ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES	6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Receivables [Abstract]
ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES	ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES At March 31, 2017, the Company’s allowance for loan losses increased to $14.6 million from $5.6 million at September 30, 2016. The increase in allowance was primarily driven by a $8.2 million reserve related to a substantial increase in tax season loans. In addition, the downgrade of a significant agriculture relationship during the quarter contributed to an increased provision and allowance. Downgrades in agricultural loans were related primarily to losses incurred due to lower commodity prices in recent years, notwithstanding record yields for many producers in our markets. Given underlying collateral values related to our agricultural loans, we believe we have minimal loss exposure in the portfolio at this time. During the six months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $9.5 million compared to $2.0 million for the same period of the prior year. The Company had $0.5 million of net charge offs for the six months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $0.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016. The allowance for loan losses is established through the provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activity, including those loans which are being specifically monitored by management. Such evaluation, which includes a review of loans for which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers, among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate loan loss allowance. Management closely monitors economic developments both regionally and nationwide, and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses. The current economic environment continues to show signs of improvement in the Bank’s markets. The Bank’s average loss rates over the past three years were low, offset with a higher agricultural loss rate in fiscal year 2016 driven by the charge off of one relationship. The Bank does not believe it is likely that these low loss conditions will continue indefinitely. Although the Bank’s four market areas have indirectly benefited from a stable agricultural market, the market has become slightly stressed as commodity prices have remained lower than a few years ago. Management expects that future losses in the agriculture operations and agriculture real estate loan portfolios could be higher than recent historical experience. Management believes the low commodity prices and high land rents have the potential to negatively impact the economies of our agricultural markets. Management believes that, based on a detailed review of the loan portfolio, historic loan losses, current economic conditions, the size of the loan portfolio and other factors, the current level of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2017, reflects an appropriate allowance against probable losses from the loan portfolio. Although the Company maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level it considers to be appropriate, investors and others are cautioned that there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for loan losses will not be required in future periods. In addition, the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by the OCC, which can require the establishment of additional general or specific allowances. Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure are recorded at fair value. If fair value at the date of foreclosure is lower than the balance of the related loan, the difference will be charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of transfer. Valuations are periodically updated by management and, if the value declines, a specific provision for losses on such property is established by a charge to operations.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

At March 31, 2017, the Company’s allowance for loan losses increased to $14.6 million from $5.6 million at September 30, 2016.

The increase in allowance was primarily driven by a $8.2 million reserve related to a substantial increase in tax season loans. In addition, the downgrade of a significant agriculture relationship during the quarter contributed to an increased provision and allowance. Downgrades in agricultural loans were related primarily to losses incurred due to lower commodity prices in recent years, notwithstanding record yields for many producers in our markets. Given underlying collateral values related to our agricultural loans, we believe we have minimal loss exposure in the portfolio at this time. During the six months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $9.5 million compared to $2.0 million for the same period of the prior year. The Company had $0.5 million of net charge offs for the six months ended March 31, 2017, compared to $0.8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2016.

The allowance for loan losses is established through the provision for loan losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in its loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan activity, including those loans which are being specifically monitored by management. Such evaluation, which includes a review of loans for which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers, among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate loan loss allowance.

Management closely monitors economic developments both regionally and nationwide, and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses. The current economic environment continues to show signs of improvement in the Bank’s markets. The Bank’s average loss rates over the past three years were low, offset with a higher agricultural loss rate in fiscal year 2016 driven by the charge off of one relationship. The Bank does not believe it is likely that these low loss conditions will continue indefinitely. Although the Bank’s four market areas have indirectly benefited from a stable agricultural market, the market has become slightly stressed as commodity prices have remained lower than a few years ago. Management expects that future losses in the agriculture operations and agriculture real estate loan portfolios could be higher than recent historical experience. Management believes the low commodity prices and high land rents have the potential to negatively impact the economies of our agricultural markets.

Management believes that, based on a detailed review of the loan portfolio, historic loan losses, current economic conditions, the size of the loan portfolio and other factors, the current level of the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2017, reflects an appropriate allowance against probable losses from the loan portfolio. Although the Company maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level it considers to be appropriate, investors and others are cautioned that there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for loan losses will not be required in future periods. In addition, the Company’s determination of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by the OCC, which can require the establishment of additional general or specific allowances.

Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure are recorded at fair value. If fair value at the date of foreclosure is lower than the balance of the related loan, the difference will be charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of transfer. Valuations are periodically updated by management and, if the value declines, a specific provision for losses on such property is established by a charge to operations.