0000907471 us-gaap:FinanceReceivablesMember us-gaap:NonperformingFinancingReceivableMember cash:PremiumFinanceMember us-gaap:FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember 2018-09-30
     
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q


  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019


  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from to


Commission File Number:  0-22140


metalogoa18.jpg
META FINANCIAL GROUP INC.INC.®
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware42-1406262
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


5501 South Broadband Lane, Sioux Falls, South Dakota57108
(Address of principal executive offices and Zip Code)


(605) (605) 782-1767
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YESYes ☒  NO☐No☐


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).  YESYes ☒  NONo


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 (Check one):Act:


Large accelerated filer☒filerAccelerated filer☐filerNon-accelerated filer☐filerSmaller Reporting Company☐Company
Emerging growth company☐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


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, $.01 par valueCASHThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class:Outstanding at February 5, 2018:August 2, 2019:
Common Stock, $.01 par value9,683,841 shares37,879,833
Shares
Nonvoting Common Stock, $.01 par value0
Nonvoting shares
     




META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
FORM 10-Q


Table of Contents
   
Item 1.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Item 2.
   
Item 3.
   
Item 4.
  
   
Item 1.
   
Item 1A.  
Item 2.
   
Item 6.
  


i



Table of Contents


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    Financial Statements.
META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)  
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data(1))
(Unaudited)  
ASSETSDecember 31, 2017 September 30, 2017June 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
Cash and cash equivalents$1,300,409
 $1,267,586
$100,732
 $99,977
Investment securities available for sale1,392,240
 1,106,977
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale600,112
 586,454
Investment securities held to maturity235,024
 449,840
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity8,468
 113,689
Loans receivable1,509,140
 1,325,371
Allowance for loan losses(8,862) (7,534)
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value961,897
 1,484,160
Mortgage-backed securities available for sale, at fair value395,201
 364,065
Investment securities held to maturity, at cost138,128
 163,893
Mortgage-backed securities held to maturity, at cost7,414
 7,850
Loans held for sale62,839
 15,606
Loans and leases3,631,031
 2,944,739
Allowance for loan and lease losses(43,505) (13,040)
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost57,443
 61,123
17,236
 23,400
Accrued interest receivable21,089
 19,380
19,722
 22,016
Premises, furniture, and equipment, net20,571
 19,320
46,360
 40,458
Rental equipment, net184,732
 107,290
Bank-owned life insurance85,371
 84,702
89,193
 87,293
Foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets128
 292
29,514
 31,638
Goodwill98,723
 98,723
307,941
 303,270
Intangible assets50,521
 52,178
56,153
 70,719
Prepaid assets29,758
 28,392
22,023
 27,906
Deferred taxes5,379
 9,101
21,630
 18,737
Other assets12,449
 12,738
52,831
 35,090


  

  
Total assets$5,417,963
 $5,228,332
$6,101,072
 $5,835,067
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
   
  
      
LIABILITIES 
   
  
Non-interest-bearing checking$2,779,645
 $2,454,057
Noninterest-bearing checking$2,751,931
 $2,405,274
Interest-bearing checking84,390
 67,294
157,802
 111,587
Savings deposits53,535
 53,505
52,179
 54,765
Money market deposits47,451
 48,758
68,604
 51,995
Time certificates of deposit128,220
 123,637
116,698
 276,180
Wholesale deposits420,404
 476,173
1,628,000
 1,531,186
Total deposits3,513,645
 3,223,424
4,775,214
 4,430,987
Short-term debt1,313,401
 1,404,534
Long-term debt85,552
 85,533
Short-term borrowings146,613
 425,759
Long-term borrowings209,765
 88,963
Accrued interest payable4,065
 2,280
12,350
 7,794
Accrued expenses and other liabilities63,595
 78,065
134,229
 133,838
Total liabilities4,980,258
 4,793,836
5,278,171
 5,087,341
      
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
  
 
  
Preferred stock, 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively
 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 9,685,398 and 9,626,431 shares issued, 9,664,846 and 9,622,595 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively96
 96
Common stock, Nonvoting, $.01 par value; 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively
 
Preferred stock, 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively
 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 90,000,000 and 90,000,000 shares authorized, 37,878,694 and 39,192,063 shares issued, 37,878,205 and 39,167,280 shares outstanding at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively379
 393
Common stock, Nonvoting, $.01 par value; 3,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively
 
Additional paid-in capital262,872
 258,336
578,715
 565,811
Retained earnings170,578
 167,164
238,004
 213,048
Accumulated other comprehensive income5,782
 9,166
Treasury stock, at cost, 20,552 and 3,836 common shares at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively(1,623) (266)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)2,308
 (33,111)
Treasury stock, at cost, 489 and 24,783 common shares at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively(13) (1,989)
Total equity attributable to parent819,393
 744,152
Noncontrolling interest3,508
 3,574
Total stockholders’ equity437,705
 434,496
822,901
 747,726
      
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$5,417,963
 $5,228,332
$6,101,072
 $5,835,067
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1)All share and per share data has been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-1 forward stock split effected by the Company on October 4, 2018.

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data(1))
Three Months Ended June 30, Nine Months Ended June 30,
2017 20162019 2018 2019 2018
Interest and dividend income:          
Loans receivable, including fees$16,443
 $10,678
Loans and leases, including fees$69,732
 $19,056
 $203,900
 $53,344
Mortgage-backed securities3,758
 3,320
3,063
 3,950
 8,622
 11,755
Other investments10,656
 8,577
8,837
 11,098
 32,380
 33,234
30,857
 22,575
81,632
 34,104
 244,902
 98,333
Interest expense: 
  
 
  
  
  
Deposits1,885
 938
10,395
 2,264
 35,731
 7,106
FHLB advances and other borrowings2,776
 1,804
4,269
 3,429
 10,581
 9,215
4,661
 2,742
14,664
 5,693
 46,312
 16,321
          
Net interest income26,196
 19,833
66,968
 28,411
 198,590
 82,012
          
Provision for loan losses1,068
 843
Provision for loan and lease losses9,112
 5,315
 51,529
 24,726
          
Net interest income after provision for loan losses25,128
 18,990
Net interest income after provision for loan and lease losses57,856
 23,096
 147,061
 57,286
          
Non-interest income: 
  
Noninterest income: 
  
  
  
Refund transfer product fees192
 176
6,697
 7,358
 38,559
 41,353
Tax advance product fees1,947
 449
34
 (46) 34,757
 35,739
Card fees25,247
 18,414
19,537
 22,807
 61,939
 74,910
Loan fees1,292
 870
Rental income9,386
 
 30,167
 
Loan and lease fees1,012
 1,111
 3,185
 3,445
Bank-owned life insurance669
 448
628
 633
 1,901
 1,952
Deposit fees848
 150
2,335
 1,134
 6,365
 2,964
Loss on sale of securities available-for-sale, net (Includes ($1,010) and ($1,234) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for net gains (losses) on available for sale securities for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)(1,010) (1,234)
Gain (loss) on sale of securities available-for-sale, net (Includes $440 and ($22) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for net gains (losses) on available for sale securities for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and $649 and ($1,198) for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively)440
 (22) 649
 (1,198)
Gain on sale of loans and leases1,913
 
 3,865
 
Loss on foreclosed real estate(19) 

 
 (185) (19)
Other income102
 76
1,808
 250
 5,363
 766
Total non-interest income29,268
 19,349
Total noninterest income43,790
 33,225
 186,565
 159,912
          
Non-interest expense: 
  
Noninterest expense: 
  
  
  
Compensation and benefits22,340
 17,850
35,176
 24,439
 117,350
 78,951
Refund transfer product expense101
 51
287
 1,694
 7,478
 11,665
Tax advance product expense280
 27
425
 (19) 3,101
 1,736
Card processing6,540
 5,579
4,613
 7,068
 18,670
 20,798
Occupancy and equipment4,890
 3,977
7,136
 4,720
 20,806
 14,087
Operating lease equipment depreciation6,029
 
 18,280
 
Legal and consulting2,416
 2,723
4,065
 2,781
 12,341
 8,436
Marketing553
 470
368
 416
 1,493
 1,637
Data processing414
 363
260
 301
 1,018
 958
Intangible amortization expense1,681
 1,525
Intangible amortization4,374
 1,664
 14,352
 6,077
Impairment expense
 
 9,660
 
Other expense4,827
 4,188
9,735
 5,988
 32,467
 17,247
Total non-interest expense44,042
 36,753
   
Total noninterest expense72,468
 49,053
 257,016
 161,592
          
Income before income tax expense10,354
 1,586
29,178
 7,268
 76,610
 55,606
          
Income tax expense (Includes ($380), and ($463) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)5,684
 342
Income tax (benefit) expense (Includes $110 and ($6) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and $162 and ($335) for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively)(1,158) 476
 (3,244) 12,708
          
Net income$4,670
 $1,244
Net income before noncontrolling interest30,336
 6,792
 79,854
 42,898
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,045
 
 3,045
 
Net income attributable to parent$29,291
 $6,792
 $76,809
 $42,898
          
Earnings per common share 
  
 
  
  
  
Basic$0.48
 $0.14
$0.75
 $0.23
 $1.96
 $1.48
Diluted$0.48
 $0.14
$0.75
 $0.23
 $1.95
 $1.47
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

(1)All share and per share data has been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-1 forward stock split effected by the Company on October 4, 2018.


META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 Three Months Ended
December 31,
 2017 2016
Net income$4,670
 $1,244
    
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
  
Change in net unrealized loss on securities(7,480) (45,268)
Losses realized in net income1,010
 1,234
 (6,470) (44,034)
LESS: Deferred income tax effect(3,086) (16,092)
Total other comprehensive loss(3,384) (27,942)
Total comprehensive income (loss)$1,286
 $(26,698)
(Dollars in Thousands)Three Months Ended June 30, Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Net income before noncontrolling interest$30,336
 $6,792
 $79,854
 $42,898
        
Other comprehensive income (loss): 
  
  
  
Change in net unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities16,897
 (9,905) 48,157
 (53,377)
(Gain) loss realized in net income(440) 22
 (649) 1,198
 16,457
 (9,883) 47,508
 (52,179)
Unrealized gain (loss) on currency translation221
 
 (24) 
Deferred income tax effect4,106
 (2,447) 11,590
 (14,412)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)12,572
 (7,436) 35,894
 (37,767)
Total comprehensive income (loss)42,908
 (644) 115,748
 5,131
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest1,045
 
 3,045
 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent$41,863
 $(644) $112,703
 $5,131
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)Data(1))
 Meta Financial Group, Inc. Stockholders' Equity    
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 
 
Common
Stock
  
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  
 
Retained
Earnings
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  
 
Treasury
Stock
 Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 Noncontrolling Interest Total Equity
Balance, March 31, 2019$395
 $576,406
 $258,600
 $(10,264) $(4,956) $820,181
 $3,528
 $823,709
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.05 per share)
 
 (1,931) 
 
 (1,931) 
 (1,931)
Issuance of common shares due to exercise of stock options
 37
 
 
 
 37
 
 37
Share repurchases(16) 16
 (43,000) 
 (13) (43,013) 
 (43,013)
Retirement of treasury stock
 
 (4,956) 
 4,956
 
   
Stock compensation
 2,256
 
 
 
 2,256
 
 2,256
Total other comprehensive income
 
 
 12,572
 
 12,572
 
 12,572
Net income
 
 29,291
 
 
 29,291
 1,045
 30,336
Net investment by (distribution to) noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 (1,065) (1,065)
Balance, June 30, 2019$379
 $578,715
 $238,004
 $2,308
 $(13) $819,393
 $3,508
 $822,901
                
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019               
Balance, September 30, 2018$393
 $565,811
 $213,048
 $(33,111) $(1,989) $744,152
 $3,574
 $747,726
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, net of income taxes
 
 1,502
 
 
 1,502
 
 1,502
Adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
 
 475
 (475) 
 
 
 
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.15 per share)
 
 (5,874) 
 
 (5,874) 
 (5,874)
Issuance of common shares due to exercise of stock options
 92
 
 
 
 92
 
 92
Issuance of common shares due to restricted stock3
 
 
 
 
 3
 
 3
Issuance of common shares due to ESOP
 2,010
 
 
 
 2,010
 
 2,010
Share repurchases(17) 17
 (43,000) 
 (2,980) (45,980) 
 (45,980)
Retirement of treasury stock
 
 (4,956) 
 4,956
 
 
 
Stock compensation
 10,785
 
 
 
 10,785
 
 10,785
Total other comprehensive income
 
 
 35,894
 
 35,894
 
 35,894
Net income
 
 76,809
 
 
 76,809
 3,045
 79,854
Net investment by (distribution to) noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
 
 (3,111) (3,111)
Balance, June 30, 2019$379
 $578,715
 $238,004
 $2,308
 $(13) $819,393
 $3,508
 $822,901


  
 
Common
Stock
  
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  
 
Retained
Earnings
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
  
 
Treasury
Stock
  
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balance, September 30, 2016$85
 $184,780
 $127,190
 $22,920
 $
 $334,975
            
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.13 per share)
 
 (1,195) 
 
 (1,195)
            
Issuance of common shares due to issuance of stock options, restricted stock and ESOP3
 3,245
 
 
 
 3,248
            
Issuance of common shares due to acquisition5
 37,291
 
 
 
 37,296
            
Contingent consideration equity earnout due to SCS acquisition
 24,091
 
 
 
 24,091
            
Stock compensation
 69
 
 
 
 69
            
Net change in unrealized gains on securities, net of income taxes
 
 
 (27,942) 
 (27,942)
            
Net income
 
 1,244
 
 
 1,244
            
Balance, December 31, 2016$93
 $249,476
 $127,239
 $(5,022) $
 $371,786
            
Balance, September 30, 2017$96
 $258,336
 $167,164
 $9,166
 $(266) $434,496
            
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.13 per share)
 
 (1,256) 
 
 (1,256)
            
Issuance of common shares due to ESOP
 1,606
 
 
 
 1,606
            
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on stock compensation
 (314) 
 
 (1,357) (1,671)
            
Stock compensation
 3,244
 
 
 
 3,244
            
Net change in unrealized losses on securities, net of income taxes
 
 
 (3,384) 
 (3,384)
            
Net income
 
 4,670
 
 
 4,670
            
Balance, December 31, 2017$96
 $262,872
 $170,578
 $5,782
 $(1,623) $437,705
 Meta Financial Group, Inc. Stockholders' Equity    
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 
 
Common
Stock
  
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
  
 
Retained
Earnings
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  
 
Treasury
Stock
 Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 Noncontrolling Interest Total Equity
Balance, March 31, 2018$291
 $265,491
 $200,753
 $(21,166) $(1,666) $443,703
 $
 $443,703
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.04 per share)
 
 (1,261) 
 
 (1,261) 
 (1,261)
Shares repurchased
 
 
 
 (5) (5) 
 (5)
Stock compensation
 2,119
 
 
 
 2,119
 
 2,119
Total other comprehensive (loss)
 
 
 (7,435) 
 (7,435) 
 (7,435)
Net income
 
 6,792
 
 
 6,792
 
 6,792
Balance, June 30, 2018$291
 $267,610
 $206,284
 $(28,601) $(1,671) $443,913
 $
 $443,913
                
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018               
Balance, September 30, 2017$288
 $258,144
 $167,164
 $9,166
 $(266) $434,496
 $
 $434,496
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($0.12 per share)
 
 (3,778) 
 
 (3,778) 
 (3,778)
Issuance of common shares due to exercise of stock options
 147
 
 
 
 147
 
 147
Issuance of common shares due to restricted stock2
 
 
 
 
 2
 
 2
Issuance of common shares due to ESOP1
 1,605
 
 
 
 1,606
 
 1,606
Shares repurchased
 (726) 
 
 (1,405) (2,131) 
 (2,131)
Stock compensation
 8,440
 
 
 
 8,440
 
 8,440
Total other comprehensive (loss)
 
 
 (37,767) 
 (37,767) 
 (37,767)
Net income
 
 42,898
 
 
 42,898
 
 42,898
Balance, June 30, 2018$291
 $267,610
 $206,284
 $(28,601) $(1,671) $443,913
 $
 $443,913
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

(1)All share and per share data has been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-1 forward stock split effected by the Company on October 4, 2018.


META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended December 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)2017 
2016 (1)
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income$4,670
 $1,244
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used in) by operating activities: 
  
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net9,561
 9,479
Stock-based compensation expense3,244
 69
Provision for loan losses1,068
 843
Provision (recovery) for deferred taxes6,807
 (927)
(Gain) on other assets(8) (6)
Loss on sale of foreclosed real estate19
 
Loss on sale of securities available for sale, net1,010
 1,234
Net change in accrued interest receivable(1,709) (4,176)
Fair value adjustment of foreclosed real estate23
 
Originations of loans held for sale
 (27,191)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
 25,968
Change in bank-owned life insurance value(669) (448)
Net change in other assets(1,102) (27,164)
Net change in accrued interest payable1,785
 1,379
Net change in accrued expenses and other liabilities(14,462) 14,255
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities10,237
 (5,441)
    
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
Purchase of securities available-for-sale(105,327) (144,024)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale65,941
 60,623
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities available for sale35,065
 30,849
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments of securities held to maturity12,021
 13,301
Loans purchased(75,163) (136,172)
Loans sold5,916
 6,525
Net change in loans receivable(114,827) (59,008)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate or other assets122
 
Net cash paid for acquisitions
 (29,425)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock purchases(249,920) (140,680)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock redemptions253,600
 184,360
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment
 58
Purchase of premises and equipment(2,593) (2,899)
Net cash used in investing activities(175,165) (216,492)
    
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
Net change in checking, savings, and money market deposits341,407
 309,726
Net change in time deposits4,583
 (3,658)
Net change in wholesale deposits(55,769) 926,987
Net change in FHLB and other borrowings(205,000) (100,000)
Net change in federal funds113,000
 (992,000)
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase867
 744
Principal payments on capital lease obligations(16) (18)
Cash dividends paid(1,256) (1,195)
Purchase of shares by ESOP1,606
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock
 3,248
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on stock compensation(1,671) 
Net cash provided by financing activities197,751
 143,834
    
Net change in cash and cash equivalents32,823
 (78,099)
    
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period1,267,586
 773,830
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,300,409
 $695,731
    






 Nine Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in Thousands)2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income$79,854
 $42,898
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:   
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net41,290
 27,995
Stock compensation10,785
 8,440
Provision (recovery):   
Loan and lease losses51,529
 24,726
Deferred taxes(14,468) 488
Loans held for sale:   
Originations(104,121) 
Purchases(12,643) 
Proceeds from sales95,663
 
Net change15,925
 
Fair value adjustment of foreclosed real estate139
 29
Net realized (gain) loss:   
Other assets(54) (1)
Foreclosed real estate or other assets185
 19
Available for sale securities, net(649) 1,198
Loans held for sale(3,650) 
Leases receivable and rental equipment(2,598) 
Net change:   
Other assets(15,957) 577
Accrued interest payable4,556
 1,425
Accrued expenses and other liabilities18,785
 4,879
Accrued interest receivable2,294
 1,555
Change in bank-owned life insurance value(1,900) (1,952)
Impairment on rental equipment6,194
 
Impairment of intangibles111
 
Net cash provided by operating activities171,270
 112,276
    
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
Available for sale securities:   
Purchases(297,548) (418,699)
Proceeds from sales720,376
 312,863
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments110,810
 115,878
Held to maturity:   
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments24,809
 29,752
Loans and leases:   
Purchases(219,551) (95,169)
Proceeds from sales13,069
 19,961
Net change(530,215) (238,679)
Proceeds from sales of foreclosed real estate or other assets1,905
 244
Federal Home Loan Bank stock:   
Purchases(606,756) (713,444)
Redemption612,920
 767,120
Rental equipment:   
Purchases(111,150) 
Proceeds from sales6,551
 
Net change1,868
 
Premises and equipment:   
Purchases(11,944) (5,176)
Proceeds from sales101
 
Net cash (used in) investing activities(284,755) (225,349)
    
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
Net change:   
Checking, savings, and money market deposits408,951
 219,909
Time deposits(159,611) (66,486)
Wholesale deposits96,763
 144,786
FHLB and other borrowings110,000
 (415,000)
Federal funds(287,000) (963,000)
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase(36) 754

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information 
  
Cash paid during the period for: 
  
Interest$6,446
 $1,362
Income taxes218
 2,110
Franchise taxes31
 20
Other taxes1
 1
    
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities: 
  
Securities transferred from held to maturity to available for sale$(306,000) $
Contingent consideration - cash  $(17,259)
Contingent consideration - equity
 (24,091)
Stock issued for acquisition
 (37,296)
Net investment by (distribution to) noncontrolling interests(3,111) 
Proceeds from other liabilities7,525
 


Principal payments:   
Other liabilities(9,404) 
Capital lease obligations(64) (46)
Cash dividends paid(5,874) (3,778)
Purchase of shares by ESOP2,010
 1,606
Issuance of restricted stock3
 2
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock92
 147
Shares repurchased(45,980) (2,131)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities114,264
 (1,083,237)
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(24) 
    
Net change in cash and cash equivalents755
 (1,196,310)
    
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year99,977
 1,267,586
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$100,732
 $71,276


META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Con't.)
 Nine Months Ended June 30,
 2019 2018
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information 
  
Cash paid during the period for: 
  
Interest$19,220
 $17,746
Income taxes(247) 8,211
Franchise taxes184
 199
Other taxes539
 129
    
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities: 
  
Transfers   
Loans and leases to foreclosed real estate or other assets105
 29,922
Loans and leases to rental equipment229
 
Loans transferred to held for sale39,452
 
Purchases/Sales of investment securities accrued, not settled   
Purchases - Available for sale1,721
 4,117
Securities transferred from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale
 306,000
Short- and long-term borrowings transferred from other liabilities20,026
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
(1) See Note 1. Basis of Presentation for further discussion on the current presentation.

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION


The interim unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172018 included in Meta Financial Group, Inc.’s (“Meta Financial”Meta” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on November 29, 2017.2018.  Accordingly, footnote disclosures which would substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in the audited consolidated financial statements have been omitted.


The financial information of the Company included herein has been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial reporting and has been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments), that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. The results of the three three- and nine-month periodperiods ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.2019.


In fiscal 2017,All share and per share data reported in this Form 10-Q has been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-1 forward stock split of the Company's common stock effected by the Company early adopted Accounting Standards Updateon October 4, 2018.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year financial statement presentation. These changes and reclassifications did not impact previously reported net income or comprehensive income.

Certain amounts in the Recorded Investment table presented in Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements have been restated from what was previously reported as of September 30, 2018 on Form 10-K.

Loan and lease tables have been conformed to be consistent with the Company's updated presentation of its lending portfolio. The new presentation includes expanding the commercial and consumer finance portfolio to present the lending categories that are included in each, presenting the warehouse finance portfolio as its own category, and condensing the community bank loan categories. Warehouse finance loans were previously included in the consumer finance portfolio. All current and prior period numbers are reflective of this new presentation and total loan and lease balances remained unchanged.

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS UPDATES ("ASU") 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The requirement to report

Significant accounting policies in effect and disclosed within the excess tax benefit related to settlementsCompany’s most recent audited consolidated financial statements as of share-based payment awards in earnings as an increase or (decrease) to income tax expense has been applied utilizingSeptember 30, 2018 remain substantially unchanged with the prospective method. Whileexception of the policies impacted by the adoption of noted ASUs below.

Adopted ASUs
Revenue Recognition - The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 requires retrospective application2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), subsequent related Updates (collectively, ASU 2014-09), and ASU 2016-04, Liabilities - Extinguishments of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): Recognition of Breakage of Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products on October 1, 2018. ASU 2014-09 modifies the guidance used to all fiscal year periods presented,recognize revenue from contracts with customers for transfers of goods or services and transfers of non-financial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other guidance. Upon adoption, the Company elected recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $1.5 millionto not recast previously reportedretained earnings, net of tax, due to changes in timing of revenue recognition from breakage of unregistered, unused prepaid cards in the Company’s Meta Payment Systems (MPS) division. Refer to Note 13. Revenue from Contracts with Customers for additional information.


Financial Instruments - The Company adopted ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities and related Updates (collectively, ASU 2016-01) on October 1, 2018. ASU 2016-01 makes several revisions to Subtopic 825-10, including that ASU 2016-01: (1) requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (2) simplifies impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair value, (3) eliminates requirement to disclose methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost, (4) requires the use of an exit price notion when measuring fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, and (5) requires separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet and accompanying notes. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment that reclassed $0.5 million, net of tax, from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, due to the Company’s cumulative change in fair value of equity securities with readily determinable fair value. Refer to Note 6. Securities for additional information.

The Company also adopted the following ASUs on October 1, 2018, none of which had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash
ASU 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
ASU 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from Derecognition of Non-Financial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and accounting for Partial Sales of Non-Financial Assets
ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting

ASUs to be Adopted
Leases - ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and related Updates (collectively Topic 842) will become effective for the Company on October 1, 2019. For lessees, Topic 842 establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with such classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement. For lessors, the guidance with Topic 842 is largely unchanged from current guidance.
A modified retrospective transition approach is required. An entity may choose to use either (1) the standard’s effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, as the impact was considered insignificant. However,date of initial application. The Company expects to adopt Topic 842 using the effective date, October 1, 2019, as the date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and disclosures required under Topic 842 will not be provided for dates and periods before October 1, 2019.
FASB has released several updates to Topic 842 through subsequent ASUs, many of which allow for practical expedients in transition. The Company expects to elect the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits the Company reclassified stock compensation from financing to operatingnot reassess under the new standard the Company’s prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company does not expect to elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements, with the latter not being applicable to the Company. The new standard also provides practical expedients for a lessee’s and lessor’s ongoing accounting. The Company expects to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify.
Management has evaluated the Company’s leasing contracts and activities and is developing methodologies and processes to estimate and account for right-of-use assets and lease liabilities based on the Consolidated Statementpresent value of Cash Flowsfuture lease payments. While the recognition of right-of-use assets will increase total consolidated assets as well as the Company’s risk-weighted assets, management does not expect the impact to capital ratios to be material. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to result in a material change to lessee expense recognition. Management expects the changes in lessor accounting to result in earlier recognition of expense due to a narrower definition of initial direct costs and presentation changes on the income statement due to costs excluded from contract consideration that are reimbursed by the lessee, in addition to other operational impacts.
Other Upcoming ASUs - Refer to the Company’s most recently audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2018 for the latest update on other ASUs relevant to the Company and not yet adopted as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.June 30, 2019.

NOTE 2.     CREDIT DISCLOSURES3. ACQUISITIONS


The allowanceCompany acquired Crestmark Bancorp, Inc. ("Crestmark") and its bank subsidiary, Crestmark Bank, on August 1, 2018 for loan losses represents management’s estimatea purchase price of probable loan losses which have been incurred$295.8 million paid by issuance of 9,919,512 shares of Meta common stock. The initial accounting for certain liabilities and goodwill were incomplete and the amounts recorded were considered provisional. The Company recognized certain measurement period adjustments, discussed below, as of June 30, 2019. The amount of goodwill recorded remains provisional, as well as the other assets and liabilities noted in the table below. The measurement period remains open for the Crestmark acquisition until August 1, 2019. The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price to net assets of Crestmark as of the dateAugust 1, 2018 acquisition date.
(Dollars in Thousands)
Estimated fair value as previously reported(a)
 Measurement period adjustments Fair value as adjusted
Rental Equipment$98,977
 $(3,355) $95,622
Intangible assets28,253
 (117) 28,136
Goodwill204,547
 4,671
 209,218
Accrued expenses and other liabilities88,301
 1,199
 89,500
Net other assets55,464
 
 55,464
Noncontrolling interest3,167
 
 3,167
Purchase price295,773
 
 295,773
(a) As previously reported in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018

Measurement Period Adjustments and Impairment - DC Solar
The Company previously purchased a portfolio of mobile solar generators ("MSGs") from DC Solar Solutions, Inc. and certain of its affiliates, a relationship in the Company's solar leasing business, and, in turn, leased the MSGs to DC Solar Distribution, Inc., an affiliate of DC Solar Solutions. During the second fiscal quarter of 2019, the Company became aware that the DC Solar entities and their affiliates filed for bankruptcy and the entities, including their principals, are subjects of ongoing federal investigations involving allegations of fraudulent misconduct. The Company had three separate operating leases with DC Solar - two of the consolidated financial statements.transactions were included in the acquired Crestmark balances on August 1, 2018. The allowancethird transaction was originated in August 2018 after the Crestmark acquisition date. The Company considered the bankruptcy filing and fraud allegations as new facts and circumstances and concluded the alleged fraud existed at the acquisition date for loan losses is increased bythe acquired DC Solar transactions. As a provisionresult, the identified impairment for loan losses chargedthe acquired DC Solar transactions and other related adjustments were recorded as measurement period adjustments to expensethe acquired assets and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries).  Estimatingliability amounts recognized and were offset through provisional goodwill. The impairment and related adjustments for the risk of loss and the amount of loss on any loan is necessarily subjective.  Management’s periodic evaluationDC Solar transaction originated post-acquisition are reflected in current earnings.
The Company has repossessed 173 of the appropriateness176 underlying assets and is in the process of performing repairs and general maintenance to the assets where needed to ensure they are in prime condition for re-lease. As of June 30, 2019 the Company is continuing its repossession efforts with respect to the remaining three units. The timing and extent to which the Company will be able to re-lease the underlying assets remains uncertain as the Company is actively marketing the units. The adjustments to goodwill and impairment recognized for the DC Solar events reflect the Company's best estimate of the allowance ispotential loss incurred, based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risksCompany's present understanding of the relevant facts. Assumptions utilized in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affectestimate included recoverability of the borrower’sMSGs and the Company's ability to repay,re-lease them, contractual rents, and residual values. As new facts and circumstances become available, the estimated valueCompany will assess any remaining exposure with respect to these DC Solar matters to determine whether additional adjustments to goodwill and/or impairment loss are necessary. As long as the required criteria under GAAP are met, the Company will continue to account for adjustments to the acquired DC Solar transactions as adjustments to goodwill until the measurement period closes, which will not extend beyond August 1, 2019. During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized a net decrease in net income of any underlying collateral,$6.6 million and current economic conditions.  While management may periodically allocate portionsa net decrease of $8.5 million in regulatory capital as a result of the allowance for specific problem loan situations,DC Solar bankruptcy and ongoing federal investigation. There were no additional adjustments recorded due to the entire allowance is available for any loan charge-offs that occur.DC Solar events in the three months ended June 30, 2019.

Loans are considered impaired if full principal or interest payments are not probableMeasurement Period Adjustments - Other
The Company recorded additional measurement period adjustments in accordancethe second and third fiscal quarters of 2019 for provisional tax and compensation liabilities assumed through the Crestmark acquisition. The Company obtained additional information about facts and circumstances existing at the Crestmark acquisition date that resulted in an increase to liabilities and goodwill recognized of $2.2 million.

NOTE 4. LOANS AND LEASES, NET
Loan and lease tables have been conformed to be consistent with the contractual loan terms.  Impaired loans are carried at the present valueCompany's updated categorization of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance.

The allowance consists of specific, generalits lending portfolio between National Lending and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to impaired loans.  For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers loans not considered impaired and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.  An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses.  The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.


Homogeneous loan populations are collectively evaluated for impairment.  These loan populations may include commercial insurance premium finance loans, residential first mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residences, residential construction loans, home equity and second mortgage loans, and tax product loans.  Commercial and agricultural loans as well as mortgage loans secured by other properties are monitored regularly by the Bank given the larger balances. When analysis of the borrower operating results and financial condition indicates that underlying cash flows of the borrower’s business is not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the individual loan or loan relationship is evaluated for impairment. Often this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of 210 days or more for commercial insurance premium finance, 180 days or more for tax and other national lending loans and 90 days or more for other loans. Non-accrual loans and all troubled debt restructurings are considered impaired.  Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

Community Banking.
Loans receivableand leases at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and September 30, 20172018 were as follows:
 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
National Lending(Dollars in Thousands)
Asset based lending$615,309
 $477,917
Factoring320,344
 284,221
Lease financing341,957
 265,315
Insurance premium finance358,772
 337,877
SBA/USDA99,791
 59,374
Other commercial finance99,677
 85,145
Commercial finance1,835,850
 1,509,849
Consumer credit products155,539
 80,605
Other consumer finance164,727
 189,756
Consumer finance(1)
320,266
 270,361
Tax services24,410
 1,073
Warehouse finance(1)
250,003
 65,000
Total National Lending2,430,529
 1,846,283
Community Banking   
Commercial real estate and operating877,412
 790,890
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other256,853
 247,318
Agricultural real estate and operating61,169
 60,498
Total Community Banking1,195,434
 1,098,706
Total gross loans and leases3,625,963
 2,944,989
    
Allowance for loan and lease losses(43,505) (13,040)
Net deferred loan origination fees (costs)5,068
 (250)
Total loans and leases, net(2)
$3,587,526
 $2,931,699

 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
 (Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate$203,967
 $196,706
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate654,029
 585,510
Agricultural Real Estate61,303
 61,800
Consumer274,981
 163,004
Commercial Operating56,516
 35,759
Agricultural Operating24,696
 33,594
Commercial Insurance Premium Finance235,671
 250,459
Total Loans Receivable1,511,163
 1,326,832
    
Allowance for Loan Losses(8,862) (7,534)
Net Deferred Loan Origination Fees(2,023) (1,461)
Total Loans Receivable, Net$1,500,278
 $1,317,837
(1) Warehouse finance loans are presented in their own line. Previously these balances were included with consumer finance loans. Prior period balances have also been adjusted to reflect this change.
(2) As of June 30, 2019, the remaining balance of acquired loans and leases from the Crestmark acquisition was $402.4 million and the remaining balances of the credit and interest rate mark discounts related to the acquired loans and leases held for investment were $6.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively, while the remaining balance of the interest rate mark premium related to the acquired loans held for sale was $0.7 million. On August 1, 2018, the Company acquired loans and leases from the Crestmark acquisition totaling $1.06 billion and recorded related credit and interest rate mark discounts of $12.3 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2019, the Company transferred $39.5 millionof consumer credit product loans to held for sale and originated $104.1 million of SBA/USDA and consumer credit product loans as held for sale. The Company sold held for sale loans resulting in proceeds of $95.7 millionand gains on sale of $3.7 million during the nine months ended June 30, 2019. During the nine months endedJune 30, 2018, the Company did not designate any loans as held for sale or sell any held for sale loans.



Loans purchased and sold by portfolio segment, including participation interests, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2018 June 30, 2019 June 30, 2018
Loans Purchased(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans held for sale$6,703
 $
 $12,643
 $
Loans held for investment:       
Total National Lending72,737
 
 198,328
 72,751
Total Community Banking2,710
 6,183
 21,223
 22,418
Total purchases82,150
 6,183
 232,194
 95,169
Loans Sold       
Loans held for sale57,661
 
 92,565
 
Loans held for investment:       
Total Community Banking2,212
 10,379
 13,069
 19,961
Total sales$59,873
 $10,379
 $105,634
 $19,961


The net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases was comprised of the following as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Minimum lease payments receivable$388,291
 $301,835
Estimated residual value of leased equipment12,128
 12,406
Unamortized initial direct costs5,173
 1,806
Premium on acquired leases3
 26
Unearned income(58,450) (48,949)
Net investment in direct financing and sales-type leases$347,145
 $267,124


Future minimum lease payments receivable on noncancelable direct financing and sales-type leases were as follows as of June 30, 2019.
 As of June 30, 2019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Remaining in 2019$36,473
2020129,577
2021104,805
202267,262
202337,753
2024 and thereafter12,421
Total$388,291

The Company did not record any contingent rental income from sales-type and direct financing leases in the nine months ended June 30, 2019.


Activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses and balances of loans receivableand leases by portfolio segment for each of the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and 20162018 was as follows:
Allowance for loan and lease losses:Beginning balance Provision (recovery) for loan and lease losses Charge-offs Recoveries Ending balance
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending         
Asset based lending$3,499
 $2,685
 $(1,380) $3
 $4,807
Factoring1,761
 2,747
 (1,335) 31
 3,204
Lease financing1,965
 (13) (736) 203
 1,419
Insurance premium finance919
 201
 (275) 171
 1,016
SBA/USDA474
 449
 
 
 923
Other commercial finance525
 432
 
 
 957
Commercial finance9,143
 6,501
 (3,726) 408
 12,326
Consumer credit products1,314
 142
 
 
 1,456
Other consumer finance5,130
 1,890
 (1,398) 28
 5,650
Consumer finance6,444
 2,032
 (1,398) 28
 7,106
Tax services24,102
 914
 (9,627) 36
 15,425
Warehouse finance185
 65
 
 
 250
Total National Lending39,874
 9,512
 (14,751) 472
 35,107
Community Banking         
Commercial real estate and operating6,673
 (249) 
 
 6,424
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other958
 (65) 
 
 893
Agricultural real estate and operating1,167
 (86) 
 
 1,081
Total Community Banking8,798
 (400) 
 
 8,398
Total$48,672
 $9,112
 $(14,751) $472
 $43,505

 1-4 Family
Real Estate
 Commercial and
Multi-Family
Real Estate
 Agricultural
Real Estate
 Consumer Commercial
Operating
 Agricultural
Operating
 CML Insurance
Premium
Finance
 Unallocated Total
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017                 
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Beginning balance$803
 $2,670
 $1,390
 $6
 $158
 $1,184
 $796
 $527
 $7,534
Provision (recovery) for loan losses(118) 364
 (210) 297
 690
 (380) 51
 374
 1,068
Charge offs(31) 
 
 
 
 
 (129) 
 (160)
Recoveries
 
 
 367
 46
 
 7
 
 420
Ending balance$654
 $3,034
 $1,180
 $670
 $894
 $804
 $725
 $901
 $8,862
                  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment654
 3,034
 1,180
 670
 894
 804
 725
 901
 8,862
Total$654
 $3,034
 $1,180
 $670
 $894
 $804
 $725
 $901
 $8,862
                  
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Ending balance: individually
evaluated for impairment
95
 707
 
 61
 
 1,052
 
 
 1,915
Ending balance: collectively
evaluated for impairment
203,872
 653,322
 61,303
 274,920
 56,516
 23,644
 235,671
 
 1,509,248
Total$203,967
 $654,029
 $61,303
 $274,981
 $56,516
 $24,696
 $235,671
 $
 $1,511,163
Allowance for loan and lease losses:Beginning balance Provision (recovery) for loan and lease losses Charge-offs Recoveries Ending balance
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending         
Asset based lending$107
 $6,213
 $(1,642) $129
 $4,807
Factoring64
 5,769
 (2,711) 82
 3,204
Lease financing59
 1,529
 (2,198) 2,029
 1,419
Insurance premium finance1,031
 2,091
 (2,359) 253
 1,016
SBA/USDA13
 910
 
 
 923
Other commercial finance28
 929
 
 
 957
Commercial finance1,302
 17,441
 (8,910) 2,493
 12,326
Consumer credit products785
 671
 
 
 1,456
Other consumer finance2,820
 8,249
 (5,477) 58
 5,650
Consumer finance3,605
 8,920
 (5,477) 58
 7,106
Tax services
 24,883
 (9,670) 212
 15,425
Warehouse finance65
 185
 
 
 250
Total National Lending4,972
 51,429
 (24,057) 2,763
 35,107
Community Banking         
Commercial real estate and operating6,220
 204
 
 
 6,424
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other632
 281
 (20) 
 893
Agricultural real estate and operating1,216
 (385) 
 250
 1,081
Total Community Banking8,068
 100
 (20) 250
 8,398
Total$13,040
 $51,529
 $(24,077) $3,013
 $43,505


Allowance for loan and lease losses:Beginning balance Provision (recovery) for loan and lease losses Charge-offs Recoveries Ending balance
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending         
Insurance premium finance$746
 $304
 $(243) $99
 $906
Other commercial finance4
 8
 
 
 12
Commercial finance750
 312
 (243) 99
 918
Consumer credit products
 264
 
 
 264
Other consumer finance
 3,000
 
 
 3,000
Consumer finance
 3,264
 
 
 3,264
Tax services19,573
 1,189
 (10,507) 1
 10,256
Total National Lending20,323
 4,765
 (10,750) 100
 14,438
Community Banking         
Commercial real estate and operating4,100
 687
 
 
 4,787
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other901
 (218) 
 
 683
Agricultural real estate and operating765
 (51) 
 207
 921
Unallocated989
 132
 
 
 1,121
Total Community Banking6,755
 550
 
 207
 7,512
Total$27,078
 $5,315
 $(10,750) $307
 $21,950


 1-4 Family
Real Estate
 Commercial and
Multi-Family
Real Estate
 Agricultural
Real Estate
 Consumer Commercial
Operating
 Agricultural
Operating
 CML Insurance
Premium
Finance
 Unallocated Total
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Three Months Ended December 31, 2016                 
Allowance for loan losses:                 
Beginning balance$654
 $2,198
 $142
 $51
 $117
 $1,332
 $588
 $553
 $5,635
Provision (recovery) for loan losses
 (286) 334
 (28) 691
 (3) 110
 25
 843
Charge offs
 
 
 
 
 
 (118) 
 (118)
Recoveries
 
 
 24
 5
 12
 14
 
 55
Ending balance$654
 $1,912
 $476
 $47
 $813
 $1,341
 $594
 $578
 $6,415
                  
Ending balance: individually
evaluated for impairment
11
 
 
 
 339
 
 
 
 350
Ending balance: collectively
evaluated for impairment
643
 1,912
 476
 47
 474
 1,341
 594
 578
 6,065
Total$654
 $1,912
 $476
 $47
 $813
 $1,341
 $594
 $578
 $6,415
                  
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Ending balance: individually
evaluated for impairment
190
 429
 
 
 505
 
 
 
 1,124
Ending balance: collectively
evaluated for impairment
172,687
 440,083
 64,014
 173,164
 50,319
 33,617
 179,508
 
 1,113,392
Total$172,877
 $440,512
 $64,014
 $173,164
 $50,824
 $33,617
 $179,508
 $
 $1,114,516
Allowance for loan and lease losses:Beginning balance Provision (recovery) for loan and lease losses Charge-offs Recoveries Ending balance
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending         
Insurance premium finance$796
 $569
 $(711) $252
 $906
Other commercial finance4
 8
 
 
 12
Commercial finance800
 577
 (711) 252
 918
Consumer credit products
 264
 
 
 264
Other consumer finance
 3,000
 
 
 3,000
Consumer finance
 3,264
 
 
 3,264
Tax services5
 20,335
 (10,507) 423
 10,256
Total National Lending805
 24,176
 (11,218) 675
 14,438
Community Banking         
Commercial real estate and operating2,820
 1,967
 
 
 4,787
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other809
 (98) (31) 3
 683
Agricultural real estate and operating2,574
 (1,914) 
 261
 921
Unallocated526
 595
 
 
 1,121
Total Community Banking6,729
 550
 (31) 264
 7,512
Total$7,534
 $24,726
 $(11,249) $939
 $21,950

The following tables provide details regarding the allowance for loan and lease losses and balance by type of allowance as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
 Allowance Loans and Leases
Recorded InvestmentEnding balance: individually evaluated for impairment Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment Total Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment Total
As of June 30, 2019(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending           
Asset based lending$12
 $4,795
 $4,807
 $8,119
 $607,190
 $615,309
Factoring255
 2,949
 3,204
 7,795
 312,549
 320,344
Lease financing
 1,419
 1,419
 5,455
 336,502
 341,957
Insurance premium finance
 1,016
 1,016
 
 358,772
 358,772
SBA/USDA
 923
 923
 1,276
 98,515
 99,791
Other commercial finance
 957
 957
 
 99,677
 99,677
Commercial finance267
 12,059
 12,326
 22,645
 1,813,205
 1,835,850
Consumer credit products
 1,456
 1,456
 
 155,539
 155,539
Other consumer finance
 5,650
 5,650
 1,039
 163,688
 164,727
Consumer finance
 7,106
 7,106
 1,039
 319,227
 320,266
Tax services
 15,425
 15,425
 
 24,410
 24,410
Warehouse finance
 250
 250
 
 250,003
 250,003
Total National Lending267
 34,840
 35,107
 23,684
 2,406,845
 2,430,529
Community Banking           
Commercial real estate and operating
 6,424
 6,424
 319
 877,093
 877,412
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other
 893
 893
 290
 256,563
 256,853
Agricultural real estate and operating
 1,081
 1,081
 1,237
 59,932
 61,169
Total Community Banking
 8,398
 8,398
 1,846
 1,193,588
 1,195,434
Total$267
 $43,238
 $43,505
 $25,530
 $3,600,433
 $3,625,963



 Allowance Loans and Leases
Recorded Investment
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment(1)
 
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment(1)
 Total Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment Total
As of September 30, 2018(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending           
Asset based lending$
 $107
 $107
 $1,404
 $476,513
 $477,917
Factoring
 64
 64
 3,331
 280,890
 284,221
Lease financing
 59
 59
 8,877
 256,438
 265,315
Insurance premium finance
 1,031
 1,031
 
 337,877
 337,877
SBA/USDA
 13
 13
 
 59,374
 59,374
Other commercial finance
 28
 28
 
 85,145
 85,145
Commercial finance
 1,302
 1,302
 13,612
 1,496,237
 1,509,849
Consumer credit products
 785
 785
 
 80,605
 80,605
Other consumer finance
 2,820
 2,820
 
 189,756
 189,756
Consumer finance
 3,605
 3,605
 
 270,361
 270,361
Tax services
 
 
 
 1,073
 1,073
Warehouse finance
 65
 65
 
 65,000
 65,000
Total National Lending
 4,972
 4,972
 13,612
 1,832,671
 1,846,283
Community Banking           
Commercial real estate and operating
 6,220
 6,220
 451
 790,439
 790,890
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other
 632
 632
 94
 247,224
 247,318
Agricultural real estate and operating
 1,216
 1,216
 1,454
 59,044
 60,498
Total Community Banking
 8,068
 8,068
 1,999
 1,096,707
 1,098,706
Total$
 $13,040
 $13,040
 $15,611
 $2,929,378
 $2,944,989
(1) Balances have been restated from what was previously reported as of September 30, 2018 on the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Federal regulations promulgated by the Bank's primary federal regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the "OCC"), provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities.securities considered by the Bank's primary regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.”  The loan and lease classification and risk rating definitions for the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MetaBank (the "Bank"), are generally as follows:

Pass- A pass asset is of sufficient quality in terms of repayment, collateral and management to preclude a special mention or an adverse rating.


Watch- A watch asset is generally a credit performing well under current terms and conditions but with identifiable weakness meriting additional scrutiny and corrective measures.  Watch is not a regulatory classification but can be used to designate assets that are exhibiting one or more weaknesses that deserve management’s attention.  These assets are of better quality than special mention assets.

Special Mention- Special mention assets are creditsa credit with potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention and, if left uncorrected, may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset.  Special mention assets are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.  Special mention is a temporary status with aggressive credit management required to garner adequate progress and move to watch or higher.

The adverse classifications are as follows:
Substandard- A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the net worth and/or repayment ability or by a weak collateral position.  Assets so classified will have well-defined weaknesses creating a distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the weaknesses are not corrected.  Loss potential does not have to exist for an asset to be classified as substandard.


Doubtful- A doubtful asset has weaknesses similar to those classified substandard, with the degree of weakness causing the likely loss of some principal in any reasonable collection effort.  Due to pending factors, the asset’s classification as loss is not yet appropriate.

Loss- A loss asset is considered uncollectible and of such little value that the asset’s continuance on the Company'sBank’s balance sheet is no longer warranted.  This classification does not necessarily mean an asset has no recovery or salvage value leaving room for future collection efforts.


General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets.  When assets are classified as “loss,” the Company is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-off such amount.  The Company's determinations as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by its regulatory authorities, which may order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.
 
The Company recognizes that concentrations of credit may naturally occur and may take the form of a large volume of related loans and leases to an individual, a specific industry, or a geographic location.  Credit concentration is a direct, indirect, or contingent obligation that has a common bond where the aggregate exposure equals or exceeds a certain percentage of the Company’s Tier 1 Capital plus the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.
 

The asset classification of loans and leases at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and September 30, 20172018 were as follows:
Asset ClassificationPass Watch Special Mention Substandard Total
June 30, 2019(Dollars in Thousands) 
National Lending         
Asset based lending$539,623
 $
 $67,567
 $8,119
 $615,309
Factoring272,589
 
 39,960
 7,795
 320,344
Lease financing323,539
 
 12,963
 5,455
 341,957
Insurance premium finance358,772
 
 
 
 358,772
SBA/USDA90,110
 
 8,405
 1,276
 99,791
Other commercial finance99,108
 
 569
 
 99,677
Commercial finance1,683,741
 
 129,464
 22,645
 1,835,850
Consumer credit products155,539
 
 
 
 155,539
Other consumer finance164,727
 
 
 
 164,727
Consumer finance320,266
 
 
 
 320,266
Tax services24,410
 
 
 
 24,410
Warehouse finance250,003
 
 
 
 250,003
Total National Lending2,278,420
 
 129,464
 22,645
 2,430,529
Community Banking         
Commercial real estate and operating866,255
 3,962
 3,487
 3,708
 877,412
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other254,959
 1,403
 462
 29
 256,853
Agricultural real estate and operating42,808
 4,148
 5,615
 8,598
 61,169
Total Community Banking1,164,022
 9,513
 9,564
 12,335
 1,195,434
Total loans and leases$3,442,442
 $9,513
 $139,028
 $34,980
 $3,625,963



December 31, 20171-4 Family
Real Estate
 Commercial and
Multi-Family
Real Estate
 Agricultural
Real Estate
 Consumer Commercial
Operating
 Agricultural
Operating
 CML Insurance
Premium
Finance
 Total
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Pass$203,035
 $643,393
 $28,794
 $274,783
 $56,245
 $14,304
 $235,671
 $1,456,225
Watch608
 10,145
 
 102
 271
 13
 
 11,139
Special Mention245
 199
 2,939
 
 
 
 
 3,383
Substandard79
 292
 29,570
 96
 
 10,379
 
 40,416
Doubtful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 $203,967
 $654,029
 $61,303
 $274,981
 $56,516
 $24,696
 $235,671
 $1,511,163
Asset ClassificationPass Watch Special Mention Substandard Total
September 30, 2018(Dollars in Thousands) 
National Lending         
Asset based lending$418,635
 $
 $57,877
 $1,405
 $477,917
Factoring248,246
 
 32,644
 3,331
 284,221
Lease financing252,487
 
 3,951
 8,877
 265,315
Insurance premium finance336,296
 
 1,581
 
 337,877
SBA/USDA39,093
 
 20,281
 
 59,374
Other commercial finance85,145
 
 
 
 85,145
Commercial finance1,379,902
 
 116,334
 13,613
 1,509,849
Consumer credit products80,605
 
 
 
 80,605
Other consumer finance189,756
 
 
 
 189,756
Consumer finance270,361
 
 
 
 270,361
Tax services1,073
 
 
 
 1,073
Warehouse finance65,000
 
 
 
 65,000
Total National Lending1,716,336
 
 116,334
 13,613
 1,846,283
Community Banking         
Commercial real estate and operating778,445
 12,251
 194
 
 790,890
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other246,463
 537
 239
 79
 247,318
Agricultural real estate and operating42,292
 2,447
 4,872
 10,887
 60,498
Total Community Banking1,067,200
 15,235
 5,305
 10,966
 1,098,706
Total loans and leases$2,783,536
 $15,235
 $121,639
 $24,579
 $2,944,989


National Lending (Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance, Tax Services and Warehouse Finance)
September 30, 20171-4 Family
Real Estate
 Commercial and
Multi-Family
Real Estate
 Agricultural
Real Estate
 Consumer Commercial
Operating
 Agricultural
Operating
 Premium
Finance
 Total
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Pass$195,838
 $574,730
 $27,376
 $163,004
 $35,759
 $18,394
 $250,459
 $1,265,560
Watch525
 10,200
 2,006
 
 
 4,541
 
 17,272
Special Mention247
 201
 2,939
 
 
 
 
 3,387
Substandard96
 379
 29,479
 
 
 10,659
 
 40,613
Doubtful
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 $196,706
 $585,510
 $61,800
 $163,004
 $35,759
 $33,594
 $250,459
 $1,326,832


One-to-Four Family Residential Mortgage Lending.  One-to-four family residential mortgage loan originations are generated by the Company’s marketing efforts, its present customers, walk-in customers and referrals. The Company offers fixed-rate and adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans for both permanent structures and those under construction.  The Company’s one-to-four family residential mortgage originations are secured primarily by properties located in its primary market area and surrounding areas.

Commercial Finance
The Company originates one-to-four family residential mortgageCompany's commercial finance product lines include asset-based lending, factoring, leasing, commercial insurance premium finance, and other commercial finance products offered on a nationwide basis. Asset-based lending and factoring primarily service small businesses that are startups, distressed and/or generally that may not otherwise qualify for traditional bank financing. Leasing focuses on providing equipment finance solutions to mid-market companies. These product offerings supplement the asset generation capacity in our community bank and tax services divisions and enhance the overall yield of our loan and lease portfolio, enabling us to earn attractive risk-adjusted net interest margins.

Asset-Based Lending. Through its Crestmark division, the Bank provides asset-based loans with terms up to a maximumsecured by short-term assets such as inventory, accounts receivable, and work-in-process. Asset-based loans may also be secured by real estate and equipment. The primary sources of 30 years and with loan-to-value ratios up to 100%repayment are the operating income of the lesserborrower, the collection of the appraised value of the security property or the contract price.  The Company generally requires that private mortgage insurance be obtained in an amount sufficient to reduce the Company’s exposure to at or below the 80% loan‑to‑value level. Residential loans generally do not include prepayment penalties. Due to consumer demand, the Company offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms up to 30 years, most of which conform to secondary market standards, such as Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Freddie Mac standards.  The Company typically holds all fixed-rate mortgage loans and does not engage in secondary market sales.  Interest rates charged on these fixed-rate loans are competitively priced according to market conditions.

The Company also currently offers five- and ten-year ARM loans.  These loans have a fixed-rate for the stated period and, thereafter, adjust annually.  These loans generally provide for an annual cap of up to 200 basis points and a lifetime cap of 600 basis points over the initial rate.  As a consequence of using an initial fixed-rate and caps, the interest rates on these loans may not be as rate sensitive as the Company’s cost of funds.  The Company’s ARMs do not permit negative amortization of principal and are not convertible into fixed-rate loans.  The Company’s delinquency experience on its ARM loans has generally been similar to its experience on fixed-rate residential loans.  The current low mortgage interest rate environment makes ARM loans relatively unattractive and very few are currently being originated.




In underwriting one-to-four family residential real estate loans, the Company evaluates both the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the propertyreceivables securing the loan.  Properties securing real estate loans made by the Company are appraised by independent appraisers approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.  The Company generally requires borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion loan, and/or title insurance, and fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the amount of the loan.  Real estate loans originated by the Company generally contain a “due on sale” clause allowing the Company to declare the unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale of the security property.inventory securing the loan. Loans are typically revolving lines of credit with terms of one to three years, whereby the Bank withholds a contingency reserve representing the difference between the amount advanced and the fair value of the invoice amount or other collateral value. Credit risk is managed through advance rates appropriate for the collateral, standardized loan policies, established and authorized credit limits, attentive portfolio management and the use of lock box agreements and similar arrangements that result in the Company receiving and controlling the debtors' cash receipts. The Bank also originates collateralized term loans and notes receivable, with terms ranging from three to 25 years.

Factoring. Through its Crestmark division, the Bank provides factoring lending where clients provide detailed inventory, accounts receivable, and work-in-process reports for lending arrangements. The factoring clients are diversified as to industry and geography. With these loans, the Crestmark division withholds a contingency reserve, which is the difference between the fair value of the invoice amount or other collateral value and the amount advanced. This reserve is withheld for nonpayment of factored receivables, service fees and other adjustments. Credit risk is managed through standardized advance policies, established and authorized credit limits, verification of receivables, attentive portfolio management and the use of lock box agreements and similar arrangements that result in the Company receiving and controlling the client's cash receipts. In addition, clients generally guarantee the payment of purchased accounts receivable.


Lease Financing. Through its Crestmark division, the Bank provides creative, flexible lease solutions for technology, capital equipment and select transportation assets like tractors and trailers. Direct financing leases and sales-type leases substantially transfer the benefits and risks of equipment ownership to the lessee.  The lease may contain provisions that transfer ownership to the lessee at the end of the initial term, contain a bargain purchase option or allow for purchase of the equipment at fair market value.  Residual values are estimated at the inception of the lease.  Lease maturities are generally no greater than 84 months. The focus in this lease financing category is to support middle market companies by providing a variety of financing products to help them meet their business objectives.

Insurance Premium Finance. Through its AFS/IBEX division the Bank provides, on a national basis, short-term, primarily collateralized financing to facilitate the commercial customers’ purchase of insurance for various forms of risk, otherwise known as insurance premium financing. This includes, but is not limited to, policies for commercial property, casualty and liability risk.  Premiums are advanced either directly to the insurance carrier or through an intermediary/broker and repaid by the policyholder with interest during the policy term.  The policyholder generally makes a 20% to 25% down payment to the insurance broker and finances the remainder over nine to 10 months on average.  The down payment is set such that if the policy is canceled, the unearned premium is typically sufficient to cover the loan balance and accrued interest. The AFS/IBEX division markets itself to the insurance community as a competitive option based on service, reputation, competitive terms, cost and ease of operation.

Small Business Administration ("SBA") and United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA"). The Bank originates loans through programs partially guaranteed by the SBA or USDA. These loans are made to small businesses and professionals with what the Bank believes are lower risk characteristics.

Other Commercial Finance. Included in this category of loans are the Company's healthcare receivables loan portfolio primarily comprised of loans to individuals for medical services received. The majority of these loans are guaranteed by the hospital providing the service to the debtor and this guarantee serves to reduce credit risk as the guarantors agree to repurchase severely delinquent loans. Credit risk is minimized on these loans based on the guarantor’s repurchase agreement. This loan category also includes commercial real estate loans to customers of the Crestmark division.

Consumer Finance
Consumer Credit Products. Through the acquisition of Specialty Consumer Services, the Bank acquired a platform that provides a total solution for marketplace lending, including underwriting and loan management in the direct-to-consumer credit business. The acquired platform allows the Bank to provide innovative lending solutions through consumer credit products. The Company designs and structures its credit programs in an effort to insulate the Company from program losses and to potentially increase the liquidity attributes of such lending programs' marketability to potential bank or other purchasers. While each program is different, all contain one or more types of credit enhancements, loss protections, or trigger events. When determining the applicable program enhancement, generally, the Company uses proprietary data provided by the Company’s partner, with respect to such program, supplemented with public data to design and shape appropriate loss curves, as well as implement stresses significantly higher than base to provide protection in changing credit cycles. Credit enhancements are typically built through holding excess program interest and fees in a reserve account to pay program credit losses. Cash flow waterfall positioning allows for losses and Company program principal and interest to be paid, under certain circumstances, before servicing or other program expenses. Trigger events allow programs and originations to be suspended if certain vintage loss limits, during a specific period of time, are triggered or if cumulative loss percentages are triggered. These triggers are designed to allow the Company to address potential issues quickly. Other trigger events in certain programs provide for excess credit or reserve enhancements, which could be beyond excess interest amounts, if certain loss triggers are breached. The Bank applies a reserve for loan losses of approximately 1% on outstanding loan balances within each of the consumer credit product programs.

Through June 30, 2019, the Bank has not engagedlaunched two consumer credit programs. During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Bank entered into a three years program agreement with Liberty Lending, LLC ("Liberty Lending") whereby the Bank provides personal loans to Liberty Lending customers. The Bank and Liberty Lending market the program jointly through a wide variety of marketing channels. The loan products under the agreement with Liberty Lending are closed-end installment loans ranging from $3,500 to $45,000 in sub-prime residential mortgage originations.initial principal amount with durations between 13 months and 60 months.


CommercialThe Bank entered into an agreement for 3 years with Health Credit Services ("HCS") during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The Bank approves and Multi-Familyoriginates loans for elective medical procedures for select HCS provider offices throughout the United States. HCS works with its provider partners to market the loans, as well as provide servicing for them. The loan products offered are unsecured, closed-end installment loans with terms between 12 months and 84 months and revolving lines of credit with durations between six months and 60 months.

Other Consumer Finance. The Bank's purchased student loan portfolios are seasoned, floating rate, private portfolios that are serviced by a third-party servicer. The portfolio purchased during the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 is indexed to one-month LIBOR, while the portfolio purchased in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 is indexed to three-month LIBOR plus various margins. The Company received written notification on June 18, 2018 from ReliaMax Surety Company ("ReliaMax"), the company that provided insurance coverage for the student loan portfolios, which informed policy holders that the South Dakota Division of Insurance filed a petition to have ReliaMax declared insolvent and to adopt a plan of liquidation. An Order of Liquidation was entered on June 27, 2018 by the Sixth Circuit Court in Hughes County, South Dakota, declaring ReliaMax insolvent and appointing the South Dakota Division of Insurance as liquidator to adopt a plan of liquidation. The Company expects to ultimately recover a portion of the unearned premiums, though the Company can provide no assurance as to the timing and amount of any such recovery.

Tax Services
The Bank's tax services division provides short-term taxpayer advance loans. Taxpayers are underwritten to determine eligibility for these unsecured loans. Due to the nature of taxpayer advance loans, it typically takes no more than three e-file cycles (the period of time between scheduled IRS payments) from when the return is accepted by the IRS to collect from the borrower. In the event of default, the Bank has no recourse against the tax consumer. The Bank will charge off the balance of a taxpayer advance loan if there is a balance at the end of the calendar year, or when collection of principal becomes doubtful.

Through its tax services division, the Bank provides short-term electronic return originator ("ERO") advance loans on a nationwide basis. These loans are typically utilized by tax preparers to purchase tax preparation software and to prepare tax office operations for the upcoming tax season. EROs go through an underwriting process to determine eligibility for the unsecured advances. ERO loans are not collateralized. Collection on ERO advances begins once the ERO begins to process refund transfers. Generally, the Bank will charge off the balance of an ERO advance loan if there is a balance at the end of June, or when collection of principal becomes doubtful.

Warehouse Finance
In fiscal 2018, the Bank entered into a first-out participation agreement in a consumer receivable asset-backed warehouse line of credit, with the Bank holding a senior collateral position enhanced by a subordinate party structure. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Bank entered into two additional first-out participation agreements in asset-backed warehouse lines of credit, including consumer loan receivables and small business loan receivables. The senior collateral position of the Bank is supported by a subordinate party position. During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Bank entered into a first-out participation agreement in a consumer receivable asset-backed warehouse line of credit, with the Bank holding a senior collateral position enhanced by a subordinate party structure.

Community Banking

Commercial Real Estate Lendingand Operating. The Company engages in commercial and multi-family real estate lending in itsthe community bank's primary market areaareas and surrounding areas and, in order to supplement its loan portfolio, has purchased whole loan and participation interests inareas. These loans from other financial institutions.  The purchased loans and loan participation interests are generally secured by properties primarily located in the Midwest.

The Company’s commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio is secured primarily by apartment buildings, office buildings, and hotels.  Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally are underwritten with terms not exceeding 20 years, have loan-to-value ratios of up to 80% of the appraised value of the security property securing the loan, and are typically secured by guarantees of the borrowers.  The Company has a variety of rate adjustment features and other terms in its commercial and multi-family real estate loan portfolio.  Commercial and multi-family real estate loans provide for a margin over a number of different indices.  In underwriting these loans, the Company analyzes the financial condition of the borrower, the borrower’s credit history, and the reliability and predictability of the cash flow generated by the property securing the loan.  Appraisals on properties securing commercial real estate loans originated by the Company are performed by independent appraisers.

Commercial and multi-family real estate loans generally present a higher level of risk than loans secured by one-to-four family residences.  This greater risk is due to several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effect of general economic conditions on income producing properties and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans.  Furthermore, theThe repayment of loans secured by commercial and multi-family real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate project.  If the cash flow from the project is reduced (for example, if leases are not obtained or renewed, or a bankruptcy court modifies a lease term, or a major tenant is unable to fulfill its lease obligations), the borrower’s ability to repay the loan may be impaired.


Agricultural LendingThe Company originates its community banking commercial operating loans primarily in the community bank's market areas.  Most of these commercial operating loans have been extended to finance local and regional businesses and include short-term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases, inventory and accounts receivable.  Commercial loans also may involve the extension of revolving credit for a combination of equipment acquisitions and working capital in expanding companies. The maximum term for loans extended on machinery and equipment is based on the projected useful life of such machinery and equipment.  Generally, the maximum term on non-mortgage lines of credit is one year. 

The Company’s commercial operating lending policy includes credit file documentation and analysis of the borrower’s management ability, capacity to repay the loan, the adequacy of the borrower’s capital and collateral as well as an evaluation of conditions affecting the borrower.  Analysis of the borrower’s past, present and future cash flows is also an important aspect of the Company’s current credit analysis. Commercial operating loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial operating loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself (which, in turn, is likely to be dependent upon the general economic environment).  The Company’s commercial operating loans are usually secured by business assets and personal guarantees.  However, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.

Consumer One-to-Four Family Real Estate and Other. One-to-four family real estate loan originations are typically generated by the Company’s marketing efforts, its present customers, walk-in customers and referrals. The Company offers fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgage ("ARM") loans for both permanent structures and those under construction. The Company’s one-to-four family real estate loan originations are secured primarily by properties located in the community bank's primary market areas and surrounding areas.

The Company originates one-to-four family real estate loans with terms up to a maximum of 30 years and with loan-to-value ratios up to 100% of the lesser of the appraised value of the property securing the loan or the contract price. However, the vast majority of these loans are originated with loan-to-value ratios below 80%. The Company originates loansgenerally requires that private mortgage insurance be obtained in an amount sufficient to financereduce the purchase of farmland, livestock, farm machinery and equipment, seed, fertilizer and other farm-related products.  Agricultural operating loans are originatedCompany’s exposure to at either an adjustable or fixed rate of interest for upbelow the 80% loan‑to‑value level. Due to a one year term or, inconsumer demand, the case of livestock, upon sale.  Such loans provide for payments of principal and interest at least annually or a lump sum payment upon maturity if the original term is less than one year.  Loans secured by agricultural machinery are generally originated asCompany also offers fixed-rate mortgage loans with terms of up to seven30 years, which may conform to secondary market standards such as those imposed by Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, and Freddie Mac. The Company typically holds all fixed-rate mortgage loans and does not engage in secondary market sales. The Company also offers ARM loans with terms up to five years and ten years.

AgriculturalIn underwriting one-to-four family real estate loans, are frequently originated with adjustable rates of interest.  Generally, such loans provide for a fixed rate of interest for the first fiveCompany evaluates both the borrower’s ability to ten years, after which the loan will balloon or the interest rate will adjust annually.  These loans generally amortize over a period of 20 to 25 years.  Fixed-rate agricultural real estate loans generally have terms up to ten years.  Agricultural real estate loans are generally limited to 75% ofmake monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan.

Agricultural lending affords  Properties securing real estate loans made by the Company are appraised by independent appraisers approved by the opportunity to earn yields higher than those obtainable on one-to-four family residential lending, but involves a greater degreeBoard of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans becauseDirectors of the typically larger loan amount.  In addition, payments on loans are dependent onCompany.  The Company generally requires borrowers to obtain an attorney’s title opinion or title insurance, as well as fire and property insurance (including flood insurance, if necessary) in an amount not less than the successful operation or managementamount of the farm property securing the loan or for which an operating loan is utilized.  The success of the loan may also be affectedloan.  Real estate loans originated by many factors outside the control of the borrower.

Weather presents one of the greatest risks as hail, drought, floods, or other conditions can severely limit crop yields and thus impair loan repayments and the value of the underlying collateral.  This risk can be reduced by the farmer with a variety of insurance coverages which can help to ensure loan repayment.  Government support programs and the Company generally requirecontain a “due on sale” clause that farmers procure crop insurance coverage.  Grainallows the Company to declare the unpaid principal balance due and livestock prices also present a risk as prices may decline prior topayable upon the sale resulting in a failure to cover production costs.  These risks may be reduced byof the farmer with the use of futures contracts or options to mitigate price risk.security property.  The Company frequently requires borrowers to use futures contracts or options to reduce price risk and help ensure loan repayment.  Another risk is the uncertainty of government programs and other regulations.  During periods of low commodity prices, the income from government programs can be a significant source of cash for the borrower to make loan payments, and if these programs are discontinued or significantly changed, cash flow problems or defaults could result.  Finally, many farms are dependent on a limited number of key individuals whose injury or death may resulthas not engaged in an inability to successfully operate the farm.sub-prime residential mortgage originations.


Consumer Lending.The BankCompany originates a variety of secured consumer loans, including home equity, home improvement, automobile and boat loans, andas well as loans secured by savings deposits.  In addition, the Bank offers other secured and unsecured consumer loans and currently originates most of its community banking consumer loansdeposits in its primary market areas and surrounding areas. In addition, the Bank’s consumer lending portfolio includes two purchased student loan portfolios, the most recent purchased on October 11, 2017, along with consumer lending products offered through its payments segment.

The Bank's community banking consumer loan portfolio consists primarily of home equity loans and lines of credit.  Substantially all of the Bank'sCompany’s home equity loans and lines of credit are secured by second mortgages on principal residences.  The Bank will lend amounts which,that, togetherwith all prior liens, may be up to 90% of the appraised value of the property securing the loan.  Home equity loans and lines of credit generally have maximum terms of five years.

The Bank primarily originates automobile loans on a direct basis to the borrower, as opposed to indirect loans, which are made when the Bank purchases loan contracts, often at a discount, from automobile dealers which have extended credit to their customers.  The Bank’s automobile loans typically are originated at fixed interest rates with terms of up to 60 months for new and used vehicles.  Loans secured by automobiles are generally originated for up to 80% of the N.A.D.A. book value of the automobile securing the loan.


Consumer loan terms vary according to the type and value of collateral, length of contract and creditworthiness of the borrower.  The underwriting standards employed by the Bank for consumer loans include an application, a determination of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and an assessment of ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan.  Although creditworthiness of the applicant is a primary consideration, the underwriting process also may include a comparison of the value of the security, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount.


ConsumerAgricultural Real Estate and Operating. The Company originates loans may entail greater credit risk than residential mortgageto finance the purchase of farmland, livestock, farm machinery and equipment, seed, fertilizer, and other farm-related products, primarily in its market areas. Agricultural operating loans particularlyare originated at either an adjustable- or fixed-rate of interest for up to a 1 year term or, in the case of consumerlivestock, are due upon sale. Agricultural real estate loans which are unsecured or are secured by rapidly depreciable assets,frequently originated with adjustable rates of interest.  Generally, such as automobiles or recreational equipment.  In such cases, any repossessed collateralloans provide for a defaulted consumerfixed rate of interest for the first 5 years to 10 years, after which the loan may not provide an adequate sourcewill balloon or the interest rate will adjust annually. These loans generally amortize over a period of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation.  In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability, and thus more likely20 to be affected by adverse personal circumstances.  Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on such loans.

On October 11, 2017, the Company completed the purchase of a $73.0 million, seasoned, floating rate, private student loan portfolio. All25 years. Fixed-rate agricultural real estate loans typically have terms up to 10 years. Agricultural real estate loans are indexedgenerally limited to one-month LIBOR. The portfolio is serviced by ReliaMax Lending Services LLC and insured by ReliaMax Surety Company. This portfolio purchase builds on the Company's existing student loan platform.

The Bank’s student loan portfolio that was purchased during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 is a seasoned portfolio that is also serviced by ReliaMax Lending Services, LLC and insured by ReliaMax Surety Company. All loans in this portfolio are floating rate and indexed to the three-month LIBOR plus various margins.
Through its Payments segment, the Bank strives to offer consumers innovative payment products, including credit products. Most credit products have fallen into the category of portfolio lending. The Payments segment, including Specialty Consumer Services ("SCS"), continues its development of new alternative portfolio lending products primarily to serve its customer base and to provide innovative lending solutions to the unbanked and under-banked segment.


The Payments segment also provides short-term consumer refund advance loans. Taxpayers are underwritten to determine eligibility for the unsecured loans, which are, by design, interest and fee-free to the consumer. Due to the nature of consumer advance loans, it typically takes no more than three e-file cycles (the period of time between scheduled IRS payments) from when the return is accepted by the IRS to collect from the borrower. In the event of default, the Bank has no recourse against the tax consumer. Generally, when the refund advance loan becomes delinquent for 180 days or more, or when collection of principal becomes doubtful, the Company will charge off the loan balance.

Commercial Operating Lending.  The Company also originates commercial operating loans.  Most of the Company’s commercial operating loans have been extended to finance local and regional businesses and include short-term loans to finance machinery and equipment purchases, inventory and accounts receivable. Commercial loans also may involve the extension of revolving credit for a combination of equipment acquisitions and working capital in expanding companies. The Company also extends short-term commercial Electronic Return Originator ("ERO") advance loans through its Payments segment as described in more detail below.

The maximum term for loans extended on machinery and equipment is based on the projected useful life of such machinery and equipment.  Generally, the maximum term on non-mortgage lines of credit is one year.  The loan-to-value ratio on such loans and lines of credit generally may not exceed 80%75% of the value of the collateralproperty securing the loan. ERO
Payments on loans are not collateralized.  The Company’s commercial operating lending policy includes credit file documentation and analysis of the borrower’s character, capacity to repay the loan, the adequacy of the borrower’s capital and collateral as well as an evaluation of conditions affecting the borrower.  Analysis of the borrower’s past, present and future cash flows is also an important aspect of the Company’s credit analysis.  As described further below, such loans are believed to carry higher credit risk than more traditional lending activities.

Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial operating loans typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business.  As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial operating loans may be substantially dependent on the successful operation or management of the farm property securing the loan or for which an operating loan is utilized. The success of the business itself (which, in turn, is likely toloan may also be dependent uponaffected by many factors outside the general economic environment).  The Company’s commercial operating loans are usually, but not always, secured by business assetscontrol of the borrower such as weather, government support programs and personal guarantees.  However, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time,grain and livestock prices. These risks may be difficultreduced, by the farmer, with the use of crop insurance coverage and futures contracts or options to appraise and may fluctuate in value based onmitigate price risk, both of which the successCompany frequently requires of the business.

Through its Payments segment, the Companyborrowers to help ensure loan repayment. Many farms are also provides short-term ERO advance loansdependent on a nation-wide basis. These loans are typically utilizedlimited number of key individuals whose injury or death may result in an inability to purchase tax preparation software and to prepare tax offices forsuccessfully operate the upcoming tax season. EROs go through an underwriting process to determine eligibility for the unsecured advances. Collection on ERO advances begins once the ERO begins to process refund transfers. Generally, when the ERO advance loan becomes delinquent for 120 days or more, or when collection of principal becomes doubtful, the Company will charge off the loan balance.farm.

Commercial Insurance Premium Finance Lending.  Through its AFS/IBEX division, the Bank provides short-term and primarily collateralized financing to facilitate the commercial customers’ purchase of insurance for various forms of risk otherwise known as commercial insurance premium financing.  This includes, but is not limited to, policies for commercial property, casualty and liability risk.  The AFS/IBEX division markets itself to the insurance community as a competitive option based on service, reputation, competitive terms, cost and ease of operation.

Commercial insurance premium financing is the business of extending credit to a policyholder to pay for insurance premiums when the insurance carrier requires payment in full at inception of coverage.  Premiums are advanced either directly to the insurance carrier or through an intermediary/broker and repaid by the policyholder with interest during the policy term.  The policyholder generally makes a 20% to 25% down payment to the insurance broker and finances the remainder over nine to ten months on average.  The down payment is set such that if the policy is canceled, the unearned premium is typically sufficient to cover the loan balance and accrued interest.


Due to the nature of collateral for commercial insurance premium finance receivables, it customarily takes 60-210 days to convert the collateral into cash.  In the event of default, AFS/IBEX, by statute and contract, has the power to cancel the insurance policy and establish a first position lien on the unearned portion of the premium from the insurance carrier. In the event of cancellation, the cash returned in payment of the unearned premium by the insurer has typically been sufficient to cover the receivable balance, the interest and other charges due. Due to notification requirements and processing time by most insurance carriers, many receivables will become delinquent beyond 90 days while the insurer is processing the return of the unearned premium.  Generally, when a loan becomes delinquent for 210 days or more, or when collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will charge off the loan balance and any remaining interest and fees after applying any collection from the insurance company.

Past due loans and leases at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and September 30, 20172018 were as follows:
 Accruing and Non-accruing Loans Nonperforming Loans
December 31, 201730-59 Days
Past Due
 60-89 Days
Past Due
 > 89 Days Past Due Total Past
Due
 Current Total Loans
Receivable
 > 89 Days Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual balance Total
 (Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate$106
 $
 $234
 $340
 $203,627
 203,967
 234
 $
 $234
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate
 284
 
 284
 653,745
 654,029
 
 284
 284
Agricultural Real Estate
 
 27,818
 27,818
 33,485
 61,303
 27,818
 
 27,818
Consumer4,192
 2,015
 1,624
 7,831
 267,150
 274,981
 1,624
 
 1,624
Commercial Operating
 
 
 
 56,516
 56,516
 
 
 
Agricultural Operating
 
 
 
 24,696
 24,696
 
 
 
CML Insurance Premium Finance1,594
 592
 3,194
 5,380
 230,291
 235,671
 3,194
 
 3,194
   Total$5,892
 $2,891
 $32,870
 $41,653
 $1,469,510
 1,511,163
 32,870
 $284
 $33,154
 Accruing and Non-accruing Loans and Leases Non-performing Loans and Leases
Past Due Loans and Leases
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
>
89 Days Past Due
 
Total Past
Due
 Current 
Total Loans and Leases
Receivable
 > 89 Days Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual balance Total
June 30, 2019(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending                 
Asset based lending$1,701
 $428
 $2,890
 $5,019
 $610,290
 $615,309
 $180
 $5,654
 $5,834
Factoring
 
 20
 20
 320,324
 320,344
 
 4,846
 4,846
Lease financing2,080
 1,816
 5,408
 9,304
 332,653
 341,957
 4,225
 1,936
 6,161
Insurance premium finance2,233
 1,081
 1,679
 4,993
 353,779
 358,772
 1,679
 
 1,679
SBA/USDA85
 
 259
 344
 99,447
 99,791
 
 259
 259
Other commercial finance
 
 
 
 99,677
 99,677
 
 
 
Commercial finance6,099
 3,325
 10,256
 19,680
 1,816,170
 1,835,850
 6,084
 12,695
 18,779
Consumer credit products1,454
 1,039
 703
 3,196
 152,343
 155,539
 703
 
 703
Other consumer finance996
 614
 1,083
 2,693
 162,034
 164,727
 1,083
 
 1,083
Consumer finance2,450
 1,653
 1,786
 5,889
 314,377
 320,266
 1,786
 
 1,786
Tax services
 24,410
 
 24,410
 
 24,410
 
 
 
Warehouse finance
 
 
 
 250,003
 250,003
 
 
 
Total National Lending8,549
 29,388
 12,042
 49,979
 2,380,550
 2,430,529
 7,870
 12,695
 20,565
Community Banking                 
Commercial real estate and operating
 
 
 
 877,412
 877,412
 
 
 
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other54
 36
 233
 323
 256,530
 256,853
 
 233
 233
Agricultural real estate and operating1,745
 
 
 1,745
 59,424
 61,169
 
 
 
Total Community Banking1,799
 36
 233
 2,068
 1,193,366
 1,195,434
 
 233
 233
Total Loans and Leases$10,348
 $29,424
 $12,275
 $52,047
 $3,573,916
 $3,625,963
 $7,870
 $12,928
 $20,798


 Accruing and Non-accruing Loans and Leases Non-performing Loans and Leases
Past Due Loans and Leases
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
>
89 Days Past Due
 
Total Past
Due
 Current 
Total Loans and Leases
Receivable
 > 89 Days Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual balance Total
September 30, 2018(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending                 
Asset based lending$1,235
 $2,151
 $94
 $3,480
 $474,437
 $477,917
 $94
 $
 $94
Factoring
 
 
 
 284,221
 284,221
 
 
 
Lease financing16,542
 532
 2,921
 19,995
 245,320
 265,315
 726
 2,864
 3,590
Insurance premium finance1,864
 1,019
 2,981
 5,864
 332,013
 337,877
 2,981
 
 2,981
SBA/USDA1,067
 
 
 1,067
 58,307
 59,374
 
 
 
Other commercial finance
 
 
 
 85,145
 85,145
 
 
 
Commercial finance20,708
 3,702
 5,996
 30,406
 1,479,443
 1,509,849
 3,801
 2,864
 6,665
Consumer credit products532
 284
 147
 963
 79,642
 80,605
 147
 
 147
Other consumer finance2,677
 1,311
 2,237
 6,225
 183,531
 189,756
 2,237
 
 2,237
Consumer finance3,209
 1,595
 2,384
 7,188
 263,173
 270,361
 2,384
 
 2,384
Tax services
 
 1,073
 1,073
 
 1,073
 1,073
 
 1,073
Warehouse finance
 
 
 
 65,000
 65,000
 
 
 
Total National Lending23,917
 5,297
 9,453
 38,667
 1,807,616
 1,846,283
 7,258
 2,864
 10,122
Community Banking                 
Commercial real estate and operating
 
 
 
 790,890
 790,890
 
 
 
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other105
 
 79
 184
 247,134
 247,318
 79
 
 79
Agricultural real estate and operating
 
 
 
 60,498
 60,498
 
 
 
Total Community Banking105
 
 79
 184
 1,098,522
 1,098,706
 79
 
 79
Total Loans and Leases$24,022
 $5,297
 $9,532
 $38,851
 $2,906,138
 $2,944,989
 $7,337
 $2,864
 $10,201

 Accruing and Non-accruing Loans Nonperforming Loans
September 30, 201730-59 Days
Past Due
 60-89 Days
Past Due
 > 89 Days Past Due Total Past
Due
 Current Total Loans
Receivable
 > 89 Days Past Due and Accruing Non-accrual balance Total
 (Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate$370
 $79
 $
 $449
 $196,257
 $196,706
 
 $
 $
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate295
 
 390
 685
 584,825
 585,510
 
 685
 685
Agricultural Real Estate
 
 34,198
 34,198
 27,602
 61,800
 34,198
 
 34,198
Consumer2,512
 558
 1,406
 4,476
 158,528
 163,004
 1,406
 
 1,406
Commercial Operating
 
 
 
 35,759
 35,759
 
 
 
Agricultural Operating
 
 97
 97
 33,497
 33,594
 97
 
 97
CML Insurance Premium Finance1,509
 2,442
 1,205
 5,156
 245,303
 250,459
 1,205
 
 1,205
Total$4,686
 $3,079
 $37,296
 $45,061
 $1,281,771
 $1,326,832
 36,906
 $685
 $37,591


Certain loans and leases 89 days or more past due as to interest or principal continue to accrue because they are (1) well-secured and in the process of collection or (2) one-to-four family real estate loans or consumer loans exempt under regulatory rules from being classified as non-accrual until later delinquency, usually 120 days past due.
When analysis of borrower or lessee operating results and financial condition indicates that underlying cash flows of the borrower’s business are not adequate to meet its debt service requirements, the loan or lease is evaluated for impairment.  Often, this is associated with a delay or shortfall in scheduled payments, of 210 days or more for commercial insurance premium finance loans, 180 days or more for refund advance loans, 120 days or more for ERO advance loans and 90 days or more for other loan categories.  As of December 31, 2017, there were no commercial insurance premium finance loans greater than 210 days past due.as described above.

Total loans past due decreased $3.4 million to $41.7 million at December 31, 2017 from $45.1 million at September 30, 2017. This decrease was due to a $4.4 million decrease in loans greater than 90 days past due. The primary driver of the decrease in loans greater than 90 days past due included the payoff of a large nonperforming agricultural loan relationship during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Impaired loans and leases at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and September 30, 20172018 were as follows:
 Recorded
Balance
 Unpaid Principal
Balance
 Specific
Allowance
December 31, 2017(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance     
1-4 Family Real Estate$95
 $95
 $
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate707
 707
 
   Consumer61
 61
 
   Agricultural Operating1,052
 1,052
 
Total$1,915
 $1,915
 $
June 30, 2019
Recorded
Balance
 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Specific
Allowance
Loans and leases without a specific valuation allowance(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending     
Asset based lending$8,024
 $9,362
 $
Factoring3,580
 4,655
 
Lease financing5,455
 5,455
 
SBA/USDA1,276
 1,276
 
Commercial finance18,335
 20,748
 
Other consumer finance1,039
 1,089
 
Consumer finance1,039
 1,089
 
Total National Lending19,374
 21,837
 
Community Banking     
Commercial real estate and operating319
 319
 
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other290
 290
 
Agricultural real estate and operating1,237
 1,237
 
Total Community Banking1,846
 1,846
 
Total$21,220
 $23,683
 $
Loans and leases with a specific valuation allowance     
National Lending     
Asset based lending$95
 $107
 $12
Factoring4,215
 5,555
 255
Commercial finance4,310
 5,662
 267
Total National Lending4,310
 5,662
 267
Total$4,310
 $5,662
 $267

 Recorded
Balance
 Unpaid Principal
Balance
 Specific
Allowance
September 30, 2017(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance     
1-4 Family Real Estate$72
 $72
 $
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate1,109
 1,109
 
Total$1,181
 $1,181
 $
September 30, 2018
Recorded
Balance
 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Specific
Allowance
Loans and leases without a specific valuation allowance(Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending     
Asset based lending$1,325
 $1,325
 $
Factoring1,383
 1,713
 
Lease financing5,491
 5,491
 
Commercial finance8,199
 8,529
 
Total National Lending8,199
 8,529
 
Community Banking     
Commercial real estate and operating405
 405
 
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other140
 140
 
Agricultural real estate and operating1,454
 1,454
 
Total Community Banking1,999
 1,999
 
Total$10,198
 $10,528
 $
Loans and leases with a specific valuation allowance     
National Lending     
Asset based lending$79
 $79
 $22
Factoring1,948
 2,198
 49
Lease financing3,386
 3,386
 517
Commercial finance5,413
 5,663
 588
Total National Lending5,413
 5,663
 588
Total$5,413
 $5,663
 $588

The following table provides the average recorded investment in impaired loans and leases for the three three- and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and 2016.2018.
 Three Months Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 Average
Recorded
Investment
 (Dollars in Thousands)
1-4 Family Real Estate$80
 $172
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate975
 432
Consumer20
 
Commercial Operating
 168
Agricultural Operating351
 
Total$1,426
 $772
Three Months Ended June 30,2019 2018
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Recognized Interest Income 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Recognized Interest Income
 (Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending       
Asset based lending$6,683
 $88
 $
 $
Factoring6,621
 
 
 
Lease financing3,351
 
 
 
SBA/USDA425
 
 
 
Commercial finance17,080
 88
 
 
Other consumer finance1,190
 28
 
 
Consumer finance1,190
 28
 
 
Total National Lending18,270
 116
 
 
Community Banking       
Commercial real estate and operating106
 5
 604
 4
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other186
 1
 342
 2
Agricultural real estate and operating1,226
 28
 2,670
 42
Total Community Banking1,518
 34
 3,616
 48
Total loans and leases$19,788
 $150
 $3,616
 $48

Nine Months Ended June 30,2019 2018
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Recognized Interest Income 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Recognized Interest Income
 (Dollars in Thousands)
National Lending       
Asset based lending$3,993
 $262
 $
 $
Factoring4,178
 5
 
 
Lease financing5,012
 17
 
 
SBA/USDA142
 
 
 
Commercial finance13,325
 284
 
 
Other consumer finance1,215
 38
 
 
Consumer finance1,215
 38
 
 
Total National Lending14,540
 322
 
 
Community Banking       
Commercial real estate and operating259
 9
 761
 14
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other154
 3
 224
 11
Agricultural real estate and operating1,371
 63
 1,567
 106
Total Community Banking1,784
 75
 2,552
 131
Total loans and leases$16,324
 $397
 $2,552
 $131


The Company’s troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”("TDRs") typically involve forgiving a portion of interest or principal on existing loans, or making loans at a rate materially less than current market rates.rates, or extending the term of the loan. There were $1.1$0.7 million of Community Banking loans and $0.1 million of National Lending loans that were modified in a TDR during the three month periodmonths ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019, all of which were modified to extend the term of the loan. No loans and no loansleases were modified in a TDR during the three month periodmonths ended December 31, 2016. Additionally, thereJune 30, 2018.


There were no$1.7 million of National Lending loans and leases and $0.7 million of Community Banking loans that were modified in a TDR during the nine months ended June 30, 2019, all of which were modified to extend the term of the loan. There were $3.8 million of Community Banking loans that were modified in a TDR during the nine months ended June 30, 2018. During the nine months ended June 30, 2019, the Company had $0.9 million of Community Banking loans that were modified in a TDR within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default duringdefault. During the three month periodsnine months ended December 31, 2017 or 2016June 30, 2018, the Company had $0.1 million of Community Banking loans that had beenwere modified duringin a TDR within the 12-month period prior to theprevious 12 months and for which there was a payment default.



NOTE 3.     ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES


At December 31, 2017, the Company’s allowance for loan losses increasedJune 30, 2019, foreclosed and repossessed assets totaled $29.5 million, compared to $8.9 million from $7.5$31.6 million at September 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to the additional provision expense related to tax advance loans. During the three months ended December 31, 2017,2018. At June 30, 2019, the Company recordedhad established a provision for loan lossesvaluation allowance of $1.1 million compared to $0.8$0.1 million for the same period of the prior year.repossessed assets. The Company did not have a valuation allowance established for any foreclosed and repossessed assets at September 30, 2018. There were no impairments on any foreclosed and repossessed assets at either date. The Company had $0.3$0.2 million of net recoveries for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.1 million of net charge-offs for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

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

Management closely monitors economic developments both regionally and nationwide, and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses. The current economic environment continues to show signs of improvement in the Bank’s markets.  The Bank’s average loss rates over the past three years for community banking loans were relatively low compared to peers, but was offset with a higher agricultural loss rate in fiscal year 2016 driven by the charge off of one relationship. Although the Bank’s four market areas have indirectly benefited from a stable agricultural market, the market has become slightly stressed as commodity prices have generally remained lower than a few years ago. Management believes the low commodity prices and adverse weather conditions have the potential to negatively impact the economies of our agricultural markets. The improving economic conditions have also kept the loss rates on the national lending loans as well as the tax service loans relatively low.

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

Real estate properties acquired through foreclosure are recorded at the lesser of fair value or the recorded investment.  If fair value at the dateprocess of foreclosure is lower than the balance of the related loan, the difference will be charged to the allowance for loan losses at the time of transfer.  Valuations are periodically updated by managementJune 30, 2019 and if the value declines, a specific provision for losses on such property is established by a charge to operations.none at September 30, 2018.


NOTE 4.5. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE


Earnings per common share is computed after deducting dividends.any preferred dividends, if applicable. The Company has granted restricted share awards with dividend rights that are considered to be participating securities. Accordingly, a portion of the Company’s earnings is allocated to those participating securities in the earnings per share calculation. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders after the allocation of dividends and undistributed earnings to the participating securities by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, and is computed after giving consideration to the weighted average dilutive effect of the Company’s stock options and after the allocation of earnings to the participating securities. Antidilutive options are disregarded in the earnings per share calculations. The share and per share amounts for fiscal year 2018 have been restated to reflect the 3-for-1 forward stock split of the Company's common stock that was effected by the Company on October 4, 2018.



A reconciliation of net income and common stock share amounts used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and 20162018 is presented below.
Three Months Ended December 31,2017 2016
Three Months Ended June 30,2019 2018
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)      
Basic income per common share:      
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.$4,670
 $1,244
$29,291
 $6,792
Weighted average common shares outstanding9,656,778
 8,938,339
38,903,266
 29,099,472
Basic income per common share0.48
 0.14
0.75
 0.23
      
Diluted income per common share:      
Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.$4,670
 $1,244
$29,291
 $6,792
Weighted average common shares outstanding9,656,778
 8,938,339
38,903,266
 29,099,472
Outstanding options - based upon the two-class method56,063
 63,061
74,424
 119,508
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding9,712,841
 9,001,400
38,977,690
 29,218,980
Diluted income per common share0.48
 0.14
0.75
 0.23
Nine Months Ended June 30,2019 2018
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)   
Basic income per common share:   
     Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.$76,809
 $42,898
Weighted average common shares outstanding39,220,793
 29,043,309
     Basic income per common share1.96
 1.48
    
Diluted income per common share:   
     Net income attributable to Meta Financial Group, Inc.$76,809
 $42,898
Weighted average common shares outstanding39,220,793
 29,043,309
     Outstanding options - based upon the two-class method68,218
 116,676
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding39,289,011
 29,159,985
     Diluted income per common share1.95
 1.47



NOTE 5.6. SECURITIES


During the first quarter of fiscalOn October 1, 2018, the Company early adopted Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2017-12, "DerivativesASU 2016-01 on a prospective basis, which redefined the definition of equity securities and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvementsrequired their segregation from available for sale debt securities. While changes in the fair value of debt securities continue to Accounting for Hedging Activities." Duebe recorded in the equity category of accumulated other comprehensive income, the new guidance requires that changes in fair value of equity securities with readily determinable fair value be recorded in current earnings. As required by the new guidance, the unrealized gain in fair value on equity securities with readily determinable fair value (recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2018) was reclassified to the early adoptionretained earnings on October 1, 2018. The amount of the ASU, the Company transferred $204.7reclassification was $0.5 million, net of investmenttax. Equity securities with readily determinable fair value include mutual funds of $1.8 million at cost and $101.3$1.9 million of MBS from HTM to AFS during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. This change allows for enhanced balance sheet management and provides the opportunity for more liquidity, should it be needed.at fair value at June 30, 2019.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of available for sale ("AFS") and held to maturity ("HTM") debt securities at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and September 30, 20172018 are presented below.
Available For Sale       
At December 31, 2017AMORTIZED
COST

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)

 FAIR
VALUE

 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities       
Small business administration securities56,602
 349
 (3) 56,948
Obligations of states and political subdivisions14,513
 123
 (26) 14,610
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions1,212,661
 16,079
 (5,710) 1,223,030
Asset-backed securities93,486
 2,337
 
 95,823
Mortgage-backed securities606,338
 198
 (6,424) 600,112
Total debt securities1,983,600
 19,086
 (12,163) 1,990,523
Common equities and mutual funds1,298
 532
 (1) 1,829
Total available for sale securities$1,984,898
 $19,618
 $(12,164) $1,992,352
At June 30, 2019AMORTIZED
COST
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)
 FAIR
VALUE
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities AFS       
SBA securities$189,816
 $3,271
 $(21) $193,066
Obligations of states and political subdivisions858
 17
 
 875
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions459,551
 3,456
 (2,347) 460,660
Asset-backed securities308,711
 753
 (2,168) 307,296
Mortgage-backed securities395,059
 2,838
 (2,696) 395,201
Total debt securities AFS$1,353,995
 $10,335
 $(7,232) $1,357,098
Common equities and mutual funds(1)(2)
$3,593
 $826
 $
 $4,419
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
(2) ASU 2016-01 adopted on October 1, 2018, on a prospective basis, removed equity securities from AFS category at June 30, 2019.

At September 30, 2018AMORTIZED
COST
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)
 FAIR
VALUE
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities AFS       
SBA securities$45,591
 $1
 $(1,255) $44,337
  Obligations of states and political subdivisions17,154
 49
 (293) 16,910
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions1,140,884
 826
 (31,825) 1,109,885
Asset-backed securities310,700
 2,585
 (257) 313,028
Mortgage-backed securities378,301
 
 (14,236) 364,065
Total debt securities AFS$1,892,630
 $3,461
 $(47,866) $1,848,225
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
3,172
 635
 (7) 3,800
Total AFS securities(1)
$1,895,802
 $4,096
 $(47,873) $1,852,025

(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

At June 30, 2019AMORTIZED
COST
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)
 FAIR
VALUE
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities HTM       
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions$138,128
 $15
 $(2,500) $135,643
Mortgage-backed securities7,414
 
 (119) 7,295
Total held to maturity securities$145,542
 $15
 $(2,619) $142,938

At September 30, 2018AMORTIZED
COST
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS
 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)
 FAIR
VALUE
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities HTM       
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions$163,893
 $
 $(10,758) $153,135
Mortgage-backed securities7,850
 
 (422) 7,428
Total held to maturity securities$171,743
 $
 $(11,180) $160,563

At September 30, 2017AMORTIZED
COST

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)

 FAIR
VALUE

 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities       
Small business administration securities57,046
 825
 
 57,871
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions938,883
 14,983
 (3,037) 950,829
Asset-backed securities94,451
 2,381
 
 96,832
Mortgage-backed securities588,918
 1,259
 (3,723) 586,454
Total debt securities1,679,298
 19,448
 (6,760) 1,691,986
Common equities and mutual funds1,009
 436
 
 1,445
Total available for sale securities$1,680,307
 $19,884
 $(6,760) $1,693,431

Held to Maturity       
At December 31, 2017AMORTIZED
COST

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)

 FAIR
VALUE

 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities       
Obligations of states and political subdivisions$4,341
 $26
 $(25) $4,342
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions230,683
 336
 (3,537) 227,482
Mortgage-backed securities8,468
 
 (148) 8,320
Total held to maturity securities$243,492
 $362
 $(3,710) $240,144

At September 30, 2017AMORTIZED
COST

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
GAINS

 GROSS
UNREALIZED
(LOSSES)

 FAIR
VALUE

 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities       
Obligations of states and political subdivisions$19,247
 $157
 $(36) $19,368
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions430,593
 4,744
 (2,976) 432,361
Mortgage-backed securities113,689
 
 (1,233) 112,456
Total held to maturity securities$563,529
 $4,901
 $(4,245) $564,185


Management has implemented a process to identify securities with potential credit impairment that are other-than-temporary.  This process involves evaluation of the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, review of available information regarding the financial position of the issuer, monitoring the rating, watch, and outlook of the security, monitoring changes in value, cash flow projections, and the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity.  To the extent the Company determines that a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.


For all securities considered temporarily impaired, the Company does not intend to sell these securities, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost, which may occur at maturity.  The Company believes it will collect all principal and interest due on all investments with amortized cost in excess of fair value and considered only temporarily impaired.



GAAP requires that, at acquisition, an enterprise classify debt securities into one of three categories: Available for Sale (“AFS”), Held to Maturity (“HTM”)AFS, HTM or trading. AFS securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition, and unrealized holding gains and losses are excluded from earnings and recognized as a separate component of equity in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). HTM debt securities are measured at amortized cost. Both AFS and HTM are subject to review for other-than-temporary impairment. The Company did not have anyhad no trading securities at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 or September 30, 2017.2018.


Gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2017,2018, were as follows:
 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At June 30, 2019Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities AFS           
SBA securities$13,785
 $(21) $
 $
 $13,785
 $(21)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
 
 
 
 
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
 230,117
 (2,347) 230,117
 (2,347)
Asset-backed securities134,246
 (1,230) 62,450
 (938) 196,696
 (2,168)
Mortgage-backed securities
 
 172,718
 (2,696) 172,718
 (2,696)
Total debt securities AFS$148,031
 $(1,251) $465,285
 $(5,981) $613,316
 $(7,232)
Common equities and mutual funds(1)(2)

 
 
 
 
 
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
(2) ASU 2016-01 adopted on October 1, 2018, on a prospective basis, removed equity securities from AFS category at June 30, 2019.


 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At September 30, 2018Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities AFS           
SBA securities$43,097
 $(1,255) $
 $
 $43,097
 $(1,255)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions11,036
 (279) 881
 (14) 11,917
 (293)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions626,693
 (13,539) 358,095
 (18,286) 984,788
 (31,825)
Asset-backed securities146,638
 (257) 
 
 146,638
 (257)
Mortgage-backed securities121,217
 (3,292) 242,849
 (10,944) 364,066
 (14,236)
Total debt securities AFS$948,681
 $(18,622) $601,825
 $(29,244) $1,550,506
 $(47,866)
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
1,818
 (7) 
 
 1,818
 (7)
Total debt AFS securities(1)
$950,499
 $(18,629) $601,825
 $(29,244) $1,552,324
 $(47,873)

(1)Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

Available For SaleLESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At December 31, 2017Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities           
Small business administration securities$14,236
 $(3) $
 $
 $14,236
 $(3)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions3,139
 (26) 
 
 3,139
 (26)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions553,626
 (4,945) 16,045
 (765) 569,671
 (5,710)
Mortgage-backed securities234,672
 (1,275) 296,252
 (5,149) 530,924
 (6,424)
Total debt securities805,673
 (6,249) 312,297
 (5,914) 1,117,970
 (12,163)
Common equities and mutual funds1,829
 (1) 
 
 1,829
 (1)
Total available for sale securities$807,502
 $(6,250) $312,297
 $(5,914) $1,119,799
 $(12,164)
 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At June 30, 2019Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities HTM           
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions$
 $
 $129,424
 $(2,500) $129,424
 $(2,500)
Mortgage-backed securities
 
 7,295
 (119) 7,295
 (119)
Total held to maturity securities$
 $
 $136,719
 $(2,619) $136,719
 $(2,619)


 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At September 30, 2018Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair Value Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities HTM           
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions$5,767
 $(287) $147,368
 $(10,471) $153,135
 $(10,758)
Mortgage-backed securities
 
 7,428
 (422) 7,428
 (422)
Total held to maturity securities$5,767
 $(287) $154,796
 $(10,893) $160,563
 $(11,180)

 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At September 30, 2017Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities           
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions280,900
 (2,887) 5,853
 (150) 286,753
 (3,037)
Mortgage-backed securities237,897
 (1,625) 100,287
 (2,098) 338,184
 (3,723)
Total debt securities518,797
 (4,512) 106,140
 (2,248) 624,937
 (6,760)
Total available for sale securities$518,797
 $(4,512) $106,140
 $(2,248) $624,937
 $(6,760)


Held To MaturityLESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At December 31, 2017Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities           
Obligations of states and political subdivisions$1,261
 $(3) $2,147
 $(22) $3,408
 $(25)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions114,999
 (1,789) 80,813
 (1,748) 195,812
 (3,537)
Mortgage-backed securities
 
 8,320
 (148) 8,320
 (148)
Total held to maturity securities$116,260
 $(1,792) $91,280
 $(1,918) $207,540
 $(3,710)
 LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OVER 12 MONTHS TOTAL
At September 30, 2017Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair
Value
 Unrealized
(Losses)
 Fair Value Unrealized
(Losses)
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Debt securities           
Obligations of states and political subdivisions$1,364
 $(6) $4,089
 $(30) $5,453
 $(36)
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions202,018
 (2,783) 6,206
 (193) 208,224
 (2,976)
Mortgage-backed securities112,456
 (1,233) 
 
 112,456
 (1,233)
Total held to maturity securities$315,838
 $(4,022) $10,295
 $(223) $326,133
 $(4,245)


At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the investment portfolio included securities with current unrealized losses whichthat have existed for longer than one year.  All of these securities are considered to be acceptable credit risks. Because (i) the declines in fair value were due to changes in market interest rates, not in estimated cash flows, and because(ii) the Company does not intend to sell these securities (hasor has not made a decision to sell)sell these securities and (iii) it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may occur at maturity, no other-than-temporary impairment was recorded at December 31, 2017.June 30, 2019.



The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities by contractual maturity as of the dates set forth below are shown below.  Certain securities have call features which allow the issuer to call the security prior to maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities in mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Therefore, mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories in the following maturity summary.  The expected maturities of certain housing related municipal securities, Small Business AdministrationSBA and asset-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because the borrowers may have the right to prepay the obligation. However, certain prepayment penalties may apply.
AFS Securities at Fair ValueAMORTIZED
COST
 FAIR
VALUE
 
At June 30, 2019(Dollars in Thousands)
    
Due in one year or less$
 $
Due after one year through five years11,336
 11,711
Due after five years through ten years62,337
 64,221
Due after ten years885,263
 885,965
 958,936
 961,897
Mortgage-backed securities395,059
 395,201
Total securities at fair value$1,353,995
 $1,357,098
 AMORTIZED
COST
 FAIR
VALUE
At September 30, 2018(Dollars in Thousands)
    
Due in one year or less$2,532
 $2,529
Due after one year through five years41,415
 41,504
Due after five years through ten years352,099
 350,143
Due after ten years1,118,283
 1,089,984
 1,514,329
 1,484,160
Mortgage-backed securities378,301
 364,065
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
3,172
 3,800
Total securities at fair value$1,895,802
 $1,852,025
(1)Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

HTM Securities at Fair ValueAMORTIZED
COST
 FAIR
VALUE
 
At June 30, 2019(Dollars in Thousands)
    
Due after ten years$138,128
 $135,643
 138,128
 135,643
Mortgage-backed securities7,414
 7,295
Total held to maturity securities at cost$145,542
 $142,938

 AMORTIZED
COST
 FAIR
VALUE
At September 30, 2018(Dollars in Thousands)
Due after ten years$163,893
 $153,135
 163,893
 153,135
Mortgage-backed securities7,850
 7,428
Total held to maturity securities at cost$171,743
 $160,563


Other investments, at cost, which are included in other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition, include equity securities without a readily determinable fair value and shares of stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") of Des Moines. Equity securities without a readily determinable fair value totaled $2.5 million at June 30, 2019 and $2.0 million at September 30, 2018. FHLB of Des Moines stock at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 totaled $17.2 million and $23.4 million, respectively. The decrease in FHLB stock directly correlates with lower short-term borrowings balances at June 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2018. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, MetaBank, is required by federal law to maintain FHLB stock as a member of FHLB of Des Moines. These equity securities are ‘restricted’ in that they can only be sold back to the respective institution from which they were acquired or another member institution at par. Therefore, FHLB stock is less liquid than other marketable equity securities, and the fair value approximates cost. The Company evaluates impairment for investments held at cost on at least an annual basis based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. No impairment was recognized for such investments for the nine months ended June 30, 2019.


NOTE 7. RENTAL EQUIPMENT, NET
Rental equipment was as follows as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Computers and IT networking equipment$38,360
 $53,035
Motor vehicles and other56,359
 43,505
Office furniture and equipment3,233
 3,590
Solar panels and equipment140,532
 57,242
Total238,484
 157,372
    
Accumulated depreciation(53,752) (50,082)
Net book value$184,732
 $107,290

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, an impairment was recorded related to solar panels and equipment. Please refer to Note 3 for further discussion.
Future minimum lease payments receivable on equipment under operating leases was as follows as of June 30, 2019.
 June 30, 2019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Remaining in 2019$7,829
202026,938
202122,527
202215,911
202313,516
2024 and thereafter28,309
Total$115,030


NOTE 8. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company held a total of $307.9 million of goodwill as of June 30, 2019. The recorded goodwill is a result of multiple business combinations that have occurred since fiscal year 2015, the most recent being the merger with Crestmark pursuant to the Crestmark acquisition that closed on August 1, 2018. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at a reporting unit level, which is one level below the operating segments.
The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
 Payments Banking Corporate Services/Other Total
Goodwill(Dollars in Thousands)
September 30, 2018$87,145
 $216,125
 $
 $303,270
Acquisitions
 
 
 
Measurement Period Adjustments (1)

 4,671
 
 4,671
Impairment
 
 
 
June 30, 2019$87,145
 $220,796
 $
 $307,941
        
September 30, 2017$87,145
 $11,578
 $
 $98,723
Acquisitions
 
 
 
Impairment
 
 
 
June 30, 2018$87,145
 $11,578
 $
 $98,723
(1) The Company recognized measurement period adjustments on provisional goodwill during the second and third fiscal quarters of 2019 related to the Crestmark acquisition. Refer to Note 3. Acquisitions.

 Trademark(1) Non-Compete(2) Customer Relationships(3) All Others(4) Total
Intangibles(Dollars in Thousands)
Balance as of September 30, 2018$12,987
 $1,297
 $48,455
 $7,980
 $70,719
Acquisitions during the period
 
 
 100
 100
Amortization during the period(771) (353) (12,504) (724) (14,352)
Write-offs during the period
 
 
 (314) (314)
Balance as of June 30, 2019$12,216
 $944
 $35,951
 $7,042
 $56,153
          
Gross carrying amount$14,624
 $2,480
 $82,088
 $10,688
 $109,880
Accumulated amortization(2,408) (1,536) (35,889) (2,987) (42,820)
Accumulated impairment
 
 (10,248) (659) (10,907)
Balance as of June 30, 2019$12,216
 $944
 $35,951
 $7,042
 $56,153
(1) Book amortization period of 5-15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.
(2) Book amortization period of 3-5 years. Amortized using the straight line method.
(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.
(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.


Available For SaleAMORTIZED
COST

 FAIR
VALUE

 
At December 31, 2017(Dollars in Thousands)
    
Due in one year or less$100
 $100
Due after one year through five years55,485
 56,375
Due after five years through ten years452,422
 462,903
Due after ten years869,255
 871,033
 1,377,262
 1,390,411
Mortgage-backed securities606,338
 600,112
Common equities and mutual funds1,298
 1,829
Total available for sale securities$1,984,898
 $1,992,352
 Trademark(1) Non-Compete(2) Customer Relationships(3) All Others(4) Total
Intangibles(Dollars in Thousands)
Balance as of September 30, 2017$10,051
 $1,782
 $31,707
 $8,638
 $52,178
Acquisitions during the period
 
 
 85
 85
Amortization during the period(477) (367) (4,548) (685) (6,077)
Write-offs during the period
 
 
 (88) (88)
Balance as of June 30, 2018$9,574
 $1,415
 $27,159
 $7,950
 $46,098
          
Gross carrying amount$10,990
 $2,480
 $57,810
 $10,587
 $81,867
Accumulated amortization(1,416) (1,065) (20,403) (2,020) (24,904)
Accumulated impairment
 
 (10,248) (617) (10,865)
Balance as of June 30, 2018$9,574
 $1,415
 $27,159
 $7,950
 $46,098
(1) Book amortization period of 15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.
 AMORTIZED
COST

 FAIR
VALUE

At September 30, 2017(Dollars in Thousands)
    
Due in one year or less$
 $
Due after one year through five years36,586
 37,674
Due after five years through ten years347,831
 358,198
Due after ten years705,963
 709,660
 1,090,380
 1,105,532
Mortgage-backed securities588,918
 586,454
Common equities and mutual funds1,009
 1,445
Total available for sale securities$1,680,307
 $1,693,431
(2) Book amortization period of 3 years. Amortized using the straight line method.
(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.
Held To MaturityAMORTIZED
COST

 FAIR
VALUE

 
At December 31, 2017(Dollars in Thousands)
    
Due in one year or less$2,674
 $2,662
Due after one year through five years11,864
 11,895
Due after five years through ten years27,919
 28,206
Due after ten years192,567
 189,061
 235,024
 231,824
Mortgage-backed securities8,468
 8,320
Total held to maturity securities$243,492
 $240,144
(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

 AMORTIZED
COST

 FAIR
VALUE

At September 30, 2017(Dollars in Thousands)
Due in one year or less$1,483
 $1,480
Due after one year through five years17,926
 18,160
Due after five years through ten years144,996
 147,832
Due after ten years285,435
 284,257
 449,840
 451,729
Mortgage-backed securities113,689
 112,456
Total held to maturity securities$563,529
 $564,185


NOTE 6.     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal courseThe estimated amortization expense of business, the Bank makes various commitments to extend creditintangible assets assumes no activities, such as acquisitions, which are not reflectedwould result in additional amortizable intangible assets. Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.remaining three months of fiscal 2019 and subsequent fiscal years is as follows:

 (Dollars in Thousands)
Remaining in 2019$3,357
202010,986
20218,527
20226,402
20235,084
20244,367
Thereafter17,430
Total anticipated intangible amortization$56,153

At December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, unfunded loan commitments approximated $349.5 million and $233.2 million, respectively, excluding undisbursed portions of loans in process. Commitments, which are disbursed subject to certain limitations, extend over various periods of time.  Generally, unused commitments are canceled upon expiration of the commitment term as outlined in each individual contract.


The Company hadtests intangible assets for impairment at least annually or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment.  There was $0.1 million in impairments to intangible assets during the nine months ended June 30, 2019 and no commitmentsimpairments to purchaseintangible assets during the three months ended June 30, 2019 or sell securities at December 31, 2017the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018.

NOTE 9. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Retirement of Treasury Stock
On June 25, 2019, Meta retired $5.0 million, or 114,558 shares, of common stock held in treasury. The Company accounts for the retirement of repurchased shares, including treasury stock, using the par value method under which the repurchase price is charged to paid-in capital up to the amount of the original proceeds of those shares. When the repurchase price is greater than the original issue proceeds, the excess is charged to retained earnings.
Repurchase of Common Stock
On March 26, 2019, Meta announced a share repurchase program of up to 2.0 million of its outstanding shares of common stock, or approximately 5% of its outstanding shares. The program became effective on May 1, 2019 and is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2017.2021. During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, Meta repurchased under the program a total of $43.0 million, or 1,574,734 shares of its common stock, at an average price of $27.31 per share. Under the repurchase program, repurchased shares were retired and designated as authorized but unissued shares, and the value of the shares reduced retained earnings. As of June 30, 2019, the remaining number of shares available for repurchase under this program was 425,266 shares of common stock.

The exposure to credit loss inFor the eventnine months ended June 30, 2019, and 2018, the Company also repurchased 90,264 and 17,155 shares, or $3.0 million and $1.4 million, of non-performance by other parties to financial instruments for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  The same credit policies and collateral requirements are used in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Since certain commitments to make loans and to fund lines of credit and loans in process expire without being used, the amount does not necessarily represent future cash commitments.  In addition, commitments used to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.

Legal Proceedings
The Bank was served on April 15, 2013, with a lawsuit captioned Inter National Bank v. NetSpend Corporation, MetaBank, BDO USA, LLP d/b/a BDO Seidman, Cause No. C-2084-12-I filed in the District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas. The Plaintiff’s Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Temporary Injunction adds both MetaBank and BDO Seidman to the original causes of action against NetSpend. NetSpend acts as a prepaid card program manager and processor for both Inter National Bank ("INB") and MetaBank. According to the Petition, NetSpend has informed INB that the depository accounts at INB for the NetSpend program supposedly contained $10.5 million less than they should. INB alleges that NetSpend has breached its fiduciary duty by making affirmative misrepresentations to INB about the safety and stability of the program, and by failing to timely disclose the nature and extent of any alleged shortfallcommon stock, respectively, in settlement of funds related to cardholder activity andemployee tax withholding obligations due upon the nature and extentvesting of NetSpend’s systemic deficiencies in its accounting and settlement processing procedures. To the extent that an accounting reveals that there is an actual shortfall, INB alleges that MetaBank may be liable for portions or all of said sum due to the fact that funds have been transferred from INB to MetaBank, and thus MetaBank would have been unjustly enriched. The Bank is vigorously contesting this matter. In January 2014, NetSpend was granted summary judgment in this matter which is under appeal. Because the theory of liability against both NetSpend and the Bank is the same, the Bank views the NetSpend summary judgment as a positive in support of our position. An estimate of a range of reasonably possible loss cannot be made at this stage of the litigation because discovery is still being conducted.restricted stock.
The Bank was served, on October 14, 2016, with a lawsuit captioned Card Limited, LLC v. MetaBank dba Meta Payment Systems, Civil No. 2:16-cv-00980 in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. This action was initiated by a former prepaid program manager of the Bank, which was terminated by the Bank in fiscal year 2016. Card Limited alleges that after all of the programs were wound down, there were two accounts with a positive balance to which they are entitled. The Bank’s position is that Card Limited is not entitled to the funds contained in said accounts. The total amount to which Card Limited claims it is entitled is $4,001,025. The Bank intends to vigorously defend this claim. An estimate of a range of reasonably possible loss cannot be made at this stage of the litigation because discovery is still being conducted.
From time to time, the Company or its subsidiaries are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. Accruals have been recorded when the outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated. While management currently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or its results of operations, legal proceedings are inherently uncertain and unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ respective businesses, financial condition or results of operations.


NOTE 7.10. STOCK COMPENSATION


The Company maintains the amended and restated Meta Financial Group, Inc. 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan"), which, among other things, provides for the awarding of stock options and nonvested (restricted) shares to certain officers and directors of the Company. Awards are granted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors based on the performance of the award recipients or other relevant factors.


Compensation expense for share-based awards is recorded over the vesting period at the fair value of the award at the time of the grant. The exercise price of options or fair value of non-vested (restricted) shares granted under the Company’s incentive plan is equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the grant date. The Company has elected, with the adoption of ASU 2016-09, to record forfeitures as they occur.


The following tables show the activity of options and nonvested (restricted) shares granted, exercised, or forfeited under the 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan for the threenine months ended December 31, 2017:June 30, 2019:

 Number of Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Yrs) Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data (1))
Options outstanding, September 30, 2018155,961
 $8.48
 1.78
 $2,974
Granted
 
 
 
Exercised(48,678) 9.07
 
 802
Forfeited or expired(3,027) 10.60
 
 33
Options outstanding, June 30, 2019104,256
 $8.14
 1.22
 $2,075
        
Options exercisable, June 30, 2019104,256
 $8.14
 1.22
 $2,075


 Number
of
Shares

 Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Yrs)

 Aggregate
 Intrinsic
Value

 (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Options outstanding, September 30, 201775,757
 $22.62
 2.28
 $4,225
Granted
 
 
 
Exercised
 
 
 
Forfeited or expired
 
 
 
Options outstanding, December 31, 201775,757
 $22.62
 2.03
 $5,305
        
Options exercisable, December 31, 201775,757
 $22.62
 2.03
 $5,305
 Number of Shares Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data (1))
Nonvested (restricted) shares outstanding, September 30, 20181,005,813
 $29.89
Granted296,302
 24.84
Vested(352,218) 26.77
Forfeited or expired(2,679) 26.14
Nonvested (restricted) shares outstanding, June 30, 2019947,218
 $29.48

(1) All share and per share data has been adjusted to reflect the 3-for-1 forward stock split effected by the Company on October 4, 2018.
 Number
of
Shares

 Weighted
Average
Fair Value
at Grant

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Nonvested (restricted) shares outstanding, September 30, 2017304,526
 $86.96
Granted42,181
 85.03
Vested(61,161) 83.55
Forfeited or expired
 
Nonvested (restricted) shares outstanding, December 31, 2017285,546
 $87.40

During the first and second quarters of fiscal 2017, stock awards were granted to the Company's three highest paid executive officers in connection with their signing of employment agreements with the Company. These stock awards vest over eight years.


At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, stock-based compensation expense not yet recognized in income totaled $17.2$13.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 3.683.09 years.



NOTE 11. INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $3.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2019, resulting in an effective tax rate of (4.20%), compared to an income tax expense of $12.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 22.90%, for the nine months ended June 30, 2018. The Company’s effective tax rate is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily because of the anticipated effect of investment tax credits during fiscal year 2019. The Company’s effective tax rate in the future will depend in part on actual investment tax credits earned as part of its financing of solar energy projects.


The table below compares the income tax expense components for the periods presented.
Nine Months Ended June 30,2019 2018
(Dollars in Thousands)   
Provision at statutory rate$15,449
 $13,639
Tax-exempt income(2,360) (5,506)
State income taxes3,243
 2,314
Interim period effective rate adjustment1,397
 (1,070)
Tax credit investments, net - federal(22,484) 
Tax Reform rate adjustment
 3,635
IRC 162(m) nondeductible compensation1,612
 
Other, net(101) (304)
Income tax expense$(3,244) $12,708
Effective tax rate(4.2%) 22.9%


NOTE 8.     SEGMENT INFORMATION12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Bank makes various commitments to extend credit that are not reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

At June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, unfunded loan commitments approximated $1.01 billion and $748.8 million, respectively, excluding undisbursed portions of loans in process. Commitments, which are disbursed subject to certain limitations, extend over various periods of time.  Generally, unused commitments are canceled upon expiration of the commitment term as outlined in each individual contract.

The Company had $1.7 million and $1.4 million in commitments to purchase securities at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. The Company had no commitments to sell securities at June 30, 2019 or September 30, 2018.

The exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by other parties to financial instruments for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  The same credit policies and collateral requirements are used in making commitments and conditional obligations as are used for on-balance-sheet instruments. At June 30, 2019 and at September 30, 2018, the Company had an allowance for credit losses on off-balance sheet credit exposures of $0.1 million. This amount is maintained as a separate liability account within other liabilities.

Since certain commitments to make loans and to fund lines of credit and loans in process expire without being used, the amount does not necessarily represent future cash commitments.  In addition, commitments used to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.

As disclosed in Note 3. Acquisitions, the Company continues to monitor the bankruptcy proceedings and federal investigations of DC Solar. As of the date of the filing of this quarterly report, the Company has not accrued for any additional loss contingencies related to DC Solar as of June 30, 2019.

An operating segment is generally definedLegal Proceedings

The Bank was served on April 15, 2013, with a lawsuit captioned Inter National Bank v. NetSpend Corporation, MetaBank, BDO USA, LLP d/b/a BDO Seidman, Cause No. C-2084-12-I filed in the District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas. The Plaintiff’s Second Amended Original Petition and Application for Temporary Restraining Order and Temporary Injunction added both MetaBank and BDO Seidman to the original causes of action against NetSpend. NetSpend acts as a componentprepaid card program manager and processor for both Inter National Bank and MetaBank. The parties entered into a settlement agreement with respect to the litigation in May 2019, and the court dismissed the litigation in June 2019.

The Bank was served, on October 14, 2016, with a lawsuit captioned Card Limited, LLC v. MetaBank dba Meta Payment Systems, Civil No. 2:16-cv-00980 in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. This action was initiated by a former prepaid program manager of the Bank, which was terminated by the Bank in fiscal year 2016. Card Limited alleges that after all of the programs were wound down, there were two accounts with a positive balance to which they are entitled. The Bank’s position is that Card Limited is not entitled to the funds contained in said accounts. The total amount to which Card Limited claims it is entitled is $4.0 million. The Bank intends to vigorously defend this claim. An estimate of a businessrange of reasonably possible loss cannot be made at this stage of the litigation because discovery is still being conducted.

On February 9, 2018, the Bank’s AFS/IBEX division filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York captioned AFS/IBEX, a division of MetaBank v. Aegis Managing Agency Limited ("AMA"), Aegis Syndicate 1225 (together with AMA, the "Aegis defendants"), CRC Insurance Services, Inc. ("CRC"), and Transportation Underwriters, Inc. The suit was filed against commercial insurance underwriters and brokers that facilitated the issuance of commercial insurance policies to Red Hook Construction Group-II, LLC (“Red Hook”). The Bank’s position is that both CRC and Transportation Underwriters represented to the Bank that, upon cancellation of the insurance policies prior to their stated terms, any unearned premiums would be refunded. The Bank then provided insurance premium financing to Red Hook, and Red Hook executed a written premium finance agreement pursuant to which discrete financial informationRed Hook assigned its rights to any unearned premiums to the Bank. After the policies were cancelled, the Aegis defendants failed to return the unearned insurance premiums totaling just over $1.6 million owed to the Bank under the insurance policies and the premium finance agreement. The Bank is availableseeking recovery of all amounts to which it is entitled at law or equity and whose results are reviewedintends to vigorously pursue its claims against the defendants.

The Bank was served on December 24, 2018, with a lawsuit captioned The Ohio Valley Bank Company v. MetaBank dba Refund Advantage, Case No. 18 CV 134 in the Court of Common Pleas, Gallia County, Ohio. This action alleges that MetaBank breached a contract with The Ohio Valley Bank Company by terminating the chief operating decision-maker. Operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments if certain criteria are met.

contract before the term expired, resulting in over $3.0 million in damages. The Bank intends to vigorously defend this claim. The Company reportshas established an accrual for this related claim.

From time to time, the Company or its subsidiaries are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. Accruals have been recorded when the outcome is probable and can be reasonably estimated. While management currently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or its results of operations, through the following three business segments: Payments, Banking,legal proceedings are inherently uncertain and Corporate Services/Other. Certain shared services, including the investment portfolio, wholesale deposits and borrowings, are included in Corporate Services/Other. National Lending and Community Banking are reportedunfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could, individually or in the Banking segment. MPS, Refund Advantage, EPS Financial ("EPS"), SCS,aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s and other taxits subsidiaries’ respective businesses, are reported in the Payments segment.financial condition or results of operations.



TheNOTE 13. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

On October 1, 2018, the Company reclassified goodwill, intangibles, and related amortization expenses during fiscal year 2017 from the
Corporate Services / Other segment to Payments and Banking basedadopted Topic 606 on how annual impairment testing is performed.a modified retrospective basis. Prior period amounts have alsonot been reclassifiedadjusted to conformreflect the adoption of Topic 606 and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historical accounting policies. The impact of the Company’s adoption of Topic 606 was limited to the current year presentation.MPS division within the Payments reporting segment. Upon adoption, Meta recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment that increased retained earnings by $1.5 million, net of tax.


Topic 606 applies to all contracts with customers unless such revenue is specifically addressed under existing guidance. The following tables present segment data fortable below presents the Company forCompany’s revenue by operating segment. For additional descriptions of the three months ended December 31, 2017Company’s operating segments, including additional financial information and 2016, respectively.the underlying management accounting process, see Note 15. Segment Reporting to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 Payments Banking Corporate
Services/Other
 Total
Three Months Ended December 31, 2017       
Interest income$4,669
 $16,478
 $9,710
 $30,857
Interest expense
 881
 3,780
 4,661
Net interest income4,669
 15,597
 5,930
 26,196
Provision for loan losses1,017
 51
 
 1,068
Non-interest income28,101
 1,485
 (318) 29,268
Non-interest expense26,934
 6,568
 10,540
 44,042
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)4,819
 10,463
 (4,928) 10,354
        
Total goodwill87,145
 11,578
 
 98,723
Total assets380,442
 1,478,693
 3,558,828
 5,417,963
Total deposits2,768,736
 236,494
 508,415
 3,513,645
(Dollars in thousands)Payments Banking Corporate Services/Other Consolidated Company
Three Months Ended June 30,20192018 20192018 20192018 20192018
Net interest income(1)
$15,232
$6,298
 $60,043
$18,077
 $(8,307)$4,036
 $66,968
$28,411
Noninterest income:           
Refund transfer product fees6,697
7,358
 

 

 6,697
7,358
Tax advance product fees(1)
34
(46) 

 

 34
(46)
Card fees19,445
22,717
 92
90
 

 19,537
22,807
Rental income(1)
4

 9,382

 

 9,386

Loan and lease fees(1)


 1,012
1,111
 

 1,012
1,111
Bank-owned life insurance(1)


 

 628
633
 628
633
Deposit fees1,932
1,027
 403
107
 

 2,335
1,134
Gain (loss) on sale of securities available-for-sale, net(1)


 

 440
(22) 440
(22)
Gain on sale of loans and leases(1)


 1,913

 

 1,913

Other income(1)
290
251
 781
10
 737
(11) 1,808
250
Total noninterest income28,402
31,307
 13,583
1,318
 1,805
600
 43,790
33,225
Revenue$43,634
$37,605
 $73,626
$19,395
 $(6,502)$4,636
 $110,758
$61,636
 Payments Banking Corporate
Services/Other
 Total
Three Months Ended December 31, 2016       
Interest income$2,912
 $10,754
 $8,909
 $22,575
Interest expense
 544
 2,198
 2,742
Net interest income2,912
 10,210
 6,711
 19,833
Provision for loan losses331
 512
 
 843
Non-interest income19,024
 1,072
 (747) 19,349
Non-interest expense22,080
 5,845
 8,828
 36,753
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)(475) 4,925
 (2,864) 1,586
        
Total goodwill87,320
 11,578
 
 98,898
Total assets239,804
 1,118,429
 2,855,096
 4,213,329
Total deposits2,435,530
 225,182
 1,002,425
 3,663,137


NOTE 9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement(1) These revenues are not within the scope of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

This ASU requires organizations to replace the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology reflecting expected credit losses with considerations for a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to substantiate credit loss estimates. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently undertaking a data analysis and is taking measures so that its systems capture data applicableTopic 606. Additional details are included in other footnotes to the standard. In addition, the Company is undergoing a readiness assessment with an external consultant that began in the first quarteraccompanying financial statements. The scope of fiscal 2018.

ASU No. 2016-04, Extinguishment of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20): Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products

This ASU requires organizations to derecognize the deposit liabilities for unredeemed prepaid stored-value products (i.e. – breakage) consistent with breakage guidance in Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU is effectiveexplicitly excludes net interest income as well as many other revenues for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company expects the impact to the consolidated financial statements to be minimal.

ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to the Leases Analysis

This ASU requires organizations to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, along with disclosing key information about leasing arrangements.  This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company has finalized its initial assessment of the ASU and expects that the standard will be immaterial to the consolidated financial statements with the Company's current leases.

ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue Recognition – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)

This ASU provides guidance on when to recognize revenue from contracts with customers.  The objective of this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice related to this topic and to provide guidance that would streamline and enhance revenue recognition requirements.  The ASU defines five steps to recognize revenue, including identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine a transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and then recognize the revenue when or as the entity satisfies a performance obligation.  This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and the Company is currently assessing all income streams, including different prepaid card programs so as to ascertain how breakage will be recognized under the standard.

ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

This ASU requires entities with a classified balance sheet to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities, as noncurrent. This update was effective for annualincluding loans, leases, and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.securities.

ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

This ASU addresses eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows including: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, settlement of zero-coupon bonds, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, distributions received from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This update is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and the Company expects the impact to the consolidated financial statements to be minimal.


ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities

This ASU requires entities to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments in this update require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, and is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2017-12, Receivables - Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
This ASU targets improving the accounting treatment for hedging activities and provides more flexibility in defining what can be hedged, while reducing earnings volatility due to ineffective hedges, and minimizing documentation requirements. The ASU also offers the ability to reclassify prepayable debt securities from HTM to AFS and subsequently sell the securities, as long as the securities are eligible to be hedged. This update is effective for annual periods and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted in any interim period or fiscal year before the effective date. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-12 as of October 1, 2017. The Company reclassified certain prepayable debt securities from HTM to AFS during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. See Note 5 to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the securities reclassed.

ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

This ASU allows equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value to be remeasured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. The ASU also requires enhanced disclosure about those investments. The ASU simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring assessment for impairment qualitatively at each reporting period. Entities that are required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet are required to use the exit price notion consistent with Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This update will be effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2016-01 on its consolidated financial statements.


NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system and requires disclosures about fair value measurement.  It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts.

The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 Inputs – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 Inputs – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market and are used only to the extent that observable inputs are not available.  These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.


Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity.  Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using an independent pricing service.  For both Level 1 and Level 2 securities, management uses various methods and techniques to corroborate prices obtained from the pricing service, including but not limited to reference to dealer or other market quotes, and by reviewing valuations of comparable instruments.  The Company’s Level 1 securities include equity securities and mutual funds.  Level 2 securities include U.S. Government agency and instrumentality securities, U.S. Government agency and instrumentality mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities.  The Company had no Level 3 securities at December 31, 2017 or September 30, 2017.

The fair values of securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs), or valuation based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 inputs).  The Company considers these valuations supplied by a third party provider which utilizes several sources for valuing fixed-income securities.  These sources include Interactive Data Corporation, Reuters, Standard and Poor’s, Bloomberg Financial Markets, Street Software Technology, and the third party provider’s own matrix and desk pricing.  The Company, no less than annually, reviews the third party’s methods and source’s methodology for reasonableness and to ensure an understanding of inputs utilized in determining fair value.  Sources utilized by the third party provider include but are not limited to pricing models that vary based by asset class and include available trade, bid, and other market information.  This methodology includes but is not limited to broker quotes, proprietary models, descriptive terms and conditions databases, as well as extensive quality control programs. Monthly, the Company receives and compares prices provided by multiple securities dealers and pricing providers to validate the accuracy and reasonableness of prices received from the third party provider. On a monthly basis, the Investment Committee reviews mark-to-market changes in the securities portfolio for reasonableness.
The following table summarizes the fair values of securities available for sale and held to maturity at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017.  Securities available for sale are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, while securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost in the consolidated statements of financial condition.
 Fair Value At December 31, 2017
 Available For Sale Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Debt securities               
Small business administration securities56,948
 
 56,948
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions14,610
 
 14,610
 
 4,342
 
 4,342
 
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions1,223,030
 
 1,223,030
 
 227,482
 
 227,482
 
Asset-backed securities95,823
 
 95,823
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities600,112
 
 600,112
 
 8,320
 
 8,320
 
Total debt securities1,990,523
 
 1,990,523
 
 240,144
 
 240,144
 
Common equities and mutual funds1,829
 1,829
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total securities$1,992,352
 $1,829
 $1,990,523
 $
 $240,144
 $
 $240,144
 $


 Fair Value At September 30, 2017
 Available For Sale Held to Maturity
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Debt securities               
Small business administration securities57,871
 
 57,871
 
 
 
 
 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
 
 
 
 19,368
 
 19,368
 
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions950,829
 
 950,829
 
 432,361
 
 432,361
 
Asset-backed securities96,832
 
 96,832
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities586,454
 
 586,454
 
 112,456
 
 112,456
 
Total debt securities1,691,986
 
 1,691,986
 
 564,185
 
 564,185
 
Common equities and mutual funds1,445
 1,445
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total securities$1,693,431
 $1,445
 $1,691,986
 $
 $564,185
 $
 $564,185
 $
(Dollars in thousands)Payments Banking Corporate Services/Other Consolidated Company
Nine Months Ended June 30,20192018 20192018 20192018 20192018
Net interest income(1)
$38,238
$15,900
 $168,107
$49,794
 $(7,755)$16,318
 $198,590
$82,012
Noninterest income:           
Refund transfer product fees38,559
41,353
 

 

 38,559
41,353
Tax advance product fees(1)
34,757
35,739
 

 

 34,757
35,739
Card fees61,678
74,662
 261
248
 

 61,939
74,910
Rental income(1)
5

 30,162

 

 30,167

Loan and lease fees(1)


 3,185
3,445
 

 3,185
3,445
Bank-owned life insurance(1)


 

 1,901
1,952
 1,901
1,952
Deposit fees5,177
2,634
 1,188
330
 

 6,365
2,964
Gain (loss) on sale of securities available-for-sale, net(1)


 

 649
(1,198) 649
(1,198)
Gain on sale of loans and leases(1)


 3,865

 

 3,865

Loss on foreclosed real estate(1)


 (185)(19) 

 (185)(19)
Other income(1)
804
694
 3,323
40
 1,236
32
 5,363
766
Total noninterest income140,980
155,082
 41,799
4,044
 3,786
786
 186,565
159,912
Revenue$179,218
$170,982
 $209,906
$53,838
 $(3,969)$17,104
 $385,155
$241,924
(1) These revenues are not within the scope of Topic 606. Additional details are included in other footnotes to the accompanying financial statements. The scope of Topic 606 explicitly excludes net interest income as well as many other revenues for financial assets and liabilities, including loans, leases, and securities.

Following is a discussion of key revenues within the scope of Topic 606. The Company provides services to customers that have related performance obligations that must be completed to recognize revenue. Revenues are generally recognized immediately upon the completion of the service or over time as services are performed. Any services performed over time generally require that the Company renders services each period, therefore the Company measures progress in completing these services based upon the passage of time. Revenue from contracts with customers did not generate significant contract assets and liabilities.

Refund Transfer Product Fees
Refund transfer fees are specific to the tax products offered by Refund Advantage and EPS. These fees are for products, services such as payment processing, and product referral commissions. Software partner fees paid and/or incurred are recorded on a net basis. The Company’s obligation for product fees and commissions is satisfied at the time of the product delivery and obligation for payment processing is satisfied at the time of processing. The transaction price for such activity is based upon stand-alone fees within the terms and conditions. As of June 30, 2019, there were no receivables related to refund transfer fees, which reflect earned revenue with unconditional rights to payment for product fee income, while as of September 30, 2018, there were $827,039 of such receivables. All refund transfer fees are recorded within the Payments reporting segment.

Loans.Card Fees
Card fees relate to MPS, retail bank, Refund Advantage and EPS products. These fees are for products and services such as card activation, product support, processing, and servicing. The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, if a loan is considered impaired, an allowance for loan losses is established.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables.

The following table summarizesearns these fees based upon the assets of the Company that were measured at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial condition on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017.
 Fair Value At December 31, 2017
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Foreclosed Assets, net128
 
 
 128
Total$128
 $
 $
 $128
 Fair Value At September 30, 2017
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Foreclosed Assets, net292
     292
Total$292
 $
 $
 $292
 Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in Thousands)Fair Value at
December 31, 2017
 Fair Value at
September 30, 2017
 Valuation
Technique
 Unobservable Input Range of Inputs
Foreclosed Assets, net$128
 292
 Market approach 
Appraised values (1)
 4.00 - 10.00%
(1)
The Company generally relies on external appraisers to develop this information. Management reduced the appraised value by estimating selling costs in a range of 4% to 10%.

The following table discloses the Company’s estimated fair value amounts of its financial instruments as of the dates set forth below.  It is management’s belief that the fair values presented below are reasonable based on the valuation techniques and data available to the Company as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, as more fully described below.  The operations of the Company are managed from a going concern basis and not a liquidation basis.  As a result, the ultimate value realized for the financial instruments presented could be substantially different when actually recognized over time through the normal course of operations.  Additionally, a substantial portion of the Company’s inherent value is the Bank’s capitalization and franchise value.  Neither of these components have been given consideration in the presentation of fair values below.


The following presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the financial instruments held by the Company at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017.
 December 31, 2017
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets         
Cash and cash equivalents$1,300,409
 $1,300,409
 $1,300,409
 $
 $
          
Securities available for sale1,992,352
 1,992,352
 1,829
 1,990,523
 
Securities held to maturity243,492
 240,144
 
 240,144
 
Total securities2,235,844
 2,232,496
 1,829
 2,230,667
 
          
Loans receivable: 
  
  
  
  
One to four family residential mortgage loans203,967
 205,413
 
 
 205,413
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans654,029
 655,777
 
 
 655,777
Agricultural real estate loans61,303
 61,257
 
 
 61,257
Consumer loans274,981
 293,832
 
 
 293,832
Commercial operating loans56,516
 56,520
 
 
 56,520
Agricultural operating loans24,696
 24,506
 
 
 24,506
CML insurance premium finance loans235,671
 235,530
 
 
 235,530
Total loans receivable1,511,163
 1,532,835
 
 
 1,532,835
          
Federal Home Loan Bank stock57,443
 57,443
 
 57,443
 
Accrued interest receivable21,089
 21,089
 21,089
 
 
          
Financial liabilities 
  
  
  
  
Noninterest bearing demand deposits2,779,645
 2,779,645
 2,779,645
 
 
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets185,376
 185,376
 185,376
 
 
Certificates of deposit128,220
 127,451
 
 127,451
 
Wholesale non-maturing deposits40,928
 40,928
 40,928
 
 
Wholesale certificates of deposit379,476
 379,101
 
 379,101
 
Total deposits3,513,645
 3,512,501
 3,005,949
 506,552
 
          
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank210,000
 210,002
 
 210,002
 
Federal funds purchased1,100,000
 1,100,000
 1,100,000
 
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase3,339
 3,339
 
 3,339
 
Capital lease1,922
 1,922
 
 1,922
 
Trust preferred securities10,310
 10,445
 
 10,445
 
Subordinated debentures73,382
 75,750
 
 75,750
 
Accrued interest payable4,065
 4,065
 4,065
 
 

 September 30, 2017
 Carrying
Amount
 Estimated
Fair Value
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Financial assets         
Cash and cash equivalents$1,267,586
 $1,267,586
 $1,267,586
 $
 $
          
Securities available for sale1,693,431
 1,693,431
 1,445
 1,691,986
 
Securities held to maturity563,529
 564,185
 
 564,185
 
Total securities2,256,960
 2,257,616
 1,445
 2,256,171
 
          
Loans receivable: 
  
  
  
  
One to four family residential mortgage loans196,706
 196,970
 
 
 196,970
Commercial and multi-family real estate loans585,510
 576,330
 
 
 576,330
Agricultural real estate loans61,800
 61,584
 
 
 61,584
Consumer loans163,004
 163,961
 
 
 163,961
Commercial operating loans35,759
 35,723
 
 
 35,723
Agricultural operating loans33,594
 32,870
 
 
 32,870
CML insurance premium finance loans250,459
 250,964
 
 
 250,964
Total loans receivable1,326,832
 1,318,402
 
 
 1,318,402
          
Federal Home Loan Bank stock61,123
 61,123
 
 61,123
 
Accrued interest receivable19,380
 19,380
 19,380
 
 
          
Financial liabilities 
  
  
  
  
Noninterest bearing demand deposits2,454,057
 2,454,057
 2,454,057
 
 
Interest bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets169,557
 169,557
 169,557
 
 
Certificates of deposit123,637
 123,094
 
 123,094
 
Wholesale non-maturing deposits18,245
 18,245
 18,245
 
 
Wholesale certificates of deposits457,928
 457,509
 
 457,509
 
Total deposits3,223,424
 3,222,462
 2,641,859
 580,603
 
          
Advances from Federal Home Loan Bank415,000
 415,003
 
 415,003
 
Federal funds purchased987,000
 987,000
 987,000
 
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase2,472
 2,472
 
 2,472
 
Capital lease1,938
 1,938
 
 1,938
 
Trust preferred securities10,310
 10,447
 
 10,447
 
Subordinated debentures73,347
 76,500
 
 76,500
 
Accrued interest payable2,280
 2,280
 2,280
 
 

The following sets forth the methods and assumptions used in determining the fair value estimates for the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The carrying amount of cash and short-term investments is assumed to approximate the fair value.
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND HELD TO MATURITY
Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost.  Fair values for investment securities are based on obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.

LOANS RECEIVABLE, NET
The fair value of loans is estimated using a historical or replacement cost basis concept (i.e., an entrance price concept).  The fair value of loans was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers and for similar remaining maturities.  When using the discounting method to determine fair value, homogeneous loans with similarunderlying terms and conditions were grouped togetherwith each cardholder over the contract term. Agreements with the Company’s cardholders are considered daily service contracts as they are not fixed in duration. The Company’s obligation for card activation and discountedproduct support fees is satisfied at a target rate at which similar loans would be made to borrowers at December 31, 2017 or September 30, 2017.  In addition, when computing the estimated fair valuetime of product delivery, while the obligation for all loans, allowancesprocessing and servicing is satisfied over the course of each month. The transaction price for loan losses have been subtracted fromsuch activity is based upon the calculated fair value as a resultstand-alone fees within the terms and conditions of the discounted cash flow which approximates the fair value adjustment for the credit quality component.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (“FHLB”) STOCK
The fair value of FHLB stock is assumedcardholder agreements. Card fee revenue also includes income from sponsorships, associations and networks, and interchange income. Sponsorship income relates to approximate book value since the Company is only able to redeem this stock at par value.
ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE
The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable is assumed to approximate the fair value.
DEPOSITS
The carrying values of non-interest bearing checking deposits, interest bearing checking deposits, savings, money markets, and wholesale non-maturing deposits are assumed to approximate fair value, since such deposits are immediately withdrawable without penalty.  The fair value of time certificates of deposit and wholesale certificates of deposit were estimated by discounting expected future cash flows by the current rates offered on certificates of deposit with similar remaining maturities.
In accordance with ASC 825, Financial Instruments, no value has been assignedfees charged to the Company’s long-term relationshipsATM sponsorship partners, where the obligation is satisfied over the course of each month. Association and network income reflect incentives, performance bonuses and rebates with MasterCard and Visa. The obligation for such income is satisfied at the time when certain thresholds of transaction volume have been met. Interchange income is generated by cardholder activity, and therefore the Company’s obligations are satisfied as activity occurs. The transaction price for such activity is based on underlying rates and activity thresholds within the terms and conditions of the applicable agreements. Card fee revenue also includes breakage revenue. Breakage represents the estimated amount that will not be redeemed by the holder of unregistered, unused prepaid cards for goods or services. Breakage revenue is recognized ratably over the expected customer usage period and is an estimate based on cardholder behavior and breakage rates. Breakage is also impacted by escheatment laws. Card fees are recorded within the Payments and Banking reporting segments.

Deposit Fees
Fees are earned on depository accounts for commercial and consumer customers and include fees for account services, overdraft services, safety deposit box rentals, and event-driven services (i.e. returned checks, ATM surcharge, card replacement, wire transfers, and stop pays). The Company’s obligation for event-driven services is satisfied at the time of the event when the service is delivered, while its obligation for account services is satisfied over the course of each month. The Company’s obligation for overdraft services is satisfied at the time of overdraft. The transaction price for such activity is based upon stand-alone fees within the terms and conditions of the deposit customers (core value of deposits intangible) since such intangiblesagreements. Deposit fees are not financial instruments as defined under ASC 825.recorded within the Payments and Banking reporting segment.

ADVANCES FROM FHLBPrincipal vs Agent
The fair valuePayments reporting segment includes principal/agent relationships. Within this segment, MPS relationships are recorded on a gross basis within the income statement, as Meta is the principal in the contract, with the exception of such advances was estimated by discountingassociation/network contracts and partner/processer contracts for prepaid cards, which are recorded on a net basis within the expected future cash flows using current interest rates for advancesincome statement as Meta is the agent in these contracts. Also within this segment, Tax service relationships are recorded on a gross basis within the income statement, as Meta is the principal in the contract, with similar termsthe exception of contracts with software providers and remaining maturities.merchants, which are recorded on a net basis within the income statement as Meta is the agent in these contracts.
FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED
The carrying amount of federal funds purchased is assumed to approximate the fair value.
SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE AND SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES
The fair value of these instruments was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using derived interest rates approximating market over the contractual maturity of such borrowings.
ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE
The carrying amount of accrued interest payable is assumed to approximate the fair value.
LIMITATIONS
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time and are based on relevant market information about the financial instrument.  Additionally, fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business, customer relationships and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time.  Furthermore, since no market exists for certain of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates may be based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with a high level of precision.  Changes in assumptions as well as tax considerations could significantly affect the estimates.  Accordingly, based on the limitations described above, the aggregate fair value estimates are not intended to represent the underlying value of the Company, on either a going concern or a liquidation basis.



NOTE 11. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS14. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system and requires disclosures about fair value measurement.  It clarifies that fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts.

The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 Inputs - Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs - Valuation is based upon (1) quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and (3) model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 Inputs - Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market and are used only to the extent that observable inputs are not available. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

Debt Securities Available for Sale and Equity Securities. Debt securities available for sale and equity securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis and securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost.  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using an independent pricing service. For both Level 1 and Level 2 securities, management uses various methods and techniques to corroborate prices obtained from the pricing service, including but not limited to reference to dealer or other market quotes, and by reviewing valuations of comparable instruments. The Company’s Level 1 securities include equity securities and mutual funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. Government agency and instrumentality securities, U.S. Government agency and instrumentality mortgage-backed securities, municipal bonds and corporate debt securities.  The Company had no Level 3 securities at June 30, 2019 or September 30, 2018.

The fair values of securities are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1 inputs), or valuation based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 inputs). The Company considers these valuations supplied by a third party provider which utilizes several sources for valuing fixed-income securities. These sources include Interactive Data Corporation, Reuters, Standard and Poor’s, Bloomberg Financial Markets, Street Software Technology, and the third party provider’s own matrix and desk pricing.  The Company, no less than annually, reviews the third party’s methods and source’s methodology for reasonableness and to ensure an understanding of inputs utilized in determining fair value. Sources utilized by the third party provider include but are not limited to pricing models that vary based by asset class and include available trade, bid, and other market information. This methodology includes but is not limited to broker quotes, proprietary models, descriptive terms and conditions databases, as well as extensive quality control programs. Monthly, the Company receives and compares prices provided by multiple securities dealers and pricing providers to validate the accuracy and reasonableness of prices received from the third party provider. On a monthly basis, the Investment Committee reviews mark-to-market changes in the securities portfolio for reasonableness.

The following table summarizes the fair values of debt securities available for sale and equity securities at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, as they are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
 Fair Value At June 30, 2019
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Debt securities AFS       
SBA securities$193,066
 $
 $193,066
 $
Obligations of states and political subdivisions875
 
 875
 
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions460,660
 
 460,660
 
Asset-backed securities307,296
 
 307,296
 
Mortgage-backed securities395,201
 
 395,201
 
Total debt securities AFS$1,357,098
 $
 $1,357,098
 $
Common equities and mutual funds(1)(2)
$4,419
 $4,419
 $
 $
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
(2) ASU 2016-01 adopted on October 1, 2018, on a prospective basis, removed equity securities from AFS category at June 30, 2019.
 Fair Value At September 30, 2018
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Debt securities AFS       
SBA securities$44,337
 $
 $44,337
 $
Obligations of states and political subdivisions16,910
 
 16,910
 
Non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions1,109,885
 
 1,109,885
 
Asset-backed securities313,028
 
 313,028
 
Mortgage-backed securities364,065
 
 364,065
 
Total debt securities AFS1,848,225
 
 1,848,225
 
Common equities and mutual funds(1)
3,800
 3,800
 
 
Total securities$1,852,025
 $3,800
 $1,848,225
 $

(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

The Company helddid not transfer any AFS debt securities or equity securities between fair value hierarchy categories at June 30, 2019 or September 30, 2018.

Loans and Leases.  The Company does not record loans and leases at fair value on a totalrecurring basis.  If a loan or lease is identified as individually impaired, management then measures impairment in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables. See Note 4 Loans and Leases, Net for further information.

The following table summarizes the assets of $98.7 millionthe Company that were measured at fair value in the consolidated statements of goodwillfinancial condition on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2017. June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
 Fair Value At June 30, 2019
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Impaired Loans and Leases, net       
Asset based lending$83
 $
 $
 $83
Factoring3,960
 
 
 3,960
Commercial finance4,043
 
 
 4,043
Total National Lending4,043
 
 
 4,043
     Total impaired loans and leases4,043
 
 
 4,043
Foreclosed assets, net29,514
 
 
 29,514
Total$33,557
 $
 $
 $33,557


 Fair Value At September 30, 2018
(Dollars in Thousands)Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Impaired loans and leases, net       
Asset based lending$57
 $
 $
 $57
Factoring1,899
 
 
 1,899
Lease financing2,869
 
 
 2,869
Commercial finance4,825
 
 
 4,825
Total National Lending4,825
 
 
 4,825
     Total impaired loans and leases4,825
 
 
 4,825
Foreclosed assets, net31,638
 
 
 31,638
Total$36,463
 $
 $
 $36,463

 Quantitative Information About Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in Thousands)Fair Value at
June 30, 2019
 Fair Value at
September 30, 2018
 Valuation
Technique
 Unobservable Input Range of Inputs
Impaired loans and leases, net$4,043
 4,825
 Market approach 
Appraised values(1)
 4.00 - 10.00%
Foreclosed assets, net$29,514
 31,638
 Market approach 
Appraised values(1)
 4.00 - 30.00%
(1) The recorded goodwill was dueCompany generally relies on external appraisers to two separate business combinations during fiscal 2015develop this information. Management reduced the appraised value by estimating selling costs and two separate business combinations duringother inputs in a range of 4% to 30%.

The following table discloses the first quarterCompany’s estimated fair value amounts of fiscal 2017. The fiscal 2015 business combinations included $11.6 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially allits financial instruments as of the commercialdates set forth below.  It is management’s belief that the fair values presented below are reasonable based on the valuation techniques and data available to the Company as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, as more fully described below.  The operations of the Company are managed from a going concern basis and not a liquidation basis.  As a result, the ultimate value realized for the financial instruments presented could be substantially different when actually recognized over time through the normal course of operations.  Additionally, a substantial portion of the Company’s inherent value is the Bank’s capitalization and franchise value.  Neither of these components have been given consideration in the presentation of fair values below.


The following presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of the financial instruments held by the Company at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
 June 30, 2019
(Dollars in Thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets         
Cash and cash equivalents$100,732
 $100,732
 $100,732
 $
 $
          
Debt securities available for sale1,357,098
 1,357,098
 
 1,357,098
 
Debt securities held to maturity145,542
 142,938
 
 142,938
 
Equity securities(1)
4,419
 4,419
 4,419
 
 
Total securities1,507,059
 1,504,455
 4,419
 1,500,036
 
          
Loans held for sale62,839
 62,839
 
 62,839
 
          
Loans and leases:         
Asset based lending615,309
 599,664
 
 
 599,664
Factoring320,344
 316,278
 
 
 316,278
Lease financing341,957
 338,804
 
 
 338,804
Insurance premium finance358,772
 358,401
 
 
 358,401
SBA/USDA99,791
 94,391
 
 
 94,391
Other commercial finance99,677
 101,145
 
 
 101,145
Commercial finance1,835,850
 1,808,683
 
 
 1,808,683
Consumer credit products155,539
 156,539
 
 
 156,539
Other consumer finance164,727
 160,239
 
 
 160,239
Consumer finance320,266
 316,778
 
 
 316,778
Tax services24,410
 8,985
 
 
 8,985
Warehouse finance250,003
 250,053
 
 
 250,053
Total National Lending2,430,529
 2,384,499
 
 
 2,384,499
Commercial real estate and operating877,412
 867,725
 
 
 867,725
Consumer one to four family real estate and other256,853
 258,359
 
 
 258,359
Agricultural real estate and operating61,169
 59,270
 
 
 59,270
Total Community Banking1,195,434
 1,185,354
 
 
 1,185,354
Total loans and leases3,625,963
 3,569,853
 
 
 3,569,853
          
Federal Home Loan Bank stock17,236
 17,236
 
 17,236
 
Accrued interest receivable19,722
 19,722
 19,722
 
 
          
Financial liabilities         
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits2,751,931
 2,751,931
 2,751,931
 
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets278,585
 278,585
 278,585
 
 
Time certificates of deposits116,698
 116,657
 
 116,657
 
Wholesale non-maturing deposits216,598
 216,598
 216,598
 
 
Wholesale time certificates of deposits1,411,402
 1,412,931
 
 1,412,931
 
Total deposits4,775,214
 4,776,702
 3,247,114
 1,529,588
 
          
Overnight federal funds purchased135,000
 135,000
 135,000
 
 
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances110,000
 110,578
 
 110,578
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase3,658
 3,658
 
 3,658
 
Capital leases1,972
 1,972
 
 1,972
 
Trust preferred securities13,661
 13,879
 
 13,879
 
Subordinated debentures73,605
 76,875
 
 76,875
 
Other borrowings18,482
 18,307
 
 18,307
 
Accrued interest payable12,350
 12,350
 12,350
 
 
(1) Equity securities at fair value are included within other assets on the consolidated statement of financial condition at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

 September 30, 2018
(Dollars in Thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets         
Cash and cash equivalents$99,977
 $99,977
 $99,977
 $
 $
          
Securities available for sale1,852,025
 1,852,025
 3,800
 1,848,225
 
Securities held to maturity172,154
 160,974
 
 160,974
 
Total securities2,024,179
 2,012,999
 3,800
 2,009,199
 
          
Loans held for sale15,606
 15,606
 
 15,606
 
          
Loans and leases:         
Asset based lending477,917
 477,471
 
 
 477,471
Factoring284,221
 283,424
 
 
 283,424
Lease financing265,315
 264,679
 
 
 264,679
Insurance premium finance337,877
 337,212
 
 
 337,212
SBA/USDA59,374
 61,072
 
 
 61,072
Other commercial finance85,145
 83,111
 
 
 83,111
Commercial finance1,509,849
 1,506,969
 
 
 1,506,969
Consumer credit products80,605
 80,633
 
 
 80,633
Other consumer finance189,756
 197,320
 
 
 197,320
Consumer finance270,361
 277,953
 
 
 277,953
Tax services1,073
 1,073
 
 
 1,073
Warehouse finance65,000
 64,978
 
 
 64,978
Total National Lending1,846,283
 1,850,973
 
 
 1,850,973
Commercial real estate and operating790,890
 773,203
 
 
 773,203
Consumer one to four family real estate and other247,318
 244,730
 
 
 244,730
Agricultural real estate and operating60,498
 58,849
 
 
 58,849
Total Community Banking1,098,706
 1,076,782
 
 
 1,076,782
Total loans and leases2,944,989
 2,927,755
 
 
 2,927,755
          
Federal Home Loan Bank stock23,400
 23,400
 
 23,400
 
Accrued interest receivable22,016
 22,016
 22,016
 
 
          
Financial liabilities         
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits2,405,274
 2,405,274
 2,405,274
 
 
Interest-bearing demand deposits, savings, and money markets218,347
 218,347
 218,347
 
 
Time certificates of deposits276,180
 273,800
 
 273,800
 
Wholesale non-maturing deposits94,384
 94,384
 94,384
 
 
Wholesale time certificates of deposits1,436,802
 1,432,146
 
 1,432,146
 
Total deposits4,430,987
 4,423,951
 2,718,005
 1,705,946
 
          
Overnight federal funds purchased422,000
 422,000
 422,000
 
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase3,694
 3,694
 
 3,694
 
Capital leases1,876
 1,876
 
 1,876
 
Trust preferred securities13,661
 13,866
 
 13,866
 
Subordinated debentures73,491
 75,563
 
 75,563
 
Accrued interest payable7,794
 7,794
 7,794
 
 



The following sets forth the methods and assumptions used in determining the fair value estimates for the Company’s financial instruments at June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The carrying amount of cash and short-term investments is assumed to approximate the fair value.
DEBT SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND EQUITY SECURITIES
Debt securities available for sale and equity securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values for these investment securities are based on obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges, or matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities.

LOANS HELD FOR SALE
The carrying amount of loans held for sale is assumed to approximate the fair value.

LOANS AND LEASES, NET
Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, the fair value of loans and leases were estimated using an exit price methodology. The exit price estimation of fair value is based on the present value of expected cash flows, which are based on the contractual terms of the loans, adjusted for prepayments and a discount rate based on the relative risk of the cash flows. Other considerations include the loan portfoliotype, remaining life of the loan and related assetscredit risk. In comparison, loan and lease fair values as of AFS/IBEXSeptember 30, 2018 were estimated on December 2, 2014an entrance price methodology, which discounts future cash flows using the then-current rates at which a similar loan would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and $25.4 millionfor the same remaining maturities. The fair value of goodwillnon-impaired loans and leases as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 are not comparable.

FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (“FHLB”) STOCK
The fair value of FHLB stock is assumed to approximate book value since the Company is only able to redeem this stock at par value.
ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE
The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable is assumed to approximate the fair value.
DEPOSITS
The carrying values of noninterest-bearing checking deposits, interest-bearing checking deposits, savings, money markets, and wholesale non-maturing deposits are assumed to approximate fair value since deposits are immediately withdrawable without penalty. The fair value of time certificate deposits and wholesale certificate deposits are estimated using a discounted cash flows calculation that applies the FHLB Des Moines curve to aggregated expected maturities of time deposits. In accordance with Subtopic 825-10, Financial Instruments, no value has been assigned to the Company’s long-term relationships with its deposit customers (core value of deposits intangible) since such intangible is not a financial instrument as defined under Subtopic 825-10.
ADVANCES FROM FHLB
The fair value of such advances was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using current interest rates for advances with similar terms and remaining maturities.
FEDERAL FUNDS PURCHASED
The carrying amount of federal funds purchased is assumed to approximate the fair value.
SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE, SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND OTHER BORROWINGS
The fair value of these instruments was estimated by discounting the expected future cash flows using derived interest rates approximating market over the contractual maturity of such borrowings.
ACCRUED INTEREST PAYABLE
The carrying amount of accrued interest payable is assumed to approximate the fair value.

LIMITATIONS
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in connection withtime and are based on relevant market information about the purchasefinancial instrument.  Additionally, fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of substantially allanticipated future business, customer relationships and the value of the assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of Refund Advantage on September 8, 2015. The fiscal 2017 business combinations included $30.4 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the assets of EPS Financial, LLC on November 1, 2016; and $31.4 million of goodwill in connection with the purchase of substantially all of the assets and specified liabilities of Specialty Consumer Services LP on December 14, 2016. The goodwill associated with these transactions is deductiblea particular financial instrument for tax purposes.
The changes in the carrying amountsale at one time.  Furthermore, since no market exists for certain of the Company’s goodwillfinancial instruments, fair value estimates may be based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and intangible assetsother factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with a high level of precision.  Changes in assumptions as well as tax considerations could significantly affect the estimates.  Accordingly, based on the limitations described above, the aggregate fair value estimates are not intended to represent the underlying value of the Company, on either a going concern or a liquidation basis.

NOTE 15. SEGMENT REPORTING

An operating segment is generally defined as a component of a business for which discrete financial information is available and whose results are reviewed by the chief operating decision-maker. Operating segments are aggregated into reportable segments if certain criteria are met.

The Company reports its results of operations through the following three business segments: Payments, Banking, and Corporate Services/Other. The Meta Payment Systems and Tax Services divisions are reported in the Payments segment. The Community Banking, Commercial Finance and Consumer Finance divisions are reported in the Banking segment. Certain shared services, including the investment portfolio, wholesale deposits and borrowings, are included in the Corporate Services/Other segment.

The following tables present segment data for the Company for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and 2016 were as follows:
2018, respectively.
 Payments Banking Corporate
Services/Other
 Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019       
Net interest income (expense)$15,232
 $60,043
 $(8,307) $66,968
Provision for loan and lease losses914
 8,198
 
 9,112
Noninterest income28,402
 13,583
 1,805
 43,790
Noninterest expense17,559
 33,233
 21,676
 72,468
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)25,161
 32,195
 (28,178) 29,178
        
Total assets196,257
 4,169,351
 1,735,464
 6,101,072
Total goodwill87,145
 220,796
 
 307,941
Total deposits2,795,009
 297,861
 1,682,344
 4,775,214
 2017 2016
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Goodwill   
Balance as of September 30,$98,723
 $36,928
Acquisitions during the period
 61,970
Write-offs during the period
 
Balance as of December 31,$98,723
 $98,898
 Payments Banking Corporate
Services/Other
 Total
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2019       
Net interest income (expense)$38,238
 $168,107
 $(7,755) $198,590
Provision for loan and lease losses24,883
 26,646
 
 51,529
Noninterest income140,980
 41,799
 3,786
 186,565
Noninterest expense71,098
 109,598
 76,320
 257,016
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)83,237
 73,662
 (80,289) 76,610
        
Total assets196,257
 4,169,351
 1,735,464
 6,101,072
Total goodwill87,145
 220,796
 
 307,941
Total deposits2,795,009
 297,861
 1,682,344
 4,775,214

 
Trademark(1)
 
Non-Compete(2)
 
Customer
Relationships
(3)
 
All Others(4)
 Total
Intangibles 
Balance as of September 30, 2017$10,051
 $1,782
 $31,707
 $8,638
 $52,178
Acquisitions during the period
 
 
 38
 38
Amortization during the period(159) (132) (1,160) (230) (1,681)
Write-offs during the period
 
 
 (14) (14)
Balance as of December 31, 2017$9,892
 $1,650
 $30,547
 $8,432
 $50,521
          
Gross carrying amount$10,990
 $2,480
 $57,810
 $10,540
 $81,820
Accumulated amortization(1,098) (830) (17,015) (1,565) (20,508)
Accumulated impairment
 
 (10,248) (543) (10,791)
Balance as of December 31, 2017$9,892
 $1,650
 $30,547
 $8,432
 $50,521
(1) Book amortization period of 5-15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.
(2) Book amortization period of 3-5 years. Amortized using the straight line method.
(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.
(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.


 Payments Banking Corporate
Services/Other
 Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018       
Net interest income$6,298
 $18,077
 $4,036
 $28,411
Provision for loan losses1,189
 4,126
 
 5,315
Noninterest income31,307
 1,318
 600
 33,225
Noninterest expense27,796
 7,172
 14,085
 49,053
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)8,620
 8,097
 (9,449) 7,268
        
Total assets190,437
 1,623,715
 2,355,007
 4,169,159
Total goodwill87,145
 11,578
 
 98,723
Total deposits2,641,838
 241,572
 638,223
 3,521,633
 Payments Banking Corporate
Services/Other
 Total
Nine Months Ended June 30, 2018       
Net interest income$15,900
 $49,794
 $16,318
 $82,012
Provision for loan losses20,335
 4,391
 
 24,726
Noninterest income155,082
 4,044
 786
 159,912
Noninterest expense99,592
 20,723
 41,277
 161,592
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)51,055
 28,724
 (24,173) 55,606
        
Total assets190,437
 1,623,715
 2,355,007
 4,169,159
Total goodwill87,145
 11,578
 
 98,723
Total deposits2,641,838
 241,572
 638,223
 3,521,633

 
Trademark(1)
 
Non-Compete(2)
 
Customer
Relationships
(3)
 
All Others(4)
 Total
Intangibles 
Balance as of September 30, 2016$5,149
 $127
 $20,590
 $3,055
 $28,921
Acquisitions during the period5,480
 2,210
 32,230
 6,156
 46,076
Amortization during the period(120) (86) (1,193) (126) (1,525)
Write-offs during the period
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016$10,509
 $2,251
 $51,627
 $9,085
 $73,472
          
Gross carrying amount$10,970
 $2,510
 $58,270
 $9,711
 $81,461
Accumulated amortization(461) (259) (6,643) (626) (7,989)
Balance as of December 31, 2016$10,509
 $2,251
 $51,627
 $9,085
 $73,472
(1) Book amortization period of 15 years. Amortized using the straight line and accelerated methods.
(2) Book amortization period of 3 years. Amortized using the straight line method.
(3) Book amortization period of 10-30 years. Amortized using the accelerated method.
(4) Book amortization period of 3-20 years. Amortized using the straight line method.

The estimated amortization expense of intangible assets assumes no activities, such as acquisitions, which would result in additional amortizable intangible assets. Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets in the remaining nine months of fiscal 2018 and subsequent fiscal years is as follows:
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Remaining in 2018$6,028
20197,151
20205,753
20215,184
20224,262
20233,625
Thereafter18,518
Total anticipated intangible amortization$50,521

The Company tests intangible assets for impairment at least annually or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment.  There were no impairments to intangible assets during the three months ended December 31, 2017 or 2016.  The annual goodwill impairment test for fiscal 2018 will be conducted at September 30, 2018. 


NOTE 12. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense for the fiscal 2018 first quarter was $5.7 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 54.9%, compared to $0.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.6%, for the fiscal 2017 first quarter.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act has a significant impact on the U.S. corporate income tax regime by lowering the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 in addition to implementing numerous other changes. U.S. GAAP requires that the impact of tax legislation be recognized in the period in which the law was enacted.
As a result of the Tax Act, the Company remeasured its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities during its fiscal 2018 first quarter, resulting in additional income tax expense of $3.6 million. As the Company’s fiscal year end ends on September 30, the statutory corporate rate for fiscal 2018 will be prorated to 24.53 percent.


In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance regarding how a company is to reflect provisional amounts when necessary information is not yet available, prepared or analyzed sufficiently to complete its accounting for the effect of the changes in the Tax Act. The income tax expense of $3.6 million recorded during the fiscal 2018 first quarter represents all known and estimable impacts of the Tax Act and is a provisional amount based on the Company’s current best estimate. This provisional amount incorporates assumptions made based upon the Company’s current interpretations of the Tax Act and may change as the Company receives additional clarification and implementation guidance, and as data becomes available allowing for a more accurate scheduling of the deferred tax assets and liabilities, including those related to items potentially impacted by the Tax Act such as fixed assets and employee compensation. Adjustments to this provisional amount through December 22, 2018 will be included in income from operations as an adjustment to tax expense in future periods.

NOTE 13. REGULATORY MATTERS

On January 5, 2015, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) published industry guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) with respect to the categorization of deposit liabilities as “brokered” deposits. On November 13, 2015, the FDIC issued for comment updated and annotated FAQs, and on June 30, 2016, the FDIC finalized the FAQs. The Company believes that the final FAQs do not materially impact the processes that it uses to identify, accept and report brokered deposits. On April 26, 2016, the FDIC issued a final rule to amend how small banks (less than $10 billion in assets that have been FDIC insured for at least five years) are assessed for deposit insurance (the "Final Rule"). The Final Rule imposes higher assessments for banks that the FDIC believes present higher risk profiles. The Final Rule became effective with the Bank's December 2016 assessment invoice, which the Company received in March 2017.

Due to the Bank’s status as a "well-capitalized" institution under the FDIC's prompt corrective action regulations, and further with respect to the Bank’s financial condition in general, the Company does not at this time anticipate that either the FAQs or the Final Rule will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business operations.  However, should the Bank ever fail to be well-capitalized in the future, as a result of failing to meet the well-capitalized requirements, or the imposition of an individual minimum capital requirement or similar formal requirements, then, notwithstanding that the Bank has capital in excess of the well-capitalized minimum requirements, the Bank would be prohibited, absent waiver from the FDIC, from utilizing brokered deposits (i.e., may not accept, renew or rollover brokered deposits), which could produce serious adverse effects on the Company’s liquidity, and financial condition and results of operations.  Similarly, should the Bank’s financial condition in general deteriorate, future FDIC assessments could have a material adverse effect on the Company.



NOTE 14.16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January 2, 2018, a deed in lieu of foreclosure was executed on the collateral for a large, well-collateralized loan relationship. Upon execution of the deed in lieu, the Company took ownership of the properties serving as collateral and transferred the loans to foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets. If, as expected, the properties are sold prior
Management has evaluated subsequent events that occurred after June 30, 2019. During this period, up to the endfiling date, management did not identify any material subsequent events that would require recognition or disclosure in our consolidated financial statements as of the agreed-upon receivership period set forth in the settlement agreement, the Company will be entitled to all principal, note interest, legal and other fees and expenses. After the receivership period ends, if the properties are not sold, the Company will be entitled to the fair value of the properties.
On January 9, 2018, the Company announced that it entered into a definitive merger agreement with Crestmark Bancorp, Inc. (“Crestmark”), the holding company of Crestmark Bank, whereby the Company will acquire Crestmark in an all-stock transaction.
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, Crestmark will merge with and into the Company, and Crestmark Bank will merge with and into MetaBank (the "Bank"). 
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Crestmark shareholders will receive 2.65 shares of the Company's common stock for each share of Crestmark common stock. The aggregate value of the acquisition consideration, based on the closing price of Meta Financial shares on January 8, 2018 of $91.35, would have been $320.6 million. Giving effect to the transaction, existing shareholders of the Company are expected to own approximately 75%, and Crestmark shareholders are expected to own approximately 25%, of the outstanding shares of the Company.
On January 25, 2018, the Company announced that the Bank entered into a three-year program agreement with Liberty Lending, LCC ("Liberty"), whereby the Bank will provide personal loans to Liberty customers. Under the agreement, the Bank expects to originate between $500 million and $1 billion in personal loans during the term of the program. The loan products contemplated under this agreement will be closed-end installment loans ranging from $3,500 to $45,000 in principal amount with lengths of between 13 and 60 months. The Bank expects to begin providing such loans as early as the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The Bank has the contractual right to sell these loans or interests in the loans. The agreement marks the entry point for the Company into a direct-to-consumer credit business.quarter ended June 30, 2019.



Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.


META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC®.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Meta Financial Group, Inc.®, (“Meta Financial”Meta” or “the Company” or “us”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, MetaBank® (the “Bank” or “MetaBank”), may from time to time make written or oral “forward-looking statements,” including statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in itsthe Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in its reports to stockholders, and in other communications by the Company and the Bank, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.


You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “hope,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “could,” “future,” or the negative of those terms, or other words of similar meaning or similar expressions. You should carefully read statements that contain these words because they discuss our future expectations or state other “forward-looking” information. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and assumptions about future events, and include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, expectations, estimates, and intentions, which are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance and business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Such statements may address, among others, the following subjects: future operating results; our ability to remediate the material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting and otherwise maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; customer retention; loan and other product demand; important components of the Company's statements of financial condition and operations; growth and expansion; new products and services, such as those offered by the BankMetaBank or the Company's Payments divisions (which includesinclude Meta PaymentsPayment Systems, (“MPS”) and its tax-related financial solutions divisions: Refund Advantage, EPS Financial (“EPS”) and Specialty Consumer Services (“SCS”))Services); credit quality and adequacy of reserves; technology; and the Company's employees. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance and results of operations to differ materially from the expectations, estimates, and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the risk that the transaction with Crestmark may not occur on a timely basis or at all; the parties’ ability to obtain regulatory approvals and approval of their respective shareholders, and otherwise satisfy the other conditions to closing, on a timely basis or at all; the risk that the businesses of the Company and MetaBank, on the one hand, and Crestmark and Crestmark Bank, on the other hand, may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected;maintaining our executive management team; the expected growth opportunities, beneficial synergies and/or operating efficiencies from the proposed transaction with Crestmark acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; customer losses and business disruption following the announcement or consummation of the proposed transaction; potential litigation relatingrelated to the proposed merger transaction; the risk that the Company may incurCrestmark acquisition; unanticipated or unknown losses orand liabilities if it completesmay be incurred by the proposed transaction withCompany following the Crestmark acquisition; the costs, risks and Crestmark Bank;effects on the risk thatCompany of the ongoing federal investigation and bankruptcy proceedings involving DC Solar Solutions, Inc., DC Solar Distribution, Inc., and their affiliates, including the potential financial impact of those matters on the net book value of Company assets leased to DC Solar Distribution and the Company’s preliminary analysisability to recognize certain investment tax credits associated with such assets, and the results of the impactCompany’s review of its due diligence processes with respect to the Tax Act may be incorrect;Company’s alternative energy assets; factors relating to the Company’s share repurchase program; actual changes in interest rates and the Fed Funds rate; additional changes in tax laws; the risk that the Bank may be unable to originate between $500 million and $1 billion in personal loans during the three-year term of the program agreement with Liberty Lending, LLC; the risk that we are unable to recoup a significant portion of the lost earnings associated with the non-renewal of the agreement with H&R Block through agreements with new tax partners and expanded relationships with existing tax partners; the risk that loan production levels and other anticipated benefits related to the agreement with Jackson Hewitt Tax Service®, as extended, may not be as much as anticipated; maintaining our executive management team; the strength of the United States' economy, in general, and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; risks relating to the recent U.S. government shutdown and any potential future government shutdown, including any adverse impact on our ability to originate or sell SBA/USDA loans and any delay by the Internal Revenue Service in processing taxpayer refunds, thereby increasing the cost to us of our refund advance loans; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), as well as efforts of the United States Congress and the United States Treasury in conjunction with bank regulatory agencies to stimulate the economy and protect the financial system; inflation, interest rate, market, and monetary fluctuations; the timely and efficient development of, and acceptance of, new products and services offered by the Company or its strategic partners, as well as risks (including reputational and litigation) attendant thereto, and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users; the risks of dealing with or utilizing third parties, including, in connection with the Company’s refund advance business, the risk of reduced volume of refund advance loans as a result of reduced customer demand for or acceptance of usage of the Company’sMeta’s strategic partners’ refund advance products; any actions which may be initiated by our regulators in the future; the impact of changes in financial services laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations relating to the tax refund industry and the insurance premium finance industry; our relationship with our primary regulators, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) and the Federal Reserve, as well as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (“FDIC”), which insures the Bank’sMetaBank’s deposit accounts up to applicable limits; technological changes, including, but not limited to, the protection of electronic files or databases; acquisitions; litigation risk, in general, including, but not limited to, those risks involving the Bank'sMetaBank's divisions; the growth of the Company’s business, as well as expenses related thereto; continued maintenance by the BankMetaBank of its status as a well-capitalized institution, particularly in light of our growing deposit base, a portion of which has been characterized as “brokered”;“brokered;” changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and the success of the Company at maintaining its high quality asset level and managing and collecting assets of borrowers in default should problem assets increase.


The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive.  We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report speak only as of the date hereof.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section.  Additional discussions of factors affecting the Company’s business and prospects are included under the caption "Risk Factors" and in other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172018 and in other filings made with the SEC.  The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries, whether as a result of new information, changed circumstances or future events or for any other reason.


GENERAL
 
The Company, a registered unitary savings and loan holding company, is a Delaware corporation, the principal assets of which are all the issued and outstanding shares of the Bank, a federal savings bank.  Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include Meta Financial and the Bank, and all direct or indirect subsidiaries of Meta Financial on a consolidated basis.
 
The Company’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CASH.”
 
The following discussion focuses on the consolidated financial condition of the Company at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, compared to September 30, 2017,2018, and the consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 and 2016.2018.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended September 30, 20172018 and the related management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.2018.


BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTSEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On
In January 9, 2018,2019, the Company announced three key elements to its near-term plan that it entered into a definitive merger agreement with Crestmark Bancorp, Inc. (“Crestmark”),management expects will enhance long-term value for shareholders. The three key initiatives within the holding companyplan are as follows:

1) Increase the percentage of Crestmark Bank, wherebybalance sheet funding from core deposits;

2) Optimize the Company will acquire Crestmark in an all-stock transaction.
Pursuant to the termsinterest-earning asset mix of the merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, Crestmark will merge withbalance sheet; and into the Company, and Crestmark Bank will merge with and into MetaBank. As of September 30, 2017, the Bank had $5.2 billion in assets and $1.3 billion in total loans and, on a pro forma consolidated basis, the combined company would have had approximately $6.4 billion in assets and $2.2 billion in loans and leases, or 34% of total assets, with lending operations throughout the U.S.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Crestmark shareholders will receive 2.65 shares of the Company's common stock for each share of Crestmark common stock. The aggregate value of the acquisition consideration, based on the closing price of Meta Financial shares on January 8, 2018, of $91.35, would have been $320.6 million. Giving effect to the transaction, existing shareholders of the Company are expected to own approximately 75%, and Crestmark shareholders are expected to own approximately 25%, of the outstanding shares of the Company.
Crestmark, through Crestmark Bank, is a commercial lender offering asset-based loans, equipment finance leases and government guaranteed loans to small and mid-sized businesses across the US. Crestmark focuses on working with a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, transportation and health care. Crestmark will operate as a division of MetaBank and will continue to operate from its offices in Troy, Michigan.3) Improve operating efficiencies.
On January 25, 2018, the Company announced that MetaBank entered into a three year program agreement with Liberty Lending, LLC ("Liberty"), whereby MetaBank will provide personal loans to Liberty customers. Under the agreement, the Bank expects to originate between $500 million and $1 billion in personal loans during the term of the program. The loan products contemplated under this agreement will be closed-end installment loans ranging from $3,500 to $45,000 in principal amount with lengths of between 13 and 60 months. The Bank expects to begin providing such loans as early as the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The Bank has the contractual right to sell these loans or interests in the loans. The agreement marks the entry point for the Company into a direct-to-consumer credit business.
As previously disclosed, on October 11, 2017, the Company completed the purchase of a $73.0 million, seasoned, floating rate, private student loan portfolio. All loans are indexed to one-month LIBOR. The portfolio is serviced by ReliaMax Lending Services LLC and insured by ReliaMax Surety Company. This portfolio purchase builds on the Company's existing student loan platform.

OVERVIEW OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE


The Company recorded net income of $4.7$29.3 million, or $0.48$0.75 per diluted share, for the three monthsquarter ended December 31, 2017, comparedJune 30, 2019, comparing favorably to net income of $1.2$6.8 million, or $0.14$0.23 per diluted share, that was recorded for the three months ended December 31, 2016,fiscal 2018 third quarter. Total revenue for the fiscal 2019 third quarter was $110.8 million, compared to $61.6 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2018, an increase of 275%80%. IncludedThe improvement in the 2018 fiscal first quarterrevenue and net income was an additional, non recurring income tax expensedriven primarily by the Company's improved earning asset mix in connection with the acquisition of $3.6 million from a reductionCrestmark in the valuefourth quarter of certain deferred tax assetsfiscal 2018.

The continued growth in loans and leases during the third quarter of fiscal 2019, along with the continued optimization of the earning asset mix of the balance sheet, led to net interest income of $67.0 million and net interest margin ("NIM") of 5.07% and net interest margin, tax-equivalent ("NIM, TE") of 5.15%. The Company's average gross loans and leases increased by $2.04 billion, or 131%, while average noninterest-bearing deposits increased by $244.5 million, or 10%, when compared to the same period in fiscal 2018. Management anticipates that NIM will continue to expand over time as the Company continues to grow and optimize the loan and lease portfolio along with leveraging growth from its Payments division's low-cost deposits.

Noninterest income for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 increased to $43.8 million. Contributing to the increase were increases in rental income, gain on sale of loans and leases, other income, and deposit fees. For the quarter ended June 30, 2019, noninterest expense was $72.5 million. The increase in noninterest expense over the prior year fiscal third quarter was primarily due to the addition of the Crestmark division as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") signed into law on December 22, 2017. The 2018 fiscal first quarter pre-tax results included a $1.0 million loss on sale of investments and $1.3 million ofCrestmark acquisition, expenses. The 2018 fiscal first quarter pre-tax results also included $1.7 million in amortization of intangible assets and $1.3 million in non-cash stock-related compensation associated with executive officer employment agreements.

Net interest incomewhich was $26.2 millionnot present in the 2018comparable quarter in the prior fiscal first quarter, an increase of $6.4 million, or 32%, compared toyear.

The Company announced during the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017. This increase was primarily2019 that its Board of Directors authorized a resultshare repurchase program to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares of high credit quality loan growth in both the commercial insurance premium finance loan portfolio and community banking loan portfolio, as well asCompany's outstanding common stock. During the purchased floating rate student loans. Also contributing to the improvement were increases in higher yielding securities balances, primarily due to highly-rated tax-exempt municipal securities at relatively high tax equivalent yields and a continuing improvement in the overall interest-earning asset mix.

Card fee income increased $6.8 million, or 37%, for the 2018 fiscal first quarter when compared to the same quarter in 2017. This increase was due to residual fees related to a wind down of two of our non-strategic programs. The Company expects fiscal year 2018 total card fee income to be between $95.0 million and $101.0 million and expects total card processing expense to be between $23.0 million and $27.0 million.

Total tax product fee income increased $1.5 million, or 242%, from $0.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016 to $2.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017. This increase was primarily due to the volume of pre-season tax advance loans originated during the firstthird quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017. All of these loans are being held during fiscal 2018, as opposed to the previous year when many of these loans were sold, which also contributed to the increase.

The Company's 2018 fiscal first quarter average assets grew to $4.12 billion, compared to $3.49 billion in the 2017 first quarter, an increase of 18%, primarily driven by growth in loan and securities balances.

Total loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses, increased $393.2 million, or 36%, at December 31, 2017, compared to December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily related to growth in commercial real estate loans of $213.5 million, or 48%, growth in consumer loans of $101.8 million, or an increase of 59%, of which $56.7 million was attributable to the Company's purchased student loan portfolios and $44.0 million was related to refund advance loans, growth in commercial insurance premium finance loans of $56.2 million, or an increase of 31%, and growth in residential mortgage loans of $31.1 million, or an increase of 18%. The growth in net loans receivable from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 was partially offset by an $11.6 million decrease, or a 12% decrease, in total agricultural loans. Excluding all purchased student loan portfolios and refund advance loans, total loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses, at December 31, 2017 were up $293.1 million, or 30%, compared to the same period of the prior year. At December 31, 2017, community banking loans increased $223.3 million, or 29%, compared to December 31, 2016.

Payments division average deposits increased $295.2 million, or 15%, for the 2018 fiscal first quarter when compared to the same quarter of 2017.

Non-performing assets (“NPAs”) were 0.61% of total assets at December 31, 2017, compared to 0.05% at December 31, 2016. The increase in NPAs was primarily related to a large, well-collateralized agricultural loan relationship being more than 90 days past due, which was still accruing at December 31, 2017. On January 2, 2018, a deed in lieu of foreclosure was executed on the collateral for this relationship upon which2019, the Company took ownershiprepurchased 1,574,734 shares under the share repurchase program at an average price of the properties serving as collateral$27.31, for a total of $43.0 million. The program became effective May 1, 2019 and transferred the loansis scheduled to foreclosed real estate and repossessed assets. If, as expected, the properties are sold prior to the end of the agreed-upon receivership period set forth in the settlement agreement, the Company will be entitled to all principal, note interest, legal and other fees and expenses. After the receivership period ends, if the properties are not sold, the Company will be entitled to the fair value of the properties, which the Company believes to be significantly in excess of all principal, note interest, legal and other fees and expenses. Atexpire on September 30, 2017, NPAs were 0.72% of total assets. The decrease in NPAs from September 30, 2017 to December 30, 2017 was primarily due to the payoff of a $7.0 million nonperforming agricultural loan relationship during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.2021.


FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the Company’s total assets increased by $189.6$266.0 million, or 4%5%, to $5.42$6.10 billion compared to $5.23$5.84 billion at September 30, 2017. The increase in assets was2018, primarily due to an increase in loans receivable.and leases, while partially being offset by a decrease in the investment portfolio.


Total cash and cash equivalents were $1.30 billionwas $100.7 million at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, an increase of $32.8 million, or 3%1%, from $1.27 billion$100.0 millionat September 30, 2017. Similar to September 30, 2017, the Company also temporarily repositioned the balance sheet at the end of the 2018 fiscal first quarter to prepare for the upcoming seasonal tax lending activity.
2018. The Company maintains its cash investments primarily in interest-bearing overnight deposits with the FHLB of Des Moines and the Federal Reserve Bank.



The total of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and investment securitiesportfolio decreased $21.1$517.3 million, or 1%26%, to $2.24$1.50 billion at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, compared to $2.26$2.02 billion at September 30, 2017,2018, as maturities, sales, and principal pay downs exceeded purchases. The Company’s portfolio of investment securities and MBS securitiescustomarily consists primarily of U.S. Government agency and instrumentality MBS, which have relatively short expected lives U.S. Government related asset backed securities, U.S. Government agency or instrumentality collateralized housing related municipal securities, and high qualitymuch shorter than the stated final maturity, non-bank qualified obligations of states and political subdivisions (“NBQ”), which mature in approximately 15 years or less.less, and other tax exempt municipal mortgage related pass through securities which have average lives much shorter than their stated final maturities. All MBS held by the Company at June 30, 2019 were issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality. Of the total MBS, $600.1$395.2 million, at fair value, were classified as available for sale, and $8.5$7.4 million, at cost, were classified as held to maturity. Of the total investment securities, $1.39 billion$961.9 million, at fair value, were classified as available for sale and $235.0$138.1 million, at cost, were classified as held to maturity. During the three monthnine-month period ended December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the Company purchased $105.3$297.5 million of investment securities available for sale no MBS securities, and no investment securities held to maturity with the available for sale investment security purchases consisting primarily of Ginnie Mae (“GNMA”) convertible and collateralized municipal housing securities and other municipal housing securities fully collateralized by U.S. agency and instrumentalityor MBS securities.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company early adopted Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities." Due to the early adoption of the ASU, the Company transferred $204.7 million of investment securities and $101.3 million of MBS from HTM to AFS during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. This change allows for enhanced balance sheet management and provides the opportunity for more liquidity, should it be needed.

The Company’s portfolio of netgross loans receivableand leases increased $182.4by $681.0 million, or 14%23%, to $1.50$3.63 billion at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, from $1.32$2.94 billionat September 30, 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to a $112.0 million increase in consumer2018.

National Lending loans largely due to the student loan portfolio purchases and refund advance loans, a $68.5leases increased $584.2 million, or 12%, increase in32% to $2.43 billion at June 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2018. Within the National Lending portfolios, commercial real estate loans, a $20.8 million, or 58%, increase in commercial operating loans, and a $7.3 million, or 4%, increase in residential mortgage loans, offset in part by a $14.8 million, or 6%, decrease in commercial insurance premium finance loans and a $9.4leases increased $326.0 million, or 10%, decrease in total agriculturalwarehouse finance portfolio increased $185.0 million, consumer finance portfolio increased $49.9 million, and the tax services loans during the three months ended December 31, 2017. Excluding the purchased student loan portfolios and refund advances, total loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses, would have increased $72.2$23.3 million or 6%, fromat June 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2017 to December 31, 2017.2018. Community bankingBanking loans increased $61.5 million, or 7%, during this period. Of the $654.0 million in commercial and multi-family real estate loans at December 31, 2017, $129.9 million were considered high-volatility commercial real estate (“HVCRE”) loans.  While such HVCRE loans are risk-weighted at 150% rather than 100%, as is customary for non-HVCRE commercial loans, the increase to the Company’s risk-weighted assets continues to be inconsequential in terms of the Company’s capital ratios.

Total deposits increased $290.2grew $96.7 million, or 9%, at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019 compared to $3.51September 30, 2018, primarily due to growth in commercial real estate loans.

As of June 30, 2019, the remaining balance of acquired loans and leases from the Crestmark acquisition was $402.4 million and the remaining balances of the credit and interest rate mark discounts related to the acquired loans and leases held for investment were $6.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively, while the remaining balance of the interest rate mark premium related to the acquired loans held for sale was $0.7 million. On August 1, 2018, the Company acquired loans and leases from the Crestmark acquisition totaling $1.06 billion and recorded related credit and interest rate mark discounts of $12.3 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

Through the Bank, the Company owns stock in the FHLB due to the Bank’s membership and participation in this banking
system. The FHLB requires a level of stock investment based on a pre-determined formula. The Company’s investment in such stock decreased $6.2 million, or 26%, to $17.2 million at June 30, 2019, from $3.22 billion$23.4 million at September 30, 2017,2018. The decrease in FHLB stock directly correlates with lower short-term borrowings balances at June 30, 2019 compared to September 30, 2018.

Total end-of-period deposits increased $344.2 million, or 8%, at June 30, 2019 to $4.78 billion as compared to September 30, 2018, primarily related to an increaseincreases of $325.6$346.7 million in non-interest bearingnoninterest-bearing deposits, an increase of $17.1$96.8 million in wholesale deposits and $46.2 million in interest-bearing checking deposits and a $4.6 million increase in certificates of deposit.deposits. The increase in total deposits was partially offset by a decrease of $55.8$159.5 million in wholesale deposits. Deposits attributable to the Payments segment increased by $331.8 million, or 14%, to $2.77 billion at December 31, 2017, compared to $2.44 billion at September 30, 2017.  certificates of deposit.

The average balance of total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities was $3.62$5.37 billion for the three monthnine-month period ended December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, compared to $3.06$3.83 billionfor the same period inof the prior fiscal year. The average balance of non-interest bearingnoninterest-bearing deposits for the three monthnine-month period ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 increased by$272.3by $233.6 million, or 13%9%, to $2.33$2.72 billion compared to the same period in the prior year.
 
Total
The Company's total borrowings decreased $91.1$158.3 million, or 6%31%, from $1.49 billion$514.7 million at September 30, 20172018 to $1.40 billion$356.4 million at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, primarily due to a decrease in short-term borrowings. During the third quarter of federal funds purchased. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2017,fiscal 2019, the Company's cash balances were much higher than normal due toCompany replaced a temporary repositioning of the balance sheet at those dates as partportion of its preparations for the 2018 tax season.short-term borrowings with new long-term borrowings of $110.0 million. The Company’s overnight federal funds purchased fluctuatesshort-term borrowings fluctuate on a daily basis due to the nature of a portion of its non-interest bearingnoninterest-bearing deposit base, primarily related to payroll processing timing with a higher volume of overnight federal funds purchasedshort-term borrowings on Monday through Wednesday,and Tuesday, which are typically paid down on Thursday and Friday.  Secondarily,throughout the week. This predictable fluctuation may be augmented near a portionmonth-end by a prefunding of certain programs are pre-funded, typically in the final weekprograms. The Company also has an available no-fee line of the month and the corresponding deposits are received typically on the first daycredit with JP Morgan of the following month causing a temporary increased need for overnight borrowings. Accordingly, our level of borrowings may fluctuate significantly on any particular quarter end date.$25.0 million with no funds advanced at June 30, 2019.


At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the Company’s stockholders’ equity totaled $437.7$822.9 million, an increase of $3.2$75.2 million, from $434.5$747.7 million at September 30, 2017.2018.  The increase was attributable to net earnings, and an increase in additional paid-in capital offset byand a change in accumulated other comprehensive income and cash dividends paid.income. At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the Bank continued to exceed all regulatory requirements for classification as a well‑capitalized institution.  See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further information.

Non-performing Assets and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

Generally, for the majority of loan segments, when a loan or lease becomes delinquent 90 days or more (210 days or more for commercial insurance premium finance loans), or when the collection of principal or interest becomes doubtful, the Company will place the loan or lease on a non-accrual status and, as a result, previously accrued interest income on the loan or lease is reversed against current income. The loan or lease will generally remain inon a non-accrual status until six months of good payment history has been established or management believes the loan becomes currentfinancial status of the borrower has been significantly restored. Certain relationships in the table below are over 90 days past due and has demonstrated a sustained periodstill accruing. The Company considers these relationships as being in the process of satisfactory performance, typically after six months.

Consumercollection. Insurance premium finance loans, consumer finance and tax advanceservices loans originated through the Company's tax divisions, are interest and fee free to the consumer. Due to the nature of consumer advance loans, it typically takes no more than three e-file cycles, the period of time between scheduled IRS payments, fromgenerally not placed on non-accrual status, but are instead written off when the return is accepted to collect. In the eventcollection of default, MetaBank has no recourse with the tax consumer. Generally, when the refund advance loan becomes delinquent for 180 daysprincipal and interest become doubtful.

Loans and leases, or more, orportions thereof, are charged off when collection of principal becomes doubtful, the Company willdoubtful. Generally, this is associated with a delay or shortfall in payments of greater than 210 days for insurance premium finance, 180 days for tax and other specialty lending loans, 120 days for consumer credit products and 90 days for other loans. Action is taken to charge off ERO loans if such loans have not been collected by the loan balance.end of June and taxpayer advance loans if such loans have not been collected by the end of the calendar year. Non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructurings are generally considered impaired.
 
The Company believes that the level of allowance for loan and lease losses at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 was appropriate and reflected probable losses related to these loans;loans and leases; however, there can be no assurance that all loans and leases will be fully collectible or that the present level of the allowance will be adequate in the future. See “Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses” below.
 

The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of non-performing assets in the Company’s portfolio as of the dates set forth below. Foreclosed assets include assets acquired in settlement of loans.

 Non-Performing Assets As Of
 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2018
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Non-performing loans and leases   
Non-accruing loans and leases:   
Asset based lending$5,654
 $
Factoring4,846
 
Lease financing1,936
 2,864
SBA/USDA259
 
Commercial finance12,695
 2,864
Total National Lending12,695
 2,864
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other233
 
Total Community Banking233
 
Total12,928
 2,864
    
Accruing loans and leases delinquent 90 days or more:   
Asset based lending180
 94
Lease financing4,225
 726
Insurance premium finance1,679
 2,981
Commercial finance6,084
 3,801
Consumer credit products703
 147
Other consumer finance1,083
 2,237
Consumer finance1,786
 2,384
Tax services
 1,073
Total National Lending7,870
 7,258
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other
 79
Total Community Banking
 79
Total7,870
 7,337
    
Total non-performing loans and leases20,798
 10,201
    
Other assets   
Non-performing operating leases703
 
    
Foreclosed and repossessed assets:   
Commercial finance1,392
 1,626
Consumer one-to-four family real estate and other
 90
Agricultural real estate and operating28,122
 29,922
Total29,514
 31,638
    
Total other assets30,217
 31,638
    
Total non-performing assets$51,015
 $41,839
Total as a percentage of total assets0.84% 0.72%

 Non-Performing Assets As Of
 December 31, 2017 September 30, 2017
Non-Performing Loans(Dollars in Thousands)
    
Non-Accruing Loans:   
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate284
 685
Total (1)
284
 685
    
Accruing Loans Delinquent 90 Days or More 
  
1-4 Family Real Estate234
 
Agricultural Real Estate27,818
 34,198
Consumer1,624
 1,406
Agricultural Operating
 97
CML Insurance Premium Finance3,194
 1,205
Total32,870
 36,906
    
Total Non-Performing Loans33,154
 37,591
    
Other Assets   
Foreclosed Assets:   
   1-4 Family Real Estate
 62
Commercial and Multi-Family Real Estate128
 230
       Total128

292
    
Total Other Assets$128

$292
    
Total Non-Performing Assets$33,282

$37,883
Total as a Percentage of Total Assets0.61% 0.72%
Total Non-Performing Assets as a Percentage of Total Assets - excluding insured loans(2)
0.58% 0.70%
(1) During the three-month period ended December 31, 2017, the Company had $1.1 million of loans modified as troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs") and no loans modified as TDRs during the three-month period ended September 30, 2017. In addition, the Company had $1.6 million and $0.5 million of TDRs performing in accordance with their terms at each of the periods ended December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017.
(2)Excludes from non-performing assets the student loans that are insured by ReliaMax Surety Company.


At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, non-performing loans and leases totaled $33.2$20.8 million, representing 2.19%0.57% of total loans and leases, compared to $37.6$10.2 million, or 2.83%0.35% of total loans and leases at September 30, 2017. This decrease in non-performing loans was primarily due to the payoff of a $7.0 million nonperforming agricultural loan relationship during the first quarter of fiscal 2018.


Classified Assets. Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans, leases, and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered by our primary regulator, the OCC, to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss.“loss, with each such classification dependent on the facts and circumstances surrounding the assets in question. An asset is considered “substandard” if it is inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the “distinct possibility” that the Bank will sustain “some loss” if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful” have all of the weaknesses inherent in those classified “substandard,” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make “collection or liquidation in full,” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, “highly questionable and improbable.” Assets classified as “loss” are those considered “uncollectible” and of such minimal value that their continuance as assets without the establishment of a specific loss reserve is not warranted.


General allowances represent loss allowances which have been established to recognize the inherent risk associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular problem assets. When assets are classified as “loss,” the Bank is required either to establish a specific allowance for losses equal to 100% of that portion of the asset so classified or to charge-offcharge off such amount. The Bank’s determinations as to the classification of its assets and the amount of its valuation allowances are subject to review by its regulatory authorities, which may order the establishment of additional general or specific loss allowances.


On the basis of management’s review of its loans, leases, and other assets, at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the Company had classified $40.4$35.0 million of its assets as substandard and did not classify any assets as doubtful or loss. At September 30, 2017,2018, the Company classified $40.6$24.6 million of its assets as substandard and did not classify any assets as doubtful or loss.
 
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. The allowance for loan and lease losses is established through a provision for loan and lease losses based on management’s evaluation of the risk inherent in its loan and lease portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of its loan and lease activity, including those loans whichand leases that are being specifically monitored by management. Such evaluation, which includes a review of loans and leases for which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, involvesincludes consideration of, among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan and lease loss experience and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate loan and lease loss allowance.

Management closely monitors economic developments both regionally and nationwide, and considers these factors when assessing the appropriateness of its allowance for loan and lease losses. The current economic environment continues to show signs of improvementstability in the Bank’s markets. The Bank’s average loss rates over the past three years were low relative to industry averages for community banking loans were relatively low compared to peers, but weresuch years, offset, in the case of fiscal 2016, with a higher agricultural loss rate in fiscal year 2016 driven by the charge offcharge-off of one relationship. The Bank does not believe it is likely that these low loss conditions will continue indefinitely. Although the Bank’s four market areas have indirectly benefited from a stable agricultural market, the market has become slightly stressed as commodity prices have generally remained lower than a few years ago. Management believes the low commodity pricesEach loan and adverse weather conditions have the potential to negatively impact the economies of our agricultural markets. The improving economic conditions have also kept thelease segment is evaluated using both historical loss rates on the national lending loansfactors as well as other qualitative factors, in order to determine the tax service loans relatively low, although management realizes that these low loss conditions may not continue.
At December 31, 2017,amount of risk the Company had established an allowance for loan losses totaling $8.9 million, compared to $7.5 million at September 30, 2017. This increase was primarily due to the additional provision expense related to loans originated by our tax services divisions. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.1 million, partially offset by $0.3 million of net recoveries, compared to $0.1 millionof net charge offs for the three months ended December 31, 2016.  believes exists within that segment.

Management believes that, based on a detailed review of the loan and lease portfolio, historic loan and lease losses, current economic conditions, the size of the loan and lease portfolio and other factors, the level of the allowance for loan and lease losses at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 reflected an appropriate allowance against probable losses from the loanlending portfolio. Although the Company maintains its allowance for loan and lease losses at a level that it considers to be adequate,appropriate, investors and others are cautioned that there can be no assurance that future losses will not exceed estimated amounts, or that additional provisions for loan and lease losses will not be required in future periods.
The allowance for loan losses reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the portfolio based on currently available information. In addition, to the factors mentioned above, future additions toCompany’s determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses may become necessary based upon changing economic conditions, increasedis subject to review by the OCC, which can require the establishment of additional general or specific allowances.

At June 30, 2019, the Company had established an allowance for loan balances or changesand lease losses totaling $43.5 million, compared to $13.0 million at September 30, 2018. The increase in the underlying collateralCompany's allowance for loan and lease losses was driven primarily by increases in the allowance of $15.4 million in tax services loans, $11.0 million in the commercial finance portfolio, and $3.5 million in consumer finance loans. The change in the tax services portfolio was driven by additional provision expense related to loan originations by the Company's tax services division. Growth in the commercial finance portfolio was largely attributable to the Crestmark division while the increase in consumer finance is related to the Company now taking on all of the risk of the student loan portfolio.  In addition, our regulators haveportfolio, as the ability to order us to increase our allowance.portfolio is no longer insured.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
The Company’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial information contained within these financial statements is, to a significant extent, based on approximate measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. Management has identified its critical accounting policies, which are those policies that, in management's view, are most important in the policies described below as Critical Accounting Policies.portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and include those for the allowance for loan and lease losses, goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. These policies involve complex and subjective decisions and assessments. Some of these estimates may be uncertain at the time they are made, could change from period to period, and could have a material impact on the financial statements. ThisA discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction withof the Company’s financial statementscritical accounting policies and estimates can be found in the accompanying notes presented in Part II, Item 8 “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of itsCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017, and information contained herein.

Allowance for Loan Losses.  The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology incorporates a variety of risk considerations, both quantitative and qualitative, in establishing an allowance for loan loss that management believes is appropriate at each reporting date.  Quantitative factors include the Company’s historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values,2018. There were no significant changes in nonperforming loans, and other factors.  Quantitative factors also incorporate known information about individual loans, including borrowers’ sensitivity to interest rate movements.  Qualitative factors include the general economic environment in the Company’s markets, including economic conditions throughout the Midwest and, in particular, the state of certain industries.  Size and complexity of individual credits in relation to loan structure, existing loanthese critical accounting policies and paceestimates during the first nine months of portfolio growth are other qualitative factors that are considered in the methodology.  Although management believes the levels of the allowance at both December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 were adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio, a decline in local economic conditions or other factors could result in losses in excess of the applicable allowance.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets.  Each quarter, the Company evaluates the estimated useful lives of its amortizable intangible assets and whether events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization.  In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows the asset is expected to generate.  If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.
In addition, goodwill and intangible assets are tested annually as of our fiscal year end for impairment or more often if conditions indicate a possible impairment.  Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, comparison of the Company’s market value to book value and determination of appropriate market comparables.  Actual future results may differ from those estimates.2019.

Assumptions and estimates about future values and remaining useful lives of the Company’s intangible and other long-lived assets are complex and subjective.  They can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in the Company’s business strategy and internal forecasts.  Although the Company believes the historical assumptions and estimates used are reasonable and appropriate, different assumptions and estimates could materially impact the reported financial results.
Customer relationship, trademark, and non-compete intangibles are amortized over the periods in which the asset is expected to meaningfully contribute to the business as a whole, using either the present value of excess earnings or straight line amortization, depending on the nature of the intangible asset.  Patents are estimated to have a useful life of 20 years, beginning on the date the patent application is originally filed.  Thus, patents are amortized based on the remaining useful life once granted.  Periodically, the Company reviews the intangible assets for events or circumstances that may indicate a change in recoverability of the underlying basis.
Deferred Tax Assets.  The Company accounts for income taxes according to the asset and liability method.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates applicable to income for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management’s judgment that realization is more-likely-than-not.  An estimate of probable income tax benefits that will not be realized in future years is required in determining the necessity for a valuation allowance.


Security Impairment.  Management monitors the investment securities portfolio for impairment on a security by security basis.  Management has a process in place to identify securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other-than-temporary.  This process involves the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis, review of available information regarding the financial position of the issuer, monitoring the rating of the security, monitoring changes in value, cash flow projections, and the Company’s intent to sell a security or whether it is more likely than not the Company will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost which, in some cases, may extend to maturity.  To the extent we determine that a security is deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, an impairment loss is recognized.  If the Company intends to sell a security or it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the Company recognizes an other-than-temporary impairment in earnings for the difference between amortized cost and fair value.  If we do not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated.  For those securities, the Company separates the total impairment into a credit loss component recognized in earnings, and the amount of the loss related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income net of taxes.
The amount of the credit loss component of a debt security impairment is estimated as the difference between amortized cost and the present value of the expected cash flows of the security.  The present value is determined using the best estimate of cash flows discounted at the effective interest rate implicit to the security at the date of purchase or the current yield to accrete an asset- backed or floating rate security.  Cash flow estimates for trust preferred securities are derived from scenario-based outcomes of forecasted default rates, loss severity, prepayment speeds and structural support.

Level 3 Fair Value Measurement. U.S. GAAP requires the Company to measure the fair value of financial instruments under a standard which describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.  Level 3 measurement includes significant unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.  Although management believes that it uses a best estimate of information available to determine fair value, due to the uncertainty of future events, the approach includes a process that may differ significantly from other methodologies and still produce an estimate that is in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
General. The Company recorded net income of $4.7$29.3 million, or $0.48$0.75 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, compared to net income of $1.2$6.8 million, or $0.14$0.23 per diluted share, for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Included in the 2018 fiscal first quarter net income was an income tax expense of $3.6 million from a reduction in the value of certain deferred tax assets as a result of the Tax Act signed into law on December 22, 2017 (see non-interest expense section for further discussion). The 2018 fiscal first quarter pre-tax results included a $1.0 million loss on sale of investments and $1.3 million of acquisition expenses. The 2018 fiscal first quarter pre-tax results also included $1.7 million in amortization of intangible assets and $1.3 million in non-cash stock-related compensation associated with executive officer employment agreements.June 30, 2018. Total revenue for the fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter was $55.5$110.8 million, compared to $39.2$61.6 million for the same quarter in fiscal 2017,2018, an increase of $16.3 million, or 42%,80%. The increase in net income and revenue was primarily due to the improvement in net interest income, attributable to the acquisition of Crestmark in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, along with an enhanced interest-earning asset mix.

The Company recorded net income of $76.8 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $42.9 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, for the same period in fiscal year 2018. Total revenue for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 was $385.2 million, compared to $241.9 million for the same period of the prior year, an increase in interest from commercial insurance premium finance and community banking loans, card fee income, as well as the student loan purchases and income from tax-exempt securities (included in other investment securities), and growth in tax product fee income.of 59%.


Seasonality.  In the industries for electronic payments processing and tax refund processing, companies commonly experience seasonal fluctuations in revenue. For example, in recent years, the Company's results of operations for the first half of each fiscal year have been favorably affected by large numbers of taxpayers electing to receive their tax refunds via direct deposit on our pre-paid cards, which caused their operating revenues to be typically higher in the first half of those years than they were in the corresponding second half of those years. Meta's tax business is expected to continue to generate the vast majority of its revenues in the Company's fiscal second quarter, with some additional revenues in the third quarter, while most expenses are spread throughout the year with some elevated expenses in the December and March quarters. Management expects the Company's revenue to continue to be based on seasonal factors that affect the electronic payments processing and tax refund processing industries as a whole. The Company and its tax preparation partners rely on the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), technology, and employees when processing and preparing tax refunds and tax-related products and services.

Net Interest Income.Income.  Net interest income for the fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter increased by $6.4$38.6 million, or 32%136%, to $26.2$67.0 million from $19.8$28.4 million for the same quarter in 2017,fiscal 2018, primarily due to significant increasesgrowth in the community banking loan portfolio, commercial insurance premium finance loan portfolio, and the purchased student loan portfolios. Growth in investment securitylease balances also contributed to theas well as an increase in net interest income. Additionally, the overall increase was driven by a better mixloan and higher percentage of loans as a percentage of interest-earning assets, with loan yields driving a sizable increase due in part to the recently acquired student loan portfolios and their floating ratelease yields. The quarterly average outstanding balance of loans from all sourcesand leases as a percentage of interest-earning assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 increased to 68%, from 30%40% for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, while the quarterly average balance of total investments as of the end of the first fiscal quarter of 2017 to 37% as of the end of the first fiscal quarter of 2018. In addition, lower-yielding agency Mortgage-Backed Securities ("MBS") decreased from 21%a percentage of interest-earning assets decreased to 31% from 58% over that same period.
For the nine months ended June 30, 2019, net interest income was $198.6 million compared to $82.0 million for the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to an enhanced interest-earning asset mix related to the acquired loans and leases in the Crestmark division, along with continued growth in the National Lending and Community Banking loan and lease portfolios.

Net interest margin was 5.07% in the fiscal first2019 third quarter, an increase of 2017 compared to 18% of interest-earning assets for the same quarter in 2018. Net interest income for the fiscal 2018 first quarter was up $1.7 million213 basis points from the Company's fiscal 2017 fourth quarter, as anticipated, primarily due to a better mix of earning assets.

Net interest margin, tax equivalent (“NIM”) increased from 2.90% in the fiscal 2017 first quarter to 3.06%2.94% in the fiscal 2018 firstthird quarter. NIM,TE was 5.15% in the fiscal 2019 third quarter, an increase of 192 basis points from 3.23%in the fiscal 2018 third quarter. The reported 3.06%increases in NIM reflectsand NIM, TE in the lowered corporate prorated tax rate onfiscal 2019 third quarter, compared to the Company's tax-exempt municipal portfolio. Had corporate tax rates remained at previous rates, excluding changes resulting fromsame period of the Tax Act,prior year, were primarily attributable to higher net loan and lease yields attained through the reportedCrestmark division.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2019, NIM of 3.06% would have been 3.26%. The reported NIM of 3.06% was also impacted by 164.90%, increasing 213 basis points due to tax service loans and wholesale deposits.from 2.77% during the comparable prior year period. NIM, TE for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 was 5.02%, an increase of 196 basis points for the same period of the prior year.


The overall reported tax equivalent yield (“TEY”) on average earning asset yieldsassets increased by 31244 basis points to 3.55%6.26% when comparing the fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter to the 2017 first quarter, whichsame period of the prior fiscal year. The improvement was driven primarily by the Company's improved earning asset mix, withwhich reflects increased exposure to its high-quality commercial insurance premium finance, student, and community banking loan portfolios. The increasebalances in TEY continues to highlight the beneficial tailwind provided by this rotation among earning assets. The reported 3.55% TEY on earning assets reflects the lowered corporate prorated tax rate on the Company's tax-exempt municipalNational Lending portfolio. Had corporate tax rates remained at previous rates, excluding changes resulting from the adoption of the Tax Act, reported TEY on earning assets would have been 3.75%.

The fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter TEY on the securities portfolio increaseddecreased by onetwo basis pointpoints to 3.09% compared to the same period of the prior year fiscal first quarter, primarily due to the continued shift in new investments being made in higher-yielding investment securities, primarily mortgage-related, tax-exempt municipal securities rather than traditional agency MBS securities. The TEY on the securities portfolio of 2.93% for the first fiscal quarter of 2018 reflects the lowered corporate prorated tax rate on the Company's tax-exempt municipal portfolio. Had corporate tax rates remained at previous rates, excluding changes resulting from the adoption of the Tax Act, reported securities portfolio yield would have been 3.25%3.11%.


The Company’s average interest-earning assets for the fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter increased by $539.4 million,$1.43 billion, or 17%37%, to $3.76$5.30 billion, up from $3.22 billion during the samecomparable quarter of the last fiscal year,in 2018. The increase was primarily fromattributable to growth in the Company's average loan portfolios and tax-exempt investmentslease portfolio of $2.04 billion, of which $1.88 billion was related to an increase in National Lending loans and leases and $159.9 million was related to Community Banking loans. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in total investment securities of $436.8$633.3 million, which decreased as the Company continued to utilize sales of securities and $236.3 million, respectively.cash flow from its amortizing securities portfolio to fund loan growth.

The Company’s average balance of total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities was $5.14 billion for the 2018 first fiscal quarter increased $556.7 million, or 18%,three-month period ended June 30, 2019, compared to $3.62 billion from $3.06$3.70 billion for the same quarter ofperiod in the prior fiscal year.year, representing an increase of 39%. This increase was primarily due to an increaseincreases in non-interest-bearing deposits of $272.3 million, an increase in Federal Home Loan Bank advances of $248.9 million and an increase inaverage wholesale deposits of $126.7$1.07 billion, average noninterest-bearing deposits of $244.5 million, offset by a decrease in federal funds purchasedaverage time deposits of $132.1$67.8 million, average interest-bearing checking of $39.7 million, and the average balance of total borrowings of $20.5 million. Average quarterly deposits in the Payments segment increased in the fiscal 2018 first quarter by $295.2 million, or 15%, from the same period last year.


Overall, the Company's cost of funds for all deposits and borrowings averaged 0.51%1.14% during the fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter, compared to 0.36%0.62% for the 2017 first2018 third fiscal quarter. This increase was primarily due to increasesa rise in wholesale deposits,short-term interest rates affecting overnight borrowing rates, and higher average overall funding balances due to the Company's utilization of more of its capital during non-tax season with higher investment balances andother wholesale funding, and in preparation to hold more tax loans on the balance sheet. Notwithstanding this increase,interest-bearing time deposits acquired by the Company believes that its growing, low-cost deposit base gives it a distinct and significant competitive advantage over most banks, and even more so if interest rates continue to rise, becausein connection with the Company anticipates that itsCrestmark acquisition in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company's overall cost of deposits will likely remain relatively low, increasing less than at many other banks. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, low-cost checking deposits represented 83% and 70%was 0.90%in the 2019 fiscal third quarter, compared to 0.29% in the same quarter of total deposits, respectively.2018.




The following tables present, for the periods indicated, the Company’s total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates.  Tax equivalentTax-equivalent adjustments have been made in yield on interest bearinginterest-bearing assets and net interest margin.  Non-accruing loans and leases have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield.

Three Months Ended December 31,2017 2016
Three Months Ended June 30,2019 2018
(Dollars in Thousands)
Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned /
Paid
 
Yield /
Rate
(1)
 Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned /
Paid
 
Yield /
Rate
(2)
Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned /
Paid
 
Yield /
Rate
(1)
 Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned /
Paid
 
Yield /
Rate
(2)
Interest-earning assets:                      
Cash & fed funds sold$100,321
 $607
 2.40% $186,565
 $391
 0.83%$80,100
 $521
 2.61% $57,164
 $388
 2.72%
Mortgage-backed securities673,411
 3,758
 2.21% 689,617
 3,320
 1.91%421,725
 3,063
 2.91% 617,815
 3,950
 2.56%
Tax exempt investment securities1,408,552
 8,698
 3.25% 1,172,252
 6,902
 3.59%690,732
 4,058
 2.98% 1,373,444
 8,635
 3.34%
Asset-backed securities93,631
 765
 3.24% 117,928
 695
 2.34%307,581
 2,701
 3.52% 189,389
 1,537
 3.25%
Other investment securities80,035
 586
 2.91% 87,029
 589
 2.69%199,681
 1,557
 3.13% 72,381
 538
 2.98%
Total investments2,255,629
 13,807
 2.93% 2,066,826
 11,506
 2.92%1,619,719
 11,379
 3.09% 2,253,029
 14,660
 3.11%
Community banking loans(3)
958,222
 10,466
 4.33% 762,559
 8,169
 4.25%
Tax services loans12,378
 
 % 5,573
 
 %
Commercial insurance premium finance loans244,380
 2,799
 4.54% 181,422
 2,078
 4.54%
Student loans and other191,510
 3,178
 6.58% 20,129
 431
 8.50%
National lending loans(4)
435,891
 5,977
 5.44% 201,551
 2,509
 4.94%
Total loans1,406,490
 16,443
 4.64% 969,684
 10,678
 4.37%
Total commercial finance1,775,905
 44,332
 10.01% 299,676
 3,813
 5.10%
Total consumer finance364,633
 8,178
 9.00% 208,937
 3,717
 7.13%
Total tax services45,142
 
 % 22,268
 
 %
Total warehouse finance223,546
 3,491
 6.26% 
 
 %
National Lending loans and leases2,409,226
 56,001
 9.32% 530,881
 7,530
 5.69%
Community Banking loans1,189,912
 13,731
 4.63% 1,030,016
 11,526
 4.49%
Total loans and leases3,599,138
 69,732
 7.77% 1,560,897
 19,056
 4.90%
Total interest-earning assets$3,762,441
 $30,857
 3.55% $3,223,075
 $22,575
 3.24%5,298,957
 $81,632
 6.26% 3,871,090
 $34,104
 3.82%
Non-interest-earning assets360,508
     267,947
    
Noninterest-earning assets820,474
     369,200
    
Total assets$4,122,949
     $3,491,022
    $6,119,431
     $4,240,290
    
                      
Interest-bearing liabilities:                      
Interest-bearing checking$71,448
 $50
 0.28% $38,229
 $39
 0.40%$137,950
 $85
 0.25% $98,235
 $54
 0.22%
Savings53,084
 8
 0.06% 50,528
 7
 0.06%54,247
 9
 0.07% 59,546
 10
 0.07%
Money markets47,899
 27
 0.22% 47,605
 21
 0.18%58,782
 107
 0.73% 46,742
 28
 0.24%
Time deposits128,496
 366
 1.13% 131,169
 259
 0.78%128,165
 633
 1.98% 60,373
 167
 1.11%
Wholesale deposits483,878
 1,434
 1.18% 357,224
 612
 0.68%1,521,594
 9,561
 2.52% 453,885
 2,005
 1.77%
Total interest-bearing deposits784,805
 1,885
 0.95% 624,755
 938
 0.60%1,900,738
 10,395
 2.19% 718,781
 2,264
 1.26%
Overnight fed funds purchased139,152
 525
 1.50% 271,272
 392
 0.57%363,857
 2,368
 2.61% 402,088
 2,041
 2.04%
FHLB advances268,913
 937
 1.38% 20,043
 141
 2.80%54,341
 324
 2.39% 
 
 %
Subordinated debentures73,359
 1,113
 6.02% 73,223
 1,111
 6.02%73,583
 1,163
 6.34% 73,430
 1,102
 6.02%
Other borrowings22,982
 201
 3.47% 15,580
 160
 4.06%40,653
 414
 4.08% 36,408
 286
 3.15%
Total borrowings504,406
 2,776
 2.18% 380,118
 1,804
 1.88%532,434
 4,269
 3.22% 511,926
 3,429
 2.69%
Total interest-bearing liabilities1,289,211
 4,661
 1.43% 1,004,873
 2,742
 1.08%2,433,172
 14,664
 2.42% 1,230,707
 5,693
 1.86%
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits2,328,159
 
 % 2,055,842
 
 %
Noninterest-bearing deposits2,710,288
 
 % 2,465,750
 
 %
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities$3,617,370
 $4,661
 0.51% $3,060,715
 $2,742
 0.36%5,143,460
 $14,664
 1.14% 3,696,457
 $5,693
 0.62%
Other non-interest bearing liabilities71,398
     78,219
    
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities149,207
     98,973
    
Total liabilities3,688,768
     3,138,934
    5,292,667
     3,795,430
    
Shareholders' equity434,181
     352,088
    826,764
     444,860
    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$4,122,949
     $3,491,022
    $6,119,431
     $4,240,290
    
Net interest income and net interest rate spread including non-interest bearing deposits  $26,196
 3.04%   $19,833
 2.88%
Net interest income and net interest rate spread including noninterest-bearing deposits  $66,968
 5.12%   $28,411
 3.21%
                      
Net interest margin    2.76%     2.44%    5.07%     2.94%
Net interest margin, tax equivalent(5)
    3.06%     2.90%
Tax-equivalent effect    0.08%     0.29%
Net interest margin, tax-equivalent(3)
    5.15%     3.23%

(1) Tax rate used to arrive at the TEY for the three months ended December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 was 24.53%21%.
(2) Tax rate used to arrive at the TEY for the three months ended December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 was 35%24.53%.
(3) Previously stated Retail Bank loans have been renamed as Community Banking Loans
(4) Previously stated Specialty Finance Loans have been renamed as National Lending Loans
(5) Net interest margin expressed on a fully taxable equivalentfully-taxable-equivalent basis ("Net interest margin, tax equivalent"tax-equivalent") is a non-GAAP financial measure. The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the estimated income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and adjusting for federal and state exemption of interest income. We believe that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin expressed on a fully taxable equivalentfully-taxable-equivalent basis, and accordingly believe the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure may be useful for peer comparison purposes.




Nine Months Ended June 30,2019 2018
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned /
Paid
 
Yield /
Rate
(1)
 Average
Outstanding
Balance
 Interest
Earned /
Paid
 
Yield /
Rate
(2)
Interest-earning assets:           
Cash & fed funds sold$148,751
 $2,989
 2.69% $96,496
 $1,717
 2.38%
Mortgage-backed securities392,395
 8,622
 2.94% 644,578
 11,755
 2.44%
Tax exempt investment securities952,501
 17,999
 3.20% 1,404,571
 26,333
 3.32%
Asset-backed securities297,316
 8,090
 3.64% 131,705
 3,522
 3.58%
Other investment securities150,888
 3,301
 2.93% 75,877
 1,662
 2.93%
Total investments1,793,101
 38,012
 3.19% 2,256,731
 43,272
 3.07%
Total commercial finance1,662,322
 125,566
 10.10% 266,310
 9,691
 4.87%
Total consumer finance327,700
 21,697
 8.85% 206,263
 10,043
 6.51%
Total tax services140,515
 8,206
 7.81% 146,071
 833
 0.76%
Total warehouse finance168,081
 7,912
 6.29% 
 
 %
National Lending loans and leases2,298,618
 163,382
 9.50% 618,644
 20,567
 4.44%
Community Banking loans1,175,667
 40,519
 4.61% 986,902
 32,777
 4.44%
Total loans and leases3,474,285
 203,900
 7.85% 1,605,546
 53,344
 4.44%
Total interest-earning assets5,416,137
 $244,902
 6.16% 3,958,773
 $98,333
 3.61%
Noninterest-earning assets877,130
     394,451
    
Total assets$6,293,267
     $4,353,224
    
            
Interest-bearing liabilities:           
Interest-bearing checking$129,656
 $220
 0.23% $90,055
 $155
 0.23%
Savings54,643
 28
 0.07% 57,397
 27
 0.06%
Money markets56,987
 263
 0.62% 47,814
 82
 0.23%
Time deposits160,740
 2,229
 1.85% 102,636
 877
 1.14%
Wholesale deposits1,832,237
 32,990
 2.41% 540,193
 5,965
 1.48%
Total interest-bearing deposits2,234,264
 35,731
 2.14% 838,095
 7,106
 1.13%
Overnight fed funds purchased287,985
 5,485
 2.55% 315,359
 4,244
 1.80%
FHLB advances18,114
 324
 2.39% 91,392
 947
 1.39%
Subordinated debentures73,543
 3,486
 6.34% 73,394
 3,329
 6.07%
Other borrowings43,690
 1,286
 3.93% 26,343
 695
 3.53%
Total borrowings423,332
 10,581
 3.34% 506,488
 9,215
 2.43%
Total interest-bearing liabilities2,657,595
 46,312
 2.33% 1,344,583
 16,321
 1.62%
Noninterest-bearing deposits2,715,870
 
 % 2,482,274
 
 %
Total deposits and interest-bearing liabilities5,373,465
 $46,312
 1.15% 3,826,857
 $16,321
 0.57%
Other noninterest-bearing liabilities128,924
     85,626
    
Total liabilities5,502,389
     3,912,483
    
Shareholders' equity790,878
     440,741
    
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$6,293,267
     $4,353,224
    
Net interest income and net interest rate spread including noninterest-bearing deposits  $198,590
 5.01%   $82,012
 3.04%
            
Net interest margin    4.90%     2.77%
Tax-equivalent effect    0.12%     0.29%
Net interest margin, tax-equivalent(3)
    5.02%     3.06%
(1) Tax rate used to arrive at the TEY for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 was 21%.
(2) Tax rate used to arrive at the TEY for the nine months ended June 30, 2018 was 24.53%.
(3) Net interest margin expressed on a fully-taxable-equivalent basis ("Net interest margin, tax-equivalent") is a non-GAAP financial measure. The tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income recognizes the estimated income tax savings when comparing taxable and tax-exempt assets and adjusting for federal and state exemption of interest income. We believe that it is a standard practice in the banking industry to present net interest margin expressed on a fully-taxable-equivalent basis, and accordingly believe the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure may be useful for peer comparison purposes.


Provision for Loan and Lease Losses.  The Company recorded a $1.1$9.1 million and a $51.5 million provision for loan and lease losses infor the three month periodthree- and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to a $0.8$5.3 million and a $24.7 million provision for loan and lease losses infor the three month periodthree- and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2016. The provision during the three months ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to the additional provision expense related to tax services loans as well as growth in the loan portfolio. SeeJune 30, 2018, respectively. Also see Note 34 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements included in this quarterly report.


Non-InterestNoninterest IncomeNon-interestNoninterest income for the fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter increased by $10.0$10.6 million, or 51%32%, to $29.3$43.8 million from $19.3$33.2 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year, largely due to increases in rental income of $9.4 million, gain on sale of loans and leases of $1.9 million, other income of $1.6 million, and deposit fees of $1.2 million. Partially offsetting the increase in noninterest income, card fee income decreased $3.3 million and total tax product fee income decreased $0.6 million from the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. The increases in rental income, other income and gain on sale of loans and leases were largely attributable to the Crestmark acquisition.

Noninterest income for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 was $186.6 million, an increase of $26.7 million, or 17%, from the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase was largelyprimarily due to increasesan increase in card feerental income, other income, deposit fees, and an increase in gain on sale of $6.8investment securities.

Noninterest Expense.  Noninterest expense increased $23.4 million, or 37%48%, to $72.5 million for the 2019 fiscal third quarter, compared to the same quarter in 2018. This increase was primarily caused by increases of $10.7 million in compensation and tax product fee income of $1.5benefits expense, $6.0 million or 242%.in operating lease equipment depreciation expense, and $3.7 million in other expense. Increases in intangible amortization expense, occupancy and equipment, and legal and consulting also contributed to the increase in noninterest expense. The increase in card fee income was primarily driven by residual fees related to wind-downs from two of our non-strategic programs. The increase in tax product fee incomecompensation and benefits expense was primarily due to the volumeaddition of pre-season tax advance loans originated duringCrestmark division employees, and new hires in the first quartersecond half of fiscal 2018 compared toin support of Meta's National Lending and other business initiatives.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. All of these loans are also being held during fiscal 2018, as opposed to the previous year when many of these loans were sold, which also contributed to the increase.

Non-Interest Expense.  Non-interest expensenine months ended June 30, 2019 increased $7.3by $95.4 million, or 20%59%, to $44.0$257.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, as compared to $36.8 million for the same period in 2017.the prior fiscal year. This increase was largelyprimarily caused by a $4.5 million increaseincreases in compensation and benefits expense, a $1.0 million increase in card processingother expense, and a $0.9 million increase inimpairment expense, intangible amortization expense, occupancy and equipment.equipment, and legal and consulting expense.

Income Tax. The increase in compensation expense was primarily due to a full quarter of expenses related to the EPS and SCS acquisitions, both of which closed during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, along with increased staffing to support the Company's growing business initiatives. The integration of EPS and SCS allowed the Company to gain scale in therecorded an income tax services divisions during fiscal 2017 and the Company expects to gain further efficiencies during fiscal 2018.

Income Tax. Income tax expensebenefit for the fiscal 2018 first2019 third quarter was $5.7of $1.2 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 54.9%(3.97%), compared to $0.3an income tax expense of $0.5 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.6%6.55%, for the 2017 fiscal first2018 third quarter. The increaseInvestment tax credits related to solar leases and future originations in fiscal 2019 will be recognized ratably based on income over the effective tax rate is primarily due to a non-recurring income tax expense of approximately $3.6 million from a reduction in the value of certain deferred tax assets as a resultduration of the Tax Act.current fiscal year. The Company will continue to analyze the financialtiming and impact of future solar tax credits are expected to vary from period to period, and Meta intends to undertake only those tax credit opportunities that meet the Tax Act. As the Company’s fiscal year end falls on September 30, the statutory corporate rate for fiscal 2018 will be prorated to 24.53%. Company's underwriting and return criteria.



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES


The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits, derived principally through its Payments divisions, and to a lesser extent through its Community Banking division borrowings, principal and interest payments on loans and mortgage-backed securities, and maturing investment securities. In addition, the Company utilizes wholesale deposit sources to provide temporary funding when necessary or when favorable terms are available. While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan repayments are influenced by the level of interest rates, general economic conditions and competition. The Company uses its capital resources principally to meet ongoing commitments to fund maturing certificates of deposits and loan commitments, to maintain liquidity, and to meet operating expenses.  At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the Company had commitments to originate and purchase loans and unused lines of credit totaling $349.5 million.$1.01 billion. The Company believes that loan repayments and other sources of funds will be adequate to meet its foreseeable short- and long-term liquidity needs.


In July 2013, the Company’s primary federal regulator, the Federal Reserve and the Bank’s primary federal regulator, the OCC, approved final rules (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations.organizations, which replaced earlier frameworks adopted in 1988 ("Basel I") and 2004 (Basel II). The Basel III Capital Rules generally implement the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s (the “Basel Committee”) December 2010 final capital framework referred to as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards. The Basel III Capital Rules substantially revised the risk-based capital requirements applicable to financial institution holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries, including us and the Bank, as compared to U.S. general risk-based capital rules. The Basel III Capital Rules revised the definitions and the components of regulatory capital, as well as addressed other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The Basel III Capital Rules also addressed asset risk weights and other matters affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios and replaced the existing general risk-weighting approach, which was derived from the Basel Committee’s 1988 “Basel I” capital accords, with a more risk-sensitive approach based, in part, on the “standardized approach” in the Basel Committee’s 2004 “Basel II” capital accords. In addition, the Basel III Capital Rules implemented certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including the requirements of Section 939A to remove references to credit ratings from the federal agencies’ rules. The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for us and the Bank on January 1, 2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain of their components and other provisions.


Pursuant to the Basel III Capital Rules, the Company and the Bank, respectively, are subject to new regulatory capital adequacy requirements promulgated by the Federal Reserve and the OCC. Failure by the Company or Bank to meet minimum capital requirements could result in certain mandatory and discretionary actions by our regulators that could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Prior to January 1, 2015, the Bank was subject to capital requirements under Basel I and there were no capital requirements for the Company. Under the capital requirements and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.


Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum ratios (set forth in the table below) of total risk-based capital and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and a leverage ratio consisting of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). At December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, both the Bank and the Company exceeded federal regulatory minimum capital requirements to be classified as well-capitalized under the prompt corrective action requirements.  The Company and the Bank took the accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) opt-out election; under the rule, non-advanced approach banking organizations were given a one-time option to exclude certain AOCI components. 


The tables below include certain non-GAAP financial measures that are used by investors, analysts and bank regulatory agencies to assess the capital position of financial services companies.  Management reviews these measures along with other measures of capital as part of its financial analysis.

       Minimum
       Requirement to Be
     Minimum Well Capitalized
     Requirement For Under Prompt
     Capital Adequacy Corrective Action
At December 31, 2017Company Bank Purposes Provisions
        
Tier 1 leverage ratio7.68% 9.61% 4.00% 5.00%
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio12.93
 16.71
 4.50
 6.50
Tier 1 capital ratio13.38
 16.71
 6.00
 8.00
Total qualifying capital ratio16.99
 17.11
 8.00
 10.00
        
     Minimum to be Minimum to be
     Adequately Well Capitalized
     Capitalized Under Under Prompt
     Prompt Corrective Corrective Action
At June 30, 2019Company Bank Action Provisions Provisions
        
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio8.05% 9.37% 4.00% 5.00%
Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio10.19
 12.22
 4.50
 6.50
Tier 1 capital ratio10.55
 12.27
 6.00
 8.00
Total capital ratio13.22
 13.26
 8.00
 10.00




The following table provides certain non-GAAP financial measures used to compute certain of the ratios included in the table above, as well as a reconciliation of such non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP:
 Standardized Approach (1)
December 31, 2017
 (Dollars in Thousands)
  
Total equity$437,705
Adjustments:

LESS: Goodwill, net of associated deferred tax liabilities95,705
LESS: Certain other intangible assets40,417
LESS: Net deferred tax assets from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards
LESS: Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities5,782
Common Equity Tier 1 (1)
295,801
Long-term debt and other instruments qualifying as Tier 110,310
LESS: Additional tier 1 capital deductions
Total Tier 1 capital306,111
Allowance for loan losses9,058
Subordinated debentures (net of issuance costs)73,382
Total qualifying capital388,551
 
Standardized Approach(1)
June 30, 2019
 (Dollars in Thousands)
Total stockholders' equity$822,901
Adjustments:

LESS: Goodwill, net of associated deferred tax liabilities302,850
LESS: Certain other intangible assets53,249
LESS: Net deferred tax assets from operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards13,858
LESS: Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities2,329
LESS: Noncontrolling interest3,508
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (1)
447,107
Long-term borrowings and other instruments qualifying as Tier 113,661
Tier 1 minority interest not included in common equity tier 1 capital2,119
Total Tier 1 Capital462,887
Allowance for loan and lease losses43,641
Subordinated debentures (net of issuance costs)73,605
Total Capital580,133
(1) Capital ratios were determined using the Basel III capital rules that became effective on January 1, 2015. Basel III revised the definition of capital, increased minimum capital ratios, and introduced a minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio; those changes are being fully phased in through the end of 2021.


The following table provides a reconciliation of tangible common equity and tangible common equity excluding AOCI, each of which is used in calculating tangible book value data, to Total Stockholders' Equity.Equity at June 30, 2019. Each of tangible common equity and tangible common equity excluding AOCI is a non-GAAP financial measure that is commonly used within the banking industry.
December 31, 2017June 30, 2019
(Dollars in Thousands)(Dollars in Thousands)
Total Stockholders' Equity$437,705
$822,901
LESS: Goodwill98,723
307,941
LESS: Intangible assets50,521
56,153
Tangible common equity288,461
458,807
LESS: AOCI5,782
2,308
Tangible common equity excluding AOCI282,679
456,499

Due to the predictable, quarterly cyclicality of MPS deposits in conjunction with tax season business activity, management believes that a six-month capital calculation is a useful metric to monitor the Company’s overall capital management process. As such, the Bank’s six-month average Tier 1 leverage ratio, Common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, Tier 1 capital ratio, and Total qualifying capital ratio as of December 31, 2017 were 9.75%, 18.17%, 18.17%, and 18.60%, respectively.
BeginningSince January 1, 2016, Basel III implemented a requirement for all banking organizationsthe Company and the Bank have been required to maintain a capital conservation buffer above the minimum risk-based capital requirements in order to avoid certain limitations on capital distributions, stock repurchases and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The capital conservation buffer is exclusively composed of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, and it applies to each of the three risk-based capital ratios but not the leverage ratio. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer beganby annual increments finished on January 1, 2016, which increased or will increase2019, so that the three risk-based capital ratios by 0.625% each year through 2019, at which point therequired Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and total risk-based capital ratios were or will bewith the buffer are currently 7.0%, 8.5% and 10.5%, respectively.
Based on current and expected continued profitability and subject to continued access to capital markets, we believe that the Company and the Bank will continue to meet targetedthe capital ratiosconservation buffer of 2.5% in addition to required by the revised requirements, as they become effective.minimum capital ratios.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS


See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Contractual Obligations" in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 20172018 for a summary of our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2017.2018. There were no material changes outside the ordinary course of our business in contractual obligations from September 30, 20172018 through December 31, 2017.June 30, 2019.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS


For discussion of the Company’s off-balance sheet financing arrangements as of December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, see Note 612 to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 “Financial Statements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Depending on the extent to which the commitments or contingencies described in Note 612 occur, the effect on the Company’s capital and net income could be significant.



Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.


MARKET RISK


The Company derives a portion of its income from the excess of interest collected over interest paid. The rates of interest the Company earns on assets and pays on liabilities generally are established contractually for a period of time. Market interest rates change over time. Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations, like those of most financial institutions, are impacted by changes in interest rates and the interest rate sensitivity of its assets and liabilities. The risk associated with changes in interest rates and the Company’s ability to adapt to these changes is known as interest rate risk and is the Company’s only significant “market” risk.


The Company monitors and measures its exposure to changes in interest rates in order to comply with applicable government regulations and risk policies established by the Board of Directors, and in order to preserve stockholder value. In monitoring interest rate risk, the Company analyzes assets and liabilities based on characteristics including size, coupon rate, repricing frequency, maturity date and likelihood of prepayment.

If the Company’s assets mature or reprice more rapidly or to a greater extent than its liabilities, then economic value of equity and net interest income would tend to increase during periods of rising rates and decrease during periods of falling interest rates. Conversely, if the Company’s assets mature or reprice more slowly or to a lesser extent than its liabilities, then economic value of equity and net interest income would tend to decrease during periods of rising interest rates and increase during periods of falling interest rates.

The Company currently focuses lending efforts toward originating and purchasing competitively priced adjustable-rate and fixed-rate loan products with short to intermediate terms to maturity, and may originate loans with terms longer than five years for borrowers that have a strong credit profile and typically lower loan-to-value ratios. This approach allows the Company to better maintain a portfolio of loans that will have less sensitivity to changes in the level of interest rates, while providing a reasonable spread to the cost of liabilities used to fund the loans.



The Company’s primary objective for its investment portfolio is to provide a source of liquidity for the Company. In addition, the investment portfolio may be used in the management of the Company’s interest rate risk profile. The investment policy generally calls for funds to be invested among various categories of security types and maturities based upon the Company’s need for liquidity, desire to achieve a proper balance between minimizing risk while maximizing yield, the need to provide collateral for borrowings, and the need to fulfill the Company’s asset/liability management goals.


The Company’s cost of funds responds to changes in interest rates due to the relatively short-term nature of its wholesale deposit portfolio and due to the relatively short-term nature of its borrowed funds. The Company believes that its growing portfolio of longer duration, low-cost deposits generated from its prepaid division provides a stable and profitable funding vehicle, but also subjects the Company to greater risk in a falling interest rate environment than it would otherwise have without this portfolio. This risk is due to the fact that, while asset yields may decrease in a falling interest rate environment, the Company cannot significantly reduce interest costs associated with these deposits, which thereby compressescompress the Company’s net interest margin. As a result of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure in this regard, the Company has elected not to enter into any new longer-term wholesale borrowings, and generally has not emphasized longer-term time deposit products.


The Board of Directors and relevant government regulations establish limits on the level of acceptable interest rate risk at the Company, to which management adheres. There can be no assurance, however, that, in the event of an adverse change in interest rates, the Company’s efforts to limit interest rate risk will be successful.


Interest Rate Risk (“IRR”)


Overview. The Company actively manages interest rate risk, as changes in market interest rates can have a significant impact on reported earnings. The Bank, like other financial institutions, is subject to interest rate risk to the extent that its interest-bearing liabilities mature or reprice more rapidly than its interest-earning assets. The Company's interest rate risk processanalysis is designed to compare income and economic valuation simulations in market scenarios designed to alter the direction, magnitude and speed of interest rate changes, as well as the slope of the yield curve. The Company does not currently engage in trading activities to control interest rate risk although it may do so in the future, if deemed necessary, to help manage interest rate risk.


Earnings at risk and economic value analysis.analyses. As a continuing part of its financial strategy, the Bank considers methods of managing an asset/liability mismatch consistent with maintaining acceptable levels of net interest income. In order to monitor interest rate risk, the Board of Directors has created an InvestmentAsset Liability Committee whose principal responsibilities are to assess the Bank’s asset/liability mix and implement strategies that will enhance income while managing the Bank’s vulnerability to changes in interest rates.


The Company uses two approaches to model interest rate risk: Earnings at Risk (“EAR analysis”) and Economic Value of Equity (“EVE analysis”). Under EAR analysis, net interest income is calculated for each interest rate scenario to the net interest income forecast in the base case. EAR analysis measures the sensitivity of interest-sensitive earnings over a one-year minimum time horizon. The results are affected by projected rates, prepayments, caps and floors. Management exercises its best judgementjudgment in making assumptions regarding events that management can influence, such as non-contractual deposit re-pricing, as well as events outside of management's control, such as customer behavior on loan and deposit activity and the effect that competition has on both loan and deposit pricing. These assumptions are subjective and, as a result, net interest income simulation results will differ from actual results due to the timing, magnitude, and frequency of interest rate changes, changes in market conditions, customer behavior and management strategies, among other factors. We perform various sensitivity analyses on assumptions of deposit attrition and deposit re-pricing. Market-impliedre-pricing, as well as market-implied forward rates and various likely and extreme interest rate scenarios, can be used for EAR analysis. These likely and extreme scenarios can includeincluding rapid and gradual interest rate ramps, rate shocks and yield curve twists.


The EAR analysis used in the following table reflects the required analysis used no less than quarterly by management. It models -200, -100, +100, +200, +300, and +400 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates over the next one-year period. Due to the current low level of interest rates, only a -100 and -200 basis point parallel shift isshifts are represented.



The Company was within Board policy limits for all interest rate scenarios using the snapshot as of December 31, 2017 as required by regulation.June 30, 2019.  The table below shows the results of the scenarios as of December 31, 2017:

Net Sensitive Earnings at RiskJune 30, 2019:
Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk
Balances as of December 31, 2017Standard (Parallel Shift) Year 1
 Net Interest Income at Risk%
 -100 +100 +200 +300 +400
Basis Point Change Scenario-7.4 % 3.3 % 5.5 % 7.4 % 9.4 %
Board Policy Limits-8.0 % -8.0 % -10.0 % -15.0 % -20.0 %

Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk
   Change in Interest Income/Expense
for a given change in interest rates
   Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Shift
(Dollars in thousands)Book Value -200 -100 Base 100 200 300400
Total Interest-Sensitive Income5,161,411
 263,554
 284,232
 306,880
 329,113
 350,310
 370,893
391,473
Total Interest-Sensitive Expense2,292,395
 23,527
 35,702
 48,132
 60,551
 72,664
 84,779
96,897
Net Interest-Sensitive Income2,869,016

240,027

248,530

258,748

268,562

277,646

286,114
294,576
               
Percentage Change from Base -7.2 % -3.9 % % 3.8 % 7.3 % 10.6 %13.8 %
Board Policy Limits -12.0 % -8.0 % % -8.0 % -10.0 % -15.0 %-20.0 %

The EAR analysis reported at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019, shows that in all rising rate scenarios, more assets than liabilities would reprice over the modeled one-year period.

IRR is a snapshot in time. The Company’s business and deposits are very predictably cyclical on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis. The Company’s static IRR results could vary depending on which day of the week and timing in relation to certain payrolls, as well as time of the month in regard to early funding of certain programs, when this snapshot is taken. The Company’s overnight federal funds purchased fluctuates on a predictable daily and monthly basis due to fluctuations in a portion of its non-interest bearingnoninterest-bearing deposit base, primarily related to payroll processing and timing of when certain programs are prefunded and when the funds are received. Fiscal first quarter 2018 results do not necessarily show the typical effect of day of week cyclicality due to the temporary repositioning of the balance sheet, as previously noted.
Owing to the snapshot nature of IRR, as is required by regulators, in concert with the Company’s predictable weekly, monthly and yearly fluctuating deposit base and overnight borrowings, the results produced by static IRR analysis are not necessarily representative of what management, the Board of Directors, and others would view as the Company’s true IRR positioning. Management and the Board are aware of and understand these typical borrowing and deposit fluctuations as well as the point in time nature of IRR analysis and anticipated an outcome where the Company may temporarily be outside of Board policy limits based on a snapshot analysis.
For management to better understand the IRR position of the Bank, an alternative IRR analysis was completed whereby all December 31, 2017 values were utilized with the exception of overnight borrowings, non-interest bearing deposits, brokered deposits, cash due from banks, non-earning assets, and non-paying liabilities. To diminish potential issues documented above, quarterly average balances were utilized for overnight borrowings, non-interest-bearing deposits, brokered deposits and cash due from banks. Non-earning assets and non-paying liabilities were used to balance the balance sheet. Management believes this view on IRR, while still subject to some yearly cyclicality, more accurately portrays the Bank's IRR position. As noted in the below chart, the alternative EAR results are more normalized and slightly improved in the -100 interest rate shock compared to the static results, as timing issues in deposits and overnight borrowings are diminished and lower balances in cash and due from banks are observed.

The Company was within policy limits as of December 31, 2017 in all scenarios utilizing the alternative IRR scenario run.  The table below highlights those results:
Alternative Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk
Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk
Alternative IRR ResultsStandard (Parallel Shift) Year 1
 Net Interest Income at Risk%
 -100 +100 +200 +300 +400
Basis Point Change Scenario-5.5 % 0.9 % 0.6 %  % -0.5 %
Board Policy Limits-8.0 % -8.0 % -10.0 % -15.0 % -20.0 %
The alternative EAR analysis reported at December 31, 2017 shows that in an increasing +100 and +200 interest rate environment, more assets than liabilities would reprice over the modeled one-year period. However, in the +300 scenario the results are more neutral to changes in interest rates, and in the +400 interest rate scenario, more liabilities (primarily due to overnight federal funds purchased) than assets would reprice over the modeled one-year period.



The alternative IRR results were somewhat lower in regard to the change in net interest income at risk percentages as compared to the fiscal 2018 first quarter alternative IRR results which resulted from higher average borrowings and an increased average interest-bearing deposit base. The Company anticipates solid EAR results in a rising rate environment due to continued commercial insurance premium finance loan growth, the addition of adjustable rate loans and securities, continued growth of non-interest bearing MPS deposits, and the sustained execution on its strategic plan.

Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk as of December 31, 2017

Balances as of December 31, 2017       
   % of Change in Interest Income/Expense
for a given change in interest rates
  
 Total Earning Total Earning Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Shift  
Basis Point Change ScenarioAssets (in $000's) Assets -100 Base +100 +200 +300 +400
Total Loans1,509,141
 30.2% 65,404
 70,803
 75,956
 80,981
 85,966
 91,142
Total Investments (non-TEY) and other Earning Assets3,484,181
 69.8% 59,605
 78,231
 94,619
 109,695
 124,544
 139,321
Total Interest-Sensitive Income4,993,322
 100.0% 125,009
 149,033
 170,575
 190,676
 210,509
 230,463
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits734,000
 35.8% 6,482
 8,244
 12,439
 16,634
 20,829
 25,024
Total Borrowings1,315,261
 64.2% 7,543
 20,878
 34,212
 47,547
 60,883
 74,234
Total Interest-Sensitive Expense2,049,262
 100.0% 14,025
 29,122
 46,651
 64,181
 81,711
 99,258

Alternative Net Sensitive Earnings at Risk

Alternative IRR Results       
   % of Change in Interest Income/Expense
for a given change in interest rates
  
 Total Earning Total Earning Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Shift  
Basis Point Change ScenarioAssets (in $000's) Assets -100 Base +100 +200 +300 +400
Total Loans1,509,141
 39.4% 65,404
 70,803
 75,956
 80,981
 85,966
 91,142
Total Investments (non-TEY) and other Earning Assets2,323,118
 60.6% 52,958
 59,952
 64,692
 68,099
 71,273
 74,350
Total Interest-Sensitive Income3,832,259
 100.0% 118,362
 130,755
 140,648
 149,080
 157,238
 165,492
Total Interest-Bearing Deposits797,475
 65.4% 7,402
 9,193
 13,747
 18,301
 22,855
 27,409
Total Borrowings421,370
 34.6% 2,468
 6,739
 11,011
 15,282
 19,566
 23,860
Total Interest-Sensitive Expense1,218,845
 100.0% 9,870
 15,932
 24,758
 33,583
 42,421
 51,269


The Company believes that its growing portfolio of non-interest bearingnoninterest-bearing deposits provides a stable and profitable funding vehicle and a significant competitive advantage in a rising interest rate environment, as the Company’s cost of funds willwould likely remain relatively low, with less of an increase in the cost of funds expected relative to many other banks. When unable to match loan growth to deposit growth, the Company continues to execute its investment strategy of primarily purchasing NBQ municipal bonds and agency MBS, however, the Bank reviews opportunities to add diverse, high quality securities at attractive relative rates when opportunities present themselves. The NBQ municipal bonds are tax exempt and as such have a tax equivalent yield higher than their book yield. The tax equivalent yield calculation for NBQ municipal bonds uses the Company’s cost of funds as one of its components. With the Company’s large volume of non-interest bearing deposits, the tax equivalent yield for these NBQ municipal bonds is higher than a similar term investment in other investment categories of similar risk and higher than most other banks can realize and sustain on the same or similar instruments. The above interest income figures are quoted on a pre-tax basis which is particularly notable due to the size of the Company’s tax-exempt municipal portfolio.
Under EVE analysis, the economic value of financial assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet instruments, is derived under each rate scenario. The economic value of equity is calculated as the difference between the estimated market value of assets and liabilities, net of the impact of off-balance sheet instruments.
The EVE analysis used in the following table reflects the required analysis used no less than quarterly by management. It models immediate -200, -100, +100, +200, +300 and +400 basis point parallel shifts in market interest rates. Due to the current low level of interest rates, only a -100 and -200 basis point parallel shift isshifts are represented.
The Company was within Board policy limits for all scenarios. The table below shows the results of the scenarios as of December 31, 2017:June 30, 2019:


Economic Value Sensitivity as of December 31, 2017June 30, 2019
Balances as of December 31, 2017Standard (Parallel Shift)
 Economic Value of Equity at Risk%
 -100 +100 +200 +300 +400
Basis Point Change Scenario-4.1 % -1.3 % -4.8 % -9.3 % -12.7 %
Board Policy Limits-10.0 % -10.0 % -20.0 % -30.0 % -40.0 %
 Standard (Parallel Shift)
 Economic Value of Equity at Risk%
 -200 -100 100 200 300400
Percentage Change from Base-12.9 % -5.2 % 2.5 % 3.5 % 3.6 %3.6 %
Board Policy Limits-20.0 % -10.0 % -10.0 % -20.0 % -25.0 %-35.0 %


The EVE at risk reported at December 31, 2017June 30, 2019 shows that as interest rates increase, the economic value of equity position will decrease from the base, primarily due to the degree of the economic value of its base asset size in relation to the economic value of its base liability size.be relatively neutral. When viewing total asset versus total liability economic value, projected total assets are affected similarly on a percentage basis as compared to projected total liabilities in a rising rate environment.

The Company was within policy limits in all scenarios utilizing the alternative IRR scenario run for management purposes.  The table below highlights those results:

Alternative Economic Value Sensitivity
Alternative IRR ResultsStandard (Parallel Shift)
 Economic Value of Equity at Risk%
 -100 +100 +200 +300 +400
Basis Point Change Scenario-0.9 % -3.8 % -9.3 % -15.5 % -20.5 %
Board Policy Limits-10.0 % -10.0 % -20.0 % -30.0 % -40.0 %

The EVE at risk reported using the alternative methodology used for management purposes shows that if interest rates increase immediately, the economic value of equity position will decrease from the base, partially due to the degree of the economic value of its base asset size in relation to the economic value of its base liabilities size.






Detailed Economic Value Sensitivity

The following table details the economic value sensitivity to changes in market interest rates at December 31, 2017, for loans, investments, deposits, borrowings, and other assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands). The analysis reflects that in the +100 and +200 rising rate scenarios, total assets are marginally less sensitive than total liabilities, while in the +300 and +400, total assets are marginally more sensitive than total liabilities. Asset sensitivity is offset by the non-interest bearing deposits.
Balances as of December 31, 2017       
   % of Change in Economic Value
for a given change in interest rates
  
 Book Total Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Shift  
Basis Point Change ScenarioValue (in $000's) Assets -100 +100 +200 +300 +400
Total Loans1,500,279
 28% 2.0% -2.0 % -4.1 % -6.0 % -7.9 %
Total Investment3,484,181
 64% 2.3% -3.2 % -6.6 % -9.9 % -12.8 %
Other Assets420,792
 8% 0.0% 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
Assets5,405,252
 100% 2.1% -2.6 % -5.4 % -8.1 % -10.4 %
Interest Bearing Deposits734,000
 15% 1.7% -1.5 % -3.0 % -4.3 % -5.5 %
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits2,783,941
 57% 5.7% -5.1 % -9.7 % -13.8 % -17.5 %
Total Borrowings & Other Liabilities1,363,650
 28% 0.0% 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
Liabilities4,881,591
 100% 3.2% -2.9 % -5.5 % -7.8 % -10.0 %

Detailed Alternative Economic Value Sensitivity

The following is EVE at risk reported using the alternative methodology used for management purposes, for loans, investments, deposits, borrowings, and other assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands). The analysis reflects that in rising interest rate scenarios, the total assets are slightly more sensitive in regard to economic value sensitivity.
Alternative IRR Results       
   % of Change in Economic Value
for a given change in interest rates
  
 Book Total Over / (Under) Base Case Parallel Shift  
Basis Point Change ScenarioValue (in $000's) Assets -100 +100 +200 +300 +400
Total Loans1,500,279
 28% 2.0% -2.0 % -4.1 % -6.0 % -7.9 %
Total Investment2,323,118
 43% 3.5% -4.9 % -9.9 % -14.9 % -19.2 %
Other Assets1,581,855
 29% 0.0% 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
Assets5,405,252
 100% 2.1% -2.6 % -5.4 % -8.1 % -10.4 %
Interest Bearing Deposits797,475
 16% 1.1% -1.0 % -1.9 % -2.8 % -3.7 %
Non-Interest Bearing Deposits2,333,111
 48% 5.8% -5.1 % -9.7 % -13.8 % -17.5 %
Total Borrowings & Other Liabilities1,751,006
 36% 0.0% 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
Liabilities4,881,591
 100% 2.7% -2.4 % -4.5 % -6.5 % -8.2 %

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis discussed above and as presented in the tables above. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Also, the interest rates on certain types of assets and liabilities may fluctuate in advance of changes in market interest rates, while interest rates on other types may lag behind changes in market rates. Additionally, certain assets, such as adjustable rate mortgage loans, have features that restrict changes in interest rates on a short-term basis and over the life of the asset. Furthermore, although management has estimated changes in the levels of prepayments and early withdrawal in these rate environments, such levels would likely deviate from those assumed in calculating the tables above. Finally, the ability of some borrowers to service their debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.


CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable (not absolute) assurance that its objectives will be met.  Furthermore, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.


DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures”, as such term is defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by thethis quarterly report.
 
Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, at December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to provide reasonable assurance that (i) the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The ineffectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures was due to a material weakness identified in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting, which is described below. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal controls over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company's annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

In the third fiscal quarter of 2019, the Company identified a material weakness in the control environment of the Crestmark division, which was acquired by the Company on August 1, 2018. Several deficiencies were identified in the Company's control environment that were primarily related to inappropriate user access specific to information technology ("IT") applications used by the Crestmark division and lack of completeness of certain review procedures with respect to such user access. The user access issues included untimely completion of user access reviews on certain systems, instances of users having access rights beyond what appeared to be needed, and instances of user access not being appropriately added or removed from certain systems. The lack of completeness of certain review procedures was, in many cases, due to a completeness control not being documented, meaning that subject reports had not been compared to the source document to determine all required data was included in the report. These deficiencies did not result in any known material misstatement to the Company's annual or interim financial statements to date following the Crestmark acquisition. Accordingly, management determined the aggregation of these deficiencies represents a material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting on the basis that they could result in a misstatement potentially impacting the Company's financial statement accounts and disclosures that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, the IT deficiencies could impact maintaining effective segregation of duties, as well as the effectiveness of IT-dependent controls relating to the financial statements. In addition, these deficiencies could affect the IT controls and underlying data that support the effectiveness of system-generated reports.


REMEDIATION PLAN FOR REPORTED MATERIAL WEAKNESS

The Company is engaged in implementing a remediation plan to address the material weakness described above and is committed to maintaining a strong internal controls environment. To address the material weakness, the Company is in the process of re-evaluating IT governance and controls, updating procedures related to access management, and training IT personnel, with a focus on controls related to user access over IT systems. The Company is also ensuring review procedures at the Crestmark division are being performed with complete populations of data. Management believes that the measures described above will effectively remediate the identified material weakness and strengthen the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. However, we cannot assure you that these steps will remediate such weakness or whether additional actions will be required or the timing or costs of any such additional actions. Because the reliability of the internal controls process requires repeatable execution, the successful remediation of this material weakness will require review and evidence of effectiveness prior to management concluding that the controls are effective. Management believes that remediation efforts will be completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.  If not remediated, however, these deficiencies could result in material misstatements to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
INTERNAL CONTROLCONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING


With the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal controlcontrols over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controlcontrols over financial reporting.  Based on such evaluation, management concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, there have not been any changes in the Company’s internal controlcontrols over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controlcontrols over financial reporting.reporting except as set forth above.

META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


FORM 10-Q



Item 1. Legal Proceedings. - See “Legal Proceedings” under Note 612 to the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.


Item
Item 1A. Risk Factors. - A description of our risk factors can be found in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.2018. There were no material changes to those risk factors during the threenine months ended December 31, 2017,June 30, 2019, except that the followingfirst risk factor is hereby added and the remaining risk factors are hereby added:amended and restated in their entirety as follows:


There are risks associated with the proposed transaction with Crestmark and Crestmark Bank, including the receipt of required shareholder and regulatory approvals and timing for completion of the transactions contemplated thereby.

We recently announced that we and MetaBank have entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger with Crestmark and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Crestmark Bank, whereby we will acquire CrestmarkOur investments in an all-stock transaction. The transaction remains subject to approval of our stockholders and Crestmark’s shareholders, regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. It is possible that one or more of the closing conditionscertain tax-advantaged projects may not be satisfied or that itgenerate returns as anticipated and may take an extended amount of time until they are. Accordingly, there is a risk that the proposed transaction may not be completed on a timely basis or at all, which could have adverse effects on the market price of our common stock and our operating results. Furthermore, the transaction involves a number of other risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following:

the businesses may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected;

the risk that the expected growth opportunities, beneficial synergies and/or operating efficiencies from the proposed transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected;

customer losses and business disruption in connection with and following the acquisition;

potential litigation relating to the transaction;

the risk that the Company may incur unanticipated or unknown losses or liabilities if it completes the proposed transaction; and

potential adverse effects on the market price of our common stock caused by the sale of such stock held by former Crestmark shareholders following the transaction.

Any of the foregoing risks or similar risks could have an adverse impact on our business. results of operations.

We have also incurred,invest in certain tax-advantaged investments that support renewable energy resources. Our investments in these projects are designed to generate a return in part through the realization of federal and will incur, significant expensesstate income tax credits, and other tax benefits, over specified time periods. We are subject to the risk that previously recorded tax credits, which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities based on compliance features required to be met at the project level, may fail to meet certain government compliance requirements and may not be able to be realized. For example, as previously disclosed, we previously recognized $7.9 million of investment tax credits between fiscal year 2017 and 2018 associated with the proposed transaction with Crestmark, including fees of professional advisors.
Additional information regardingMSGs subject to the risks and uncertainties associatedtransactions with the proposed transaction with CrestmarkDC Solar entities. We are aware that the DC Solar entities, including their principals, are subjects of ongoing federal investigations involving allegations of fraudulent misconduct. While we continue to gather information about the situation, there can be no assurances that such tax credits will not be containedsubject to recapture in the registration statement on Form S-4, which will include a joint proxy statement and prospectus, that we intendfuture. See Note 3. Acquisitions to file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.


Program agreements that the Company and the Bank have entered into, and expect to enter into from time to time in the future, with third parties to market and service consumer loans originated by the Bank may subject the Bank to claims from regulatory agencies and other third parties that, if successful, could negatively impact MetaBank’s ongoing and future business.

On January 25, 2018, the Company announced that the Bank had entered into a lending program with Liberty Lending, LLC, an unaffiliated third party (“Liberty”), whereby Liberty will market and service unsecured consumer loans underwritten and originated by the Bank. See “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis ofCondensed Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Business Developments”Statements included herein for further information regarding the Bank’s program agreementtransactions with Liberty. these DC Solar entities and related matters.

The Company expectsrisk of not being able to realize, or of subsequently incurring a recapture of, the Bank to enter into similar program agreements withtax credits and other third parties to market and service loans originated by the Bank, from time to timetax benefits depends on various factors, some of which are outside our control, including changes in the future. Certain typesapplicable tax code, as well as the continued economic viability of the project and project operator.  Further, while we engage in due diligence review both prior to the initial investment and on an ongoing basis, our due diligence review may not identify relevant issues or risks that may adversely impact our ability to realize these arrangements have been challenged both in the courts and in regulatory actions. Intax credits or other tax benefits. The possible inability to realize these actions, plaintiffs have generally argued that the “true lender” is the marketer and that the intent of such lending program is to evade state usury and loan licensing laws. Other cases have also included other claims, including racketeeringtax credits and other state law claims, in their challenge of such programs. There can be no assurance that lawsuits or regulatory actions in connection with any such lending programs the Bank enters into will not be brought in the future. If a regulatory agency, consumer advocate group or other third party were to bring an action against the Bank or any of the third parties with which the Bank operates such lending programs, such as Liberty, and such actions were successful, such an outcome couldtax benefits may have a material adverse effectnegative impact on the Bankour financial results.

We incur significant costs and the Company.

Agreements with Liberty Lendingdemands upon management and others whereby the Bank will originateaccounting and hold unsecured consumer loans, may result in increased exposure to credit risk and fraud and may present certain additional risks.

Although the Bank has offered unsecured consumer loans to its customers through its brick-and-mortar branch network, the Bank’s entry into program agreements with other third parties to market and service loans originated by the Bank, suchfinance resources as its recently announced program agreement with Liberty, represents a new area of the consumer credit market for the Bank, which presents potential increased credit risks. As a result of complying with the loans originated under such program being unsecured,laws and regulations affecting public companies; if we fail to maintain proper and effective internal controls, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements could be impaired, which could harm our operating results, our ability to operate our business and our reputation.

As an SEC reporting company, we are required to, among other things, maintain a system of effective internal control over financial reporting, which requires annual management and independent registered public accounting firm assessments of the effectiveness of our internal controls. Ensuring that we have adequate internal financial and accounting controls and procedures in place so that we can produce accurate financial statements on a timely basis is a costly and time-consuming effort that needs to be re-evaluated frequently. We have historically dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to implement our internal financial and accounting controls and procedures. Substantial work may continue to be required to further implement, document, assess, test, and, if necessary, remediate our system of internal controls. We may also need to retain additional finance and accounting personnel in the eventfuture.

Control failures, including failures in our controls over financial reporting, could result from human error, fraud, breakdowns in information and computer systems, lapses in operating processes, or natural or man-made disasters. If a borrower does not repay the loan in accordance with its termssignificant control failure or otherwise defaults on the loan, the Bankbusiness interruption were to occur, it could materially damage our financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to recover fromforesee, prevent, mitigate, reverse, or repair the borrowernegative effects of such failures or interruptions.


Moreover, we rely heavily upon information systems and other operating technologies to conduct and manage our business. To the extent that our technology fails to keep up with our changing environment, we may be unable to conduct and manage our business effectively. Any technical failure or interruption could harm our risk management and profitability and could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations.

We identified control deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting related to the Crestmark division's information technology control environment. Specifically, these control deficiencies were in the areas of user access to applications used by the Crestmark division and lack of completeness of certain review procedures with respect to such user access. These control deficiencies were evaluated, both individually and in the aggregate, and management identified the aggregation of these deficiencies as a material weakness in our internal controls, as described more fully in “Item 4. Controls and Procedures” of Part I of this quarterly report. These control deficiencies could result in a misstatement of any of our financial statement accounts and disclosures that, in turn, could result in a material misstatement of our annual or interim final statements that may not be prevented or detected. In addition, other control deficiencies of this or a similar nature may be identified in the future.

If we are unable to correct the material weakness or deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting in a timely manner or if future instances of an amount sufficientineffective control environment exist, our ability to pay any remaining balance onrecord, process, summarize and report financial information accurately and within the loan. See “Iftime periods specified in the Company’s actual loan losses exceedrules and forms of the Company’s allowance for loan losses,SEC could be adversely affected, and we may be unable to comply with the Company’s net income will decrease.” We may also becomeperiodic reporting requirements of the SEC. This failure, which could cause our investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, could subject us to investigation and sanction by the SEC or other regulatory authorities and to claims by regulatory agenciesstockholders, which could impose significant additional costs on us, divert our management's attention and generally, materially, and adversely impact our business and financial condition. Additionally, our common stock listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market could be suspended or terminated, and our stock price could materially suffer. See also Item 4. Controls and Procedures in Part I of this quarterly report.

Crestmark’s business presents a heightened degree of operational and credit risks to the Bank.

Crestmark’s focus on asset-based loans and other third partiesforms of commercial financing subjects Crestmark and, therefore, the Bank to the potential for fraud by borrowers regarding the value of underlying collateral. As a result, the Bank may assume different or greater lending risks than other commercial lenders in connection with the commercial products and services offered through the Crestmark division. Even routine funding transactions expose the Bank to credit risk in the event of default of its counterparty or client. In addition, credit risk related to products and services offered by the Crestmark division may be exacerbated when the collateral held by the Bank cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices insufficient to recover the full amount due under the financial instrument. Lastly, the use of and reliance on information systems specific to Crestmark’s business increases the operational risk of this recently acquired business. We define operational risk as the risk arising from inadequate or failed processes, people, and/or systems, including those emanating from external sources. While operational risk is inherent in all of our business activities, processes, and systems, the operational risk of the Crestmark division is elevated due to the conductmaterial weakness identified during the quarter ended June 30, 2019, which is described in Item 4. Controls and Procedures in Part I of the third parties with which the Bank operates such lending programs if such conduct does not comply with applicable laws in connection with marketing and servicing loans under the program.this quarterly report.

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

(a) None
(b) None
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Meta's Board of Directors authorized a 2,000,000 share repurchase program that is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2021. The share repurchase program was announced on March 26, 2019 and became effective on May 1, 2019. The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the third fiscal quarter of 2019.
Period
Total Number of Shares Repurchased(1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share(1)(2)
 Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be Repurchased Under the Program
April 1 to 30
 $
 
 
May 1 to 31820,251
 26.80
 820,098
 1,179,902
June 1 to 30754,972
 27.73
 754,636
 425,266
  Total1,575,223
   1,574,734
  
(1) These columns also reflect shares acquired in satisfaction of the tax withholding obligations of holders of restricted stock unit awards, which vested during the quarter, and shares repurchased pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(2) The average price paid per share is calculated on a trade date basis for all open market transactions and excludes commissions and other transaction expenses.


Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number
Description
  
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 9, 2018, by and among Meta Financial Group, Inc., MetaBank, Crestmark Bancorp, Inc. and Crestmark Bank, filed on January 9, 2018 as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated herein by reference.
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
Amended and Restated Meta Financial Group, Inc. 2002 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended, filed on January 24, 2018 as an exhibit to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, is incorporated herein by reference.
Section 302 certification of Chief Executive Officer.
  
Section 302 certification of Chief Financial Officer.
  
Section 906 certification of Chief Executive Officer.
  
Section 906 certification of Chief Financial Officer.
  
101.INSInstance Document
  
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 META FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
   
Date: FebruaryAugust 7, 20182019
By:/s/ J. Tyler HaahrBradley C. Hanson
  J. Tyler Haahr, Chairman of the BoardBradley C. Hanson,
  andPresident, Chief Executive Officer and Director
   
Date: FebruaryAugust 7, 20182019
By:/s/ Glen W. Herrick
  Glen W. Herrick, Executive Vice President
  and Chief Financial Officer


6471