0000351569 us-gaap:ResidentialPortfolioSegmentMember abcb:PurchasedLoansMember abcb:RiskGradeFiveMember 2019-09-30


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20192020
 
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 
001-13901
abcb-20200930_g1.jpg
AMERIS BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Georgia58-1456434
(State of incorporation)(IRS Employer ID No.)

3490 Piedmont Rd NE,N.E., Suite 1550
AtlantaGeorgia30305
(Address of principal executive offices)

(404)639-6500
(Registrant’s telephone number) 


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1 per shareABCBNasdaq Global Select Market

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  ý    No   ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes  ý    No   ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerýAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
 



If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes     No  ý



Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1 per shareABCBNasdaq Global Select Market

 There were 69,660,95369,490,546 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 1, 2019.October 31, 2020.





AMERIS BANCORP
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 
 







Item 1. Financial Statements.
 
AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 September 30, 2020 (unaudited)December 31, 2019
Assets  
Cash and due from banks$257,026 $246,234 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks494,765 375,615 
Cash and cash equivalents751,791 621,849 
Time deposits in other banks249 249 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value, net of allowance for credit losses at $68 and $0 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively1,117,436 1,403,403 
Other investments47,329 66,919 
Loans held for sale (includes loan at fair value of $1,368,044 and $1,656,711, respectively)1,414,889 1,656,711 
Loans, net of unearned income14,943,593 12,818,476 
Allowance for credit losses(231,924)(38,189)
Loans, net14,711,669 12,780,287 
Other real estate owned, net17,969 19,500 
Premises and equipment, net231,278 233,102 
Goodwill928,005 931,637 
Other intangible assets, net76,164 91,586 
Cash value of bank owned life insurance175,605 175,270 
Deferred income taxes, net53,039 2,180 
Other assets348,428 259,886 
Total assets$19,873,851 $18,242,579 
Liabilities  
Deposits:  
Noninterest-bearing$5,909,316 $4,199,448 
Interest-bearing10,154,490 9,827,625 
Total deposits16,063,806 14,027,073 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase9,103 20,635 
Other borrowings875,255 1,398,709 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures123,860 127,560 
FDIC loss-share payable, net19,476 19,642 
Other liabilities217,668 179,378 
Total liabilities17,309,168 15,772,997 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)
Shareholders’ Equity  
Preferred stock, stated value $1,000 (5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019)
Common stock, par value $1 (200,000,000 and 100,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; 71,702,587 and 71,499,829 shares issued at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)71,703 71,500 
Capital surplus1,911,031 1,907,108 
Retained earnings587,657 507,950 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax37,252 17,995 
Treasury stock, at cost (2,212,041 shares and 1,995,996 shares at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)(42,960)(34,971)
Total shareholders’ equity2,564,683 2,469,582 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$19,873,851 $18,242,579 
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Assets 
  
Cash and due from banks$193,976
 $172,036
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks285,713
 507,491
Cash and cash equivalents479,689
 679,527
    
Time deposits in other banks499
 10,812
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value1,491,207
 1,192,423
Other investments66,921
 14,455
Loans held for sale, at fair value1,187,551
 111,298
    
Loans7,208,816
 5,660,457
Purchased loans5,388,336
 2,588,832
Purchased loan pools229,132
 262,625
Loans, net of unearned income12,826,284
 8,511,914
Allowance for loan losses(35,530) (28,819)
Loans, net12,790,754
 8,483,095
    
Other real estate owned, net4,925
 7,218
Purchased other real estate owned, net15,785
 9,535
Total other real estate owned, net20,710
 16,753
    
Premises and equipment, net239,428
 145,410
Goodwill911,488
 503,434
Other intangible assets, net97,328
 58,689
Cash value of bank owned life insurance174,442
 104,096
Deferred income taxes, net22,111
 35,126
Other assets282,149
 88,397
Total assets$17,764,277
 $11,443,515
    
Liabilities 
  
Deposits: 
  
Noninterest-bearing$4,077,856
 $2,520,016
Interest-bearing9,581,738
 7,129,297
Total deposits13,659,594
 9,649,313
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase17,744
 20,384
Other borrowings1,351,172
 151,774
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures127,075
 89,187
FDIC loss-share payable, net19,490
 19,487
Other liabilities168,479
 57,023
Total liabilities15,343,554
 9,987,168
    
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)


 


    
Shareholders’ Equity 
  
Preferred stock, stated value $1,000 (5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018)
 
Common stock, par value $1 (100,000,000 shares authorized; 71,431,581 and 49,014,925 shares issued at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)71,447
 49,015
Capital surplus1,904,789
 1,051,584
Retained earnings457,127
 377,135
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax15,482
 (4,826)
Treasury stock, at cost (1,837,748 shares and 1,514,984 shares at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)(28,122) (16,561)
Total shareholders’ equity2,420,723
 1,456,347
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$17,764,277
 $11,443,515

 See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1


AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2019 2018 2019 2018 2020201920202019
Interest income 
  
  
  
Interest income    
Interest and fees on loans$175,046
 $110,470
 $404,457
 $266,460
Interest and fees on loans$172,351 $175,046 $518,938 $404,457 
Interest on taxable securities11,354
 8,792
 29,780
 20,320
Interest on taxable securities7,259 11,354 26,688 29,780 
Interest on nontaxable securities168
 204
 426
 705
Interest on nontaxable securities159 168 473 426 
Interest on deposits in other banks and federal funds sold1,793
 1,653
 7,655
 3,092
Interest on deposits in other banks and federal funds sold165 1,793 1,621 7,655 
Total interest income188,361
 121,119
 442,318
 290,577
Total interest income179,934 188,361 547,720 442,318 
       
Interest expense 
  
  
  
Interest expense    
Interest on deposits29,425
 15,630
 74,563
 30,196
Interest on deposits11,822 29,425 50,197 74,563 
Interest on other borrowings10,167
 6,451
 17,940
 16,543
Interest on other borrowings5,574 10,167 23,226 17,940 
Total interest expense39,592
 22,081
 92,503
 46,739
Total interest expense17,396 39,592 73,423 92,503 
       
Net interest income148,769
 99,038
 349,815
 243,838
Net interest income162,538 148,769 474,297 349,815 
Provision for loan losses5,989
 2,095
 14,065
 13,006
Provision for loan losses26,692 5,989 132,188 14,065 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses142,780
 96,943
 335,750
 230,832
Provision for unfunded commitmentsProvision for unfunded commitments(10,131)13,581 
Provision for other credit lossesProvision for other credit losses1,121 1,121 
Provision for credit lossesProvision for credit losses17,682 5,989 146,890 14,065 
Net interest income after provision for credit lossesNet interest income after provision for credit losses144,856 142,780 327,407 335,750 
       
Noninterest income 
  
  
  
Noninterest income    
Service charges on deposit accounts13,411
 12,690
 37,225
 33,531
Service charges on deposit accounts10,914 13,411 32,680 37,225 
Mortgage banking activity53,041
 14,082
 86,241
 41,771
Mortgage banking activity138,627 53,041 278,885 86,241 
Other service charges, commissions and fees1,236
 790
 2,828
 2,236
Other service charges, commissions and fees1,151 1,236 3,409 2,828 
Net gain (loss) on securities4
 48
 139
 (38)
Net gain on securitiesNet gain on securities139 
Other noninterest income9,301
 2,561
 16,567
 10,442
Other noninterest income8,326 9,301 19,378 16,567 
Total noninterest income76,993
 30,171
 143,000
 87,942
Total noninterest income159,018 76,993 334,357 143,000 
       
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
Noninterest expense    
Salaries and employee benefits77,633
 38,414
 154,296
 110,163
Salaries and employee benefits96,698 77,633 267,812 154,296 
Occupancy and equipment expense12,639
 8,598
 28,677
 21,186
Occupancy and equipment expense13,805 12,639 39,640 28,677 
Data processing and communications expenses10,372
 8,518
 27,151
 22,092
Data processing and communications expenses12,226 10,372 34,694 27,151 
Credit resolution-related expenses1,094
 1,248
 2,984
 2,842
Credit resolution-related expenses802 1,094 3,950 2,984 
Advertising and marketing expense1,949
 1,453
 5,677
 3,938
Advertising and marketing expense966 1,949 4,779 5,677 
Amortization of intangible assets5,719
 2,676
 11,972
 5,862
Amortization of intangible assets4,190 5,719 15,422 11,972 
Merger and conversion charges65,158
 276
 70,690
 19,502
Merger and conversion charges(44)65,158 1,391 70,690 
Other noninterest expenses18,133
 11,170
 47,926
 32,252
Other noninterest expenses25,049 18,133 79,825 47,926 
Total noninterest expense192,697
 72,353
 349,373
 217,837
Total noninterest expense153,692 192,697 447,513 349,373 
       
Income before income tax expense27,076
 54,761
 129,377
 100,937
Income before income tax expense150,182 27,076 214,251 129,377 
Income tax expense5,692
 13,317
 29,184
 23,446
Income tax expense34,037 5,692 46,548 29,184 
Net income21,384
 41,444
 100,193
 77,491
Net income116,145 21,384 167,703 100,193 
       
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
  
  
  
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($244), ($1,053), $5,549 and ($4,035)(921) (3,964) 20,873
 (15,181)
Reclassification adjustment for gains on investment securities included in earnings, net of tax of $0, $11, $25 and $19
 (41) (94) (70)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during period, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($15), $0, ($125) and $92(59) 
 (471) 347
Other comprehensive income (loss)(980) (4,005) 20,308
 (14,904)
Other comprehensive incomeOther comprehensive income    
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(663), $(244), $5,080 and $5,549Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(663), $(244), $5,080 and $5,549(2,494)(921)19,110 20,873 
Reclassification adjustment for gains on investment securities included in earnings, $0, $0, $0 and $25Reclassification adjustment for gains on investment securities included in earnings, $0, $0, $0 and $25(94)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during period, net of tax expense (benefit) of $35, $(15), $39 and $(125)Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during period, net of tax expense (benefit) of $35, $(15), $39 and $(125)133 (59)147 (471)
Other comprehensive incomeOther comprehensive income(2,361)(980)19,257 20,308 
Total comprehensive income$20,404
 $37,439
 $120,501
 $62,587
Total comprehensive income$113,784 $20,404 $186,960 $120,501 
       
Basic earnings per common share$0.31
 $0.87
 $1.83
 $1.86
Basic earnings per common share$1.68 $0.31 $2.42 $1.83 
Diluted earnings per common share$0.31
 $0.87
 $1.83
 $1.85
Diluted earnings per common share$1.67 $0.31 $2.42 $1.83 
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
 
  
  
  
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
    
Basic69,372
 47,515
 54,762
 41,673
Basic69,231 69,372 69,243 54,762 
Diluted69,600
 47,685
 54,883
 41,845
Diluted69,346 69,600 69,403 54,883 
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

2


AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
Common StockCapital SurplusRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of TaxTreasury StockTotal Shareholders' Equity
SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at beginning of period71,674,087 $71,674 $1,909,839 $481,948 $39,613 2,211,305 $(42,944)$2,460,130 
Issuance of restricted shares12,500 13 (13)— — — — 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options16,000 16 264 — — — — 280 
Share-based compensation— — 941 — — — — 941 
Purchase of treasury shares— — — — — 736 (16)(16)
Net income— — — 116,145 — — — 116,145 
Dividends on common shares ($0.15 per share)— — — (10,436)— — — (10,436)
Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period— — — — (2,361)— — (2,361)
Balance at end of period71,702,587 $71,703 $1,911,031 $587,657 $37,252 2,212,041 $(42,960)$2,564,683 
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
            
 Common Stock     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury Stock  
 Shares Amount Capital Surplus Retained Earnings  Shares Amount Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance at beginning of period49,099,332
 $49,099
 $1,053,500
 $446,182
 $16,462
 1,837,748
 $(28,122) $1,537,121
Issuance of common stock for acquisition22,181,522
 22,182
 847,112
 
 
 
 
 869,294
Issuance of restricted shares30,452
 30
 (30) 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options120,275
 136
 3,398
 
 
 
 
 3,534
Share-based compensation
 
 809
 
 
 
 
 809
Net income
 
 
 21,384
 
 
 
 21,384
Dividends on common shares ($0.15 per share)
 
 
 (10,439) 
 
 
 (10,439)
Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period
 
 
 
 (980) 
 
 (980)
Balance at end of period71,431,581
 $71,447
 $1,904,789
 $457,127
 $15,482
 1,837,748
 $(28,122) $2,420,723

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
Common StockCapital SurplusRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of TaxTreasury StockTotal Shareholders' Equity
SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at beginning of period71,499,829 $71,500 $1,907,108 $507,950 $17,995 1,995,996 $(34,971)$2,469,582 
Issuance of restricted shares164,476 164 125 — — — — 289 
Forfeitures of restricted shares(11,250)(11)(159)— — — — (170)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options49,532 50 931 — — — — 981 
Share-based compensation— — 3,026 — — — — 3,026 
Purchase of treasury shares— — — — — 216,045 (7,989)(7,989)
Net income— — — 167,703 — — — 167,703 
Dividends on common shares ($0.45 per share)— — — (31,292)— — — (31,292)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for credit losses— — — (56,704)— — — (56,704)
Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period— — — — 19,257 — — 19,257 
Balance at end of period71,702,587 $71,703 $1,911,031 $587,657 $37,252 2,212,041 $(42,960)$2,564,683 

3

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
            
 Common Stock     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury Stock  
 Shares Amount Capital Surplus Retained Earnings  Shares Amount Total Shareholders' Equity
Balance at beginning of period49,014,925
 $49,015
 $1,051,584
 $377,135
 $(4,826) 1,514,984
 $(16,561) $1,456,347
Issuance of common stock for acquisition22,181,522
 22,182
 847,112
 
 
 
 
 869,294
Issuance of restricted shares147,574
 147
 768
 
 
 
 
 915
Forfeitures of restricted shares(40,423) (40) (484) 
 
 
 
 (524)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options127,983
 143
 3,444
 
 
 
 
 3,587
Share-based compensation
 
 2,365
 
 
 
 
 2,365
Purchase of treasury shares
 
 
 
 
 322,764
 (11,561) (11,561)
Net income
 
 
 100,193
 
 
 
 100,193
Dividends on common shares ($0.35 per share)
 
 
 (19,925) 
 
 
 (19,925)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivatives
 
 
 (276) 
 
 
 (276)
Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period
 
 
 
 20,308
 
 
 20,308
Balance at end of period71,431,581
 $71,447
 $1,904,789
 $457,127
 $15,482
 1,837,748
 $(28,122) $2,420,723



AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
           
Common Stock     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury Stock  Common StockCapital SurplusRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of TaxTreasury StockTotal Shareholders' Equity
Shares Amount Capital Surplus Retained Earnings Shares Amount Total Shareholders' EquitySharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at beginning of period49,011,950
 $49,012
 $1,049,283
 $301,656
 $(12,571) 1,493,288
 $(15,484) $1,371,896
Balance at beginning of period49,099,332 $49,099 $1,053,500 $446,182 $16,462 1,837,748 $(28,122)$1,537,121 
Issuance of common stock for acquisitionIssuance of common stock for acquisition22,181,522 22,182 847,112 — — — — 869,294 
Issuance of restricted sharesIssuance of restricted shares30,452 30 (30)— — — — 
Proceeds from exercise of stock optionsProceeds from exercise of stock options120,275 136 3,398 — — — — 3,534 
Share-based compensation
 
 1,469
 
 
 
 
 1,469
Share-based compensation— — 809 — — — — 809 
Purchase of treasury shares
 
 
 
 
 21,696
 (1,077) (1,077)
Net income
 
 
 41,444
 
 
 
 41,444
Net income— — — 21,384 — — — 21,384 
Dividends on common shares ($0.10 per share)
 
 
 (4,750) 
 
 
 (4,750)
Dividends on common shares ($0.15 per share)Dividends on common shares ($0.15 per share)— — — (10,439)— — — (10,439)
Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period
 
 
 
 (4,005) 
 
 (4,005)Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period— — — — (980)— — (980)
Balance at end of period49,011,950
 $49,012
 $1,050,752
 $338,350
 $(16,576) 1,514,984
 $(16,561) $1,404,977
Balance at end of period71,431,581 $71,447 $1,904,789 $457,127 $15,482 1,837,748 $(28,122)$2,420,723 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
           
Common Stock     Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Treasury Stock  Common StockCapital SurplusRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of TaxTreasury StockTotal Shareholders' Equity
Shares Amount Capital Surplus Retained Earnings Shares Amount Total Shareholders' EquitySharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at beginning of period38,734,873
 $38,735
 $508,404
 $273,119
 $(1,280) 1,474,861
 $(14,499) $804,479
Balance at beginning of period49,014,925 $49,015 $1,051,584 $377,135 $(4,826)1,514,984 $(16,561)$1,456,347 
Issuance of common stock for acquisitions10,124,491
 10,124
 537,003
 
 
 
 
 547,127
Issuance of common stock for acquisitionIssuance of common stock for acquisition22,181,522 22,182 847,112 — — — — 869,294 
Issuance of restricted shares85,855
 86
 (86) 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of restricted shares147,574 147 768 — — — — 915 
Forfeitures of restricted shares(472) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forfeitures of restricted shares(40,423)(40)(484)— — — — (524)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options67,203
 67
 779
 
 
 
 
 846
Proceeds from exercise of stock options127,983 143 3,444 — — — — 3,587 
Share-based compensation
 
 4,652
 
 
 
 
 4,652
Share-based compensation— — 2,365 — — — — 2,365 
Purchase of treasury shares
 
 
 
 
 40,123
 (2,062) (2,062)Purchase of treasury shares— — — — — 322,764 (11,561)(11,561)
Net income
 
 
 77,491
 
 
 
 77,491
Net income— — — 100,193 — — — 100,193 
Dividends on common shares ($0.30 per share)
 
 
 (12,680) 
 
 
 (12,680)
Reclassification of stranded income tax effects
 
 
 392
 (392) 
 
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for derivatives
 
 
 28
 
 
 
 28
Dividends on common shares ($0.35 per share)Dividends on common shares ($0.35 per share)— — — (19,925)— — — (19,925)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for leasesCumulative effect of change in accounting for leases— — — (276)— — — (276)
Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period
 
 
 
 (14,904) 
 
 (14,904)Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period— — — — 20,308 — — 20,308 
Balance at end of period49,011,950
 $49,012
 $1,050,752
 $338,350
 $(16,576) 1,514,984
 $(16,561) $1,404,977
Balance at end of period71,431,581 $71,447 $1,904,789 $457,127 $15,482 1,837,748 $(28,122)$2,420,723 

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 

4


AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 20202019
Operating Activities  
Net income$167,703 $100,193 
Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:  
Depreciation11,843 9,077 
Net (gains) losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment including write-downs(125)159 
Net write-downs on other assets1,366 4,359 
Provision for credit losses146,890 14,065 
Net losses on sale of other real estate owned including write-downs715 158 
Share-based compensation expense2,708 2,450 
Amortization of intangible assets15,422 11,972 
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets12,408 7,145 
Provision for deferred taxes(28,652)12,084 
Net amortization of investment securities available for sale4,702 3,069 
Net gain on securities(5)(139)
Accretion of discount on purchased loans, net(22,663)(9,526)
Accretion on other borrowings152 33 
Accretion on subordinated deferrable interest debentures1,455 1,170 
Loan servicing asset impairment30,566 141 
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale(6,492,434)(2,376,070)
Payments received on mortgage loans held for sale38,919 4,438 
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale6,888,287 1,660,599 
Net gains on sale of mortgage loans held for sale(270,503)(52,605)
Originations of SBA loans(104,160)(22,121)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans99,369 42,647 
Net gains on sale of SBA loans(6,250)(4,220)
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance(2,768)(1,861)
Gain on bank owned life insurance proceeds(948)(4,335)
Loss on sale of loans1,954 
Changes in FDIC loss-share payable, net of cash payments223 3,695 
Change attributable to other operating activities(114,858)4,166 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities379,362 (587,303)
Investing Activities, net of effects of business combinations  
Proceeds from maturities of time deposits in other banks10,313 
Purchases of securities available for sale(219,352)
Proceeds from prepayments and maturities of securities available for sale306,886 176,760 
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale64,995 
Net (increase) decrease in other investments18,095 (44,936)
Net increase in loans(2,029,595)(919,493)
Purchases of premises and equipment(14,164)(5,924)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment421 5,330 
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned7,777 7,448 
Payments paid to FDIC under loss-share agreements(389)(3,692)
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance3,381 8,178 
Proceeds from sales of loans96,162 
Net cash and cash equivalents received in acquisitions(2,417)244,181 
Net cash used in investing activities(1,710,005)(580,030)
  (Continued)

5

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2019 2018
Operating Activities  
  
Net income $100,193
 $77,491
Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:  
  
Depreciation 9,077
 7,359
Net losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment including write-downs 159
 78
Net write-downs on other assets 4,359
 
Provision for loan losses 14,065
 13,006
Net losses on sale of other real estate owned including write-downs 158
 947
Share-based compensation expense 2,450
 5,433
Amortization of intangible assets 11,972
 5,862
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use assets 7,145
 
Provision for deferred taxes 12,084
 1,023
Net amortization of investment securities available for sale 3,069
 3,909
Net (gain) loss on securities (139) 38
Accretion of discount on purchased loans (10,503) (8,083)
Amortization of premium on purchased loan pools 977
 1,473
Accretion on other borrowings 33
 98
Accretion on subordinated deferrable interest debentures 1,170
 1,001
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale (2,376,070) (1,361,509)
Payments received on mortgage loans held for sale 4,438
 840
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale 1,660,599
 1,188,493
Net gains on sale of mortgage loans held for sale (52,605) (28,236)
Originations of SBA loans (22,121) (18,032)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans 42,647
 27,275
Net gains on sale of SBA loans (4,220) (2,246)
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance (1,861) (1,311)
Gain on bank owned life insurance proceeds (4,335) 
Loss on sale of loans 1,954
 
Changes in FDIC loss-share payable, net of cash payments 3,695
 1,823
Change attributable to other operating activities 4,307
 (10,268)
Net cash used in operating activities (587,303) (93,536)
     
Investing Activities, net of effects of business combinations  
  
Proceeds from maturities of time deposits in other banks 10,313
 
Purchases of securities available for sale (219,352) (234,711)
Proceeds from prepayments and maturities of securities available for sale 176,760
 112,119
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale 64,995
 68,727
Net (increase) decrease in other investments (44,936) 12,040
Net increase in loans, excluding purchased loans (1,571,033) (437,513)
Payments received on purchased loans 619,024
 208,910
Payments received on purchased loan pools 32,516
 60,042
Purchases of premises and equipment (5,924) (7,335)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment 5,330
 576
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned 7,448
 7,461
Payments paid to FDIC under loss-share agreements (3,692) (1,205)
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance 8,178
 
Proceeds from sales of loans 96,162
 
Net cash and cash equivalents received in acquisitions 244,181
 51,495
Net cash used in investing activities (580,030) (159,394)
     
   
 (Continued)



AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2019 2018 20202019
Financing Activities, net of effects of business combinations  
  
Financing Activities, net of effects of business combinations  
Net (decrease) increase in deposits $(33,042) $389,884
Net increase (decrease) in depositsNet increase (decrease) in deposits$2,038,847 $(33,042)
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase (24,985) (16,567)Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase(11,532)(24,985)
Proceeds from other borrowings 2,969,000
 1,530,000
Proceeds from other borrowings7,053,149 2,969,000 
Repayment of other borrowings (1,921,267) (1,338,917)Repayment of other borrowings(7,576,455)(1,921,267)
Repayment of subordinated deferrable interest debenturesRepayment of subordinated deferrable interest debentures(5,155)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 3,587
 846
Proceeds from exercise of stock options981 3,587 
Dividends paid - common stock (14,237) (11,655)Dividends paid - common stock(31,262)(14,237)
Purchase of treasury shares (11,561) (2,062)Purchase of treasury shares(7,988)(11,561)
Net cash provided by financing activities 967,495
 551,529
Net cash provided by financing activities1,460,585 967,495 
    
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (199,838) 298,599
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalentsNet increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents129,942 (199,838)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 679,527
 330,658
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period621,849 679,527 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $479,689
 $629,257
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$751,791 $479,689 
    
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information  
  
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information  
Cash paid during the period for:  
  
Cash paid (received) during the period for:Cash paid (received) during the period for:  
Interest $87,066
 $45,535
Interest$78,705 $87,066 
Income taxes 32,096
 10,252
Income taxes56,371 32,096 
Loans (excluding purchased loans) transferred to other real estate owned 503
 3,764
Purchased loans transferred to other real estate owned 3,908
 2,434
Loans transferred to other real estate ownedLoans transferred to other real estate owned6,871 4,411 
Loans transferred from loans held for sale to loans held for investment 
 10,817
Loans transferred from loans held for sale to loans held for investment135,689 
Loans transferred from loans held for investment to loans held for sale 1,554
 8,831
Loans transferred from loans held for investment to loans held for sale46,845 1,554 
Loans provided for the sales of other real estate owned 144
 53
Loans provided for the sales of other real estate owned592 144 
Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets 27,286
 
Initial recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets27,286 
Initial recognition of operating lease liabilities 29,651
 
Initial recognition of operating lease liabilities29,651 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 262
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities11,040 262 
Assets acquired in business acquisitions 5,186,974
 3,059,856
Assets acquired in business acquisitions5,186,974 
Liabilities assumed in business acquisitions 4,317,661
 2,410,453
Liabilities assumed in business acquisitions4,317,661 
Issuance of common stock in acquisitions 869,294
 547,127
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of tax 20,778
 (15,590)Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of tax19,109 20,778 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge, net of tax (470) 294
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge, net of tax147 (470)
    
  
 (Concluded)
 (Concluded)
 
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 


6


AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 20192020
 
NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Nature of Business

Ameris Bancorp (the “Company” or “Ameris”) is a financial holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Ameris conducts substantially all of its operations through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank (the “Bank”). At September 30, 2019,2020, the Bank operated 172170 branches in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Our business model capitalizes on the efficiencies of a large financial services company, while still providing the community with the personalized banking service expected by our customers. We manage our Bank through a balance of decentralized management responsibilities and efficient centralized operating systems, products and loan underwriting standards. The Company’s Board of Directors and senior managers establish corporate policy, strategy and administrative policies. Within our established guidelines and policies, the banker closest to the customer responds to the differing needs and demands of his or her unique market.
 
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Ameris have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for complete financial statement presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited but reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the period ended September 30, 20192020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and the report of our registered independent public accounting firm included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019, as amended.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash items in process of collection, amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold. The Bank is required to maintain reserve balances in cash or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. The required reserve rate was set to 0% effective March 26, 2020 and, accordingly, the Bank had 0 reserve requirement at September 30, 2020. The reserve requirement as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 20182019 was $102.5$109.7 million and $61.2 million, respectively, and was met by cash on hand and balances at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta which are reported on the Company's consolidated balance sheets in cash and due from banks and federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks, respectively.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform with the current year presentations. The reclassifications had no effect on net income or shareholders' equity as previously reported.

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2019

2020
ASU 2016-02 –
Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 amends the existing standards for lease accounting effectively requiring that most leases be carried on the balance sheets of the related lessees by requiring them to recognize a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. ASU 2016-02 includes qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements intended to provide greater insight into the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. The standard may be adopted using a modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which it is adopted. Alternatively, the standard may be adopted using an optional transition method where initial application of the provisions of ASU 2016-02 are applied as the date of adoption, resulting in no adjustment to amounts reported in prior periods. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 during the first quarter of 2019 and elected the optional transition method. The Company also elected the package of practical expedients provided in the guidance which permits the Company to not reassess under the new standard the prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company also elected the hindsight practical expedient to determine lease term and in assessing impairment of the Company's right-of-use asset. The adoption of


ASU 2016-02 resulted in the recognition of a right-of-use asset of $27.3 million, a lease liability of $29.7 million and a cumulative effect decrease to retained earnings of $276,000. The right-of-use asset and lease liability are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities, respectively.

Accounting Standards Pending Adoption

ASU 2018-15 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract ("ASU 2018-15"). ASU 2018-15 requires that application development stage implementation costs incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement ("CCA") that are service contracts be capitalized and amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement, including renewal option terms if the customer entity is reasonably certain to exercise the option. Costs incurred in the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Training costs and certain data conversion costs also cannot be capitalized for a CCA that is a service contract. Amortization expense of capitalized implementation costs will be presented in the same income statement caption as the CCA fees. Similarly, capitalized implementation costs will be presented in the same balance sheet caption as any prepaid CCA fees, and cash flows from capitalized implementation costs will be classified in the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for the CCA fees. The requirements of ASU 2018-15 should be
7


applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the adoption date. ASU 2018-15 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. TheDuring the first quarter of 2020, the Company is currently evaluatingadopted the impact thisprovision of ASU will have on2018-15, and the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income, consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity and consolidated statement of cash flows, but it isadoption did not expected to have a material impact.impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ("ASU 2018-13). ASU 2018-13 changes fair value measurement disclosure requirements by removing certain requirements, modifying certain requirements and adding certain new requirements. Disclosure requirements removed include the following: transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; the policy for determining when transfers between any of the three levels have occurred; the valuation processes for Level 3 measurements; and the changes in unrealized gains or losses presented in earnings for Level 3 instruments held at end of the reporting period. Disclosure requirements that have been modified include the following: for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value, an entity is required to disclose the timing of liquidation of an investee's assets and the date when restrictions from redemption might lapse only if the investee has communicated the timing to the entity or announced the timing publicly; and clarification that the Level 3 measurement uncertainty disclosure should communicate information about the uncertainty at the balance sheet date. New disclosure requirements include the following: the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 instruments held at the end of the reporting period; and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used for Level 3 measurements or disclosure of other quantitative information in place of the weighted average to the extent that it would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs. ASU 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. TheDuring the first quarter of 2020, the Company is currently evaluatingadopted the impact this standard will have onprovision of ASU 2018-13, and the Company’s fair value measurement disclosures, but it isadoption did not expected to have a material impact.impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2017-04 – Intangibles: Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, the income tax effects of tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. ASU 2017-04 also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The standard must be adopted using a prospective basis and the nature and reason for the change in accounting principle should be disclosed upon transition. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted on testing dates after January 1, 2017. TheDuring the first quarter of 2020, the Company is currently evaluatingadopted the impact thisprovision of ASU will have on2017-04, and the Company’s results of operations, financial position and disclosures, but it isadoption did not expected to have a material impact.impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments-CreditInstruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial InstrumentInstrumentss (“ASU 2016-13”, “the ASU”). ASU 2016-13 significantly changes how entities will measure and report credit losses for most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The new standard applieswill apply to financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost as well asand certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures, including,which include, but are not limited to, loans, receivables, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments and financial guarantees.


ASU 2016-13 simplifies the accounting for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans and expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses. Among other requirements,In addition, entities mustwill need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2020. Upon adoption, ASU 2016-13 provides for a modified retrospective transition by means of a cumulative effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is effective.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 and all related subsequent amendments thereto effective January 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company recognized an increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans of $78.7 million, an increase in the allowance for unfunded commitments of $12.7 million and a reduction of retained earnings of $56.7 million, net of the increase in deferred tax assets of $19.0 million.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the prospective transition approach for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration ("PCD") that were previously established a steering committee, including appropriate membersclassified as purchased credit impaired ("PCI") and accounted for under ASU
8


310-30. In accordance with ASU 2016-13, the Company did not reassess whether PCI assets met the criteria of management, to evaluate the impactPCD assets as of the ASU adoption on the Company’s financial position, resultsdate of operations and financial statement disclosures. Under the direction of the committee, workstreams were established to execute the Company’s adoption plan. Workstreams including accounting and reporting; credit risk modeling; systems and data; and processes and controls meet regularly with senior management to report on progress and to make key decisions related to the adoption. The Company continuesdetermined $15.6 million of existing discounts on PCD loans was related to make progress towards CECL readinesscredit factors and was reclassified to the ACL upon adoption. The remaining discount on the PCD assets was determined to be related to noncredit factors and will be accreted into interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loans.

In addition, for available-for-sale debt securities, the new methodology replaces the other-than-temporary impairment model and requires the recognition of an allowance for reductions in a security’s fair value attributable to declines in credit quality, instead of a direct write-down of the security, when a valuation decline is determined to be other-than-temporary. There was no financial impact related to this implementation. The Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the amortized cost basis of debt securities and report accrued interest in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. A debt security is placed on nonaccrual status at the time any principal or interest payments become more than 90 days delinquent or if full collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. Accrued interest for a security placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. There was no accrued interest related to debt securities reversed against interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Accrued interest receivable on available-for-sale debt securities totaled $4.5 million as of September 30, 2020. Refer to Note 3 for additional information.

Allowance for Credit Losses – Loans

Under the current expected credit loss model, the allowance for credit losses (“ACL”) on loans is a valuation allowance estimated at each balance sheet date in accordance with GAAP that is deducted from the loans’ amortized cost basis to present the net amount expected to be collected on the loans.

The Company estimates the ACL on loans based on the underlying assets’ amortized cost basis, which is the amount at which the financing receivable is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accretion or amortization of premium, discount, and net deferred fees or costs, collection of cash, and charge-offs. In the event that collection of principal becomes uncertain, the Company has policies in place to reverse accrued interest in a timely manner. Therefore, the Company has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the measurement of ACL. Accrued interest receivable on loans is reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $76.0 million at September 30, 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company established an ACL of $1.1 million related to deferred interest on loans modified under its Disaster Relief Program.

Expected credit losses are reflected in the allowance for credit losses through a charge to provision for credit losses. When the Company deems all or a portion of a financial asset to be uncollectible the appropriate amount is written off and the ACL is reduced by the same amount. The Company applies judgment to determine when a financial asset is deemed uncollectible; however, generally speaking, an asset will be considered uncollectible no later than when all efforts at collection have been exhausted. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL when received.

The Company measures expected credit losses of financial assets on a collective (pool) basis, when the financial assets share similar risk characteristics. Depending on the nature of the pool of financial assets with similar risk characteristics, the Company uses the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method, the vintage method, the PD×LGD method or a qualitative approach as discussed further below.

The Company’s methodologies for estimating the ACL consider available relevant information about the collectability of cash flows, including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The methodologies apply historical loss information, adjusted for asset-specific characteristics, economic conditions at the measurement date, and forecasts about future economic conditions expected to exist through the contractual lives of the financial assets that are reasonable and supportable, to the identified pools of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for which the historical loss experience was observed. The Company’s methodologies revert back to historical loss information on a straight-line basis over four quarters when it can no longer develop reasonable and supportable forecasts.

The Company has identified the following pools of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for measuring expected credit losses:

Commercial, financial, and agricultural - These loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, crop production and other business purposes. Commercial, financial and agricultural loans also include certain U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Bank evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans.

9


Consumer installment - These loans include home improvement loans, direct automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, and both secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans carry greater risks than other loans, as the collateral can consist of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the case of default.

Indirect automobile - Indirect automobile loans are secured by automobile collateral, generally new and used cars and trucks from auto dealers that operate within selected states. Repayment of these areas.loans depends largely on the personal income of the borrowers which can be affected by changes in economic conditions such as unemployment levels. Collateral consists of rapidly depreciating assets that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the event of default.

A key committee decisionMortgage warehouse - Mortgage Warehouse facilities are provided to unaffiliated mortgage origination companies and are collateralized by one-to-four family residential loans or mortgage servicing rights. The originator closes new mortgage loans with the intent to sell these loans to third party investors for a profit. The Bank provides funding to the mortgage companies for the period between the origination and their sale of the loan. The Bank has a policy that requires that it separately validate that each residential mortgage loan was underwritten consistent with the selectionunderwriting requirements of the final investor or market standards prior to advancing funds. The Bank is repaid with the proceeds received from sale of the mortgage loan to the final investor.

Municipal - Municipal loans consists of loans made to counties, municipalities and implementationpolitical subdivisions. The source of software fromrepayment for these loans is either general revenue of the municipality or revenues of the project being financed by the loan. These loans may be secured by real estate, machinery, equipment or assignment of certain revenues.

Premium Finance - Premium finance provides loans for the acquisition of certain commercial insurance policies. Repayment of these loans is dependent on the cash flow of the insured which can be affected by changes in economic conditions. The Bank has procedures in place to cancel the insurance policy after default by the borrower to minimize the risk of loss.

Real Estate - Construction and Development - Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, one-to-four family home residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied and investment properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures.

Real Estate - Commercial and Farmland - Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail, farmland and warehouse space. They also include non-owner occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Lodging (hotel / motel) loans are a vendorsubsegment of choicecommercial real estate loans. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties.

Real Estate - Residential - The Company's residential loans represent permanent mortgage financing and are secured by residential properties located within the Bank's market areas. Residential real estate loans also include purchased loan pools secured by residential properties located outside the Bank's market area.

Discounted Cash Flow Method

The Company uses the discounted cash flow method to estimate expected credit losses perfor the ASU. Other key decisionscommercial, financial and milestones includeagricultural, consumer installment, real estate - construction and development, real estate - commercial and farmland and real estate - residential loan segments. For each of these loan segments, the identificationCompany generates cash flow projections at the instrument level wherein payment expectations are adjusted for estimated prepayment speed, curtailments, time to recovery, probability of financial assets within scope;default, and loss given default. The modeling of expected prepayment speeds, curtailment rates, and time to recovery are based on historical internal data adjusted based upon peer data.

The Company uses regression analysis of historical internal and peer data to determine suitable loss drivers to utilize when modeling lifetime probability of default and loss given default. This analysis also determines how expected probability of default and loss given default will react to forecasted levels of the preparationloss drivers. For all loan pools utilizing the DCF method, the Company uses a combination of appropriatenational and regional data for modeling;including gross domestic product, home price indices, unemployment rates, retail sales, and rental vacancy rates depending on the establishmentnature of the underlying loan pool and how well that loss driver correlates to expected future losses.

For all DCF models, management has determined that four quarters represents a reasonable and supportable forecast period and reverts back to a historical loss rate over four quarters on a straight-line basis. Management leverages economic projections from a reputable and independent third party to inform its loss driver forecasts over the four-quarter forecast period. Other
10


internal and external indicators of economic forecasts are also considered by management when developing the forecast metrics.

The combination of adjustments for credit expectations (default and loss) and timing expectations (prepayment, curtailment, and time to recovery) produces an expected cash flow stream at the instrument level. Instrument effective yield is calculated, net of the impacts of prepayment assumptions, and the instrument expected cash flows are then discounted at that effective yield to produce an instrument-level net present value of expected cash flows (“NPV”). An ACL is established for the difference between the instrument’s NPV and amortized cost basis.

Vintage Method

The Company uses a vintage method to estimate expected credit losses;losses for the determinationindirect automobile loans segment. The Company’s vintage analysis is based on loss rates by origination date and includes data on loan amounts, loan charge-offs and recoveries by date. Using this information, vintage tables are created to evaluate loss rate patterns and develop estimated losses by vintage year. Once the tables have been calculated, reserves are estimated by multiplying the balance of a methodology for calculatinggiven origination year by the remaining loss to be experienced by that vintage.

PD×LGD Method

The Company uses the PD×LGD method to estimate expected credit losses;losses (“EL”) for the premium finance and municipal loan segments. Under the PD×LGD method, the loss rate is a function of two components: (1) the lifetime default rate (“PD”); and (2) the loss given default (“LGD”). For the premium finance loan segment, calculations of lifetime default rates and corresponding loss given default rates of static pools are performed. The PD×LGD method uses the default rates and loss given default rates of different static pools to quantify the relationship between those rates and the developmentcredit mix of documentation to support the approachpools and accounting selections.

During the third quarterapplies that relationship on a going forward basis. The Company has not incurred any historical defaults or charge offs in its municipal portfolio. Therefore, in lieu of 2019,historical loss rates, the Company implementedapplies historical benchmarking PD and LGD ratios provided by a reputable and independent third party to the software and conductedcurrent municipal loan balance.

Qualitative Factors

The Company uses qualitative factors for model risk uncertainty as well as for loan segment specific risks that cannot be addressed in the quantitative methods.In particular, the warehouse loan segment uses a series of CECL modeling measurements using a discounted cash flow approach. As a result of these modeling measurements,qualitative factor for fraud losses based upon historical fraud loss data since the Company has not experienced any credit related losses in this loan segment to date.

Individually Evaluated Assets

Loans that do not share risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. For collateral dependent financial assets where the Company has determined that foreclosure of the collateral is calibrating its model and finalizing input decisions. Results from recent model runs have been consistent with prior projectionsprobable, or where the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the Company expects repayment of the financial asset to be provided substantially through the operation or sale of the collateral, the ACL is measured based on the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the amortized cost basis of the asset as of the measurement date. When repayment is expected to be from the operation of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized cost basis of the financial asset exceeds the present value of expected cash flows from the operation of the collateral. When repayment is expected to be from the sale of the collateral, expected credit losses are calculated as the amount by which the amortized costs basis of the financial asset exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral less estimated cost to sell. The ACL may be zero if the fair value of the collateral at the measurement date exceeds the amortized cost basis of the financial asset.

The Company’s expectations.estimate of the ACL reflects losses expected over the remaining contractual life of the assets. The contractual term does not consider extensions, renewals or modifications unless the Company has identified an expected troubled debt restructuring.

A loan that has been modified or renewed is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) when two conditions are met: (1) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty; and (2) concessions are made for the borrower's benefit that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower or transaction with similar credit risk characteristics. The Company’s ACL reflects all effects of a TDR when an individual asset is specifically identified as a reasonably expected TDR. The Company has determined that a TDR is reasonably expected no later than the point when the lender concludes that modification is the best course of action and it is at least reasonably possible that the troubled borrower will accept some form of concession from the lender to avoid a default. Reasonably expected TDRs and executed non-performing TDRs are evaluated individually to determine the required ACL. TDRs performing in accordance with their modified contractual terms for a reasonable period of
11


time may be included in the Company’s existing pools based on the underlying risk characteristics of the loan to measure the ACL.

Loan Commitments and Allowance for Credit Losses on Off-Balance Sheet Credit Exposures

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for off-balance sheet loan commitments is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

The Company records an allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures, unless the commitments to extend credit are unconditionally cancelable, through a charge to provision for unfunded commitments in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The ACL on off-balance sheet credit exposures is estimated by loan segment at each balance sheet date under the current expected credit loss model using the same methodologies as portfolio loans, taking into consideration the likelihood that funding will occur as well as any third-party guarantees and is included in other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Guidance on Non-TDR Loan Modifications due to COVID-19

In April 2020, various regulatory agencies, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB") and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"), issued a revised interagency statement encouraging financial institutions to work with customers affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) and providing additional information regarding loan modifications. The revised interagency statement clarifies the interaction between the interagency statement issued on March 22, 2020 and the temporary relief provided by Section 4013 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). Section 4013 of the CARES Act allows financial institutions to suspend the requirements to classify certain loan modifications as TDRs. The revised statement also provides supervisory interpretations on past due and nonaccrual regulatory reporting of loan modification programs and regulatory capital. This interagency guidance is expected to reduce the number of TDRs that will be reported in future periods; however, the amount is indeterminable and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the pandemic. The Company is evaluating borrowers requesting payment relief beyond two 90-day periods under its Disaster Relief Program against existing TDR guidance and not under Section 4013 of the CARES Act.

Accounting Standards Pending Adoption

ASU No. 2020-04 – Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance, for a limited time, to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments, which are elective, provide expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR or another reference rate that is expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The optional expedients for contract modifications apply consistently for all contracts or transactions within the relevant Codification Topic, Subtopic, or Industry Subtopic that contains the guidance that otherwise would be required to be applied, while those for hedging relationships can be elected on an individual hedging relationship basis. Because the guidance is intended to assist stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period, it is in effect for a limited time, from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company has established a working committee with representatives from relevant functional areas to inventory the contracts and accounts that are tied to LIBOR and develop a transition plan for the affected items. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2020-04 on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2019-12 – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain technical exceptions. ASU 2019-12 also clarifies and amends the accounting for income taxes in certain areas including, among others: (i) franchise taxes that are partially based on income; (ii) whether step ups in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the acquisition to which it related or recognized as a separate transaction; and (iii) requiring the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates to be reflected in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The Company expects to continueapply the amendments in this update on a modified retrospective basis for the provision related to run CECL modeling in parallel with its current allowance process.
As the Company has progressed on implementation of thefranchise taxes and prospectively for all other amendments. ASU third-party2019-12 is effective for interim and internal audit reviews have been conducted to assist with readiness. Identified issues have been addressed. In addition, theannual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the progress of finalizing a third-party validation of its CECL model.

The Company continues to evaluatecurrently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet,
12


consolidated statement of the ASU on resultsincome and comprehensive income, consolidated statement of operations, financial position and disclosures. The Company expects to recognize a one-time cumulative effect adjustment toshareholders’ equity and the allowance for loan losses asconsolidated statement of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standardcash flows, but it is effective. The cumulative effect adjustment as well as the ongoing impact of implementation will be influenced by the composition, characteristics and quality of our portfolios, as well as the economic conditions and forecasts at the adoption date.not expected to have a material impact.

NOTE 2 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

In accounting for business combinations, the Company uses the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Any identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged separately from the entity). If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available. In addition, management will assess and record the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities resulting from differences in the carrying value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for income tax purposes, including acquired net operating loss carryforwards and other acquired assets with built-in losses that are expected to be settled or otherwise recovered in future periods where the realization of such benefits would be subject to applicable limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.



Fidelity Southern Corporation

On July 1, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of Fidelity Southern Corporation ("Fidelity"), a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Fidelity was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger, and Fidelity's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Fidelity Bank, was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving. The acquisition expanded the Company's existing market presence in Georgia and Florida, as Fidelity Bank had a total of 62 branches at the time of closing, 46 of which were located in Georgia and 16 of which were located in Florida. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Fidelity's shareholders received 0.80 shares of Ameris common stock for each share of Fidelity common stock they previously held. As a result, the Company issued 22,181,522 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $869.3 million to Fidelity's shareholders as merger consideration.


13


The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Fidelity as of July 1, 2019, and their fair value estimates. The fair value estimates were subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition for new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. The Company continuesfinalized its evaluation of the facts and circumstances available as of July 1, 2019, to assign fair values to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which could result in further adjustments to the fair values presented below. Because final external valuations were not complete as of September 30, 2019, management continues to evaluate fair value adjustments related to loans, premises, intangibles, interest-bearing deposits, other borrowings, subordinated deferrable interest debentures and deferred taxes.during the second quarter of 2020.
(dollars in thousands)
As Recorded
by Fidelity
 
Initial
 Fair Value
Adjustments
 
As Recorded
by Ameris
(dollars in thousands)As Recorded
by Fidelity
Initial
Fair Value
Adjustments
Subsequent
Adjustments
As Recorded
by Ameris
Assets     Assets
Cash and due from banks$26,264
 $
 $26,264
Cash and due from banks$26,264 $$(2,417)(o)$23,847 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks217,936
 
 217,936
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks217,936 217,936 
Investment securities299,341
 (1,444)(a) 297,897
Investment securities299,341 (1,444)(a)297,897 
Other investments7,449
 
 7,449
Other investments7,449 7,449 
Loans held for sale328,657
 (1,290)(b) 327,367
Loans held for sale328,657 (1,290)(b)250 (p)327,617 
Loans3,587,412
 (79,002)(c) 3,508,410
Loans3,587,412 (79,002)(c)3,852 (q)3,512,262 
Less allowance for loan losses(31,245) 31,245
(d) 
Less allowance for loan losses(31,245)31,245 (d)
Loans, net3,556,167
 (47,757) 3,508,410
Loans, net3,556,167 (47,757)3,852 3,512,262 
Other real estate owned7,605
 (427)(e) 7,178
Other real estate owned7,605 (427)(e)7,178 
Premises and equipment93,662
 11,407
(f) 105,069
Premises and equipment93,662 11,407 (f)(3,820)(r)101,249 
Other intangible assets, net10,670
 39,940
(g) 50,610
Other intangible assets, net10,670 39,940 (g)50,610 
Cash value of bank owned life insurance72,328
 
 72,328
Cash value of bank owned life insurance72,328 72,328 
Deferred income taxes, net104
 (104)(h) 
Deferred income taxes, net104 (104)(h)
Other assets157,863
 998
(i) 158,861
Other assets157,863 998 (i)(17,138)(s)141,723 
Total assets$4,778,046
 $1,323
 $4,779,369
Total assets$4,778,046 $1,323 $(19,273)$4,760,096 
Liabilities     Liabilities
Deposits:     Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing$1,301,829
 $
 $1,301,829
Noninterest-bearing$1,301,829 $$(2,114)(t)$1,299,715 
Interest-bearing2,740,552
 942
(j) 2,741,494
Interest-bearing2,740,552 942 (j)2,741,494 
Total deposits4,042,381
 942
 4,043,323
Total deposits4,042,381 942 (2,114)4,041,209 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase22,345
 
 22,345
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase22,345 22,345 
Other borrowings149,367
 2,265
(k) 151,632
Other borrowings149,367 2,265 (k)(300)(u)151,332 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures46,393
 (9,675)(l) 36,718
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures46,393 (9,675)(l)36,718 
Deferred tax liability, net12,222
 (11,401)(m) 821
Deferred tax liability, net12,222 (11,401)(m)497 (v)1,318 
Other liabilities65,027
 538
(n) 65,565
Other liabilities65,027 538 (n)(839)(w)64,726 
Total liabilities4,337,735
 (17,331) 4,320,404
Total liabilities4,337,735 (17,331)(2,756)4,317,648 
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed440,311
 18,654
 458,965
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed440,311 18,654 (16,517)442,448 
Goodwill
 410,348
 410,348
Goodwill410,348 16,517 426,865 
Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed$440,311
 $429,002
 $869,313
Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed$440,311 $429,002 $$869,313 
Consideration:     Consideration:
Ameris Bancorp common shares issued22,181,522
     Ameris Bancorp common shares issued22,181,522 
Price per share of the Company's common stock39.19
     Price per share of the Company's common stock39.19 
Company common stock issued$869,294
     Company common stock issued$869,294 
Cash exchanged for shares$19
     Cash exchanged for shares$19 
Fair value of total consideration transferred$869,313
     Fair value of total consideration transferred$869,313 


Explanation of fair value adjustments
(a)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the portfolio of investment securities as of the acquisition date.
(b)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired loans held for sale.

(a)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the portfolio of investment securities as of the acquisition date.

(c)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio, net of the reversal of Fidelity's unamortized accounting adjustments from Fidelity's prior acquisitions, loan premiums, loan discounts, deferred loan origination costs and deferred loan origination fees.
(d)Adjustment reflects the elimination of Fidelity's allowance for loan losses.
(e)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.
(f)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired premises and equipment.
(g)Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts, net of reversal of Fidelity's remaining intangible assets from its past acquisitions.
(h)Adjustment reflects the reclassification of Fidelity's deferred tax asset against the deferred tax liability.
(i)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to other assets.
(j)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired deposits.
(k)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the other borrowings at the acquisition date, net of reversal of Fidelity's unamortized deferred issuance costs.
(l)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.
(m)Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes and reclassification of Fidelity's deferred tax asset against the deferred tax liability.
(n)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired other liabilities.

(b)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired loans held for sale.
(c)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio, net of the reversal of Fidelity's unamortized accounting adjustments from Fidelity's prior acquisitions, loan premiums, loan discounts, deferred loan origination costs and deferred loan origination fees.
(d)Adjustment reflects the elimination of Fidelity's allowance for loan losses.
14


(e)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.
(f)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired premises and equipment.
(g)Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts, net of reversal of Fidelity's remaining intangible assets from its past acquisitions.
(h)Adjustment reflects the reclassification of Fidelity's deferred tax asset against the deferred tax liability.
(i)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to other assets.
(j)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired deposits.
(k)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the other borrowings at the acquisition date, net of reversal of Fidelity's unamortized deferred issuance costs.
(l)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.
(m)Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes and reclassification of Fidelity's deferred tax asset against the deferred tax liability.
(n)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired other liabilities.
(o)Subsequent to acquisition, cash and due from banks were adjusted for Fidelity reconciling items.
(p)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to loans held for sale.
(q)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments of the acquired loan portfolio.
(r)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to premises and equipment.
(s)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to other assets and includes a reclassification of deferred income taxes to current income taxes.
(t)Subsequent to acquisition, noninterest-bearing deposits were adjusted for Fidelity reconciling items.
(u)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to other borrowings.
(v)Adjustment reflects additional recording of deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes and includes a reclassification of deferred income taxes to current income taxes.
(w)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to other liabilities.

Goodwill of $410.3$426.9 million, which is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the Fidelity acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

In the acquisition, the Company purchased $3.51 billion of loans at fair value, net of $79.0$75.2 million, or 2.20%2.09%, estimated discount to the outstanding principal balance.acquired carrying value. Of the total loans acquired, management identified $119.3$121.3 million that were considered to be credit impaired and arewere accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30.310-30 prior to the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020. The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payments, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of the acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payments have been adjusted for estimated prepayments.

(dollars in thousands) 
Contractually required principal and interest$186,118
Non-accretable difference(25,715)
Cash flows expected to be collected160,403
Accretable yield(41,084)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired$119,319

(dollars in thousands)
Contractually required principal and interest$191,534 
Non-accretable difference(23,058)
Cash flows expected to be collected168,476 
Accretable yield(47,173)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired$121,303 

The following table presents the acquired loan data for the Fidelity acquisition.
(dollars in thousands)Fair Value of
Acquired Loans at
Acquisition Date
Gross Contractual
Amounts Receivable
at Acquisition Date
Estimate at
Acquisition Date of
Contractual Cash
Flows Not Expected
to be Collected
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30$121,303 $191,534 $23,058 
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30$3,390,959 $4,217,890 $33,076 
(dollars in thousands)
Fair Value of
Acquired Loans at
Acquisition Date
 
Gross Contractual
Amounts Receivable
at Acquisition Date
 
Estimate at
Acquisition Date of
Contractual Cash
Flows Not Expected
to be Collected
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30$119,319
 $186,118
 $25,715
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30$3,389,091
 $4,161,546
 $30,419
15





Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc.

On June 29, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc. ("Hamilton"), a bank holding company headquartered in Hoschton, Georgia. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Hamilton was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger, and Hamilton's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Hamilton State Bank, was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving. The acquisition expanded the Company's existing market presence, as Hamilton State Bank had a total of 28 full-service branches located in Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding area, as well as in Gainesville, Georgia, at the time of closing. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Hamilton's shareholders received 0.16 shares of Ameris common stock and $0.93 in cash for each share of Hamilton voting common stock or nonvoting common stock they previously held. As a result, the Company issued 6,548,385 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $349.4 million and paid $47.8 million in cash to Hamilton's shareholders as merger consideration.



The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Hamilton as of June 29, 2018, and their fair value estimates. The fair value estimates were subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition for new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. The Company finalized its fair value adjustments during the second quarter of 2019.
(dollars in thousands)
As Recorded
by Hamilton
 
Initial
 Fair Value
Adjustments
  
Subsequent
Adjustments
  
As Recorded
by Ameris
Assets         
Cash and due from banks$14,405
 $
  $(478)(j) $13,927
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks102,156
 
  
  102,156
Time deposits in other banks11,558
 
  
  11,558
Investment securities288,206
 (2,376)(a) 
  285,830
Other investments2,094
 
  
  2,094
Loans1,314,264
 (15,528)(b) (5,550)(k) 1,293,186
Less allowance for loan losses(11,183) 11,183
(c) 
  
     Loans, net1,303,081
 (4,345)  (5,550)  1,293,186
Other real estate owned847
 
  
  847
Premises and equipment27,483
 
  1,488
(l) 28,971
Other intangible assets, net18,755
 (2,755)(d) 7,610
(m) 23,610
Cash value of bank owned life insurance4,454
 
  
  4,454
Deferred income taxes, net12,445
 (6,308)(e) 3,942
(n) 10,079
Other assets13,053
 
  (2,098)(o) 10,955
     Total assets$1,798,537
 $(15,784)  $4,914
  $1,787,667
Liabilities         
Deposits:         
     Noninterest-bearing$381,039
 $
  $
  $381,039
     Interest-bearing1,201,324
 (1,896)(f) 4,783
(p) 1,204,211
          Total deposits1,582,363
 (1,896)  4,783
  1,585,250
Other borrowings10,687
 (66)(g) 286
(q) 10,907
Subordinated deferrable interest debenture3,093
 (658)(h) (143)(r) 2,292
Other liabilities10,460
 2,391
(i) 
  12,851
     Total liabilities1,606,603
 (229)  4,926
  1,611,300
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed191,934
 (15,555)  (12)  176,367
Goodwill
 220,713
  55
  220,768
Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed$191,934
 $205,158
  $43
  $397,135
Consideration:         
     Ameris Bancorp common shares issued6,548,385
        
     Price per share of the Company's common stock$53.35
        
          Company common stock issued$349,356
        
          Cash exchanged for shares$47,779
        
     Fair value of total consideration transferred$397,135
        


Explanation of fair value adjustments
(a)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the portfolio of investment securities as of the acquisition date.
(b)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio, net of the reversal of Hamilton's unamortized accounting adjustments from their prior acquisitions, loan premiums, loan discounts, deferred loan origination costs and deferred loan origination fees.
(c)Adjustment reflects the elimination of Hamilton's allowance for loan losses.
(d)Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts, net of reversal of Hamilton's remaining intangible assets from its past acquisitions.
(e)Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.


(f)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired deposits.
(g)Adjustment reflects the reversal of Hamilton's unamortized accounting adjustments for other borrowings from its past acquisitions.
(h)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debenture at the acquisition date.
(i)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the FDIC loss-share clawback liability included in other liabilities.
(j)Subsequent to acquisition, cash and due from banks were adjusted for Hamilton reconciling items.
(k)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to the acquired loan portfolio.
(l)Adjustment reflects the recording of fair value adjustment to premises and equipment.
(m)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to the core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.
(n)Adjustment reflects additional recording of deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.
(o)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to other assets.
(p)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments on the acquired deposits.
(q)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to other borrowings.
(r)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to the subordinated deferrable interest debenture.

Goodwill of $220.8 million, which is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the Hamilton acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

In the acquisition, the Company purchased $1.29 billion of loans at fair value, net of $21.1 million, or 1.60%, estimated discount to the outstanding principal balance. Of the total loans acquired, management identified $15.4 million that were considered to be credit impaired and are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30. The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payments, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of the acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payments have been adjusted for estimated prepayments.

(dollars in thousands) 
Contractually required principal and interest$21,223
Non-accretable difference(5,062)
Cash flows expected to be collected16,161
Accretable yield(794)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired$15,367


The following table presents the acquired loan data for the Hamilton acquisition.
(dollars in thousands)
Fair Value of
Acquired Loans at
Acquisition Date
 
Gross Contractual
Amounts Receivable
at Acquisition Date
 
Estimate at
Acquisition Date of
Contractual Cash
Flows Not Expected
to be Collected
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30$15,367
 $21,223
 $5,062
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30$1,277,819
 $1,441,534
 $




Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation

On May 25, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation ("Atlantic"), a bank holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Atlantic was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger, and Atlantic's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Atlantic Coast Bank, was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving. The acquisition expanded the Company's existing market presence, as Atlantic Coast Bank had a total of 12 full-service branches located in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Duval County, Florida, Waycross, Georgia and Douglas, Georgia, at the time of closing. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Atlantic's shareholders received 0.17 shares of Ameris common stock and $1.39 in cash for each share of Atlantic common stock they previously held. As a result, the Company issued 2,631,520 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $147.8 million and paid $21.5 million in cash to Atlantic's shareholders as merger consideration.




The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Atlantic as of May 25, 2018, and their fair value estimates. The fair value estimates were subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition for new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. The Company finalized its fair value adjustments during the second quarter of 2019.
(dollars in thousands)
As Recorded
by Atlantic
 
Initial
Fair Value
Adjustments
  
Subsequent
Adjustments
  
As Recorded
by Ameris
Assets         
Cash and due from banks$3,990
 $
  $
  $3,990
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks22,149
 
  
  22,149
Investment securities35,186
 (60)(a) 
  35,126
Other investments9,576
 
  
  9,576
Loans held for sale358
 
  
  358
Loans777,605
 (19,423)(b) (2,478)(k) 755,704
Less allowance for loan losses(8,573) 8,573
(c) 
  
     Loans, net769,032
 (10,850)  (2,478)  755,704
Other real estate owned1,837
 (796)(d) 
  1,041
Premises and equipment12,591
 (1,695)(e) (161)(l) 10,735
Other intangible assets, net
 5,937
(f) 1,551
(m) 7,488
Cash value of bank owned life insurance18,182
 
  
  18,182
Deferred income taxes, net5,782
 709
(g) 1,220
(n) 7,711
Other assets3,604
 (634)(h) (11)(o) 2,959
     Total assets$882,287
 $(7,389)  $121
  $875,019
Liabilities         
Deposits:         
     Noninterest-bearing$69,761
 $
  $
  $69,761
     Interest-bearing514,935
 (554)(i) 1,025
(p) 515,406
          Total deposits584,696
 (554)  1,025
  585,167
Other borrowings204,475
 
  
  204,475
Other liabilities8,367
 (13)(j) (1,922)(q) 6,432
     Total liabilities797,538
 (567)  (897)  796,074
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed84,749
 (6,822)  1,018
  78,945
Goodwill
 91,360
  (1,018)  90,342
Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed$84,749
 $84,538
  $
  $169,287
Consideration:         
     Ameris Bancorp common shares issued2,631,520
        
     Price per share of the Company's common stock$56.15
        
          Company common stock issued$147,760
        
          Cash exchanged for shares$21,527
        
     Fair value of total consideration transferred$169,287
        


Explanation of fair value adjustments
(a)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the portfolio of investment securities as of the acquisition date.
(b)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio, net of the reversal of Atlantic's unamortized accounting adjustments from loan premiums, loan discounts, deferred loan origination costs and deferred loan origination fees.
(c)Adjustment reflects the elimination of Atlantic's allowance for loan losses.
(d)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.
(e)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired premises and equipment.
(f)Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.
(g)Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.


(h)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired other assets.
(i)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired deposits.
(j)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired other liabilities.
(k)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments of the acquired loan portfolio.
(l)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustment to premises and equipment.
(m)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustments to the core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.
(n)Adjustment reflects additional recording of deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.
(o)Adjustment reflects additional fair value adjustments on acquired other assets.
(p)Adjustment reflects additional fair value adjustments on the acquired deposits.
(q)Adjustment reflects additional fair value adjustments on acquired other liabilities.

Goodwill of $90.3 million, which is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the Atlantic acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

In the acquisition, the Company purchased $755.7 million of loans at fair value, net of $21.9 million, or 2.82%, estimated discount to the outstanding principal balance. Of the total loans acquired, management identified $10.8 million that were considered to be credit impaired and are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30. The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payments, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of the acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payments have been adjusted for estimated prepayments.

(dollars in thousands) 
Contractually required principal and interest$16,077
Non-accretable difference(4,115)
Cash flows expected to be collected11,962
Accretable yield(1,199)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired$10,763


The following table presents the acquired loan data for the Atlantic acquisition.
(dollars in thousands)
Fair Value of
Acquired Loans at
Acquisition Date
 
Gross Contractual
Amounts Receivable
at Acquisition Date
 
Estimate at
Acquisition Date of
Contractual Cash
Flows Not Expected
to be Collected
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30$10,763
 $16,077
 $4,115
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30$744,941
 $1,041,768
 $


US Premium Finance Holding Company

On January 31, 2018, the Company closed on the purchase of the final 70% of the outstanding shares of common stock of US Premium Finance Holding Company, a Florida corporation ("USPF"), completing its acquisition of USPF and making USPF a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Through a series of 3 acquisition transactions that closed on January 18, 2017, January 3, 2018 and January 31, 2018, the Company issued a total of 1,073,158 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $55.9 million and paid $21.4 million in cash to the shareholders of USPF. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 25, 2018 under which the Company purchased the final 70% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the selling shareholders of USPF could receive additional cash payments aggregating up to $5.8 million based on the achievement by the Company's premium finance division of certain income targets, between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. The total contingent consideration paid was $1.2 million based on results achieved through the applicable measurement dates. As of the January 31, 2018 acquisition date, the present value of the contingent earn-out consideration expected to be paid was $5.7 million. Including the fair value of the Company's common stock issued, cash paid and the present value of the contingent earn-out consideration expected to be paid, the aggregate purchase price of USPF amounted to $83.0 million.



Prior to the January 31, 2018 completion of the acquisition, the Company's 30% investment in USPF was carried at its $23.9 million original cost basis. Once the acquisition was completed, the $83.0 million aggregate purchase price equaled the fair value of USPF which was determined utilizing the incremental projected earnings. Accordingly, no gain or loss was recorded by the Company in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income as a result of remeasuring to fair value the prior minority equity investment in USPF held by the Company immediately before the business combination was completed.

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of USPF as of January 31, 2018 at their initial and subsequent fair value estimates, as recorded by the Company.  The fair value estimates were subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition for new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. The assets acquired include only identifiable intangible assets related to insurance agent relationships that lead to referral of insurance premium finance loans to USPF, the "US Premium Finance" trade name and a non-compete agreement with a former USPF shareholder.
(dollars in thousands)
As Recorded
by USPF
 
Initial
Fair Value
Adjustments
  
Subsequent
Adjustments
  
As Recorded
by Ameris
Assets         
Intangible asset - insurance agent relationships$
 $20,000
(a) $2,351
(e) $22,351
Intangible asset - US Premium Finance trade name
 1,136
(b) (42)(f) 1,094
Intangible asset - non-compete agreement
 178
(c) (16)(g) 162
     Total assets$
 $21,314
  $2,293
  $23,607
Liabilities         
Deferred tax liability$
 $5,492
(d) $(368)(h) $5,124
Total liabilities
 5,492
  (368)  5,124
Net identifiable assets acquired over liabilities assumed
 15,822
  2,661
  18,483
Goodwill
 67,159
  (2,661)  64,498
Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed$
 $82,981
  $
  $82,981
Consideration:         
     Ameris Bancorp common shares issued1,073,158
        
     Price per share of the Company's common stock
          (weighted average)
$52.047
        
          Company common stock issued$55,855
        
          Cash exchanged for shares$21,421
        
          Present value of contingent earn-out consideration
               expected to be paid
$5,705
        
     Fair value of total consideration transferred$82,981
        


Explanation of fair value adjustments
(a)Adjustment reflects the recording of the fair value of the insurance agent relationships intangible.
(b)Adjustment reflect the recording of the fair value of the trade name intangible.
(c)Adjustment reflects the recording of the fair value of the non-compete agreement intangible.
(d)Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired intangible assets for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.
(e)Adjustment reflects additional fair value adjustment for the insurance agent relationships intangible.
(f)Adjustment reflects additional fair value adjustment for the trade name intangible.
(g)Adjustment reflects additional fair value adjustment for the non-compete agreement intangible.
(h)Adjustment reflects additional recording of deferred taxes on the differences in the carrying values of acquired intangible assets for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.
Goodwill of $64.5 million, which is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the USPF acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

During the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $2.0 million in other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income to reflect a decrease in the estimated contingent consideration liability. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $2.5 million in other noninterest income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income to reflect a further decrease in the estimated contingent consideration liability. These decreases in the


estimated contingent consideration liability were based on projected results of the premium finance division for the entire measurement period from January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2019. No additional adjustment to the estimated contingent consideration liability was considered necessary for the first nine months of 2019.

Pro Forma Financial Information

The results of operations of Fidelity Hamilton, Atlantic and USPF subsequent to theirits acquisition datesdate are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The following unaudited pro forma information reflects the Company’s estimated consolidated results of operations as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2018,2019, unadjusted for potential cost savings. Merger and conversion charges are not included in the pro forma information below.
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data; shares in thousands)2020201920202019
Net interest income and noninterest income$321,556 $225,762 $808,654 $618,148 
Net income$116,111 $73,213 $168,804 $165,561 
Net income available to common shareholders$116,111 $73,213 $168,804 $165,561 
Income per common share available to common shareholders – basic$1.68 $1.06 $2.44 $2.38 
Income per common share available to common shareholders – diluted$1.67 $1.05 $2.43 $2.38 
Average number of shares outstanding, basic69,231 69,372 69,243 69,469 
Average number of shares outstanding, diluted69,346 69,600 69,403 69,590 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data; shares in thousands)2019 2018 2019 2018
Net interest income and noninterest income$225,762
 $201,618
 $618,148
 $602,620
Net income$73,213
 $54,481
 $165,603
 $140,952
Net income available to common shareholders$73,213
 $54,481
 $165,603
 $140,952
Income per common share available to common shareholders – basic$1.06
 $0.78
 $2.38
 $2.02
Income per common share available to common shareholders – diluted$1.05
 $0.78
 $2.38
 $2.02
Average number of shares outstanding, basic69,372
 69,696
 69,469
 69,628
Average number of shares outstanding, diluted69,600
 69,867
 69,590
 69,800


NOTE 3 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale along with allowance for credit losses, gross unrealized gains and losses are summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)Amortized
Cost
Allowance for Credit LossesGross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
September 30, 2020
U.S. government sponsored agencies$17,184 $$420 $$17,604 
State, county and municipal securities84,219 3,429 87,648 
Corporate debt securities51,659 (68)826 (276)52,141 
SBA pool securities62,204 3,019 (107)65,116 
Mortgage-backed securities855,083 39,942 (98)894,927 
Total debt securities$1,070,349 $(68)$47,636 $(481)$1,117,436 
December 31, 2019
U.S. government sponsored agencies$22,246 $$116 $$22,362 
State, county and municipal securities102,952 2,310 (2)105,260 
Corporate debt securities51,720 1,281 (2)52,999 
SBA pool securities73,704 617 (409)73,912 
Mortgage-backed securities1,129,816 19,937 (883)1,148,870 
Total debt securities$1,380,438 $$24,261 $(1,296)$1,403,403 
(dollars in thousands) 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
September 30, 2019        
U.S. government sponsored agencies $22,265
 $95
 $
 $22,360
State, county and municipal securities 113,607
 2,742
 
 116,349
Corporate debt securities 51,740
 1,211
 (33) 52,918
Mortgage-backed securities 1,283,846
 18,776
 (3,042) 1,299,580
Total debt securities $1,471,458
 $22,824
 $(3,075) $1,491,207
         
December 31, 2018        
State, county and municipal securities $149,670
 $1,367
 $(304) $150,733
Corporate debt securities 67,123
 718
 (527) 67,314
Mortgage-backed securities 982,183
 4,172
 (11,979) 974,376
Total debt securities $1,198,976
 $6,257
 $(12,810) $1,192,423


The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities available for sale securities atas of September 30, 20192020, by contractual maturity are summarized in the tableshown below. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securitiesMaturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because in certain cases borrowers can prepay obligationsthe mortgages underlying these securities may be called or repaid without prepayment penalties.penalty. Therefore, these securities are shown separately.not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary:
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less $16,799
 $16,858
Due from one year to five years 74,218
 75,228
Due from five to ten years 67,248
 69,498
Due after ten years 29,347
 30,043
Mortgage-backed securities 1,283,846
 1,299,580
  $1,471,458
 $1,491,207

(dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
Estimated
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less$35,577 $35,851 
Due from one year to five years56,870 58,892 
Due from five to ten years68,527 71,211 
Due after ten years54,292 56,555 
Mortgage-backed securities855,083 894,927 
 $1,070,349 $1,117,436 
 


Securities with a carrying value of approximately $513.7$595.7 million serve as collateral to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and for other purposes required or permitted by law at September 30, 2019,2020, compared with $510.0$679.6 million at December 31, 2018.2019.
16


The following table detailsshows the gross unrealized losses and estimated fair value of securities aggregated by category and durationlength of time that securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018.2019.
  Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
(dollars in thousands) 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
September 30, 2019  
  
  
  
  
  
State, county and municipal securities $559
 $
 $
 $
 $559
 $
Corporate debt securities 1,470
 (30) 2,090
 (3) 3,560
 (33)
Mortgage-backed securities 345,451
 (1,828) 81,039
 (1,214) 426,490
 (3,042)
Total debt securities $347,480
 $(1,858) $83,129
 $(1,217) $430,609
 $(3,075)
             
December 31, 2018  
  
  
  
  
  
State, county and municipal securities $23,784
 $(52) $33,873
 $(252) $57,657
 $(304)
Corporate debt securities 17,291
 (111) 17,952
 (416) 35,243
 (527)
Mortgage-backed securities 119,745
 (580) 435,749
 (11,399) 555,494
 (11,979)
Total debt securities $160,820
 $(743) $487,574
 $(12,067) $648,394
 $(12,810)

 Less Than 12 Months12 Months or MoreTotal
(dollars in thousands)Estimated
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
September 30, 2020      
Corporate debt securities$9,906 $(276)$$$9,906 $(276)
SBA pool securities4,276 (107)4,276 (107)
Mortgage-backed securities24,687 (98)24,689 (98)
Total debt securities$34,593 $(374)$4,278 $(107)$38,871 $(481)
December 31, 2019      
State, county and municipal securities$803 $(2)$$$803 $(2)
Corporate debt securities2,573 (2)2,573 (2)
SBA pool securities28,521 (285)4,825 (124)33,346 (409)
Mortgage-backed securities99,279 (416)52,326 (467)151,605 (883)
Total debt securities$131,176 $(705)$57,151 $(591)$188,327 $(1,296)
 
As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company’s securitiessecurity portfolio consisted of 568524 securities, 13630 of which were in an unrealized loss position. The majority of unrealized losses are related to the Company’s mortgage-backed securities, as discussed below.
At September 30, 2019,2020, the Company held 13317 mortgage-backed securities that were in an unrealized loss position, all of which were issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because the Company does not have the intent to sell these mortgage-backed securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2019.

At September 30, 2019,2020, the Company held 1 state, county7 SBA pool securities and municipal security and 26 corporate debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates

During 2020 and illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because2019, the Company does not have the intent to sell these securitiesreceived timely and it is likely that it will not be required to sellcurrent interest and principal payments on all of the securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2019.
classified as corporate debt securities. The Company’s investments in corporatesubordinated debt include investments in regional and super-regional banks on which the Company prepares regular analysis through review of financial information and credit ratings. Investments in preferred securities are also concentrated in the preferred obligations of regional and super-regional banks through non-pooled investment structures. The Company did not have investments in “pooled” trust preferred securities at September 30, 20192020 or December 31, 2018.2019.
 
Management and the Company’s Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”) evaluate securities for other-than-temporary impairmentin an unrealized loss position on at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditionsconcerns warrant such evaluation. Whileevaluation, to determine if credit-related impairment exists. Management first evaluates whether they intend to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell an impaired security before recovering its amortized cost basis. If either criteria is met, the majorityentire amount of unrealized loss is recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security's amortized cost basis. If either of the unrealized losses on debt securities relateabove criteria is not met, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates, corporate debt securities have also been affected by reduced levels of liquidity and higher risk premiums. Occasionally, management engages independent third parties to evaluate the Company’s position in certain corporate debt securities to aid management and the ALCO Committee in its determination regarding the status of impairment.credit or resulted from other factors. The Company believes that each investment poses minimal credit risk. Furthermore, the Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2019,2020, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Therefore,Based on the results of management's review, at September 30, 2019, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than-temporary basis.2020, management determined $68,000 was attributable to credit impairment and increased the allowance for credit losses accordingly. The remaining $481,000 in unrealized loss was determined to be from factors other than credit.
(dollars in thousands)Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020
Allowance for credit losses
Beginning balance$
Current-period provision for expected credit losses68 
Ending balance$68 
 
At September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities were obligations of government-sponsored agencies.
 

17


The following table is a summary of sales activities in the Company’s investment securities available for sale for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019:
(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Gross gains on sales of securities$$522 
Gross losses on sales of securities(464)
Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale$$58 
Sales proceeds$$64,995 
(dollars in thousands) September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Gross gains on sales of securities $522
 $390
Gross losses on sales of securities (464) (301)
Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale $58
 $89
     
Sales proceeds $64,995
 $68,727


Total gain on securities reported on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income is comprised of the following for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019:
(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale$$58 
Unrealized holding gains on equity securities19 
Net realized gains on sales of other investments62 
Total gain on securities$$139 
(dollars in thousands) September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale $58
 $89
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on equity securities 19
 (127)
Net realized gains on sales of other investments 62
 
Total gain (loss) on securities $139
 $(38)


NOTE 4 – LOANS

The Bank engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate-related loans, agriculture-related loans, commercial and financial loans and consumer installment loans within select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. The Bank purchased residential mortgage loan pools during 2015 and 2016 collateralized by properties located outside our Southeast markets, specifically in California, Washington and Illinois. During the third quarter of 2016, the Bank began purchasing from unrelated third parties consumer installment home improvement loans made to borrowers throughout the United States. As of September 30, 2019The Bank also offers certain SBA and December 31, 2018, the net carrying value of these consumer installment home improvement loans was approximately $404.7 million and $399.9 million, respectively, and such loans are reported in the consumer installment loan category. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Bank purchased a pool of commercial insurance premium finance loans made to borrowers throughoutnationally. Loans outstanding under the United States and began to originate, administer and service these types of loans. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the net carrying value of commercial insurance premium loans was approximately $648.7 million and $413.5 million, respectively, and such loansSBA's Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") are reported in the commercial, financial and agricultural loan category.

The Bank concentrates the majority of its lending activities in real estate loans. While risk of loss in the Company’s portfolio is primarily tied to the credit quality of the various borrowers, risk of loss may increase due to factors beyond the Company’s control, such as local, regional and/or national economic downturns. General conditions in the real estate market may also impact the relative risk in the real estate portfolio. A substantial portion of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate in the Bank’s primary market area. In addition, a substantial portion of the OREO is located in those same markets. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio and the recovery of a substantial portion of the carrying amount of OREO areis susceptible to changes in real estate conditions in the Bank’s primary market area.

Commercial, financial and agricultural loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, crop production, commercial insurance premium finance, and other business purposes. Commercial, financial and agricultural loans also include SBA loans and municipal loans. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Bank evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans.
Real estate loans include construction and development loans, commercial and farmland loans and residential loans. Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, one-to-four family home residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail and warehouse space as well as farmland. They also include non-owner-occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties. The Company’s residential loans represent permanent mortgage financing and are secured by residential properties located within the Bank's market areas, along with warehouse lines of credit secured by residential mortgages.


Consumer installment loans include home improvement loans, automobile loans, boat and recreational vehicle financing, and secured and unsecured personal loans. Consumer loans carry greater risks than other loans, as the collateral can consist of rapidly depreciating assets such as automobiles and equipment that may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the loan in the case of default.
Loans are stated at unpaid balances, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees.amortized cost. Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table, excluding purchased loans:table:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Commercial, financial and agricultural$1,781,237
 $1,316,359
Real estate – construction and development947,371
 671,198
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,152,528
 1,814,529
Real estate – residential1,866,128
 1,403,000
Consumer installment461,552
 455,371
 $7,208,816
 $5,660,457

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Commercial, financial and agricultural$1,879,788 $802,171 
Consumer installment450,810 498,577 
Indirect automobile682,396 1,061,824 
Mortgage warehouse995,942 526,369 
Municipal725,669 564,304 
Premium finance710,890 654,669 
Real estate – construction and development1,628,255 1,549,062 
Real estate – commercial and farmland5,116,252 4,353,039 
Real estate – residential2,753,591 2,808,461 
 $14,943,593 $12,818,476 
 
Purchased loans are defined as loans that were acquired in bank acquisitions including those that are covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Purchased loans totaling $5.39 billion and $2.59 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are not included in the above schedule.
Purchased loans are shown below according to major loan type as of the end of the periods shown:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Commercial, financial and agricultural$385,355
 $372,686
Real estate – construction and development521,324
 227,900
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,057,384
 1,337,859
Real estate – residential1,285,096
 623,199
Consumer installment1,139,177
 27,188
 $5,388,336
 $2,588,832
18


A rollforward of purchased loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 is shown below:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Balance, January 1$2,588,832
 $861,595
Charge-offs(3,521) (1,314)
Additions due to acquisitions3,508,410
 2,054,440
Accretion10,503
 8,083
Subsequent fair value adjustments recorded to goodwill(4,854) 
Loans sold(86,773) 
Transfers to loans held for sale(1,554) 
Transfers to purchased other real estate owned(3,908) (2,434)
Payments received, net of principal advances(618,799) (208,910)
Ending balance$5,388,336
 $2,711,460


The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of purchased loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:2019:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Balance, January 1$40,496
 $20,192
Additions due to acquisitions38,116
 29,318
Accretion(10,503) (8,083)
Accretable discounts removed due to charge-offs
 (16)
Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net(2,052) 1,569
Ending balance$66,057
 $42,980

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2019
Balance, January 1$40,496 
Additions due to acquisitions38,116 
Accretion(10,503)
Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net(2,052)
Ending balance$66,057 
 
Purchased loan pools are defined as groups of residential mortgage loans that were not acquired in bank acquisitions or FDIC-assisted transactions. As of September 30, 2019, purchased loan pools totaled $229.1 million and consisted of whole-loan residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $228.0 million and $1.1 million of


remaining purchase premium paid at acquisition. As of December 31, 2018, purchased loan pools totaled $262.6 million with principal balances totaling $260.5 million and $2.1 million of remaining purchase premium paid at acquisition.

At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, all loans in purchased loan pools were performing current loans risk-rated grade 3 (Good Credit). At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, purchased loan pools had 0 loans on nonaccrual status and had 0 loans classified as troubled debt restructurings.

At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had allocated $619,000 and $732,000, respectively, of allowance for loan losses for the purchased loan pools.

As part of the due diligence process prior to purchasing an individual mortgage pool, a complete re-underwrite of the individual loan files was conducted. The underwriting process included a review of all income, asset, credit and property related documentation that was used to originate the loan. Underwriters utilized the originating lender’s program guidelines, as well as general prudent mortgage lending standards, to assess each individual loan file.  Additional research was conducted to assess the real estate market conditions and market expectations in the geographic areas where a collateral concentration existed. As part of this review, an automated valuation model was employed to provide current collateral valuations and to support individual loan-to-value ratios.  Additionally, a sample of site inspections was completed to provide further assurance.  The results of the due diligence review were evaluated by officers of the Company in order to determine overall conformance to the Bank’s credit and lending policies.

Nonaccrual and Past-Due Loans

A loan is placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s judgment, the collection of the interest income appears doubtful. Interest receivable that has been accrued and is subsequently determined to have doubtful collectability is charged against interest income. Interest on loans that are classified as nonaccrual is subsequently applied to principal until the loans are returned to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Past-due loans are loans whose principal or interest is past due 30 days or more. In some cases, where borrowers are experiencing financial difficulties, loans may be restructured to provide terms significantly different from the original contractual terms.

The following table presents an analysis of loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis, excluding purchased loans:basis:
(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Commercial, financial and agricultural$11,844 $9,236 
Consumer installment947 831 
Indirect automobile1,936 1,746 
Premium finance600 
Real estate – construction and development5,666 1,988 
Real estate – commercial and farmland39,248 23,797 
Real estate – residential78,522 36,926 
 $138,163 $75,124 
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Commercial, financial and agricultural$3,103
 $1,412
Real estate – construction and development1,357
 892
Real estate – commercial and farmland3,588
 4,654
Real estate – residential13,226
 10,465
Consumer installment465
 529
 $21,739
 $17,952


There was 0 interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

The following table presents an analysis of purchasednonaccrual loans accountedwith no related allowance for on a nonaccrual basis:credit losses:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Commercial, financial and agricultural$5,370
 $1,199
Real estate – construction and development5,326
 6,119
Real estate – commercial and farmland18,777
 5,534
Real estate – residential48,559
 10,769
Consumer installment730
 486
 $78,762
 $24,107


(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020
Commercial, financial and agricultural$1,060 
Real estate – construction and development1,947 
Real estate – commercial and farmland9,650 
Real estate – residential24,920 
$37,577 



19


The following table presents an analysis of past-due loans excluding purchased past-due loans as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018: 2019:
(dollars in thousands)Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
Total
Loans
Past Due
Current
Loans
Total
Loans
Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
September 30, 2020       
Commercial, financial and agricultural$6,419 $1,892 $4,831 $13,142 $1,866,646 $1,879,788 $
Consumer installment2,552 1,441 1,942 5,935 444,875 450,810 1,305 
Indirect automobile2,603 796 1,440 4,839 677,557 682,396 
Mortgage warehouse995,942 995,942 
Municipal725,669 725,669 
Premium finance5,403 4,517 3,774 13,694 697,196 710,890 3,774 
Real estate – construction and development7,268 4,700 4,452 16,420 1,611,835 1,628,255 1,883 
Real estate – commercial and farmland9,962 1,407 9,969 21,338 5,094,914 5,116,252 
Real estate – residential16,808 4,070 73,188 94,066 2,659,525 2,753,591 41 
Total$51,015 $18,823 $99,596 $169,434 $14,774,159 $14,943,593 $7,003 
December 31, 2019       
Commercial, financial and agricultural$3,609 $2,251 $6,484 $12,344 $789,827 $802,171 $
Consumer installment3,488 1,336 1,452 6,276 492,301 498,577 922 
Indirect automobile5,978 1,067 1,522 8,567 1,053,257 1,061,824 21 
Mortgage warehouse526,369 526,369 
Municipal564,304 564,304 
Premium finance13,801 8,022 5,411 27,234 627,435 654,669 4,811 
Real estate – construction and development7,785 1,224 1,583 10,592 1,538,470 1,549,062 
Real estate – commercial and farmland7,404 3,405 15,598 26,407 4,326,632 4,353,039 
Real estate – residential46,226 15,277 31,083 92,586 2,715,875 2,808,461 
Total$88,291 $32,582 $63,133 $184,006 $12,634,470 $12,818,476 $5,754 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
 
Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
 
Total
Loans
Past Due
 
Current
Loans
 
Total
Loans
 
Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
September 30, 2019 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$10,695
 $2,246
 $8,278
 $21,219
 $1,760,018
 $1,781,237
 $5,380
Real estate – construction and development999
 675
 900
 2,574
 944,797
 947,371
 
Real estate – commercial and farmland4,101
 326
 2,813
 7,240
 2,145,288
 2,152,528
 
Real estate – residential12,898
 3,235
 12,139
 28,272
 1,837,856
 1,866,128
 
Consumer installment2,167
 1,215
 767
 4,149
 457,403
 461,552
 456
Total$30,860
 $7,697
 $24,897
 $63,454
 $7,145,362
 $7,208,816
 $5,836
              
December 31, 2018 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$6,479
 $5,295
 $4,763
 $16,537
 $1,299,822
 $1,316,359
 $3,808
Real estate – construction and development1,218
 481
 725
 2,424
 668,774
 671,198
 
Real estate – commercial and farmland1,625
 530
 3,645
 5,800
 1,808,729
 1,814,529
 
Real estate – residential11,423
 4,631
 8,923
 24,977
 1,378,023
 1,403,000
 
Consumer installment2,344
 1,167
 735
 4,246
 451,125
 455,371
 414
Total$23,089
 $12,104
 $18,791
 $53,984
 $5,606,473
 $5,660,457
 $4,222

Collateral-Dependent Loans
The following table presents an analysis
Collateral-dependent loans are loans where repayment is expected to be provided solely by the underlying collateral and there are no other available and reliable sources of purchased past-duerepayment. These loans asare written down to the lower of cost or collateral value less estimated selling costs. As of September 30, 20192020, there were $164.0 million of collateral-dependent loans which are primarily secured by real estate, equipment and December 31, 2018: 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
 
Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
 
Total
Loans
Past Due
 
Current
Loans
 
Total
Loans
 
Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
September 30, 2019 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$758
 $1,435
 $3,720
 $5,913
 $379,442
 $385,355
 $
Real estate – construction and development332
 
 5,211
 5,543
 515,781
 521,324
 414
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,416
 1,480
 13,498
 17,394
 2,039,990
 2,057,384
 66
Real estate – residential24,707
 7,092
 23,453
 55,252
 1,229,844
 1,285,096
 
Consumer installment2,347
 906
 203
 3,456
 1,135,721
 1,139,177
 9
Total$30,560
 $10,913
 $46,085
 $87,558
 $5,300,778
 $5,388,336
 $489
              
December 31, 2018 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$421
 $416
 $1,015
 $1,852
 $370,834
 $372,686
 $
Real estate – construction and development627
 370
 5,273
 6,270
 221,630
 227,900
 
Real estate – commercial and farmland1,935
 736
 1,698
 4,369
 1,333,490
 1,337,859
 
Real estate – residential12,531
 2,407
 7,005
 21,943
 601,256
 623,199
 
Consumer installment679
 237
 249
 1,165
 26,023
 27,188
 
Total$16,193
 $4,166
 $15,240
 $35,599
 $2,553,233
 $2,588,832
 $

receivables.
 

20


Impaired Loans

Loans arePrior to the adoption of ASU 2016-13, loans were considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it iswas probable the Company willwould be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreements. Impaired loans include loans on nonaccrual status and accruing troubled debt restructurings. When determining if the Company willwould be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement, the Company considersconsidered the borrower’s capacity to pay, which includesincluded such factors as the borrower’s current financial statements, an analysis of global cash flow sufficient to pay all debt obligations and an evaluation of secondary sources of repayment, such as guarantor support and collateral value. The Company individually assessesassessed for impairment all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000 (including all troubled debt restructurings, whether or not currently classified as such). The tables below include all loans deemed impaired, whether or not individually assessed for impairment. If a loan iswas deemed impaired, a specific valuation allowance iswas allocated, if necessary, so that the loan iswas reported net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment iswas expected solely from the collateral. Interest payments on impaired loans arewere typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount iswas reasonably assured, in which case interest iswas recognized on a cash basis.
 


The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased loans: 
As of and for the Period Ended As of and for the Period Ended
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
(dollars in thousands)December 31, 2019September 30, 2019
Nonaccrual loans$21,739
 $17,952
 $15,986
Nonaccrual loans$75,124 $100,501 
Troubled debt restructurings not included above13,430
 9,323
 10,943
Troubled debt restructurings not included above29,609 31,725 
Total impaired loans$35,169
 $27,275
 $26,929
Total impaired loans$104,733 $132,226 
     
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$317
 $202
 $201
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$1,201 $904 
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$782
 $827
 $625
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$4,131 $2,930 
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$223
 $217
 $225
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$1,044 $1,579 
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$630
 $853
 $636
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$4,100 $3,057 
 
The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired loans excluding purchased loans as of September 30, 2019, December 31, 20182019 and September 30, 2018:2019:
(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Three
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2019 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$4,242
 $773
 $2,979
 $3,752
 $1,569
 $3,724
 $2,645
Real estate – construction and development2,019
 505
 921
 1,426
 113
 1,350
 1,280
Real estate – commercial and farmland6,991
 593
 5,783
 6,376
 488
 6,235
 6,610
Real estate – residential23,476
 5,234
 17,907
 23,141
 1,557
 21,365
 19,650
Consumer installment496
 474
 
 474
 
 451
 471
Total$37,224
 $7,579
 $27,590
 $35,169
 $3,727
 $33,125
 $30,656
(dollars in thousands)Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related
Allowance
Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
December 31, 2019       
Commercial, financial and agricultural$18,438 $1,911 $7,840 $9,751 $1,542 $9,073$6,287
Consumer installment2,179 839 839 420767
Indirect automobile1,845 1,746 1,746 1,481592
Premium finance757 757 757 156 758524
Real estate – construction and development4,893 1,319 1,605 2,924 204 5,2777,278
Real estate – commercial and farmland42,515 12,147 18,381 30,528 953 30,74923,280
Real estate – residential62,675 13,413 44,775 58,188 3,592 70,72351,817
Total$133,302 $31,375 $73,358 $104,733 $6,447 $118,481$90,545 
(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
December 31, 2018 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$1,902
 $1,155
 $513
 $1,668
 $4
 $1,736
 $1,637
Real estate – construction and development1,378
 613
 424
 1,037
 3
 1,229
 984
Real estate – commercial and farmland8,950
 867
 6,649
 7,516
 1,591
 7,537
 7,879
Real estate – residential16,885
 5,144
 11,365
 16,509
 867
 14,719
 15,029
Consumer installment561
 545
 
 545
 
 584
 534
Total$29,676
 $8,324
 $18,951
 $27,275
 $2,465
 $25,805
 $26,063

21


(dollars in thousands)(dollars in thousands)Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
Total
Recorded
Investment
Related 
Allowance
Three
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
Nine  Month Average Recorded Investment
September 30, 2019September 30, 2019       
Commercial, financial and agriculturalCommercial, financial and agricultural$19,615 $4,218 $4,176 $8,394 $1,022 $6,717 $5,421 
Consumer installmentConsumer installment466 749 
Indirect automobileIndirect automobile3,986 1,216 1,216 608 304 
(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related 
Allowance
 
Three
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2018 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$2,216
 $966
 $838
 $1,804
 $5
 $1,791
 $1,629
Premium financePremium finance759 759 759 601 932 466 
Real estate – construction and development1,444
 720
 701
 1,421
 46
 1,110
 971
Real estate – construction and development15,275 674 6,956 7,630 375 8,484 8,367 
Real estate – commercial and farmland8,911
 536
 7,021
 7,557
 1,799
 8,186
 7,969
Real estate – commercial and farmland45,361 15,211 15,759 30,970 1,043 24,523 21,469 
Real estate – residential15,964
 5,298
 10,226
 15,524
 782
 15,726
 15,308
Real estate – residential86,805 53,703 29,554 83,257 2,211 60,815 50,224 
Consumer installment658
 623
 
 623
 
 571
 531
Total$29,193
 $8,143
 $18,786
 $26,929
 $2,632
 $27,384
 $26,408
Total$171,801 $75,022 $57,204 $132,226 $5,252 $102,545 $87,000 
 


The following is a summary of information pertaining to purchased impaired loans: 
22
 As of and for the Period Ended
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
Nonaccrual loans$78,762
 $24,107
 $27,764
Troubled debt restructurings not included above18,295
 18,740
 20,363
Total impaired loans$97,057
 $42,847
 $48,127
      
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$587
 $918
 $309
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$2,148
 $2,203
 $1,285
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$1,356
 $451
 $506
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$2,427
 $1,483
 $1,032

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to purchased impaired loans as of September 30, 2019, December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018:

(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related 
Allowance
 
Three
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2019 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$16,132
 $3,445
 $1,956
 $5,401
 $54
 $5,401
 $3,980
Real estate – construction and development13,256
 169
 6,035
 6,204
 262
 6,204
 6,622
Real estate – commercial and farmland38,382
 14,629
 9,977
 24,606
 555
 24,606
 18,018
Real estate – residential63,328
 48,469
 11,647
 60,116
 654
 60,116
 40,808
Consumer installment3,479
 730
 
 730
 
 730
 635
Total$134,577
 $67,442
 $29,615
 $97,057
 $1,525
 $97,057
 $70,063
(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related 
Allowance
 
Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
December 31, 2018 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$5,717
 $473
 $757
 $1,230
 $
 $1,101
 $836
Real estate – construction and development13,714
 623
 6,511
 7,134
 476
 7,240
 5,712
Real estate – commercial and farmland14,766
 1,115
 10,581
 11,696
 684
 13,514
 12,349
Real estate – residential24,839
 8,185
 14,116
 22,301
 773
 23,146
 21,433
Consumer installment526
 486
 
 486
 
 487
 229
Total$59,562
 $10,882
 $31,965
 $42,847
 $1,933
 $45,488
 $40,559
(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2018 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$5,499
 $631
 $341
 $972
 $
 $670
 $737
Real estate – construction and development16,066
 312
 7,033
 7,345
 255
 6,561
 5,356
Real estate – commercial and farmland20,297
 3,013
 12,319
 15,332
 872
 13,282
 12,513
Real estate – residential27,028
 8,393
 15,598
 23,991
 886
 22,932
 21,217
Consumer installment537
 487
 
 487
 
 287
 165
Total$69,427
 $12,836
 $35,291
 $48,127
 $2,013
 $43,732
 $39,988



Credit Quality Indicators

The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. The following is a description of the general characteristics of the grades:
 
Grade 1 – Prime Credit – This grade represents loans to the Company’s most creditworthy borrowers or loans that are secured by cash or cash equivalents.
 
Grade 2 – Strong Credit – This grade includes loans that exhibit one or more characteristics better than that of a Good Credit. Generally, the debt service coverage and borrower’s liquidity is materially better than required by the Company’s loan policy.
 
Grade 3 – Good Credit – This grade is assigned to loans to borrowers who exhibit satisfactory credit histories, contain acceptable loan structures and demonstrate ability to repay.

Grade 4 – Satisfactory Credit – This grade includes loans which exhibit all the characteristics of a Good Credit, but warrant more than normal level of banker supervision due to (i) circumstances which elevate the risks of performance (such as start-up operations, untested management, heavy leverage and interim losses); (ii) adverse, extraordinary events that have affected, or could affect, the borrower’s cash flow, financial condition, ability to continue operating profitability or refinancing (such as death of principal, fire and divorce); (iii) loans that require more than the normal servicing requirements (such as any type of construction financing, acquisition and development loans, accounts receivable or inventory loans and floor plan loans); (iv) existing technical exceptions which raise some doubts about the Bank’s perfection in its collateral position or the continued financial capacity of the borrower; or (v) improvements in formerly criticized borrowers, which may warrant banker supervision.
 
Grade 5 ��� Fair Credit – This grade is assigned to loans that are currently performing and supported by adequate financial information that reflects repayment capacity but exhibits a loan-to-value ratio greater than 110%, based on a documented collateral valuation. This grade is also assigned to loans which received a second 90-day deferral under our Disaster Relief Program.

Grade 6 – Other Assets Especially Mentioned – This grade includes loans that exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.
 
Grade 7 – Substandard – This grade represents loans which are inadequately protected by the current credit worthiness and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses or questionable collateral values.
 
Grade 8 – Doubtful – This grade includes loans which exhibit all of the characteristics of a substandard loan with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable.
 
Grade 9 – Loss – This grade is assigned to loans which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing it off.
 

23


The following table presents the loan portfolio's amortized cost by class of financing receivable, risk grade and year of origination (in thousands). Generally, current period renewals of credit are underwritten again at the point of renewal and considered current period originations for purposes of the table below. There were 0 loans risk graded 8 or 9 at September 30, 2020.

Term Loans
As of September 30, 202020202019201820172016PriorRevolving Loans Amortized Cost BasisRevolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost BasisTotal
Commercial, Financial and Agricultural
Risk Grade:
1$1,128,005 $1,379 $427 $5,700 $3,113 $511 $12,969 $$1,152,104 
2815 864 1,070 1,035 1,719 201 9,130 14,834 
344,905 17,422 20,498 5,410 57,514 9,042 72,872 227,663 
462,651 92,559 49,128 28,498 89,217 22,108 88,512 432,673 
52,812 4,749 9,084 5,873 4,747 877 3,802 31,944 
649 1,372 880 1,275 166 206 958 4,906 
725 2,138 2,167 4,281 1,093 653 5,307 15,664 
Total commercial, financial and agricultural$1,239,262 $120,483 $83,254 $52,072 $157,569 $33,598 $193,550 $$1,879,788 
Consumer Installment
Risk Grade:
1$5,631 $1,859 $707 $$3,872 $115 $1,378 $$13,568 
264 67 39 172 
311,488 3,545 1,180 685 8,759 1,620 4,628 31,905 
4122,050 106,124 54,423 10,075 92,677 14,018 3,690 403,057 
555 33 29 246 137 514 
614 75 15 49 156 
721 132 157 608 219 180 121 1,438 
Total consumer installment$139,245 $111,771 $56,501 $11,762 $105,679 $15,988 $9,864 $$450,810 
Indirect Automobile
Risk Grade:
2$$88 $35 $3,990 $$6,471 $$$10,584 
3212,956 218,057 72,465 39,310 124,285 667,073 
683 92 86 114 375 
7607 702 1,550 172 1,333 4,364 
Total indirect automobile$$213,734 $218,886 $78,091 $39,482 $132,203 $$$682,396 
Mortgage Warehouse
Risk Grade:
3$$$$$$$995,942 $$995,942 
Total mortgage warehouse$$$$$$$995,942 $$995,942 
24


Term Loans
As of September 30, 202020202019201820172016PriorRevolving Loans Amortized Cost BasisRevolving Loans Converted to Term Loans Amortized Cost BasisTotal
Municipal
Risk Grade:
1$202,019 $37,222 $169,359 $101,611 $12,732 $157,070 $$$680,013 
211,679 2,573 9,410 23,662 
35,453 12,595 745 18,793 
43,201 3,201 
Total municipal$213,698 $37,222 $174,812 $119,980 $13,477 $166,480 $$$725,669 
Premium Finance
Risk Grade:
2$675,156 $832 $862 $295 $27,493 $2,478 $$$707,116 
71,925 1,849 3,774 
Total premium finance$677,081 $832 $862 $295 $27,493 $4,327 $$$710,890 
Real Estate – Construction and Development
Risk Grade:
3$27,414 $17,241 $8,969 $8,350 $7,701 $3,626 $682 $$73,983 
4493,627 217,729 89,755 32,030 544,239 13,065 85,415 1,475,860 
51,372 3,239 331 8,672 24,738 17,827 109 56,288 
65,190 1,014 4,604 1,916 528 13,252 
7544 932 589 3,835 2,926 46 8,872 
Total real estate – construction and development$522,957 $244,331 $100,658 $57,491 $581,520 $35,092 $86,206 $$1,628,255 
Real Estate – Commercial and Farmland
Risk Grade:
1$$193 $$$$$$$193 
22,942 520 2,192 11,653 544 4,460 1,141 23,452 
3581,108 156,745 204,384 305,731 378,130 206,226 72,033 1,904,357 
4250,925 454,581 326,258 575,402 537,223 297,567 41,814 2,483,770 
513,706 110,502 91,700 113,572 56,746 30,747 1,125 418,098 
6498 21,790 30,356 31,466 36,514 3,767 866 125,257 
7261 13,589 36,097 62,427 13,920 33,959 872 161,125 
Total real estate – commercial and farmland$849,440 $757,920 $690,987 $1,100,251 $1,023,077 $576,726 $117,851 $$5,116,252 
Real Estate - Residential
Risk Grade:
1$$$$21 $$$$$21 
238 13 124 51,698 408 1,348 1,636 55,265 
3486,558 268,355 198,299 406,482 533,460 160,532 214,075 1,792 2,269,553 
414,078 19,098 12,001 61,872 21,005 14,926 48,030 48 191,058 
57,852 18,870 17,092 37,919 38,570 12,707 3,647 136,657 
6251 909 60 3,946 1,750 288 351 7,555 
75,467 14,426 10,140 28,243 22,407 7,109 5,690 93,482 
Total real estate - residential$514,244 $321,671 $237,716 $590,181 $617,600 $196,910 $273,429 $1,840 $2,753,591 
25




The following table presents the loan portfolio excluding purchased loans, by risk grade as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 20182019 (in thousands): 
Risk
Grade 
Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
Consumer InstallmentIndirect AutomobileMortgage WarehouseMunicipalPremium FinanceReal Estate -
Construction and
Development
Real Estate -
Commercial and
Farmland
Real Estate -
Residential
Total
1$22,396 $13,184 $$$552,062 $$$208 $27 $587,877 
218,937 1,233 18,354 2,690 654,069 17,535 35,299 92,255 840,372 
3215,180 33,314 1,033,861 526,369 8,925 90,124 1,720,039 2,406,587 6,034,399 
4482,146 449,224 4,009 627 1,377,674 2,348,083 222,779 4,884,542 
533,317 208 41,759 133,119 24,618 233,021 
64,901 213 17,223 53,941 10,132 86,410 
725,294 1,191 5,600 600 4,747 62,350 52,063 151,845 
8
9
Total$802,171 $498,577 $1,061,824 $526,369 $564,304 $654,669 $1,549,062 $4,353,039 $2,808,461 $12,818,476 
Risk
Grade 
 Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 Real Estate -
Construction and
Development
 Real Estate -
Commercial and
Farmland
 Real Estate -
Residential
 Consumer
Installment
 Total
September 30, 2019
1 $520,635
 $
 $211
 $29
 $12,183
 $533,058
2 672,622
 17,908
 27,429
 30,552
 
 748,511
3 200,075
 110,267
 1,150,753
 1,710,512
 25,137
 3,196,744
4 360,834
 780,296
 843,062
 96,029
 423,560
 2,503,781
5 19,919
 28,696
 79,753
 6,789
 22
 135,179
6 1,997
 7,531
 27,562
 3,378
 103
 40,571
7 5,141
 2,673
 23,758
 18,839
 545
 50,956
8 14
 
 
 
 
 14
9 
 
 
 
 2
 2
Total $1,781,237
 $947,371
 $2,152,528
 $1,866,128
 $461,552
 $7,208,816
             
December 31, 2018
1 $530,864
 $40
 $500
 $16
 $10,744
 $542,164
2 452,250
 681
 37,079
 33,043
 48
 523,101
3 174,811
 74,657
 888,433
 1,246,383
 23,844
 2,408,128
4 137,038
 582,456
 814,068
 94,143
 419,983
 2,047,688
5 13,714
 6,264
 30,364
 8,634
 78
 59,054
6 5,130
 4,091
 20,959
 4,881
 57
 35,118
7 2,552
 3,009
 23,126
 15,900
 617
 45,204
8 
 
 
 
 
 
9 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $1,316,359
 $671,198
 $1,814,529
 $1,403,000
 $455,371
 $5,660,457

The following table presents the purchased loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in thousands):       
Risk
Grade 
 
Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 
Real Estate -
Construction and
Development
 
Real Estate -
Commercial and
Farmland
 
Real Estate -
Residential
 
Consumer
Installment
 Total
September 30, 2019
1 $77,581
 $
 $
 $
 $2,642
 $80,223
2 18,645
 
 9,550
 63,722
 16,190
 108,107
3 56,256
 25,070
 454,344
 1,027,427
 1,097,603
 2,660,700
4 171,329
 466,461
 1,455,604
 129,058
 19,787
 2,242,239
5 32,569
 9,184
 60,071
 15,372
 49
 117,245
6 8,878
 13,914
 43,747
 6,999
 126
 73,664
7 20,097
 6,695
 34,068
 42,518
 2,780
 106,158
8 
 
 
 
 
 
9 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $385,355
 $521,324
 $2,057,384
 $1,285,096
 $1,139,177
 $5,388,336
             
December 31, 2018
1 $90,205
 $
 $
 $
 $570
 $90,775
2 2,648
 
 7,407
 74,398
 164
 84,617
3 20,489
 18,022
 230,089
 385,279
 2,410
 656,289
4 215,096
 195,079
 1,034,943
 118,082
 23,177
 1,586,377
5 14,445
 2,728
 29,468
 16,937
 35
 63,613
6 11,601
 1,459
 10,063
 7,231
 94
 30,448
7 18,202
 10,612
 25,889
 21,272
 738
 76,713
8 
 
 
 
 
 
9 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $372,686
 $227,900
 $1,337,859
 $623,199
 $27,188
 $2,588,832
26





Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. Concessions may include interest rate reductions to below market interest rates, principal forgiveness, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. The Company has exhibited the greatest success for rehabilitation of the loan by a reduction in the rate alone (maintaining the amortization of the debt) or a combination of a rate reduction and the forbearance of previously past due interest or principal. This has most typically been evidenced in certain commercial real estate loans whereby a disruption in the borrower’s cash flow resulted in an extended past due status, of which the borrower was unable to catch up completely as the cash flow of the property ultimately stabilized at a level lower than its original level. A reduction in rate, coupled with a forbearance of unpaid principal and/or interest, allowed the net cash flows to service the debt under the modified terms.
 
The Company’s policy requires a restructure request to be supported by a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and a collateral evaluation that is no older than six months from the date of the restructure. Key factors of that evaluation include the documentation of current, recurring cash flows, support provided by the guarantor(s) and the current valuation of the collateral. If the appraisal in the file is older than six months, an evaluation must be made as to the continued reasonableness of the valuation. For certain income-producing properties, current rent rolls and/or other income information can be utilized to support the appraisal valuation, when coupled with documented cap rates within our markets and a physical inspection of the collateral to validate the current condition.
 
The Company’s policy states that in the event a loan has been identified as a troubled debt restructuring, it should be assigned a grade of substandard and placed on nonaccrual status until such time the borrower has demonstrated the ability to service the loan payments based on the restructured terms – generally defined as six months of satisfactory payment history. Missed payments under the original loan terms are not considered under the new structure; however, subsequent missed payments are considered non-performance and are not considered toward the six month required term of satisfactory payment history. The Company’s loan policy states that a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when (i) none of its principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest or (ii) it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Restoration to accrual status on any given loan must be supported by a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and the prospects for full repayment and approved by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer.
 
In the normal course of business, the Company renews loans with a modification of the interest rate or terms that are not deemed asto be troubled debt restructurings because the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty. The Company modified loans in the first nine months of 2020 and 2019 and 2018 totaling $168.6$313.6 million and $64.0$168.6 million, respectively, under such parameters.
 
As of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had a balance of $15.1$132.9 million and $11.0$35.2 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased loans.restructurings. The Company has recorded $883,000$1.2 million and $890,000$1.9 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. The Company’s balance in the allowance for loancredit losses allocated to such troubled debt restructurings was $1.6$9.4 million and $820,000$3.7 million at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively. At September 30, 2019,2020, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.
 
27


During the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, the Company modified loans as troubled debt restructurings excluding purchased loans, with principal balances of $5.0$103.4 million and $2.3$6.7 million, respectively, and these modifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss.credit losses. The following table presents the loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings excluding purchased loans, which occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019: 
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural3 $550
 10 $302
Real estate – construction and development 
 1 3
Real estate – commercial and farmland2 224
 1 303
Real estate – residential21 4,183
 12 1,617
Consumer installment7 26
 6 36
Total33 $4,983
 30 $2,261



 September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Loan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural2$725 2$392 
Consumer installment415 1165 
Indirect automobile5303,170 0
Premium finance01158 
Real estate – construction and development119 0
Real estate – commercial and farmland2186,788 2224 
Real estate – residential9112,692 415,857 
Total649$103,409 57$6,696 
Troubled debt restructurings excluding purchased loans, with an outstanding balance of $843,000$2.8 million and $1.7$2.1 million defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, and these defaults did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss.credit losses. The following table presents for loans, excluding purchased loans the troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019: 
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $3
 4 $10
Real estate – construction and development 
  
Real estate – commercial and farmland3 341
 2 548
Real estate – residential4 481
 17 1,155
Consumer installment5 18
 6 23
Total13 $843
 29 $1,736

 September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Loan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1$198 2$
Consumer installment4737 
Real estate – construction and development3689 0
Real estate – commercial and farmland3726 4666 
Real estate – residential161,142 211,375 
Total27$2,758 34$2,082 
 
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class excluding purchased loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018:2019: 
September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5 $649
 13 $119
Real estate – construction and development3 69
 1 1
Real estate – commercial and farmland12 2,788
 3 530
Real estate – residential88 9,915
 20 925
Consumer installment5 9
 23 66
Total113 $13,430
 60 $1,641
December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5 $256
 14 $138
Real estate – construction and development5 145
 1 2
Real estate – commercial and farmland12 2,863
 3 426
Real estate – residential71 6,043
 20 1,119
Consumer installment6 16
 24 69
Total99 $9,323
 62 $1,754

September 30, 2020Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Loan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5$459 12$1,002 
Consumer installment1136 2264 
Indirect automobile4812,689 49482 
Real estate – construction and development4510 5709 
Real estate – commercial and farmland3873,763 719,942 
Real estate – residential24328,777 454,477 
Total782$106,234 140$26,676 

December 31, 2019Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Loan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5$516 17$335 
Consumer installment427107 
Premium finance1156 0
Real estate – construction and development6936 3253 
Real estate – commercial and farmland216,732 82,071 
Real estate – residential19721,261 402,857 
Total234$29,609 95$5,623 
28


COVID-19 Deferrals

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company offered affected borrowers payment relief under its Disaster Relief Program. These modifications primarily consisted of short-term payment deferrals or interest-only periods to assist customers. Modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic and qualifying under the provisions of Section 4013 of the CARES Act are not deemed to be troubled debt restructurings. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had a balance of $21.22020, $648.5 million and $22.2 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings includedloans remained in purchased loans. The Company has recorded $1.1 million and $940,000 in previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. At September 30, 2019, the Company did not have any commitmentspayment deferral related to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.COVID-19 pandemic Disaster Relief Program.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company modified purchased loans as troubled debt restructurings, with principal balances of $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, and these modifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss. The following table presents the purchased loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings, which occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018: 
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural $
 1 $5
Real estate – construction and development 
  
Real estate – commercial and farmland 
 1 69
Real estate – residential20 1,674
 16 1,791
Consumer installment4 39
  
Total24 $1,713
 18 $1,865

The table below presents short-term deferrals related to the COVID-19 pandemic that were not considered TDRs.


Troubled debt restructurings included in purchased loans with an outstanding balance of $1.2 million and $2.4 million defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and these defaults did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss.

The following table presents purchased loan troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
 September 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $1
  $
Real estate – construction and development 
  
Real estate – commercial and farmland1 325
 1 69
Real estate – residential17 895
 23 2,302
Consumer installment2 18
  
Total21 $1,239
 24 $2,371

(dollars in thousands)COVID-19 DeferralsDeferrals as a % of total loans
Commercial, financial and agricultural$49,526 2.6 %
Consumer installment2,421 0.5 %
Indirect automobile11,042 1.6 %
Real estate – construction and development42,915 2.6 %
Real estate – commercial and farmland368,607 7.2 %
Real estate – residential174,005 6.3 %
$648,516 4.3 %
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. 
September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $31
 3 $25
Real estate – construction and development4 878
 2 257
Real estate – commercial and farmland11 5,829
 5 1,428
Real estate – residential113 11,557
 18 1,178
Consumer installment 
 7 54
Total129 $18,295
 35 $2,942
December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $31
 3 $32
Real estate – construction and development4 1,015
 5 293
Real estate – commercial and farmland12 6,162
 7 1,685
Real estate – residential115 11,532
 24 1,424
Consumer installment 
 4 17
Total132 $18,740
 43 $3,451


Allowance for LoanCredit Losses
 
The allowance for loancredit losses represents an allowance for probable incurredexpected losses inover the loan portfolio. The adequacyremaining contractual life of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based onassets. The contractual term does not consider extensions, renewals or modifications unless the Company reasonably expects to execute a review of all significant loans,troubled debt restructuring with a particular emphasis on non-accruing, past-due and other loans that management believes might be potentially impaired or warrant additional attention.borrower. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio. In addition, based on internal reviews and external reviews performed by regulatory authorities, the Company further segregates the loan portfolio by loan grades based on an assessment of risk for a particular loan or group of loans. Certain reviewed loans are assigned specific allowances when a review of relevant data determines that a general allocation is not sufficient or when the review affords management the opportunity to adjust the amount of exposure in a given credit. In establishing allowances, management considers historical loan loss experience but adjusts this data with a significant emphasis on current loan quality trends, current economic conditions and other factors in the markets where the Company operates. Factors considered include, among others, current valuations of real estate in the Company’s markets, unemployment rates, the effect of weather conditions on agricultural related entities and other significant local economic events, such as major plant closings.
The Company has developed a methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses which is monitored by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Procedures provide for the assignment of a risk rating for every loan included in the total loan portfolio. Commercial insurance premium finance loans, overdraft protection loans, and certain residential mortgage loans and consumer loans serviced by outside processors are treated as pools for risk rating purposes. The risk rating schedule provides nine ratings of which five ratings are classified as pass ratings and four ratings are classified as criticized ratings. Each risk rating is


assigned a percentage factor to be applied to the loan balance to determine the adequate amount of reserve. The Bank’s independent internal loan review department reviews on an annual basis a sample of relationships in excess of $1,000,000, as well as selective sampling of loans below this threshold. Sampling is based on a number of factors unique to the Bank’s portfolio risks, including, but not limited to, lending divisions, industry, risk grades, and new originations. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be identified as having deteriorating credit quality. Other loans that surface as problem loans may also be assigned specific reserves. Past-due loans are assigned risk ratings based on the number of days past due. The calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including underlying data and assumptions, is reviewed regularly by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the independent internal loan review department.
Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to an Asset Quality Rating of 9 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged off.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the allowance for credit losses increased primarily due to deterioration in forecasted macroeconomic factors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The current forecast reflects, among other things, a decline in GDP and elevated unemployment levels compared to the forecast the time of adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, the Company added additional qualitative factors on its residential real estate, commercial real estate and hotel portfolios based principally on risk rating migrations, level of deferrals in the portfolio and expected collateral values.


29


The following tables detail activity in the allowance for loancredit losses by portfolio segment for the three and nine-month periodperiods ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 the year endedand end of period balances by portfolio segment as of September 30, 2020, December 31, 20182019 and the three and nine-month period ended September 30, 2018.2019. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
Consumer
Installment
Indirect AutomobileMortgage WarehouseMunicipalPremium Finance
Balance, June 30, 2020$7,938 $20,085 $3,381 $1,498 $507 $8,198 
Provision for loan losses5,533 (3,693)322 498 365 (2,316)
Loans charged off(1,715)(677)(697)(1,159)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off470 516 317 1,224 
Balance, September 30, 2020$12,226 $16,231 $3,323 $1,996 $872 $5,947 
Real Estate – Construction and DevelopmentReal Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
Real Estate –
Residential
Total
Balance, June 30, 2020$54,266 $83,593 $29,327 $208,793 
Provision for loan losses(10,208)18,419 17,772 26,692 
Loans charged off(9)(2,977)(137)(7,371)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off182 904 197 3,810 
Balance, September 30, 2020$44,231 $99,939 $47,159 $231,924 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
Consumer
Installment
Indirect AutomobileMortgage WarehouseMunicipalPremium Finance
Balance, December 31, 2019$4,567 $3,784 $$640 $484 $2,550 
Adjustment to allowance for adoption of ASU 2016-132,587 8,012 4,109 463 (92)4,471 
Provision for loan losses8,624 5,943 1,138 893 480 235 
Loans charged off(4,687)(2,781)(2,944)(3,893)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off1,135 1,273 1,020 2,584 
Balance, September 30, 2020$12,226 $16,231 $3,323 $1,996 $872 $5,947 
Real Estate – Construction and DevelopmentReal Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
Real Estate –
Residential
Total
Balance, December 31, 2019$5,995 $9,666 $10,503 $38,189 
Adjustment to allowance for adoption of ASU 2016-1312,248 27,073 19,790 78,661 
Provision for loan losses25,379 72,410 17,086 132,188 
Loans charged off(83)(10,220)(762)(25,370)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off692 1,010 542 8,256 
Balance, September 30, 2020$44,231 $99,939 $47,159 $231,924 

30


(dollars in thousands)
Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 
Real Estate –
Construction and
Development
 
Real Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
 
Real Estate –
Residential
 
Consumer
Installment
 
Purchased 
Loans
 
Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, June 30, 2019$6,302
 $4,269
 $7,269
 $7,451
 $3,388
 $2,443
 $671
 $31,793
Provision for loan losses1,925
 800
 1,166
 975
 1,289
 (114) (52) 5,989
Loans charged off(1,578) 
 (14) (20) (1,195) (2,442) 
 (5,249)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off845
 2
 
 49
 269
 1,832
 
 2,997
Balance, September 30, 2019$7,494
 $5,071
 $8,421
 $8,455
 $3,751
 $1,719
 $619
 $35,530
                
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, December 31, 2018$4,287
 $3,734
 $8,975
 $5,363
 $3,795
 $1,933
 $732
 $28,819
Provision for loan losses5,475
 1,562
 805
 2,886
 3,495
 (45) (113) 14,065
Loans charged off(4,920) (247) (1,367) (80) (4,214) (3,296) 
 (14,124)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off2,652
 22
 8
 286
 675
 3,127
 
 6,770
Balance, September 30, 2019$7,494
 $5,071
 $8,421
 $8,455
 $3,751
 $1,719
 $619
 $35,530
                
Period-end allocation: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$2,575
 $112
 $488
 $1,557
 $
 $1,719
 $
 $6,451
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment4,919
 4,959
 7,933
 6,898
 3,751
 
 619
 29,079
Ending balance$7,494
 $5,071
 $8,421
 $8,455
 $3,751
 $1,719
 $619
 $35,530
                
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$4,648
 $921
 $5,783
 $17,907
 $
 $31,612
 $
 $60,871
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,776,589
 946,450
 2,146,745
 1,848,221
 461,552
 5,173,717
 229,132
 12,582,406
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
 
 
 
 
 183,007
 
 183,007
Ending balance$1,781,237
 $947,371
 $2,152,528
 $1,866,128
 $461,552
 $5,388,336
 $229,132
 $12,826,284
Prior to the adoption of ASC 326 on January 1, 2020, the Company calculated the allowance for loan losses under the incurred loss methodology. The following tables are disclosures related to the allowance for loan losses in prior periods.


(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
Consumer
Installment
Indirect AutomobileMortgage WarehouseMunicipalPremium Finance
December 31, 2019
Period-end allocation:      
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$1,543 $$$$$758 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment3,024 3,784 640 484 1,792 
Ending balance$4,567 $3,784 $$640 $484 $2,550 
Loans:      
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$8,032 $$$$$6,768 
Collectively evaluated for impairment789,252 498,363 1,056,811 526,369 564,304 647,901 
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality4,887 214 5,013 
Ending balance$802,171 $498,577 $1,061,824 $526,369 $564,304 $654,669 
Real Estate – Construction and DevelopmentReal Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
Real Estate –
Residential
Total
December 31, 2019
Period-end allocation:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$204 $953 $3,704 $7,162 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment5,791 8,713 6,799 31,027 
Ending balance$5,995 $9,666 $10,503 $38,189 
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$1,605 $19,759 $46,311 $82,475 
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,532,786 4,256,397 2,737,095 12,609,278 
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality14,671 76,883 25,055 126,723 
Ending balance$1,549,062 $4,353,039 $2,808,461 $12,818,476 
(1) At December 31, 2019, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.

(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
Consumer
Installment
Indirect AutomobileMortgage WarehouseMunicipalPremium Finance
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
      
Balance, June 30, 2019$2,816 $3,388 $$640 $502 $2,984 
Provision for loan losses831 1,132 580 (5)1,141 
Loans charged off(490)(1,245)(965)(1,267)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off300 476 385 736 
Balance, September 30, 2019$3,457 $3,751 $$640 $497 $3,594 
31


(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
Consumer
Installment
Indirect AutomobileMortgage WarehouseMunicipalPremium Finance
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
      
Balance, December 31, 2018$2,352 $3,795 $$640 $509 $1,426 
Provision for loan losses1,848 3,289 580 (12)3,224 
Loans charged off(1,647)(4,313)(965)(3,452)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off904 980 385 2,396 
Balance, September 30, 2019$3,457 $3,751 $$640 $497 $3,594 
Period-end allocation:      
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$1,022 $$$$$1,606 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment2,435 3,751 640 497 1,988 
Ending balance$3,457 $3,751 $$640 $497 $3,594 
Loans:      
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$4,176 $$$$$2,428 
Collectively evaluated for impairment918,162 500,067 1,108,717 562,598 578,267 654,142 
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality9,417 3,098 
Ending balance$931,755 $500,067 $1,111,815 $562,598 $578,267 $656,570 
Real Estate – Construction and DevelopmentReal Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
Real Estate –
Residential
Total
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
Balance, June 30, 2019$4,763 $8,676 $8,024 $31,793 
Provision for loan losses(182)1,541 951 5,989 
Loans charged off(1,315)(37)(5,319)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off930 74 166 3,067 
Balance, September 30, 2019$5,511 $8,976 $9,104 $35,530 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
Balance, December 31, 2018$4,210 $9,659 $6,228 $28,819 
Provision for loan losses254 2,283 2,599 14,065 
Loans charged off(268)(3,158)(391)(14,194)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off1,315 192 668 6,840 
Balance, September 30, 2019$5,511 $8,976 $9,104 $35,530 
Period-end allocation:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)$552 $1,044 $2,227 $6,451 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment4,959 7,932 6,877 29,079 
Ending balance$5,511 $8,976 $9,104 $35,530 
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)$7,810 $16,120 $30,337 $60,871 
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,441,918 4,090,640 2,727,895 12,582,406 
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality18,968 91,999 59,525 183,007 
Ending balance$1,468,696 $4,198,759 $2,817,757 $12,826,284 
(1) At September 30, 2019, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.
(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 Real Estate –
Construction and
Development
 Real Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
 Real Estate –
Residential
 Consumer
Installment
 Purchased 
Loans
 Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, December 31, 2017$3,631
 $3,629
 $7,501
 $4,786
 $1,916
 $3,253
 $1,075
 $25,791
Provision for loan losses10,690
 277
 1,636
 1,002
 5,569
 (2,164) (343) 16,667
Loans charged off(13,803) (292) (338) (771) (4,189) (1,738) 
 (21,131)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off3,769
 120
 176
 346
 499
 2,582
 
 7,492
Balance, December 31, 2018$4,287
 $3,734
 $8,975
 $5,363
 $3,795
 $1,933
 $732
 $28,819
                
Period-end allocation: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$570
 $3
 $1,591
 $867
 $
 $1,933
 $
 $4,964
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment3,717
 3,731
 7,384
 4,496
 3,795
 
 732
 23,855
Ending balance$4,287
 $3,734
 $8,975
 $5,363
 $3,795
 $1,933
 $732
 $28,819
                
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$3,211
 $424
 $6,649
 $11,364
 $
 $32,244
 $
 $53,892
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,313,148
 670,774
 1,807,880
 1,391,636
 455,371
 2,468,996
 262,625
 8,370,430
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
 
 
 
 
 87,592
 
 87,592
Ending balance$1,316,359
 $671,198
 $1,814,529
 $1,403,000
 $455,371
 $2,588,832
 $262,625
 $8,511,914
(1) At December 31, 2018, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.


(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 Real Estate –
Construction and
Development
 Real Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
 Real Estate –
Residential
 Consumer
Installment
 Purchased 
Loans
 Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, June 30, 2018$8,400
 $3,789
 $8,215
 $5,136
 $2,877
 $2,339
 $776
 $31,532
Provision for loan losses1,021
 137
 809
 209
 1,039
 (1,148) 28
 2,095
Loans charged off(6,121) (265) (27) (293) (923) (483) 
 (8,112)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off939
 1
 134
 44
 178
 1,305
 
 2,601
Balance, September 30, 2018$4,239
 $3,662
 $9,131
 $5,096
 $3,171
 $2,013
 $804
 $28,116
                
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, December 31, 2017$3,631
 $3,629
 $7,501
 $4,786
 $1,916
 $3,253
 $1,075
 $25,791
Provision for loan losses9,080
 201
 1,630
 750
 3,617
 (2,001) (271) 13,006
Loans charged off(11,314) (285) (169) (695) (2,724) (1,514) 
 (16,701)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off2,842
 117
 169
 255
 362
 2,275
 
 6,020
Balance, September 30, 2018$4,239
 $3,662
 $9,131
 $5,096
 $3,171
 $2,013
 $804
 $28,116
                
Period-end allocation: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$821
 $46
 $1,800
 $782
 $
 $2,013
 $2
 $5,464
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment3,418
 3,616
 7,331
 4,314
 3,171
 
 802
 22,652
Ending balance$4,239
 $3,662
 $9,131
 $5,096
 $3,171
 $2,013
 $804
 $28,116
                
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$2,362
 $701
 $7,021
 $10,226
 $
 $36,156
 $4,697
 $61,163
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,419,790
 641,129
 1,797,244
 1,264,975
 399,858
 2,573,182
 270,055
 8,366,233
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
 
 
 
 
 102,122
 
 102,122
Ending balance$1,422,152
 $641,830
 $1,804,265
 $1,275,201
 $399,858
 $2,711,460
 $274,752
 $8,529,518
(1) At September 30, 2018, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.

NOTE 5 – OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED
The following is a summary of the activity in OREO during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Beginning balance, January 1$7,218
 $8,464
Loans transferred to other real estate owned503
 3,764
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs recorded in statement of income(434) (470)
Sales proceeds(2,362) (2,321)
Other
 (62)
Ending balance$4,925
 $9,375

32


The following is a summary of the activity in purchased OREO during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

(dollars in thousands) September 30,
2019
 September 30,
2018
Beginning balance, January 1$9,535
 $9,011
Loans transferred to other real estate owned3,908
 2,434
Acquired in acquisitions7,178
 1,888
Portion of gains (losses) on sale and write-downs payable to (receivable from) the FDIC under loss-sharing agreements(24) 
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs recorded in statement of income276
 (477)
Sales proceeds(5,086) (5,140)
Other(2) (24)
Ending balance$15,785
 $7,692

NOTE 65 – SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE

The Company classifies the sales of securities under agreements to repurchase as short-term borrowings. The amounts received under these agreements are reflected as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and the investment securities underlying these agreements are included in investment securities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, all securities sold under agreements to repurchase mature on a daily basis. The market value of the securities fluctuate on a daily basis due to market conditions. The Company monitors the market value of the securities underlying these agreements on a daily basis and is required to transfer additional securities if the market value of the securities falls below the repurchase agreement price. The Company maintains an unpledged securities portfolio that it believes is sufficient to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018.    2019.
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31, 2018
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase$17,744
 $20,384

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase$9,103 $20,635 
 
At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 the investment securities underlying these agreements were comprised of state, county and municipal securities and mortgage-backed securities. At December 31, 2018, the investment securities underlying these agreements were comprised of mortgage-backed securities.

33


NOTE 76 – OTHER BORROWINGS
 
Other borrowings consist of the following:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
FHLB borrowings: 
  
Convertible Flipper Advance due May 22, 2019; fixed interest rate of 4.68%$
 $1,514
Principal Reducing Advance due June 20, 2019; fixed interest rate of 1.274%
 500
Fixed Rate Advance due October 11, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.14%100,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 15, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.14%50,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 17, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.23%50,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 21, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.10%100,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 21, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.10%100,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 24, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.08%50,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 28, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.02%75,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 30, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.01%200,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due November 18, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.11%75,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due November 19, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.13%75,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due December 16, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.05%150,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due December 23, 2019; fixed interest rate of 2.04%100,000
 
Fixed Rate Advance due December 9, 2030; fixed interest rate of 4.55%1,425
 1,434
Fixed Rate Advance due December 9, 2030; fixed interest rate of 4.55%987
 993
Principal Reducing Advance due September 29, 2031; fixed interest rate of 3.095%1,749
 1,858
Subordinated notes payable: 
  
Subordinated notes payable due March 15, 2027 net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $976 and $1,074, respectively; fixed interest rate of 5.75% through March 14, 2022; variable interest rate thereafter at three-month LIBOR plus 3.616%74,024
 73,926
Subordinated notes payable due May 31, 2030 net of unaccreted purchase accounting fair value adjustment of $1,596 and $0, respectively; fixed interest rate of 5.875% through May 31, 2025; variable interest rate thereafter at three-month LIBOR plus 3.630%76,596
 
Other debt: 
  
Advance from correspondent bank due October 5, 2019; secured by a loan receivable; fixed interest rate of 4.25%
 20
Advance from correspondent bank due September 5, 2026; secured by a loan receivable; fixed interest rate of 2.09%1,391
 1,529
Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank due September 26, 2020; secured by subsidiary bank stock; variable interest rate at 90-day LIBOR plus 3.50% (5.63% at September 30, 2019)70,000
 70,000
Total$1,351,172
 $151,774

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
FHLB borrowings:  
Fixed Rate Advance due January 10, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.68%$$50,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 13, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.68%50,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 13, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.67%100,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 15, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.71%50,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 16, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.69%150,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 17, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.70%100,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 21, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.71%50,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 21, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.71%200,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 21, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.70%25,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 21, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.71%75,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 21, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.71%25,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 23, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.71%100,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due January 27, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.73%50,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due February 18, 2020; fixed interest rate of 1.72%100,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 5, 2020; fixed interest rate of 0.22%200,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 13, 2020; fixed interest rate of 0.22%150,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due October 26, 2020; fixed interest rate of 0.22%100,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due March 3, 2025; fixed interest rate of 1.208%15,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due March 2, 2027; fixed interest rate of 1.445%15,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due March 4, 2030; fixed interest rate of 1.606%15,000 
Fixed Rate Advance due December 9, 2030; fixed interest rate of 4.55%1,414 1,422 
Fixed Rate Advance due December 9, 2030; fixed interest rate of 4.55%979 985 
Principal Reducing Advance due September 29, 2031; fixed interest rate of 3.095%1,603 1,712 
Subordinated notes payable:  
Subordinated notes payable due March 15, 2027 net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $845 and $943, respectively; fixed interest rate of 5.75% through March 14, 2022; variable interest rate thereafter at three-month LIBOR plus 3.616%74,155 74,057 
Subordinated notes payable due December 15, 2029 net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $2,226 and $2,408, respectively; fixed interest rate of 4.25% through December 14, 2024; variable interest rate thereafter at three-month SOFR plus 2.94%117,774 117,592 
Subordinated notes payable due May 31, 2030 net of unaccreted purchase accounting fair value adjustment of $1,181 and $1,596, respectively; fixed interest rate of 5.875% through May 31, 2025; variable interest rate thereafter at three-month LIBOR plus 3.63%76,181 76,595 
Subordinated notes payable due October 1, 2030 net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $1,851 and $0, respectively; fixed interest rate of 3.875% through September 30, 2025; variable interest rate thereafter at three-month SOFR plus 3.753%108,149 
Other debt:  
Advance from correspondent bank due September 5, 2026; secured by a loan receivable; fixed interest rate of 2.09%1,346 
Total$875,255 $1,398,709 
 
The advances from the FHLB are collateralized by a blanket lien on all eligible first mortgage loans and other specific loans in addition to FHLB stock. At September 30, 2019, $1.722020, $2.91 billion was available for borrowing on lines with the FHLB.
 
At September 30, 2019, the Company had a revolving credit arrangement with a regional bank with a maximum line amount of $100.0 million.  This line of credit is secured by subsidiary bank stock, expires on September 26, 2020, and bears a variable interest rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 3.50%.  At September 30, 2019, there was $30.0 million available for borrowing under the revolving credit arrangement.
As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Bank maintained credit arrangements with various financial institutions to purchase federal funds up to $157.0$152.0 million.
 
The Bank also participates in the Federal Reserve discount window borrowings program. At September 30, 2019,2020, the Company had $1.84$3.12 billion of loans pledged at the Federal Reserve discount window and had $1.24$2.00 billion available for borrowing.




34


NOTE 87 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock Repurchase Program

On September 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of its outstanding common stock.stock through October 31, 2020. On October 22, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the extension of the share repurchase program through October 31, 2021. Repurchases of shares which are authorized to occur through October 31, 2020, will


be made, if at all, in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including share acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The program does not require the repurchase of any specific number of shares. It replaces the Company's prior share repurchase program which was set to expire in October 2019 and under which the Company repurchased $10.6 million of its outstanding common stock in the past year. As of September 30, 2019, 02020, $14.3 million, or 358,664 shares, of the Company's common stock had been repurchased under the new program.

Fidelity Acquisition

On July 1, 2019, the Company issued 22,181,522 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Fidelity. Such shares had a value of $39.19 per share at the time of issuance, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $869.3 million.

For additional information regarding the Fidelity acquisition, see Note 2.

Hamilton Acquisition

On June 29, 2018, the Company issued 6,548,385 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Hamilton. Such shares had a value of $53.35 per share at the time of issuance, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $349.4 million.

For additional information regarding the Hamilton acquisition, see Note 2.

Atlantic Acquisition

On May 25, 2018, the Company issued 2,631,520 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Atlantic. Such shares had a value of $56.15 per share at the time of issuance, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $147.8 million.

For additional information regarding the Atlantic acquisition, see Note 2.

USPF Acquisition

On January 18, 2017, in exchange for 4.99% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the Company issued 128,572 unregistered shares of its common stock to a selling shareholder of USPF. A registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 13, 2017 to register the resale or other disposition of these shares. The issuance of the 128,572 common shares, valued at $45.45 per share at the time of issuance, resulted in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $5.8 million.

On January 3, 2018, in exchange for 25.01% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the Company issued 114,285 unregistered shares of its common stock and paid $12.5 million in cash to a selling shareholder of USPF. The issuance of the 114,285 common shares, valued at $48.55 per share at the time of issuance, resulted in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $5.5 million.

On January 31, 2018, in exchange for the final 70% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the Company issued 830,301 unregistered shares of its common stock and paid $8.9 million in cash to the selling shareholders of USPF. The issuance of the 830,301 common shares, valued at $53.55 per share at the time of issuance, resulted in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $44.5 million. The selling shareholders of USPF could receive additional cash payments aggregating up to $5.8 million based on the achievement by the Company's premium finance division of certain income targets, between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. The total contingent consideration paid was $1.2 million based on results achieved through the applicable measurement dates.

On February 16, 2018, a registration statement was filed with the SEC to register the resale or other disposition of the combined 944,586 shares issued on January 3, 2018 and January 31, 2018.

For additional information regarding the USPF acquisition, see Note 2.

NOTE 98 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the Company consists of changes in net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale and an interest rate swap derivative designated as a cash flow hedge.derivatives. The reclassification offor gains included in net income is recorded in gain (loss) on securities in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive
income. The following tables present a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances, net of tax, as of September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019:
(dollars in thousands)
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Securities
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2020$(147)$18,142 $17,995 
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax
Current year changes, net of tax147 19,110 19,257 
Balance, September 30, 2020$$37,252 $37,252 
(dollars in thousands) 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Securities
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2019 $351
 $(5,177) $(4,826)
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax 
 (94) (94)
Current year changes, net of tax (505) 20,907
 20,402
Balance, September 30, 2019 $(154) $15,636
 $15,482
(dollars in thousands) 
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Securities
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2017 $292
 $(1,572) $(1,280)
Reclassification to retained earnings due to change in federal corporate tax rate (53) (339) (392)
Adjusted balance, January 1, 2018 239
 (1,911) (1,672)
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax 
 (70) (70)
Current year changes, net of tax 347
 (15,181) (14,834)
Balance, September 30, 2018 $586
 $(17,162) $(16,576)

(dollars in thousands) 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Securities
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2019$351 $(5,177)$(4,826)
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax(94)(94)
Current year changes, net of tax(471)20,873 20,402 
Balance, September 30, 2019$(120)$15,602 $15,482 
NOTE 109 – WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding: 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(share data in thousands)2020201920202019
Average common shares outstanding69,231 69,372 69,243 54,762 
Common share equivalents:    
Stock options145 22 46 
Nonvested restricted share grants85 83 122 75 
Performance share units25 16 
Average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution69,346 69,600 69,403 54,883 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(share data in thousands)2019 2018 2019 2018
Average common shares outstanding69,372
 47,515
 54,762
 41,673
Common share equivalents: 
  
  
  
Stock options145
 14
 46
 14
Nonvested restricted share grants83
 156
 75
 158
Average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution69,600
 47,685
 54,883
 41,845
35


For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018,2020, there were no potentialoutstanding 252,765 and 253,765 options exerciseable for common shares, respectively, with strike prices that would cause the underlying shares to be anti-dilutive. Therefore, such option shares have been excluded. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, there were 0 outstanding options exerciseable for common shares with strike prices that would cause themthe underlying shares to be anti-dilutive.
 
NOTE 11 – LEASES

The Company has entered into various operating leases for certain branch locations, ATM locations, loan production offices, and corporate support services locations with terms extending through June 2028. Generally, these leases have initial lease terms of ten years or less. Many of the leases have one or more lease renewal options. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The Company does not consider exercise of any lease renewal options reasonably certain. Certain of our lease agreements contain early termination options. No renewal options or early termination options have been included in the calculation of the operating right-of-use assets or operating lease liabilities. Certain of our lease agreements provide for periodic adjustments to rental payments for inflation. As the majority of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the term of the lease. Incremental borrowing rates on January 1, 2019 were used for operating leases that commenced prior to that date. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. For these short-term leases, lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. At September 30, 2019, the Company had 0 leases classified as finance leases.

Operating lease cost was $3.3 million and $6.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company had 0 sublease income offsetting operating lease cost. Variable rent expense and short-term lease expense were not material for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.



The following table presents the impact of leases on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019:
(dollars in thousands)Location September 30, 2019
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOther assets $39,611
Operating lease liabilitiesOther liabilities 42,050


Future maturities of the Company's operating lease liabilities are summarized as follows:
(dollars in thousands)  
Twelve Months Ended September 30, Lease Liability
2020 $11,497
2021 10,133
2022 7,155
2023 5,748
2024 3,304
After September 30, 2024 7,276
Total lease payments $45,113
Less: Interest (3,063)
Present value of lease liabilities $42,050


Supplemental lease information 
(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)5.1
Weighted-average discount rate2.57%
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases (cash payments)$6,628
Operating cash flows from operating leases (lease liability reduction)$6,610
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for leases entered into during the period, net of business combinations$3,370


NOTE 1210 – FAIR VALUE MEASURES
 
The fair value of an asset or liability is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various assets and liabilities. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the asset or liability. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value measures excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
 
The Company's loans held for sale under the fair value option are comprised of the following:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Mortgage loans held for sale$1,183,417
 $107,428
SBA loans held for sale4,134
 3,870
Total loans held for sale$1,187,551
 $111,298

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Mortgage loans held for sale$1,348,193 $1,647,900 
SBA loans held for sale19,851 8,811 
Total loans held for sale$1,368,044 $1,656,711 
 
The Company has elected to record mortgage loans held for sale at fair value in order to eliminate the complexities and inherent difficulties of achieving hedge accounting and to better align reported results with the underlying economic changes in value of the loans and related hedge instruments. This election impacts the timing and recognition of origination fees and costs, as well as servicing value, which are now recognized in earnings at the time of origination. Interest income on mortgage loans held for sale


is recorded on an accrual basis in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income under the heading interest income – interest and fees on loans. The servicing value is included in the fair value of the interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) with borrowers. The mark to market adjustments related to mortgage loans held for sale and the associated economic hedges are captured in mortgage banking activities.

A net gainloss of $23.0$23.3 million and a net lossgain of $1.4$17.8 million resulting from fair value changes of these mortgage loans were recorded in income during the nine monthsthree and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, respectively. For the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Net gainsa net gain of $2.1$20.3 million and $848,000$23.0 million, respectively, resulting from fair value changes of these mortgage loans were recorded in income. A net gain of $21.4 million and $55.2 million resulting from changes in the fair value of the related derivative financial instruments used to hedge exposure to the market-related risks associated with these mortgage loans were recorded in income during the nine monthsthree and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, respectively. For the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2019, a net loss of $1.0 million and 2018, respectively.a net gain of $2.1 million, respectively, resulting from changes in the fair value of the related derivative financial instruments were recorded in income. The change in fair value of both mortgage loans held for sale and the related derivative financial instruments are recorded in mortgage banking activity in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Company’s valuation of mortgage loans held for sale incorporates an assumption for credit risk; however, given the short-term period that the Company holds these loans, valuation adjustments attributable to instrument-specific credit risk is nominal.
 
The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance for mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018:2019:
(dollars in thousands) 
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Aggregate fair value of mortgage loans held for sale$1,348,193 $1,647,900 
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for sale1,280,559 1,598,057 
Past-due loans of 90 days or more1,649 
Nonaccrual loans1,649 
Unpaid principal balance of nonaccrual loans1,616 
(dollars in thousands) 
September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Aggregate fair value of mortgage loans held for sale$1,183,417
 $107,428
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans held for sale1,148,283
 103,319
Past-due loans of 90 days or more
 
Nonaccrual loans
 
36


The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance for SBA loans held for sale measured at fair value as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018:2019:
(dollars in thousands) 
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Aggregate fair value of SBA loans held for sale$19,851 $8,811 
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of SBA loans held for sale17,867 8,206 
Past-due loans of 90 days or more
Nonaccrual loans
(dollars in thousands) 
September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Aggregate fair value of SBA loans held for sale$4,134
 $3,870
Aggregate unpaid principal balance of SBA loans held for sale3,755
 3,581
Past-due loans of 90 days or more
 
Nonaccrual loans
 


The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available for sale, loans held for sale and derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. From time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as collateral-dependent impaired loans, loan servicing rights and OREO. Additionally, the Company is required to disclose, but not record, the fair value of other financial instruments.
Fair Value Hierarchy

The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:
Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:
Cash and Due From Banks, Federal Funds Sold and Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks, and Time Deposits in Other Banks: The carrying amount of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks, and time deposits in other banks approximates fair value.


Investment Securities Available for Sale: The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include certain U.S. agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage and debt obligations, and municipal securities. The Level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and may include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities.
Loans Held for Sale: The Company records loans held for sale at fair value. The fair value of loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.
Loans: The fair value for loans held for investment is estimated using an exit price methodology.  An exit price methodology considers expected cash flows that take into account contractual loan terms, as applicable, prepayment expectations, probability of default, loss severity in the event of default, recovery lag and, in the case of variable rate loans, expectations for future interest rate movements. These cash flows are present valued at a risk adjusted discount rate, which considers the cost of funding, liquidity, servicing costs, and other factors.   Because observable quoted prices seldom exist for identical or similar assets carried in loans held for investment, Level 3 inputs are primarily used to determine fair value exit pricing. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. A loan is determined to be impaired if the Company believes it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the terms of the note will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and generally results in a specific reserve established through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Losses on impaired loans are charged to the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Management has determined that the majority of impaired loans are Level 3 assets due to the extensive use of market appraisals.
Other Real Estate Owned: The fair value of OREO is determined using certified appraisals and internal evaluations that value the property at its highest and best uses by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that OREO should be classified as Level 3.
Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable: The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates fair value.

Deposits: The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposit approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for certificates of similar maturities.
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximates fair value and is classified as Level 1. The carrying amount of variable rate other borrowings approximates fair value and is classified as Level 1. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements and is classified as Level 2.
Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures: The fair value of the Company’s trust preferred securities is based on discounted cash flows using rates for securities with similar terms and remaining maturities and are classified as Level 2.

FDIC Loss-Share Payable: Because the FDIC will reimburse the Company for certain acquired loans should the Company experience a loss, an indemnification asset is recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The indemnification asset is recognized at the same time as the indemnified loans, and measured on the same basis, subject to collectability or contractual limitations. The shared loss agreements on the acquisition date reflect the reimbursements expected to be received from the FDIC, using an appropriate discount rate, which reflects counterparty credit risk and other uncertainties. The shared loss agreements continue to be measured on the same basis as the related indemnified loans, and the loss-share receivable is impacted by changes in estimated cash flows associated with these loans.



Pursuant to the clawback provisions of the loss-sharing agreements for the Company’s FDIC-assisted acquisitions, the Company may be required to reimburse the FDIC should actual losses be less than certain thresholds established in each loss-sharing agreement. The amount of the clawback provision for each acquisition is measured and recorded at fair value. The clawback amount, which is payable to the FDIC upon termination of the applicable loss-sharing agreement, is discounted using an appropriate discount rate.
Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure.
Derivatives: The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).
The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.
Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018:2019:
Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
 September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands) 
Fair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Financial assets:    
U.S. government sponsored agencies$17,604 $$17,604 $
State, county and municipal securities87,648 87,648 
Corporate debt securities52,141 50,956 1,185 
SBA pool securities65,116 65,116 
Mortgage-backed securities894,927 894,927 
Loans held for sale1,368,044 1,368,044 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments64,694 64,694 
Total recurring assets at fair value$2,550,174 $$2,548,989 $1,185 
Financial liabilities:    
Mortgage banking derivative instruments$6,177 $$6,177 $
Total recurring liabilities at fair value$6,177 $$6,177 $
 
Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
 September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands) 
Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
U.S. government sponsored agencies$22,360
 $
 $22,360
 $
State, county and municipal securities116,349
 
 116,349
 
Corporate debt securities52,918
 
 51,418
 1,500
Mortgage-backed securities1,299,580
 
 1,299,580
 
Loans held for sale1,187,551
 
 1,187,551
 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments15,935
 
 15,935
 
Total recurring assets at fair value$2,694,693
 $
 $2,693,193
 $1,500
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
Derivative financial instruments$237
 $
 $237
 $
Mortgage banking derivative instruments1,195
 
 1,195
 
Total recurring liabilities at fair value$1,432
 $
 $1,432
 $


 Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
 December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
State, county and municipal securities$150,733
 $
 $150,733
 $
Corporate debt securities67,314
 
 65,814
 1,500
Mortgage-backed securities974,376
 
 974,376
 
Loans held for sale111,298
 
 111,298
 
Derivative financial instruments102
 
 102
 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments2,537
 
 2,537
 
Total recurring assets at fair value$1,306,360
 $
 $1,304,860
 $1,500
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
Mortgage banking derivative instruments$1,276
 $
 $1,276
 $
Total recurring liabilities at fair value$1,276
 $
 $1,276
 $

Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
 December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)Fair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
Financial assets:    
U.S. government sponsored agencies$22,362 $$22,362 $
State, county and municipal securities105,260 105,260 
Corporate debt securities52,999 51,499 1,500 
SBA pool securities73,912 73,912 
Mortgage-backed securities1,148,870 1,148,870 
Loans held for sale1,656,711 1,656,711 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments7,814 7,814 
Total recurring assets at fair value$3,067,928 $$3,066,428 $1,500 
Financial liabilities:    
Derivative financial instruments$187 $$187 $
Mortgage banking derivative instruments4,471 4,471 
Total recurring liabilities at fair value$4,658 $$4,658 $
37


The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018:2019:
 
Nonrecurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
(dollars in thousands)Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
September 30, 2019 
  
  
  
Impaired loans carried at fair value$34,487
 $
 $
 $34,487
Other real estate owned196
 
 
 196
Purchased other real estate owned15,784
 
 
 15,784
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value$50,467
 $
 $
 $50,467
        
December 31, 2018 
  
  
  
Impaired loans carried at fair value$28,653
 $
 $
 $28,653
Other real estate owned408
 
 
 408
Purchased other real estate owned9,535
 
 
 9,535
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value$38,596
 $
 $
 $38,596

 Nonrecurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
(dollars in thousands)Fair ValueLevel 1Level 2Level 3
September 30, 2020    
Collateral-dependent loans$148,083 $$$148,083 
Other real estate owned4,239 4,239 
Mortgage servicing rights114,396 114,396 
SBA servicing rights6,062 6,062 
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value$272,780 $$120,458 $152,322 
December 31, 2019    
Impaired loans carried at fair value$43,788 $$$43,788 
Other real estate owned17,289 17,289 
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value$61,077 $$$61,077 
 
The inputs used to determine estimated fair value of impaired loans include market conditions, loan terms, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates. The inputs used to determine fair value of OREO include market conditions, estimated marketing period or holding period, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and the year ended December 31, 2018,2019, there was not a change in the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value.
 


The following table shows significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets:
(dollars in thousands) Fair Value 
Valuation
Technique
 Unobservable Inputs 
Range of
Discounts
 
Weighted
Average
Discount
September 30, 2019  
        
Recurring:  
        
Investment securities available for sale $1,500
 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0%
Nonrecurring:  
        
Impaired loans $28,653
 Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and
discount rates
 20% - 92% 28%
Other real estate owned $408
 Third-party appraisals and sales contracts Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 15% - 42% 33%
Purchased other real estate owned $9,535
 Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 8% - 91% 28%
           
December 31, 2018  
        
Recurring:  
        
Investment securities available for sale $1,500
 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0%
Nonrecurring:  
        
Impaired loans $28,653
 Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and
discount rates
 3% - 53% 30%
Other real estate owned $408
 Third-party appraisals and sales contracts Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 15% - 69% 31%
Purchased other real estate owned $9,535
 Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 6% - 74% 39%

(dollars in thousands)Fair ValueValuation
Technique
Unobservable InputsRange of
Discounts
Weighted
Average
Discount
September 30, 2020     
Recurring:     
Investment securities available for sale$1,185 Discounted cash flowsProbability of default14.6%14.6%
Loss given default31%31%
Nonrecurring:     
Collateral-dependent loans$148,083 Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flowsCollateral discounts and
discount rates
20% - 77%45%
Other real estate owned$4,239 Third-party appraisals and sales contractsCollateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
0% - 75%21%
December 31, 2019     
Recurring:     
Investment securities available for sale$1,500 Discounted par valuesCredit quality of underlying issuer0%0%
Nonrecurring:    
Impaired loans$43,788 Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flowsCollateral discounts and
discount rates
1% - 95%27%
Other real estate owned$17,289 Third-party appraisals and sales contractsCollateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
9% - 89%31%
 

38


The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows.
  Fair Value MeasurementsFair Value Measurements
  September 30, 2019  September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total(dollars in thousands)Carrying
Amount
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
  
Financial assets:     
Cash and due from banks$193,976
 $193,976
 $
 $
 $193,976
Cash and due from banks$257,026 $257,026 $$$257,026 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks285,713
 285,713
 
 
 285,713
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accountsFederal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts494,765 494,765 494,765 
Time deposits in other banks499
 
 499
 
 499
Time deposits in other banks249 249 249 
Loans, net12,756,267
 
 
 12,759,699
 12,759,699
Loans, net14,563,586 14,657,861 14,657,861 
Accrued interest receivable50,077
 
 6,012
 44,065
 50,077
Accrued interest receivable79,403 4,485 74,918 79,403 
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Financial liabilities:     
Deposits$13,659,594
 $
 $13,658,398
 $
 $13,658,398
Deposits16,063,806 16,076,073 16,076,073 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase17,744
 17,744
 
 
 17,744
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase9,103 9,103 9,103 
Other borrowings1,351,172
 
 1,352,726
 
 1,352,726
Other borrowings875,255 877,424 877,424 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures127,075
 
 124,130
 
 124,130
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures123,860 116,193 116,193 
FDIC loss-share payable19,490
 
 
 19,489
 19,489
FDIC loss-share payable19,476 19,639 19,639 
Accrued interest payable11,107
 
 11,107
 
 11,107
Accrued interest payable6,443 6,443 6,443 
  
Fair Value Measurements
  December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)Carrying
Amount
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Financial assets:     
Cash and due from banks$246,234 $246,234 $$$246,234 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts375,615 375,615 375,615 
Time deposits in other banks249 249 249 
Loans, net12,736,499 12,806,709 12,806,709 
Accrued interest receivable52,362 5,179 47,183 52,362 
Financial liabilities:     
Deposits14,027,073 14,035,686 14,035,686 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase20,635 20,635 20,635 
Other borrowings1,398,709 1,402,510 1,402,510 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures127,560 126,815 126,815 
FDIC loss-share payable19,642 19,657 19,657 
Accrued interest payable11,524 11,524 11,524 
   Fair Value Measurements
   December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
  
Cash and due from banks$172,036
 $172,036
 $
 $
 $172,036
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks507,491
 507,491
 
 
 507,491
Time deposits in other banks10,812
 
 10,812
 
 10,812
Loans, net8,454,442
 
 
 8,365,293
 8,365,293
Accrued interest receivable36,970
 
 5,456
 31,514
 36,970
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Deposits$9,649,313
 $
 $9,645,617
 $
 $9,645,617
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase20,384
 20,384
 
 
 20,384
Other borrowings151,774
 
 152,873
 
 152,873
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures89,187
 
 90,180
 
 90,180
FDIC loss-share payable19,487
 
 
 19,576
 19,576
Accrued interest payable5,669
 
 5,669
 
 5,669

NOTE 1311 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Loan Commitments

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Company’s balance sheets.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

A summary of the Company’s commitments is as follows:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Commitments to extend credit$2,403,565
 $1,671,419
Unused home equity lines of credit267,503
 112,310
Financial standby letters of credit30,308
 24,596
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments603,518
 81,833

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Commitments to extend credit$2,340,433 $2,486,949 
Unused home equity lines of credit259,421 262,089 
Financial standby letters of credit33,087 29,232 
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments1,658,214 288,490 
 


Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. These commitments, predominantly at variable interest rates, generally have fixed expiration dates of one year or less or other
39


termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.
 
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Collateral is required in instances which the Company deems necessary. The Company has not been required to perform on any material financial standby letters of credit and the Company has not incurred any losses on financial standby letters of credit for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on unfunded commitments which is recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The following table presents activity in the allowance for unfunded commitments for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
Balance at beginning of period$37,503 $$1,077 $
Adjustment to reflect adoption of ASU 2016-1312,714 
Addition due to acquisition1,077 1,077 
Provision for unfunded commitments(10,131)13,581 
Balance at end of period$27,372 $1,077 $27,372 $1,077 

Other Commitments
 
As of September 30, 2019, $82.4 million in2020, letters of credit issued by the FHLB wastotaling $427.3 million were used to guarantee the Bank’s performance related to a portion of its public fund deposit balances.

Contingencies
 
Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company’s management and its legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company’s legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.
 
If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed.
 
Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the nature of the guarantee would be disclosed.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic dislocation in the United States and an unprecedented slowdown in economic activity, as many state and local governments have intermittently ordered non-essential businesses to close and residents to shelter in place at home. As a result of the pandemic, commercial customers are experiencing varying levels of disruptions or restrictions on their business activity, and consumers are experiencing interrupted income or unemployment. We have outstanding loans to borrowers in certain industries that have been particularly susceptible to the effects of the pandemic, such as hotels, restaurants and other retail businesses. Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business. The United States government has taken steps to attempt
40


to mitigate some of the more severe anticipated economic effects of the coronavirus, including the passage of the CARES Act and subsequent legislation, but there can be no assurance that such steps will be effective or achieve their desired results in a timely fashion. The extent of such impact from the COVID-19 outbreak and related mitigation efforts will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. This could cause a material, adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations, including increases in loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures; decreases in the value of collateral securing our loans; increases in our allowance for credit losses; and decreases in the value of our intangible assets.
  
NOTE 1412 – SEGMENT REPORTING
 
The Company has the following 5 reportable segments: Banking Division, Retail Mortgage Division, Warehouse Lending Division, SBA Division and Premium Finance Division. The Banking Division derives its revenues from the delivery of full-service financial services, including commercial loans, consumer loans and deposit accounts. The Retail Mortgage Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The Warehouse Lending Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of warehouse lines to other businesses that are secured by underlying one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The SBA Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of SBA loans. The Premium Finance Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of commercial insurance premium finance loans.
 
The Banking, Retail Mortgage, Warehouse Lending, SBA and Premium Finance Divisions are managed as separate business units because of the different products and services they provide. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations. There are no material intersegment sales or transfers.



The following tables present selected financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019:
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
 Retail
Mortgage
Division
 Warehouse
Lending
Division
 SBA
Division
 Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
 Finance
 Division
Total
Interest income$141,630
 $27,141
 $5,786
 $4,366
 $9,438
 $188,361
Interest income$123,593 $31,040 $6,844 $10,958 $7,499 $179,934 
Interest expense17,368
 14,132
 2,617
 1,793
 3,682
 39,592
Interest expense4,031 10,647 298 1,992 428 17,396 
Net interest income124,262
 13,009
 3,169
 2,573
 5,756
 148,769
Net interest income119,562 20,393 6,546 8,966 7,071 162,538 
Provision for loan losses3,549
 1,490
 
 (15) 965
 5,989
Provision for credit lossesProvision for credit losses487 15,051 495 4,297 (2,648)17,682 
Noninterest income21,173
 52,493
 560
 2,766
 1
 76,993
Noninterest income15,265 137,583 1,064 5,106 159,018 
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Noninterest expense      
Salaries and employee benefits39,794
 34,144
 286
 1,985
 1,424
 77,633
Salaries and employee benefits39,718 53,500 266 1,572 1,642 96,698 
Equipment and occupancy expenses10,750
 1,686
 2
 66
 135
 12,639
Equipment and occupancy expenses11,955 1,676 97 76 13,805 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses9,551
 660
 41
 22
 98
 10,372
Data processing and telecommunications expenses9,716 2,349 73 84 12,226 
Other expenses87,059
 3,484
 27
 503
 980
 92,053
Other expenses21,517 7,889 28 595 934 30,963 
Total noninterest expense147,154
 39,974
 356
 2,576
 2,637
 192,697
Total noninterest expense82,906 65,414 368 2,268 2,736 153,692 
Income before income tax expense(5,268) 24,038
 3,373
 2,778
 2,155
 27,076
Income before income tax expense51,434 77,511 6,747 7,507 6,983 150,182 
Income tax expense(1,269) 5,048
 708
 584
 621
 5,692
Income tax expense13,453 16,112 1,431 1,577 1,464 34,037 
Net income$(3,999) $18,990
 $2,665
 $2,194
 $1,534
 $21,384
Net income$37,981 $61,399 $5,316 $5,930 $5,519 $116,145 
           
Total assets$13,031,554
 $3,156,895
 $564,297
 $262,719
 $748,812
 $17,764,277
Total assets$13,098,562 $3,632,999 $1,002,027 $1,338,794 $801,469 $19,873,851 
Goodwill846,990
 
 
 
 64,498
 911,488
Goodwill863,507 64,498 928,005 
Other intangible assets, net78,728
 
 
 
 18,600
 97,328
Other intangible assets, net60,568 15,596 76,164 
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$97,282
 $9,347
 $4,035
 $2,090
 $8,365
 $121,119
Interest expense13,241
 3,803
 1,566
 631
 2,840
 22,081
Net interest income84,041
 5,544
 2,469
 1,459
 5,525
 99,038
Provision for loan losses1,229
 122
 
 41
 703
 2,095
Noninterest income16,524
 12,097
 503
 1,045
 2
 30,171
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits26,120
 10,061
 136
 650
 1,447
 38,414
Equipment and occupancy expenses7,871
 618
 2
 58
 49
 8,598
Data processing and telecommunications expenses7,589
 347
 30
 1
 551
 8,518
Other expenses13,461
 1,828
 69
 242
 1,223
 16,823
Total noninterest expense55,041
 12,854
 237
 951
 3,270
 72,353
Income before income tax expense44,295
 4,665
 2,735
 1,512
 1,554
 54,761
Income tax expense11,156
 943
 574
 317
 327
 13,317
Net income$33,139
 $3,722
 $2,161
 $1,195
 $1,227
 $41,444
            
Total assets$9,616,931
 $789,402
 $297,979
 $134,172
 $590,510
 $11,428,994
Goodwill440,147
 
 
 
 65,457
 505,604
Other intangible assets, net33,125
 
 
 
 21,604
 54,729


41



Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
 Finance
 Division
Total
Interest income$338,396
 $53,286
 $16,140
 $8,827
 $25,669
 $442,318
Interest income$141,630 $27,141 $5,786 $4,366 $9,438 $188,361 
Interest expense44,340
 26,957
 7,294
 3,986
 9,926
 92,503
Interest expense17,368 14,132 2,617 1,793 3,682 39,592 
Net interest income294,056
 26,329
 8,846
 4,841
 15,743
 349,815
Net interest income124,262 13,009 3,169 2,573 5,756 148,769 
Provision for loan losses7,913
 2,235
 
 394
 3,523
 14,065
Provision for credit lossesProvision for credit losses3,549 1,490 (15)965 5,989 
Noninterest income50,373
 84,853
 1,389
 6,379
 6
 143,000
Noninterest income21,173 52,493 560 2,766 76,993 
Noninterest expense           Noninterest expense      
Salaries and employee benefits91,954
 54,237
 609
 3,447
 4,049
 154,296
Salaries and employee benefits39,794 34,144 286 1,985 1,424 77,633 
Equipment and occupancy expenses25,065
 3,122
 4
 190
 296
 28,677
Equipment and occupancy expenses10,750 1,686 66 135 12,639 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses24,778
 1,384
 109
 27
 853
 27,151
Data processing and telecommunications expenses9,551 660 41 22 98 10,372 
Other expenses126,743
 7,983
 170
 1,249
 3,104
 139,249
Other expenses87,059 3,484 27 503 980 92,053 
Total noninterest expense268,540
 66,726
 892
 4,913
 8,302
 349,373
Total noninterest expense147,154 39,974 356 2,576 2,637 192,697 
Income before income tax expense67,976
 42,221
 9,343
 5,913
 3,924
 129,377
Income tax expense16,197
 8,831
 1,962
 1,242
 952
 29,184
Net income$51,779
 $33,390
 $7,381
 $4,671
 $2,972
 $100,193
Income (loss) before income tax expenseIncome (loss) before income tax expense(5,268)24,038 3,373 2,778 2,155 27,076 
Income tax expense (benefit)Income tax expense (benefit)(1,269)5,048 708 584 621 5,692 
Net income (loss)Net income (loss)$(3,999)$18,990 $2,665 $2,194 $1,534 $21,384 
Total assetsTotal assets$13,031,554 $3,156,895 $564,297 $262,719 $748,812 $17,764,277 
GoodwillGoodwill846,990 64,498 911,488 
Other intangible assets, netOther intangible assets, net78,728 18,600 97,328 
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$226,576
 $24,142
 $10,428
 $5,428
 $24,003
 $290,577
Interest expense25,417
 8,555
 3,778
 1,725
 7,264
 46,739
Net interest income201,159
 15,587
 6,650
 3,703
 16,739
 243,838
Provision for loan losses2,883
 585
 
 1,025
 8,513
 13,006
Noninterest income42,910
 37,571
 1,635
 3,764
 2,062
 87,942
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits74,834
 28,667
 402
 2,010
 4,250
 110,163
Equipment and occupancy expenses19,032
 1,756
 2
 171
 225
 21,186
Data processing and telecommunications expenses19,504
 1,119
 93
 19
 1,357
 22,092
Other expenses54,478
 5,337
 176
 884
 3,521
 64,396
Total noninterest expense167,848
 36,879
 673
 3,084
 9,353
 217,837
Income before income tax expense73,338
 15,694
 7,612
 3,358
 935
 100,937
Income tax expense (benefit)18,114
 3,262
 1,598
 705
 (233) 23,446
Net income$55,224
 $12,432
 $6,014
 $2,653
 $1,168
 $77,491


 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
 Finance
 Division
Total
Interest income$384,547 $99,165 $16,979 $23,443 $23,586 $547,720 
Interest expense26,280 36,714 2,105 5,262 3,062 73,423 
Net interest income358,267 62,451 14,874 18,181 20,524 474,297 
Provision for credit losses123,289 17,471 889 5,716 (475)146,890 
Noninterest income47,506 276,147 2,751 7,953 334,357 
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits121,762 134,600 685 5,660 5,105 267,812 
Equipment and occupancy expenses33,981 5,133 291 232 39,640 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses29,432 4,741 169 32 320 34,694 
Other expenses80,159 20,713 150 1,469 2,876 105,367 
Total noninterest expense265,334 165,187 1,007 7,452 8,533 447,513 
Income before income tax expense17,150 155,940 15,729 12,966 12,466 214,251 
Income tax expense5,146 32,751 3,317 2,723 2,611 46,548 
Net income$12,004 $123,189 $12,412 $10,243 $9,855 $167,703 

42


 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
 Finance
 Division
Total
Interest income$338,396 $53,286 $16,140 $8,827 $25,669 $442,318 
Interest expense44,340 26,957 7,294 3,986 9,926 92,503 
Net interest income294,056 26,329 8,846 4,841 15,743 349,815 
Provision for credit losses7,913 2,235 394 3,523 14,065 
Noninterest income50,373 84,853 1,389 6,379 143,000 
Noninterest expense      
Salaries and employee benefits91,954 54,237 609 3,447 4,049 154,296 
Equipment and occupancy expenses25,065 3,122 190 296 28,677 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses24,778 1,384 109 27 853 27,151 
Other expenses126,743 7,983 170 1,249 3,104 139,249 
Total noninterest expense268,540 66,726 892 4,913 8,302 349,373 
Income before income tax expense67,976 42,221 9,343 5,913 3,924 129,377 
Income tax expense16,197 8,831 1,962 1,242 952 29,184 
Net income$51,779 $33,390 $7,381 $4,671 $2,972 $100,193 

NOTE 13 – LOAN SERVICING RIGHTS

The Company sells certain residential mortgage loans and SBA loans to third parties. All such transfers are accounted for as sales and the continuing involvement in the loans sold is limited to certain servicing responsibilities. The Company has also acquired portfolios of residential mortgage, SBA and indirect automobile loans serviced for others. Loan servicing rights are initially recorded at fair value and subsequently recorded at the lower of cost or fair value and are amortized over the remaining service life of the loans, with consideration given to prepayment assumptions. Loan servicing rights are recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of the loan servicing rights assets is shown in the table below:
(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Loan Servicing Rights
Residential mortgage$114,396 $94,902 
SBA6,062 7,886 
Indirect automobile117 247 
Total loan servicing rights$120,575 $103,035 

Residential Mortgage Loans

The Company sells certain first-lien residential mortgage loans to third party investors, primarily Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”). The Company retains the related mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”) and receives servicing fees on certain of these loans. The net gain on loan sales, MSRs amortization and recoveries/impairment, and ongoing servicing fees on the portfolio of loans serviced for others are recorded in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as part of mortgage banking activity.

During the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $8.3 million and $21.4 million, respectively. During the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $5.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively. Servicing fee income includes servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned for each period.
43


The table below is an analysis of the activity in the Company’s MSRs and impairment:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
Residential mortgage servicing rights
Beginning carrying value, net$91,381 $11,185 $94,902 $11,814 
Additions30,376 4,962 65,735 6,661 
Addition due to acquisition78,855 78,855 
Amortization(6,231)(3,564)(16,084)(4,432)
(Impairment)/recoveries(1,130)1,460 (30,157)
Ending carrying value, net$114,396 $92,898 $114,396 $92,898 


Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
Residential mortgage servicing impairment
Beginning balance$29,131 $1,460 $104 $
Additions1,130 30,157 
Recoveries(1,460)
Ending balance$30,261 $$30,261 $

The fair value of MSRs, key metrics, and the sensitivity of the fair value to adverse changes in model inputs and/or assumptions are summarized below:

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Residential mortgage servicing rights
Unpaid principal balance of loans serviced for others$12,185,383 $8,469,600 
Composition of residential loans serviced for others:
FHLMC21.97 %25.87 %
FNMA62.89 %65.35 %
GNMA15.14 %8.78 %
Total100.00 %100.00 %
Weighted average term (months)341341
Weighted average age (months)2333
Modeled prepayment speed21.03 %14.41 %
Decline in fair value due to a 10% adverse change(6,249)(4,455)
Decline in fair value due to a 20% adverse change(11,924)(8,520)
Weighted average discount rate9.67 %9.49 %
Decline in fair value due to a 10% adverse change(3,861)(3,557)
Decline in fair value due to a 20% adverse change(7,154)(6,810)

SBA Loans

All sales of SBA loans, consisting of the guaranteed portion, are executed on a servicing retained basis. These loans, which are partially guaranteed by the SBA, are generally secured by business property such as real estate, inventory, equipment and accounts receivable. The net gain on SBA loan sales, amortization and impairment/recoveries of servicing rights, and ongoing servicing fees are recorded in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as part of other noninterest income.

During the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $1.1 million and $3.3 million, respectively. During the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $1.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively. Servicing fee income includes servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned for each period.
44



The table below is an analysis of the activity in the Company’s SBA loan servicing rights and impairment:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
SBA servicing rights
Beginning carrying value, net$5,241 $3,110 $7,886 $3,012 
Additions499 155 974 783 
Addition due to acquisition5,242 5,242 
Purchase accounting adjustment(1,214)
Amortization(396)(167)(1,175)(556)
(Impairment)/recovery718 (409)(141)
Ending carrying value, net$6,062 $8,340 $6,062 $8,340 


Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
SBA servicing impairment
Beginning balance$1,268 $$141 $
Additions141 409 141 
Recoveries(718)
Ending balance$550 $141 $550 $141 


(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
SBA servicing rights
Unpaid principal balance of loans serviced for others$347,964 $339,247 
Weighted average life (in years)3.373.81
Modeled prepayment speed19.68 %17.86 %
Decline in fair value due to a 10% adverse change(391)(299)
Decline in fair value due to a 20% adverse change(739)(570)
Weighted average discount rate6.61 %11.47 %
Decline in fair value due to a 100 basis point adverse change(169)(144)
Decline in fair value due to a 200 basis point adverse change(329)(280)

Indirect Automobile Loans

The Company acquired a portfolio of indirect automobile loans serviced for others. These loans, or portions of loans, were sold on a servicing retained basis. Amortization and impairment/recoveries of servicing rights, and ongoing servicing fees are recorded in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income as part of other noninterest income. The Company is not actively originating or selling indirect automobile loans.

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2020201920202019
Indirect automobile servicing rights
Beginning carrying value, net$162 $$247 $
Addition due to acquisition777 777 
Amortization(45)(125)(130)(125)
Ending carrying value, net$117 $652 $117 $652 

45


During the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $259,000 and $1.5 million, respectively. During the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recorded servicing fee income of $1.1 million. Servicing fee income includes servicing fees, late fees and ancillary fees earned for each period.

NOTE 14 – GOODWILL

The Company has goodwill at its Banking Division and Premium Finance Division (collectively "the divisions"). The carrying value of goodwill at the Banking Division was $863.5 million and $867.1 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The carrying value of goodwill at the Premium Finance Division was $64.5 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company performs its annual impairment test at December 31 of each year and more frequently if a triggering event occurs. At December 31, 2019, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill at the divisions and determined it was more likely than not that the reporting unit's fair value exceeded its carrying value. The Company performed an interim qualitative assessment at March 31, 2020 considering the decline in the Company's stock price relative to book value and the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and determined that it was more likely than not that the reporting units fair values exceeded their carrying value.

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company assessed the indicators of goodwill impairment and determined a triggering event had occurred. Triggering events included sustained decline in the Company's share price, the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and low interest rate environment. The Company performed a quantitative analysis of goodwill at the divisions as of May 31, 2020. The Premium Finance Division was measured utilizing a discounted cash flow approach. The Banking Division was measured using multiple approaches. The primary approach for the Banking Division was the discounted cash flow approach, and the Company also used a market approach comparing to similar public companies' multiples and control premiums from transactions during prior distressed periods. The results from each of the primary approaches showed valuation of the reporting unit in excess of carrying value at May 31, 2020. The discounted cash flow approach for the Premium Finance Division resulted in a fair value approximately 11% higher than its carrying value. The discounted cash flow approach for the Banking Division indicated a fair value approximately 42% higher than its carrying value, and the market approach indicated a fair value approximately 5% higher than its carrying value. Economic conditions and forecasted results through June 30, 2020 were materially consistent with those modeled at May 31, 2020, and therefore, management determined no impairment existed at June 30, 2020.

At September 30, 2020, the Company performed an interim qualitative assessment and determined that it was more likely than not that the reporting units fair values exceeded their carrying values.

Each of the valuation methods used by the Company requires significant assumptions. Depending on the specific method, assumptions are made regarding growth rates, discount rates for cash flows, control premiums, and selected multiples. Changes to any of the assumptions could result in significantly different results.
46


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Certain of the statements made in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
 
All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the following: general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, includingfluctuations; movements in interest rates;rates and our expectations regarding net interest margin; expectations on credit quality and performance; competitive pressures on product pricing and services; legislative and regulatory initiatives;changes; additional competition in our markets; changes in state and federal banking laws and regulations to which we are subject; financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts; changes in commodity prices and interest rates; potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or internal restructuring, that may be pursued by us; the successful integration of acquired businesses on a timely basis; the timely realization of expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from acquisition transactions; our outlook and long-term goals for future growth; weather events, natural disasters, geopolitical events, public health crises and other catastrophic events; and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC under the Exchange Act.
 
All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made by or are attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Our forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report or the respective date of the document from which they are incorporated herein by reference. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview
 
The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors which have affected the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as reflected in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019,2020, as compared with December 31, 2018,2019, and operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019. These comments should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere herein.

This discussion contains certain performance measures determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).GAAP. Management of the Company uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company’s performance. These measures are useful when evaluating the underlying performance and efficiency of the Company’s operations and balance sheet. The Company’s management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide a greater understanding of ongoing operations, enhance comparability of results with prior periods and demonstrate the effects of significant gains and charges in the current period. The Company’s management believes that investors may use these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s financial performance without the impact of unusual items that may obscure trends in the Company’s underlying performance. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Non-GAAP measures include tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share, adjusted net income, and adjusted net income per diluted share. The Company calculates the regulatory capital ratios using current regulatory report instructions. The Company’s management uses these measures to assess the quality of capital and believes that investors may find them useful in their evaluation of the Company. These capital measures may or may not be necessarily comparable to similar capital measures that may be presented by other companies.



47


The following table sets forth unaudited selected financial data for the most recent five quarters and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.quarters. This data should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the information contained in this Item 2.
          Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)Third
Quarter
2019
 Second
Quarter
2019
 First
Quarter
2019
 Fourth
Quarter
2018
 Third
Quarter
2018
 2019 2018(in thousands, except share and per share data)Third
Quarter
2020
Second
Quarter
2020
First
Quarter
2020
Fourth
Quarter
2019
Third
Quarter
2019
20202019
Results of Operations:             Results of Operations:       
Net interest income$148,769
 $101,651
 $99,395
 $99,554
 $99,038
 $349,815
 $243,838
Net interest income$162,538 $163,814 $147,945 $155,351 $148,769 $474,297 $349,815 
Net interest income (tax equivalent)149,896
 102,714
 100,453
 100,633
 100,117
 353,062
 246,847
Net interest income (tax equivalent)163,949 165,178 149,018 156,454 149,896 478,145 353,062 
Provision for loan losses5,989
 4,668
 3,408
 3,661
 2,095
 14,065
 13,006
Provision for credit lossesProvision for credit losses17,682 88,161 41,047 5,693 5,989 146,890 14,065 
Noninterest income76,993
 35,236
 30,771
 30,470
 30,171
 143,000
 87,942
Noninterest income159,018 120,960 54,379 55,113 76,993 334,357 143,000 
Noninterest expense192,697
 81,251
 75,425
 75,810
 72,353
 349,373
 217,837
Noninterest expense153,692 155,768 138,053 122,564 192,697 447,513 349,373 
Income tax expense5,692
 12,064
 11,428
 7,017
 13,317
 29,184
 23,446
Income tax expense34,037 8,609 3,902 20,959 5,692 46,548 29,184 
Net income available to common shareholders21,384
 38,904
 39,905
 43,536
 41,444
 100,193
 77,491
Net income available to common shareholders116,145 32,236 19,322 61,248 21,384 167,703 100,193 
Selected Average Balances: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Selected Average Balances:       
Investment securities$1,592,005
 $1,264,415
 $1,225,564
 $1,187,437
 $1,185,225
 $1,362,004
 $986,065
Investment securities$1,246,860 $1,382,699 $1,456,462 $1,514,494 $1,592,005 $1,361,586 $1,362,004 
Loans held for sale856,572
 154,707
 101,521
 129,664
 151,396
 373,699
 143,848
Loans held for sale1,507,481 1,614,080 1,587,131 1,537,648 856,572 1,569,337 373,699 
Loans7,514,821
 6,370,860
 5,867,037
 5,819,684
 5,703,921
 6,587,916
 5,277,108
Loans14,688,317 13,915,406 12,712,997 12,697,912 12,677,063 13,772,102 9,982,560 
Purchased loans4,927,839
 2,123,754
 2,359,280
 2,402,610
 2,499,393
 3,148,726
 1,483,029
Purchased loan pools234,403
 245,947
 257,661
 268,568
 287,859
 245,918
 307,718
Earning assets15,478,774
 10,547,095
 10,319,954
 10,220,747
 10,138,029
 12,134,171
 8,403,042
Earning assets17,930,099 17,334,983 16,203,479 16,077,986 15,478,774 17,155,528 12,134,171 
Assets17,340,387
 11,625,344
 11,423,677
 11,307,980
 11,204,504
 13,483,044
 9,217,174
Assets19,810,084 19,222,181 18,056,445 17,998,494 17,340,387 19,045,028 13,483,044 
Deposits13,520,926
 9,739,892
 9,577,574
 9,452,944
 8,962,170
 10,960,575
 7,327,179
Deposits15,799,774 14,890,348 13,702,332 13,903,846 13,520,926 14,801,144 10,960,575 
Shareholders’ equity2,432,182
 1,519,598
 1,478,462
 1,428,341
 1,395,479
 1,813,575
 1,094,233
Shareholders’ equity2,529,471 2,478,373 2,456,617 2,437,272 2,432,182 2,500,689 1,813,575 
Period-End Balances: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Period-End Balances:       
Investment securities$1,558,128
 $1,305,725
 $1,249,592
 $1,206,878
 $1,198,499
 $1,558,128
 $1,198,499
Investment securities$1,164,765 $1,315,349 $1,434,794 $1,470,322 $1,558,128 $1,164,765 $1,558,128 
Loans held for sale1,187,551
 261,073
 112,070
 111,298
 130,179
 1,187,551
 130,179
Loans held for sale1,414,889 1,736,397 1,398,229 1,656,711 1,187,551 1,414,889 1,187,551 
Loans7,208,816
 6,522,448
 5,756,358
 5,660,457
 5,543,306
 7,208,816
 5,543,306
Loans14,943,593 14,503,157 13,094,106 12,818,476 12,826,284 14,943,593 12,826,284 
Purchased loans5,388,336
 2,286,425
 2,472,271
 2,588,832
 2,711,460
 5,388,336
 2,711,460
Purchased loan pools229,132
 240,997
 253,710
 262,625
 274,752
 229,132
 274,752
Earning assets15,858,175
 10,804,385
 10,563,571
 10,348,393
 10,340,558
 15,858,175
 10,340,558
Earning assets18,018,261 17,983,712 16,324,222 16,321,373 15,858,175 18,018,261 15,858,175 
Total assets17,764,277
 11,889,336
 11,656,275
 11,443,515
 11,428,994
 17,764,277
 11,428,994
Total assets19,873,851 19,872,629 18,224,548 18,242,579 17,764,277 19,873,851 17,764,277 
Deposits13,659,594
 9,582,370
 9,800,875
 9,649,313
 9,181,363
 13,659,594
 9,181,363
Deposits16,063,806 15,589,818 13,844,618 14,027,073 13,659,594 16,063,806 13,659,594 
Shareholders’ equity2,420,723
 1,537,121
 1,495,584
 1,456,347
 1,404,977
 2,420,723
 1,404,977
Shareholders’ equity2,564,683 2,460,130 2,437,150 2,469,582 2,420,723 2,564,683 2,420,723 
Per Common Share Data: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Per Common Share Data:       
Earnings per share - basic$0.31
 $0.82
 $0.84
 $0.92
 $0.87
 $1.83
 $1.86
Earnings per share - basic$1.68 $0.47 $0.28 $0.88 $0.31 $2.42 $1.83 
Earnings per share - diluted$0.31
 $0.82
 $0.84
 $0.91
 $0.87
 $1.83
 $1.85
Earnings per share - diluted$1.67 $0.47 $0.28 $0.88 $0.31 $2.42 $1.83 
Book value per common share$34.78
 $32.52
 $31.43
 $30.66
 $29.58
 $34.78
 $29.58
Book value per common share$36.91 $35.42 $35.10 $35.53 $34.78 $36.91 $34.78 
Tangible book value per common share$20.29
 $20.81
 $19.73
 $18.83
 $17.78
 $20.29
 $17.78
Tangible book value per common share$22.46 $20.90 $20.44 $20.81 $20.29 $22.46 $20.29 
End of period shares outstanding69,593,833
 47,261,584
 47,585,309
 47,499,941
 47,496,966
 69,593,833
 47,496,966
End of period shares outstanding69,490,546 69,462,782 69,441,274 69,503,833 69,593,833 69,490,546 69,593,833 
 

48


      Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)Third
Quarter
2020
Second
Quarter
2020
First
Quarter
2020
Fourth
Quarter
2019
Third
Quarter
2019
20202019
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:       
Basic69,230,667 69,191,778 69,247,661 69,429,193 69,372,125 69,243,280 54,762,216 
Diluted69,346,141 69,292,972 69,502,022 69,683,999 69,600,499 69,403,104 54,883,122 
Market Price:       
High intraday price$27.81 $29.82 $43.79 $44.90 $40.65 $43.79 $42.01 
Low intraday price$19.91 $17.12 $17.89 $38.34 $33.71 $17.12 $31.27 
Closing price for quarter$22.78 $23.59 $23.76 $42.54 $40.24 $22.78 $40.24 
Average daily trading volume359,059 470,151 461,692 353,783 461,289 429,758 401,050 
Cash dividends declared per share$0.15 $0.15 $0.15 $0.15 $0.15 $0.45 $0.35 
Closing price to book value0.62 0.67 0.68 1.20 1.16 0.62 1.16 
Performance Ratios:       
Return on average assets2.33 %0.67 %0.43 %1.35 %0.49 %1.18 %0.99 %
Return on average common equity18.27 %5.23 %3.16 %9.97 %3.49 %8.96 %7.39 %
Average loans to average deposits102.51 %104.29 %104.36 %102.39 %100.09 %103.65 %94.49 %
Average equity to average assets12.77 %12.89 %13.61 %13.54 %14.03 %13.13 %13.45 %
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)3.64 %3.83 %3.70 %3.86 %3.84 %3.72 %3.89 %
Efficiency ratio47.80 %54.70 %68.23 %58.24 %85.35 %55.34 %70.89 %
Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation -       
Tangible book value per common share:       
Total shareholders’ equity$2,564,683 $2,460,130 $2,437,150 $2,469,582 $2,420,723 $2,564,683 $2,420,723 
Less:       
Goodwill928,005 928,005 931,947 931,637 911,488 928,005 911,488 
Other intangible assets, net76,164 80,354 85,955 91,586 97,328 76,164 97,328 
Tangible common equity$1,560,514 $1,451,771 $1,419,248 $1,446,359 $1,411,907 $1,560,514 $1,411,907 
End of period shares outstanding69,490,546 69,462,782 69,441,274 69,503,833 69,593,833 69,490,546 69,593,833 
Book value per common share$36.91 $35.42 $35.10 $35.53 $34.78 $36.91 $34.78 
Tangible book value per common share22.46 20.90 20.44 20.81 20.29 22.46 20.29 

49
           Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)Third
Quarter
2019
 Second
Quarter
2019
 First
Quarter
2019
 Fourth
Quarter
2018
 Third
Quarter
2018
 2019 2018
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Basic69,372,125
 47,310,561
 47,366,296
 47,501,150
 47,514,653
 54,762,216
 41,672,792
Diluted69,600,499
 47,337,809
 47,456,314
 47,593,252
 47,685,334
 54,883,122
 41,844,900
Market Price: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
High intraday price$40.65
 $39.60
 $42.01
 $47.25
 $54.35
 $42.01
 $59.05
Low intraday price$33.71
 $33.57
 $31.27
 $29.97
 $45.15
 $31.27
 $45.15
Closing price for quarter$40.24
 $39.19
 $34.35
 $31.67
 $45.70
 $40.24
 $45.70
Average daily trading volume461,289
 352,684
 387,800
 375,773
 382,622
 401,050
 291,061
Cash dividends declared per share$0.15
 $0.10
 $0.10
 $0.10
 $0.10
 $0.35
 $0.30
Closing price to book value1.16
 1.21
 1.09
 1.03
 1.54
 1.16
 1.54
Performance Ratios: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Return on average assets0.49% 1.34% 1.42% 1.53% 1.47% 0.99% 1.12%
Return on average common equity3.49% 10.27% 10.95% 12.09% 11.78% 7.39% 9.47%
Average loans to average deposits100.09% 91.33% 89.64% 91.19% 96.43% 94.49% 98.42%
Average equity to average assets14.03% 13.07% 12.94% 12.63% 12.45% 13.45% 11.87%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)3.84% 3.91% 3.95% 3.91% 3.92% 3.89% 3.93%
Efficiency ratio85.35% 59.36% 57.95% 58.30% 56.00% 70.89% 65.66%
              
Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation - 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Tangible book value per common share: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Total shareholders’ equity$2,420,723
 $1,537,121
 $1,495,584
 $1,456,347
 $1,404,977
 $2,420,723
 $1,404,977
Less: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Goodwill911,488
 501,140
 501,308
 503,434
 505,604
 911,488
 505,604
Other intangible assets, net97,328
 52,437
 55,557
 58,689
 54,729
 97,328
 54,729
Tangible common equity$1,411,907
 $983,544
 $938,719
 $894,224
 $844,644
 $1,411,907
 $844,644
End of period shares outstanding69,593,833
 47,261,584
 47,585,309
 47,499,941
 47,496,966
 69,593,833
 47,496,966
Book value per common share$34.78
 $32.52
 $31.43
 $30.66
 $29.58
 $34.78
 $29.58
Tangible book value per common share20.29
 20.81
 19.73
 18.83
 17.78
 20.29
 17.78




Fidelity Acquisition
Acquisitions Completed in 2018 and 2019

Since January 1, 2018, the Company completed four acquisitions: US Premium Finance Holding Company, Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation, Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc. and Fidelity Southern Corporation.

In accounting for business combinations, the Company uses the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged are recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Any identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged separately from the entity). If the consideration given exceeds the fair value of the net assets received, goodwill is recognized. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available.

Under the acquisition method, income and expenses of the acquiree are recognized prospectively beginning from the date of acquisition.

US Premium Finance Holding Company

On January 31, 2018, the Company closed on the purchase of the final 70% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, completing its acquisition of USPF and making USPF a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Through a series of three acquisition transactions that closed on January 18, 2017, January 3, 2018 and January 31, 2018, the Company issued a total of 1,073,158 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $55.9 million and paid $21.4 million in cash to the shareholders of USPF. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 25, 2018 under which Company purchased the final 70% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the selling shareholders of USPF could receive additional cash payments aggregating up to $5.8 million based on the achievement by the Company's premium finance division of certain income targets, between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. The total contingent consideration paid was $1.2 million based on results achieved through the applicable measurement dates. As of the January 31, 2018 acquisition date, the present value of the contingent earn-out consideration expected to be paid was $5.7 million. Including the fair value of the Company's common stock issued, cash paid and the present value of the contingent earn-out consideration expected to be paid, the aggregate purchase price of USPF amounted to $83.0 million. For additional information regarding the USPF acquisition, see Note 2.

Atlantic Coast Financial Corporation

On May 25, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Atlantic. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Atlantic was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger, and Atlantic's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Atlantic Coast Bank, was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving. The acquisition expanded the Company's existing market presence, as Atlantic Coast Bank had a total of 12 full-service branches located in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Duval County, Florida, Waycross, Georgia and Douglas, Georgia, at the time of closing. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Atlantic's shareholders received 0.17 shares of Ameris common stock and $1.39 in cash for each share of Atlantic common stock they previously held. As a result, the Company issued 2,631,520 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $147.8 million and paid $21.5 million in cash to Atlantic's shareholders as merger consideration.

In accounting for the Atlantic acquisition, the Company recorded assets (exclusive of goodwill) of $875.0 million, loans held for investment of $755.7 million, deposits of $585.2 million, and other borrowings of $204.5 million. For additional information regarding the Atlantic acquisition, see Note 2.

Hamilton State Bancshares, Inc.

On June 29, 2018, the Company completed its acquisition of Hamilton. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Hamilton was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger, and Hamilton's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Hamilton State Bank, was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving. The acquisition expanded the Company's existing market presence, as Hamilton State Bank had a total of 28 full-service branches located in Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding area as well as in Gainesville, Georgia, at the time of closing. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Hamilton's shareholders received 0.16 shares of Ameris common stock and $0.93 in cash for each share of Hamilton voting common stock or nonvoting common stock they previously held. As a result, the Company issued 6,548,385 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $349.4 million and paid $47.8 million in cash to Hamilton's shareholders as merger consideration.



In accounting for the Hamilton acquisition, the Company recorded assets (exclusive of goodwill) of $1.79 billion, investment securities of $285.8 million, loans held for investment of $1.29 billion, and deposits of $1.59 billion. For additional information regarding the Hamilton acquisition, see Note 2.

Fidelity Southern Corporation

On July 1, 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of Fidelity. Upon consummation of the acquisition, Fidelity was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger, and Fidelity's wholly owned banking subsidiary, Fidelity Bank, was merged with and into the Bank, with the Bank surviving. The acquisition expanded the Company's existing market presence, as Fidelity Bank had a total of 62 full-service branches at the time of closing, 46 of which were located in Georgia and 16 of which were located in Florida, providing financial products and services to customers primarily in the metropolitan markets of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jacksonville, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Fidelity's shareholders received 0.80 shares of Ameris common stock, par value $1.00 per share, for each share of Fidelity common stock they held. As a result, the Company issued 22,181,522 shares of its common stock at a fair value of $869.3 million to Fidelity's shareholders as merger consideration.

In accounting for the Fidelity acquisition, the Company recorded assets (exclusive of goodwill) of $4.78$4.76 billion, investment securities of $297.9 million, loans held for investment of $3.51 billion, and deposits of $4.04 billion. For additional information regarding the Fidelity acquisition, see Note 2.


CECL Adoption


On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC Topic 326 which replaces the current incurred loss approach for measuring credit losses with an expected loss model, referred to the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model. CECL applies to financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures, which include, but are not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments and financial guarantees. The adoption of this guidance resulted in an increase of the allowance for credit losses of $78.7 million, an increase in the allowance for unfunded commitments of $12.7 million and a reduction of retained earnings of $56.7 million, net of the increase in deferred tax assets of $19.0 million.


Impact and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Company has locations and personnel in multiple states. Many of these states have intermittently placed significant restrictions on companies and individuals since March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a financial institution, we are considered an essential business and therefore continue to operate on a modified basis to comply with governmental restrictions and public health guidelines. All branch drive thru facilities remain open, certain of our branch lobbies have reopened and the remaining are available by appointment only and ATMs are available. Online and mobile banking platforms are also available to serve our customers. Much of our workforce has transitioned to working remotely and those remaining in our offices are appropriately spaced.

At the same time, the Company enacted its disaster relief program, which allows 90-day extensions for borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company modified $2.71 billion in loans under its disaster relief program. Additionally, the Company participated in the SBA's PPP program and approximately $1.1 billion in loans under the program were outstanding at September 30, 2020. These loans bear interest at 1% and have two or five-year terms, depending on the date of origination. These loans also earn an origination fee of 1% to 5%, depending on the loan size, that is deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the loan using the effective yield method.

50


The COVID-19 pandemic materially impacted the allowance for credit losses and related provision for credit losses during the first nine months of 2020. Updated economic forecasts during the reasonable and supportable forecast period showed, among other things, a significant decline in expected GDP and an increase in expected unemployment rates relative to those at the adoption of CECL. More recent forecasts have begun to show moderate improvement compared with the June 30, 2020 forecast. These factors were the primary drivers of the Company's $146.9 million provision for credit losses during the first nine months of 2020. Additionally, the Company incurred $3.1 million in incremental expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic primarily for additional sanitizing of our locations and “thank you” pay for certain of our employees who are unable to work remotely.

Critical Accounting Policies

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies from those disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, except as described below related to the adoption of CECL. The reader should refer to the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for a full disclosure of all critical accounting policies.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses ("ACL") is a valuation allowance estimated at each balance sheet date in accordance with GAAP that is deducted from financial assets measured at amortized cost to present the net amount expected to be collected on those assets. Management uses a systematic methodology to determine its ACL for loans and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Management considers relevant information including past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts on the collectability of the loan portfolio. The Company’s estimate of its ACL involves a high degree of judgment; therefore, management’s process for determining expected credit losses may result in a range of expected credit losses. It is possible that others, given the same information, may at any point in time reach a different reasonable conclusion. The Company’s ACL recorded in the balance sheet reflects management’s best estimate within the range of expected credit losses. The Company recognizes in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income the amount needed to adjust the ACL for management’s current estimate of expected credit losses. See Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detailed descriptions of our estimation process and methodology related to the ACL. See also Note 4 — Loans in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” in this Item 2.

51


Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019
 
Consolidated Earnings and Profitability
 
Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $116.1 million, or $1.67 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, compared with $21.4 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared with $41.4 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, for the same period in 2018.2019. The Company’s return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity were 2.33% and 18.27%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2020, compared with 0.49% and 3.49%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2019, compared with 1.47% and 11.78%, respectively, in2019. During the third quarter of 2018.2020, the Company recorded pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $(44,000), pre-tax restructuring charges related to branch consolidations and efficiency initiatives of $50,000, pre-tax servicing right impairment of $412,000, pre-tax gain on bank owned life insurance ("BOLI") proceeds of $103,000, pre-tax expenses related to SEC and DOJ investigation of $268,000, pre-tax expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic of $470,000 and pre-tax gains on the sale of premises of $97,000. During the third quarter of 2019, the Company incurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $65.2 million, pre-tax servicing right recovery of $1.3 million, pre-tax gain on bank owned life insurance ("BOLI")BOLI proceeds of $4.3 million and pre-tax losses on the sale of premises of $889,000. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company incurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $276,000, pre-tax executive retirement benefits of $1.0 million, pre-tax restructuring charges related to branch consolidations of $229,000, and pre-tax losses on the sale of premises of $4,000. Excluding these merger and conversion charges, executive retirement benefits, restructuring charges, servicing right recovery, gain on BOLI proceeds and losses on the sale of premises,adjustment items, the Company’s net income would have been $116.9 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2020 and $68.5 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2019 and $43.3 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2018.2019.
 
Below is a reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income, as discussed above.
 Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)20202019
Net income available to common shareholders$116,145 $21,384 
Adjustment items:  
Merger and conversion charges(44)65,158 
Restructuring charge50 — 
Servicing right impairment (recovery)412 (1,319)
Gain on BOLI proceeds(103)(4,335)
Expenses related to SEC and DOJ investigation268 — 
Natural disaster and pandemic expenses470 — 
(Gain) loss on the sale of premises(97)889 
Tax effect of adjustment items (Note 1)
(222)(13,238)
After tax adjustment items734 47,155 
Adjusted net income$116,879 $68,539 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted69,346,141 69,600,499 
Net income per diluted share$1.67 $0.31 
Adjusted net income per diluted share$1.69 $0.98 
Note 1: A portion of the merger and conversion charges for the three months ended September 30, 2019 are nondeductible for tax purposes.

52

 Three Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)2019 2018
Net income available to common shareholders$21,384
 $41,444
Adjustment items: 
  
Merger and conversion charges65,158
 276
Executive retirement benefits
 962
Restructuring charge
 229
Servicing right recovery(1,319) 
Gain on BOLI proceeds(4,335) 
Loss on the sale of premises889
 4
Tax effect of adjustment items (Note 1)
(13,238) 377
After tax adjustment items47,155
 1,848
Adjusted net income$68,539
 $43,292
    
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted69,600,499
 47,685,334
Net income per diluted share$0.31
 $0.87
Adjusted net income per diluted share$0.98
 $0.91
    
Note: A portion of the merger and conversion charges for both periods and the third quarter 2018 executive retirement benefits are nondeductible for tax purposes. Gain on BOLI proceeds is nontaxbable.



Below is additional information regarding the retail banking activities, mortgage banking activities, warehouse lending activities, SBA activities and premium finance activities of the Company during the third quarter of 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively:
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
 Finance
 Division
Total
Interest income$123,593 $31,040 $6,844 $10,958 $7,499 $179,934 
Interest expense4,031 10,647 298 1,992 428 17,396 
Net interest income119,562 20,393 6,546 8,966 7,071 162,538 
Provision for credit losses487 15,051 495 4,297 (2,648)17,682 
Noninterest income15,265 137,583 1,064 5,106 — 159,018 
Noninterest expense      
Salaries and employee benefits39,718 53,500 266 1,572 1,642 96,698 
Equipment and occupancy expenses11,955 1,676 97 76 13,805 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses9,716 2,349 73 84 12,226 
Other expenses21,517 7,889 28 595 934 30,963 
Total noninterest expense82,906 65,414 368 2,268 2,736 153,692 
Income before income tax expense51,434 77,511 6,747 7,507 6,983 150,182 
Income tax expense13,453 16,112 1,431 1,577 1,464 34,037 
Net income$37,981 $61,399 $5,316 $5,930 $5,519 $116,145 
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$141,630
 $27,141
 $5,786
 $4,366
 $9,438
 $188,361
Interest expense17,368
 14,132
 2,617
 1,793
 3,682
 39,592
Net interest income124,262
 13,009
 3,169
 2,573
 5,756
 148,769
Provision for loan losses3,549
 1,490
 
 (15) 965
 5,989
Noninterest income21,173
 52,493
 560
 2,766
 1
 76,993
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits39,794
 34,144
 286
 1,985
 1,424
 77,633
Equipment and occupancy expenses10,750
 1,686
 2
 66
 135
 12,639
Data processing and telecommunications expenses9,551
 660
 41
 22
 98
 10,372
Other expenses87,059
 3,484
 27
 503
 980
 92,053
Total noninterest expense147,154
 39,974
 356
 2,576
 2,637
 192,697
Income before income tax expense(5,268) 24,038
 3,373
 2,778
 2,155
 27,076
Income tax expense(1,269) 5,048
 708
 584
 621
 5,692
Net income$(3,999) $18,990
 $2,665
 $2,194
 $1,534
 $21,384

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
Finance
Division
 Total(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
Finance
Division
Total
Interest income$97,282
 $9,347
 $4,035
 $2,090
 $8,365
 $121,119
Interest income$141,630 $27,141 $5,786 $4,366 $9,438 $188,361 
Interest expense13,241
 3,803
 1,566
 631
 2,840
 22,081
Interest expense17,368 14,132 2,617 1,793 3,682 39,592 
Net interest income84,041
 5,544
 2,469
 1,459
 5,525
 99,038
Net interest income124,262 13,009 3,169 2,573 5,756 148,769 
Provision for loan losses1,229
 122
 
 41
 703
 2,095
Provision for credit lossesProvision for credit losses3,549 1,490 — (15)965 5,989 
Noninterest income16,524
 12,097
 503
 1,045
 2
 30,171
Noninterest income21,173 52,493 560 2,766 76,993 
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Noninterest expense      
Salaries and employee benefits26,120
 10,061
 136
 650
 1,447
 38,414
Salaries and employee benefits39,794 34,144 286 1,985 1,424 77,633 
Equipment and occupancy expenses7,871
 618
 2
 58
 49
 8,598
Equipment and occupancy expenses10,750 1,686 66 135 12,639 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses7,589
 347
 30
 1
 551
 8,518
Data processing and telecommunications expenses9,551 660 41 22 98 10,372 
Other expenses13,461
 1,828
 69
 242
 1,223
 16,823
Other expenses87,059 3,484 27 503 980 92,053 
Total noninterest expense55,041
 12,854
 237
 951
 3,270
 72,353
Total noninterest expense147,154 39,974 356 2,576 2,637 192,697 
Income before income tax expense44,295
 4,665
 2,735
 1,512
 1,554
 54,761
Income before income tax expense(5,268)24,038 3,373 2,778 2,155 27,076 
Income tax expense11,156
 943
 574
 317
 327
 13,317
Income tax expense(1,269)5,048 708 584 621 5,692 
Net income$33,139
 $3,722
 $2,161
 $1,195
 $1,227
 $41,444
Net income$(3,999)$18,990 $2,665 $2,194 $1,534 $21,384 
 

53


Net Interest Income and Margins
 
The following table sets forth the average balance, interest income or interest expense, and average yield/interest rate paid for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread, and net interest margin on average interest-earning assets for the three months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019. Federally tax-exempt income is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 21% federal tax rate.
Quarter Ended
September 30,
Quarter Ended September 30,
2019 2018 20202019
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
(dollars in thousands)Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Assets 
  
    
  
  Assets      
Interest-earning assets: 
  
    
  
  Interest-earning assets:      
Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in banks, and time deposits in other banks$353,134
 $1,793
 2.01% $310,235
 $1,653
 2.11%Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in banks, and time deposits in other banks$487,441 $166 0.14%$353,134 $1,793 2.01%
Investment securities1,592,005
 11,567
 2.88% 1,185,225
 9,050
 3.03%Investment securities1,246,860 7,462 2.38%1,592,005 11,567 2.88%
Loans held for sale856,572
 7,889
 3.65% 151,396
 1,566
 4.10%Loans held for sale1,507,481 10,365 2.74%856,572 7,889 3.65%
Loans7,514,821
 108,839
 5.75% 5,703,921
 73,178
 5.09%Loans14,688,317 163,352 4.42%12,677,063 168,239 5.27%
Purchased loans4,927,839
 57,661
 4.64% 2,499,393
 34,692
 5.51%
Purchased loan pools234,403
 1,739
 2.94% 287,859
 2,059
 2.84%
Total interest-earning assets15,478,774
 189,488
 4.86% 10,138,029
 122,198
 4.78%Total interest-earning assets17,930,099 181,345 4.02%15,478,774 189,488 4.86%
Noninterest-earning assets1,861,613
  
   1,066,475
  
  Noninterest-earning assets1,879,985   1,861,613   
Total assets$17,340,387
  
   $11,204,504
  
  Total assets$19,810,084   $17,340,387   
        
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
  
    
  
  Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity      
Interest-bearing liabilities: 
  
    
  
  Interest-bearing liabilities:      
Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits$6,525,915
 $15,710
 0.96% $4,430,646
 $7,109
 0.64%Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits$7,741,528 $4,329 0.22%$6,525,915 $15,710 0.96%
Time deposits2,954,419
 13,715
 1.84% 2,210,673
 8,521
 1.53%Time deposits2,276,083 7,493 1.31%2,954,419 13,715 1.84%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase19,914
 32
 0.64% 12,529
 4
 0.13%Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase10,483 0.34%19,914 32 0.64%
FHLB advances810,384
 4,618
 2.26% 513,460
 2,745
 2.12%FHLB advances799,034 661 0.33%810,384 4,618 2.26%
Other borrowings220,918
 3,332
 5.98% 145,513
 2,180
 5.94%Other borrowings272,443 3,558 5.20%220,918 3,332 5.98%
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures133,519
 2,185
 6.49% 88,801
 1,522
 6.80%Subordinated deferrable interest debentures123,604 1,346 4.33%133,519 2,185 6.49%
Total interest-bearing liabilities10,665,069
 39,592
 1.47% 7,401,622
 22,081
 1.18%Total interest-bearing liabilities11,223,175 17,396 0.62%10,665,069 39,592 1.47%
Demand deposits4,040,592
  
   2,320,851
  
  Demand deposits5,782,163   4,040,592   
Other liabilities202,544
  
   86,552
  
  Other liabilities275,275   202,544   
Shareholders’ equity2,432,182
  
   1,395,479
  
  Shareholders’ equity2,529,471   2,432,182   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$17,340,387
  
   $11,204,504
  
  Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$19,810,084   $17,340,387   
Interest rate spread 
  
 3.39%  
  
 3.60%Interest rate spread  3.40%  3.39%
Net interest income 
 $149,896
    
 $100,117
  Net interest income $163,949   $149,896  
Net interest margin 
  
 3.84%  
  
 3.92%Net interest margin  3.64%  3.84%
 
On a tax-equivalent basis, net interest income for the third quarter of 20192020 was $149.9$163.9 million, an increase of $49.8$14.1 million, or 49.7%9.4%, compared with $100.1$149.9 million reported in the same quarter in 2018.2019. The higher net interest income is a result of growth in average interest earning assets which increased $5.34$2.45 billion, or 52.7%15.8%, from $10.14$15.48 billion in the third quarter of 20182019 to $15.48$17.93 billion for the third quarter of 2019.2020. This growth in interest earning assets resulted primarily from the Fidelity acquisition occurring in the third quarter of 2019, as well as strongorganic growth in average legacy loans, which increased $1.81 billion, or 31.7%, to $7.51 billionincluding PPP loans, and strong production in the third quarter 2019 from $5.70 billion in the same period of 2018.mortgage. The Company’s net interest margin during the third quarter of 20192020 was 3.84%3.64%, down eight20 basis points from 3.92%3.84% reported in the third quarter of 2018.2019. Loan production in the lines of business (including retail mortgage, warehouse lending, SBA and premium finance) amounted to $7.7 billion during the third quarter of 2020, with weighted average yields of 3.33%, compared with $4.2 billion and 4.51%, respectively, during the third quarter of 2019. Loan production in the banking division amounted to $870.0 million during the third quarter of 2020 with weighted average yields of 4.00%, compared with $1.2 billion and 5.08%, respectively, during the third quarter of 2019.
 
Total interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increaseddecreased to $189.5$181.3 million during the third quarter of 2019,2020, compared with $122.2$189.5 million in the same quarter of 2018.2019.  Yields on earning assets increaseddecreased to 4.86%4.02% during the third quarter of 2019,2020, compared with 4.78%4.86% reported in the third quarter of 2018.2019. During the third quarter of 2019,2020, loans comprised 87.4%90.3% of average earning assets, compared with 85.2%87.4% in the same quarter of 2018.2019. Yields on legacy loans increaseddecreased to 5.75%4.42% in the third quarter of 2019,2020, compared with 5.09%5.27% in the same period of 2018. The yield on purchased loans decreased from 5.51% in the third quarter of 2018 to 4.64% during the third quarter of 2019. Accretion income for the third quarter of 20192020 was $4.2$6.5 million, compared with $3.7$4.2 million in the third quarter of 2018. Yields on purchased loan pools increased from 2.84% in the third quarter of 2018 to 2.94% in the same period in 2019.



The yield on total interest-bearing liabilities increaseddecreased from 1.18% in the third quarter of 2018 to 1.47% in the third quarter of 2019.2019 to 0.62% in the third quarter of 2020. Total funding costs, inclusive of noninterest-bearing demand deposits, increaseddecreased to 0.41% in the third quarter of 2020,
54


compared with 1.07% during the third quarter of 2019. Deposit costs decreased from 0.86% in the third quarter of 2019 compared with 0.90% during the third quarter of 2018. Deposit costs increased from 0.69%to 0.30% in the third quarter of 2018 to 0.86% in the third quarter of 2019.2020. Non-deposit funding costs increased slightlydecreased from 3.37% in the third quarter of 2018 to 3.40% in the third quarter of 2019.2019 to 1.84% in the third quarter of 2020. The decrease in non-deposit funding costs was driven primarily by a shift in mix to short-term FHLB advances coupled with lower market interest rates being paid on FHLB advances. Average balances of interest bearing deposits and their respective costs for the third quarter of 20192020 and 20182019 are shown below:
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Balance
 
Average
Cost
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Cost
(dollars in thousands)Average
Balance
Average
Cost
Average
Balance
Average
Cost
NOW$2,049,175
 0.55% $1,567,111
 0.29%NOW$2,718,315 0.20%$2,049,175 0.55%
MMDA3,815,185
 1.31% 2,440,086
 0.96%MMDA4,273,899 0.26%3,815,185 1.31%
Savings661,555
 0.16% 423,449
 0.08%Savings749,314 0.06%661,555 0.16%
Retail CDs2,804,243
 1.83% 1,722,987
 1.26%Retail CDs2,274,150 1.31%2,804,243 1.83%
Brokered CDs150,176
 2.14% 487,686
 2.48%Brokered CDs1,933 1.85%150,176 2.14%
Interest-bearing deposits$9,480,334
 1.23% $6,641,319
 0.93%Interest-bearing deposits$10,017,611 0.47%$9,480,334 1.23%
 
Provision for LoanCredit Losses
 
The Company’s provision for loancredit losses during the third quarter of 20192020 amounted to $6.0$17.7 million, compared with $2.1$6.0 million in the third quarter of 2018.2019. This increase was primarily attributable to an updated economic forecast in our CECL model which reflects the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including, among other things, a corresponding decrease in forecasted GDP and increase in forecasted unemployment. The provision for credit losses for the third quarter of 2020 was comprised of $26.7 million related to loans and $(10.1) million related to unfunded commitments and $1.1 million related to other credit losses while the $6.0 million recorded for the third quarter of 2019 related solely to loans. At September 30, 2019,2020, classified loans still accruing decreasedincreased to $78.3$146.9 million, compared with $81.9$73.9 million at December 31, 2018.2019. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets increased from 0.55%0.56% at December 31, 20182019 to 0.73%0.82% at September 30, 2019.2020. The increase in non-performing assets is primarily attributable to an increase in nonaccruing loans as the Company migrated certain residential mortgage loans which completed their extension period and had not been formally modified or brought current at quarter end. Also contributing to the increase in nonperforming assets acquired inwas one hotel relationship totaling $18.6 million migrating to nonaccrual and TDR status during the Fidelity acquisition.quarter. Net charge-offs on legacy loans during the third quarter of 20192020 were approximately $1.6$3.6 million, or 0.09%0.10% of average legacy loans on an annualized basis, compared with approximately $6.3$2.3 million, or 0.44%0.07%, in the third quarter of 2018. The decrease in net charge-offs on legacy loans during the third quarter of 2019 was primarily attributable to a decrease in charge-offs on commercial, financial, and agricultural loans. The Company’s allowance for loan losses allocated to legacy loans at September 30, 2019 was $33.2 million, or 0.46% of legacy loans, compared with $26.2 million, or 0.46% of legacy loans, at December 31, 2018.2019. The Company’s total allowance for loancredit losses on loans at September 30, 20192020 was $35.5$231.9 million, or 0.28%1.55% of total loans, compared with $28.8$38.2 million, or 0.34%0.30% of total loans, at December 31, 2018.2019. This increase is primarily attributable to the adoption impact of CECL which increased the allowance for credit losses on loans $78.7 million and the provision recorded year-to-date.
 
Noninterest Income
 
Total noninterest income for the third quarter of 20192020 was $77.0$159.0 million, an increase of $46.8$82.0 million, or 155.2%106.5%, from the $30.2$77.0 million reported in the third quarter of 2018.2019.  Income from mortgage-related activities was $138.6 million in the third quarter of 2020, an increase of $85.6 million, or 161.4%, from $53.0 million in the third quarter of 2019. Total production in the third quarter of 2020 amounted to $2.92 billion, compared with $1.81 billion in the same quarter of 2019, while spread (gain on sale) increased to 3.92% in the current quarter, compared with 2.67% in the same quarter of 2019. The retail mortgage open pipeline finished the third quarter of 2020 at $2.71 billion, compared with $2.67 billion at June 30, 2020 and $784.2 million at the end of the third quarter of 2019. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $721,000,decreased $2.5 million, or 5.7%18.6%, to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared with $13.4 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $12.7 million in the third quarter of 2018.2019. This increasedecrease in service charges on deposit accounts is due primarily to an increasethe impact of the Durbin Amendment and a decrease in the number of deposit accounts resulting from the Fidelity acquisition inNSF income.

Other noninterest income decreased $1.0 million, or 10.5%, to $8.3 million for the third quarter of 2019 and organic growth. The Fidelity acquisition added $3.6 million in service charge revenue, which was offset by a decline of approximately $2.8 million in revenue as a result of the Durbin Amendment. Income from mortgage-related activities was $53.0 million in the third quarter of 2019, an increase of $39.0 million, or 276.7%, from $14.1 million in the third quarter of 2018. Total production in the third quarter of 2019 amounted to $1.8 billion,2020, compared with $479.1 million in the same quarter of 2018, while spread (gain on sale) decreased to 2.67% in the current quarter, compared with 3.00% in the same quarter of 2018. The retail mortgage open pipeline finished the third quarter of 2019 at $784.2 million, compared with $287.4 million at June 30, 2019 and $162.4 million at the end of the third quarter of 2018. Other service charges, commissions and fees increased $446,000, or 56.5%, to $1.2$9.3 million during the third quarter of 2019, compared with $790,000 during the third quarter of 2018, due primarily to increased ATM fees. Other noninterest income increased $6.7 million, or 263.2%, to $9.3 million for the third quarter of 2019, compared with $2.6 million during the third quarter of 2018.2019. The increasedecrease in other noninterest income was primarily attributable to a $4.3 milliondecreases in gain on BOLI proceeds due to the unfortunate death of a former officer$4.2 million and indirect automobile servicing income of Fidelity, a $1.3$806,000. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.9 million increase in gain on salesales of SBA loans and an increasea decrease of $2.0 million in servicing income from indirect automobile loansloss on sale of $1.0 million.loans.



Noninterest Expense
 
Total noninterest expenses for the third quarter of 2019 increased $120.32020 decreased $39.0 million, or 166.3%20.2%, to $192.7$153.7 million, compared with $72.4$192.7 million in the same quarter 2018.2019. Salaries and employee benefits increased $39.2$19.1 million, or 102.1%24.6%, from $38.4$77.6 million in the third quarter of 20182019 to $77.6$96.7 million in the third quarter of 2020, due primarily to an increase in variable compensation tied to increased mortgage production of $19.9 million. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $1.2 million, or 9.2%, to
55


$13.8 million for the third quarter of 2020, compared with $12.6 million in the third quarter of 2019, due primarily to an increase of 1,059, or 57.3%, full-time equivalent employees from 1,847 at September 30, 2018 to 2,906 at September 30, 2019, resulting from staff added as a result of the Fidelity acquisition which occurred in the third quarter of 2019. Also contributing to the increase in salary and employee benefits was an increase in variable incentive pay of $16.2 million resulting from an increase in mortgage production. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $4.0 million, or 47.0%, to $12.6 million for the third quarter of 2019, compared with $8.6$1.8 million in the third quarter of 2018, due primarilylease termination costs related to an increase of 47 branch locations from 125 at September 30, 2018 to 172 at September 30, 2019, resulting from branch locations added as a result of the Fidelity acquisition, partially offset by branch locations closed in connection withpreviously announced branch consolidations.efficiency initiatives. Data processing and telecommunications expense increased $1.9 million, or 21.8%17.9%, to $10.4$12.2 million in the third quarter of 2019,2020, compared with $8.5 million in the third quarter of 2018, due to the Fidelity acquisition. Credit resolution-related expenses decreased $154,000, or 12.3%, from $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2018 to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2019. Advertising and marketing expense was $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2018. Amortization of intangible assets increased $3.0 million, or 113.7%, from $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2018 to $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2019 due to additional amortization of intangible assets recorded as part of the Fidelity acquisition. Merger and conversion charges were $65.2 million in the third quarter of 2019, compared with $276,000 in the same quarter of 2018. Other noninterest expenses increased $7.0 million, or 62.3%, from $11.2 million in the third quarter of 2018 to $18.1$10.4 million in the third quarter of 2019, due primarily to variable expenses related to increased mortgage production. Advertising and marketing expense was $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, compared with $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2019. Amortization of intangible assets decreased $1.5 million, or 26.7%, from $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2019 to $4.2 million in the third quarter of 2020. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized over an accelerated basis; therefore, the expense recorded will decline over the life of the asset. Merger and conversion charges were $(44,000) in the third quarter of 2020, compared with $65.2 million in the same quarter of 2019. Other noninterest expenses increased $6.9 million, or 38.1%, from $18.1 million in the third quarter of 2019 to $25.0 million in the third quarter of 2020, due primarily to an increase of $885,000$2.7 million in the loss on saleFDIC insurance, an increase of premises$2.9 million in mortgage servicing expenses, and an increase of $1.7 million$470,000 in consulting feesnatural disaster and pandemic charges related to implementation of new support systems.the COVID-19 pandemic. Also contributing to the increase in other noninterest expenses was an increase in volume in certain areas related to our acquisition of Fidelity and increases in variable expenses tied to production in our lines of business.

Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense is influenced by the statutory rate, the amount of taxable income, the amount of tax-exempt income and the amount of non-deductiblenondeductible expenses.  For the third quarter of 2019,2020, the Company reported income tax expense of $5.7$34.0 million, compared with $13.3$5.7 million in the same period of 2018.2019. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ending September 30, 2020 and 2019 was 22.7% and 2018 was 21.0% and 24.3%, respectively. The decreaseincrease in the effective tax rate is primarily related to a non-taxableresult of decreased nontaxable gain on BOLI proceeds andcompared with the same period a reduction in the Florida corporate income tax rate partially offset by certain non-deductible merger expenses.


year ago.

56


Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019

Consolidated Earnings and Profitability
 
Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $100.2$167.7 million, or $1.83$2.42 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, compared with $77.5$100.2 million, or $1.85$1.83 per diluted share, for the same period in 2018.2019. The Company’s return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity were 0.99%1.18% and 7.39%8.96%, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, compared with 1.12%0.99% and 9.47%7.39%, respectively, in the same period in 2018.2019. During the first nine months of 2020, the Company incurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $1.4 million, pre-tax restructuring charges related to branch consolidations and efficiency initiatives of $1.5 million, pre-tax servicing right impairment of $30.6 million, pre-tax gain on BOLI proceeds of $948,000, pre-tax expenses related to SEC and DOJ investigation of $3.0 million, pre-tax expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic of $3.1 million and pre-tax losses on the sale of premises of $654,000. During the first nine months of 2019, the Company incurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $70.7 million, pre-tax restructuring charges related to branch consolidations of $245,000, pre-tax servicing right impairment of $141,000, pre-tax gain on BOLI proceeds of $4.3 million, pre-tax reduction in financial impact of hurricanes of $39,000 pre-tax gain on BOLI proceeds of $4.3 million and pre-tax losses on the sale of premises of $4.6 million. During the first nine months of 2018, the Company incurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $19.5 million, pre-tax executive retirement benefits of $6.4 million, pre-tax restructuring charges related to branch consolidations of $229,000 and pre-tax losses on the sale of premises of $783,000. Excluding these merger and conversion charges, executive retirement benefits, restructuring charges, servicing right impairment, the financial impact of hurricanes, gain on BOLI proceeds and losses on the sale of premises,adjustment items, the Company’s net income would have been $156.3$198.5 million, or $2.85$2.86 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and $100.3$156.3 million, or $2.40$2.85 per diluted share, for the same period in 2018.2019.
 
Below is a reconciliation of adjusted net income to net income, as discussed above.
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)20202019
Net income available to common shareholders$167,703 $100,193 
Adjustment items:  
Merger and conversion charges1,391 70,690 
Restructuring charge1,513 245 
Servicing right impairment30,566 141 
Gain on BOLI proceeds(948)(4,335)
Expenses related to SEC and DOJ investigation3,005 — 
Natural disaster and pandemic charges3,061 (39)
Loss on the sale of premises654 4,608 
Tax effect of adjustment items (Note 1)
(8,438)(15,167)
After tax adjustment items30,804 56,143 
Adjusted net income$198,507 $156,336 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted69,403,104 54,883,122 
Net income per diluted share$2.42 $1.83 
Adjusted net income per diluted share$2.86 $2.85 
Note 1: A portion of the merger and conversion charges for all periods are nondeductible for tax purposes.

57

 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)2019 2018
Net income available to common shareholders$100,193
 $77,491
Adjustment items: 
  
Merger and conversion charges70,690
 19,502
Executive retirement benefits
 6,419
Restructuring charge245
 229
Servicing right impairment141
 
Financial impact of hurricanes(39) 
Gain on BOLI proceeds(4,335) 
Loss on the sale of premises4,608
 783
Tax effect of adjustment items (Note 1)
(15,167) (4,113)
After tax adjustment items56,143
 22,820
Adjusted net income$156,336
 $100,311
    
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted54,883,122
 41,844,900
Net income per diluted share$1.83
 $1.85
Adjusted net income per diluted share$2.85
 $2.40
    
Note 1: A portion of the 2019 and 2018 merger and conversion charges and a portion of the 2018 executive retirement benefits are nondeductible for tax purposes. Gain on BOLI proceeds is nontaxable.



Below is additional information regarding the retail banking activities, mortgage banking activities, warehouse lending activities, SBA activities and premium finance activities of the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively:
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020
(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
 Finance
 Division
Total
Interest income$384,547 $99,165 $16,979 $23,443 $23,586 $547,720 
Interest expense26,280 36,714 2,105 5,262 3,062 73,423 
Net interest income358,267 62,451 14,874 18,181 20,524 474,297 
Provision for loan losses123,289 17,471 889 5,716 (475)146,890 
Noninterest income47,506 276,147 2,751 7,953 — 334,357 
Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits121,762 134,600 685 5,660 5,105 267,812 
Equipment and occupancy expenses33,981 5,133 291 232 39,640 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses29,432 4,741 169 32 320 34,694 
Other expenses80,159 20,713 150 1,469 2,876 105,367 
Total noninterest expense265,334 165,187 1,007 7,452 8,533 447,513 
Income before income tax expense17,150 155,940 15,729 12,966 12,466 214,251 
Income tax expense5,146 32,751 3,317 2,723 2,611 46,548 
Net income$12,004 $123,189 $12,412 $10,243 $9,855 $167,703 
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$338,396
 $53,286
 $16,140
 $8,827
 $25,669
 $442,318
Interest expense44,340
 26,957
 7,294
 3,986
 9,926
 92,503
Net interest income294,056
 26,329
 8,846
 4,841
 15,743
 349,815
Provision for loan losses7,913
 2,235
 
 394
 3,523
 14,065
Noninterest income50,373
 84,853
 1,389
 6,379
 6
 143,000
Noninterest expense           
Salaries and employee benefits91,954
 54,237
 609
 3,447
 4,049
 154,296
Equipment and occupancy expenses25,065
 3,122
 4
 190
 296
 28,677
Data processing and telecommunications expenses24,778
 1,384
 109
 27
 853
 27,151
Other expenses126,743
 7,983
 170
 1,249
 3,104
 139,249
Total noninterest expense268,540
 66,726
 892
 4,913
 8,302
 349,373
Income before income tax expense67,976
 42,221
 9,343
 5,913
 3,924
 129,377
Income tax expense16,197
 8,831
 1,962
 1,242
 952
 29,184
Net income$51,779
 $33,390
 $7,381
 $4,671
 $2,972
 $100,193

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
Finance
Division
 Total(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
Retail
Mortgage
Division
Warehouse
Lending
Division
SBA
Division
Premium
Finance
Division
Total
Interest income$226,576
 $24,142
 $10,428
 $5,428
 $24,003
 $290,577
Interest income$338,396 $53,286 $16,140 $8,827 $25,669 $442,318 
Interest expense25,417
 8,555
 3,778
 1,725
 7,264
 46,739
Interest expense44,340 26,957 7,294 3,986 9,926 92,503 
Net interest income201,159
 15,587
 6,650
 3,703
 16,739
 243,838
Net interest income294,056 26,329 8,846 4,841 15,743 349,815 
Provision for loan losses2,883
 585
 
 1,025
 8,513
 13,006
Provision for loan losses7,913 2,235 — 394 3,523 14,065 
Noninterest income42,910
 37,571
 1,635
 3,764
 2,062
 87,942
Noninterest income50,373 84,853 1,389 6,379 143,000 
Noninterest expense           Noninterest expense
Salaries and employee benefits74,834
 28,667
 402
 2,010
 4,250
 110,163
Salaries and employee benefits91,954 54,237 609 3,447 4,049 154,296 
Equipment and occupancy expenses19,032
 1,756
 2
 171
 225
 21,186
Equipment and occupancy expenses25,065 3,122 190 296 28,677 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses19,504
 1,119
 93
 19
 1,357
 22,092
Data processing and telecommunications expenses24,778 1,384 109 27 853 27,151 
Other expenses54,478
 5,337
 176
 884
 3,521
 64,396
Other expenses126,743 7,983 170 1,249 3,104 139,249 
Total noninterest expense167,848
 36,879
 673
 3,084
 9,353
 217,837
Total noninterest expense268,540 66,726 892 4,913 8,302 349,373 
Income before income tax expense73,338
 15,694
 7,612
 3,358
 935
 100,937
Income before income tax expense67,976 42,221 9,343 5,913 3,924 129,377 
Income tax expense18,114
 3,262
 1,598
 705
 (233) 23,446
Income tax expense16,197 8,831 1,962 1,242 952 29,184 
Net income$55,224
 $12,432
 $6,014
 $2,653
 $1,168
 $77,491
Net income$51,779 $33,390 $7,381 $4,671 $2,972 $100,193 
 

58


Net Interest Income and Margins
 
The following table sets forth the average balance, interest income or interest expense, and average yield/rate paid for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread, and net interest margin on average interest-earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019. Federally tax-exempt income is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 21% federal tax rate.
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2019 2018 20202019
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
(dollars in thousands)Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Average
Balance
Interest
Income/
Expense
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Assets 
  
    
  
  Assets      
Interest-earning assets: 
  
    
  
  Interest-earning assets:      
Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in banks, and time deposits in other banks$415,908
 $7,655
 2.46% $205,274
 $3,092
 2.01%Federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in banks, and time deposits in other banks$452,503 $1,621 0.48%$415,908 $7,655 2.46%
Investment securities1,362,004
 30,319
 2.98% 986,065
 21,212
 2.88%Investment securities1,361,586 27,287 2.68%1,362,004 30,319 2.98%
Loans held for sale373,699
 10,673
 3.82% 143,848
 4,091
 3.80%Loans held for sale1,569,337 38,055 3.24%373,699 10,673 3.82%
Loans6,587,916
 273,573
 5.55% 5,277,108
 195,857
 4.96%Loans13,772,102 484,605 4.70%9,982,560 396,918 5.32%
Purchased loans3,148,726
 117,826
 5.00% 1,483,029
 62,584
 5.64%
Purchased loan pools245,918
 5,519
 3.00% 307,718
 6,750
 2.93%
Total interest-earning assets12,134,171
 445,565
 4.91% 8,403,042
 293,586
 4.67%Total interest-earning assets17,155,528 551,568 4.29%12,134,171 445,565 4.91%
Noninterest-earning assets1,348,873
  
   814,132
  
  Noninterest-earning assets1,889,500   1,348,873   
Total assets$13,483,044
  
   $9,217,174
  
  Total assets$19,045,028   $13,483,044   
        
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
  
    
  
  Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity      
Interest-bearing liabilities: 
  
    
  
  Interest-bearing liabilities:      
Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits$5,248,058
 $38,776
 0.99% $3,861,389
 $16,784
 0.58%Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits$7,345,828 $22,184 0.40%$5,248,058 $38,776 0.99%
Time deposits2,603,879
 35,787
 1.84% 1,438,645
 13,412
 1.25%Time deposits2,477,483 28,013 1.51%2,603,879 35,787 1.84%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase13,017
 45
 0.46% 16,036
 18
 0.15%Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase12,849 74 0.77%13,017 45 0.46%
FHLB advances282,622
 4,803
 2.27% 529,917
 7,585
 1.91%FHLB advances1,091,885 7,456 0.91%282,622 4,803 2.27%
Other borrowings170,891
 7,769
 6.08% 102,713
 4,634
 6.03%Other borrowings270,407 10,556 5.21%170,891 7,769 6.08%
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures104,345
 5,323
 6.82% 86,874
 4,306
 6.63%Subordinated deferrable interest debentures124,814 5,140 5.50%104,345 5,323 6.82%
Total interest-bearing liabilities8,422,812
 92,503
 1.47% 6,035,574
 46,739
 1.04%Total interest-bearing liabilities11,323,266 73,423 0.87%8,422,812 92,503 1.47%
Demand deposits3,108,638
  
   2,027,145
  
  Demand deposits4,977,833   3,108,638   
Other liabilities138,019
  
   60,222
  
  Other liabilities243,240   138,019   
Shareholders’ equity1,813,575
  
   1,094,233
  
  Shareholders’ equity2,500,689   1,813,575   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$13,483,044
  
   $9,217,174
  
  Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$19,045,028   $13,483,044   
Interest rate spread 
  
 3.44%  
  
 3.63%Interest rate spread  3.42%  3.44%
Net interest income 
 $353,062
    
 $246,847
  Net interest income $478,145   $353,062  
Net interest margin 
  
 3.89%  
  
 3.93%Net interest margin  3.72%  3.89%
 
On a tax-equivalent basis, net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 was $353.1$478.1 million, an increase of $106.2$125.1 million, or 43.0%35.4%, compared with $246.8$353.1 million reported in the same period of 2018.2019. The higher net interest income is a result of growth in average interest earning assets which increased $3.73$5.02 billion, or 44.4%41.4%, from $8.40 billion in the first nine months of 2018 to $12.13 billion for the first nine months of 2019. This increase in average interest earning assets is primarily a result of growth in average legacy loans and average purchased loans. Average legacy loans increased $1.31 billion, or 24.8%, to $6.59 billion in the first nine months of 2019 to $17.16 billion for the first nine months of 2020. This increase in average interest earning assets resulted primarily from $5.28 billionthe Fidelity acquisition occurring in the same periodthird quarter of 2018.2019, as well as organic growth in average loans, including PPP loans, and strong production in mortgage. Average purchased loans increased $1.67$3.79 billion, or 112.3%38.0%, to $3.15$13.77 billion in the first nine months of 20192020 from $1.48$9.98 billion in the same period in 2018, resulting from the Fidelity acquisition which occurred in the third quarter of 2019 and the second quarter 2018 acquisitions of Atlantic and Hamilton.2019. The Company’s net interest margin was down slightly17 basis points during the first nine months of 20192020 to 3.89%3.72%, compared with 3.93%3.89% for the first nine months of 2018.2019.
 
Total interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased to $445.6$551.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, compared with $293.6$445.6 million in the same period of 2018.2019. Yields on earning assets increaseddecreased to 4.91%4.29% during the first nine months of 2019,2020, compared with 4.67%4.91% reported in the same period of 2018.2019. During the first nine months of 2019,2020, loans comprised 85.3%89.4% of average earning assets, compared with 85.8%85.3% in the same period of 2018.2019. Yields on legacy loans increaseddecreased to 5.55%4.70% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with 5.32% in the same period of 2019. Accretion income for the first nine months of 2020 was $22.7 million, compared with $10.2 million in the first nine months of 2019.

The yield on total interest-bearing liabilities decreased from 1.47% during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared with 4.96%to 0.87% in the same period of 2018. The yield on purchased loans decreased from 5.64% in the first nine months of 2018 to 5.00% during the first nine months of 2019. Accretion income for the


first nine months of 2019 was $10.2 million, compared with $7.8 million in the first nine months of 2018. Yields on purchased loan pools increased from 2.93% in the first nine months of 2018 to 3.00% in the same period in 2019.

The yield on total interest-bearing liabilities increased from 1.04% during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to 1.47% in the same period of 2019.2020. Total funding costs, inclusive of noninterest-bearing demand deposits, increaseddecreased to 0.60% in the first nine months of 2020, compared with 1.07% during the same period of 2019. Deposit costs decreased from 0.91% in the first nine months of 2019 compared with 0.78% during the same period of 2018. Deposit costs increased from 0.55% in the first nine months of 2018 to 0.91%0.45% in the same period of 2019.2020. Non-deposit funding costs increaseddecreased from 3.01%4.20% in the first
59


nine months of 20182019 to 4.20%2.07% in the same period of 2019.2020. The increasedecrease in non-deposit funding costs was driven primarily by an increasea shift in the average balance of other borrowings and subordinated deferrable interest debentures which carry a higher interest ratemix to short-term FHLB advances coupled with higherlower market interest rates being paid on short-term FHLB advances. Average balances of interest bearing deposits and their respective costs for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019 are shown below:
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Balance
 
Average
Cost
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Cost
(dollars in thousands)Average
Balance
Average
Cost
Average
Balance
Average
Cost
NOW$1,705,108
 0.57% $1,406,434
 0.31%NOW$2,483,383 0.29%$1,705,108 0.57%
MMDA3,053,272
 1.36% 2,122,138
 0.84%MMDA4,167,207 0.52%3,053,272 1.36%
Savings489,678
 0.12% 332,817
 0.07%Savings695,238 0.08%489,678 0.12%
Retail CDs2,222,942
 1.73% 1,269,586
 1.08%Retail CDs2,455,833 1.51%2,222,942 1.73%
Brokered CDs380,937
 2.45% 169,059
 2.47%Brokered CDs21,650 2.03%380,937 2.45%
Interest-bearing deposits$7,851,937
 1.27% $5,300,034
 0.76%Interest-bearing deposits$9,823,311 0.68%$7,851,937 1.27%
 
Provision for LoanCredit Losses
 
The Company’s provision for loancredit losses during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 amounted to $14.1$146.9 million, compared with $13.0$14.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Approximately $6.7 million2019. This increase was primarily attributable to an updated economic forecast in our CECL model which reflects the impact of the coronavirus pandemic including, among other things, a corresponding decrease in forecasted GDP and increase in forecasted unemployment. The provision for loancredit losses recorded duringfor the first nine months ended September 30, 2018of 2020 was attributablecomprised of $132.2 million related to two loan relationships withinloans, $13.6 million related to unfunded commitments and $1.1 million related to other credit losses while the premium finance division that became impaired during$14.1 million recorded for the second quarter of 2018.same period in 2019 related solely to loans. At September 30, 2019,2020, classified loans still accruing decreasedincreased to $78.3$146.9 million, compared with $81.9$73.9 million at December 31, 2018, due primarily to classified loans still accruing which paid down or were upgraded during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets increased from 0.55%0.56% at December 31, 20182019 to 0.73%0.82% at September 30, 2019. The increase in non-performing assets is primarily attributable to assets acquired from Fidelity.2020. Net charge-offs on legacy loans during the first nine months of 20192020 were $7.2$17.1 million, or 0.15%0.17% of average legacy loans on an annualized basis, compared with approximately $11.4$7.4 million, or 0.29%0.10%, in the first nine months of 2018. The decrease in net charge-offs on legacy loans during the first nine months of 2019 was primarily attributable to a decrease in commercial, financial and agricultural charge-offs, partially offset by a $1.2 million commercial real estate loan which was fully charged off during the first quarter of 2019 which previously was specifically reserved for at December 31, 2018. The Company’s allowance for loan losses allocated to legacy loans at September 30, 2019 was $33.2 million, or 0.46% of legacy loans, compared with $26.2 million, or 0.46% of legacy loans, at December 31, 2018.2019. The Company’s total allowance for loancredit losses on loans at September 30, 20192020 was $35.5$231.9 million, or 0.28%1.55% of total loans, compared with $28.8$38.2 million, or 0.34%0.30% of total loans, at December 31, 2018.2019. This increase is primarily attributable to the adoption impact of CECL, which resulted in an increase in the allowance for credit losses on loans of $78.7 million and the provision noted above.
 
Noninterest Income
 
Total noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 was $143.0$334.4 million, an increase of $55.1$191.4 million, or 62.6%133.8%, from the $87.9$143.0 million reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.2019.  Income from mortgage-related activities increased $192.6 million, or 223.4%, from $86.2 million in the first nine months of 2019 to $278.9 million in the same period of 2020.Total production in the first nine months of 2020 amounted to $6.95 billion, compared with $2.75 billion in the same period of 2019, while spread (gain on sale) increased to 3.57% during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with 2.83% in the same period of 2019. The retail mortgage open pipeline was $2.71 billion at September 30, 2020, compared with $1.16 billion at the beginning of 2020 and $784.2 million at September 30, 2019. Mortgage-related activities was negatively impacted during the first nine months of 2020 by a mortgage servicing right impairment of $30.2 million, compared with no such impairment for the same period in 2019. Service charges on deposit accounts in the first nine months of 2019 increased $3.72020 decreased $4.5 million, or 11.0%12.2%, to $37.2$32.7 million, compared with $33.5$37.2 million in the first nine months of 2018.2019. This increasedecrease in service charge revenue was primarily attributable to higherlower debit card interchange income and an increase inresulting from the number of deposit accounts from organic growth and the Fidelity acquisition.Durbin Amendment. Income from mortgage-related activities increased $44.5 million, or 106.5%, from $41.8 million in the first nine months of 2018 to $86.2 million in the same period of 2019.Total production in the first nine months of 2019 amounted to $2.75 billion, compared with $1.36 billion in the same period of 2018, while spread (gain on sale) decreased slightly to 2.83% during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, compared with 2.88% in the same period of 2018. The retail mortgage open pipeline was $784.2 million at September 30, 2019, compared with $119.2 million at the beginning of 2019 and $162.4 million at September 30, 2018. Other service charges, commissions and fees were $3.4 million during the first nine months of 2020, compared with $2.8 million during the first nine months of 2019, compared with $2.2 million during the first nine months of 2018.2019. Other noninterest income increased $6.1$2.8 million, or 58.7%17.0%, to $16.6$19.4 million for the first nine months of 2019,2020, compared with $10.4$16.6 million during the same period of 2018.2019. The increase in other noninterest income was primarily attributable to a $4.3 million gain on BOLI proceeds resulting from the unfortunate deathincreases of a former officer of Fidelity and a $2.0 million increase in gain on sale of SBA loans, $762,000 in BOLI income and $1.2 million in trust income and a decrease of $2.0 million in loss on sale of loans for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared with the same period in 2018.2019. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in gain on BOLI proceeds of $3.4 million.


60


 Noninterest Expense
 
Total noninterest expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 increased $131.5$98.1 million, or 60.4%28.1%, to $349.4$447.5 million, compared with $217.8$349.4 million in the same period of 2018.2019. Salaries and employee benefits increased $44.1$113.5 million, or 40.1%73.6%, from $110.2$154.3 million in the first nine months of 20182019 to $154.3$267.8 million in the same period of 20192020 due to staff additions resulting from the Fidelity acquisition and an increase of $58.4 million in variable incentive paymortgage commissions related to production increases partially offset by a reduction of $6.6 million in expense recorded during the first nine months of 2018 related to executive retirement benefits and staff reductions from branch consolidation efforts in 2019.increases. Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $7.5$11.0 million, or 35.4%38.2%, to $28.7$39.6 million for the first nine months of 2019,2020, compared with $21.2$28.7 million in the same period of 2018,2019, due primarily to 9062 branch locations being added during 2018 and 2019 as a result of the Atlantic, Hamilton and Fidelity acquisitionsacquisition partially offset by branch consolidations during the first nine months of 2019.subsequent to acquisition. Data processing and telecommunications expense increased $5.1$7.5 million, or 22.9%27.8%, to $27.2$34.7 million in the first nine months of 2019,2020, from $22.1$27.2 million reported in the same period of 2018.2019. This increase in data processing and telecommunications during the first nine months of 20192020 reflects increased core banking system charges due to an increase in the number of accounts being processed by our core banking system and a $1.4 million refund recorded in the second quarter of 2018variable expenses related to overcharges on prior billings from a data processing vendor.increased mortgage production. Credit resolution-related expenses increased $142,000,$1.0 million, or 5.0%32.4%, from $2.8$3.0 million in the first nine months of 20182019 to $3.0$4.0 million in the same period of 2019.2020. This increase in credit resolution-related expenses primarily resulted from additional write-downs on OREO properties. Amortization of intangible assets increased $6.1$3.5 million, or 104.2%28.8%, from $5.9 million in the first nine months of 2018 to $12.0 million in the first nine months of 2019 to $15.4 million in the first nine months of 2020, due primarily to additional amortization of intangible assets recorded as part of the Atlantic, Hamilton and Fidelity acquisitions.acquisition. Merger and conversion charges were $1.4 million in the first nine months of 2020, compared with $70.7 million in the same period in 2019. Merger and conversion charges for both periods principally related to the Fidelity acquisition. Other noninterest expenses increased $31.9 million, or 66.6%, from $47.9 million in the first nine months of 2019 compared with $19.5 million in the same period in 2018. Merger and conversion charges in the first nine months of 2019 were primarily related to the Fidelity acquisition while charges for the first nine months of 2018 primarily related to the USPF, Atlantic and Hamilton acquisitions. Other noninterest expenses increased $15.7 million, or 48.6%, from $32.3 million in the first nine months of 2018 to $47.9$79.8 million in the same period of 20192020 resulting primarily from increasesan increase of $7.5 million in consultingFDIC insurance, an increase of $4.8 million in legal and other professional fees, related to the implementationan increase of a new support system, loss on sale$8.2 million in loan servicing expenses, an increase of fixed assets, variable$3.1 million in natural disaster and pandemic expenses in our lines of business tied to production levels and an increase in volume in certain areas related to our acquisitionsacquisition of Hamilton, AtlanticFidelity and Fidelity.increased production in our lines of business. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $3.8 million in loss on sale of fixed assets.
Income Taxes
 
Income tax expense is influenced by the statutory rate, the amount of taxable income, the amount of tax-exempt income and the amount of non-deductiblenondeductible expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, the Company reported income tax expense of $29.2$46.5 million, compared with $23.4$29.2 million in the same period of 2018.2019. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 was 21.7% and 2018 was 22.6% and 23.2%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate is due to loss carrybacks allowed a non-taxable gain on BOLI proceeds, a reduction inresult of the Florida corporate income tax raterecently enacted CARES Act and a reduction in non-deductible executive retirement benefitsmeals and entertainment expenses recognized during 20192020 compared with 2018.

2019.

Financial Condition as of September 30, 20192020
 
Securities
 
Debt securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale and recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of the related deferred tax effect. Restricted equity securities, are classified as other investment securities and are carried at cost and are periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value or cost basis.

The amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized in interest income using methods approximating the interest method over the life of the securities. Realized gains and losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings on the trade date. Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.

In determining whether other-than-temporary impairment losses exist, management considers (1) the length of timeManagement and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial conditionCompany’s Asset and near-term prospects of the issuer and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investmentLiability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”) evaluate securities in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairmentan unrealized loss position on at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Substantially allevaluation, to determine if credit-related impairment exists.Management first evaluates whether they intend to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell an impaired security before recovering its amortized cost basis.If either criteria is met, the entire amount of unrealized loss is recognized in earnings with a corresponding adjustment to the security's amortized cost basis.If either of the unrealized losses on debt securities are relatedabove criteria is not met, management evaluates whether the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and do not affect the expected cash flows of the issuercredit or underlying collateral. All unrealized losses are considered temporary because each security carries an acceptable investment grade and theresulted from other factors. The Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2019,2020, and it is more likely than not that the Company will


not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Therefore,Based on the results of management's review, at September 30, 2019, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than temporary basis.2020, management determined that $68,000 was
61


attributable to credit impairment and increased the allowance for credit losses accordingly. The remaining $481,000 in unrealized loss was determined to be from factors other than credit.

The following table is a summary of our investment portfolio at the dates indicated.
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)Amortized CostFair
Value
Amortized CostFair
Value
U.S. government sponsored agencies$17,184 $17,604 $22,246 $22,362 
State, county and municipal securities84,219 87,648 102,952 105,260 
Corporate debt securities51,659 52,141 51,720 52,999 
SBA pool securities62,204 65,116 73,704 73,912 
Mortgage-backed securities855,083 894,927 1,129,816 1,148,870 
Total debt securities$1,070,349 $1,117,436 $1,380,438 $1,403,403 
 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018
(dollars in thousands)Amortized Cost 
Fair
Value
 Amortized Cost Fair
Value
September 30, 2019       
U.S. government sponsored agencies$22,265
 $22,360
 $
 $
State, county and municipal securities113,607
 116,349
 149,670
 150,733
Corporate debt securities51,740
 52,918
 67,123
 67,314
Mortgage-backed securities1,283,846
 1,299,580
 982,183
 974,376
Total debt securities$1,471,458
 $1,491,207
 $1,198,976
 $1,192,423

The amounts of securities available for sale in each category as of September 30, 20192020 are shown in the following table according to contractual maturity classifications: (i) one year or less, (ii) after one year through five years, (iii) after five years through ten years and (iv) after ten years.
U.S. Government
Sponsored Agencies
State, County and
Municipal Securities
Corporate Debt Securities
(dollars in thousands)AmountYield
(1)
AmountYield
(1)(2)
AmountYield
(1)
One year or less$— — %$14,694 3.35 %$— — %
After one year through five years16,452 1.92 26,506 3.72 14,718 2.72 
After five years through ten years1,152 2.16 28,799 3.86 35,735 5.34 
After ten years— — 17,649 4.45 1,688 4.40 
$17,604 1.93 %$87,648 3.85 %$52,141 4.57 %
SBA Pool SecuritiesMortgage-Backed Securities
(dollars in thousands)AmountYield
(1)
AmountYield
(1)
One year or less$— — %$24 3.41 %
After one year through five years2,015 2.09 42,383 2.76 
After five years through ten years24,014 2.20 278,580 2.73 
After ten years39,087 2.50 573,940 2.17 
$65,116 2.37 %$894,927 2.37 %
  
U.S. Government
Sponsored Agencies
 
State, County and
Municipal Securities
 Corporate Debt Securities Mortgage-Backed Securities
(dollars in thousands) Amount 
Yield
 (1)
 Amount 
Yield
(1)(2)
 Amount 
Yield
(1)
 Amount 
Yield
(1)
One year or less $4,997
 2.12% $11,861
 3.16% $
 % $46
 1.95%
After one year through five years 16,269
 1.92
 44,232
 3.37
 14,727
 2.80
 46,132
 2.67
After five years through ten years 1,094
 2.16
 32,184
 3.51
 36,220
 5.40
 355,141
 2.81
After ten years 
 
 28,072
 3.63
 1,971
 6.05
 898,261
 2.69
  $22,360
 1.97% $116,349
 3.45% $52,918
 4.69% $1,299,580
 2.72%
(1)Yields were computed using coupon interest, adding discount accretion or subtracting premium amortization, as appropriate, on a ratable basis over the life of each security. The weighted average yield for each maturity range was computed using the amortized cost of each security in that range.
(1)Yields were computed using coupon interest, adding discount accretion or subtracting premium amortization, as appropriate, on a ratable basis over the life of each security. The weighted average yield for each maturity range was computed using the amortized cost of each security in that range.
(2)Yields on securities of state and political subdivisions are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis, using a tax rate of 21%.
(2)Yields on securities of state and political subdivisions are stated on a taxable-equivalent basis, using a tax rate of 21%.

Loans and Allowance for LoanCredit Losses

At September 30, 2019,2020, gross loans outstanding (including purchased loans purchased loan pools, and loans held for sale) were $14.01$16.36 billion, an increase of $5.39up $1.88 billion or 62.5%, from $8.62$14.48 billion reported at December 31, 2018.2019. Loans held for sale increaseddecreased from $111.3 million$1.66 billion at December 31, 20182019 to $1.19$1.41 billion at September 30, 20192020 primarily due to elevatedefficiencies in mortgage production levelsdeliveries in the third quarter of 2019. Legacy loans (excluding purchased loans and purchased loan pools)our mortgage division. Loans increased $1.55$2.13 billion, or 27.4%16.6%, from $5.66$12.82 billion at December 31, 20182019 to $7.21$14.94 billion at September 30, 2019,2020, driven primarily by growth$1.10 billion in all loan categories. Approximately half of the growth in legacyPPP loans for the first nine months of 2019 was related to our lines of business with the remaining attributable to our banking segment. Purchased loans increased $2.80 billion, or 108.1%, from $2.59 billion at December 31, 2018 to $5.39 billion at September 30, 2019, due primarily to loans acquired from Fidelity of $3.51 billion, partially offset by paydowns of $618.8 million and loans sold totaling $86.8 million. Purchased loan pools decreased $33.5 million, or 12.8%, from $262.6 million at December 31, 2018 to $229.1 million at September 30, 2019, due primarily to payments on the portfolio of $32.5 million and premium amortization of $1.0 million during the first nine months of 2019.organic growth.

The Company regularly monitors the composition of the loan portfolio to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses in light of the impact that changes in the economic environment may have on the loan portfolio. The Company focuses on the following loan categories: (1) commercial, financial and agricultural; (2) consumer installment; (3) indirect automobile; (4) mortgage warehouse; (5) municipal; (6) premium finance; (7) construction and development related real estate; (3)(8) commercial and farmland real estate; (4)and (9) residential real estate; and (5) consumer.estate. The Company’s management has strategically located its branches in select markets in Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina to take advantage of the growth in these areas.
62



The Company’s risk management processes include a loan review program designed to evaluate the credit risk in the loan portfolio and ensure credit grade accuracy. Through the loan review process, the Company conducts (1) a loan portfolio summary analysis, (2) charge-off and recovery analysis, (3) trends in accruing problem loan analysis, and (4) problem and past-due loan analysis. This analysis process serves as a tool to assist management in assessing the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of


the allowance for loan losses. Loans classified as “substandard” are loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses and/or questionable collateral values. Loans classified as “doubtful” are those loans that have characteristics similar to substandard loans but have an increased risk of loss. Loans classified as “loss” are those loans which are considered uncollectible and are in the process of being charged off.

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the size and composition of the loan portfolio, the level of non-performing and past-due loans, historical trends of charged off loans and recoveries, prevailing economic conditions and other factors management deems appropriate. The Company’s management has established an allowance for loan losses which it believes is adequate for the probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. Based on a credit evaluation of the loan portfolio, management presents a monthly review ofCompany estimates the allowance for loancredit losses to("ACL") on loans based on the Company’s Board of Directors,underlying assets’ amortized cost basis, which primarily focuses on risk by evaluating individual loans in certain risk categories. These categories have also been established by management and take the form of loan grades. By grading the loan portfolio in this manner the Company’s management is able to effectively evaluate the portfolio by risk, which management believes is the most effective wayamount at which the financing receivable is originated or acquired, adjusted for applicable accretion or amortization of premium, discount, and net deferred fees or costs, collection of cash, and charge-offs. In the event that collection of principal becomes uncertain, the Company has policies in place to analyzereverse accrued interest in a timely manner. Therefore, the loan portfolio and thus analyzeCompany has made a policy election to exclude accrued interest from the adequacymeasurement of ACL.

Expected credit losses are reflected in the allowance for loan losses.
The allowance for loancredit losses is established by examining (1)through a charge to credit loss expense. When the large classified loans, nonaccrual loans and loans considered impaired and evaluating them individually to determine the specific reserve allocation and (2) the remainder of the loan portfolio to allocateCompany deems all or a portion of a financial asset to be uncollectible the allowance basedappropriate amount is written off and the ACL is reduced by the same amount. The Company applies judgment to determine when a financial asset is deemed uncollectible; however, generally speaking, an asset will be considered uncollectible no later than when all efforts at collection have been exhausted. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ACL when received.

The Company measures expected credit losses of financial assets on a collective (pool) basis, when the financial assets share similar risk characteristics. Depending on the nature of the pool of financial assets with similar risk characteristics, the Company uses the DCF method, the vintage method, the PD×LGD method or a qualitative approach.

The Company’s methodologies for estimating the ACL consider available relevant information about the collectability of cash flows, including information about past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The methodologies apply historical loss information, adjusted for asset-specific characteristics, economic conditions at the measurement date, and forecasts about future economic conditions expected to exist through the contractual lives of the financial assets that are reasonable and supportable, to the identified pools of financial assets with similar risk characteristics for which the historical loss experience was observed. The Company’s methodologies revert back to historical loss information on a straight-line basis over four quarters when it can no longer develop reasonable and the economic conditions for the particular loan category. The Company also considers other factors such as changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in national, regional and/or local economic and business conditions; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; changes in the experience, ability and depth of either the market president or lending staff; changes in the volume and severity of past-due and classified loans; changes in the quality of the Company’s corporate loan review system; and other factors management deems appropriate.supportable forecasts.

At the end of the third quarter of 2019,2020, the allowance for loancredit losses allocated to legacyon loans totaled $33.2$231.9 million, or 0.46%1.55% of legacy loans, compared with $26.2$38.2 million, or 0.46%0.30% of legacy loans, at December 31, 2018.2019. Our legacy nonaccrual loans increased slightly from $18.0$75.1 million at December 31, 20182019 to $21.7$138.2 million at September 30, 2019.2020. The increase in nonaccrual loans is primarily attributable to residential mortgages where deferment has been completed but the borrowers have not yet notified the Company of their intention to either bring their loan current or enter into a long term modification program. Also contributing to the increase in nonaccrual loans is one hotel relationship totaling $18.6 million which migrated to nonaccrual and TDR status during the third quarter of 2020. For the first nine months of 2019,2020, our legacy net charge off ratio as a percentage of average legacy loans decreasedincreased to 0.15%0.17%, compared with 0.29%0.10% for the first nine months of 2018.2019. The total provision for loancredit losses for the first nine months of 20192020 was $14.1$146.9 million, increasing from $13.0$14.1 million recorded for the first nine months of 2018.2019. Our ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets increased from 0.55%0.56% at December 31, 20182019 to 0.73%0.82% at September 30, 2019, primarily resulting from assets acquired from Fidelity.2020.

The balance of the allowance for loan losses allocated to all loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased 21.9%, or $5.2 million, during the first nine months of 2019, while the balance of all loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased 50.3%, or $4.21 billion, during the same period. The increase in the balance of all loans collectively evaluated for impairment is primarily attributable to growth in legacy loans and purchased loans, partially offset by paydowns on purchased loan pools. As a percentage of total loans collectively evaluated for impairment, the allowance allocated to those loans was down five basis points to 0.23% for September 30, 2019 compared with December 31, 2018.
63


The balance of the allowance for loan losses allocated to legacy loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased 23.1%, or $5.3 million, during the first nine months of 2019, while the balance of legacy loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased 27.3%, or $1.54 billion, during the same period. As a percentage of legacy loans collectively evaluated for impairment, the allowance allocated to those loans decreased one basis point from 0.41% at December 31, 2018 to 0.40% at September 30, 2019 due to the consistency in the mix of loan and collateral types and the overall credit quality of the loan portfolio.

For the allowance allocated to loans collectively evaluated expressed as a percentage of loans evaluated collectively for impairment, the largest change for the first nine months of 2019 was noted in the residential real estate loan category which increased five basis points, offset by decreases in all other categories from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2019. The increase noted in the residential real estate category was due to a shift in the mix of loans within that category while the historical loss rates on all components declined over the same period. We consider a four year loss rate on all loan categories. We adjust the qualitative factors to account for the inherent risks in the portfolio that are not captured in the historical loss rates, such as volatile commodity prices for agriculture products, weather-related risks (droughts and hurricanes), growth rates of certain loan types and other factors management deems appropriate.
The balance of the allowance for loan losses allocated to loans individually evaluated for impairment increased 30.0%, or $1.5 million, during the first nine months of 2019, while the balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment increased 12.9%, or $7.0 million, during the same period. The increase in loan balances individually evaluated for impairment was primarily


attributable to increases of $6.5 million and $1.4 million in the residential real estate and commercial, financial and agricultural categories, respectively, partially offset by a decrease of $866,000 in the commercial and farmland real estate category. The increase in the allowance for loan losses allocated to loans individually evaluated for impairment from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2019 was primarily related to a small number of loans which migrated to substandard over the same period.

The following tables present an analysis of the allowance for loan losses as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018:2019:
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(dollars in thousands)20202019
Balance of allowance for credit losses on loans at beginning of period$38,189 $28,819 
Adjustment to allowance for adoption of ASU 2016-1378,661 — 
Provision charged to operating expense132,188 14,065 
Charge-offs:  
Commercial, financial and agricultural4,687 1,647 
Consumer installment2,781 4,313 
Indirect automobile2,944 965 
Premium finance3,893 3,452 
Real estate – construction and development83 268 
Real estate – commercial and farmland10,220 3,158 
Real estate – residential762 391 
Total charge-offs25,370 14,194 
Recoveries:
Commercial, financial and agricultural1,135 904 
Consumer installment1,273 980 
Indirect automobile1,020 385 
Premium finance2,584 2,396 
Real estate – construction and development692 1,315 
Real estate – commercial and farmland1,010 192 
Real estate – residential542 668 
Total recoveries8,256 6,840 
Net charge-offs17,114 7,354 
Balance of allowance for credit losses on loans at end of period$231,924 $35,530 

As of and for the Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020September 30, 2019
Allowance for credit losses on loans at end of period$231,924 $35,530 
Net charge-offs for the period17,114 7,354 
Loan balances:
End of period14,943,593 12,826,284 
Average for the period13,772,102 9,982,560 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized)0.17 %0.10 %
Allowance for credit losses on loans as a percentage of end of period loans1.55 %0.28 %

64


 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Balance of allowance for loan losses at beginning of period$28,819
 $25,791
Provision charged to operating expense14,065
 13,006
Charge-offs: 
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural4,920
 11,314
Real estate – construction and development247
 285
Real estate – commercial and farmland1,367
 169
Real estate – residential80
 695
Consumer installment4,214
 2,724
Purchased loans3,296
 1,514
Purchased loan pools
 
Total charge-offs14,124
 16,701
Recoveries: 
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural2,652
 2,842
Real estate – construction and development22
 117
Real estate – commercial and farmland8
 169
Real estate – residential286
 255
Consumer installment675
 362
Purchased loans3,127
 2,275
Purchased loan pools
 
Total recoveries6,770
 6,020
Net charge-offs7,354
 10,681
Balance of allowance for loan losses at end of period$35,530
 $28,116
 As of and for the
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
(dollars in thousands)
Legacy
Loans
 
Purchased
Loans
 
Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Allowance for loan losses at end of period$33,192
 $1,719
 $619
 $35,530
Net charge-offs (recoveries) for the period7,185
 169
 
 7,354
Loan balances: 
  
  
  
End of period7,208,816
 5,388,336
 229,132
 12,826,284
Average for the period6,587,916
 3,148,726
 245,918
 9,982,560
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized)0.15% 0.01% 0.00% 0.10%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of end of period loans0.46% 0.03% 0.27% 0.28%
Loans

 As of and for the
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
(dollars in thousands)
Legacy
Loans
 
Purchased
Loans
 
Purchased
Loan
Pools 
 Total
Allowance for loan losses at end of period$25,299
 $2,013
 $804
 $28,116
Net charge-offs (recoveries) for the period11,442
 (761) 
 10,681
Loan balances: 
  
  
  
End of period5,543,306
 2,711,460
 274,752
 8,529,518
Average for the period5,277,108
 1,483,029
 307,718
 7,067,855
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (annualized)0.29% (0.07)% 0.00% 0.20%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of end of period loans0.46% 0.07 % 0.29% 0.33%


Loans Excluding Purchased Loans

Loans are stated at unpaid balances, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees.amortized cost. Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table, excluding purchased loans:table:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Commercial, financial and agricultural$1,781,237
 $1,316,359
Real estate – construction and development947,371
 671,198
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,152,528
 1,814,529
Real estate – residential1,866,128
 1,403,000
Consumer installment461,552
 455,371
 $7,208,816
 $5,660,457

The following table summarizes the various loan types comprising the "Commercial, financial and agricultural" loan category displayed in the preceding table.
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Municipal loans$498,595
 $510,600
Premium finance loans656,570
 410,381
Other commercial, financial and agricultural loans626,072
 395,378
 $1,781,237
 $1,316,359

Purchased Assets
Loans that were acquired in transactions, including those that are covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC (“purchased loans”), totaled $5.39 billion and $2.59 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in purchased loans of $2.80 billion, or 108.1%, resulted primarily from loans acquired from Fidelity of $3.51 billion, partially offset by paydowns of $618.8 million and loans sold of $86.8 million during the current year. OREO that was acquired in transactions, including OREO that is covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC, totaled $15.8 million at September 30, 2019 and $9.5 million at December 31, 2018.
The Bank initially records purchased loans at fair value, taking into consideration certain credit quality risk and interest rate risk. The Company believes its estimation of credit risk and its adjustments to the carrying balances of the acquired loans are adequate. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has deteriorated from its initial assessment of fair value, additional provision for loan loss expense will be recorded for the impairment in value. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has improved from its initial assessment of fair value, then the increase in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date will result in the reversal of provision for loan loss expense to the extent of prior provisions or will be recognized as interest income prospectively if no provisions have been made or have been fully reversed.
Purchased loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31, 2018
Commercial, financial and agricultural$385,355
 $372,686
Real estate – construction and development521,324
 227,900
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,057,384
 1,337,859
Real estate – residential1,285,096
 623,199
Consumer installment1,139,177
 27,188
 $5,388,336
 $2,588,832
Purchased Loan Pools
Purchased loan pools are defined as groups of residential mortgage loans that were not acquired in bank acquisitions or FDIC-assisted transactions. As of September 30, 2019, purchased loan pools totaled $229.1 million and consisted of whole-loan residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $228.0 million and $1.1 million of remaining purchase premium paid at acquisition. As of December 31, 2018, purchased loan pools totaled $262.6 million and consisted of whole-loan, adjustable rate residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $260.5 million and $2.1 million of remaining purchase premium paid at acquisition. The Company has allocated


approximately $619,000 and $732,000 of the allowance for loan losses to the purchased loan pools at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Commercial, financial and agricultural$1,879,788 $802,171 
Consumer installment450,810 498,577 
Indirect automobile682,396 1,061,824 
Mortgage warehouse995,942 526,369 
Municipal725,669 564,304 
Premium finance710,890 654,669 
Real estate – construction and development1,628,255 1,549,062 
Real estate – commercial and farmland5,116,252 4,353,039 
Real estate – residential2,753,591 2,808,461 
$14,943,593 $12,818,476 
Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets include nonaccrual loans, accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more, repossessed personal property, and OREO. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when management has concerns relating to the ability to collect the principal and interest and generally when such loans are 90 days or more past due. Management performs a detailed review and valuation assessment of impairednon-performing loans over $250,000 on a quarterly basis and recognizes losses when impairment is identified. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that not all principal and interest amounts will be collected according to the loan contract.basis. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current income.

Nonaccrual loans excluding purchased loans, totaled $21.7$138.2 million at September 30, 2019,2020, an increase of $3.8$63.0 million, or 21.1%83.9%, from $18.0$75.1 million at December 31, 2018. Nonaccrual purchased loans totaled $78.8 million at September 30, 2019, an increase of $54.7 million, or 226.7%, compared with $24.1 million at December 31, 2018.2019. Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more excluding purchased loans, totaled $5.8$7.0 million at September 30, 2019,2020, an increase of $1.6$1.2 million, or 38.2%21.7%, compared with $4.2$5.8 million at December 31, 2018.2019. At September 30, 2019, OREO, excluding purchased2020, OREO totaled $4.9$18.0 million, a decrease of $2.3$1.5 million, or 31.8%7.9%, compared with $7.2$19.5 million at December 31, 2018. Purchased OREO totaled $15.8 million at September 30, 2019, an increase of $6.3 million, or 65.5%, compared with $9.5 million at December 31, 2018.2019. Management regularly assesses the valuation of OREO through periodic reappraisal and through inquiries received in the marketing process.  At the end of the third quarter of 2019,2020, total non-performing assets as a percent of total assets increased to 0.73%0.82% compared with 0.55%0.56% at December 31, 2018, primarily from assets acquired from Fidelity.
2019.

Non-performing assets at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019 were as follows:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2019
 December 31, 2018
Nonaccrual loans, excluding purchased loans$21,739
 $17,952
Nonaccrual purchased loans78,762
 24,107
Nonaccrual purchased loan pools
 
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more, excluding purchased loans5,836
 4,222
Accruing purchased loans delinquent 90 days or more489
 
Repossessed assets1,258
 
Other real estate owned, excluding purchased assets4,925
 7,218
Purchased other real estate owned15,785
 9,535
Total non-performing assets$128,794
 $63,034
(dollars in thousands)September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Nonaccrual loans$138,163 $75,124 
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more7,003 5,754 
Repossessed assets258 939 
Other real estate owned17,969 19,500 
Total non-performing assets$163,393 $101,317 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession.

As of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the Company had a balance of $15.1$132.9 million and $11.1$35.2 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased loans.restructurings. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class excluding purchased loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018: 2019:
September 30, 2020Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Loan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5$459 12$1,002 
Consumer installment1136 2264 
Indirect automobile4812,689 49482 
Real estate – construction and development4510 5709 
Real estate – commercial and farmland3873,763 719,942 
Real estate – residential24328,777 454,477 
Total782$106,234 140$26,676 
65


September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5 $649
 13 $119
Real estate – construction and development3 69
 1 1
Real estate – commercial and farmland12 2,788
 3 530
Real estate – residential88 9,915
 20 925
Consumer installment5 9
 23 66
Total113 $13,430
 60 $1,641


December 31, 2019Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Loan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5$516 17$335 
Consumer installment427107 
Premium finance1156 — 
Real estate – construction and development6936 3253 
Real estate – commercial and farmland216,732 82,071 
Real estate – residential19721,261 402,857 
Total234$29,609 95$5,623 

December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural5 $256
 14 $138
Real estate – construction and development5 145
 1 2
Real estate – commercial and farmland12 2,863
 3 426
Real estate – residential71 6,043
 20 1,119
Consumer installment6 16
 24 69
Total99 $9,323
 62 $1,754

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class excluding purchased loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) under restructured terms at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018:2019:
September 30, 2020September 30, 2020Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan ClassLoan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agriculturalCommercial, financial and agricultural10$1,191 7$270 
Consumer installmentConsumer installment1647 1753 
Indirect automobileIndirect automobile4532,532 77639 
September 30, 2019
Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural10 $661
 8 $107
Real estate – construction and development4 71
  
Real estate – construction and development5511 4707 
Real estate – commercial and farmland11 2,736
 4 582
Real estate – commercial and farmland4192,964 4741 
Real estate – residential89 9,643
 19 1,197
Real estate – residential25029,282 383,973 
Consumer installment16 32
 12 42
Total130 $13,143
 43 $1,928
Total775$126,527 147$6,383 

December 31, 2019December 31, 2019Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan ClassLoan Class#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agriculturalCommercial, financial and agricultural11$730 11$121 
Consumer installmentConsumer installment1858 1357 
December 31, 2018Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural10 $282
 9 $112
Premium financePremium finance1156 — 
Real estate – construction and development5 147
 1 
Real estate – construction and development81,187 1
Real estate – commercial and farmland14 3,043
 1 246
Real estate – commercial and farmland226,437 72,366 
Real estate – residential65 5,756
 26 1,406
Real estate – residential18219,664 554,454 
Consumer installment18 36
 12 49
Total112 $9,264
 49 $1,813
Total242$28,232 87$7,000 

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings excluding purchased loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018: 2019:
September 30, 2020Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest18$2,147 8$1,255 
Forbearance of principal58484,570 7823,482 
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization— 1209 
Rate reduction only699,273 4527 
Rate reduction, maturity extension— 212 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest473,868 9398 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal192,434 29392 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest453,942 8400 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal— 1
Total782$106,234 140$26,676 

66


September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forgiveness of interest $
 1 $54
Forbearance of interest10 1,391
 4 424
Forgiveness of principal1 674
  
Forbearance of principal25 4,949
 6 69
Rate reduction only10 906
 2 223
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest26 2,251
 12 305
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal12 1,179
 28 135
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest29 2,080
 6 430
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal 
 1 1
Total113 $13,430
 60 $1,641


December 31, 2019Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest16$1,860 14$1,993 
Forgiveness of principal— 1666 
Forbearance of principal276,294 10605 
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization— 1225 
Rate reduction only729,887 7538 
Rate reduction, maturity extension— 215 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest494,250 19793 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal193,267 30264 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest514,051 10523 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal— 1
Total234$29,609 95$5,623 

December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forgiveness of interest $
 1 $55
Forbearance of interest9 1,361
 5 509
Forgiveness of principal1 686
  
Forbearance of principal6 360
 4 75
Rate reduction only11 1,155
 1 56
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest27 2,149
 13 618
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal15 1,384
 32 175
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest30 2,228
 5 264
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal 
 1 2
Total99 $9,323
 62 $1,754

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings excluding purchased loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018: 2019:
September 30, 2020Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse5$267 2$314 
Raw land64,676 61,087 
Hotel and motel1456,089 118,572 
Office3600 — 
Retail, including strip centers114,775 — 
1-4 family residential24528,893 464,980 
Church— 1171 
Assisted living facilities27,772 — 
Automobile/equipment/CD4963,162 821,549 
Livestock— 1
Unsecured— 1
Total782$106,234 140$26,676 
September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse3 $249
 2 $289
Raw land4 122
 2 237
Hotel and motel1 237
 1 241
Office1 156
  
Retail, including strip centers6 2,093
  
1-4 family residential89 9,943
 19 689
Automobile/equipment/CD8 472
 35 184
Livestock 
  
Unsecured1 158
 1 1
Total113 $13,430
 60 $1,641

December 31, 2019Accruing LoansNon-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type#
Balance
(in thousands)
#
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse4$267 2$442 
Raw land5869 5732 
Apartments— — 
Hotel and motel2364 1241 
Office3531 1342 
Retail, including strip centers115,520 — 
1-4 family residential20021,404 403,232 
Church— 1183 
Automobile/equipment/CD8498 43436 
Livestock— 114 
Unsecured1156 1
Total234$29,609 95$5,623 
December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse5 $544
 1 $137
Raw land7 435
 1 2
Hotel and motel1 260
 1 246
Office1 161
  
Retail, including strip centers6 1,980
  
1-4 family residential71 5,835
 21 1,161
Automobile/equipment/CD8 108
 36 188
Livestock 
 1 18
Unsecured 
 1 2
Total99 $9,323
 62 $1,754
As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had a balance of $21.2 million and $22.2 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings included in purchased loans. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018: 
September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $31
 3 $25
Real estate – construction and development4 878
 2 257
Real estate – commercial and farmland11 5,829
 5 1,428
Real estate – residential113 11,557
 18 1,178
Consumer installment 
 7 54
Total129 $18,295
 35 $2,942



December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $31
 3 $32
Real estate – construction and development4 1,015
 5 293
Real estate – commercial and farmland12 6,162
 7 1,685
Real estate – residential115 11,532
 24 1,424
Consumer installment 
 4 17
Total132 $18,740
 43 $3,451
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) under restructured terms at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018: 
September 30, 2019
Loans Currently Paying
 Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural3 $55
 1 $1
Real estate – construction and development6 1,135
  
Real estate – commercial and farmland14 6,744
 2 513
Real estate – residential97 10,209
 34 2,526
Consumer installment4 33
 3 21
Total124 $18,176
 40 $3,061
December 31, 2018Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural4 $63
  $
Real estate – construction and development8 1,305
 1 3
Real estate – commercial and farmland17 7,576
 2 271
Real estate – residential106 10,040
 33 2,916
Consumer installment3 14
 1 3
Total138 $18,998
 37 $3,193
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in purchased loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018: 
September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest5 $440
 9 $1,317
Forbearance of principal8 2,705
 4 222
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization 
 1 233
Rate reduction only64 9,559
 4 344
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest24 2,253
 10 443
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal7 1,717
 4 184
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest21 1,621
 3 199
Total129 $18,295
 35 $2,942
December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest5 $224
 10 $1,751
Forbearance of principal6 2,368
 3 226
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization 
 1 258
Rate reduction only73 10,911
 6 285
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest24 2,304
 14 356
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal8 1,635
 6 368
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest16 1,298
 3 207
Total132 $18,740
 43 $3,451


The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in purchased loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018: 
September 30, 2019Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse2 $348
  $
Raw land2 759
 3 625
Hotel and motel1 142
  
Office2 389
 1 353
Retail, including strip centers5 3,785
  
1-4 family residential115 11,676
 19 1,686
Church1 1,165
 1 188
Automobile/equipment/CD1 31
 11 90
Total129 $18,295
 35 $2,942
December 31, 2018Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse2 $356
  $
Raw land2 873
 6 718
Hotel and motel1 145
  
Office2 419
 2 457
Retail, including strip centers5 3,882
  
1-4 family residential118 11,837
 26 2,009
Church1 1,197
 1 201
Automobile/equipment/CD1 31
 8 65
Total132 $18,740
 43 $3,450
Commercial Lending Practices

The federal bank regulatory agencies previously issued interagency guidance on commercial real estate lending and prudent risk management practices. This guidance defines commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans as loans secured by raw land, land development and construction (including 1-4one-to-four family residential construction), multi-family property and non-farm nonresidential property where the primary or a significant source of repayment is derived from rental income associated with the property, excluding owner-occupied properties (loans for which 50% or more of the source of repayment is derived from the ongoing operations and activities conducted by the party, or affiliate of the party, who owns the property) or the proceeds of the sale, refinancing or permanent financing of the property. Loans for owner-occupied CRE are generally excluded from the CRE guidance.

67


The CRE guidance is applicable when either:

(1)total loans for construction, land development, and other land, net of owner-occupied loans, represent 100% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital; or
(2)total loans secured by multifamily and nonfarm nonresidential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land, net of owner-occupied loans, represent 300% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital.
(1)total loans for construction, land development, and other land, net of owner-occupied loans, represent 100% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital; or
(2)total loans secured by multifamily and nonfarm nonresidential properties and loans for construction, land development, and other land, net of owner-occupied loans, represent 300% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital.

Banks that are subject to the CRE guidance criteria are required to implement enhanced strategic planning, CRE underwriting policies, risk management and internal controls, portfolio stress testing, risk exposure limits, and other policies, including management compensation and incentives, to address the CRE risks. Higher allowances for loan losses and capital levels may also be appropriate.

As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company exhibited a concentration in the CRE loan category based on Federal Reserve Call codes. The primary risks of CRE lending are:
(1)within CRE loans, construction and development loans are somewhat dependent upon continued strength in demand for residential real estate, which is reliant on favorable real estate mortgage rates and changing population demographics;
(2)on average, CRE loan sizes are generally larger than non-CRE loan types; and
(3)certain construction and development loans may be less predictable and more difficult to evaluate and monitor.


(1)within CRE loans, construction and development loans are somewhat dependent upon continued strength in demand for residential real estate, which is reliant on favorable real estate mortgage rates and changing population demographics;
(2)on average, CRE loan sizes are generally larger than non-CRE loan types; and
(3)certain construction and development loans may be less predictable and more difficult to evaluate and monitor.

The following table outlines CRE loan categories and CRE loans as a percentage of total loans as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018.2019. The loan categories and concentrations below are based on Federal Reserve Call codes and include purchased loans: codes:
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
(dollars in thousands)Balance% of Total
Loans
Balance% of Total
Loans
Construction and development loans$1,628,255 11%$1,549,062 12%
Multi-family loans330,730 2%297,317 2%
Nonfarm non-residential loans (excluding owner-occupied)3,150,043 21%2,358,987 18%
Total CRE Loans (excluding owner-occupied)
5,109,028 34%4,205,366 33%
All other loan types9,834,565 66%8,613,110 67%
Total Loans$14,943,593 100%$12,818,476 100%
 September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
(dollars in thousands)Balance 
% of Total
Loans
 Balance 
% of Total
Loans
Construction and development loans$1,468,696
 11% $899,097
 11%
Multi-family loans269,623
 2% 276,528
 3%
Nonfarm non-residential loans (excluding owner-occupied)2,291,551
 18% 1,694,267
 20%
Total CRE Loans (excluding owner-occupied)
4,029,870
 31% 2,869,892
 34%
All other loan types8,796,414
 69% 5,642,022
 66%
Total Loans$12,826,284
 100% $8,511,914
 100%

The following table outlines the percentage of construction and development loans and total CRE loans, net of owner-occupied loans, to the Bank’s total risk-based capital, and the Company’s internal concentration limits as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018: 2019:
Internal
Limit
Actual
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Construction and development loans100%76%88%
Total CRE loans (excluding owner-occupied)300%237%238%
 
Internal
Limit
 Actual
  September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
Construction and development loans100% 84% 78%
Total CRE loans (excluding owner-occupied)300% 231% 249%

Short-Term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments are comprised of federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks. At September 30, 2019,2020, the Company’s short-term investments were $285.7$494.8 million, compared with $507.5$375.6 million at December 31, 2018.2019. At September 30, 2019,2020, the Company had $21.1$20.0 million in federal funds sold and $264.6$474.8 million was in interest-bearing deposit balances at correspondent banks and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company hashad a cash flow hedge that maturesmatured September 15, 2020 with a notional amount of $37.1 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 20182019 for the purpose of converting the variable rate on certain junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate of 4.11%. The fair value of this instrument was a liability of $237,000 at September 30, 2019 and an asset of $102,000$187,000 at December 31, 2018.2019. No material hedge ineffectiveness from cash flow was recognized in the statement of operations. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

68


The Company also has forward contracts and IRLCs to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of $15.9$64.7 million and $2.5$7.8 million at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively, and a liability of $1.2$6.2 million and $1.3$4.5 million at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively.
No material hedge ineffectiveness from cash flow was recognized in the statement of operations. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Capital

Common Stock Repurchase Program

On September 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of its outstanding common stock.stock through October 31, 2020. On October 22, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the extension of the share repurchase program through October 31, 2021.  Repurchases of shares which are authorized to occur through October 31 2020, must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including share acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares. It replaces the Company's prior share repurchase program which was set to expire in October 2019 and under which the Company repurchased $10.6 million of its outstanding common stock in the past year. As of September 30, 2019, no2020, $14.3 million, or 358,664 shares of the Company's common stock, had been repurchased under the program.



Fidelity Acquisition

On July 1, 2019, the Company issued 22,181,522 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Fidelity. Such shares had a value of $39.19 per share at the time of issuance, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $869.3 million .million.

For additional information regarding the Fidelity acquisition, see Note 2.

Hamilton Acquisition

On June 29, 2018, the Company issued 6,548,385 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Hamilton. Such shares had a value of $53.35 per share at the time of issuance, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $349.4 million.

For additional information regarding the Hamilton acquisition, see Note 2.

Atlantic Acquisition

On May 25, 2018, the Company issued 2,631,520 shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Atlantic. Such shares had a value of $56.15 per share at the time of issuance, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $147.8 million.

For additional information regarding the Atlantic acquisition, see Note 2.

USPF Acquisition

On January 18, 2017, in exchange for 4.99% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the Company issued 128,572 unregistered shares of its common stock to a selling shareholder of USPF. A registration statement was filed with the SEC on February 13, 2017 to register the resale or other disposition of these shares. The issuance of the 128,572 common shares, valued at $45.45 per share at the time of issuance, resulted in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $5.8 million.

On January 3, 2018, in exchange for 25.01% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the Company issued 114,285 unregistered shares of its common stock and $12.5 million in cash to a selling shareholder of USPF. The issuance of the 114,285 common shares, valued at $48.55 per share at the time of issuance, resulted in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $5.5 million.

On January 31, 2018, in exchange for the final 70% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF, the Company issued 830,301 unregistered shares of its common stock and paid $8.9 million in cash to the selling shareholders of USPF. The issuance of the 830,301 common shares, valued at $53.55 per share at the time of issuance, resulted in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $44.5 million. The selling shareholders of USPF could receive additional cash payments aggregating up to $5.8 million based on the achievement by the Company's premium finance division of certain income targets, between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. The total contingent consideration paid was $1.2 million based on results achieved through the applicable measurement dates.

On February 16, 2018, a registration statement was filed with the SEC to register the resale or other disposition of the combined 944,586 shares issued on January 3, 2018 and January 31, 2018.

For additional information regarding the USPF acquisition, see Note 2.

Capital Management

Capital management consists of providing equity to support both current and anticipated future operations. The Company is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”)FRB and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the "GDBF"), and the Bank is subject to capital adequacy requirements imposed by the FDIC and the GDBF.

The FRB, the FDIC and the GDBF have adopted risk-based capital requirements for assessing bank holding company and bank capital adequacy. These standards define and establish minimum capital requirements in relation to assets and off-balance sheet exposure, adjusted for credit risk. The risk-based capital standards currently in effect are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among bank holding companies and banks and to account for off-balance sheet exposure.

In July 2013, the Federal ReserveFRB published final rules for the adoption of the Basel III regulatory capital framework (the "Basel III Capital Rules"). The Basel III Capital Rules defined a new capital measure called "Common Equity Tier 1" ("CET1"), established


that Tier 1 capital consist of Common Equity Tier 1 and "Additional Tier 1 Capital" instruments meeting specified requirements, defined Common Equity Tier 1, established a capital conservation buffer and expanded the scope of the adjustments as compared with existing regulations. The capital conservation buffer is being increased by 0.625% per year until reaching 2.50% by 2019. The capital conservation buffer was being phased in from 0.0% for 2015 to, 0.625% for 2016, 1.25% for 2017, 1.875% for 2018, and 2.50% for 2020 and 2019. The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for us on January 1, 2015 with certain transition provisions fully phased in on January 1, 2019. 

The regulatory capital standards are defined by the following key measurements:

a) The “Tier 1 Leverage Ratio” is defined as Tier 1 capital to average assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio greater than or equal to 4.00%. For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio greater than or equal to 5.00%.

b) The “CET1 Ratio” is defined as Common equity tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a CET1 ratio greater than or equal to 4.50% (7.00% including the 2.50% capital conservation buffer for 2019; 6.375% including the 1.875% capital conservation buffer for 2018)buffer). For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a CET1 ratio greater than or equal to 6.50%.

c) The “Tier 1 Capital Ratio” is defined as Tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio greater than or equal to 6.00% (8.50% including the 2.50% capital conservation buffer for 2019; 7.875% including the 1.875% capital conservation buffer for 2018)buffer). For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio greater than or equal to 8.00%.

69


d) The “Total Capital Ratio” is defined as total capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 8.00% (10.50% including the 2.50% capital conservation buffer for 2019; 9.875% including the 1.875% capital conservation buffer for 2018)buffer). For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 10.00%.

In March 2020, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FRB and the FDIC issued an interim final rule that delays the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of CECL. The interim final rule provides banking organizations that implement CECL in 2020 the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, relative to the incurred loss methodology’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period. As a result, the Company and Bank elected the five-year transition relief allowed under the interim final rule effective March 31, 2020.

As of September 30, 2019,2020, under the regulatory capital standards, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under all capital measurements. The following table sets forth the regulatory capital ratios of for the Company and the Bank at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018.2019.
September 30, 2020December 31, 2019
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (tier 1 capital to average assets)
  
Consolidated8.57%8.48%
Ameris Bank10.27%9.73%
CET1 Ratio (common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)
  
Consolidated10.44%9.90%
Ameris Bank12.51%11.36%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio (tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)
  
Consolidated10.44%9.90%
Ameris Bank12.51%11.36%
Total Capital Ratio (total capital to risk weighted assets)
  
Consolidated14.65%12.90%
Ameris Bank13.94%12.15%
 September 30,
2019
 December 31, 2018
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (tier 1 capital to average assets)
   
Consolidated8.55% 9.17%
Ameris Bank10.03% 10.46%
CET1 Ratio (common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)
   
Consolidated9.75% 10.07%
Ameris Bank11.42% 12.66%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio (tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)
   
Consolidated9.75% 11.07%
Ameris Bank11.42% 12.66%
Total Capital Ratio (total capital to risk weighted assets)
   
Consolidated11.04% 12.23%
Ameris Bank12.20% 12.98%

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity

The Company’s primary market risk exposures are credit risk, interest rate risk, and to a lesser degree, liquidity risk. The Bank operates under an Asset Liability Management Policy approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the ALCO Committee. The policy outlines limits on interest rate risk in terms of changes in net interest income and changes in the net market values of assets and liabilities over certain changes in interest rate environments. These measurements are made through a simulation model which projects the impact of changes in interest rates on the Bank’s assets and liabilities. The policy also outlines responsibility for monitoring interest rate risk, and the process for the approval, implementation and monitoring of interest rate risk strategies to achieve the Bank’s interest rate risk objectives.

The ALCO Committee is comprised of senior officers of Ameris and two independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The ALCO Committee makes all strategic decisions with respect to the sources and uses of funds that may affect net interest income, including net interest spread and net interest margin. The objective of the ALCO Committee is to identify the


interest rate, liquidity and market value risks of the Company’s balance sheet and use reasonable methods approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and executive management to minimize those identified risks.

The normal course of business activity exposes the Company to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is managed within an overall asset and liability framework for the Company. The principal objectives of asset and liability management are to predict the sensitivity of net interest spreads to potential changes in interest rates, control risk and enhance profitability. Funding positions are kept within predetermined limits designed to properly manage risk and liquidity. The Company employs sensitivity analysis in the form of a net interest income simulation to help characterize the market risk arising from changes in interest rates. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates usually result in changes in the fair market value of the Company’s financial instruments, cash flows and net interest income. The Company’s interest rate risk position is managed by the ALCO Committee.

The Company uses a simulation modeling process to measure interest rate risk and evaluate potential strategies. Interest rate scenario models are prepared using software created and licensed from an outside vendor. The Company’s simulation includes all financial assets and liabilities. Simulation results quantify interest rate risk under various interest rate scenarios. Management then develops and implements appropriate strategies. The ALCO Committee has determined that an
70


acceptable level of interest rate risk would be for net interest income to increase/decrease no more than 20% given a change in selected interest rates of 200 basis points over any 24-month period.

Liquidity management involves the matching of the cash flow requirements of customers, who may be either depositors desiring to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs, and the ability of Ameris to manage those requirements. The Company strives to maintain an adequate liquidity position by managing the balances and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities so that the balance it has in short-term assets at any given time will adequately cover any reasonably anticipated immediate need for funds. Additionally, the Bank maintains relationships with correspondent banks, which could provide funds on short notice, if needed. The Company has invested in FHLB stock for the purpose of establishing credit lines with the FHLB. The credit availability to the Bank is equal to 30% of the Bank’s total assets as reported on the most recent quarterly financial information submitted to the regulators subject to the pledging of sufficient collateral. At September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, the net carrying value of the Company’s other borrowings was $1.35$875.3 million and $1.40 billion, and $151.8 million, respectively.

The following liquidity ratios compare certain assets and liabilities to total deposits or total assets:
September 30,
2020
June 30,
2020
March 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
September 30,
2019
Investment securities available for sale to total deposits6.96%7.95%9.77%10.00%10.92%
Loans (net of unearned income) to total deposits93.03%93.03%94.58%91.38%93.90%
Interest-earning assets to total assets90.66%90.51%89.57%89.47%89.27%
Interest-bearing deposits to total deposits63.21%64.11%69.47%70.06%70.15%
 September 30,
2019
 June 30,
2019
 March 31,
2019
 December 31,
2018
 September 30,
2018
Investment securities available for sale to total deposits10.92% 13.29% 12.60% 12.36% 12.66%
Loans (net of unearned income) to total deposits93.90% 94.44% 86.55% 88.21% 92.90%
Interest-earning assets to total assets89.27% 90.87% 90.63% 90.43% 90.48%
Interest-bearing deposits to total deposits70.15% 71.08% 71.91% 73.88% 74.58%

The liquidity resources of the Company are monitored continuously by the ALCO Committee and on a periodic basis by state and federal regulatory authorities. As determined under guidelines established by these regulatory authorities, the Company’s and the Bank’s liquidity ratios at September 30, 20192020 were considered satisfactory. The Company is aware of no events or trends likely to result in a material change in liquidity.

Goodwill Impairment Testing

The Company has goodwill at its Banking Division and Premium Finance Division (collectively "the divisions"). The carrying value of goodwill at the Banking Division was $863.5 million and $867.1 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The carrying value of goodwill at the Premium Finance Division was $64.5 million at both September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The Company performs its annual impairment test at December 31 of each year and more frequently if a triggering event occurs. At December 31, 2019, the Company performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill at the divisions and determined it was more likely than not that the reporting unit's fair value exceeded its carrying value. The Company performed an interim qualitative assessment at March 31, 2020 considering the decline in the Company's stock price relative to book value and the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and determined that it was more likely than not that the reporting units fair values exceeded their carrying value.

During the second quarter of 2020, the Company assessed the indicators of goodwill impairment and determined a triggering event had occurred. Triggering events included sustained decline in the Company's share price, the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and low interest rate environment. The Company performed a quantitative analysis of goodwill at the divisions as of May 31, 2020. The Premium Finance Division was measured utilizing a discounted cash flow approach. The Banking Division was measured using multiple approaches. The primary approach for the Banking Division was the discounted cash flow approach, and the Company also used a market approach comparing to similar public companies' multiples and control premiums from transactions during prior distressed periods. The results from each of the primary approaches showed valuation of the reporting unit in excess of carrying value at May 31, 2020. The discounted cash flow approach for the Premium Finance Division resulted in a fair value approximately 11% higher than its carrying value. The discounted cash flow approach for the Banking Division indicated a fair value approximately 42% higher than its carrying value, and the market approach indicated a fair value approximately 5% higher than its carrying value. Economic conditions and forecasted results through June 30, 2020 were materially consistent with those modeled at May 31, 2020, and therefore, management determined no impairment existed at June 30, 2020.

At September 30, 2020, the Company performed an interim qualitative assessment and determined that it was more likely than not that the reporting units fair values exceeded their carrying values.
71


Each of the valuation methods used by the Company requires significant assumptions. Depending on the specific method, assumptions are made regarding growth rates, discount rates for cash flows, control premiums, and selected multiples. Changes to any of the assumptions could result in significantly different results.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The Company is exposed only to U.S. dollar interest rate changes, and, accordingly, the Company manages exposure by considering the possible changes in the net interest margin. The Company does not have any trading instruments nor does it classify any portion of the investment portfolio as held for trading. The Company’s hedging activities are limited to cash flow hedges and are part of the Company’s program to manage interest rate sensitivity.

At September 30,December 31, 2019, the Company had one cash flow hedge with a notional amount of $37.1 million for the purpose of converting the variable rate on certain junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate. The LIBOR rate swap exchangesexchanged fixed rate payments of 4.11% for floating rate payments based on the three-month LIBOR rate and maturesmatured September 2020. The fair value of this instrument was a liability of $237,000 at September 30, 2019 and an asset of $102,000$187,000 at December 31, 2018.2019.

The Company also had forward contracts and IRLCs to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $15.9$64.7 million and $2.5$7.8 million at


September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively, and a liability of $1.2$6.2 million and $1.3$4.5 million at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, respectively.

The Company has no exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk and other market risks.

Interest rates play a major part in the net interest income of a financial institution. The sensitivity to rate changes is known as “interest rate risk.” The repricing of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities can influence the changes in net interest income. As part of the Company’s asset/liability management program, the timing of repriced assets and liabilities is referred to as “gap management.”

The Company uses simulation analysis to monitor changes in net interest income due to changes in market interest rates. The simulation of rising, declining and flat interest rate scenarios allows management to monitor and adjust interest rate sensitivity to minimize the impact of market interest rate swings. The analysis of the impact on net interest income over a 12-month and 24-month period is subjected to gradual and parallel shocks of 100, 200, 300 and 400 basis point increases and decreases in market rates and is monitored on a quarterly basis.

Additional information required by Item 305 of Regulation S-K is set forth under Part I, Item 2 of this report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.not effective, due to the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below.

DuringA material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

We continue to have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as disclosed in Management's Assessment of Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Item 9A. Controls and Procedures of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as amended. Specifically, during the first quarter of 2020, the Company identified a control deficiency related to certain general ledger account reconciliations that began as of the conversion of Fidelity’s core platform on November 3, 2019. While the reconciliations were completed in a timely manner, various items, which were principally related to the acquired indirect auto loan portfolio, were not researched and resolved in a timely manner. This control deficiency creates a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement to the consolidated financial statements would not have been prevented or detected on a timely basis, and as such, management has concluded that the control deficiency represents a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting.

72


Because of this material weakness, management concluded that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2020.

Remediation Plan

Management has been actively engaged during the first nine months of 2020 in implementing remediation plans to address the material weakness. These plans include: (i) additional training for accounting staff performing the reconciliations; (ii) development of more detailed reconciliation procedures to allow for more timely research and resolution of items; (iii) increased personnel in the accounting department to ensure timeliness of clearing reconciling items; and (iv) the review of the system interface to the general ledger such that the number of reconciling items among impacted balance sheet accounts will be reduced.

The Company’s material weakness will not be considered remediated until the remediation plans have been implemented and tested and management concludes these controls are operating effectively.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13 – Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). The Company implemented changes to the policies, processes, and controls over the allowance for credit losses. Many of the controls mirror controls over our prior incurred loss methodology. New controls were implemented over data quality of critical data elements used in the new model, unfunded commitments and reconciliations. Other than the controls related to ASU 2016-13 and remediation efforts as described above, during the quarter ended September 30, 2019,2020, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, the Company and the Bank are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of business. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, the Company and the Bank are also subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries and investigations. Based on the Company’s current knowledge, and advice of counsel, management presently does not believe that the liabilities arising from these legal matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these legal matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition for any particular period.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019, as amended, except as follows:


The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to prevent the disease's spread have adversely impacted our business, financial condition and results of operations and will likely continue to do so.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic dislocation in the United States and an unprecedented slowdown in economic activity, as many state and local governments have intermittently ordered non-essential businesses to close and residents to shelter in place at home. As a result of the pandemic, commercial customers are experiencing varying levels of disruptions or restrictions on their business activity, and consumers are experiencing interrupted income or unemployment. We have outstanding loans to borrowers in certain industries that have been particularly susceptible to the effects of the pandemic, such as hotels, restaurants and other retail businesses. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Federal Reserve Board reduced the benchmark fed funds rate to a target range of 0% to 0.25%, and the yields on 10- and 30-year treasury notes declined to historic lows. The federal banking agencies have also encouraged financial institutions to prudently work with affected borrowers and have provided relief from reporting loan classifications due to modifications related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In addition, the spread of the coronavirus has caused us to modify our business practices, including the implementation of temporary branch and office closures. We may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that we
73


determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers and business partners. Although we have initiated a remote work protocol and restricted business travel in our workforce, if significant portions of our workforce, including key personnel, are unable to work effectively because of illness, government actions or other restrictions in connection with the pandemic, the impact of the pandemic on our business could be exacerbated.

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business. The United States government has taken steps to attempt to mitigate some of the more severe anticipated economic effects of the coronavirus, including the passage of the CARES Act and subsequent legislation, but there can be no assurance that such steps will be effective or achieve their desired results in a timely fashion. The extent of such impact from the COVID-19 outbreak and related mitigation efforts will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.

As the result, we could be subject to any of the following risks, among others, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations:

demand for our products and services may decline, making it difficult to grow assets and income;
if the economy is unable to substantially and successfully reopen, and high levels of unemployment continue, for an extended period of time, loan delinquencies, problem assets and foreclosures may increase, resulting in increased charges and reduced income;
collateral for loans, especially real estate, may decline in value, which could cause loan losses to increase;
our allowance for loan losses may have to be increased if borrowers experience financial difficulties beyond forbearance periods, which will adversely affect our net income;
the net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us; and
as the result of the decline in the Federal Reserve Board’s target federal funds rate, the yield on our assets has declined and may continue to decline, to a greater extent even than the decline in our cost of interest-bearing liabilities, reducing our net interest margin and spread and adversely affecting our net income.

Any one or a combination of the factors identified above could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided, we may continue to experience materially adverse impacts to our business and prospects as a result of the virus’s global economic impact, including the availability of credit, adverse impacts on our liquidity and the consequences of any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future.

As a participating lender in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), the Company is subject to added risks, including credit, fraud and litigation risks, that could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

The Company participated in the PPP as an eligible lender with the benefit of a government guaranty of loans to small business clients, many of whom may face difficulties even after being granted such a loan. A significant amount of our loan growth since December 31, 2019 has been a direct result of PPP loans. However, PPP loan growth will not continue in the absence of further governmental action to extend the program.

As a participant in the PPP, we face increased risks, particularly in terms of credit, fraud and litigation risks. The PPP opened to borrower applications shortly after the enactment of its authorizing legislation, and, as a result, there is some ambiguity in the laws, rules and guidance regarding the program’s operation. Subsequent rounds of legislation and associated agency guidance have not provided needed clarity and in certain instances have potentially created additional inconsistencies and ambiguities. Accordingly, the Company is exposed to risks relating to compliance with PPP requirements.

We have additional credit risk with respect to PPP loans if a determination is made by the SBA that there is a deficiency in the manner in which the loan was originated, funded or serviced, such as an issue with the eligibility of a borrower to receive a PPP loan, which may or may not be related to the ambiguity in the laws, rules and guidance regarding the operation of the PPP. In the event of a loss resulting from a default on a PPP loan and a determination by the SBA that there was a deficiency in the manner in which the PPP loan was originated, funded or serviced by the Company, the SBA may deny its liability under the guaranty, reduce the amount of the guaranty or, if it has already paid under the guaranty, seek recovery of any loss related to the deficiency from the Company.

74


Also, PPP loans are fixed, low interest rate loans that are guaranteed by the SBA and subject to numerous other regulatory requirements, and a borrower may apply to have all or a portion of the loan forgiven. If PPP borrowers fail to qualify for loan forgiveness, we face a heightened risk of holding these loans at unfavorable interest rates for an extended period of time.

Furthermore, since the launch of the PPP, several larger banks have been subject to litigation regarding the process and procedures that such banks used in processing applications for the PPP, and the Company may be exposed to the risk of litigation, from both customers and non-customers that approached the Company regarding PPP loans, relating to these or other matters. Also many financial institutions throughout the country have been named in putative class actions regarding the alleged nonpayment of fees that may be due to certain agents who facilitated PPP loan applications. The Company is currently named as a defendant in one such agent fee action. The costs and effects of litigation related to PPP participation could be material to us.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

The table below sets forth information regarding the Company’s repurchase of shares of its outstanding common stock during the three-month period ended September 30, 2019.2020. 


Period 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
 
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares That
 May Yet be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs(1)
July 1, 2019 through July 31, 2019 
 $
 
 $89,447,425
August 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019 
 $
 
 $89,447,425
September 1, 2019 through September 30, 2019 
 $
 
 $100,000,000
Total 
 $
 
 $100,000,000
PeriodTotal
Number of
Shares
Purchased
Average Price
Paid Per Share
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares That
 May Yet be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs(1)
July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020(2)
736 $21.70 — $85,723,412 
August 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020— $— — $85,723,412 
September 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020— $— — $85,723,412 
Total736 $21.70 — $85,723,412 
 
(1)
On September 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of its outstanding common stock.  Repurchases of shares, which are authorized to occur through October 31, 2020, will be made, if at all, in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including share acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares. It replaces the Company's prior share repurchase program which was set to expire in October 2019 and under which the Company repurchased $10.6 million of its outstanding common stock in the past year. As of September 30, 2019, noOn September 19, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of its outstanding common stock through October 31, 2020.  On October 22, 2020, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved the extension of the share repurchase program through October 31, 2021. Repurchases of shares must be made in accordance with applicable securities laws and may be made from time to time in the open market or by negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of repurchases will be based on a variety of factors, including share acquisition price, regulatory limitations and other market and economic factors. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares. As of September 30, 2020, $14.3 million, or 358,664 shares of the Company's common stock, had been repurchased under the new program.

(2)The shares purchased from July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020 consist of shares of common stock surrendered to the Company in payment of the income tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of shares of restricted stock.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.



75


Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description
Underwriting agreement dated September 23, 2020, by and between Ameris Bancorp, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Piper Sandler & Co. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Ameris Bancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 28, 2020).
Exhibit
Number
3.1
Description
3.1Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-A filed with the SEC on August 14, 1987).
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 1999).
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2003).
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 1, 2005).
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 21, 2008).
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 1, 2011).
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Ameris Bancorp's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 10, 2020).
Bylaws of Ameris Bancorp, as amended and restated through July 1, 2019June 11, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13.8 to Ameris Bancorp’sBancorp's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 10, 2020).
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2020, by and between Ameris Bancorp and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Ameris Bancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019)September 28, 2020).
Indenture between Ameris Bancorp (as successor to Fidelity Southern Corporation) and U.S. Bank National Association, dated asForm of June 26, 20033.875% Fixed-to-Floating Subordinated Notes due 2030 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14.3 to Ameris Bancorp’sBancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019)September 28, 2020).
First Supplemental Indenture, among Ameris Bancorp, Fidelity Southern Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, dated as of July 1, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2033 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
Indenture between Ameris Bancorp (as successor to Fidelity Southern Corporation) and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of March 17, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
First Supplemental Indenture, among Ameris Bancorp, Fidelity Southern Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of July 1, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
Form of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2035 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
Indenture between Ameris Bancorp (as successor to Fidelity Southern Corporation) and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of August 20, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
First Supplemental Indenture, among Ameris Bancorp, Fidelity Southern Corporation and Wilmington Trust Company, dated as of July 1, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
Form of Fixed/Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due 2037 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2019).
Employment Agreement by and among Ameris Bancorp, Ameris Bank and James B. Miller, Jr. dated as of December 17, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Ameris Bancorp's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2019).
Employment Agreement by and among Ameris Bancorp, Ameris Bank and H. Palmer Proctor, Jr. dated as of December 17, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Ameris Bancorp's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2019).
Amendment to Employment Agreement by and among Ameris Bancorp, Ameris Bank and H. Palmer Proctor, Jr. dated as of June 30, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Ameris Bancorp's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 9, 2019).
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.


Exhibit
Number31.2
Description
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.
Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.



76


SIGNATURE
 
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.
 
Dated: November 8, 20196, 2020AMERIS BANCORP
/s/ Nicole S. Stokes
Nicole S. Stokes
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(duly authorized signatory and principal accounting and financial officer)
 


82
77