
). There was
$2.0
million in charge-offs for loans acquired during the
nine
months ended
September 30, 2017
resulting in an ending balance in the allowance related to loans acquired of
$391,000.
(
2
)
Allowance for loan losses at
September 30, 2017
includes
$391,000
allowance for loans acquired (
not
shown in the table above). Allowance for loan losses at
December 31, 2016
includes
$954,000
allowance for loans acquired. The total allowance for loan losses at
September 30, 2017
and
June 30, 2017
was
$43,108,000
and
$41,770,000,
respectively.
 
Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2016
was as follows:
 
(In thousands)   Commercial   Real
Estate
  Credit
Card
  Other
Consumer
and Other
  Total
                     
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
                                       
Balance, beginning of period
(4)
  $
7,832
    $
19,635
    $
3,748
    $
2,308
    $
33,523
 
Provision for loan losses
(3)
   
680
     
6,066
     
501
     
832
     
8,079
 
Charge-offs    
(284
)    
(6,297
)    
(699
)    
(600
)    
(7,880
)
Recoveries    
12
     
55
     
199
     
106
     
372
 
Net charge-offs    
(272
)    
(6,242
)    
(500
)    
(494
)    
(7,508
)
Balance, September 30, 2016
(4)
  $
8,240
    $
19,459
    $
3,749
    $
2,646
    $
34,094
 
                                         
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
                                       
Balance, beginning of period
(4)
  $
5,985
    $
19,522
    $
3,893
    $
1,951
    $
31,351
 
Provision for loan losses
(3)
   
4,961
     
7,009
     
1,422
     
1,819
     
15,211
 
Charge-offs    
(3,043
)    
(7,350
)    
(2,260
)    
(1,482
)    
(14,135
)
Recoveries    
337
     
278
     
694
     
358
     
1,667
 
Net charge-offs    
(2,706
)    
(7,072
)    
(1,566
)    
(1,124
)    
(12,468
)
Balance, September 30, 2016
(4)
  $
8,240
    $
19,459
    $
3,749
    $
2,646
    $
34,094
 
                                         
Period-end amount allocated to:                                        
Loans individually evaluated for impairment   $
64
    $
515
    $
--
    $
1
    $
580
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment    
8,176
     
18,944
     
3,749
     
2,645
     
33,514
 
Balance, September 30, 2016
(4)
  $
8,240
    $
19,459
    $
3,749
    $
2,646
    $
34,094
 
                                         
Period-end amount allocated to:                                        
Loans individually evaluated for impairment   $
262
    $
417
    $
--
    $
1
    $
680
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment    
7,477
     
21,400
     
3,779
     
2,950
     
35,606
 
Balance, December 31, 2016
(5)
  $
7,739
    $
21,817
    $
3,779
    $
2,951
    $
36,286
 
______________________
 
(
3
)
Provision for loan losses of
$215,000
and
$522,000
attributable to loans acquired was excluded from this table for the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2016 (
total provision for loan losses for the
three
and
nine
months ended
September 30, 2016
was
$8,294,000
and
$15,733,000
). The
$215,000
and
$522,000
was subsequently charged-off, resulting in
no
change in the ending balance in the allowance related to loans acquired.
 
(
4
)
Allowance for loan losses at
September 30, 2016,
June 30, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
includes
$954,000
allowance for loans acquired. The total allowance for loan losses at
September 30, 2016,
June 30, 2016
and
December 31, 2015
was
$35,048,000,
$34,477,000
and
$32,305,000,
respectively.
 
(
5
)
Allowance for loan losses at
December 31, 2016
includes
$954,000
allowance for loans acquired (
not
shown in the table above). The total allowance for loan losses
December 31, 2016
was
$37,240,000.
 
The Company’s recorded investment in loans, excluding loans acquired, related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology was as follows:
 
(In thousands)   Commercial   Real
Estate
  Credit
Card
  Other
Consumer
and Other
  Total
                     
September 30, 2017                                        
Loans individually evaluated for impairment   $
13,976
    $
33,680
    $
273
    $
3,880
    $
51,809
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment    
882,833
     
3,761,220
     
176,043
     
339,407
     
5,159,503
 
Balance, end of period   $
896,809
    $
3,794,900
    $
176,316
    $
343,287
    $
5,211,312
 
                                         
December 31, 2016                                        
Loans individually evaluated for impairment   $
11,522
    $
30,001
    $
373
    $
1,800
    $
43,696
 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment    
778,381
     
2,998,078
     
184,218
     
322,834
     
4,283,511
 
Balance, end of period   $
789,903
    $
3,028,079
    $
184,591
    $
324,634
    $
4,327,207