UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

2017

OR

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

Commission File Number: 001-13901

 

AMERIS BANCORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

GEORGIA58-1456434
Commission File Number: 001-13901

 bancorplogoa01.jpg
AMERIS BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

GEORGIA58-1456434
(State of incorporation)(IRS Employer ID No.)

310 FIRST STREET, S.E., MOULTRIE, GA 31768

(Address of principal executive offices)

(229) 890-1111

(Registrant’s telephone number)


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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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).    Yes  xý    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”,filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filerxýAccelerated filer¨
    
Non-accelerated filer
¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company¨
Emerging growth company¨

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

There were 34,919,97437,231,049 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 1, 2016.

3, 2017.



AMERIS BANCORP

TABLE OF CONTENTS


  Page
   
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1. 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Item 2.60
   
Item 3.90
   
Item 4.90
   
 
   
Item 1.91
   
Item 1A.91
   
Item 2.91
   
Item 3.91
   
Item 4.91
   
Item 5.92
   
Item 6.92
   
92





Item 1. Financial Statements.

AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
  (Unaudited)  (Audited)  (Unaudited) 
Assets            
Cash and due from banks $123,270  $118,518  $114,396 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts  90,801   272,045   120,925 
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value  838,124   783,185   811,385 
Other investments  24,578   9,323   9,322 
Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value  126,263   111,182   111,807 
             
Loans, net of unearned income  3,091,039   2,406,877   2,290,649 
Purchased loans not covered by FDIC loss-share agreements (“purchased non-covered loans”)  1,067,090   771,554   767,494 
Purchased loan pools not covered by FDIC loss-share agreements (“purchased loan pools”)  624,886   592,963   410,072 
Purchased loans covered by FDIC loss-share agreements (“covered loans”)  62,291   137,529   191,021 
Less: allowance for loan losses  (22,963)  (21,062)  (22,471)
Loans, net  4,822,343   3,887,861   3,636,765 
             
Other real estate owned, net  10,392   16,147   20,730 
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned, net  14,126   14,333   11,538 
Covered other real estate owned, net  1,000   5,011   12,203 
Total other real estate owned, net  25,518   35,491   44,471 
Premises and equipment, net  122,191   121,639   124,756 
FDIC loss-share receivable, net  -   6,301   4,506 
Other intangible assets, net  18,472   17,058   18,218 
Goodwill  122,545   90,082   87,701 
Cash value of bank owned life insurance  77,637   64,251   59,894 
Other assets  101,753   72,004   72,154 
Total assets $6,493,495  $5,588,940  $5,216,300 
             
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity            
Liabilities            
Deposits:            
Noninterest-bearing $1,563,316  $1,329,857  $1,275,800 
Interest-bearing  3,742,782   3,549,433   3,254,723 
Total deposits  5,306,098   4,879,290   4,530,523 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  42,647   63,585   51,506 
FDIC loss-share payable, net  7,775   -   - 
Other borrowings  373,461   39,000   39,000 
Other liabilities  37,033   22,432   23,371 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  83,898   69,874   69,600 
Total liabilities  5,850,912   5,074,181   4,714,000 
             
Stockholders’ Equity            
Preferred stock, stated value $1,000; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding  -   -   - 
Common stock, par value $1; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 36,347,637; 33,625,162 and 33,609,894 issued  36,348   33,625   33,610 
Capital surplus  409,630   337,349   336,599 
Retained earnings  199,769   152,820   140,282 
Accumulated other comprehensive income  10,449   3,353   4,197 
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,456,333; 1,413,777 and 1,413,777 shares  (13,613)  (12,388)  (12,388)
Total stockholders’ equity  642,583   514,759   502,300 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $6,493,495  $5,588,940  $5,216,300 

 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Assets 
  
Cash and due from banks$131,071
 $127,164
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks112,844
 71,221
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value819,593
 822,735
Other investments47,977
 29,464
Loans held for sale, at fair value137,392
 105,924
    
Loans4,574,678
 3,626,821
Purchased loans917,126
 1,069,191
Purchased loan pools465,218
 568,314
Loans, net of unearned income5,957,022
 5,264,326
Allowance for loan losses(25,966) (23,920)
Loans, net5,931,056
 5,240,406
    
Other real estate owned, net9,391
 10,874
Purchased other real estate owned, net9,946
 12,540
Total other real estate owned, net19,337
 23,414
    
Premises and equipment, net119,458
 121,217
Goodwill125,532
 125,532
Other intangible assets, net14,437
 17,428
Deferred income taxes, net39,365
 40,776
Cash value of bank owned life insurance79,241
 78,053
Other assets72,517
 88,697
Total assets$7,649,820
 $6,892,031
    
Liabilities 
  
Deposits: 
  
Noninterest-bearing$1,718,022
 $1,573,389
Interest-bearing4,177,482
 4,001,774
Total deposits5,895,504
 5,575,163
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase14,156
 53,505
Other borrowings808,572
 492,321
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures85,220
 84,228
Other liabilities44,447
 40,377
Total liabilities6,847,899
 6,245,594
    
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

 

    
Shareholders’ Equity 
  
Preferred stock, stated value $1,000 (5,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016)
 
Common stock, par value $1 (100,000,000 shares authorized; 38,705,910 and 36,377,807 shares issued at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)38,706
 36,378
Capital surplus506,779
 410,276
Retained earnings267,694
 214,454
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax3,241
 (1,058)
Treasury stock, at cost (1,474,861 shares and 1,456,333 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)(14,499) (13,613)
Total shareholders’ equity801,921
 646,437
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$7,649,820
 $6,892,031

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1


AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Interest income                
Interest and fees on loans $57,322  $45,775  $160,677  $124,231 
Interest on taxable securities  4,336   4,694   13,476   11,594 
Interest on nontaxable securities  397   480   1,297   1,411 
Interest on deposits in other banks and federal funds sold  155   246   659   556 
Total interest income  62,210   51,195   176,109   137,792 
                 
Interest expense                
Interest on deposits  3,074   2,521   8,730   7,065 
Interest on other borrowings  2,069   1,275   5,287   3,808 
Total interest expense  5,143   3,796   14,017   10,873 
Net interest income  57,067   47,399   162,092   126,919 
Provision for loan losses  811   986   2,381   4,711 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  56,256   46,413   159,711   122,208 
                 
Noninterest income                
Service charges on deposit accounts  11,358   10,766   31,709   24,346 
Mortgage banking activity  14,067   10,404   38,420   28,214 
Other service charges, commissions and fees  791   1,145   2,869   2,642 
Gain on sale of securities  -   115   94   137 
Other noninterest income  2,648   2,548   8,437   7,840 
Total noninterest income  28,864   24,978   81,529   63,179 
                 
Noninterest expense                
Salaries and employee benefits  27,982   24,934   81,700   68,031 
Occupancy and equipment expense  5,989   5,915   18,060   15,278 
Advertising and marketing expense  1,249   667   2,908   2,141 
Amortization of intangible assets  993   1,321   3,332   2,581 
Data processing and communications costs  6,185   5,329   18,347   13,803 
Credit resolution-related expenses  1,526   1,083   5,089   15,484 
Merger and conversion charges  -   446   6,359   6,173 
Other noninterest expenses  9,275   8,701   25,363   22,596 
Total noninterest expense  53,199   48,396   161,158   146,087 
Income before income tax expense  31,921   22,995   80,082   39,300 
Income tax expense  10,364   7,368   26,159   12,601 
Net income  21,557   15,627   53,923   26,699 
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)                
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax (benefit) of ($1,481), $936, $4,160 and ($615)  (2,752)  1,739   7,724   (1,143)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in earnings, net of tax of $0, $40, $33 and $48  -   (75)  (61)  (89)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during period, net of tax (benefit) of $130, ($290), ($306) and ($360)  241   (539)  (567)  (669)
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (2,511)  1,125   7,096   (1,901)
Total comprehensive income (loss) $19,046  $16,752  $61,019  $24,798 
Basic earnings per common share $0.62  $0.49  $1.58  $0.84 
Diluted earnings per common share $0.61  $0.48  $1.56  $0.84 
Dividends declared per common share $0.10  $0.05  $0.20  $0.15 
Weighted average common shares outstanding                
Basic  34,870   32,195   34,156   31,614 
Diluted  35,195   32,553   34,470   31,962 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Interest income 
  
  
  
Interest and fees on loans$70,462
 $57,322
 $197,447
 $160,677
Interest on taxable securities5,062
 4,336
 15,057
 13,476
Interest on nontaxable securities392
 397
 1,209
 1,297
Interest on deposits in other banks and federal funds sold406
 155
 1,070
 659
Total interest income76,322
 62,210
 214,783
 176,109
        
Interest expense 
  
  
  
Interest on deposits5,136
 3,074
 13,479
 8,730
Interest on other borrowings4,331
 2,069
 10,702
 5,287
Total interest expense9,467
 5,143
 24,181
 14,017
        
Net interest income66,855
 57,067
 190,602
 162,092
Provision for loan losses1,787
 811
 5,828
 2,381
Net interest income after provision for loan losses65,068
 56,256
 184,774
 159,711
        
Noninterest income 
  
  
  
Service charges on deposit accounts10,535
 11,358
 31,714
 31,709
Mortgage banking activity13,340
 14,067
 38,498
 38,420
Other service charges, commissions and fees699
 791
 2,137
 2,869
Gain on sale of securities
 
 37
 94
Other noninterest income2,425
 2,648
 8,508
 8,437
Total noninterest income26,999
 28,864
 80,894
 81,529
        
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits32,583
 27,982
 89,509
 81,700
Occupancy and equipment expense6,036
 5,989
 18,059
 18,060
Data processing and communications costs7,050
 6,185
 20,650
 18,347
Credit resolution-related expenses1,347
 1,526
 2,879
 5,089
Advertising and marketing expense1,247
 1,249
 3,612
 2,908
Amortization of intangible assets941
 993
 2,990
 3,332
Merger and conversion charges92
 
 494
 6,359
Other noninterest expenses14,471
 9,275
 34,406
 25,363
Total noninterest expense63,767
 53,199
 172,599
 161,158
        
Income before income tax expense28,300
 31,921
 93,069
 80,082
Income tax expense8,142
 10,364
 28,671
 26,159
Net income20,158
 21,557
 64,398
 53,923
        
Other comprehensive income 
  
  
  
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period on investment securities available for sale, net of tax expense (benefit) of $966, ($1,481), $2,348 and $4,1601,795
 (2,752) 4,361
 7,724
Reclassification adjustment for gains on investment securities included in earnings, net of tax of $0, $0, $13 and $33
 
 (24) (61)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during period, net of tax expense (benefit) of $14, $130, ($21) and ($306)25
 241
 (38) (567)
Other comprehensive income1,820
 (2,511) 4,299
 7,096
Total comprehensive income$21,978
 $19,046
 $68,697
 $61,019
        
Basic earnings per common share$0.54
 $0.62
 $1.76
 $1.58
Diluted earnings per common share$0.54
 $0.61
 $1.74
 $1.56
Dividends declared per common share$0.10
 $0.10
 $0.30
 $0.20
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands)
 
  
  
  
Basic37,225
 34,870
 36,690
 34,156
Diluted37,553
 35,195
 37,017
 34,470

See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

2


AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2016

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2015

 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shares

  

Amount

 
             
COMMON STOCK                
Balance at beginning of period  33,625,162  $33,625   28,159,027  $28,159 
Issuance of common stock  2,549,469   2,549   5,320,000   5,320 
Issuance of restricted shares  125,581   126   71,000   71 
Cancellation of restricted shares  (7,085)  (7)  -   - 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  54,510   55   59,867   60 
Issued at end of period  36,347,637  $36,348   33,609,894  $33,610 
                 
CAPITAL SURPLUS                
Balance at beginning of period     $337,349      $225,015 
Stock-based compensation      1,586       1,140 
Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs of $0 and $4,811      69,906       109,569 
Issuance of restricted shares      (126)      (71)
Cancellation of restricted shares      7       - 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options      908       946 
Balance at end of period     $409,630      $336,599 
                 
RETAINED EARNINGS                
Balance at beginning of period     $152,820      $118,412 
Net income      53,923       26,699 
Dividends on common shares      (6,974)      (4,829)
Balance at end of period     $199,769      $140,282 
                 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX                
Unrealized gains on securities and derivatives:                
Balance at beginning of period     $3,353      $6,098 
Other comprehensive income (loss) during the period      7,096       (1.901)
Balance at end of period     $10,449      $4,197 
                 
TREASURY STOCK                
Balance at beginning of period  (1,413,777) $(12,388)  (1,385,164) $(11,656)
Purchase of treasury shares  (42,556)  (1,225)  (28,613)  (732)
Balance at end of period  (1,456,333) $(13,613)  (1,413,777) $(12,388)
                 
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     $642,583      $502,300 

thousands)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
  Shares Amount Shares Amount
Common Stock  
  
  
  
Balance at beginning of period 36,377,807
 $36,378
 33,625,162
 $33,625
Issuance of common stock 2,141,072
 2,141
 2,549,469
 2,549
Issuance of restricted shares 84,147
 84
 125,581
 126
Cancellation of restricted shares (472) 
 (7,085) (7)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 103,356
 103
 54,510
 55
Issued at end of period 38,705,910
 $38,706
 36,347,637
 $36,348
         
Capital Surplus  
  
  
  
Balance at beginning of period  
 $410,276
  
 $337,349
Share-based compensation  
 2,419
  
 1,586
Issuance of common shares, net of issuance costs of $4,925 and $0  
 92,359
  
 69,906
Issuance of restricted shares  
 (84)  
 (126)
Cancellation of restricted shares  
 
  
 7
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  
 1,809
  
 908
Balance at end of period  
 $506,779
  
 $409,630
         
Retained Earnings  
  
  
  
Balance at beginning of period  
 $214,454
  
 $152,820
Net income  
 64,398
  
 53,923
Dividends on common shares  
 (11,158)  
 (6,974)
Balance at end of period  
 $267,694
  
 $199,769
         
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax  
  
  
  
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivatives:  
  
  
  
Balance at beginning of period  
 $(1,058)  
 $3,353
Other comprehensive income during the period  
 4,299
  
 7,096
Balance at end of period  
 $3,241
  
 $10,449
         
Treasury Stock  
  
  
  
Balance at beginning of period 1,456,333
 $(13,613) 1,413,777
 $(12,388)
Purchase of treasury shares 18,528
 (886) 42,556
 (1,225)
Balance at end of period 1,474,861
 $(14,499) 1,456,333
 $(13,613)
         
Total Shareholders’ Equity  
 $801,921
  
 $642,583
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3



AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  2015 
Cash flows from operating activities:        
Net income $53,923  $26,699 
Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation  7,041   5,735 
Amortization of intangible assets  3,332   2,581 
Net amortization of investment securities available for sale  5,086   4,397 
Amortization of purchased loan pools  4,149   - 
Net accretion of other borrowings  (57)  - 
Amortization of subordinated deferrable interest debentures  1,123   769 
Net gains on securities available for sale  (94)  (137)
Stock based compensation expense  1,586   1,140 
Net losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment  112   83 
Net write-downs and losses on sale of other real estate owned  1,844   12,193 
Provision for loan losses  2,381   4,711 
Accretion of discount on covered loans  (2,855)  (8,105)
Accretion of discount on purchased non-covered loans  (10,071)  (8,055)
Changes in FDIC loss-share receivable/payable, net of cash payments received  10,277   7,756 
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI  (1,318)  (1,027)
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale  (1,051,812)  (784,548)
Payments received on mortgage loans held for sale  1,167   1,002 
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale  982,898   747,507 
Net gains on sale of mortgage loans held for sale  (41,935)  (30,427)
Originations of SBA loans  (57,462)  (41,116)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans  21,656   29,381 
Net gains on sale of SBA loans  (3,054)  (3,158)
Change attributable to other operating activities  9,833   14,630 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  (62,250)  (17,989)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Purchase of securities available for sale  (134,786)  (246,090)
Proceeds from maturities of securities available for sale  93,513   64,390 
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale  53,026   69,208 
Decrease (increase) in other investments, net  (13,050)  1,825 
Net increase in loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans  (556,182)  (349,541)
Purchases of non-covered loan pools  (151,481)  (422,956)
Payments received on purchased non-covered loans  158,700   123,311 
Payments received on purchased loan pools  115,409   12,884 
Payments received on covered loans  27,619   60,930 
Purchases of premises and equipment  (8,250)  (11,057)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment  207   282 
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned  18,329   33,460 
Payments received from FDIC under loss-share agreements  4,770   19,089 
Net cash proceeds received (paid) from acquisitions  (7,205)  673,840 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  (399,381)  29,575 

(Continued)

4

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2017 2016
Operating Activities  
  
Net income $64,398
 $53,923
Adjustments reconciling net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  
  
Depreciation 6,918
 7,041
Net losses on sale or disposal of premises and equipment 956
 112
Provision for loan losses 5,828
 2,381
Net losses on sale of other real estate owned including write-downs 501
 1,844
Share-based compensation expense 2,419
 1,586
Amortization of intangible assets 2,990
 3,332
Provision for deferred taxes (962) (6,369)
Net amortization of investment securities available for sale 4,815
 5,086
Net gains on securities available for sale (37) (94)
Accretion of discount on purchased loans (9,023) (12,926)
Amortization of premium on purchased loan pools 2,943
 4,149
Net accretion (amortization) on other borrowings 62
 (57)
Amortization of subordinated deferrable interest debentures 992
 1,123
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale (1,113,188) (1,051,812)
Payments received on mortgage loans held for sale 799
 1,167
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans held for sale 961,831
 982,898
Net gains on sale of mortgage loans held for sale (36,451) (41,935)
Originations of SBA loans (25,720) (57,462)
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans 23,952
 21,656
Net gains on sale of SBA loans (3,423) (3,054)
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI (1,188) (1,318)
Changes in FDIC loss-share receivable/payable, net of cash payments received 1,974
 10,277
Change attributable to other operating activities 12,931
 16,202
Net cash used in operating activities (95,683) (62,250)
     
Investing Activities, net of effects of business combinations  
  
Purchase of securities available for sale (83,090) (134,786)
Proceeds from prepayments and maturities of securities available for sale 85,036
 93,513
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale 3,090
 53,026
Net increase in other investments (12,669) (13,050)
Net increase in loans, excluding purchased loans (786,548) (556,182)
Payments received on purchased loans 155,033
 186,319
Purchases of loan pools 
 (151,481)
Payments received on purchased loan pools 95,533
 115,409
Purchases of premises and equipment (3,016) (8,250)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment 16
 207
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned 11,989
 18,329
Payments received from (payments to) FDIC under loss-share agreements (97) 4,770
Net cash proceeds paid in acquisitions 
 (7,205)
Net cash used in investing activities (534,723) (399,381)
     
   
 (Continued)


AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2016  

2015

 
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Net increase (decrease) in deposits $25,448  $46,315 
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase  (20,938)  (63,392)
Proceeds from other borrowings  339,500   - 
Repayment of other borrowings  (53,513)  (39,881)
Dividends paid - common stock  (5,096)  (4,829)
Purchase of treasury shares  (1,225)  (732)
Issuance of common stock  -   114,889 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  963   1,006 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  285,139   53,376 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (176,492)  64,962 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  390,563   170,359 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $214,071  $235,321 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION        
Cash paid during the period for:        
Interest $13,791  $11,106 
Income taxes $30,969  $2,739 
Loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) transferred to other real estate owned $2,101  $9,838 
Purchased non-covered loans transferred to other real estate owned $3,871  $2,565 
Covered loans transferred to other real estate owned $2,391  $6,909 
Loans provided for the sales of other real estate owned $1,471  $4,996 
Change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of tax $7,724  $(1,143)
Change in unrealized loss on cash flow hedge (interest rate swap), net of tax $(567) $(669)
Issuance of common stock in acquisitions $72,455  $- 

(Concluded)

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  2017 2016
Financing Activities, net of effects of business combinations  
  
Net increase in deposits $320,341
 $25,448
Net decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase (39,349) (20,938)
Proceeds from other borrowings 1,687,692
 339,500
Repayment of other borrowings (1,371,503) (53,513)
Issuance of common stock 88,656
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,912
 963
Dividends paid - common stock (10,927) (5,096)
Purchase of treasury shares (886) (1,225)
Net cash provided by financing activities 675,936
 285,139
     
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 45,530
 (176,492)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 198,385
 390,563
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $243,915
 $214,071
     
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information  
  
Cash paid during the period for:  
  
Interest $23,369
 $13,791
Income taxes 28,212
 30,969
Loans (excluding purchased loans) transferred to other real estate owned 4,043
 2,101
Purchased loans transferred to other real estate owned 4,294
 6,262
Loans transferred from loans held for sale to loans held for investment 165,352
 94,601
Loans provided for the sales of other real estate owned 1,334
 1,471
Assets acquired in business acquisitions 
 561,440
Liabilities assumed in business acquisitions 
 465,048
Issuance of common stock in acquisitions 
 72,455
Issuance of common stock in exchange for equity investment in US Premium Finance Holding Company 5,844
 
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale, net of tax 4,337
 7,724
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedge, net of tax (38) (567)
     
   
 (Concluded)
See notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5




AMERIS BANCORP AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SEPTEMBER

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

2017

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Ameris Bancorp (the “Company” or “Ameris”) is a financial holding company headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia. Ameris conducts substantially all of its operations through its wholly owned banking subsidiary, Ameris Bank (the “Bank”). At September 30, 2016,2017, the Bank operated 9997 branches in select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Our business model capitalizes on the efficiencies of a large financial services company while still providing the community with the personalized banking service expected by our customers. We manage our Bank through a balance of decentralized management responsibilities and efficient centralized operating systems, products and loan underwriting standards. The Company’s Board of Directors and senior managers establish corporate policy, strategy and administrative policies. Within our established guidelines and policies, the banker closest to the customer responds to the differing needs and demands of his or her unique market.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements for Ameris have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statement presentation. The interim consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited but reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the period ended September 30, 20162017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto and the report of our registered independent public accounting firm included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Recent 2016.

Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2016-13 -Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial InstrumentsPolicy Update


Other Investments Other investments include Federal Home Loan Bank (“ASU 2016-13”FHLB”) stock, Federal Reserve Bank stock and a minority equity investment in US Premium Finance Holding Company, a Florida corporation (“USPF”). ASU 2016-13significantly changes how entities will measure credit lossesThese investments do not have readily determinable fair values and are carried at cost. They are periodically reviewed for most financial assetsimpairment based on ultimate recovery of par value or cost basis. Both stock and certain other instruments thatcash dividends are not measured at fair value through netreported as income. The standard will replaceFor additional information regarding the Company’s minority equity investment in USPF, see Note 2.
Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform with the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The new standard will apply to financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures, which include, but are not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments and financial guarantees. ASU 2016-13 simplifies the accounting for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans and expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018.Upon adoption, ASU 2016-13 provides for a modified retrospective transition by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the periodpresentations.
Accounting Standards Adopted in which the guidance is effective. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

2017


ASU 2016-09 –Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting(“ (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies various aspects of how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. Under ASU 2016-09, companies will record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement and will no longer record excess tax benefits and certain tax deficiencies in additional paid-in capital. The standard eliminates the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before companies can recognize them. The excess tax benefits will be reported as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows, and the cash paid to a tax authority when shares are withheld to satisfy a company’s statutory income tax withholding obligation will be reported as a financing activity on its statement of cash. In addition, the standard increases the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes on awards and still qualify for the exception to liability classification for shares used to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation. ASU 2016-09 permits companies to make an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards. Forfeitures can be estimated, as required today, or recognized when they occur. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur. ASU 2016-09 became effective on January 1, 2017 and did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.



Accounting Standards Pending Adoption
ASU 2017-12 – "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities ("ASU 2017-12"). The purposes of ASU 2017-12 are to (1) improve the transparency and understandability of information conveyed in financial statements about an entity’s risk management activities by better aligning the entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with the economic objectives of those risk management activities and (2) reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedge accounting by preparers. ASU 2017-12 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.2018 with early adoption in an interim period permitted. ASU 2017-12 requires a modified retrospective transition method in which the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of the change on the opening balance of each affected component of equity in the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-12 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and disclosures, but it is not expected to have a material impact.
ASU 2017-09 – “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 clarifies when changes to the terms of a share-based award must be accounted for as a modification. Companies must apply the modification accounting guidance if any of the following change: the shard-based award’s fair value, vesting provisions or classification as an equity instrument or a liability instrument. The new guidance should reduce diversity in practice and result in fewer changes to the terms of share-based awards being accounted for as modifications, as the guidance will allow companies to make certain non-substantive changes to share-based awards without accounting for them as modifications. ASU 2017-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. ASU 2017-09 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.
ASU 2017-08 – “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”). ASU 2017-08 shortens the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. Under the current guidance, entities generally amortize the premium on a callable debt security as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life (to maturity date) of the instrument. This ASU does not require any accounting change in the accounting for debt securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life (to maturity) of the instrument. ASU 2017-08 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, ASU 2017-08 provides for a modified retrospective transition by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-08 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and disclosures, but it is not expected to have a material impact.
ASU 2017-04 – Intangibles: Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, the income tax effects of tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. ASU 2017-04 also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the qualitative impairment test is necessary. The standard must be adopted using a prospective basis and the nature and reason for the change in accounting principle should be disclosed upon transition. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period.on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

6
and disclosures, but it is not expected to have a material impact.

ASU 2017-01 – Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU 2017-01 provides a framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. The standard provides more consistency in applying the business combination guidance, reduces the costs of application, and makes the definition of a business more operable. ASU 2017-01 is effective for interim and annual periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company’s results of operations, financial position and disclosures, but it is not expected to have a material impact.
ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The standard will replace the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model, referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model. The new standard will apply to


financial assets subject to credit losses and measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance-sheet credit exposures, which include, but are not limited to, loans, leases, held-to-maturity securities, loan commitments and financial guarantees. ASU 2016-13 simplifies the accounting for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans and expands the disclosure requirements regarding an entity’s assumptions, models and methods for estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses. In addition, entities will need to disclose the amortized cost balance for each class of financial asset by credit quality indicator, disaggregated by the year of origination. ASU 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Upon adoption, ASU 2016-13 provides for a modified retrospective transition by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is effective. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the results of operations, financial position and disclosures, the Company expects to recognize a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective. The Company has established a steering committee which includes the appropriate members of management to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on Company’s financial position, results of operations and financial statement disclosures and determine the most appropriate method of implementing the amendments in this ASU as well as any resources needed to implement the amendments. This committee has identified the software vendor of choice for implementation, established an implementation timeline and continues to stay current on implementation issues and concerns.
ASU 2016-02 –Leases (Topic 842)(“ (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 amends the existing standards for lease accounting effectively requiring most leases be carried on the balance sheets of the related lessees by requiring them to recognize a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability. ASU 2016-02 includes qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements intended to provide greater insight into the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. The standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition with a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which it is adopted. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods with early adoption permitted. The Company has several leased facilities, which are currently treated as operating leases, and are not currently shown on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. After ASU 2016-02 is implemented, the Company expects to begin reporting these lease agreements on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a corresponding liability. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on the Company’s resultsconsolidated statement of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2015-16 –Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU 2015-16”). ASU 2015-16 requires that an acquirer recognize adjustmentsincome and comprehensive income, consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statement of cash flows, but it is not expected to estimated amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the estimated amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The standard also requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the estimated amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company has early adopted the provisions of this amendment, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2015-03 –Interest – Imputation of Interest (“ASU 2015-03”). ASU 2015-03 simplifies presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.ASU 2015-03impact.is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. It should be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2015-02 “Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis(“ASU 2015-02”)ASU 2015-02 includes amendments that are intended to improve targeted areas of consolidation for legal entities including reducing the number of consolidation models from four to two and simplifying the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASU 2015-02 is effective for annual and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments may be applied retrospectively in previously issued financial statements for one or more years with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first year restated. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2015-01-Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items(“ASU 2015-01”). ASU 2015-01eliminates the concept of extraordinary items by no longer allowing companies to segregate an extraordinary item from the results of operations, separately present an extraordinary item on the income statement, or disclose income taxes or earnings-per-share data applicable to an extraordinary item. ASU 2015-01is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’sresults of operations, financial position or disclosures.

ASU 2014-09 –Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 provides guidance that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective prospectively, for annual and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating2017. Management has substantially completed its evaluation of the impact this standardASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s resultsconsolidated financial statements.  Based on this evaluation to date, management has determined that for the revenue streams of operations, financial position or disclosures.

NOTE 2 – BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc.

On March 11, 2016, the Company completed its acquisitionwithin the scope of Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. (“JAXB”), a bank holding company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.  Upon consummationASU 2014-09, the new accounting guidance will not change the timing or amount of the acquisition, JAXB was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger. At that time, JAXB’s wholly owned banking subsidiary,revenue recognized.  The Jacksonville Bank (“Jacksonville Bank”), was also merged with and into the Bank. The acquisition expanded the Company’s existing market presence, as Jacksonville Bank had a totaladoption of eight full-service branches located in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Duval County, Florida. Under the terms of the merger, JAXB’s common shareholders received 0.5861 shares of Ameris common stock or $16.50 in cash for each share of JAXB common stock or nonvoting common stock they previously held, subject to the total consideration being allocated 75% stock and 25% cash. As a result, the Company issued 2,549,469 common shares at a fair value of $72.5 million and paid $23.9 million in cash to former shareholders of JAXB.

7

The acquisition of JAXB was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805,Business Combinations. Assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available. During the third quarter of 2016, management revised its initial estimates regarding the valuation of loans, premises and equipment, core deposit intangible and other assets acquired. In addition, management assessed and recorded the deferred tax assets resulting from differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for income tax purposes. This estimate also reflects acquired net operating loss carryforwards and other acquired assets with built-in losses that are expected to be settled or otherwise recovered in future periods where the realization of such benefits would be subject to applicable limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Management continues to evaluate fair value adjustments related to loans, other real estate owned and deferred tax assets.

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities of JAXB assumed as of March 11, 2016 and their initial fair value estimates. The fair value adjustments shown in the following table continue to be evaluated by management and may be subject to further adjustment:

(Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded
by
JAXB
  Initial Fair
Value
Adjustments
  Subsequent Fair
Value
Adjustments
  As Recorded
by Ameris
 
Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents $9,704  $-  $-  $9,704 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances  7,027   -   -   7,027 
Investment securities  60,836   (942)(a)  -   59,894 
Other investments  2,458   -   -   2,458 
Loans  416,831   (15,746)(b)  1,857(j)  402,942 
Less allowance for loan losses  (12,613)  12,613(c)  -   - 
Loans, net  404,218   (3,133)  1,857   402,942 
Other real estate owned  2,873   (1,035)(d)  -   1,838 
Premises and equipment  4,798   -   (31)(k)  4,767 
Intangible assets  288   5,566(e)  (1,108)(l)  4,746 
Other assets  14,141   23,266(f)  (1,841)(m)  35,566 
Total assets $506,343  $23,722  $(1,123) $528,942 
Liabilities                
Deposits:                
Noninterest-bearing $123,399  $-  $-  $123,399 
Interest-bearing  277,539   421(g)  -   277,960 
Total deposits  400,938   421   -   401,359 
Other borrowings  48,350   84(h)  -   48,434 
Other liabilities  2,354   -   -   2,354 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  16,294   (3,393)(i)  -   12,901 
Total liabilities  467,936   (2,888)  -   465,048 
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed  38,407   26,610   (1,123)  63,894 
Goodwill  -   31,375   1,123   32,498 
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $38,407  $57,985  $-  $96,392 
Consideration:                
Ameris Bancorp common shares issued  2,549,469             
Purchase price per share of the Company's common stock $28.42             
Company common stock issued $72,455             
Cash exchanged for shares $23,937             
Fair value of total consideration transferred $96,392             

8

Explanation of fair value adjustments

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

(b)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio, net of the reversal of JAXB remaining fair value adjustments from their prior acquisitions.

(c)Adjustment reflects the elimination of JAXB’s allowance for loan losses.

(d)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio, which is based largely on contracted sale prices.

(e)Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

(f)Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes and the reversal of JAXB valuation allowance established on their deferred tax assets.

(g)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits.

(h)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the liability for other borrowings.

(i)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date, net of the reversal of JAXB remaining fair value adjustments from their prior acquisitions.

(j)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustment of the acquired loan portfolio.

(k)Adjustment reflects recording of fair value adjustment of the premises and equipment.

(l)Adjustment reflects adjustment to the core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

(m)Adjustment reflects the additional deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.

Goodwill of $32.5 million, which is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the JAXB acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwillASU 2014-09 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENT IN US PREMIUM FINANCE HOLDING COMPANY

On December 15, 2016, the Bank entered into a Management and License Agreement with William J. Villari and USPF pursuant to which Mr. Villari will manage a division of the Bank to be deductibleoperated under the name “US Premium Finance” and which is to be engaged in the business of soliciting, originating, servicing, administering and collecting loans made for tax purposes.

Inpurposes of funding insurance premiums and other loans made to persons engaged in the acquisition,insurance business.

Also on December 15, 2016, the Company purchased $402.9 millionentered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Mr. Villari pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase from Mr. Villari 4.99% of loans at fair value, netthe outstanding shares of $13.9 million, or 3.33%, estimated discountcommon stock of USPF. As consideration for such shares, the Company agreed to issue to Mr. Villari 128,572 unregistered shares of its common stock in a private placement transaction pursuant to the outstanding principal balance. Ofexemptions from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the total loans acquired, management identified $28.3 millionSecurities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Those transactions closed on January 18, 2017, and a registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2017 to register the resale or other disposition of the shares of common stock that were consideredissued to be credit impaired and are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30. Mr. Villari.
The table below summarizesCompany’s 4.99% investment in USPF was valued at $5.8 million, based upon the total contractually required principal and interest cash payments, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair valueclosing price of the loans as of acquisition date forpurchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payments have been adjusted for estimatedprepayments.

(Dollars in Thousands)   
Contractually required principal and interest $42,314 
Non-accretable difference  (7,877)
Cash flows expected to be collected  34,437 
Accretable yield  (6,182)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired $28,255 

The following table presents the acquired loan data for the JAXB acquisition.

  Fair Value of
Acquired Loans at
Acquisition Date
  Gross
Contractual
Amounts
Receivable at
Acquisition
Date
  Best Estimate
at Acquisition
Date of
Contractual
Cash Flows
Not Expected
to be Collected
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30 $28,255  $42,314  $7,877 
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30 $374,687  $488,346  $- 

9

Branch Acquisition

On June 12, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of 18 branches from Bank of America, National Association located in Calhoun, Columbia, Dixie, Hamilton, Suwanee and Walton Counties, Florida and Ben Hill, Colquitt, Dougherty, Laurens, Liberty, Thomas, Tift and Ware Counties, Georgia. Under the terms of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated January 28, 2015, the Company paid a deposit premium of $20.0 million, equal to 3.00% of the average daily deposits for the 15 calendar-day periodCompany’s common stock immediately prior to the acquisition date. In addition, the Company acquired approximately $4.0 million in loans and $10.7 million in premises and equipment.

The acquisitionparties’ execution of the 18 branches was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805,Business Combinations. Assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining theStock Purchase Agreement, as follows:



(dollars in thousands, except per share amount) 
Ameris common shares issued128,572
Price per share of the Company's common stock$45.45
Fair value of consideration transferred$5,844
Because USPF does not have a readily determinable fair value of assets and liabilitiesAmeris does not exercise significant influence over USPF, the investment is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available. During the third and fourth quarters of 2015, management revised its initial estimates regarding the valuation of loans, premises and intangible assets acquired.

10

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of June 12, 2015 and their fair value estimates.

(Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by
Bank of America
  Initial Fair
Value
Adjustments
  Subsequent
Fair Value
Adjustments
  As Recorded
by Ameris
 
Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents $630,220  $-  $-  $630,220 
Loans  4,363   -   (364)(d)  3,999 
Premises and equipment  10,348   1,060(a)  (755)(e)  10,653 
Intangible assets  -   7,651(b)  985(f)  8,636 
Other assets  126   -   -   126 
Total assets $645,057  $8,711  $(134) $653,634 
Deposits:                
Noninterest-bearing $149,854  $-  $-  $149,854 
Interest-bearing  495,110   (215)(c)  -   494,895 
Total deposits  644,964   (215)  -   644,749 
Other liabilities  93   -   -   93 
Total liabilities  645,057   (215)  -   644,842 
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed  -   8,926   (134)  8,792 
Goodwill  -   11,076   134   11,210 
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $-  $20,002  $-  $20,002 
Consideration:                
Cash paid as deposit premium $20,002             
Fair value of total consideration transferred $20,002             

Explanation of fair value adjustments

(a)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of the premises and equipment as of the acquisition date.

(b)Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

(c)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired deposits.

(d)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.

(e)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustment of the premises and equipment.

(f)Adjustment reflects additional recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

Goodwill of $11.2 million, which is the excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the branch acquisitioncarried at cost and is the result of expected operational synergies andincluded in other factors.

In the acquisition, the Company purchased $4.0 million of loans at fair value. Management identified $364,000 of overdrafts that were considered to be credit impaired and were subsequently charged off as uncollectible under ASC Topic 310-30.

11

Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated

On May 22, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of all shares of the outstanding common stock of Merchants & Southern Banks of Florida, Incorporated (“Merchants”), a bank holding company headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, for a total purchase price of $50,000,000.  Upon consummation of the stock purchase, Merchants was merged with and into the Company, with Ameris as the surviving entity in the merger. At that time, Merchants’ wholly owned banking subsidiary, Merchants and Southern Bank, was also merged with and into the Bank. The acquisition grew the Company’s existing market presence, as Merchants and Southern Bank had a total of 13 banking locations in Alachua, Marion and Clay Counties, Florida.

The acquisition of Merchants was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB ASC 805,Business Combinations. Assets acquired, liabilities assumed and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate estimated fair values. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available. During the third and fourth quarters of 2015, management revised its initial estimates regarding the valuation of investment securities, core deposit intangible and other assets acquired. In addition, management continued its assessment and recorded the deferred tax assets resulting from differences in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for income tax purposes. This estimate also reflects acquired net operating loss carryforwards and other acquired assets with built-in losses that are expected to be settled or otherwise recovered in future periods where the realization of such benefits would be subject to applicable limitations under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. During the second quarter of 2016, management revised its initial estimates regarding the valuation of loans.

12

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities of Merchants assumed as of May 22, 2015 and their fair value estimates.

(Dollars in Thousands) As Recorded by
Merchants
  Initial Fair
Value
Adjustments
  Subsequent
Fair Value
Adjustments
  As Recorded
by Ameris
 
Assets                
Cash and cash equivalents $7,527  $-  $-  $7,527 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances  106,188   -   -   106,188 
Investment securities  164,421   (553)(a)  (639)(j)  163,229 
Other investments  872   -   (253)(k)  619 
Loans  199,955   (8,500)(b)  91(l)  191,546 
Less allowance for loan losses  (3,354)  3,354(c)  -   - 
Loans, net  196,601   (5,146)  91   191,546 
Other real estate owned  4,082   (1,115)(d)  -   2,967 
Premises and equipment  14,614   (3,680)(e)  -   10,934 
Intangible assets  -   4,577(f)  (634)(m)  3,943 
Other assets  2,333   2,335(g)  (1,109)(n)  3,559 
Total assets $496,638  $(3,582) $(2,544) $490,512 
Liabilities                
Deposits:                
Noninterest-bearing $121,708  $-  $-  $121,708 
Interest-bearing  286,112   -   41,588(o)  327,700 
Total deposits  407,820   -   41,588   449,408 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase  41,588   -   (41,588)(o)  - 
Other liabilities  2,151   81(h)  -   2,232 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  6,186   (2,680)(i)  -   3,506 
Total liabilities  457,745   (2,599)  -   455,146 
Net identifiable assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed  38,893   (983)  (2,544)  35,366 
Goodwill  -   12,090   2,544   14,634 
Net assets acquired over (under) liabilities assumed $38,893  $11,107  $-  $50,000 
Consideration:                
Cash exchanged for shares $50,000             
Fair value of total consideration transferred $50,000             

Explanation of fair value adjustments

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

(b)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.

(c)Adjustment reflects the elimination of Merchants’ allowance for loan losses.

(d)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired OREO portfolio.

(e)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired premises.

(f)Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

(g)Adjustment reflects the deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.

(h)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of interest rate swap liabilities.

(i)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to the subordinated deferrable interest debentures at the acquisition date.

13

(j)Adjustment reflects the additional fair value adjustments of the portfolio of securities available for sale as of the acquisition date.

(k)Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of other investments as of the acquisition date.

(l)Adjustment reflects additional recording of fair value adjustment of the acquired loan portfolio.

(m)Adjustment reflects adjustment to the core deposit intangible on the acquired core deposit accounts.

(n)Adjustment reflects the additional deferred taxes on the difference in the carrying values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their basis for federal income tax purposes.

(o)Subsequent to acquisition, the acquired securities sold under agreements to repurchase were converted to deposit accounts and are no longer reported as securities sold under agreements to repurchase on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

Goodwill of $14.6 million, which is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, was recorded in the Merchants acquisition and is the result of expected operational synergies and other factors. This goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

In the acquisition, the Company purchased $191.5 million of loans at fair value, net of $8.4 million, or 4.21%, estimated discount to the outstanding principal balance. Of the total loans acquired, management identified $11.2 million that were considered to be credit impaired and are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30. The table below summarizes the total contractually required principal and interest cash payments, management’s estimate of expected total cash payments and fair value of the loans as of acquisition date for purchased credit impaired loans. Contractually required principal and interest payments have been adjusted for estimated prepayments.

(Dollars in Thousands)   
Contractually required principal and interest $17,201 
Non-accretable difference  (2,712)
Cash flows expected to be collected  14,489 
Accretable yield  (3,254)
Total purchased credit-impaired loans acquired $11,235 

The following table presents the acquired loan data for the Merchants acquisition.

  Fair Value of
Acquired Loans at
Acquisition Date
  Gross
Contractual
Amounts
Receivable at
Acquisition
Date
  Best Estimate
at Acquisition
Date of
Contractual
Cash Flows
Not Expected
to be Collected
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Acquired receivables subject to ASC 310-30 $11,235  $14,086  $2,712 
Acquired receivables not subject to ASC 310-30 $180,311  $184,906  $- 

14

The results of operations of JAXB and Merchants subsequent to the respective acquisition dates are included in the Company’s consolidated statementsbalance sheet. The net carrying value of operations. The following unaudited pro forma information reflects the Company’s estimated consolidated resultsinvestment in USPF was $5.8 million as of operations as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2015, unadjusted for potential cost savings (in thousands).

  Three Months Ended
 September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Net interest income and noninterest income $85,931  $77,325  $247,697  $210,556 
Net income $21,557  $17,076  $54,658  $32,621 
Net income available to common stockholders $21,557  $17.076  $54,658  $32,621 
Income per common share available to common stockholders – basic $0.62  $0.49  $1.57  $0.95 
Income per common share available to common stockholders – diluted $0.61  $0.49  $1.56  $0.95 
                 
Average number of shares outstanding, basic  34,870   34,744   34,817   34,163 
Average number of shares outstanding, diluted  35,195   35,102   35,131   34,511 

A rollforward of purchased non-covered loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Balance, January 1 $771,554  $674,239  $674,239 
Charge-offs, net of recoveries  (904)  (991)  (814)
Additions due to acquisitions  402,942   195,818   195,818 
Accretion  10,071   10,590   8,055 
Transfers to purchased non-covered other real estate owned  (3,871)  (4,473)  (2,565)
Transfer from covered loans due to loss-share expiration  45,908   50,568   15,462 
Payments received  (158,700)  (154,666)  (123,311)
Other  90   469   610 
Ending balance $1,067,090  $771,554  $767,494 

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of purchased non-covered loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 

September 30,
2016

 
  

December 31,
2015

 
  

September 30,
2015

 
 
Balance, January 1 $24,785  $25,716  $25,716 
Additions due to acquisitions  9,991   5,788   4,686 
Accretion  (10,071)  (10,590)  (8,055)
Transfer from covered loans due to loss-share expiration  3,457   1,665   - 
Accretable discounts removed due to charge-offs  (161)  (1,768)  (1,686)
Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net  2,263   3,974   (106)
Ending balance $30,264  $24,785  $20,555 

15
2017.

NOTE 3 – INVESTMENT SECURITIES


The Company’s investment policy blends the Company’s liquidity needs and interest rate risk management with its desire to increase income and provide funds for expected growth in loans. The investment securities portfolio consists primarily of U.S. government-sponsored mortgage-backed securities and agencies, state, county and municipal securities and corporate debt securities. The Company’s portfolio and investing philosophy concentrate activities in obligations where the credit risk is limited. For the small portion of the Company’s portfolio found to present credit risk, the Company has reviewed the investments and financial performance of the obligors and believes the credit risk to be acceptable.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale, at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015along with unrealized gains and September 30, 2015losses, are presented below:

  Amortized
Cost
  Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
             
September 30, 2016:                
U.S. government agencies $999  $29  $(0) $1,028 
State, county and municipal securities  150,083   5,939   (28)  155,994 
Corporate debt securities  28,924   194   (20)  29,098 
Mortgage-backed securities  641,404   10,917   (317)  652,004 
Total debt securities $821,410  $17,079  $(365) $838,124 
                 
December 31, 2015:                
U.S. government agencies $14,959  $-  $(69) $14,890 
State, county and municipal securities  157,681   4,046   (411)  161,316 
Corporate debt securities  5,900   145   (28)  6,017 
Mortgage-backed securities  599,721   3,945   (2,704)  600,962 
Total debt securities $778,261  $8,136  $(3,212) $783,185 
                 
September 30, 2015:                
U.S. government agencies $14,957  $26  $(15) $14,968 
State, county and municipal securities  161,509   3,875   (519)  164,865 
Corporate debt securities  5,901   150   (19)  6,032 
Mortgage-backed securities  622,313   5,208   (2,001)  625,520 
Total debt securities $804,680  $9,259  $(2,554) $811,385 

summarized as follows:

(dollars in thousands) 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
September 30, 2017        
U.S. government sponsored agencies $1,000
 $4
 $
 $1,004
State, county and municipal securities 140,190
 3,271
 (74) 143,387
Corporate debt securities 46,704
 661
 (116) 47,249
Mortgage-backed securities 626,927
 3,774
 (2,748) 627,953
Total debt securities $814,821
 $7,710
 $(2,938) $819,593
         
December 31, 2016        
U.S. government sponsored agencies $999
 $21
 $
 $1,020
State, county and municipal securities 149,899
 2,605
 (469) 152,035
Corporate debt securities 32,375
 167
 (370) 32,172
Mortgage-backed securities 641,362
 2,700
 (6,554) 637,508
Total debt securities $824,635
 $5,493
 $(7,393) $822,735
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at September 30, 20162017 by contractual maturity are summarized in the table below. Expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities may differ from contractual maturities because in certain cases borrowers can prepay obligations without prepayment penalties. Therefore, these securities are not included in the following maturity summary.

  Amortized
Cost
  Fair
Value
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Due in one year or less $5,260  $5,312 
Due from one year to five years  63,450   65,135 
Due from five to ten years  56,521   59,169 
Due after ten years  54,775   56,504 
Mortgage-backed securities  641,404   652,004 
  $821,410  $838,124 

(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less $14,094
 $14,205
Due from one year to five years 57,385
 58,204
Due from five to ten years 77,194
 79,093
Due after ten years 39,221
 40,138
Mortgage-backed securities 626,927
 627,953
  $814,821
 $819,593
Securities with a carrying value of approximately $416.8$238.6 million serve as collateral to secure public deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and for other purposes required or permitted by law at September 30, 2016,2017, compared with $551.0 million and $381.9$618.2 million at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively.

16
2016.

The following table details the gross unrealized losses and fair value of securities aggregated by category and duration of continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015.

  Less Than 12 Months  12 Months or More  Total 
Description of Securities Fair
Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair
Value
  Unrealized
Losses
  Fair 
Value
  Unrealized
Losses
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
September 30, 2016:                        
U.S. government agencies $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
State, county and municipal securities  4,398   (17)  1,634   (11)  6,032   (28)
Corporate debt securities  3,012   (5)  487   (15)  3,499   (20)
Mortgage-backed securities  66,920   (195)  12,519   (122)  79,439   (317)
Total debt securities $74,330  $(217) $14,640  $(148) $88,970  $(365)
                         
December 31, 2015:                        
U.S. government agencies $9,932  $(27) $4,958  $(42) $14,890  $(69)
State, county and municipal securities  19,293   (199)  11,557   (212)  30,850   (411)
Corporate debt securities  1,383   (28)  -   -   1,383   (28)
Mortgage-backed securities  263,281   (1,950)  29,950   (754)  293,231   (2,704)
Total debt securities $293,889  $(2,204) $46,465  $(1,008) $340,354  $(3,212)
                         
September 30, 2015:                        
U.S. government agencies $-  $-  $4,985  $(15) $4,985  $(15)
State, county and municipal securities  28,339   (297)  10,451   (222)  38,790   (519)
Corporate debt securities  894   (19)  -   -   894   (19)
Mortgage-backed securities  213,439   (1,184)  30,708   (817)  244,147   (2,001)
Total debt securities $242,672  $(1,500) $46,144  $(1,054) $288,816  $(2,554)

2016.



  Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total
(dollars in thousands) 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
September 30, 2017  
  
  
  
  
  
U.S. government sponsored agencies $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
State, county and municipal securities 11,333
 (18) 4,240
 (56) 15,573
 (74)
Corporate debt securities 8,131
 (35) 10,854
 (81) 18,985
 (116)
Mortgage-backed securities 225,258
 (1,685) 54,465
 (1,063) 279,723
 (2,748)
Total debt securities $244,722
 $(1,738) $69,559
 $(1,200) $314,281
 $(2,938)
             
December 31, 2016  
  
  
  
  
  
U.S. government sponsored agencies $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
State, county and municipal securities 47,647
 (469) 
 
 47,647
 (469)
Corporate debt securities 18,377
 (363) 493
 (7) 18,870
 (370)
Mortgage-backed securities 414,300
 (6,177) 11,791
 (377) 426,091
 (6,554)
Total debt securities $480,324
 $(7,009) $12,284
 $(384) $492,608
 $(7,393)
As of September 30, 2016,2017, the Company’s securities portfolio consisted of 414421 securities, 28119 of which were in an unrealized loss position. The majority of unrealized losses are related to the Company’s mortgage-backed securities, as discussed below.

At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company held 23101 mortgage-backed securities that were in an unrealized loss position, all of which were issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because the Company does not have the intent to sell these mortgage-backed securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2016.

2017.

At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company held threenine state, county and municipal securities and twonine corporate debt securities that were in an unrealized loss position. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because the Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2016.

During the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, the Company received timely and current interest and principal payments on all of the securities classified as corporate debt securities, except for one security that began deferring interest during the fourth quarter of 2010. 2017.

The Company’s investments in subordinatedcorporate debt include investments in regional and super-regional banks on which the Company prepares regular analysis through review of financial information and credit ratings. Investments in preferred securities are also concentrated in the preferred obligations of regional and super-regional banks through non-pooled investment structures. The Company did not have investments in “pooled” trust preferred securities at September 30, 2016,2017 or December 31, 2015 or September 30, 2015.

2016.

Management and the Company’s Asset and Liability Committee (the “ALCO Committee”) evaluate securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. While the majority of the unrealized losses on debt securities relate to changes in interest rates, corporate debt securities have also been affected by reduced levels of liquidity and higher risk premiums. Occasionally, management engages independent third parties to evaluate the Company’s position in certain corporate debt securities to aid management and the ALCO Committee in its determination regarding the status of impairment. The Company believes that each investment poses minimal credit risk and further, that the Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2016,2017, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Therefore, at September 30, 2016,2017, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than-temporary basis.

17

At September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities were obligations of government-sponsored agencies.

The following table is a summary of sales activities in the Company’s investment securities available for sale for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, year ended December 31, 20152017 and nine months ended September 30, 2015:

  September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
          
Gross gains on sales of securities $312  $396  $396 
Gross losses on sales of securities  (218)  (259)  (259)
Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale $94  $137  $137 
Sales proceeds $53,026  $72,528  $69,208 

2016:

(dollars in thousands) September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Gross gains on sales of securities $38
 $312
Gross losses on sales of securities (1) (218)
Net realized gains on sales of securities available for sale $37
 $94
     
Sales proceeds $3,090
 $53,026


NOTE 4 – LOANS


The Bank engages in a full complement of lending activities, including real estate-related loans, agriculture-related loans, commercial and financial loans and consumer installment loans within select markets in Georgia, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. The Bank purchased residential mortgage loan pools during 2015 and 2016 collateralized by properties located outside our Southeast markets, specifically in California, Washington and Illinois. During the third quarter of 2016, the Bank began purchasing from an unrelated third party consumer installment home improvement loans made to borrowers throughout the United States. TheAs of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the net carrying value of these consumer installment home improvement loans was approximately $148.0 million and $60.8 million, respectively. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Bank also purchased residential mortgagea pool of commercial insurance premium finance loans made to borrowers throughout the United States and began to originate, administer and service these types of loans. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the net carrying value of commercial insurance premium loans was approximately $487.9 million and $353.9 million, respectively, and such loans are reported in the commercial, financial and agricultural loan pools during 2015 and 2016 collateralized by properties located outside our Southeast markets, specifically in California, Washington and Illinois. category.
The Bank concentrates the majority of its lending activities in real estate loans. While risk of loss in the Company’s portfolio is primarily tied to the credit quality of the various borrowers, risk of loss may increase due to factors beyond the Company’s control, such as local, regional and/or national economic downturns. General conditions in the real estate market may also impact the relative risk in the real estate portfolio.

A substantial portion of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate in the Bank’s primary market area. In addition, a substantial portion of the OREO is located in those same markets. Accordingly, the ultimate collectability of a substantial portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio and the recovery of a substantial portion of the carrying amount of OREO are susceptible to changes in real estate conditions in the Bank’s primary market area.

Commercial, financial and agricultural loans include both secured and unsecured loans for working capital, expansion, crop production, commercial insurance premium finance, and other business purposes, includingpurposes. Commercial, financial and agricultural loans also include SBA guaranteed loans and municipal loans. Short-term working capital loans are secured by non-real estate collateral such as accounts receivable, crops, inventory and equipment. The Bank evaluates the financial strength, cash flow, management, credit history of the borrower and the quality of the collateral securing the loan. The Bank often requires personal guarantees and secondary sources of repayment on commercial, financial and agricultural loans.

Real estate loans include construction and development loans, commercial and farmland loans and residential loans. Construction and development loans include loans for the development of residential neighborhoods, one-to-four family home residential construction loans to builders and consumers, and commercial real estate construction loans, primarily for owner-occupied properties. The Company limits its construction lending risk through adherence to established underwriting procedures. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by owner-occupied commercial buildings for office, storage, retail, farmland and warehouse space. They also include non-owner occupied commercial buildings such as leased retail and office space. Commercial real estate loans may be larger in size and may involve a greater degree of risk than one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. Payments on such loans are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties. ResidentialThe Company’s residential loans represent permanent mortgage financing and are secured by residential properties located within the Bank's market areas, along with warehouse lines of credit secured by residential mortgages.

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

18

Loans are stated at unpaid balances, net of unearned income and deferred loan fees. Balances within the major loans receivable categories are presented in the following table, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $625,947  $449,623  $427,747 
Real estate – construction and development  328,308   244,693   220,798 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  1,297,582   1,104,991   1,067,828 
Real estate – residential  766,933   570,430   532,285 
Consumer installment  68,305   31,125   31,299 
Other  3,964   6,015   10,692 
  $3,091,039  $2,406,877  $2,290,649 

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Commercial, financial and agricultural$1,307,209
 $967,138
Real estate – construction and development550,189
 363,045
Real estate – commercial and farmland1,558,882
 1,406,219
Real estate – residential969,289
 781,018
Consumer installment183,314
 96,915
Other5,795
 12,486
 $4,574,678
 $3,626,821


Purchased non-covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in bank acquisitions including those that are not covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Purchased non-covered loans totaling $1.07 billion, $771.6$917.1 million and $767.5 million$1.07 billion at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively, are not included in the above schedule.

Purchased non-covered loans are shown below according to major loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $99,596  $45,462  $42,350 
Real estate – construction and development  86,099   72,080   71,109 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  590,388   390,755   385,032 
Real estate – residential  286,169   258,153   263,312 
Consumer installment  4,838   5,104   5,691 
  $1,067,090  $771,554  $767,494 

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Commercial, financial and agricultural$80,895
 $96,537
Real estate – construction and development68,583
 81,368
Real estate – commercial and farmland500,169
 576,355
Real estate – residential264,312
 310,277
Consumer installment3,167
 4,654
 $917,126
 $1,069,191
A rollforward of purchased loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 is shown below:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Balance, January 1$1,069,191
 $909,083
Charge-offs, net of recoveries(1,761) (3,122)
Additions due to acquisitions
 402,942
Accretion9,023
 12,926
Transfers to purchased other real estate owned(4,294) (6,262)
Payments received(155,033) (186,276)
Other
 90
Ending balance$917,126
 $1,129,381
The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of purchased loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Balance, January 1$30,624
 $33,848
Additions due to acquisitions
 9,991
Accretion(9,023) (12,926)
Accretable discounts removed due to charge-offs(15) (161)
Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net923
 2,544
Ending balance$22,509
 $33,296
Purchased loan pools are defined as groups of residential mortgage loans that were not acquired in bank acquisitions or FDIC-assisted transactions. As of September 30, 2016,2017, purchased loan pools totaled $624.9$465.2 million and consisted of whole-loan, adjustable rate residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $614.4$459.1 million and $10.5$6.1 million of remaining purchase premium paid at acquisition. As of December 31, 2015,2016, purchased loan pools totaled $593.0$568.3 million and consisted of whole-loan, adjustable rate residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $580.7$559.4 million and $12.3$8.9 million of purchase premium paid at acquisition. As of September 30, 2015, purchased loan pools totaled $410.1 million and consisted of whole-loan, adjustable rate residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $402.1 million and $8.0 million ofremaining purchase premium paid at acquisition. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, one loan in the purchased loan pools with a principal balance of $864,000$915,000 and $925,000, respectively, was past dueclassified as a troubled debt restructuring and risk-rated grade 40, while all other loans included in the purchased loan pools were performing current loans risk-rated grade 20. At December 31, 2015During the second quarter of 2017, this troubled debt restructuring defaulted on its restructured terms and September 30, 2015, all loans included in the purchased loan pools were performing current loans, all risk-rated grade 20.was placed on nonaccrual status. At September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had allocated $2.0$1.5 million $581,000 and $402,000,$1.8 million, respectively, of allowance for loan losses for the purchased loan pools. As part of the due diligence process prior to purchasing an individual mortgage pool, a complete re-underwrite of the individual loan files was conducted. The underwriting process included a review of all income, asset, credit and property related documentation that was used to originate the loan. Underwriters utilized the originating lender’s program guidelines, as well as general prudent mortgage lending standards, to assess each individual loan file.  Additional research was conducted to assess the real estate market conditions and market expectations in the geographic areas where a collateral concentration existed. As part of this review, an automated valuation model was employed to provide current collateral valuations and to support individual loan-to-value ratios.  Additionally, a sample of site inspections was completed to provide further assurance.  The results of the due diligence review were evaluated by officers of the Company in order to determine overall conformance to the Bank’s credit and lending policies.

Covered loans are defined as loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by a loss-sharing agreement with the FDIC. Covered loans totaling $62.3 million, $137.5 million and $191.0 million at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively, are not included in the above schedules.

19

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $830  $5,546  $13,349 
Real estate – construction and development  3,220   7,612   14,266 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  13,688   71,226   103,399 
Real estate – residential  44,457   53,038   59,835 
Consumer installment  96   107   172 
  $62,291  $137,529  $191,021 





Nonaccrual and Past-Due Loans


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

The following table presents an analysis of loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $1,313  $1,302  $1,995 
Real estate – construction and development  1,255   1,812   1,753 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  7,485   7,019   11,645 
Real estate – residential  5,999   6,278   4,810 
Consumer installment  518   449   355 
  $16,570  $16,860  $20,558 

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Commercial, financial and agricultural$2,409
 $1,814
Real estate – construction and development735
 547
Real estate – commercial and farmland5,705
 8,757
Real estate – residential5,984
 6,401
Consumer installment492
 595
 $15,325
 $18,114
The following table presents an analysis of purchased non-covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $744  $1,064  $214 
Real estate – construction and development  2,403   1,106   916 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  7,796   4,920   4,728 
Real estate – residential  7,012   6,168   5,464 
Consumer installment  38   72   52 
  $17,993  $13,330  $11,374 

The following table presents an analysis of covered loans accounted for on a nonaccrual basis:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $128  $2,803  $7,916 
Real estate – construction and development  60   1,701   2,934 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  1,540   5,034   18,164 
Real estate – residential  4,078   3,663   3,979 
Consumer installment  28   37   91 
  $5,834  $13,238  $33,084 

20

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Commercial, financial and agricultural$2,086
 $692
Real estate – construction and development3,255
 2,611
Real estate – commercial and farmland6,974
 10,174
Real estate – residential6,646
 9,476
Consumer installment88
 13
 $19,049
 $22,966


The following table presents an analysis of past-due loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered past-due loans as of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due  and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of September 30, 2016:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $798  $336  $1,134  $2,268  $623,679  $625,947  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  5,320   177   1,136   6,633   321,675   328,308   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  2,726   199   5,788   8,713   1,288,869   1,297,582   - 
Real estate – residential  2,890   802   5,035   8,727   758,206   766,933   - 
Consumer installment loans  513   174   309   996   67,309   68,305   - 
Other  -   -   -   -   3,964   3,964   - 
Total $12,247  $1,688  $13,402  $27,337  $3,063,702  $3,091,039  $- 

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due  and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of December 31, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $568  $271  $835  $1,674  $447,949  $449,623  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  1,413   261   1,739   3,413   241,280   244,693   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  1,781   641   6,912   9,334   1,095,657   1,104,991   - 
Real estate – residential  3,806   2,120   5,121   11,047   559,383   570,430   - 
Consumer installment loans  374   188   238   800   30,325   31,125   - 
Other  -   -   -   -   6,015   6,015   - 
Total $7,942  $3,481  $14,845  $26,268  $2,380,609  $2,406,877  $- 

  

Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due 

  

Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due 

  

Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due 

  

Total
Loans
Past Due 

  

Current
Loans 

  

Total
Loans 

  

Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing

 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of September 30, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $781  $714  $1,799  $3,294  $424,453  $427,747  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  1,184   417   1,753   3,354   217,444   220,798   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  4,275   399   8,082   12,756   1,055,072   1,067,828   - 
Real estate – residential  6,424   1,558   4,247   12,229   520,056   532,285   - 
Consumer installment loans  326   82   227   635   30,664   31,299   - 
Other  -   -   -   -   10,692   10,692   - 
Total $12,990  $3,170  $16,108  $32,268  $2,258,381  $2,290,649  $- 

21
2016: 

(dollars in thousands)
Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
 
Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
 
Total
Loans
Past Due
 
Current
Loans
 
Total
Loans
 
Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$5,388
 $2,488
 $5,025
 $12,901
 $1,294,308
 $1,307,209
 $2,941
Real estate – construction and development341
 52
 517
 910
 549,279
 550,189
 
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,369
 1,097
 5,203
 8,669
 1,550,213
 1,558,882
 
Real estate – residential3,293
 1,938
 4,165
 9,396
 959,893
 969,289
 
Consumer installment loans1,034
 408
 338
 1,780
 181,534
 183,314
 
Other
 
 
 
 5,795
 5,795
 
Total$12,425
 $5,983
 $15,248
 $33,656
 $4,541,022
 $4,574,678
 $2,941
              
December 31, 2016 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$565
 $82
 $1,293
 $1,940
 $965,198
 $967,138
 $
Real estate – construction and development908
 446
 439
 1,793
 361,252
 363,045
 
Real estate – commercial and farmland6,329
 1,711
 6,945
 14,985
 1,391,234
 1,406,219
 
Real estate – residential6,354
 1,282
 5,302
 12,938
 768,080
 781,018
 
Consumer installment loans624
 263
 350
 1,237
 95,678
 96,915
 
Other
 
 
 
 12,486
 12,486
 
Total$14,780
 $3,784
 $14,329
 $32,893
 $3,593,928
 $3,626,821
 $
The following table presents an analysis of purchased non-covered past-due loans as of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due  and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of September 30, 2016:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $244  $-  $624  $868  $98,728  $99,596  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  1,082   233   2,070   3,385   82,714   86,099   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  1,806   599   6,369   8,774   581,614   590,388   - 
Real estate – residential  1,481   2,144   5,379   9,004   277,165   286,169   - 
Consumer installment loans  33   267   38   338   4,500   4,838   - 
Total $4,646  $3,243  $14,480  $22,369  $1,044,721  $1,067,090  $- 

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due  and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of December 31, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $248  $13  $846  $1,107  $44,355  $45,462  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  416   687   420   1,523   70,557   72,080   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  2,479   1,629   3,347   7,455   383,300   390,755   - 
Real estate – residential  4,965   2,176   4,928   12,069   246,084   258,153   - 
Consumer installment loans  31   9   70   110   4,994   5,104   - 
Total $8,139  $4,514  $9,611  $22,264  $749,290  $771,554  $- 

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of September 30, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $140  $11  $112  $263  $42,087  $42,350  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  322   -   459   781   70,328   71,109   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  2,681   613   3,391   6,685   378,347   385,032   - 
Real estate – residential  3,822   1,672   4,901   10,395   252,917   263,312   - 
Consumer installment loans  5   -   49   54   5,637   5,691   - 
Total $6,970  $2,296  $8,912  $18,178  $749,316  $767,494  $- 

22
2016: 

The following table presents an analysis of covered past-due loans as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due  and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of September 30, 2016:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $-  $-  $128  $128  $702  $830  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  114   4   -   118   3,102   3,220   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  906   -   1   907   12,781   13,688   - 
Real estate – residential  1,047   943   2,589   4,579   39,878   44,457   - 
Consumer installment loans  -   -   -   -   96   96   - 
Total $2,067  $947  $2,718  $5,732  $56,559  $62,291  $- 

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due  and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of December 31, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $-  $-  $2,802  $2,802  $2,744  $5,546  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  96   -   1,633   1,729   5,883   7,612   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  170   205   3,064   3,439   67,787   71,226   - 
Real estate – residential  2,155   1,001   2,658   5,814   47,224   53,038   - 
Consumer installment loans  -   -   37   37   70   107   - 
Total $2,421  $1,206  $10,194  $13,821  $123,708  $137,529  $- 

  Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
  Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
  Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
  Total
Loans
Past Due
  Current
Loans
  Total
Loans
  Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
As of September 30, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial &  agricultural $40  $48  $7,886  $7,974  $5,375  $13,349  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  1,548   68   2,408   4,024   10,242   14,266   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  1,003   550   6,573   8,126   95,273   103,399   - 
Real estate – residential  2,612   783   2,140   5,535   54,300   59,835   - 
Consumer installment loans  -   -   49   49   123   172   - 
Total $5,203  $1,449  $19,056  $25,708  $165,313  $191,021  $- 

23

 
(dollars in thousands)
Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
Loans
60-89
Days
Past Due
 
Loans 90
or More
Days Past
Due
 
Total
Loans
Past Due
 
Current
Loans
 
Total
Loans
 
Loans 90
Days or
More Past
Due and
Still
Accruing
September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$2,674
 $2
 $288
 $2,964
 $77,931
 $80,895
 $
Real estate – construction and development1,221
 935
 1,713
 3,869
 64,714
 68,583
 
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,842
 1,318
 1,823
 5,983
 494,186
 500,169
 
Real estate – residential3,308
 440
 3,435
 7,183
 257,129
 264,312
 
Consumer installment loans1
 4
 43
 48
 3,119
 3,167
 
Total$10,046
 $2,699
 $7,302
 $20,047
 $897,079
 $917,126
 $
              
December 31, 2016 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$113
 $18
 $593
 $724
 $95,813
 $96,537
 $
Real estate – construction and development161
 11
 2,518
 2,690
 78,678
 81,368
 
Real estate – commercial and farmland2,034
 326
 7,152
 9,512
 566,843
 576,355
 
Real estate – residential4,566
 698
 6,835
 12,099
 298,178
 310,277
 
Consumer installment loans22
 
 13
 35
 4,619
 4,654
 
Total$6,896
 $1,053
 $17,111
 $25,060
 $1,044,131
 $1,069,191
 $




Impaired Loans


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

24



The following is a summary of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans:

  As of and For the Period Ended 
  September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Nonaccrual loans $16,570  $16,860  $20,558 
Troubled debt restructurings not included above  14,013   14,418   12,075 
Total impaired loans $30,583  $31,278  $32,633 
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans $252  $274  $241 
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans $808  $909  $635 
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans $239  $265  $309 
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans $710  $1,204  $939 

 As of and for the Period Ended
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Nonaccrual loans$15,325
 $18,114
 $16,570
Troubled debt restructurings not included above12,452
 14,209
 14,013
Total impaired loans$27,777
 $32,323
 $30,583
      
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$297
 $225
 $252
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$857
 $1,033
 $808
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$233
 $267
 $239
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$753
 $977
 $710
The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to impaired loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans as of September 30, 2016,2017, December 31, 20152016 and September 30, 2015:

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Nine
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of September 30, 2016:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $2,568  $252  $1,114  $1,366  $118  $1,736  $1,640 
Real estate – construction & development  2,972   -   1,946   1,946   537   2,001   2,214 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  14,015   5,499   7,520   13,019   873   12,776   12,837 
Real estate – residential  14,350   2,046   11,667   13,713   2,648   13,686   13,516 
Consumer installment loans  586   -   539   539   6   492   479 
Total $34,491  $7,797  $22,786  $30,583  $4,182  $30,691  $30,686 

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of December 31, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $3,062  $158  $1,385  $1,543  $135  $1,887  $2,275 
Real estate – construction & development  3,581   230   2,374   2,604   774   2,598   3,228 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  14,385   6,702   6,083   12,785   1,067   15,074   15,105 
Real estate – residential  15,809   1,621   12,230   13,851   2,224   11,935   11,977 
Consumer installment loans  592   -   495   495   9   461   488 
Total $37,429  $8,711  $22,567  $31,278  $4,209  $31,955  $33,073 

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
�� Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Nine
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of September 30, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $3,761  $471  $1,762  $2,233  $528  $3,289  $2,458 
Real estate – construction & development  3,757   230   2,361   2,591   731   2,503   3,384 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  18,652   5,870   11,494   17,364   1,635   16,459   15,684 
Real estate – residential  11,549   1,752   8,266   10,018   1,872   10,185   11,509 
Consumer installment loans  524   -   426   426   7   483   487 
Total $38,243  $8,323  $24,309  $32,632  $4,773  $32,919  $33,522 

25
2016:

(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Three
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$2,924
 $1,121
 $1,331
 $2,452
 $379
 $2,478
 $2,380
Real estate – construction and development1,655
 532
 627
 1,159
 81
 1,179
 1,160
Real estate – commercial and farmland11,451
 536
 9,938
 10,474
 806
 10,669
 11,416
Real estate – residential15,211
 4,558
 8,636
 13,194
 1,058
 13,683
 14,814
Consumer installment loans538
 498
 
 498
 
 507
 554
Total$31,779
 $7,245
 $20,532
 $27,777
 $2,324
 $28,516
 $30,324

(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
December 31, 2016 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$3,068
 $204
 $1,656
 $1,860
 $134
 $1,613
 $1,684
Real estate – construction and development2,047
 
 1,233
 1,233
 273
 1,590
 2,018
Real estate – commercial and farmland13,906
 6,811
 6,065
 12,876
 1,503
 12,948
 12,845
Real estate – residential15,482
 2,238
 13,503
 15,741
 3,080
 15,525
 14,453
Consumer installment loans671
 
 613
 613
 5
 576
 506
Total$35,174
 $9,253
 $23,070
 $32,323
 $4,995
 $32,252
 $31,506
(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related 
Allowance
 
Three
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2016 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$2,568
 $252
 $1,114
 $1,366
 $118
 $1,736
 $1,640
Real estate – construction and development2,972
 
 1,946
 1,946
 537
 2,001
 2,214
Real estate – commercial and farmland14,015
 5,499
 7,520
 13,019
 873
 12,776
 12,837
Real estate – residential14,350
 2,046
 11,667
 13,713
 2,648
 13,686
 13,516
Consumer installment loans586
 
 539
 539
 6
 492
 479
Total$34,491
 $7,797
 $22,786
 $30,583
 $4,182
 $30,691
 $30,686


The following is a summary of information pertaining to purchased non-covered impaired loans:

  As of and For the Period Ended 
  September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Nonaccrual loans $17,993  $13,330  $11,374 
Troubled debt restructurings not included above  9,294   9,373   7,188 
Total impaired loans $27,287  $22,703  $18,562 
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans $1,339  $442  $158 
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans $1,885  $785  $342 
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans $264  $245  $198 
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans $883  $1,365  $1,121 

 As of and for the Period Ended
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Nonaccrual loans$19,049
 $22,966
 $23,827
Troubled debt restructurings not included above20,205
 23,543
 21,117
Total impaired loans$39,254
 $46,509
 $44,944
      
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$493
 $377
 $1,493
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans$1,246
 $2,755
 $2,378
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$356
 $354
 $346
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans$958
 $1,637
 $1,283

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to purchased non-covered impaired loans as of September 30, 2016,2017, December 31, 20152016 and September 30, 2015:

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Nine
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of September 30, 2016:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $4,801  $520  $225  $745  $-  $710  $787 
Real estate – construction & development  23,284   233   2,699   2,932   183   2,306   2,053 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  34,021   1,778   11,858   13,636   380   13,310   13,732 
Real estate – residential  12,458   2,705   7,227   9,932   722   9,685   9,163 
Consumer installment loans  55   42   -   42   -   43   64 
Total $74,619  $5,278  $22,009  $27,287  $1,285  $26,054  $25,799 

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of December 31, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $3,103  $1,066  $-  $1,066  $-  $640  $392 
Real estate – construction & development  8,987   1,469   -   1,469   -   1,369   1,429 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  14,999   11,134   -   11,134   -   9,966   10,806 
Real estate – residential  14,946   8,957   -   8,957   -   8,591   8,067 
Consumer installment loans  94   77   -   77   -   67   65 
Total $42,129  $22,703  $-  $22,703  $-  $20,633  $20,759 

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Nine
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of September 30, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $1,137  $214  $-  $214  $-  $262  $224 
Real estate – construction & development  9,211   1,268   -   1,268   -   1,563   1,419 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  13,399   8,799   -   8,799   -   11,245   10,724 
Real estate – residential  12,443   8,224   -   8,224   -   8,255   7,845 
Consumer installment loans  74   57   -   57   -   76   63 
Total $36,264  $18,562  $-  $18,562  $-  $21,402  $20,275 

26
2016:

The following is a summary of information pertaining to covered impaired loans:

  As of and For the Period Ended 
  September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Nonaccrual loans $5,834  $13,238  $33,084 
Troubled debt restructurings not included above  11,823   13,283   16,576 
Total impaired loans $17,657  $26,521  $49,660 
Quarter-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans $154  $154  $268 
Year-to-date interest income recognized on impaired loans $493  $886  $732 
Quarter-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans $82  $181  $468 
Year-to-date foregone interest income on impaired loans $400  $1,596  $1,416 

The following table presents an analysis of information pertaining to covered impaired loans as of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Nine
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of September 30, 2016:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $296  $128  $-  $128  $-  $128  $1,464 
Real estate – construction & development  969   63   810   873   1   1,640   2,022 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  7,077   83   3,258   3,341   22   4,886   5,837 
Real estate – residential  14,450   4,768   8,513   13,281   213   13,418   13,730 
Consumer installment loans  43   34   -   34   -   37   41 
Total $22,835  $5,076  $12,581  $17,657  $236  $20,109  $23,094 

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of December 31, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $5,188  $2,802  $-  $2,802  $-  $5,360  $7,408 
Real estate – construction & development  15,119   2,480   -   2,480   -   4,130   6,906 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  20,508   7,001   -   7,001   -   14,133   18,504 
Real estate – residential  15,830   14,192   -   14,192   -   14,399   16,010 
Consumer installment loans  60   46   -   46   -   69   86 
Total $56,705  $26,521  $-  $26,521  $-  $38,091  $48,914 

  Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
  Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
  Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
  Total
Recorded
Investment
  Related
Allowance
  Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
  Nine
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
As of September 30, 2015:                            
Commercial, financial & agricultural $11,794  $7,918  $-  $7,918  $-  $8,625  $8,560 
Real estate – construction & development  29,596   5,780   -   5,780   -   6,166   8,013 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  41,724   21,265   -   21,265   -   20,697   21,380 
Real estate – residential  18,097   14,605   -   14,605   -   14,881   16,465 
Consumer installment loans  126   92   -   92   -   101   96 
Total $101,337  $49,660  $-  $49,660  $-  $50,470  $54,514 

27

(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related 
Allowance
 
Three
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$5,333
 $345
 $1,741
 $2,086
 $800
 $1,128
 $831
Real estate – construction and development9,268
 1,189
 3,088
 4,277
 537
 3,885
 3,807
Real estate – commercial and farmland16,492
 1,516
 11,766
 13,282
 1,140
 13,658
 16,063
Real estate – residential22,462
 7,224
 12,297
 19,521
 762
 20,088
 21,308
Consumer installment loans97
 88
 
 88
 
 58
 40
Total$53,652
 $10,362
 $28,892
 $39,254
 $3,239
 $38,817
 $42,049

(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related 
Allowance
 
Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Twelve
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
December 31, 2016 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$5,031
 $370
 $322
 $692
 $
 $783
 $2,206
Real estate – construction and development24,566
 493
 3,477
 3,970
 153
 3,888
 4,279
Real estate – commercial and farmland36,174
 3,598
 15,036
 18,634
 385
 17,806
 19,872
Real estate – residential27,022
 7,883
 15,306
 23,189
 1,088
 23,201
 23,163
Consumer installment loans37
 24
 
 24
 
 51
 96
Total$92,830
 $12,368
 $34,141
 $46,509
 $1,626
 $45,729
 $49,616
(dollars in thousands)
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No
Allowance
 
Recorded
Investment
With
Allowance
 
Total
Recorded
Investment
 
Related
Allowance
 
Three
Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
 Nine
 Month
Average
Recorded
Investment
September 30, 2016 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural$5,097
 $648
 $225
 $873
 $
 $838
 $2,251
Real estate – construction and development24,253
 296
 3,509
 3,805
 184
 3,946
 4,075
Real estate – commercial and farmland41,098
 1,861
 15,116
 16,977
 402
 18,196
 19,569
Real estate – residential26,908
 7,473
 15,740
 23,213
 935
 23,103
 22,893
Consumer installment loans98
 76
 
 76
 
 80
 105
Total$97,454
 $10,354
 $34,590
 $44,944
 $1,521
 $46,163
 $48,893


Credit Quality Indicators


The Company uses a nine category risk grading system to assign a risk grade to each loan in the portfolio. The following is a description of the general characteristics of the grades:

Grade 10 – Prime CreditThis grade represents loans to the Company’s most creditworthy borrowers or loans that are secured by cash or cash equivalents.

Grade 15 – Good CreditThis grade includes loans that exhibit one or more characteristics better than that of aSatisfactory Credit.Credit. Generally, the debt service coverage and borrower’s liquidity is materially better than required by the Company’s loan policy.

Grade 20 – Satisfactory Credit– This grade is assigned to loans to borrowers who exhibit satisfactory credit histories, contain acceptable loan structures and demonstrate ability to repay.

Grade 23 – Performing, Under-Collateralized CreditThis grade is assigned to loans that are currently performing and supported by adequate financial information that reflects repayment capacity but exhibits a loan-to-value ratio greater than 110%, based on a documented collateral valuation.

Grade 25 – Minimum Acceptable CreditThis grade includes loans which exhibit all the characteristics of aSatisfactory Credit,, but warrant more than normal level of banker supervision due to (i) circumstances which elevate the risks of performance (such as start-up operations, untested management, heavy leverage and interim losses); (ii) adverse, extraordinary events that have affected, or could affect, the borrower’s cash flow, financial condition, ability to continue operating profitability or refinancing (such as death of principal, fire and divorce); (iii) loans that require more than the normal servicing requirements (such as any type of construction financing, acquisition and development loans, accounts receivable or inventory loans and floor plan loans); (iv) existing technical exceptions which raise some doubts about the Bank’s perfection in its collateral position or the continued financial capacity of the borrower; or (v) improvements in formerly criticized borrowers, which may warrant banker supervision.

Grade 30 – Other Asset Especially MentionedThis grade includes loans that exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the Company’s credit position at some future date.

Grade 40 – SubstandardThis grade represents loans which are inadequately protected by the current credit worthiness and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses or questionable collateral values.

Grade 50 – DoubtfulThis grade includes loans which exhibit all of the characteristics of a substandard loan with the added provision that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Grade 60 – LossThis grade is assigned to loans which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Bank is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing it off.

28



The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by risk grade as of September 30, 2016:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $381,814  $-  $9,053  $127  $7,787  $-  $398,781 
15  23,627   6,732   105,298   54,346   386   -   190,389 
20  105,573   41,759   835,021   596,886   24,870   3,964   1,608,073 
23  372   7,126   8,719   6,530   16   -   22,763 
25  108,887   266,728   299,714   87,480   34,339   -   797,148 
30  967   3,087   23,457   4,165   88   -   31,764 
40  4,707   2,876   16,320   17,399   819   -   42,121 
50  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
60  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $625,947  $328,308  $1,297,582  $766,933  $68,305  $3,964  $3,091,039 

The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding purchased non-covered2017 and covered loans, by risk grade as of December 31, 2015:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $241,721  $294  $116  $1,606  $6,872  $-  $250,609 
15  28,420   2,074   117,880   78,165   1,191   -   227,730 
20  97,142   46,221   685,538   369,624   19,780   6,015   1,224,320 
23  559   7,827   13,073   6,112   36   -   27,607 
25  77,829   183,512   254,012   91,465   2,595   -   609,413 
30  1,492   1,620   13,821   7,347   143   -   24,423 
40  2,460   3,145   20,551   16,111   506   -   42,773 
50  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
60  -   -   -   -   2   -   2 
Total $449,623  $244,693  $1,104,991  $570,430  $31,125  $6,015  $2,406,877 

The following table presents the loan portfolio, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by risk grade as of September 30, 2015:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $222,693  $294  $116  $1,490  $6,688  $-  $231,281 
15  23,807   2,150   123,515   83,361   1,352   -   234,185 
20  99,414   45,091   645,949   327,576   19,302   10,692   1,148,024 
23  645   7,754   11,792   6,240   46   -   26,477 
25  75,635   159,944   250,575   90,320   3,168   -   579,642 
30  2,378   2,035   9,762   7,811   204   -   22,190 
40  3,175   3,530   26,119   15,487   537   -   48,848 
50  -   -   -   -   2   -   2 
60  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $427,747  $220,798  $1,067,828  $532,285  $31,299  $10,692  $2,290,649 

29
2016 (in thousands): 

Risk
Grade 
 Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 Real Estate -
Construction and
Development
 Real Estate -
Commercial and
Farmland
 Real Estate -
Residential
 Consumer
Installment
Loans
 Other Total
September 30, 2017
10 $495,116
 $
 $6,029
 $49
 $9,068
 $
 $510,262
15 559,781
 959
 75,462
 55,759
 256
 
 692,217
20 117,904
 48,640
 1,005,945
 800,557
 24,332
 5,795
 2,003,173
23 343
 4,403
 4,242
 5,986
 3
 
 14,977
25 121,558
 488,956
 431,862
 86,702
 148,891
 
 1,277,969
30 8,350
 4,458
 17,568
 5,674
 93
 
 36,143
40 4,150
 2,773
 17,774
 14,562
 671
 
 39,930
50 7
 
 
 
 
 
 7
60 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $1,307,209
 $550,189
 $1,558,882
 $969,289
 $183,314
 $5,795
 $4,574,678
               
December 31, 2016
10 $397,093
 $
 $8,814
 $125
 $8,532
 $
 $414,564
15 376,323
 5,390
 102,893
 54,136
 405
 
 539,147
20 97,057
 36,307
 889,539
 609,583
 25,026
 12,486
 1,669,998
23 366
 6,803
 8,533
 7,470
 14
 
 23,186
25 92,066
 307,903
 357,151
 88,370
 62,098
 
 907,588
30 144
 719
 22,986
 5,197
 126
 
 29,172
40 4,089
 5,923
 16,303
 16,038
 714
 
 43,067
50 
 
 
 99
 
 
 99
60 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $967,138
 $363,045
 $1,406,219
 $781,018
 $96,915
 $12,486
 $3,626,821
The following table presents the purchased non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2016:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $5,676  $-  $-  $-  $867  $-  $6,543 
15  1,055   -   7,842   32,763   597   -   42,257 
20  16,726   7,741   196,901   108,007   1,934   -   331,309 
23  -   3,677   11,925   11,902   -   -   27,504 
25  70,241   63,343   328,657   111,720   1,319   -   575,280 
30  4,716   7,609   26,782   5,731   -   -   44,838 
40  1,182   3,729   18,281   16,046   121   -   39,359 
50  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
60  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $99,596  $86,099  $590,388  $286,169  $4,838  $-  $1,067,090 

The following table presents the purchased non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of2017 and December 31, 2015:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $8,592  $-  $-  $-  $1,010  $-  $9,602 
15  1,186   1,143   10,490   37,808   541   -   51,168 
20  10,057   13,678   183,219   128,005   2,031   -   336,990 
23  -   438   5,177   6,414   -   -   12,029 
25  17,565   47,517   162,253   66,166   1,328   -   294,829 
30  6,657   4,185   14,297   5,503   51   -   30,693 
40  1,373   5,119   15,319   14,257   143   -   36,211 
50  30   -   -   -   -   -   30 
60  2   -   -   -   -   -   2 
Total $45,462  $72,080  $390,755  $258,153  $5,104  $-  $771,554 

The following table presents the purchased non-covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2015:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $8,741  $-  $-  $-  $1,060  $-  $9,801 
15  1,229   1,805   8,440   38,643   789   -   50,906 
20  10,982   13,518   187,329   133,914   2,291   -   348,034 
23  -   230   4,079   6,303   -   -   10,612 
25  17,873   48,137   159,816   63,049   1,397   -   290,272 
30  2,379   3,418   12,997   7,609   55   -   26,458 
40  1,116   4,001   12,371   13,794   99   -   31,381 
50  30   -   -   -   -   -   30 
60  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $42,350  $71,109  $385,032  $263,312  $5,691  $-  $767,494 

30
2016 (in thousands):       

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2016:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
15  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
20  23   551   2,203   7,458   -   -   10,235 
23  23   -   298   4,016   -   -   4,337 
25  657   2,214   5,757   20,349   15   -   28,992 
30  -   357   1,825   3,625   46   -   5,853 
40  127   98   3,605   9,009   35   -   12,874 
50  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
60  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $830  $3,220  $13,688  $44,457  $96  $-  $62,291 

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of December 31, 2015:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
15  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
20  93   800   11,698   10,040   -   -   22,631 
23  52   -   2,957   5,723   -   -   8,732 
25  2,594   3,907   38,741   24,345   11   -   69,598 
30  5   828   2,857   4,552   -   -   8,242 
40  2,802   2,077   14,973   8,378   96   -   28,326 
50  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
60  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $5,546  $7,612  $71,226  $53,038  $107  $-  $137,529 

The following table presents the covered loan portfolio by risk grade as of September 30, 2015:

Risk
Grade
 Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate -
construction &
development
  Real estate -
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  Consumer
installment loans
  Other  Total 
  

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 
10 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
15  -   -   478   115   -   -   593 
20  327   1,147   16,211   12,304   42   -   30,031 
23  53   -   4,783   6,396   -   -   11,232 
25  4,476   8,241   53,126   27,795   37   -   93,675 
30  4,060   1,965   5,539   5,481   -   -   17,045 
40  4,431   2,913   23,262   7,744   93   -   38,443 
50  -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
60  2   -   -   -   -   -   2 
Total $13,349  $14,266  $103,399  $59,835  $172  $-  $191,021 

31

Risk
Grade 
 
Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 
Real Estate -
Construction and
Development
 
Real Estate -
Commercial and
Farmland
 
Real Estate -
Residential
 
Consumer
Installment
Loans
 Other Total
September 30, 2017
10 $3,377
 $
 $
 $
 $662
 $
 $4,039
15 4,969
 
 5,327
 96,570
 231
 
 107,097
20 9,497
 13,548
 198,960
 52,646
 1,204
 
 275,855
23 
 2,302
 6,936
 10,621
 
 
 19,859
25 47,822
 40,500
 243,216
 79,374
 864
 
 411,776
30 12,817
 7,617
 22,829
 7,378
 55
 
 50,696
40 2,413
 4,616
 22,901
 17,723
 151
 
 47,804
50 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $80,895
 $68,583
 $500,169
 $264,312
 $3,167
 $
 $917,126
               
December 31, 2016
10 $5,722
 $
 $
 $
 $814
 $
 $6,536
15 1,266
 
 7,619
 31,331
 570
 
 40,786
20 16,204
 10,686
 194,168
 111,712
 1,583
 
 334,353
23 22
 3,643
 9,019
 14,791
 
 
 27,475
25 67,123
 56,006
 323,242
 121,379
 1,276
 
 569,026
30 5,072
 7,271
 15,039
 7,605
 45
 
 35,032
40 1,128
 3,762
 27,268
 23,459
 366
 
 55,983
50 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total $96,537
 $81,368
 $576,355
 $310,277
 $4,654
 $
 $1,069,191



Troubled Debt Restructurings

The restructuring of a loan is considered a “troubled debt restructuring” if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the Company has granted a concession. Concessions may include interest rate reductions to below market interest rates, principal forgiveness, restructuring amortization schedules and other actions intended to minimize potential losses. The Company has exhibited the greatest success for rehabilitation of the loan by a reduction in the rate alone (maintaining the amortization of the debt) or a combination of a rate reduction and the forbearance of previously past due interest or principal. This has most typically been evidenced in certain commercial real estate loans whereby a disruption in the borrower’s cash flow resulted in an extended past due status, of which the borrower was unable to catch up completely as the cash flow of the property ultimately stabilized at a level lower than its original level. A reduction in rate, coupled with a forbearance of unpaid principal and/or interest, allowed the net cash flows to service the debt under the modified terms.

The Company’s policy requires a restructure request to be supported by a current, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and a collateral evaluation that is no older than six months from the date of the restructure. Key factors of that evaluation include the documentation of current, recurring cash flows, support provided by the guarantor(s) and the current valuation of the collateral. If the appraisal in the file is older than six months, an evaluation must be made as to the continued reasonableness of the valuation. For certain income-producing properties, current rent rolls and/or other income information can be utilized to support the appraisal valuation, when coupled with documented cap rates within our markets and a physical inspection of the collateral to validate the current condition.

The Company’s policy states that in the event a loan has been identified as a troubled debt restructuring, it should be assigned a grade of substandard and placed on nonaccrual status until such time the borrower has demonstrated the ability to service the loan payments based on the restructured terms – generally defined as six months of satisfactory payment history. Missed payments under the original loan terms are not considered under the new structure; however, subsequent missed payments are considered non-performance and are not considered toward the six month required term of satisfactory payment history. The Company’s loan policy states that a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when (i) none of its principal and interest is due and unpaid, and the Company expects repayment of the remaining contractual principal and interest or (ii) it otherwise becomes well secured and in the process of collection. Restoration to accrual status on any given loan must be supported by a well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and the prospects for full repayment and approved by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer.

In the normal course of business, the Company renews loans with a modification of the interest rate or terms that are not deemed as troubled debt restructurings because the borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty. The Company modified loans in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 and 2015 totaling $58.2$36.6 million and $77.4$58.2 million, respectively, under such parameters.

As of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had a balance of $17.1 million, $16.4$14.2 million and $13.9$18.2 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans. The Company has recorded $1.2 million, $1.3$2.8 million and $1.3$1.2 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively. The Company’s balance in the allowance for loan losses allocated to such troubled debt restructurings was $2.8 million, $2.7$1.2 million and $183,000$3.1 million at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively. At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.

During the nine months endingended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the Company modified loans as troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, with principal balances of $2.9 million$783,000 and $4.3$2.9 million, respectively, and these modifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss. The following table presents the loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, which occurred during the nine months endingended September 30, 20162017 and 2015:

  September 30, 2016  September 30, 2015 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  5  $59   4  $26 
Real estate – construction & development  2   251   2   15 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  4   1,658   2   2,125 
Real estate – residential  7   887   28   2,089 
Consumer installment  9   44   13   47 
Total  27  $2,899   49  $4,302 

32
2016: 

 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $4
 5 $59
Real estate – construction and development 
 2 251
Real estate – commercial and farmland2 226
 4 1,658
Real estate – residential10 526
 7 887
Consumer installment6 27
 9 44
Total19 $783
 27 $2,899


Troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, with an outstanding balance of $793,000$1.2 million and $2.6 million$793,000 defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, and these defaults did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss. The following table presents for loans, excluding purchased loans, the troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the nine months endingended September 30, 20162017 and 2015:

  September 30, 2016  September 30, 2015 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  5  $51   4  $18 
Real estate – construction & development  -   -   2   34 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  5   517   5   1,011 
Real estate – residential  3   219   18   1,473 
Consumer installment  2   6   9   32 
Total  15  $793   38  $2,568 

2016: 

 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural4 $58
 5 $51
Real estate – construction and development1 25
  
Real estate – commercial and farmland4 200
 5 517
Real estate – residential12 878
 3 219
Consumer installment7 25
 2 6
Total28 $1,186
 15 $793
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  4  $53   14  $112 
Real estate – construction & development  8   691   2   35 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  17   5,535   5   2,015 
Real estate – residential  53   7,713   19   849 
Consumer installment  7   21   29   120 
Total  89  $14,013   69  $3,131 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  4  $240   10  $110 
Real estate – construction & development  11   792   3   63 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  16   5,766   3   596 
Real estate – residential  51   7,574   20   1,123 
Consumer installment  12   46   23   94 
Total  94  $14,418   59  $1,986 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  4  $238   8  $68 
Real estate – construction & development  12   838   2   30 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  15   5,719   4   943 
Real estate – residential  51   5,209   16   759 
Consumer installment  15   71   18   64 
Total  97  $12,075   48  $1,864 

33
2016: 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural4 $44
 13 $129
Real estate – construction and development7 424
 2 34
Real estate – commercial and farmland16 4,769
 5 210
Real estate – residential78 7,209
 16 1,212
Consumer installment4 6
 36 130
Total109 $12,452
 72 $1,715
December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural4 $47
 15 $114
Real estate – construction and development8 686
 2 34
Real estate – commercial and farmland16 4,119
 5 2,970
Real estate – residential82 9,340
 15 739
Consumer installment7 17
 32 130
Total117 $14,209
 69 $3,987
As of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had a balance of $10.4 million, $10.0$26.0 million and $7.7$28.1 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans. The Company has recorded $752,000, $377,000 and $60,000$1.5 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at both September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively.2016. At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.

During the nine months endingended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, the Company modified purchased non-covered loans as troubled debt restructurings, with principal balances of $1.3$1.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, and these modifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss. During the nine months ending September 30, 2016, the Company did not transfer any troubled debt restructurings from the covered loan category to the purchased non-covered loan category due to the expiration of the loss-sharing portion of the agreements. During the nine months ending September 30, 2015, the Company transferred troubled debt restructurings with principal balances $4.1 million from the covered loan category to the purchased non-covered loan category due to the expiration of the loss-sharing portion of the agreements. The following table presents the purchased non-covered loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings, which occurred during the nine months ending September 30, 2016 and 2015:

  September 30, 2016  September 30, 2015 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   1  $1 
Real estate – construction & development  -   -   2   30 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  2   235   3   622 
Real estate – residential  6   1,076   7   1,730 
Consumer installment  -   -   3   8 
Total  8  $1,311   16  $2,391 

Troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans with an outstanding balance of $217,000 and $618,000 defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and these defaults did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss. The following table presents the troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the nine months ending September 30, 2016 and 2015:

  September 30, 2016  September 30, 2015 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   -  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  1   10   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  1   207   -   - 
Real estate – residential  -   -   2   618 
Consumer installment  -   -   -   - 
Total  2  $217   2  $618 

34

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased non-covered loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $1   1  $16 
Real estate – construction & development  2   529   3   33 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  13   5,840   3   566 
Real estate – residential  16   2,919   5   486 
Consumer installment  1   4   2   1 
Total  33  $9,293   14  $1,102 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $2   2  $21 
Real estate – construction & development  1   363   3   42 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  14   6,214   3   412 
Real estate – residential  13   2,789   4   180 
Consumer installment  2   5   2   3 
Total  31  $9,373   14  $658 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   1  $1 
Real estate – construction & development  1   351   2   30 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  6   4,071   1   36 
Real estate – residential  13   2,761   3   397 
Consumer installment  2   5   2   3 
Total  22  $7,188   9  $467 

35

As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, the Company had a balance of $13.9 million, $15.5 million and $20.5 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans. The Company has recorded $791,000, $1.2 million and $1.4 million in previous charge-offs on such loans at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively. At September 30, 2016, the Company did not have any commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose terms have been modified in troubled restructurings.

During the nine months ending September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company modified covered loans as troubled debt restructurings with principal balances of $603,000 and $2.5$1.9 million, respectively, and these modifications did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss. The following table presents the coveredpurchased loans by class modified as troubled debt restructurings, which occurred during the nine months endingended September 30, 20162017 and 2015:

  September 30, 2016  September 30, 2015 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $76   1  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  -   -   2   312 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  1   473   5   1,492 
Real estate – residential  2   54   12   679 
Consumer installment  -   -   -   - 
Total  4  $603   20  $2,483 

2016: 

 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural $
 1 $76
Real estate – construction and development 
  
Real estate – commercial and farmland 
 3 708
Real estate – residential8 1,005
 8 1,130
Consumer installment 
  
Total8 $1,005
 12 $1,914
Troubled debt restructurings of coveredincluded in purchased loans with an outstanding balance of $516,000$2.3 million and $1.3 million$733,000 defaulted during the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, and these defaults did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan loss.


The following table presents thepurchased loan troubled debt restructurings by class that defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) during the nine months endingended September 30, 20162017 and 2015:

  September 30, 2016  September 30, 2015 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  2  $76   -  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  -   -   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  -   -   3   177 
Real estate – residential  11   440   9   1,088 
Consumer installment  -   -   -   - 
Total  13  $516   12  $1,265 

36
2016:

 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $5
 2 $76
Real estate – construction and development 
 1 10
Real estate – commercial and farmland5 1,945
 1 207
Real estate – residential7 333
 11 440
Consumer installment1 3
  
Total14 $2,286
 15 $733
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of coveredpurchased loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   3  $76 
Real estate – construction & development  4   813   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  4   1,801   2   680 
Real estate – residential  88   9,203   27   1,287 
Consumer installment  1   6   -   - 
Total  97  $11,823   32  $2,043 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   2  $1 
Real estate – construction & development  4   779   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  4   1,967   3   1,067 
Real estate – residential  97   10,529   26   1,116 
Consumer installment  2   8   -   - 
Total  107  $13,283   31  $2,184 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  Balance
(in thousands)
  #  Balance
(in thousands)
 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $2   2  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  3   2,847   3   325 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  9   3,101   8   2,449 
Real estate – residential  96   10,625   17   1,167 
Consumer installment  1   1   -   - 
Total  110  $16,576   30  $3,941 

37
2016. 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural $
 3 $18
Real estate – construction and development3 1,022
 6 349
Real estate – commercial and farmland15 6,308
 11 3,834
Real estate – residential119 12,875
 25 1,627
Consumer installment 
 2 6
Total137 $20,205
 47 $5,834
December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $1
 4 $91
Real estate – construction and development6 1,358
 3 30
Real estate – commercial and farmland20 8,460
 5 2,402
Real estate – residential123 13,713
 33 2,077
Consumer installment3 11
 1 
Total153 $23,543
 46 $4,600
Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents an allowance for probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated periodically based on a review of all significant loans, with a particular emphasis on non-accruing, past-due and other loans that management believes might be potentially impaired or warrant additional attention. The Company segregates the loan portfolio by type of loan and utilizes this segregation in evaluating exposure to risks within the portfolio. In addition, based on internal reviews and external reviews performed by regulatory authorities, the Company further segregates the loan portfolio by loan grades based on an assessment of risk for a particular loan or group of loans. Certain reviewed loans are assigned specific allowances when a review of relevant data determines that a general allocation is not sufficient or when the review affords management the opportunity to adjust the amount of exposure in a given credit. In establishing allowances, management considers historical loan loss experience but adjusts this data with a significant emphasis on current loan quality trends, current economic conditions and other factors in the markets where the Company operates. Factors considered include, among others, current valuations of real estate in the Company’s markets, unemployment rates, the effect of weather conditions on agricultural related entities and other significant local economic events.

events, such as major plant closings.

The Company has developed a methodology for determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses which is monitored by the Company’s Chief Credit Officer. Procedures provide for the assignment of a risk rating for every loan included in the total loan portfolio, with the exceptionportfolio. Mortgage warehouse lines of credit, overdraft protection loans, commercial insurance premium finance loans, and certain consumer and mortgage loans serviced at a third party, mortgage warehouse lines and overdraft protection loans, whichby outside processors are treated as pools for risk-ratingrisk rating purposes. The risk rating schedule provides nine ratings of which five ratings are classified as pass ratings and four ratings are classified as criticized ratings. Each risk rating is assigned a percentage factor to be applied to the loan balance to determine the adequate amount of reserve. All relationships greater than $1.0 million and a sample of relationships greater than $250,000 are reviewed annually by theThe Bank’s independent internal loan review department.department reviews on an annual basis a sample of relationships in excess of $500,000. Sampling is based on a number of factors unique to the Bank’s portfolio risks, including, but not limited to, lending divisions, industry, risk grades, and new originations. As a result of these loan reviews, certain loans may be identified as having deteriorating


credit quality. Other loans that surface as problem loans may also be assigned specific reserves. Past-due loans are assigned risk ratings based on the number of days past due. The calculation of the allowance for loan losses, including underlying data and assumptions, is reviewed regularly by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and the independent internal loan review department.

Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collection of a loan’s principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries are credited to the allowance. Consumer loans are charged-off in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s (“FFIEC”) Uniform Retail Credit Classification and Account Management Policy. Commercial loans are charged-off when they are deemed uncollectible, which usually involves a triggering event within the collection effort. If the loan is collateral dependent, the loss is more easily identified and is charged-off when it is identified, usually based upon receipt of an appraisal. However, when a loan has guarantor support, the Company may carry the estimated loss as a reserve against the loan while collection efforts with the guarantor are pursued. If, after collection efforts with the guarantor are complete, the deficiency is still considered uncollectible, the loss is charged-off and any further collections are treated as recoveries. In all situations, when a loan is downgraded to an Asset Quality Rating of 60 (Loss per the regulatory guidance), the uncollectible portion is charged-off.

38


The following table detailstables detail activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the nine monthsthree and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016,2017, the year ended December 31, 20152016 and the nine monthsthree and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015.2016. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate –
construction &
development
  Real estate –
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  

 

 

Consumer
installment
loans and
Other

  

 

Purchased
non-covered
loans,
including
pools

  Covered
loans
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Three months ended September 30, 2016:                                
Balance, June 30, 2016 $1,667  $3,599  $7,459  $4,263  $2,160  $2,056  $530  $21,734 
Provision for loan losses  677   (521)  (554)  2,649   (1,595)  1,247   (1,092)  811 
Loans charged off  (326)  (60)  -   (292)  (74)  (408)  (291)  (1,451)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off  119   131   13   40   78   399   1,089   1,869 
Balance, September 30, 2016 $2,137  $3,149  $6,918  $6,660  $569  $3,294  $236  $22,963 
                                 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016:                                
                                 
Balance, January 1, 2016 $1,144  $5,009  $7,994  $4,760  $1,574  $581  $-  $21,062 
Provision for loan losses  1,987   (2,010)  (559)  2,415   (932)  2,274   (794)  2,381 
Loans charged off  (1,273)  (324)  (708)  (883)  (192)  (826)  (435)  (4,641))
Recoveries of loans previously charged off  279   474   191   368   119   1,265   1,465   4,161 
Balance, September 30, 2016 $2,137  $3,149  $6,918  $6,660  $569  $3,294  $236  $22,963 
                                 
Period-end amount allocated to:                                
Loans individually evaluated for impairment(1) $107  $529  $883  $2,629  $-  $1,286  $236  $5,670 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment  2,030   2,620   6,035   4,031   569   2,008   -   17,293 
Ending balance $2,137  $3,149  $6,918  $6,660  $569  $3,294  $236  $22,963 
                                 
Loans:                                
Individually evaluated for impairment(1) $424  $1,154  $11,699  $11,571  $-  $22,173  $12,818  $59,839 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  625,523   327,154   1,285,883   755,362   72,269   1,536,176   27,953   4,630,320 
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality  -   -   -   -   -   133,627   21,520   155,147 
Ending balance $625,947  $328,308  $1,297,582  $766,933  $72,269  $1,691,976  $62,291  $4,845,306 

(1)At September 30, 2016, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.

39

  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate –
construction &
development
  Real estate –
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  

 

 

Consumer
installment
loans and
Other

  

 

Purchased
non-covered
loans,
including
pools

  Covered
loans
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Twelve months ended December 31, 2015:                                
Balance, January 1, 2015 $2,004  $5,030  $8,823  $4,129  $1,171  $-  $-  $21,157 
Provision for loan losses  (73)  278   1,221   2,067   676   344   751   5,264 
Loans charged off  (1,438)  (622)  (2,367)  (1,587)  (410)  (950)  (1,759)  (9,133)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off  651   323   317   151   137   1,187   1,008   3,774 
Balance, December 31, 2015 $1,144  $5,009  $7,994  $4,760  $1,574  $581  $-  $21,062 
                                 
Period-end amount allocated to:                                
Loans individually evaluated for impairment(1) $126  $759  $1,074  $2,172  $-  $-  $-  $4,131 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment  1,018   4,250   6,920   2,588   1,574   581   -   16,931 
Ending balance $1,144  $5,009  $7,994  $4,760  $1,574  $581  $-  $21,062 
                                 
Loans:                                
Individually evaluated for impairment(1) $323  $1,958  $11,877  $9,554  $-  $22,672  $22,317  $68,701 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  449,300   242,735   1,093,114   560,876   37,140   1,261,821   52,451   3,697,437 
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality  -   -   -   -   -   80,024   62,761   142,785 
Ending balance $449,623  $244,693  $1,104,991  $570,430  $37,140  $1,364,517  $137,529  $3,908,923 

(1)At December 31, 2015, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $200,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.

40

  Commercial,
financial &
agricultural
  Real estate –
construction &
development
  Real estate –
commercial &
farmland
  Real estate -
residential
  

 

 

Consumer
installment
loans and
Other

  

 

Purchased
non-covered
loans,
including
pools

  Covered
loans
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Three months ended September 30, 2015:                                
Balance, June 30, 2015 $1,426  $5,365  $8,381  $4,805  $1,681  $-  $-  $21,658 
Provision for loan losses  110   643   43   1,238   (1,386)  531   (193)  986 
Loans charged off  (135)  (105)  (184)  (234)  (61)  (302)  (246)  (1,267)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off  117   6   272   54   33   173   439   1,094 
Balance, September 30, 2015 $1,518  $5,909  $8,512  $5,863  $267  $402  $-  $22,471 
                                 
Nine months ended September 30, 2015:                                
Balance, January 1, 2015 $2,004  $5,030  $8,823  $4,129  $1,171  $-  $-  $21,157 
Provision for loan losses  (66)  1,030   743   2,562   (721)  219   944   4,711 
Loans charged off  (937)  (465)  (1,358)  (966)  (300)  (772)  (1,661)  (6,459)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off  517   314   304   138   117   955   717   3,062 
Balance, September 30, 2015 $1,518  $5,909  $8,512  $5,863  $267  $402  $-  $22,471 
                                 
Period-end amount allocated to:                                
Loans individually evaluated for impairment(1) $521  $708  $1,622  $1,848  $-  $-  $-  $4,699 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment  997   5,201   6,890   4,015   267   402   -   17,772 
Ending balance $1,518  $5,909  $8,512  $5,863  $267  $402  $-  $22,471 
                                 
Loans:                                
Individually evaluated for impairment(1) $1,286  $1,820  $13,306  $8,415  $-  $-  $-  $24,827 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  426,461   218,978   1,054,522   523,870   41,991   1,078,686   83,974   3,428,482 
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality  -   -   -   -   -   98,880   107,047   205,927 
Ending balance $427,747  $220,798  $1,067,828  $532,285  $41,991  $1,177,566  $191,021  $3,659,236 

(1)At September 30, 2015, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $200,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.

41
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 
Real Estate –
Construction and
Development
 
Real Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
 
Real Estate –
Residential
 
Consumer
Installment
Loans and
Other
 
Purchased 
Loans
 
Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, June 30, 2017$3,302
 $3,756
 $7,869
 $5,605
 $1,155
 $1,791
 $1,623
 $25,101
Provision for loan losses910
 (587) 68
 127
 670
 745
 (146) 1,787
Loans charged off(1,091) (1) (18) (852) (320) (161) 
 (2,443)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off409
 126
 26
 56
 17
 887
 
 1,521
Balance, September 30, 2017$3,530
 $3,294
 $7,945
 $4,936
 $1,522
 $3,262
 $1,477
 $25,966
                
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017:
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, December 31, 2016$2,192
 $2,990
 $7,662
 $6,786
 $827
 $1,626
 $1,837
 $23,920
Provision for loan losses2,535
 155
 540
 (9) 1,539
 1,428
 (360) 5,828
Loans charged off(1,896) (95) (413) (2,031) (922) (1,472) 
 (6,829)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off699
 244
 156
 190
 78
 1,680
 
 3,047
Balance, September 30, 2017$3,530
 $3,294
 $7,945
 $4,936
 $1,522
 $3,262
 $1,477
 $25,966
                
Period-end allocation: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$509
 $81
 $1,380
 $1,058
 $
 $3,262
 $105
 $6,395
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment3,021
 3,213
 6,565
 3,878
 1,522
 
 1,372
 19,571
Ending balance$3,530
 $3,294
 $7,945
 $4,936
 $1,522
 $3,262
 $1,477
 $25,966
                
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$3,204
 $627
 $10,512
 $8,636
 $
 $32,032
 $915
 $55,926
Collectively evaluated for impairment1,304,005
 549,562
 1,548,370
 960,653
 189,109
 763,271
 464,303
 5,779,273
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
 
 
 
 
 121,823
 
 121,823
Ending balance$1,307,209
 $550,189
 $1,558,882
 $969,289
 $189,109
 $917,126
 $465,218
 $5,957,022


(1) At September 30, 2017, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.


(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 Real Estate –
Construction and
Development
 Real Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
 Real Estate –
Residential
 Consumer
Installment
Loans and
Other
 Purchased 
Loans
 Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2016
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, January 1, 2016$1,144
 $5,009
 $7,994
 $4,760
 $1,574
 $
 $581
 $21,062
Provision for loan losses2,647
 (1,921) 107
 2,757
 (523) (232) 1,256
 4,091
Loans charged off(1,999) (588) (708) (1,122) (351) (1,559) 
 (6,327)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off400
 490
 269
 391
 127
 3,417
 
 5,094
Balance, December 31, 2016$2,192
 $2,990
 $7,662
 $6,786
 $827
 $1,626
 $1,837
 $23,920
                
Period-end allocation: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$120
 $266
 $1,502
 $2,893
 $
 $1,626
 $
 $6,407
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment2,072
 2,724
 6,160
 3,893
 827
 
 1,837
 17,513
Ending balance$2,192
 $2,990
 $7,662
 $6,786
 $827
 $1,626
 $1,837
 $23,920
                
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$501
 $659
 $12,423
 $12,697
 $
 $34,141
 $
 $60,421
Collectively evaluated for impairment966,637
 362,386
 1,393,796
 768,321
 109,401
 886,516
 568,314
 5,055,371
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
 
��
 
 
 148,534
 
 148,534
Ending balance$967,138
 $363,045
 $1,406,219
 $781,018
 $109,401
 $1,069,191
 $568,314
 $5,264,326
(1) At December 31, 2016, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.


(dollars in thousands)Commercial,
Financial and
Agricultural
 Real Estate –
Construction and
Development
 Real Estate –
Commercial and
Farmland
 Real Estate –
Residential
 Consumer
Installment
Loans and
Other
 Purchased 
Loans
 Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, June 30, 2016$1,667
 $3,599
 $7,459
 $4,263
 $2,160
 $1,387
 $1,199
 $21,734
Provision for loan losses677
 (521) (554) 2,649
 (1,595) (654) 809
 811
Loans charged off(326) (60) 
 (292) (74) (699) 
 (1,451)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off119
 131
 13
 40
 78
 1,488
 
 1,869
Balance, September 30, 2016$2,137
 $3,149
 $6,918
 $6,660
 $569
 $1,522
 $2,008
 $22,963
                
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016:
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Balance, December 31, 2015$1,144
 $5,009
 $7,994
 $4,760
 $1,574
 $
 $581
 $21,062
Provision for loan losses1,987
 (2,010) (559) 2,415
 (932) 53
 1,427
 2,381
Loans charged off(1,273) (324) (708) (883) (192) (1,261) 
 (4,641)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off279
 474
 191
 368
 119
 2,730
 
 4,161
Balance, September 30, 2016$2,137
 $3,149
 $6,918
 $6,660
 $569
 $1,522
 $2,008
 $22,963
                
Period-end allocation: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Loans individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$107
 $529
 $883
 $2,629
 $
 $1,522
 $
 $5,670
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment2,030
 2,620
 6,035
 4,031
 569
 
 2,008
 17,293
Ending balance$2,137
 $3,149
 $6,918
 $6,660
 $569
 $1,522
 $2,008
 $22,963
                
Loans: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Individually evaluated for impairment (1)
$424
 $1,154
 $11,699
 $11,571
 $
 $34,991
 $
 $59,839
Collectively evaluated for impairment625,523
 327,154
 1,285,883
 755,362
 72,269
 939,243
 624,886
 4,630,320
Acquired with deteriorated credit quality
 
 
 
 
 155,147
 
 155,147
Ending balance$625,947
 $328,308
 $1,297,582
 $766,933
 $72,269
 $1,129,381
 $624,886
 $4,845,306
(1) At September 30, 2016, loans individually evaluated for impairment includes all nonaccrual loans greater than $100,000 and all troubled debt restructurings greater than $100,000, including all troubled debt restructurings and not only those currently classified as troubled debt restructurings.

NOTE 5 – ASSETS ACQUIRED IN FDIC-ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS

From October 2009 through July 2012, the Company participated in ten FDIC-assisted acquisitions whereby the Company purchased certain failed institutions out of the FDIC’s receivership. These institutions include the following:

Bank Acquired

 

Location

 

Branches

 

Date Acquired 

American United Bank (“AUB”) Lawrenceville, Ga. 1 October 23, 2009
United Security Bank (“USB”) Sparta, Ga. 2 November 6, 2009
Satilla Community Bank (“SCB”) St. Marys, Ga. 1 May 14, 2010
First Bank of Jacksonville (“FBJ”) Jacksonville, Fl. 2 October 22, 2010
Tifton Banking Company (“TBC”) Tifton, Ga. 1 November 12, 2010
Darby Bank & Trust (“DBT”) Vidalia, Ga. 7 November 12, 2010
High Trust Bank (“HTB”) Stockbridge, Ga. 2 July 15, 2011
One Georgia Bank (“OGB”) Midtown Atlanta, Ga. 1 July 15, 2011
Central Bank of Georgia (“CBG”) Ellaville, Ga. 5 February 24, 2012
Montgomery Bank & Trust (“MBT”) Ailey, Ga. 2 July 6, 2012

The determination of the initial fair values of loans at the acquisition date and the initial fair values of the related FDIC indemnification assets involves a high degree of judgment and complexity. The carrying values of the acquired loans and the FDIC indemnification assets reflect management’s best estimate of the fair value of each of these assets as of the date of acquisition.


However, the amount that the Company realizes on these assets could differ materially from the carrying values reflected in the financial statements included in this report, based upon the timing and amount of collections on the acquired loans in future periods. Because of the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC on these assets, the Company does not expect to incur any significant losses. To the extent the actual values realized for the acquired loans are different from the estimates, the indemnification assets will generally be affected in an offsetting manner due to the loss-sharing support from the FDIC.

FASB ASC 310-30,Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (“ASC 310-30”), applies to a loan with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination, acquired by completion of a transfer for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the investor will be unable to collect all contractually required payments receivable. ASC 310-30 prohibits carrying over or creating an allowance for loan losses upon initial recognition for loans which fall under the scope of this statement. At the acquisition dates, a majority of these loans were valued based on the liquidation value of the underlying collateral because the future cash flows are primarily based on the liquidation of underlying collateral. There was no allowance for credit losses established related to these ASC 310-30 loans at the acquisition dates, based on the provisions of this statement. Over the life of the acquired loans, the Company continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected. If the expected cash flows expected to be collected increases, then the Company adjusts the amount of accretable discount recognized on a prospective basis over the loan’s remaining life. If the expected cash flows expected to be collected decreases, then the Company records a provision for loan loss in its consolidated statementstatements of operations.

income and comprehensive income.

Each acquisition with loss-sharing agreements has separate agreements for the single family residential assets (“SFR”) and the non-single family assets (“NSF”). The SFR agreements cover losses and recoveries for ten years. The NSF agreements are for eight years. During the first five years, losses and recoveries are covered. During the final three years, only recoveries, net of expenses, are covered. The AUB SFR agreement was terminated during 2012 and Ameris received a payment of $87,000. The AUB and USB NSF agreements passed their five-year anniversaries during the fourth quarter of 2014, the SCB NSF agreement passed its five-year anniversary during the second quarter of 2015, the FBJ, TBC and DBT NSF agreements passed their five-year anniversaries during the fourth quarter of 2015, and the HTB and OGB NSF agreements passed their five-year anniversaries during the third quarter of 2016.2016, and the CBG NSF passed its five-year anniversary during the first quarter of 2017. Losses will no longer be reimbursed on these agreements. The remaining NSF assets for these eight agreementsMBT did not have been reclassified to purchased non-covered loans and purchased non-covered other real estate owned.

a loss-sharing agreement.

At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company’s FDIC loss-sharing payable totaled $7.8$8.2 million, which is comprised of an accrued clawback liability of $8.9$9.6 million, and $1.3 millionless $419,000 in current activity incurred but not yet remitted toreceived from the FDIC (net recoveriescharge-offs offset by reimbursable expenses), less and remaining indemnification of $2.4$1.0 million (for reimbursements associated with anticipated losses in future quarters).

42



The following table summarizes components of all covered assets at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 20152016 and their origin (dollars in thousands):

  Covered loans  Less: Fair
value
adjustments
  Total
covered
loans
  OREO  Less: Fair
value
adjustments
  Total
covered
OREO
  Total
covered
assets
  FDIC loss-share
receivable
(payable)
 
As of September 30, 2016:                                
                                 
AUB $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $12 
                                 
USB  3,309   13   3,296   30   -   30   3,326   (1,682)
                                 
SCB  4,475   61   4,414   -   -   -   4,414   89 
                                 
FBJ  3,811   488   3,323   -   -   -   3,323   (164)
                                 
DBT  12,964   690   12,274   -   -   -   12,274   (4,898)
                                 
TBC  1,867   7   1,860   -   -   -   1,860   (2,727)
                                 
HTB  1,926   35   1,891   -   -   -   1,891   1,538 
                                 
OGB  1,086   32   1,054   -   -   -   1,054   (776)
                                 
CBG  36,468   2,289   34,179   974   4   970   35,149   833 
                                 
Total $65,906  $3,615  $62,291  $1,004  $4  $1,000  $63,291  $(7,775)

  Covered  loans  Less: Fair  
value  
adjustments
  Total  
covered  
loans
  OREO  Less: Fair  
value  
adjustments
  Total  
covered  
OREO
  Total  
covered
assets
  FDIC loss-share  
receivable
(payable)
 
As of December 31, 2015:                                
                                 
AUB $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $111 
                                 
USB  3,639   16   3,623   165   -   165   3,788   (1,424)
                                 
SCB  5,228   124   5,104   -   -   -   5,104   149 
                                 
FBJ  4,782   562   4,220   41   -   41   4,261   252 
                                 
DBT  15,934   1,131   14,803   -   -   -   14,803   (1,084)
                                 
TBC  2,159   11   2,148   -   -   -   2,148   1,446 
                                 
HTB  44,405   3,881   40,524   2,433   643   1,790   42,314   3,875 
                                 
OGB  27,561   1,900   25,661   160   -   160   25,821   913 
                                 
CBG  44,865   3,419   41,446   3,139   284   2,855   44,301   2,063 
                                 
Total $148,573  $11,044  $137,529  $5,938  $927  $5,011  $142,540  $6,301 

43
origin:

  Covered loans  Less: Fair
 value  
adjustments
  Total
covered
 loans
  OREO  Less: Fair  
value  
adjustments
  Total  
covered
 OREO
  Total
 covered
 assets
  

FDIC loss-share
receivable
(payable) 

 
As of September 30, 2015:                                
                                 
AUB $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $115 
                                 
USB  3,686   17   3,669   165   -   165   3,834   (1,453)
                                 
SCB  5,269   174   5,095   -   -   -   5,095   280 
                                 
FBJ  13,826   991   12,835   984   171   813   13,648   679 
                                 
DBT  44,112   3,107   41,005   5,044   624   4,420   45,425   (1,737)
                                 
TBC  16,813   481   16,332   1,480   116   1,364   17,696   (2,225)
                                 
HTB  45,345   3,999   41,346   2,985   955   2,030   43,376   4,108 
                                 
OGB  28,309   1,971   26,338   320   39   281   26,619   1,517 
                                 
CBG  48,397   3,996   44,401   3,474   344   3,130   47,531   3,222 
                                 
Total $205,757  $14,736  $191,021  $14,452  $2,249  $12,203  $203,224  $4,506 

A rollforward of acquired covered loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015 is shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Balance, January 1 $137,529  $271,279  $271,279 
Charge-offs, net of recoveries  (2,218)  (5,558)  (5,062)
Accretion  2,855   9,658   8,105 
Transfer to covered other real estate owned  (2,391)  (7,910)  (6,909)
Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss-share expiration  (45,908)  (50,568)  (15,462)
Payments received  (27,576)  (79,372)  (60,930)
Ending balance $62,291  $137,529  $191,021 

The following is a summary of changes in the accretable discounts of acquired loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Balance, January 1 $9,063  $15,578  $15,578 
Accretion  (2,855)  (9,658)  (8,105)
Transfer to purchased, non-covered loans due to loss-share expiration  (3,457)  (1,665)  (84)
Transfers between non-accretable and accretable discounts, net  281   4,808   3,312 
Ending balance $3,032  $9,063  $10,701 

44

(dollars in thousands)
Covered
 Loans
 
Less: Fair
Value
Adjustments
 
Total 
Covered
Loans
 OREO 
Less: Fair
Value
Adjustments
 
Total 
Covered 
OREO
 
Total 
Covered
Assets
 
FDIC Loss-
Share
Receivable
(Payable)
September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
AUB$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
USB2,763
 12
 2,751
 
 
 
 2,751
 (1,752)
SCB2,541
 27
 2,514
 
 
 
 2,514
 (169)
FBJ3,647
 394
 3,253
 
 
 
 3,253
 (312)
DBT9,663
 356
 9,307
 81
 
 81
 9,388
 (4,442)
TBC1,667
 
 1,667
 
 
 
 1,667
 (8)
HTB1,856
 28
 1,828
 
 
 
 1,828
 27
OGB930
 31
 899
 
 
 
 899
 (1,032)
CBG10,329
 678
 9,651
 161
 
 161
 9,812
 (502)
Total$33,396
 $1,526
 $31,870
 $242
 $
 $242
 $32,112
 $(8,190)
                
December 31, 2016 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
AUB$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $(27)
USB3,199
 13
 3,186
 51
 
 51
 3,237
 (1,642)
SCB4,019
 51
 3,968
 
 
 
 3,968
 (32)
FBJ3,767
 452
 3,315
 
 
 
 3,315
 (234)
DBT12,166
 565
 11,601
 
 
 
 11,601
 (4,591)
TBC1,679
 
 1,679
 
 
 
 1,679
 (33)
HTB1,913
 33
 1,880
 
 
 
 1,880
 734
OGB1,077
 32
 1,045
 
 
 
 1,045
 (993)
CBG33,449
 1,963
 31,486
 1,161
 4
 1,157
 32,643
 505
Total$61,269
 $3,109
 $58,160
 $1,212
 $4
 $1,208
 $59,368
 $(6,313)

The shared-loss agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreement with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the shared-loss agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair values on the acquisition dates. As of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the Company has recorded a clawback liability of $8.9 million, $8.2$9.6 million and $7.7$9.3 million, respectively, which represents the obligation of the Company to reimburse the FDIC should actual losses be less than certain thresholds established in each loss-share agreement.

Changes in the FDIC shared-loss receivable (payable)payable for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, for the year ended December 31, 20152017 and for the nine months ended September 30, 20152016 are as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Beginning balance, January 1 $6,301  $31,351  $31,351 
Payments received from FDIC  (4,770)  (19,273)  (19,089)
Accretion, net  (3,351)  (8,878)  (7,914)
Changes in clawback liability  (682)  (2,008)  (1,483)
Increase in receivable due to:            
Net charge-offs on covered loans  (4,118)  416   1,180 
Write downs of covered other real estate owned  203   4,752   2,349 
Reimbursable expenses on covered assets  604   2,582   2,312 
Other activity, net  (1,962)  (2,641)  (4,200)
Ending balance $(7,775) $6,301  $4,506 

45

(dollars in thousands) September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Beginning balance, January 1 $(6,313) $6,301
Payments to (received from) FDIC 97
 (4,770)
Amortization (747) (3,351)
Changes in clawback liability (326) (682)
Increase in receivable due to:  
  
Net recoveries on covered loans (1,097) (4,118)
Loss (gain) on covered other real estate owned (76) 203
Reimbursable expenses on covered assets 401
 604
Other activity, net (129) (1,962)
Ending balance $(8,190) $(7,775)
The FDIC loss-sharing payable is included in other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The FDIC loss-sharing receivable is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.


NOTE 6.6 – OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

The following is a summary of the activity in other real estate owned during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 20152017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Beginning balance, January 1 $16,147  $33,160  $33,160 
Loans transferred to other real estate owned  2,101   11,261   9,838 
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs  (1,276)  (9,971)  (9,583)
Sales proceeds  (6,580)  (18,303)  (12,685)
Ending balance $10,392  $16,147  $20,730 

2016:

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Beginning balance, January 1$10,874
 $16,147
Loans transferred to other real estate owned4,043
 2,101
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs recorded in statement of income(766) (1,276)
Sales proceeds(4,760) (6,580)
Ending balance$9,391
 $10,392
The following is a summary of the activity in purchased non-covered other real estate owned during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 20152017 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Beginning balance, January 1 $14,333  $15,585  $15,585 
Loans transferred to other real estate owned  3,871   4,473   2,565 
Acquired in acquisitions  1,838   2,160   2,189 
Transfer from covered other real estate owned due to loss-share expiration  466   3,148   75 
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs  (68)  201   326 
Sales proceeds  (6,314)  (11,234)  (9,202)
Ending balance $14,126  $14,333  $11,538 

The following is a summary of the activity in covered other real estate owned during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Beginning balance, January 1 $5,011  $19,907  $19,907 
Loans transferred to other real estate owned  2,391   7,910   6,909 
Transfer from covered other real estate owned due to loss-share expiration  (466)  (3,148)  (75)
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs  (500)  (5,926)  (2,936)
Sales proceeds  (5,436)  (13,732)  (11,602)
Ending balance $1,000  $5,011  $12,203 

46
2016:

(dollars in thousands) September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Beginning balance, January 1$12,540
 $19,344
Loans transferred to other real estate owned4,294
 6,262
Acquired in acquisitions
 1,838
Portion of gains (losses) on sale and write-downs payable to (receivable from) the FDIC under loss-sharing agreements76
 
Net gains (losses) on sale and write-downs recorded in statement of income265
 (568)
Sales proceeds(7,229) (11,750)
Ending balance$9,946
 $15,126

NOTE 7 – SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE


The Company classifies the sales of securities under agreements to repurchase as short-term borrowings. The amounts received under these agreements are reflected as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and the securities underlying these agreements are included in investment securities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. At September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, all securities sold under agreements to repurchase mature on a daily basis. The market value of the securities fluctuate on a daily basis due to market conditions. The Company monitors the market value of the securities underlying these agreements on a daily basis and is required to transfer additional securities if the market value of the securities fall below the repurchase agreement price. The Company maintains an unpledged securities portfolio that it believes is sufficient to protect against a decline in the market value of the securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

The following is a summary of the Company’s securities sold under agreements to repurchase at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase $42,647  $63,585  $51,506 

2016.    

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31, 2016
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase$14,156
 $53,505
At September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the investment securities underlying these agreements were allcomprised of state, county and municipal securities and mortgage-backed securities.

NOTE 8 – OTHER BORROWINGS

The Company has, from time to time, utilized certain borrowing arrangements with various financial institutions to fund growth in earning assets or provide additional liquidity when appropriate spreads can be realized. At September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, there were $373.5 million, $39.0$808.6 million and $39.0$492.3 million, respectively, in outstanding borrowings with the Company’s correspondent banks.

other borrowings.




Other borrowings consist of the following:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Daily Rate Credit from Federal Home Loan Bank with a variable interest rate (0.56% at September 30, 2016) $227,500  $-  $- 
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 0.40%, due October 14, 2016  100,000  $-   - 
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 1.40%, due January 9, 2017  4,008  $-   - 
Advance from Federal Home Loan Bank with a fixed interest rate of 1.23%, due May 30, 2017  5,009  $-   - 
Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank with interest at 90-day LIBOR plus 3.50% (4.34% at September 30, 2016,  3.92% at December 31, 2015, and 3.78% at September 30, 2015) due in August 2017, secured by subsidiary bank stock  36,000   24,000   24,000 
Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank with a fixed interest rate of 8.00% due January 2017  860   -   - 
Advance from correspondent bank with a fixed interest rate of 4.25%, due October 15, 2019, secured by a loan receivable  84   -   - 
Subordinated debt issued by The Prosperity Banking Company due September 2016 with an interest rate of 90-day LIBOR plus 1.75%    (2.28% at December 31, 2015 and 2.09% at September 30, 2015)  -   15,000   15,000 
Total $373,461  $39,000  $39,000 

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
FHLB borrowings: 
  
Daily Rate Credit from FHLB with a variable interest rate (1.32% at September 30, 2017 and 0.80% at December 31, 2016)$168,000
 $150,000
Advance from FHLB due October 6, 2017; fixed interest rate of 1.16%565,000
 
Advance from FHLB due January 6, 2017; fixed interest rate of 0.56%
 292,500
Advance from FHLB due January 9, 2017; fixed interest rate of 1.40%
 4,002
Advance from FHLB due May 30, 2017; fixed interest rate of 1.23%
 5,006
Subordinated notes payable: 
  
Subordinated notes payable due March 15, 2027 net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $1,238; fixed interest rate of 5.75% through March 14, 2022; variable interest rate thereafter at three-month LIBOR plus 3.616%73,762
 
Other debt: 
  
Advance from correspondent bank due October 5, 2019; secured by a loan receivable; fixed interest rate of 4.25%56
 77
Advance from correspondent bank due September 5, 2026; secured by a loan receivable; fixed interest rate of 2.09%1,754
 1,886
Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank due September 26, 2020; secured by subsidiary bank stock; variable interest rate at 90-day LIBOR plus 3.50% (4.43% at December 31, 2016)
 38,000
Advances under revolving credit agreement with a regional bank due January 7, 2017; fixed interest rate of 8.00%
 850
Total$808,572
 $492,321
The advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”)FHLB are collateralized by a blanket lien on all first mortgage loans and other specific loans in addition to FHLB stock. At September 30, 2016, $661.52017, $347.4 million was available for borrowing on lines with the FHLB.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company maintained credit arrangements with various financial institutions to purchase federal funds up to $67 million.

47

At September 30, 2016, $4.02017, $30.0 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit agreement with a regional bank, secured by subsidiary bank stock.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company maintained credit arrangements with various financial institutions to purchase federal funds up to $82.0 million.
The Company also participates in the Federal Reserve discount window borrowings.borrowings program. At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company had $861.5 million$1.04 billion of loans pledged at the Federal Reserve discount window and had $574.7$678.1 million available for borrowing.


Subordinated Notes Payable

On March 13, 2017, the Company completed the public offering and sale of $75.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2027 (the “subordinated notes”). The subordinated notes were sold to the public at par pursuant to an underwriting agreement and were issued pursuant to an indenture and a supplemental indenture. The subordinated notes will mature on March 15, 2027 and through March 14, 2022 will bear a fixed rate of interest of 5.75% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on September 15 and March 15 of each year. Beginning March 15, 2022, the interest rate on the subordinated notes resets quarterly to a floating rate per annum equal to the then-current three-month LIBOR plus 3.616%, payable quarterly in arrears on June 15, September 15, December 15, and March 15 of each year to the maturity date or earlier redemption.
On any scheduled interest payment date beginning March 15, 2022, the Company may, at its option, redeem the subordinated notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The subordinated notes are unsecured and rank equally with all other unsecured subordinated indebtedness of the Company, including any subordinated indebtedness issued in the future under the indenture governing the subordinated notes. The subordinated notes are subordinated in right of payment to all senior indebtedness of the Company. The subordinated notes are obligations of the Company only and are not guaranteed by any subsidiaries, including the Bank. Additionally, the subordinated notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries, meaning that creditors of the Company’s subsidiaries (including, in the case of the Bank, its depositors) generally will be paid from those subsidiaries’ assets before holders of the subordinated notes have any claim to those assets.


For regulatory capital adequacy purposes, the subordinated notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for the Company. If in the future the subordinated notes no longer qualify as Tier 2 capital, the subordinated notes may be redeemed by the Company at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, subject to prior approval by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

NOTE 9 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Loan Commitments


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

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

A summary of the Company’s commitments is as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
          
Commitments to extend credit $924,374  $548,898  $500,631 
             
Unused lines of credit $62,544  $52,798  $53,465 
             
Financial standby letters of credit $14,002  $14,712  $11,929 
             
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments $134,619  $77,710  $79,635 

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Commitments to extend credit$1,096,702
 $1,101,257
Unused home equity lines of credit63,951
 62,586
Financial standby letters of credit13,192
 14,257
Mortgage interest rate lock commitments113,056
 91,426
Mortgage forward contracts with positive fair value
 150,000
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. CommitmentsThese commitments, predominantly at variable interest rates, generally have fixed expiration dates of one year or less or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Those guarantees are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Collateral is required in instances which the Company deems necessary.

Other Commitments

During the third quarter of 2016, the Bank began purchasing from an unrelated third party consumer installment home improvement loans made to borrowers throughout the United States. Under the purchase agreement, the Bank has committed to increasing outstanding balances of the home improvement loans by $12.5 million per month until the aggregate purchase commitment of $150.0 million has been reached.

As of September 30, 2016, the carrying value of consumer installment home improvement loans purchased under the agreement totaled approximately $32.8 million.

As of September 30, 2016,2017, a $75.0 million letter of credit issued by the Federal Home Loan BankFHLB was used to guarantee the Bank’s performance related to public fund deposit balances.


Contingencies

Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company’s management and its legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company’s legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed.

48



Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the nature of the guarantee would be disclosed.

A former borrower of the Company has filed a claim related to a loan previously made by the Company asserting lender liability.  The case was tried without a jury and an ordera judgment was issued by the court against the Company awarding the borrower approximately $2.9 million on August 8, 2013. The order is currently on appealjudgment was appealed to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.  On May 24, 2017, the Court of Appeals filed its decision and unanimously found in favor of the Company is asserting it had no fiduciary responsibilityand reversed the trial court judgment. The plaintiff has a filed a petition for rehearing with the Court of Appeals, which has been denied. The plaintiff has filed a writ of certiorari asking the Supreme Court of South Carolina to hear the borrower.  As of September 30, 2016, thecase. The Company believes that it has valid bases in law and fact to overturn on appeal the verdict. As a result, the Company believes that the likelihood that the amount ofSupreme Court will hear the judgment will be affirmedcase is not probable, and, accordingly that the amount ofCompany does not expect to incur any loss cannot be reasonably estimated atas a result of this time. Becausecase.  Accordingly, the Company believes that this potential loss is not probable or estimable, it has not recordedestablished any reserves or contingencies related to this legal matter. In the event that the Company's assumptions used to evaluate this matter as neither probable nor estimable change in future periods, it may be required to record a liability for an adverse outcome.

NOTE 10 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
On January 18, 2017, the Company issued 128,572 unregistered shares of its common stock to William J. Villari in exchange for 4.99% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF. A registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2017 to register the resale or other disposition of these shares. The issuance of the 128,572 common shares was valued at $45.45 per share, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $5.8 million. For additional information regarding the investment in USPF, see Note 2.
On March 6, 2017, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 2,012,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price to the public of $46.50 per share. The Company received net proceeds from the issuance of approximately $88.7 million, after deducting $4.9 million in underwriting discounts and commissions and other issuance costs.
In March 2017, the Company made a capital contribution to the Bank in the amount of $110.0 million, using the net proceeds of the March 6, 2017 issuance of common stock as well as a portion of the net proceeds of the March 13, 2017 issuance of the Company’s 5.75% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2027 discussed in Note 8.

NOTE 1011 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Accumulated other comprehensive income for the Company consists of changes in net unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale and an interest rate swap derivatives.derivative designated as a cash flow hedge. The following tables present a summary of the accumulated other comprehensive income balances, net of tax, as of September 30, 20162017 and 2015:

(Dollars in Thousands) Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Derivatives
  Unrealized
 Gain (Loss) on
Securities
  Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
 
Balance, January 1, 2016 $152  $3,201  $3,353 
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax  -   (61)  (61)
Current year changes, net of tax  (567)  7,724   7,157 
Balance, September 30, 2016 $(415) $10,864  $10,449 

(Dollars in Thousands) Unrealized
 Gain (Loss) on
Derivatives
  Unrealized
 Gain (Loss) on
Securities
  Accumulated Other
 Comprehensive Income
(Loss)
 
Balance, January 1, 2015 $508  $5,590  $6,098 
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax  -   (89)  (89)
Current year changes, net of tax  (669)  (1,143)  (1,812)
Balance, September 30, 2015 $(161) $4,358  $4,197 
2016:
(dollars in thousands) 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Securities
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2017 $176
 $(1,234) $(1,058)
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax 
 (24) (24)
Current year changes, net of tax (38) 4,361
 4,323
Balance, September 30, 2017 $138
 $3,103
 $3,241
(dollars in thousands) 
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on Securities
 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance, January 1, 2016 $152
 $3,201
 $3,353
Reclassification for gains included in net income, net of tax 
 (61) (61)
Current year changes, net of tax (567) 7,724
 7,157
Balance, September 30, 2016 $(415) $10,864
 $10,449


NOTE 1112 – WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING


Earnings per share have been computed based on the following weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

  For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
  For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
  (Share Data in
Thousands)
  (Share Data in
Thousands)
 
Basic shares outstanding  34,870   32,195   34,156   31,614 
Plus: Dilutive effect of ISOs  108   126   100   118 
Plus: Dilutive effect of restricted share grants  217   232   214   230 
Diluted shares outstanding  35,195   32,553   34,470   31,962 

 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(share data in thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Average common shares outstanding37,225
 34,870
 36,690
 34,156
Common share equivalents: 
  
  
  
Stock options70
 108
 70
 100
Nonvested restricted share grants258
 217
 257
 214
Average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution37,553
 35,195
 37,017
 34,470
For the three-three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, there were no potential common shares with strike prices that would cause them to be anti-dilutive.

49

NOTE 1213 – FAIR VALUE MEASURES

The fair value of an asset or liability is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various assets and liabilities. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the asset or liability. The accounting standard for disclosures about the fair value measures excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

The Company’s loans held for sale are carried at fair value and are comprised of the following:
(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Mortgage loans held for sale$132,201
 $105,924
SBA loans held for sale5,191
 
Total loans held for sale$137,392
 $105,924
The Company has elected to record mortgage loans held-for-saleheld for sale at fair value in order to eliminate the complexities and inherent difficulties of achieving hedge accounting and to better align reported results with the underlying economic changes in value of the loans and related hedge instruments. This election impacts the timing and recognition of origination fees and costs, as well as servicing value, which are now recognized in earnings at the time of origination. Interest income on mortgage loans held-for-saleheld for sale is recorded on an accrual basis in the consolidated statementstatements of earningsincome and comprehensive income under the heading “Interestinterest income – interest and fees on loans”.loans. The servicing value is included in the fair value of the interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) with borrowers. The mark to market adjustments related to mortgage loans held-for-saleheld for sale and the associated economic hedges are captured in mortgage banking activities. Net gains of $4.9$5.7 million and $3.3$4.9 million resulting from fair value changes of these mortgage loans were recorded in income during the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively. The amount does not reflect changes in fair values of related derivative instruments used to hedge exposure to market-related risks associated with these mortgage loans. The change in fair value of both mortgage loans held for sale and the related derivative instruments are recorded in “Mortgagemortgage banking activity”activity in the Consolidated Statementsconsolidated statements of Earningsincome and Comprehensive Income.comprehensive income. The Company’s valuation of mortgage loans held for sale incorporates an assumption for credit risk; however, given the short-term period that the Company holds these loans, valuation adjustments attributable to instrument-specific credit risk is nominal.

The following table summarizes the difference between the fair value and the principal balance for mortgage loans held for sale measured at fair value as of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

  September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Aggregate fair value of mortgage loans held for sale $126,263  $111,182  $111,807 
             
Aggregate unpaid principal balance $121,308  $107,652  $108,179 
             
Past-due loans of 90 days or more $-  $-  $- 
             
Nonaccrual loans $-  $-  $- 

2016:

(dollars in thousands) 
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Aggregate fair value of mortgage loans held for sale$132,201
 $105,924
Aggregate unpaid principal balance126,503
 103,691
Past-due loans of 90 days or more
 
Nonaccrual loans
 


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

Fair Value Hierarchy


The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level 1 -Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 -Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 -Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

50

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating the fair value of its assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

Cash, and Due From Banks, Federal Funds Sold and Interest-Bearing Accounts:The carrying amount of cash, and due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing accountsdeposits in banks approximates fair value.

Investment Securities Available for Sale:The fair value of securities available for sale is determined by various valuation methodologies. Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include certain U.S. agency bonds, mortgage-backed securities, issued by government-sponsored enterprisescollateralized mortgage and debt obligations, and municipal bonds.securities. The Level 2 fair value pricing is provided by an independent third-partythird party and is based upon similar securities in an active market. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy and include certain residual municipal securities and other less liquid securities.

Other Investments:FHLB stock, isFederal Reserve Bank stock and the Company’s minority equity investment in USPF are included in other investment securities at original cost basis. These investments do not have readily determinable fair values and are carried at its original cost basis. It is not practical to determine the fair value of FHLB stockthese investments due to restrictions placed on its transferability.

Mortgage These investments are periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value or cost basis. Cost basis approximates fair value for these investments.

Loans Held for Sale:The Company records mortgage loans held for sale at fair value. The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined on outstanding commitments from third party investors in the secondary markets and is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Loans:The carrying amount of variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows or underlying collateral values, where applicable. A loan is determined to be impaired if the Company believes it is probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the terms of the note will not be collected as scheduled. The fair value of impaired loans is determined in accordance with ASC 310-10,Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and generally results in a specific reserve established through a charge to the provision for loan losses. Losses on impaired loans are charged to the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Management has determined that the majority of impaired loans are Level 3 assets due to the extensive use of market appraisals.

Other Real Estate Owned:The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is determined using certified appraisals and internal evaluations and broker price opinions that value the property at its highest and best uses by applying traditional valuation methods common to the industry. The Company does not hold any OREO for profit purposes and all other real estate is actively marketed for sale. In most


cases, management has determined that additional write-downs are required beyond what is calculable from the appraisal to carry the property at levels that would attract buyers. Because this additional write-down is not based on observable inputs, management has determined that other real estate owned should be classified as Level 3.

Covered Other Real Estate Owned: Covered other real estate owned includes other real estate owned on which the majority of losses would be covered by loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC. Management initially valued these assets at fair value using mostly unobservable inputs and, as such, has classified these assets as Level 3.

Intangible Assets:Intangible assets consist of core deposit premiums acquired in connection with business combinations and are based on the established value of acquired customer deposits. The core deposit premium is initially recognized based on a valuation performed as of the consummation date and is amortized over an estimated useful life of threeseven to ten years.

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

Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable: The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates fair value.

Cash Value of Bank Owned Life Insurance:The carrying value of cash value of bank owned life insurance approximates fair value.

Deposits:The carrying amount of demand deposits, savings deposits and variable-rate certificates of deposit approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for certificates withof similar maturities.

51

Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase and Other Borrowings: The carrying amount of variable rate borrowings and securities sold under repurchase agreements approximates fair value and are classified as Level 1. The fair value of fixed rate other borrowings is estimated based on discounted contractual cash flows using the current incremental borrowing rates for similar borrowing arrangements and are classified as Level 2.

Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures:The fair value of the Company’s variable rate trust preferred securities is based primarily upon discounted cash flows using rates for securities with similar terms and remaining maturities and are classified as Level 2.

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments: Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are typically made using variable rates and have short maturities, the carrying value and fair value are immaterial for disclosure.

Derivatives:The Company has entered into derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivatives. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the derivatives is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivativesderivative fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself or the counterparty. However, as of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuation in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

52



The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall as of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

  Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of September 30, 2016
 
  Fair Value  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
U.S. government agencies $1,028  $-  $1,028  $- 
State, county and municipal securities  155,994   -   155,994   - 
Corporate debt securities  29,098   -   27,598   1,500 
Mortgage-backed securities  652,004   -   652,004   - 
Mortgage loans held for sale  126,263   -   126,263   - 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments  5,083   -   5,083   - 
Total recurring assets at fair value $969,470  $-  $967,970  $1,500 
                 
Derivative financial instruments $2,964   -  $2,964   - 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments $840   -   840   - 
Total recurring liabilities at fair value $3,804  $-  $3,804  $- 

  Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of December 31, 2015
 
  Fair Value  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
U.S. government agencies $14,890  $-  $14,890  $- 
State, county and municipal securities  161,316   -   161,316   - 
Corporate debt securities  6,017   -   3,019   2,998 
Mortgage-backed securities  600,962   -   600,962   - 
Mortgage loans held for sale  111,182   -   111,182   - 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments  2,687   -   2,687   - 
Total recurring assets at fair value $897,054  $-  $894,056  $2,998 
                 
Derivative financial instruments $1,439  $-  $1,439  $- 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments  137   -   137   - 
Total recurring liabilities at fair value $1,576  $-  $1,576  $- 

  Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
As of September 30, 2015
 
  Fair Value  Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
U.S. government agencies $14,968  $-  $14,968  $- 
State, county and municipal securities  164,865   -   164,865   - 
Corporate debt securities  6,032   -   3,532   2,500 
Mortgage-backed securities  625,520   -   625,520   - 
Mortgage loans held for sale  111,807   -   111,807   - 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments  3,025   -   3,025   - 
Total recurring assets at fair value $926,217  $-  $923,717  $2,500 
                 
Derivative financial instruments $2,028  $-  $2,028  $- 
Total recurring liabilities at fair value $2,028  $-  $2,028  $- 

53
2016:

 
Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
 September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands) 
Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
U.S. government sponsored agencies$1,004
 $
 $1,004
 $
State, county and municipal securities143,387
 
 143,387
 
Corporate debt securities47,249
 
 45,749
 1,500
Mortgage-backed securities627,953
 
 627,953
 
Loans held for sale137,392
 
 137,392
 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments3,836
 
 3,836
 
Total recurring assets at fair value$960,821
 $
 $959,321
 $1,500
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
Derivative financial instruments$723
 $
 $723
 $
Mortgage banking derivative instruments237
 
 237
 
Total recurring liabilities at fair value$960
 $
 $960
 $
 Recurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
 December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
U.S. government sponsored agencies$1,020
 $
 $1,020
 $
State, county and municipal securities152,035
 
 152,035
 
Corporate debt securities32,172
 
 30,672
 1,500
Mortgage-backed securities637,508
 
 637,508
 
Loans held for sale105,924
 
 105,924
 
Mortgage banking derivative instruments4,314
 
 4,314
 
Total recurring assets at fair value$932,973
 $
 $931,473
 $1,500
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
Derivative financial instruments$978
 $
 $978
 $
Total recurring liabilities at fair value$978
 $
 $978
 $
The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy as of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

  Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of September 30, 2016
 
  Fair
Value
  Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
Impaired loans carried at fair value $26,210  $-  $-  $26,210 
Other real estate owned  425   -   -   425 
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned  14,126   -   -   14,126 
Covered other real estate owned  1,000   -   -   1,000 
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value $41,761  $-  $-  $41,761 

  Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of December 31, 2015
 
  Fair
Value
  Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
Impaired loans carried at fair value $27,069  $-  $-  $27,069 
Other real estate owned  10,456   -   -   10,456 
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned  14,333   -   -   14,333 
Covered other real estate owned  5,011   -   -   5,011 
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value $56,869  $-  $-  $56,869 

  Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
As of September 30, 2015
 
  Fair
Value
  Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
Impaired loans carried at fair value $27,859  $-  $-  $27,859 
Other real estate owned  5,737   -   -   5,737 
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned  11,538   -   -   11,538 
Covered other real estate owned  12,203   -   -   12,203 
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value $57,337  $-  $-  $57,337 

54
2016:

 
Nonrecurring Basis
Fair Value Measurements
(dollars in thousands)Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
September 30, 2017 
  
  
  
Impaired loans carried at fair value$28,790
 $
 $
 $28,790
Other real estate owned435
 
 
 435
Purchased other real estate owned9,946
 
 
 9,946
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value$39,171
 $
 $
 $39,171
        
December 31, 2016 
  
  
  
Impaired loans carried at fair value$28,253
 $
 $
 $28,253
Other real estate owned1,172
 
 
 1,172
Purchased other real estate owned12,540
 
 
 12,540
Total nonrecurring assets at fair value$41,965
 $
 $
 $41,965
The inputs used to determine estimated fair value of impaired loans and covered loans include market conditions, loan terms, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates. The inputs used to determine fair value of other real estate owned and covered other real estate owned include market conditions, estimated marketing period or holding period, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017 and the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015,2016, there was not a change in the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate fair value.



The following table shows significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets and liabilities (dollars in thousands):

  Fair Value  Valuation Technique Unobservable Inputs Range of
Discounts
  Weighted
Average
Discount
 
    
As of September 30, 2016                
Nonrecurring:                
Impaired loans $26,210  Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and discount rates  15% - 100  27%
Other real estate owned $425  Third-party appraisals, sales contracts, broker price opinions Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  10% - 90  12%
Purchased non-covered other real estate owned $14,126  Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  10% - 75  15%
Covered other real estate owned $1,000  Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  15% - 56  16%
Recurring:                
Investment securities available for sale $1,500  Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer  0%  0%
                 
As of December 31, 2015                
Nonrecurring:                
Impaired loans $27,069  Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and discount rates  0% - 100  29%
Other real estate owned $10,456  Third-party appraisals, sales contracts, broker price opinions Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  10% - 90  13%
Purchased non-covered other real estate owned $14,333  Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  10% - 69  19%
Covered other real estate owned $5,011  Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  0% - 74  12%
Recurring:                
Investment securities available for sale $2,998  Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer  0%  0%
                 
As of September 30, 2015                
Nonrecurring:                
Impaired loans $27,859  Third-party  appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and discount rates  0% - 50  25%
Other real estate owned $5,737  Third-party appraisals, sales contracts, broker price opinions Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  0% - 43  14%
Purchased non-covered other real estate owned $11,538  Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  0% -75  20%
Covered other real estate owned $12,203  Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  0% - 73  12%
Recurring:                
Investment securities available for sale $2,500  Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer  0%  0%

55
liabilities:

(dollars in thousands) Fair Value 
Valuation
Technique
 Unobservable Inputs 
Range of
Discounts
 
Weighted
Average
Discount
September 30, 2017  
        
Recurring:  
        
Investment securities available for sale $1,500
 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0%
Nonrecurring:  
        
Impaired loans $28,790
 Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and
discount rates
 10% - 100% 25%
Other real estate owned $435
 Third-party appraisals and sales contracts Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 15% - 20% 13%
Purchased other real estate owned $9,946
 Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 10% - 74% 16%
           
December 31, 2016  
        
Recurring:  
        
Investment securities available for sale $1,500
 Discounted par values Credit quality of underlying issuer 0% 0%
Nonrecurring:  
        
Impaired loans $28,253
 Third-party appraisals and discounted cash flows Collateral discounts and
discount rates
 15% - 100% 28%
Other real estate owned $1,172
 Third-party appraisals and sales contracts Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 15% - 74% 22%
Purchased other real estate owned $12,540
 Third-party appraisals Collateral discounts and estimated
costs to sell
 10% - 74% 15%
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, not shown elsewhere in these financial statements, were as follows:

     Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2016 Using: 
  Carrying
Amount
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Financial assets:                    
Cash and due from banks $123,270  $123,270  $-  $-  $123,270 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts  90,801   90,801   -   -   90,801 
Loans, net  4,922,395   -   -   4,918,360   4,918,360 
Accrued interest receivable  21,775   21,775   -   -   21,775 
                     
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits $5,306,098  $-  $5,305,463  $-  $5,305,463 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  42,647   42,647   -   -   42,647 
FDIC loss-share payable  7,775   -   -   10,141   10,141 
Other borrowings  373,461   -   373,461   -   373,461 
Accrued interest payable  1,282   1,282   -   -   1,282 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  83,898   -   66,252   -   66,252 

     Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using: 
  Carrying
Amount
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Financial assets:                    
Cash and due from banks $118,518  $118,518  $-  $-  $118,518 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts  272,045   272,045   -   -   272,045 
Loans, net  3,971,974   -   -   3,982,606   3,982,606 
FDIC loss-share receivable  6,301   -   -   (944)  (944)
Accrued interest receivable  21,274   21,274   -   -   21,274 
                     
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits $4,879,290  $-  $4,880,294  $-  $4,880,294 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  63,585   63,585   -   -   63,585 
Other borrowings  39,000   -   39,000   -   39,000 
Accrued interest payable  1,054   1,054   -   -   1,054 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  69,874   -   52,785   -   52,785 

56

     Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2015 Using: 
  Carrying
Amount
  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Financial assets:                    
Cash and due from banks $114,396  $114,396  $-  $-  $114,396 
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts  120,925   120,925   -   -   120,925 
Loans, net  3,720,713   -   -   3,711,522   3,711,522 
FDIC loss-share receivable  4,506   -   -   (4,042)  (4,042)
Accrued interest receivable  20,062   20,062   -   -   20,062 
                     
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits $4,530,523  $-  $4,531,851  $-  $4,531,851 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  51,506   51,506   -   -   51,506 
Other borrowings  39,000   -   39,000   -   39,000 
Accrued interest payable  1,149   1,149   -   -   1,149 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  69,600   -   51,617   -   51,617 

57

   Fair Value Measurements
   September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
  
Cash and due from banks$131,071
 $131,071
 $
 $
 $131,071
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts112,844
 112,844
 
 
 112,844
Loans, net5,902,267
 
 
 5,871,518
 5,871,518
Accrued interest receivable25,068
 25,068
 
 
 25,068
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Deposits$5,895,504
 $
 $5,896,989
 $
 $5,896,989
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase14,156
 14,156
 
 
 14,156
Other borrowings808,572
 
 809,810
 
 809,810
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures85,220
 
 70,984
 
 70,984
FDIC loss-share payable8,190
 
 
 9,077
 9,077
Accrued interest payable2,313
 2,313
 
 
 2,313


   Fair Value Measurements
   December 31, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Financial assets: 
  
  
  
  
Cash and due from banks$127,164
 $127,164
 $
 $
 $127,164
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing accounts71,221
 71,221
 
 
 71,221
Loans, net5,212,153
 
 
 5,236,034
 5,236,034
Accrued interest receivable22,278
 22,278
 
 
 22,278
Financial liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
Deposits$5,575,163
 $
 $5,575,288
 $
 $5,575,288
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase53,505
 53,505
 
 
 53,505
Other borrowings492,321
 
 492,321
 
 492,321
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures84,228
 
 67,321
 
 67,321
FDIC loss-share payable6,313
 
 
 8,243
 8,243
Accrued interest payable1,501
 1,501
 
 
 1,501

NOTE 1314 – SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company has the following five reportable segments: Banking Division, Retail Mortgage Division, Warehouse Lending Division, SBA Division and Premium Finance Division. The Banking Division derives its revenues from the delivery of full-service financial services, including commercial loans, consumer loans and deposit accounts. The Retail Mortgage Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The Warehouse Lending Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of warehouse lines to other businesses that are secured by underlying one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. The SBA Division derives its revenues from the origination, sales and servicing of SBA loans. The Premium Finance Division derives its revenues from the origination and servicing of commercial insurance premium finance loans.
The Banking, Retail Mortgage, Warehouse Lending, SBA and Premium Finance Divisions are managed as separate business units because of the different products and services they provide. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss from operations. There are no material intersegment sales or transfers.


The following tables present selected financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments for the three months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015:

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
  Banking
 Division
  Retail
Mortgage
Division
  Warehouse
Lending
Division
  SBA
 Division
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $55,369  $3,679  $2,073  $1,089  $62,210 
Interest expense  4,995   -   -   148   5,143 
Net interest income  50,374   3,679   2,073   941   57,067 
Provision for loan losses  57   447   94   213   811 
Noninterest income  13,949   13,198   555   1,162   28,864 
Noninterest expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits  18,323   8,940   103   616   27,982 
Equipment and occupancy expenses  5,490   433   1   65   5,989 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses  5,794   364   26   1   6,185 
Other expenses  11,533   1,303   26   181   13,043 
Total noninterest expense  41,140   11,040   156   863   53,199 
Income before income tax expense  23,126   5,390   2,378   1,027   31,921 
Income tax expense  7,286   1,887   832   359   10,364 
Net income $15,840  $3,503  $1,546  $668  $21,557 
Total assets $5,841,207  $356,755  $203,334  $92,199  $6,493,495 
Other intangible assets, net , $18,472  $-  $-  $-  $18,472 
Goodwill $122,545  $-  $-  $-  $122,545 

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
  Banking
 Division
  Retail
Mortgage
Division
  Warehouse
Lending
Division
  SBA
 Division
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $46,734  $2,485  $1,128  $848  $51,195 
Interest expense  3,690   -   -   106   3,796 
Net interest income $43,044  $2,485  $1,128  $742  $47,399 
Provision for loan losses  960   26   -   -   986 
Noninterest income  13,470   9,827   372   1,309   24,978 
Noninterest expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits  17,921   6,138   137   738   24,934 
Equipment and occupancy expenses  5,444   397   1   73   5,915 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses  4,998   308   22   1   5,329 
Other expenses  11,379   662   40   137   12,218 
Total noninterest expense  39,742   7,505   200   949   48,396 
Income before income tax expense  15,812   4,781   1,300   1,102   22,995 
Income tax expense  4,854   1,673   455   386   7,368 
Net income $10,958  $3,108  $845  $716  $15,627 
Total assets $4,805,387  $216,640  $92,398  $101,875  $5,216,300 
Other intangible assets, net $18,218  $-  $-  $-  $18,218 
Goodwill $87,701  $-  $-  $-  $87,701 

58
2016:

 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)Banking
Division
 Retail
Mortgage
Division
 Warehouse
Lending
Division
 SBA
Division
 Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$59,130
 $5,862
 $2,022
 $1,413
 $7,895
 $76,322
Interest expense5,530
 1,597
 487
 432
 1,421
 9,467
Net interest income53,600
 4,265
 1,535
 981
 6,474
 66,855
Provision for loan losses1,037
 262
 215
 (1) 274
 1,787
Noninterest income13,007
 12,257
 583
 1,130
 22
 26,999
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits20,554
 9,792
 129
 858
 1,250
 32,583
Equipment and occupancy expenses5,384
 555
 1
 54
 42
 6,036
Data processing and telecommunications expenses6,357
 425
 28
 9
 231
 7,050
Other expenses14,905
 1,001
 51
 63
 2,078
 18,098
Total noninterest expense47,200
 11,773
 209
 984
 3,601
 63,767
Income before income tax expense18,370
 4,487
 1,694
 1,128
 2,621
 28,300
Income tax expense4,850
 1,475
 580
 394
 843
 8,142
Net income$13,520
 $3,012
 $1,114
 $734
 $1,778
 $20,158
            
Total assets$6,296,159
 $531,897
 $236,024
 $94,531
 $491,209
 $7,649,820
Goodwill125,532
 
 
 
 
 125,532
Other intangible assets, net14,437
 
 
 
 
 14,437

 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$55,369
 $3,679
 $2,073
 $1,089
 $
 $62,210
Interest expense3,716
 1,054
 225
 148
 
 5,143
Net interest income51,653
 2,625
 1,848
 941
 
 57,067
Provision for loan losses57
 447
 94
 213
 
 811
Noninterest income13,949
 13,198
 555
 1,162
 
 28,864
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits18,323
 8,940
 103
 616
 
 27,982
Equipment and occupancy expenses5,490
 433
 1
 65
 
 5,989
Data processing and telecommunications expenses5,794
 364
 26
 1
 
 6,185
Other expenses11,533
 1,303
 26
 181
 
 13,043
Total noninterest expense41,140
 11,040
 156
 863
 
 53,199
Income before income tax expense24,405
 4,336
 2,153
 1,027
 
 31,921
Income tax expense7,733
 1,518
 754
 359
 
 10,364
Net income$16,672
 $2,818
 $1,399
 $668
 $
 $21,557
            
Total assets$5,841,207
 $356,755
 $203,334
 $92,199
 $
 $6,493,495
Goodwill122,545
 
 
 
 
 122,545
Other intangible assets, net18,472
 
 
 
 
 18,472


The following tables present selected financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$170,036
 $14,890
 $4,968
 $3,884
 $21,005
 $214,783
Interest expense14,510
 4,179
 1,074
 1,111
 3,307
 24,181
Net interest income155,526
 10,711
 3,894
 2,773
 17,698
 190,602
Provision for loan losses4,510
 617
 159
 98
 444
 5,828
Noninterest income38,974
 35,823
 1,340
 4,663
 94
 80,894
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits58,757
 24,771
 403
 2,339
 3,239
 89,509
Equipment and occupancy expenses16,068
 1,684
 3
 159
 145
 18,059
Data processing and telecommunications expenses18,778
 1,182
 80
 12
 598
 20,650
Other expenses34,355
 3,030
 137
 533
 6,326
 44,381
Total noninterest expense127,958
 30,667
 623
 3,043
 10,308
 172,599
Income before income tax expense62,032
 15,250
 4,452
 4,295
 7,040
 93,069
Income tax expense17,801
 5,337
 1,559
 1,503
 2,471
 28,671
Net income$44,231
 $9,913
 $2,893
 $2,792
 $4,569
 $64,398
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$158,682
 $9,992
 $4,714
 $2,721
 $
 $176,109
Interest expense10,726
 2,383
 458
 450
 
 14,017
Net interest income147,956
 7,609
 4,256
 2,271
 
 162,092
Provision for loan losses1,471
 540
 94
 276
 
 2,381
Noninterest income39,702
 36,126
 1,328
 4,373
 
 81,529
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits55,740
 23,591
 399
 1,970
 
 81,700
Equipment and occupancy expenses16,541
 1,326
 3
 190
 
 18,060
Data processing and telecommunications expenses17,299
 974
 71
 3
 
 18,347
Other expenses39,040
 3,392
 77
 542
 
 43,051
Total noninterest expense128,620
 29,283
 550
 2,705
 
 161,158
Income before income tax expense57,567
 13,912
 4,940
 3,663
 
 80,082
Income tax expense18,278
 4,870
 1,729
 1,282
 
 26,159
Net income$39,289
 $9,042
 $3,211
 $2,381
 $
 $53,923
NOTE 15 – REGULATORY MATTERS
On December 16, 2016, the Bank entered into a Stipulation to the Issuance of a Consent Order with its bank regulatory agencies, the FDIC and 2015:

  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
  Banking
 Division
  Retail
Mortgage
Division
  Warehouse
Lending
Division
  SBA
 Division
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $158,682  $9,992  $4,714  $2,721  $176,109 
Interest expense  13,567   -   -   450   14,017 
Net interest income  145,115   9,992   4,714   2,271   162,092 
Provision for loan losses  1,471   540   94   276   2,381 
Noninterest income  39,702   36,126   1,328   4,373   81,529 
Noninterest expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits  55,740   23,591   399   1,970   81,700 
Equipment and occupancy expenses  16,541   1,326   3   190   18,060 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses  17,299   974   71   3   18,347 
Other expenses  39,040   3,392   77   542   43,051 
Total noninterest expense  128,620   29,283   550   2,705   161,158 
Income before income tax expense  54,726   16,295   5,398   3,663   80,082 
Income tax expense  17,285   5,703   1,889   1,282   26,159 
Net income $37,441  $10,592  $3,509  $2,381  $53,923 

  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
  Banking
Division
  Retail
Mortgage
Division
  Warehouse
Lending
Division
  SBA
Division
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $126,283  $6,009  $3,142  $2,358  $137,792 
Interest expense  10,594   -   -   279   10,873 
Net interest income $115,689  $6,009  $3,142  $2,079  $126,919 
Provision for loan losses  4,343   368   -   -   4,711 
Noninterest income  31,512   26,532   1,028   4,107   63,179 
Noninterest expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits  48,958   16,257   363   2,453   68,031 
Equipment and occupancy expenses  13,964   1,173   4   137   15,278 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses  12,922   799   75   7   13,803 
Other expenses  45,783   2,744   95   353   48,975 
Total noninterest expense  121,627   20,973   537   2,950   146,087 
Income before income tax expense  21,231   11,200   3,633   3,236   39,300 
Income tax expense  6,277   3,920   1,272   1,133   12,601 
Net income  14,954   7,280   2,361   2,103   26,699 

59
the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance (the “GDBF”), consenting to the issuance of a consent order (the “Order”) relating to the Bank’s Bank Secrecy Act (together with its implementing regulations, the “BSA”) compliance program. In consenting to the issuance of the Order, the Bank did not admit or deny any charges of unsafe or unsound banking practices related to its BSA compliance program.

Under the terms of the Order, the Bank or its board of directors is required to take certain affirmative actions to comply with the Bank’s obligations under the BSA. These include, but are not limited to, the following: strengthening the board of directors’ oversight of BSA activities; enhancing and adopting a revised BSA compliance program; completing a BSA risk assessment; developing a revised system of internal controls designed to ensure full compliance with the BSA; reviewing and revising customer due diligence and risk assessment processes, policies and procedures; developing, adopting and implementing effective BSA training programs; assessing BSA staffing needs and resources and appointing a qualified BSA officer; establishing an independent BSA testing program; ensuring that all reports required by the BSA are accurately and properly filed; and engaging an independent firm to review past account activity to determine whether suspicious activity was properly identified and reported.
Prior to implementation, certain of the actions required by the Order were subject to review by, and approval or non-objection from, the FDIC and the GDBF. The Order will remain in effect and be enforceable until it is modified, terminated, suspended or


set aside by the FDIC and the GDBF. The Bank expects that it will continue to meet the required actions within the time periods specified in the Order based upon ongoing communications with its regulators.





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

Cautionary Note Regarding Any Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this report are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and subject to the protections of, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions and future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which may be beyond our control and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “point to,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential” and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, the following: legislative and regulatory initiatives; additional competition in our markets; potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or internal restructuring, that may be pursued by us; state and federal banking regulations; changes in or application of environmental and other laws and regulations to which we are subject; political, legal and economic conditions and developments; financial market conditions and the results of financing efforts; changes in commodity prices and interest rates; weather, natural disasters and other catastrophic events; and other factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act.

All written or oral forward-looking statements that are made by or are attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. Our forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this report or the respective date of the document from which they are incorporated herein by reference. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


Overview

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of certain significant factors which have affected the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as reflected in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2016,2017, as compared with December 31, 2015,2016, and operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015.2016. These comments should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes appearing elsewhere herein.

60


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




The following table sets forth unaudited selected financial data for the previous five quarters. This data should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and the information contained in this Item 2.

(in thousands, except share data,
taxable equivalent)
                For Nine Months Ended 
  Third
Quarter 2016
  Second
Quarter 2016
  First
Quarter 2016
  Fourth
Quarter 2015
  Third
Quarter 2015
  September 30,
 2016
  September 30,
 2015
 
Results of Operations:                            
Net interest income $57,067  $54,589  $50,436  $48,618  $47,399  $162,092  $126,919 
Net interest income (tax equivalent)  58,024   55,525   51,177   49,403   48,120   164,726   128,710 
Provision for loan losses  811   889   681   553   986   2,381   4,711 
Non-interest income  28,864   28,379   24,286   22,407   24,978   81,529   63,179 
Non-interest expense  53,199   52,359   55,600   53,028   48,396   161,158   146,087 
Income tax expense  10,364   9,671   6,124   3,296   7,368   26,159   12,601 
Net income available to common shareholders  21,557   20,049   12,317   14,148   15,627   53,923   26,699 
Selected Average Balances:                            
Mortgage loans held for sale $105,859  $96,998  $82,803  $98,765  $102,961  $96,340  $86,387 
Loans, net of unearned income  2,897,771   2,653,171   2,410,747   2,333,577   2,224,490   2,642,498   2,097,996 
Purchased non-covered loans  1,086,039   1,111,814   836,187   752,508   788,351   1,022,680   702,117 
Purchased loan pools  629,666   630,503   627,178   454,884   323,258   629,118   116,363 
Covered loans  113,136   127,595   134,383   180,493   195,175   125,141   215,631 
Investment securities  857,433   850,435   806,699   809,641   854,123   840,688   701,437 
Earning assets  5,780,455   5,574,608   5,106,011   4,926,671   4,692,915   5,490,525   4,113,541 
Assets  6,330,350   6,138,757   5,618,397   5,427,367   5,213,275   6,030,181   4,594,255 
Deposits  5,221,219   5,211,355   4,874,310   4,724,531   4,539,715   5,102,729   3,925,479 
Common shareholders’ equity  640,382   616,361   542,264   513,098   494,957   599,817   485,213 
Period-End Balances:                            
Mortgage loans held for sale $126,263  $102,757  $97,439  $111,182  $111,807  $126,263  $111,807 
Loans, net of unearned income  3,091,039   2,819,071   2,528,007   2,406,877   2,290,649   3,091,039   2,290,649 
Purchased non-covered loans  1,067,090   1,072,217   1,129,919   771,554   767,494   1,067,090   767,494 
Purchased loan pools  624,886   610,425   656,734   592,963   410,072   624,886   410,072 
Covered loans  62,291   121,418   130,279   137,529   191,021   62,291   191,021 
Earning assets  5,925,072   5,656,932   5,499,656   5,084,658   4,712,675   5,925,072   4,712,675 
Total assets  6,493,495   6,221,294   6,097,771   5,588,940   5,216,300   6,493,495   5,216,300 
Deposits  5,306,098   5,179,532   5,230,787   4,879,290   4,530,523   5,306,098   4,530,523 
Common shareholders’ equity  642,583   625,915   600,828   514,759   502,300   642,583   502,300 
Per Common Share Data:                            
Earnings per share - basic $0.62  $0.58  $0.38  $0.44  $0.49  $1.58  $0.84 
Earnings per share - diluted  0.61   0.57   0.37   0.43   0.48   1.56   0.84 
Common book value per share  18.42   17.96   17.25   15.98   15.60   18.42   15.60 
Tangible book value per share  14.38   13.89   13.13   12.65   12.31   14.38   12.31 
End of period shares outstanding  34,891,304   34,847,311   34,837,454   32,211,385   32,196,117   34,891,304   32,196,117 
Weighted average shares outstanding                            
Basic  34,869,747   34,832,621   32,752,063   32,199,632   32,195,435   34,155,556   31,614,015 
Diluted  35,194,739   35,153,311   33,053,554   32,594,929   32,553,167   34,470,101   31,961,969 
Market Price:                            
High closing price $35.80  $32.39  $32.68  $34.90  $28.75  $35.80   28.75 
Low closing price  29.09   27.89   25.09   27.65   24.97   25.09   22.75 
Closing price for quarter  34.95   29.70   29.58   33.99   28.75   34.95   28.75 
Average daily trading volume  166,841   215,409   253,779   301,775   174,900   211,351   129,678 
Cash dividends declared per share  0.10   0.05   0.05   0.05   0.05   0.20   0.15 
Closing price to book value  1.90   1.65   1.71   2.13   1.84   1.90   1.84 
Performance Ratios:                            
Return on average assets  1.35%  1.31%  0.88%  1.03%  1.19%  1.19%  0.74%
Return on average common equity  13.39%  13.08%  9.14%  10.94%  12.53%  12.01%  7.21%
Average loans to average deposits  92.55%  88.65%  83.94%  80.86%  80.05%  88.50%  81.99%
Average equity to average assets  10.12%  10.04%  9.65%  9.45%  9.49%  9.95%  10.56%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)  3.99%  4.01%  4.03%  3.98%  4.07%  4.01%  4.18%
Efficiency ratio (tax equivalent)  61.91%  63.11%  74.41%  74.66%  66.87%  66.15%  76.85%

61

           Nine Months Ended
(in thousands, except share and per share data)Third
Quarter
2017
 Second
Quarter
2017
 First
Quarter
2017
 Fourth
Quarter
2016
 Third
Quarter
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Results of Operations:             
Net interest income$66,855
 $63,157
 $60,590
 $57,279
 $57,067
 $190,602
 $162,092
Net interest income (tax equivalent)68,668
 64,773
 62,108
 58,897
 58,024
 195,549
 164,726
Provision for loan losses1,787
 2,205
 1,836
 1,710
 811
 5,828
 2,381
Non-interest income26,999
 28,189
 25,706
 24,272
 28,864
 80,894
 81,529
Non-interest expense63,767
 55,739
 53,093
 54,677
 53,199
 172,599
 161,158
Income tax expense8,142
 10,315
 10,214
 6,987
 10,364
 28,671
 26,159
Net income available to common shareholders20,158
 23,087
 21,153
 18,177
 21,557
 64,398
 53,923
Selected Average Balances: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Investment securities$864,456
 $866,960
 $862,616
 $856,671
 $857,433
 $864,684
 $840,688
Loans held for sale126,798
 110,933
 77,617
 102,926
 105,859
 105,296
 96,340
Loans4,379,082
 3,994,213
 3,678,149
 3,145,714
 2,897,771
 4,018,597
 2,642,498
Purchased loans937,595
 973,521
 1,034,983
 1,101,907
 1,199,175
 982,033
 1,147,821
Purchased loan pools475,742
 516,949
 547,057
 590,617
 629,666
 513,750
 629,118
Earning assets6,892,939
 6,584,386
 6,347,807
 5,925,634
 5,780,455
 6,610,374
 5,490,525
Assets7,461,367
 7,152,024
 6,915,965
 6,573,344
 6,330,350
 7,180,330
 6,030,181
Deposits5,837,154
 5,671,394
 5,491,324
 5,490,657
 5,221,219
 5,667,891
 5,102,729
Shareholders’ equity796,856
 774,664
 695,830
 653,991
 640,382
 756,153
 599,817
Period-End Balances: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Investment securities$867,570
 $861,188
 $866,715
 $852,199
 $862,702
 $867,570
 $862,702
Loans held for sale137,392
 146,766
 105,637
 105,924
 126,263
 137,392
 126,263
Loans4,574,678
 4,230,228
 3,785,480
 3,626,821
 3,091,039
 4,574,678
 3,091,039
Purchased loans917,126
 950,499
 1,006,935
 1,069,191
 1,129,381
 917,126
 1,129,381
Purchased loan pools465,218
 490,114
 529,099
 568,314
 624,886
 465,218
 624,886
Earning assets7,074,828
 6,816,606
 6,525,911
 6,293,670
 5,925,072
 7,074,828
 5,925,072
Total assets7,649,820
 7,397,858
 7,094,856
 6,892,031
 6,493,495
 7,649,820
 6,493,495
Deposits5,895,504
 5,793,397
 5,642,369
 5,575,163
 5,306,098
 5,895,504
 5,306,098
Shareholders’ equity801,921
 782,682
 758,216
 646,437
 642,583
 801,921
 642,583
Per Common Share Data: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Earnings per share - basic$0.54
 0.62
 0.59
 0.52
 0.62
 1.76
 1.58
Earnings per share - diluted$0.54
 0.62
 0.59
 0.52
 0.61
 1.74
 1.56
Book value per common share$21.54
 $21.03
 $20.42
 $18.51
 $18.42
 $21.54
 $18.42
Tangible book value per common share$17.78
 $17.24
 $16.60
 $14.42
 $14.38
 $17.78
 $14.38
End of period shares outstanding37,231,049
 37,222,904
 37,128,714
 34,921,474
 34,891,304
 37,231,049
 34,891,304


           Nine Months Ended
(in thousands, except share and per share data)Third
Quarter
2017
 Second
Quarter
2017
 First
Quarter
2017
 Fourth
Quarter
2016
 Third
Quarter
2016
 September 30,
2017
 September 30,
2016
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Basic37,225,418
 37,162,810
 35,664,420
 34,915,459
 34,869,747
 36,689,934
 34,155,556
Diluted37,552,667
 37,489,348
 36,040,240
 35,293,035
 35,194,739
 37,017,486
 34,470,101
Market Price: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
High intraday price$51.28
 $49.80
 $49.50
 $47.70
 $36.20
 $51.28
 $36.20
Low intraday price$41.05
 $42.60
 $41.60
 $34.61
 $28.90
 $41.05
 $24.96
Closing price for quarter$48.00
 $48.20
 $46.10
 $43.60
 $34.95
 $48.00
 $34.95
Average daily trading volume168,911
 169,617
 242,982
 191,894
 166,841
 193,555
 211,351
Cash dividends declared per share$0.10
 $0.10
 $0.10
 $0.10
 $0.10
 $0.30
 $0.20
Closing price to book value2.23
 2.29
 2.26
 2.36
 1.90
 2.23
 1.90
Performance Ratios: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Return on average assets1.07% 1.29% 1.24% 1.10% 1.35% 1.20% 1.19%
Return on average common equity10.04% 11.95% 12.33% 11.06% 13.39% 11.39% 12.01%
Average loans to average deposits101.41% 98.66% 97.20% 89.99% 92.55% 99.15% 88.50%
Average equity to average assets10.68% 10.83% 10.06% 9.95% 10.12% 10.53% 9.95%
Net interest margin (tax equivalent)3.95% 3.95% 3.97% 3.95% 3.99% 3.96% 4.01%
Efficiency ratio67.94% 61.02% 61.52% 67.05% 61.91% 63.57% 66.15%
              
Non-GAAP Measures Reconciliation - 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Tangible book value per common share: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Total shareholders’ equity$801,921
 $782,682
 $758,216
 $646,437
 $642,583
 $801,921
 $642,583
Less: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Goodwill125,532
 125,532
 125,532
 125,532
 122,545
 125,532
 122,545
Other intangible assets, net14,437
 15,378
 16,391
 17,428
 18,472
 14,437
 18,472
Tangible common equity$661,952
 $641,772
 $616,293
 $503,477
 $501,566
 $661,952
 $501,566
End of period shares outstanding37,231,049
 37,222,904
 37,128,714
 34,921,474
 34,891,304
 37,231,049
 34,891,304
Book value per common share$21.54
 $21.03
 $20.42
 $18.51
 $18.42
 $21.54
 $18.42
Tangible book value per common share17.78
 17.24
 16.60
 14.42
 14.38
 17.78
 14.38



Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015

2016

Consolidated Earnings and Profitability

Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $20.2 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, compared with $21.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, compared with $15.6 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015.2016. The Company’s return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity were 1.07% and 10.04%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 1.35% and 13.39%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2016, compared with 1.19% and 12.53%, respectively, in the third quarter of 2015.2016. During the third quarter of 2015,2017 the Company recorded $0.3 million of after-taxincurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges.charges of $92,000, pre-tax BSA compliance resolution expenses of $4.7 million, pre-tax Hurricane Irma expenses of $410,000, and pre-tax losses on the sale of premises of $91,000. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company incurred pre-tax losses on the sale of premises of $238,000. Excluding these merger and conversion charges, compliance resolution expenses, Hurricane Irma expenses, and losses on the sale of premises, the Company’s net income would have been $15.9$23.6 million, or $0.49$0.63 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2015. 2017 and $21.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2016.
Below is a reconciliation of adjusted operating net income to net income, as discussed above.

  For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
  For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Net income available to common shareholders $21,557  $15,627  $53,923  $26,699 
                 
Merger and conversion charges  -   446   6,359   6,173 
Non-recurring credit resolution related expenses  -   -   -   11,241 
Tax effect of non-recurring charges  -   (156)  (2,226)  (6,095)
                 
Plus: After tax adjustments  -   290   4,133   11,319 
                 
Operating net income $21,557  $15,917  $58,056  $38,018 

62

The Company’s retail banking activities have had a significant impact on the overall financial results of the Company.

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income available to common shareholders$20,158
 $21,557
 $64,398
 $53,923
Adjustment items: 
  
  
  
Merger and conversion charges92
 
 494
 6,359
Certain compliance resolution expenses4,729
 
 4,729
 
Financial impact of Hurricane Irma410
 
 410
 
Losses on the sale of premises91
 238
 956
 562
Tax effect of management adjusted charges(1,863) (83) (2,306) (2,422)
After tax management-adjusted charges3,459
 155
 4,283
 4,499
Adjusted operating net income$23,617
 $21,712
 $68,681
 $58,422
        
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted37,552,667
 35,194,739
 37,017,486
 34,470,101
Earnings per diluted share$0.54
 $0.61
 $1.74
 $1.56
Adjusted operating net income per diluted share$0.63
 $0.62
 $1.86
 $1.69


Below is additional information regarding the retail banking activities, mortgage banking activities, warehouse lending activities, SBA activities and SBApremium finance activities of the Company during the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively:

  Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2016
 
  Banking
 Division
  Retail
Mortgage
Division
  Warehouse
Lending
Division
  SBA
Division
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $55,369  $3,679  $2,073  $1,089  $62,210 
Interest expense  4,995   -   -   148   5,143 
Net interest income  50,374   3,679   2,073   941   57,067 
Provision for loan losses  57   447   94   213   811 
Noninterest income  13,949   13,198   555   1,162   28,864 
Noninterest expense                    
    Salaries and employee benefits  18,323   8,940   103   616   27,982 
    Equipment and occupancy expenses  5,490   433   1   65   5,989 
    Data processing and telecommunications expenses  5,794   364   26   1   6,185 
    Other expenses  11,533   1,303   26   181   13,043 
Total noninterest expense  41,140   11,040   156   863   53,199 
Income before income tax expense  23,126   5,390   2,378   1,027   31,921 
Income tax expense  7,286   1,887   832   359   10,364 
Net income Net income       $15,840  $3,503  $1,546  $668  $21,557 

  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
  Banking
Division
  Retail
Mortgage
Division
  Warehouse
Lending
 Division
  SBA
 Division
  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $46,734  $2,485  $1,128  $848  $51,195 
Interest expense  3,690   -   -   106   3,796 
Net interest income $43,044  $2,485  $1,128  $742  $47,399 
Provision for loan losses  960   26   -   -   986 
Noninterest income  13,470   9,827   372   1,309   24,978 
Noninterest expense                    
    Salaries and employee benefits  17,921   6,138   137   738   24,934 
    Equipment and occupancy expenses  5,444   397   1   73   5,915 
    Data processing and telecommunications expenses  4,998   308   22   1   5,329 
    Other expenses  11,379   662   40   137   12,218 
Total noninterest expense  39,742   7,505   200   949   48,396 
Income before income tax expense  15,812   4,781   1,300   1,102   22,995 
Income tax expense  4,854   1,673   455   386   7,368 
Net income  10,958   3,108   845   716   15,627 

63

 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$59,130
 $5,862
 $2,022
 $1,413
 $7,895
 $76,322
Interest expense5,530
 1,597
 487
 432
 1,421
 9,467
Net interest income53,600
 4,265
 1,535
 981
 6,474
 66,855
Provision for loan losses1,037
 262
 215
 (1) 274
 1,787
Noninterest income13,007
 12,257
 583
 1,130
 22
 26,999
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits20,554
 9,792
 129
 858
 1,250
 32,583
Equipment and occupancy expenses5,384
 555
 1
 54
 42
 6,036
Data processing and telecommunications expenses6,357
 425
 28
 9
 231
 7,050
Other expenses14,905
 1,001
 51
 63
 2,078
 18,098
Total noninterest expense47,200
 11,773
 209
 984
 3,601
 63,767
Income before income tax expense18,370
 4,487
 1,694
 1,128
 2,621
 28,300
Income tax expense4,850
 1,475
 580
 394
 843
 8,142
Net income$13,520
 $3,012
 $1,114
 $734
 $1,778
 $20,158
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
Finance
Division
 Total
Interest income$55,369
 $3,679
 $2,073
 $1,089
 $
 $62,210
Interest expense3,716
 1,054
 225
 148
 
 5,143
Net interest income51,653
 2,625
 1,848
 941
 
 57,067
Provision for loan losses57
 447
 94
 213
 
 811
Noninterest income13,949
 13,198
 555
 1,162
 
 28,864
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits18,323
 8,940
 103
 616
 
 27,982
Equipment and occupancy expenses5,490
 433
 1
 65
 
 5,989
Data processing and telecommunications expenses5,794
 364
 26
 1
 
 6,185
Other expenses11,533
 1,303
 26
 181
 
 13,043
Total noninterest expense41,140
 11,040
 156
 863
 
 53,199
Income before income tax expense24,405
 4,336
 2,153
 1,027
 
 31,921
Income tax expense7,733
 1,518
 754
 359
 
 10,364
Net income$16,672
 $2,818
 $1,399
 $668
 $
 $21,557


Net Interest Income and Margins

The following tables settable sets forth the amount of the Company’saverage balance, interest income or interest expense, and average yield/rate paid for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest rate for total interest-earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread, and net interest margin on average interest-earning assets.assets for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Federally tax-exempt income is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% federal tax rate.

  Quarter Ended September 30, 
  2016  2015 
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
 
    
  ( in Thousands) 
ASSETS                        
Interest-earning assets:                        
Mortgage loans held for sale $105,859  $826   3.10% $102,961  $970   3.74%
Loans  2,897,771   33,672   4.62   2,224,490   27,258   4.86 
Purchased non-covered loans  1,086,039   17,629   6.46   788,351   11,911   5.99 
Purchased loan pools  629,666   4,346   2.75   323,258   2,997   3.68 
Covered loans  113,136   1,667   5.86   195,175   3,192   6.49 
Investment securities  857,433   4,872   2.26   854,123   5,342   2.48 
Short-term assets  90,551   155   0.68   204,557   246   0.48 
                         
Total interest- earning assets  5,780,455   63,167   4.35   4,692,915   51,916   4.39 
                         
Noninterest-earning assets  549,895           520,360         
                         
Total assets $6,330,350          $5,213,275         
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits $2,787,323  $1,719   0.25% $2,367,353  $1,223   0.20%
Time deposits  887,685   1,355   0.61   871,492   1,298   0.59 
Other borrowings  49,345   479   3.86   39,000   322   3.28 
FHLB advances  265,202   393   0.59   -   -   - 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase  37,305   18   0.19   44,480   39   0.35 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  83,719   1,179   5.60   69,448   914   5.22 
                         
Total interest-bearing liabilities  4,110,579   5,143   0.50   3,391,773   3,796   0.44 
                         
Demand deposits  1,546,211           1,300,870         
Other liabilities  33,178           25,675         
Stockholders’ equity  640,382           494,957         
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $6,330,350         $5,213,275         
                         
Interest rate spread          3.85%          3.95%
                         
Net interest income     $58,024          $48,120     
                         
Net interest margin          3.99%          4.07%

 Quarter Ended
September 30,
 2017 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Assets 
  
    
  
  
Interest-earning assets: 
  
    
  
  
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits  in banks$109,266
 $406
 1.47% $90,551
 $155
 0.68%
Investment securities864,456
 5,665
 2.60% 857,433
 4,872
 2.26%
Loans held for sale126,798
 1,131
 3.54% 105,859
 826
 3.10%
Loans4,379,082
 53,394
 4.84% 2,897,771
 33,672
 4.62%
Purchased loans937,595
 14,048
 5.94% 1,199,175
 19,296
 6.40%
Purchased loan pools475,742
 3,491
 2.91% 629,666
 4,346
 2.75%
Total interest-earning assets6,892,939
 78,135
 4.50% 5,780,455
 63,167
 4.35%
Noninterest-earning assets568,428
  
   549,895
  
  
Total assets$7,461,367
  
   $6,330,350
  
  
            
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
  
    
  
  
Interest-bearing liabilities: 
  
    
  
  
Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits$3,162,448
 $2,963
 0.37% $2,787,323
 $1,719
 0.25%
Time deposits1,020,239
 2,173
 0.85% 887,685
 1,355
 0.61%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase19,414
 11
 0.22% 37,305
 18
 0.19%
FHLB advances608,413
 1,849
 1.21% 265,202
 393
 0.59%
Other borrowings75,590
 1,183
 6.21% 49,345
 479
 3.86%
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures85,040
 1,288
 6.01% 83,719
 1,179
 5.60%
Total interest-bearing liabilities4,971,144
 9,467
 0.76% 4,110,579
 5,143
 0.50%
Demand deposits1,654,467
  
   1,546,211
  
  
Other liabilities38,900
  
   33,178
  
  
Shareholders’ equity796,856
  
   640,382
  
  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$7,461,367
  
   $6,330,350
  
  
Interest rate spread 
  
 3.74%  
  
 3.85%
Net interest income 
 $68,668
    
 $58,024
  
Net interest margin 
  
 3.95%  
  
 3.99%
On a tax-equivalent basis, net interest income for the third quarter of 20162017 was $58.0$68.7 million, an increase of $9.9$10.6 million, or 20.6%18.3%, compared with $48.1$58.0 million reported in the same quarter in 2015.2016. The higher net interest income is a result of organic loan growth in average interest earning assets which increased $1.11 billion, or 19.2%, from $5.78 billion in the loan portfolio, growth in purchased loan pools and acquisition activity during the firstthird quarter of 2016 coupled with continued low rates into $6.89 billion for the Company’s costthird quarter of funds.2017. The Company’s net interest margin decreased during the third quarter of 20162017 to 3.99%3.95%, compared with 4.01% during the second quarter of 2016, and compared with 4.07%3.99% reported in the third quarter of 2015.

64
2016 but remained stable compared with 3.95% reported in the second quarter of 2017.

Total interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, increased to $78.1 million during the third quarter of 2016 was $63.2 million,2017, compared with $51.9$63.2 million in the same quarter of 2015.2016. Yields on earning assets declinedincreased to 4.35%,4.50% during the third quarter of 2017, compared with 4.39%4.35% reported in the third quarter of 2015.2016. During the third quarter of 2016,2017, loans comprised 83.6%85.9% of earning assets, compared with 77.4%83.6% in the same quarter of 2015.2016. This increase is a result of organic growth in average legacy loans which increased $1.48 billion, or 51.1%, to $4.38 billion in the loan portfolio, growththird quarter 2017 from $2.90 billion in purchased pool loans and acquisition activity during the first quartersame period of 2016. Yields on legacy loans decreasedincreased to 4.84% in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 4.62% in the same period of 2016. The yield on purchased loans decreased from 6.40% in the third quarter of 2016 to 5.94% during the third quarter of 2017. Accretion income for the third quarter of 2017 was $2.7 million, compared with $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2016. Excluding the effect of accretion on purchased loans, the yield on purchased loans was 5.21% for the third quarter of 2016, compared with 4.86%4.79% in the same period of 2015. The yield2017. Yields on purchased non-covered loansloan pools increased from 5.99%2.75% in the third quarter of 20152016 to 6.46% during the third quarter of 2016. Yields on purchase loan pools declined from 3.68% in the third quarter of 2015 to 2.75%2.91% in the same period in 2016. This decrease in yield on purchased loan pools was attributable to accelerated prepayments and an adjustment on the remaining life of the pools and associated premiums. Covered loan yields decreased from 6.49% in the third quarter of 2015 to 5.86% in the third quarter of 2016.2017. Management anticipates improving economic conditions and increased loan demand will provide consistent interest income.

Total funding costs




The yield on total interest-bearing liabilities increased to 0.36%from 0.50% in the third quarter of 2016 to 0.76% in the third quarter of 2017. Total funding costs, inclusive of noninterest bearing demand deposits, increased to 0.57% in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 0.32%0.36% during the third quarter of 2015.2016. Deposit costs increased slightly from 0.22% in the third quarter of 2015 to 0.23% in the third quarter of 2016. Non-deposit funding costs decreased from 3.31%2016 to 0.35% in the third quarter of 2015 to2017. Non-deposit funding costs increased from 1.89% in the third quarter of 2016.2016 to 2.18% in the third quarter of 2017. The decreaseincrease in non-deposit funding costs was driven primarily by an increased utilization of low rate short-term FHLB advances.advances coupled with an increase in the average rate paid on other borrowings related to the March 2017 issuance of $75.0 million of 5.75% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2027. Ongoing efforts to maintain the percentage of funding from transaction deposits have succeeded such that non-CD deposits averaged 83.0%82.5% of total deposits in the third quarter of 2016,2017, compared with 80.8%83.0% during the third quarter of 2015. Further opportunity to realize savings on interest expense on deposits may be limited due to the current low level of deposit rates.2016. Average balances of interest bearing deposits and their respective costs for the third quarter of 20162017 and 20152016 are shown below:

(Dollars in Thousands) Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
  Average
Balance
  Average
Cost
  Average
Balance
  Average
Cost
 
NOW $1,085,828   0.16% $907,618   0.13%
MMDA  1,435,151   0.34%  1,219,736   0.29%
Savings  266,344   0.07%  239,999   0.07%
Retail CDs < $100,000  431,570   0.45%  484,007   0.50%
Retail CDs > $100,000  451,115   0.75%  387,485   0.71%
Brokered CDs  5,000   0.64%  -   0.00%
Interest-bearing deposits $3,675,008   0.33% $3,238,845   0.31%

 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
 Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Balance
 
Average
Cost
 
Average
Balance
 
Average
Cost
NOW$1,201,151
 0.20% $1,085,828
 0.16%
MMDA1,682,306
 0.55% 1,435,151
 0.34%
Savings278,991
 0.07% 266,344
 0.07%
Retail CDs < $100,000437,641
 0.62% 431,570
 0.45%
Retail CDs > $100,000582,598
 1.01% 451,115
 0.75%
Brokered CDs
 —% 5,000
 0.64%
Interest-bearing deposits$4,182,687
 0.49% $3,675,008
 0.33%
Provision for Loan Losses

The Company’s provision for loan losses during the third quarter of 20162017 amounted to $811,000,$1.8 million, compared with $889,000$2.2 million in the second quarter of 20162017 and $986,000$811,000 in the third quarter of 2015.2016. At September 30, 2016,2017, classified loans still accruing totaled $42.0$45.8 million, compared with $46.7$43.3 million at September 30, 2015.December 31, 2016. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets decreased from 1.23%0.94% at December 31, 2016 to 0.75% at September 30, 2015 to 0.92% at September 30, 2016.2017. Net charge-offs on legacy loans during the third quarter of 20162017 were $371,000,approximately $1.6 million, or 0.05%0.15% of average legacy loans on an annualized basis, compared with $237,000,approximately $371,000, or 0.04%0.05%, in the third quarter of 2015.2016. The Company’s allowance for loan losses allocated to legacy loans at September 30, 20162017 was $19.4$21.2 million, or 0.63%0.46% of legacy loans, decreasing from $22.1compared with $20.5 million, or 0.96%0.56% of legacy loans, at September 30, 2015 due to improved credit quality of the legacy loan portfolio.December 31, 2016. The Company’s total allowance for loan losses at September 30, 20162017 was $23.0$26.0 million, or 0.47%0.44% of total loans, decreasingincreasing from $22.5$23.9 million, or 0.61%0.45% of total loans, at September 30, 2015, due to improved credit quality of the loan portfolio.

65
December 31, 2016.

Noninterest Income

Total non-interest income for the third quarter of 20162017 was $27.0 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 6.5%, from the $28.9 million compared with $25.0 millionreported in the third quarter of 2015.2016.  Service charges on deposit accounts in the third quarter of 2016 increased2017 decreased $823,000, or 7.2%, to $11.4$10.5 million, compared with $10.8$11.4 million in the third quarter of 2015. Stronger growth2016. This decrease in commercial and treasury management accounts contributedservice charge revenue was primarily attributable to the growth in income, as did growth in core deposit accounts that resulted from the Company’s acquisition during the first quarter of 2016.lower overdraft fee income. Income from mortgage-related activities continued to increase,decreased $727,000, or 5.2%, from $10.4 million in the third quarter of 2015, to $14.1 million in the third quarter of 2016 as a resultto $13.3 million in the third quarter of the Company’s increased number of mortgage bankers and higher levels of production.2017. Total production in the third quarter of 20162017 amounted to $410.8$401.7 million, compared with $311.0$410.8 million in the same quarter of 2015,2016, while spreadsspread (gain on sale) increaseddecreased to 3.69%3.30% in the current quarter compared with 3.52%3.69% in the same quarter of 2015.2016. The retail mortgage open pipeline finished the third quarter of 20162017 at $145.4$158.4 million, compared with $162.6$174.3 million at the beginning of the third quarter of 20162017 and $105.3$145.4 million at the end of the third quarter of 2015.2016. Other service charges, commissions and fees decreased $92,000, or 11.6%, to $699,000 during the third quarter of 2017, compared with $791,000 during the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in other service charges, commissions and fees was primarily attributable to lower ATM fees, reflecting the Company's decision to waive ATM fees for customers during Hurricane Irma. Other non-interest income remained stable at $2.6decreased $223,000, or 8.4%, to $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2016,2017, compared with $2.5$2.6 million during the third quarter of 2015.

2016. The decrease in other non-interest income was primarily attributable to lower bank owned life insurance income and lower check order fee income.

Noninterest Expense

Total non-interest expenses for the third quarter of 20162017 increased $10.6 million, or 19.9%, to $53.2$63.8 million, compared with $48.4$53.2 million in the same quarter 2015.2016. Salaries and employee benefits increased from $24.9$4.6 million, in the third quarter of 2015 toor 16.4%, from $28.0 million in the third quarter of 2016. Occupancy and equipment expense remained stable at $6.02016 to $32.6 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared with $5.92017 due to staff additions for the premium finance division, increased staffing related to the Company’s ongoing BSA compliance efforts, higher incentive accruals for production staff, increased commissions in the mortgage and SBA divisions, and staff additions for the equipment finance line of business. Occupancy and


equipment expenses remained stable at $6.0 million for both the third quarter of 2017 and the third quarter of 2016. Tighter controls on expenses held increases in these costs to a minimum. Data processing and telecommunications expense increased $865,000, or 14.0%, to $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2015. Advertising and marketing expense increased to $1.2 million for the third quarter 20162017, compared with $667,000 in the third quarter of 2015. Data processing and telecommunications expense increased to $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2016, compared with $5.3due to an increase in the number of accounts being processed by our core banking system and additional software fees incurred related to the buildout of our BSA compliance program which we expect to stabilize. Credit resolution-related expenses decreased from $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2015. Other noninterest expenses increased from $8.72016 to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 to2017. Other noninterest expenses increased $5.2 million from $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2016.

2016 to $14.5 million in the third quarter of 2017 due primarily to consulting fees related to BSA compliance resolution, management and licensing fees associated with the premium finance division and loan servicing fees associated with consumer installment home improvement loans serviced by an unrelated third party.


Income Taxes

Income tax expense is influenced by the amount of taxable income, the amount of tax-exempt income and the amount of non-deductible expenses. For the third quarter of 2016,2017, the Company reported income tax expense of $10.4$8.1 million, compared with $7.4$10.4 million in the same period of 2015.2016. This increasedecrease in income tax expense is directly correlated to the increasedecrease in pre-tax income for the periods. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ending September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 28.8% and 2015 was 32.5% and 32.0%, respectively.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015

2016

Consolidated Earnings and Profitability
Ameris reported net income available to common shareholders of $53.9$64.4 million, or $1.56$1.74 per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, compared with $26.7$53.9 million, or $0.84$1.56 per diluted share, for the same period in 2015.2016. The Company’s return on average assets and average shareholders’ equity were 1.20% and 11.39%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with 1.19% and 12.01%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. During the first nine months of 2015,ended September 30, 2017, the Company completedincurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $494,000, pre-tax BSA compliance resolution expenses of $4.7 million, pre-tax Hurricane Irma expenses of $410,000, and pre-tax losses on the acquisitionsale of Merchants and completedpremises of $956,000. During the acquisition and data conversion of 18 additional branches in South Georgia and North Florida. The Company recorded approximately $4.0 million of after-tax merger related charges from these acquisitions. Additionally, during the first nine months of 2015,ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded $7.3incurred pre-tax merger and conversion charges of $6.4 million and pre-tax losses on the sale of after-tax OREO write-downs and other credit resolution-related expenses related to an aggressive write-down on remaining non-performing assets.premises of $562,000. Excluding these acquisitionmerger and credit resolution-relatedconversion charges, compliance resolution expenses, Hurricane Irma expenses, and losses on the sale of premises, the Company’s net income would have been $58.1$68.7 million, or $1.68$1.86 per diluted share, and $38.0$58.4 million, or $1.19$1.69 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively.
Below is a reconciliation of adjusted operating net income to net income, as discussed above.

  For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
  For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Net income available to common shareholders $21,557  $15,627  $53,923  $26,699 
                 
Merger and conversion charges  -   446   6,359   6,173 
Non-recurring credit resolution related expenses  -   -   -   11,241 
Tax effect of non-recurring charges  -   (156)  (2,226)  (6,095)
Plus: After tax adjustments  -   290   4,133   11,319 
Operating net income $21,557  $15,917  $58,056  $38,018 

66

The Company’s retail banking activities have had a significant impact on the overall financial results of the Company.

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income available to common shareholders$20,158
 $21,557
 $64,398
 $53,923
Adjustment items: 
  
  
  
Merger and conversion charges92
 
 494
 6,359
Certain compliance resolution expenses4,729
 
 4,729
 
Financial impact of Hurricane Irma410
 
 410
 
Losses on the sale of premises91
 238
 956
 562
Tax effect of management adjusted charges(1,863) (83) (2,306) (2,422)
After tax management-adjusted charges3,459
 155
 4,283
 4,499
Adjusted operating net income$23,617
 $21,712
 $68,681
 $58,422
        
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted37,552,667
 35,194,739
 37,017,486
 34,470,101
Earnings per diluted share$0.54
 $0.61
 $1.74
 $1.56
Adjusted operating net income per diluted share$0.63
 $0.62
 $1.86
 $1.69


Below is additional information regarding the retail banking activities, mortgage banking activities, warehouse lending activities, SBA activities and SBApremium finance activities of the Company during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively:

  Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2016
 
  

Banking
Division  

  

Retail
Mortgage
Division
 

  Warehouse
Lending
Division
  

SBA
Division 

  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $158,682  $9,992  $4,714  $2,721  $176,109 
Interest expense  13,567   -   -   450   14,017 
Net interest income  145,115   9,992   4,714   2,271   162,092 
Provision for loan losses  1,471   540   94   276   2,381 
Noninterest income  39,702   36,126   1,328   4,373   81,529 
Noninterest expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits  55,740   23,591   399   1,970   81,700 
Equipment and occupancy expenses  16,541   1,326   3   190   18,060 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses  17,299   974   71   3   18,347 
Other expenses  39,040   3,392   77   542   43,051 
Total noninterest expense  128,620   29,283   550   2,705   161,158 
Income before income tax expense  54,726   16,295   5,398   3,663   80,082 
Income tax expense  17,285   5,703   1,889   1,282   26,159 
Net income      $37,441  $10,592  $3,509  $2,381  $53,923 

  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
  

Banking
Division  

  

Retail
Mortgage
Division
 

  Warehouse
Lending
Division
  

SBA
Division

  Total 
  (Dollars in Thousands) 
Interest income $126,283  $6,009  $3,142  $2,358  $137,792 
Interest expense  10,594   -   -   279   10,873 
Net interest income $115,689  $6,009  $3,142  $2,079  $126,919 
Provision for loan losses  4,343   368   -   -   4,711 
Noninterest income  31,512   26,532   1,028   4,107   63,179 
Noninterest expense                    
Salaries and employee benefits  48,958   16,257   363   2,453   68,031 
Equipment and occupancy expenses  13,964   1,173   4   137   15,278 
Data processing and telecommunications expenses  12,922   799   75   7   13,803 
Other expenses  45,783   2,744   95   353   48,975 
Total noninterest expense  121,627   20,973   537   2,950   146,087 
Income before income tax expense  21,231   11,200   3,633   3,236   39,300 
Income tax expense  6,277   3,920   1,272   1,133   12,601 
Net income       14,954   7,280   2,361   2,103   26,699 

 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
 Finance
 Division
 Total
Interest income$170,036
 $14,890
 $4,968
 $3,884
 $21,005
 $214,783
Interest expense14,510
 4,179
 1,074
 1,111
 3,307
 24,181
Net interest income155,526
 10,711
 3,894
 2,773
 17,698
 190,602
Provision for loan losses4,510
 617
 159
 98
 444
 5,828
Noninterest income38,974
 35,823
 1,340
 4,663
 94
 80,894
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits58,757
 24,771
 403
 2,339
 3,239
 89,509
Equipment and occupancy expenses16,068
 1,684
 3
 159
 145
 18,059
Data processing and telecommunications expenses18,778
 1,182
 80
 12
 598
 20,650
Other expenses34,355
 3,030
 137
 533
 6,326
 44,381
Total noninterest expense127,958
 30,667
 623
 3,043
 10,308
 172,599
Income before income tax expense62,032
 15,250
 4,452
 4,295
 7,040
 93,069
Income tax expense17,801
 5,337
 1,559
 1,503
 2,471
 28,671
Net income$44,231
 $9,913
 $2,893
 $2,792
 $4,569
 $64,398
 Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Banking
Division
 
Retail
Mortgage
Division
 
Warehouse
Lending
Division
 
SBA
Division
 
Premium
Finance
Division
 Total
Interest income$158,682
 $9,992
 $4,714
 $2,721
 $
 $176,109
Interest expense10,726
 2,383
 458
 450
 
 14,017
Net interest income147,956
 7,609
 4,256
 2,271
 
 162,092
Provision for loan losses1,471
 540
 94
 276
 
 2,381
Noninterest income39,702
 36,126
 1,328
 4,373
 
 81,529
Noninterest expense 
  
  
  
  
  
Salaries and employee benefits55,740
 23,591
 399
 1,970
 
 81,700
Equipment and occupancy expenses16,541
 1,326
 3
 190
 
 18,060
Data processing and telecommunications expenses17,299
 974
 71
 3
 
 18,347
Other expenses39,040
 3,392
 77
 542
 
 43,051
Total noninterest expense128,620
 29,283
 550
 2,705
 
 161,158
Income before income tax expense57,567
 13,912
 4,940
 3,663
 
 80,082
Income tax expense18,278
 4,870
 1,729
 1,282
 
 26,159
Net income$39,289
 $9,042
 $3,211
 $2,381
 $
 $53,923
Interest Income

Interest income, on a tax-equivalent basis, for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 was $178.7$219.7 million, an increase of $39.2$41.0 million, or 22.9%, as compared with $139.6$178.7 million for the same period in 2015.2016. Average earning assets for the nine-month period increased $1.38$1.12 billion, or 20.4%, to $6.61 billion as of September 30, 2017, compared with $5.49 billion as of September 30, 2016, compared with $4.11 billion as of September 30, 2015. The increase in average earning assets is due to organic growth in the loan portfolio, growth in purchased pool loans and acquisition activity during the second quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2016 coupled with continued low rates in the Company’s cost of funds. Yield on average earning assets was 4.35% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared with 4.54% in the first nine months of 2015. The decrease in the yield on average earning assets was primarily attributable to decrease in yields on legacy loans, purchased non-covered loans and purchased loan pools.

67

Interest Expense

Total interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 amounted to $14.0 million, reflecting a $3.1 million increase from the $10.9 million expense recorded in the same period of 2015. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, the Company’s funding costs improved slightly to 0.35% from 0.36% reported in 2015. Deposit costs decreased slightly to 0.23% during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, compared with 0.24% during the same period in 2015. Total non-deposit funding costs decreased to 2.36% during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, compared with 3.04% during the first nine months of 2015. The decrease in non-deposit funding costs was driven primarily by an increased utilization of low rate short-term FHLB advances.

Net Interest Income

The following tables set forth the amount of the Company’s interest income or interest expense for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the average interest rate for total interest-earning assets and total interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread and net interest margin on average interest-earning assets. Federally tax-exempt income is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% federal tax rate.

  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2016  2015 
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
  Average
Balance
  Interest
Income/
Expense
  Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
 
    
  ( in Thousands) 
ASSETS                        
Interest-earning assets:                        
Mortgage loans held for sale $96,340  $2,402   3.33% $86,387  $2,426   3.75%
Loans  2,642,498   93,887   4.75   2,097,996   75,305   4.80 
Purchased non-covered loans  1,022,680   47,824   6.25   702,117   34,079   6.49 
Purchased loan pools  629,118   13,220   2.81   116,363   3,146   3.61 
Covered loans  125,141   5,524   5.90   215,631   10,572   6.56 
Investment securities  840,688   15,227   2.42   701,437   13,499   2.57 
Short-term assets  134,060   659   0.66   193,610   556   0.38 
Total interest- earning assets  5,490,525   178,743   4.35   4,113,541   139,583   4.54 
Noninterest-earning assets  539,656           480,714         
Total assets $6,030,181          $4,594,255         
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                        
Interest-bearing liabilities:                        
Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits $2,740,368  $4,922   0.24% $2,029,111  $3,414   0.22%
Time deposits  872,209   3,808   0.58   798,618   3,652   0.61 
Other borrowings  47,809   1,333   3.72   41,582   1,034   3.32 
FHLB advances  126,855   571   0.60   11,289   31   0.37 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase  44,433   77   0.23   47,282   130   0.37 
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures  79,912   3,306   5.53   67,369   2,612   5.18 
Total interest-bearing liabilities  3,911,586   14,017   0.48   2,995,251   10,873   0.49 
Demand deposits  1,490,152           1,097,750         
Other liabilities  28,626           16,041         
Stockholders’ equity  599,817           485,213         
                         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $6,030,181          $4,594,255         
                         
Interest rate spread          3.87%          4.05%
                         
Net interest income     $164,726          $128,710     
                         
Net interest margin          4.01%          4.18%

68

For the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2016, the Company reported $164.7 million of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis, compared with $128.7 million of net interest income for the same period in 2015.  The average balance of earning assets increased 33.5%, from $4.11 billion during the first nine months of 2015 to $5.49 billion during the first nine months of 2016. The increase in average earning assets is due to organic growth in the loan portfolio growth in purchased pool loans andcoupled with acquisition activity during the secondfirst quarter of 20152016. Yield on average earning assets increased to 4.44% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with 4.35% in the first nine months of 2016. The increase in the yield on average earning assets was primarily attributable to the growth in legacy loans.

Interest Expense
Total interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 amounted to $24.2 million, reflecting a $10.2 million increase from the $14.0 million expense recorded in the same period of 2016. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s funding costs increased to 0.51% from 0.35% reported in 2016. Deposit costs increased to 0.32% during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, compared with 0.23% during the same period in 2016. Total non-deposit funding costs decreased to 1.99% during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, compared with 2.36% during the first nine months of 2016. The decrease in non-deposit funding costs was driven primarily by an increased utilization of lower rate short-term FHLB advances.


Net Interest Income
The following table sets forth the average balance, interest income or interest expense, and average yield/rate paid for each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, net interest spread, and net interest margin on average interest-earning assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Federally tax-exempt income is presented on a taxable-equivalent basis assuming a 35% federal tax rate.
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 2017 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
Income/
Expense
 
Average
Yield/
Rate Paid
Assets 
  
    
  
  
Interest-earning assets: 
  
    
  
  
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks$126,014
 $1,070
 1.14% $134,060
 $659
 0.66%
Investment securities864,684
 16,917
 2.62% 840,688
 15,227
 2.42%
Loans held for sale105,296
 2,842
 3.61% 96,340
 2,402
 3.33%
Loans4,018,597
 143,806
 4.78% 2,642,498
 93,887
 4.75%
Purchased loans982,033
 43,986
 5.99% 1,147,821
 53,348
 6.21%
Purchased loan pools513,750
 11,109
 2.89% 629,118
 13,220
 2.81%
Total interest-earning assets6,610,374
 219,730
 4.44% 5,490,525
 178,743
 4.35%
Noninterest-earning assets569,956
  
   539,656
  
  
Total assets$7,180,330
  
   $6,030,181
  
  
            
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity 
  
    
  
  
Interest-bearing liabilities: 
  
    
  
  
Savings and interest-bearing demand deposits$3,048,284
 $7,614
 0.33% $2,740,368
 $4,922
 0.24%
Time deposits994,770
 5,865
 0.79% 872,209
 3,808
 0.58%
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase29,612
 44
 0.20% 44,433
 77
 0.23%
FHLB advances539,496
 3,994
 0.99% 126,855
 571
 0.60%
Other borrowings66,420
 2,900
 5.84% 47,809
 1,333
 3.72%
Subordinated deferrable interest debentures84,712
 3,764
 5.94% 79,912
 3,306
 5.53%
Total interest-bearing liabilities4,763,294
 24,181
 0.68% 3,911,586
 14,017
 0.48%
Demand deposits1,624,837
  
   1,490,152
  
  
Other liabilities36,046
  
   28,626
  
  
Shareholders’ equity756,153
  
   599,817
  
  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$7,180,330
  
   $6,030,181
  
  
Interest rate spread 
  
 3.76%  
  
 3.87%
Net interest income 
 $195,549
    
 $164,726
  
Net interest margin 
  
 3.96%  
  
 4.01%
For the year-to-date period ending September 30, 2017, the Company reported $195.5 million of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis, an increase of $30.8 million, or 18.7%, compared with $164.7 million of net interest income for the same period in 2016.  The average balance of earning assets increased $1.12 billion, or 20.4%, from $5.49 billion during the first nine months of 2016 to $6.61 billion during the first nine months of 2017. The increase in average earning assets is due to organic growth in the loan portfolio coupled with acquisition activity during the first quarter of 2016. The Company’s net interest margin decreased to 4.01%3.96% in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2016,2017, compared with 4.18%4.01% in the same period in 2015.2016. The decrease in the net interest margin was primarily attributable to a decreasethe increase in yield on earning assets.

interest-bearing liabilities.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses decreasedincreased to $2.4$5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2017, compared with $4.7$2.4 million in the same period in 2015. Non-performing assets (excluding covered assets) totaled $59.9 million at September 30, 2016, compared with $64.2 million at September 30, 2015.2016. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, the Company had legacy net charge-offs totaling $1.9$3.9 million, compared with $2.6$1.9 million for the same period in 2015.2016. Annualized legacy net charge-offs as a percentage of average legacy loans decreasedincreased to 0.13% during the first nine months of 2017, compared with 0.10% during the first nine months of 2016,2016. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company had total loan net charge-offs totaling $3.8 million, compared with 0.17%$480,000 for the same period in 2016. Annualized total loan net charge-offs as a percentage of average total loans increased to 0.09% during the first nine months of 2015.

2017, compared with 0.01% during the first nine months of 2016. Non-performing assets declined to $57.6 million at September 30, 2017, compared with $66.6 million at September 30, 2016.




Noninterest Income

Non-interest income for the first nine months of 2016 was $81.52017 decreased $635,000, or 0.8%, to $80.9 million, compared with $63.2$81.5 million in the same period in 2015.2016. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $7.4 million toremained stable at $31.7 million infor both the first nine months of 2016, compared with $24.3 million in the same period in 2015.  Stronger growth in commercial and treasury management accounts contributed to the growth in income, as did growth in core deposit accounts that resulted from the Company’s acquisitions during the second quarter of 20152017 and the first quarternine months of 2016.  However, service charge revenues on both commercial and consumer accounts increased, while overdraft fee income declined. Income from mortgage banking activity increased slightly from $28.2 million in the first nine months of 2015 to $38.4 million in the first nine months of 2016 to $38.5 million in the first nine months of 2017, due to an increased number of mortgage bankers and higher levels of production. Other non-interest income increased from $7.8service charges, commissions and fees decreased $732,000, or 25.5%, to $2.1 million duringin the first nine months of 20152017, compared with $2.9 million in the first nine months of 2016. The decrease in other service charges, commissions and fees was primarily attributable to lower ATM fees and lower brokerage income. Other non-interest income increased slightly from $8.4 million during the first nine months of 2016.

2016 to $8.5 million during the first nine months of 2017.

Noninterest Expense

Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 20162017 increased $11.4 million, or 7.1%, to $161.2$172.6 million, compared with $146.1$161.2 million in the same period in 2015. Increases in noninterest expenses were driven primarily by the second quarter 2015 acquisitions of Merchants and 18 branches from Bank of America and the first quarter 2016 acquisition of JAXB.2016. Salaries and benefits for the first nine months of 2017 increased $13.7$7.8 million as compared with the first nine months of 2015.2016 due to staff additions for the premium finance division, increased staffing related to the Company’s ongoing BSA compliance efforts, staff additions for the equipment finance line of business, and the acquisition of Jacksonville Bancorp, Inc. (“JAXB”) during the first quarter of 2016. Occupancy and equipment expenses remained stable at $18.1 million for both the first nine months of 2016 amounted to $18.1 million, representing an increase2017 and the first nine months of $2.8 million from the same period in 2015.2016. Data processing and telecommunications expenses increased from $13.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 to $18.3 million in the first nine months of 2016.2016 to $20.7 million in the first nine months of 2017. Credit resolution-related expenses, including problem loan and OREO expense and OREO write-downs and losses, decreased to $2.9 million for the first nine months of 2017, compared with $5.1 million in the first nine months of 2016. Advertising and marketing expenses increased from $2.9 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared with $15.5to $3.6 million infor the first nine months of 2015. Credit resolution-related expenses were high in2017. Amortization of intangible assets for the second quarterfirst nine months of 2015 due to an aggressive write-down on remaining non-performing assets.2017 decreased $342,000 as compared with the first nine months of 2016. Merger and conversion charges were $6.4 million$494,000 and $6.2$6.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015,2016, respectively, reflecting the second quarter 2015 acquisitions of Merchants and 18 branches from Bank of America and the first quarter 2016 acquisition of JAXB. Other noninterest expense increased $2.8$9.0 million for the first nine months of 20162017 as compared with the first nine months of 2015.

2016 due primarily to consulting fees related to BSA compliance resolution, management and licensing fees associated with the premium finance division, and loan servicing fees associated with consumer installment home improvement loans serviced by an unrelated third party.

Income Taxes

In the first nine months of 2016,2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $26.2$28.7 million, compared with $12.6$26.2 million in the same period of 2015.2016. This increase in income tax expense is directly correlated to the increase in pre-tax income for the periods. The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 30.8% and 2015 was 32.7% and 32.1%, respectively.


Financial Condition as of September 30, 2016

2017

Securities

Debt securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as available for sale and recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of the related deferred tax effect. Equity securities, including restricted equity securities, are classified as other investment securities and are recorded at the lower of cost or market value.

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

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In determining whether other-than-temporary impairment losses exist, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.


Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Substantially all of the unrealized losses on debt securities are related to


changes in interest rates and do not affect the expected cash flows of the issuer or underlying collateral. All unrealized losses are considered temporary because each security carries an acceptable investment grade and the Company does not intend to sell these investment securities at an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2016,2017, and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity. Therefore, at September 30, 2016,2017, these investments are not considered impaired on an other-than temporary basis.

The following table illustrates certain information regarding the Company’s investment portfolio with respect to yields, sensitivities and expected cash flows over the next twelve months assuming constant prepayments and maturities:

  Amortized
Cost
  Fair Value  Yield  Modified
Duration
  

Estimated

Cash
Flows
12 months

 
  Dollars in Thousands 
September 30, 2016:                    
U.S. government agencies $999  $1,028   3.20%  1.16  $- 
State, county and municipal securities  150,083   155,994   4.12%  5.69   6,685 
Corporate debt securities  28,924   29,098   2.89%  4.56   2,500 
Mortgage-backed securities  641,404   652,004   2.20%  3.59   129,028 
Total debt securities $821,410  $838,124   2.57%  4.01  $138,213 
                     
September 30, 2015:                    
U.S. government agencies $14,957  $14,968   1.85%  4.26  $5,027 
State, county and municipal securities  161,509   164,865   3.38%  4.13   10,110 
Corporate debt securities  5,901   6,032   4.97%  7.63   500 
Mortgage-backed securities  622,313   625,520   2.39%  4.08   104,272 
Total debt securities $804,680  $811,385   2.59%  4.12  $119,909 

(dollars in thousands)Amortized Cost 
Fair
Value
 
Book
Yield
 
Modified
Duration
 
Estimated
Cash
Flows
12 Months
September 30, 2017         
U.S. government sponsored agencies$1,000
 $1,004
 3.20% 0.19 $1,000
State, county and municipal securities140,190
 143,387
 4.06% 4.82 14,048
Corporate debt securities46,704
 47,249
 4.00% 5.34 3,000
Mortgage-backed securities626,927
 627,953
 2.34% 3.91 102,846
Total debt securities$814,821
 $819,593
 2.73% 4.14 $120,894
          
December 31, 2016 
  
      
U.S. government sponsored agencies$999
 $1,020
 3.20% 0.92 $1,000
State, county and municipal securities149,899
 152,035
 3.73% 5.34 7,884
Corporate debt securities32,375
 32,172
 2.94% 4.87 2,000
Mortgage-backed securities641,362
 637,508
 2.38% 4.33 94,081
Total debt securities$824,635
 $822,735
 2.65% 4.53 $104,965
Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

At September 30, 2016,2017, gross loans outstanding (including purchased non-covered loans, purchased loan pools, covered loans and mortgage loans held for sale) were $4.97$6.09 billion, an increase from $4.02$5.37 billion reported at December 31, 2015 and $3.77 billion reported at September 30, 2015. Mortgage loans2016. Loans held for sale increased from $111.2$105.9 million at December 31, 20152016 to $126.3$137.4 million at September 30, 2016.2017. Legacy loans (excluding purchased non-covered,loans and purchased non-covered loan pools and covered loans)pools) increased $684.2$947.9 million, from $2.41$3.63 billion at December 31, 20152016 to $3.09$4.57 billion at September 30, 2016, which was2017, driven primarily driven by increasesincreased growth in municipalcommercial, financial and agricultural, construction and development, residential real estate, and commercial real estate loan categories. Purchased loans and residential mortgages. Purchased non-covered loans increased $295.5decreased $152.1 million, from $771.6$1.07 billion at December 31, 2016 to $917.1 million at September 30, 2017, due to paydowns of $155.0 million, transfers to other real estate owned of $4.3 million and charge-offs of $1.8 million, partially offset by accretion of $9.0 million. Purchased loan pools decreased $103.1 million, from $568.3 million at December 31, 20152016 to $1.07 billion at September 30, 2016, primarily as a result of the JAXB acquisition. Purchased non-covered loan pools increased $31.9 million, from $593.0 million at December 31, 2015 to $624.9$465.2 million at September 30, 20162017 due to payments on the purchaseportfolio of additional loan pools$95.5 million and premium amortization of $151.5$2.9 million during the first nine months of 2016, offset by payments on the portfolio of $115.4 million and premium amortization of $4.2 million. Covered loans decreased $75.2 million, from $137.5 million at December 31, 2015 to $62.3 million at September 30, 2016. The decrease in covered loans reflects a transfer of $45.9 million in loans from covered loans to purchased non-covered loans due to expiration of the loss sharing portion of certain agreements.

2017.

The Company regularly monitors the composition of the loan portfolio to evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses in light of the impact that changes in the economic environment may have on the loan portfolio. The Company focuses on the following loan categories: (1) commercial, financial and agricultural; (2) residentialconstruction and development related real estate; (3) commercial and farmland real estate; (4) construction and development relatedresidential real estate; and (5) consumer. The Company’s management has strategically located its branches in select markets in southSouth and southeastSoutheast Georgia, northNorth Florida, southeastSoutheast Alabama and throughout South Carolina to take advantage of the growth in these areas.

70

The Company’s risk management processes include a loan review program designed to evaluate the credit risk in the loan portfolio and ensure credit grade accuracy. Through the loan review process, the Company conducts (1) a loan portfolio summary analysis, (2) charge-off and recovery analysis, (3) trends in accruing problem loan analysis, and (4) problem and past-due loan analysis. This analysis process serves as a tool to assist management in assessing the overall quality of the loan portfolio and the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Loans classified as “substandard” are loans which are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged. These assets exhibit a well-defined weakness or are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These weaknesses may be characterized by past due performance, operating losses and/or questionable collateral values. Loans classified as “doubtful” are those loans that have characteristics similar to substandard loans but have an increased risk of loss. Loans classified as “loss” are those loans which are considered uncollectible and are in the process of being charged-off.

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. The provision for loan losses is based on management’s evaluation of the size and composition of the loan portfolio, the level of non-performing and past-due loans, historical trends of charged-off loans and recoveries, prevailing economic conditions and other


factors management deems appropriate. The Company’s management has established an allowance for loan losses which it believes is adequate for the probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio. Based on a credit evaluation of the loan portfolio, management presents a monthly review of the allowance for loan losses to the Company’s Board of Directors, which primarily focuses on risk by evaluating individual loans in certain risk categories. These categories have also been established by management and take the form of loan grades. By grading the loan portfolio in this manner the Company’s management is able to effectively evaluate the portfolio by risk, which management believes is the most effective way to analyze the loan portfolio and thus analyze the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

The allowance for loan losses is established by examining (1) the large classified loans, nonaccrual loans and loans considered impaired and evaluating them individually to determine the specific reserve allocation and (2) the remainder of the loan portfolio to allocate a portion of the allowance based on past loss experience and the economic conditions for the particular loan category. The Company also considers other factors such as changes in lending policies and procedures; changes in national, regional and/or local economic and business conditions; changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio; changes in the experience, ability and depth of either the market president or lending staff; changes in the volume and severity of past-due and classified loans; changes in the quality of the Company’s corporate loan review system; and other factors management deems appropriate.

At the end of the third quarter of 2016,2017, the allowance for loan losses allocated to legacy loans totaled $19.4$21.2 million, or 0.63%0.46% of legacy loans, compared with $20.5 million, or 0.85%0.56% of legacy loans, at December 31, 2015 and $22.1 million, or 0.96% of legacy loans, at September 30, 2015.2016. The decrease in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of legacy loans reflects improvement in the change in credit risk of our portfolio, both from the mix of loan and collateral types as well asand the overall improvement in credit quality of the loan portfolio. Our legacy nonaccrual loans declineddecreased from $20.6$18.1 million at December 31, 2016 to $15.3 million at September 30, 2015 to $16.6 million at September 30, 2016.2017. For the first nine months of 2016,2017, our legacy net charge off ratio as a percentage of average legacy loans decreasedincreased to 0.10%0.13%, compared with 0.17%0.10% for the first nine months of 2015. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded legacy net charge-offs totaling $1.9 million, compared with $2.6 million for the period ended September 30, 2015.2016. The total provision for loan losses for the first nine months ended September 30, 2016 decreasedof 2017 increased to $2.4$5.8 million, compared with $4.7$2.4 million duringfor the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015.first nine months of 2016. Our ratio of total nonperforming assets to total assets decreased from 1.23%0.94% at December 31, 2016 to 0.75% at September 30, 2015 to 0.92% at September 30, 2016.

2017.

The balance of the allowance for loan losses allocated to loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased 2.1%11.8%, or $362,000,$2.1 million, during the first nine months of 2016,2017, while the balance of loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased 25.2%14.3%, or $932.9$723.9 million, during the same period. A significant portion of the loan growth was concentrated in lower risk categories such as commercial premium finance loans and municipal lending andloans which did not require as large of an allowance for loan losses as other categories of loans. Purchased non-covered loans, including purchased loan pools, accounted for 29% of the increase in loans and these loans generally require an initial allowance for loan loss that is less than the allowance required on legacy loans due to seasoning and loan to value characteristics of the portfolio. In addition to the change of type of loan growth, we also experienced a decline in our historical loss rates onacross nearly all loan portfolios. We consider a four year loss rate on all loan categories and our charge off ratio hasratios have been steadily declining over that period. We have adjusted the qualitative factors to account for the inherent risks in the portfolio that are not captured in the historical loss rates, such as weak commodity prices for agriculture products, growth rates of certain loan types and other factors management deems appropriate. As a percentage of all loans collectively evaluated for impairment, the allowance allocated to those loans decreased 9declined 1 basis points,point from 0.46%0.35% at December 31, 20152016 to 0.37%0.34% at September 30, 2016.2017. The largest decrease was in the real estatelegacy construction and development real estate category, which decreased from 1.75%0.75% at December 31, 20152016 to 0.80%0.58% at September 30, 2016.2017. The reason for this decline is the positive trend in net losses within that category.

71

The balance of the allowance for loan losses allocated to loans individually evaluated for impairment increased 37.3%decreased slightly by 0.2%, or $1.5 million,$12,000, during the first nine months of 2016,2017, while the balance of loans individually evaluated for impairment decreased 12.9%7.4%, or $8.9$4.5 million, during the same period. The majority of this increase inAlthough the total allowance for loan losses allocated to loans individually evaluated for impairment is attributablechanged by only $12,000 from December 31, 2016 to purchased non-covered loans and covered loans. At September 30, 2016, we had $1.32017, the amount allocated for the legacy residential real estate category declined by $1.8 million, while the amount allocated tofor purchased non-covered loans including loan pools and $236,000 allocated to covered loans. We did not have any allowance allocated to purchased non-covered loans, including loan pools, and covered loans at December 31, 2015.

increased by $1.6 million.



The following tables present an analysis of the allowance for loan losses as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 20162017 and 2015:

   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
(Dollars in Thousands) 2016  2015 
Balance of allowance for loan losses at beginning of period $21,062  $21,157 
Provision charged to operating expense  2,381   4,711 
Charge-offs:        
   Commercial, financial and agricultural  1,273   937 
   Real estate – residential  883   966 
   Real estate – commercial and farmland  708   1,358 
   Real estate – construction and development  324   465 
   Consumer installment and Other  192   300 
   Purchased non-covered loans, including pools  826   772 
   Covered loans  435   1,661 
         
Total charge-offs  4,641   6,459 
         
Recoveries:        
   Commercial, financial and agricultural  279   517 
   Real estate – residential  368   138 
   Real estate – commercial and farmland  191   304 
   Real estate – construction and development  474   314 
   Consumer installment and Other  119   117 
   Purchased non-covered loans, including pools  1,265   955 
   Covered loans  1,465   717 
         
Total recoveries  4,161   3,062 
         
Net charge-offs  480   3,397 
         
Balance of allowance for loan losses at end of period $22,963  $22,471 

  As of and for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
(Dollars in Thousands) Legacy
loans
  Purchased 
non-covered
 loans,
including
 pools
  Covered
loans
  Total 
Allowance for loan losses at end of period $19,433  $3,294  $236  $22,963 
Net charge-offs (recoveries) for the period  1,949   (439)  (1,030)  480 
Loan balances:                
   End of period  3,091,039   1,691,976   62,291   4,845,306 
   Average for the period  2,642,498   1,651,798   125,141   4,419,437 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans  0.10%  (0.04)% (1.10)%  0.01%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of end of period loans  0.63%  0.19%  0.38%  0.47%

  As of and for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015
 
(Dollars in Thousands) Legacy
loans
  Purchased  
   non-covered
loans,
including
pools
  Covered
loans
  Total 
Allowance for loan losses at end of period $22,069  $402  $-  $22,471 
Net charge-offs (recoveries) for the period  2,636   (183)  944   3,397 
Loan balances:                
   End of period  2,290,649   1,177,566   191,021   3,659,236 
   Average for the period  2,097,996   818,480   215,631   3,132,107 
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans  0.17%  (0.03)%  0.59%  0.15%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of end of period loans  0.96%  0.03%  0.00%  0.61%

72
2016:

 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(dollars in thousands)2017 2016
Balance of allowance for loan losses at beginning of period$23,920
 $21,062
Provision charged to operating expense5,828
 2,381
Charge-offs: 
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural1,896
 1,273
Real estate – construction and development95
 324
Real estate – commercial and farmland413
 708
Real estate – residential2,031
 883
Consumer installment and Other922
 192
Purchased loans1,472
 1,261
Purchased loan pools
 
Total charge-offs6,829
 4,641
Recoveries: 
  
Commercial, financial and agricultural699
 279
Real estate – construction and development244
 474
Real estate – commercial and farmland156
 191
Real estate – residential190
 368
Consumer installment and Other78
 119
Purchased loans1,680
 2,730
Purchased loan pools
 
Total recoveries3,047
 4,161
Net charge-offs3,782
 480
Balance of allowance for loan losses at end of period$25,966
 $22,963
 As of and for the
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)
Legacy
Loans
 
Purchased
Loans
 
Purchased
Loan
Pools
 Total
Allowance for loan losses at end of period$21,227
 $3,262
 $1,477
 $25,966
Net charge-offs (recoveries) for the period3,990
 (208) 
 3,782
Loan balances: 
  
  
  
End of period4,574,678
 917,126
 465,218
 5,957,022
Average for the period4,018,597
 982,033
 513,750
 5,514,380
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans0.13% (0.03)% 0.00% 0.09%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of end of period loans0.46% 0.36 % 0.32% 0.44%
 As of and for the
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
(dollars in thousands)
Legacy
Loans
 
Purchased
Loans
 
Purchased
Loan
Pools 
 Total
Allowance for loan losses at end of period$19,433
 $1,522
 $2,008
 $22,963
Net charge-offs (recoveries) for the period1,949
 (1,469) 
 480
Loan balances: 
  
  
  
End of period3,091,039
 1,129,381
 624,886
 4,845,306
Average for the period2,642,498
 1,147,821
 629,118
 4,419,437
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans0.10% (0.17)% 0.00% 0.01%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of end of period loans0.63% 0.13 % 0.32% 0.47%



Purchased Non-Covered Assets

Loans that were acquired in transactions, andincluding those that are not covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC (“purchased non-covered loans”), totaled $917.1 million and $1.07 billion $771.6 million and $767.5 million at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively. OREO that was acquired in transactions, andincluding OREO that is not covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC, totaled $14.1 million, $14.3$9.9 million and $11.5$12.5 million, at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively. Purchased non-covered assets include assets that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions, but are no longer covered by the loss sharing portion of the agreements.

The Bank initially recorded thepurchased loans at their fair values, taking into consideration certain credit quality, risk and liquidity marks. The Company believes its estimation of credit risk and its adjustments to the carrying balances of the acquired loans are adequate. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has deteriorated from its initial assessment of fair value, a reserve for loan losses will be established to account for that difference. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a net provision for loan loss credit of $439,000, $237,000 and $183,000, respectively, due to recoveries received on previously charged off purchased non-covered loans. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has improved from its initial assessment of fair value, then the increase in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date is recognized as interest income prospectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded for purchased loans a provision for loan loss of $745,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded for purchased loans a reduction in provision for loan loss of $654,000 due to recoveries exceeding charge-offs for purchased loans.

Purchased non-covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
 

September 30,
2016

 
  

December 31,
2015

 
  

September 30,
2015

 
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $99,596  $45,462  $42,350 
Real estate – construction and development  86,099   72,080   71,109 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  590,388   390,755   385,032 
Real estate – residential  286,169   258,153   263,312 
Consumer installment  4,838   5,104   5,691 
  $1,067,090  $771,554  $767,494 

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31, 2016
Commercial, financial and agricultural$80,895
 $96,537
Real estate – construction and development68,583
 81,368
Real estate – commercial and farmland500,169
 576,355
Real estate – residential264,312
 310,277
Consumer installment3,167
 4,654
 $917,126
 $1,069,191
Purchased Loan Pools

Purchased loan pools are defined as groups of residential mortgage loans that were not acquired in bank acquisitions or FDIC-assisted transactions. As of September 30, 2016,2017, purchased loan pools totaled $624.9$465.2 million and consisted of whole-loan, adjustable rate residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $614.4$459.1 million and $10.5$6.1 million of remaining purchase premium paid at acquisition. As of December 31, 2015,2016, purchased loan pools totaled $593.0$568.3 million and consisted of whole-loan, adjustable rate residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $580.7$559.4 million and $12.3$8.9 million of purchase premium paid at acquisition. As of September 30, 2015, purchased loan pools totaled $410.1 million and consisted of whole-loan, adjustable rate residential mortgages on properties outside the Company’s markets, with principal balances totaling $402.1 million and $8.0 million ofremaining purchase premium paid at acquisition. The Company has allocated approximately $2.0$1.5 million $581,000 and $402,000$1.8 million of the allowance for loan losses to the purchased loan pools at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 31, 2015,2016, respectively.

Assets Covered by Loss-Sharing Agreements with the FDIC

Loans that were acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions that are covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC (“covered loans”) totaled $62.3 million, $137.5 million and $191.0 million at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively. OREO that is covered by the loss-sharing agreements with the FDIC totaled $1.0 million, $5.0 million and $12.2 million at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively. The loss-sharing agreements are subject to the servicing procedures as specified in the agreements with the FDIC. The expected reimbursements under the loss-sharing agreements were recorded as an indemnification asset at their estimated fair value on the acquisition dates. At September 30, 2016 the FDIC loss-share payable amounted to $7.8 million which includes the clawback liability the Bank expects to pay to the FDIC. At December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015 the FDIC loss-share receivable was $6.3 million and $4.5 million, respectively, which is net of the clawback liability the Bank expects to pay to the FDIC.

73

The Bank initially recorded the loans at their fair values, taking into consideration certain credit quality, risk and liquidity marks. The Company believes its estimation of credit risk and its adjustments to the carrying balances of the acquired loans are adequate. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has deteriorated from its initial assessment of fair value, a reserve for loan losses will be established to account for that difference. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded provision for loan loss credit of $1.0 million, net of the FDIC loss-share coverage, due to recoveries on previously charged off covered loans. During the year ended December 31, 2015 and the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded provision for loan loss expense of $751,000 and $944,000, respectively, net of the FDIC loss-share receivable, to account for losses where there was a decrease in cash flows from the initial estimates on loans acquired in FDIC-assisted transactions. If the Company determines that a loan or group of loans has improved from its initial assessment of fair value, then the increase in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date is recognized as interest income prospectively over the remaining life of the loan, with an associated write off of the remaining indemnification asset over the shorter of the life of the loan or the loss-share agreement.

Covered loans are shown below according to loan type as of the end of the periods shown:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Commercial, financial and agricultural $830  $5,546  $13,349 
Real estate – construction and development  3,220   7,612   14,266 
Real estate – commercial and farmland  13,688   71,226   103,399 
Real estate – residential  44,457   53,038   59,835 
Consumer installment  96   107   172 
  $62,291  $137,529  $191,021 

Non-Performing Assets


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

Nonaccrual loans, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, totaled $16.6$15.3 million at September 30, 2016,2017, a 19.4% decrease of 15.4% from $20.6$18.1 million reported at the end of the third quarter of 2015.December 31, 2016. Nonaccrual purchased non-covered loans totaled $18.0$19.0 million at September 30, 2016,2017, a decrease of 17.1%, compared with $11.4$23.0 million at December 31, 2016. At September 30, 2017, OREO, excluding purchased OREO, totaled $9.4 million, compared with $10.9 million at December 31, 2016. Purchased OREO totaled $9.9 million at September 30, 2015. At September 30, 2016, OREO (excluding purchased non-covered and covered OREO) totaled $10.4 million,2017, compared with $16.1$12.5 million at December 31, 2015 and $20.7 million at September 30, 2015. Purchased non-covered OREO totaled $14.1 million at September 30, 2016, compared with $11.5 million at September 30, 2015.2016. Management regularly assesses the valuation of OREO through periodic reappraisal and through inquiries received in the marketing process.  At the end of the third quarter of 2016,2017, total non-performing assets decreased to 0.92%0.75% of total assets, compared with 1.09%0.94% at December 31, 2015 and 1.23%2016.


Non-performing assets at September 30, 2015.

Non-performing assets (excluding covered assets) at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 20152016 were as follows:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Total nonaccrual loans (excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans) $16,570  $16,860  $20,558 
Nonaccrual purchased non-covered loans  17,993   13,330   11,374 
Nonaccrual purchased loan pools  864   -   - 
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more  -   -   - 
Foreclosed assets (excluding purchased assets)  10,392   16,147   20,730 
Purchased, non-covered other real estate owned  14,126   14,333   11,538 
Total non-performing assets, excluding covered assets $59,945  $60,670  $64,200 

74

(dollars in thousands)September 30,
2017
 December 31, 2016
Nonaccrual loans, excluding purchased loans$15,325
 $18,114
Nonaccrual purchased loans19,049
 22,966
Nonaccrual purchased loan pools915
 
Accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more, excluding purchased loans2,941
 
Accruing purchased loans delinquent 90 days or more
 
Foreclosed assets, excluding purchased assets9,391
 10,874
Purchased other real estate owned9,946
 12,540
Total non-performing assets$57,567
 $64,494

Troubled Debt Restructurings

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

As of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had a balance of $17.1 million, $16.4$14.2 million and $13.9$18.2 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  4  $53   14  $112 
Real estate – construction & development  8   691   2   35 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  17   5,535   5   2,015 
Real estate – residential  53   7,713   19   849 
Consumer installment  7   21   29   120 
Total  89  $14,013   69  $3,131 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  4  $240   10  $110 
Real estate – construction & development  11   792   3   63 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  16   5,766   3   596 
Real estate – residential  51   7,574   20   1,123 
Consumer installment  12   46   23   94 
Total  94  $14,418   59  $1,986 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  4  $238   8  $68 
Real estate – construction & development  12   838   2   30 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  15   5,719   4   943 
Real estate – residential  51   5,209   16   759 
Consumer installment  15   71   18   64 
Total  97  $12,075   48  $1,864 

75
2016: 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural4 $44
 13 $129
Real estate – construction and development7 424
 2 34
Real estate – commercial and farmland16 4,769
 5 210
Real estate – residential78 7,209
 16 1,212
Consumer installment4 6
 36 130
Total109 $12,452
 72 $1,715
December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural4 $47
 15 $114
Real estate – construction and development8 686
 2 34
Real estate – commercial and farmland16 4,119
 5 2,970
Real estate – residential82 9,340
 15 739
Consumer installment7 17
 32 130
Total117 $14,209
 69 $3,987



The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) under restructured terms at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured

Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured

Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  11  $86   7  $80 
Real estate – construction & development  9   697   1   29 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  16   6,677   6   873 
Real estate – residential  60   7,654   12   908 
Consumer installment  26   98   10   42 
Total  122  $15,212   36  $1,932 

As of December 31, 2015 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured

Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured

Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  11  $314   3  $37 
Real estate – construction & development  10   771   4   83 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  16   5,739   3   624 
Real estate – residential  49   7,086   22   1,610 
Consumer installment  20   75   15   65 
Total  106  $13,985   47  $2,419 

As of September 30, 2015 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured

Terms

  Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  8  $288   4  $17 
Real estate – construction & development  10   780   4   88 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  14   5,650   5   1,011 
Real estate – residential  46   4,212   21   1,756 
Consumer installment  18   81   15   55 
Total  96  $11,011   49  $2,927 

76
2016:

September 30, 2017
Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural8 $56
 9 $117
Real estate – construction and development6 399
 3 59
Real estate – commercial and farmland17 4,778
 4 201
Real estate – residential80 7,425
 14 996
Consumer installment25 74
 15 62
Total136 $12,732
 45 $1,435
December 31, 2016Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural12 $82
 7 $79
Real estate – construction and development8 686
 2 34
Real estate – commercial and farmland16 4,119
 5 2,970
Real estate – residential84 9,248
 13 831
Consumer installment25 76
 14 71
Total145 $14,211
 41 $3,985
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  9  $1,588   6  $179 
Forgiveness of principal  3   1,318   1   357 
Forbearance of principal  5   2,177   12   357 
Rate reduction only  12   1,591   1   29 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  39   2,652   20   1,657 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  9   3,069   25   182 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  12   1,618   3   366 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal  -   -   1   4 
Total  89  $14,013   69  $3,131 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  10  $1,891   8  $247 
Forgiveness of principal  2   1,241   1   357 
Forbearance of principal  6   2,798   8   158 
Rate reduction only  15   1,869   2   226 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  39   2,504   23   383 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  12   3,316   15   256 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  9   795   2   359 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal  1   4   -   - 
Total  94  $14,418   59  $1,986 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  11  $1,861   7  $319 
Forgiveness of principal  2   891   2   841 
Forbearance of principal  5   101   7   94 
Rate reduction only  16   2,329   1   29 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  40   2,516   21   273 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  13   3,341   9   206 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  9   1,032   1   102 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal  1   4   -   - 
Total  97  $12,075   48  $1,864 

77
2016: 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest12 $2,622
 4 $172
Forgiveness of principal3 1,256
  
Forbearance of principal5 75
 5 644
Rate reduction only13 1,580
 1 29
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest33 2,431
 20 491
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal7 1,465
 35 249
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest36 3,023
 3 119
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal 
 4 11
Total109 $12,452
 72 $1,715
December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest11 $1,685
 5 $146
Forgiveness of principal3 1,303
  
Forbearance of principal8 2,210
 9 315
Rate reduction only12 1,573
 1 29
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest38 2,618
 21 1,647
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal8 1,734
 29 1,506
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest37 3,086
 3 341
Rate reduction, forgiveness of principal 
 1 3
Total117 $14,209
 69 $3,987



The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings, excluding purchased non-covered and covered loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Warehouse  5  $775   -  $- 
Raw land  9   750   2   35 
Apartment  1   1,314   2   191 
Hotel & motel  3   1,586   -   - 
Office  3   482   -   - 
Retail, including strip centers  4   1,318   -   - 
1-4 family residential  53   7,713   21   858 
Church  -   -   3   1,824 
Automobile/equipment/CD  11   75   40   219 
Unsecured  -   -   1   4 
Total  89  $14,013   69  $3,131 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Warehouse  4  $608   1  $198 
Raw land  6   165   3   62 
Apartment  1   1,314   -   - 
Hotel & motel  3   1,882   -   - 
Office  3   499   -   - 
Retail, including strip centers  3   1,335   1   42 
1-4 family residential  58   8,329   22   1,139 
Church  -   -   1   357 
Automobile/equipment/CD  15   61   30   184 
Unsecured  1   225   1   4 
Total  94  $14,418   59  $1,986 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Warehouse  5  $817   -  $- 
Raw land  5   74   2   30 
Agricultural land  1   313   1   59 
Hotel & motel  3   1,922   -   - 
Office  3   504   -   - 
Retail, including strip centers  3   2,164   2   527 
1-4 family residential  58   5,972   19   785 
Church  -   -   1   357 
Automobile/equipment/inventory  18   81   22   101 
Unsecured  1   228   1   5 
Total  97  $12,075   48  $1,864 

78
2016: 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse3 $445
 1 $80
Raw land9 723
 2 34
Hotel and motel3 1,411
  
Office4 667
  
Retail, including strip centers5 2,189
 3 85
1-4 family residential78 7,002
 18 1,259
Automobile/equipment/CD6 13
 47 255
Unsecured1 2
 1 2
Total109 $12,452
 72 $1,715

December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse5 $763
  $
Raw land9 742
 2 34
Apartments 
 3 1,505
Hotel and motel3 1,525
  
Office3 477
  
Retail, including strip centers4 1,298
  
1-4 family residential82 9,340
 17 746
Church 
 2 1,465
Automobile/equipment/CD10 61
 44 233
Unsecured1 3
 1 4
Total117 $14,209
 69 $3,987
As of September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, the Company had a balance of $10.4 million, $10.0$26.0 million and $7.7$28.1 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased non-covered loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $1   1  $16 
Real estate – construction & development  2   529   3   33 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  13   5,840   3   566 
Real estate – residential  16   2,919   5   486 
Consumer installment  1   4   2   1 
Total  33  $9,293   14  $1,102 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $2   2  $21 
Real estate – construction & development  1   363   3   42 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  14   6,214   3   412 
Real estate – residential  13   2,789   4   180 
Consumer installment  2   5   2   3 
Total  31  $9,373   14  $658 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   1  $1 
Real estate – construction & development  1   351   2   30 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  6   4,071   1   36 
Real estate – residential  13   2,761   3   397 
Consumer installment  2   5   2   3 
Total  22  $7,188   9  $467 

79
2016: 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural $
 3 $18
Real estate – construction and development3 1,022
 6 349
Real estate – commercial and farmland15 6,308
 11 3,834
Real estate – residential119 12,875
 25 1,627
Consumer installment 
 2 6
Total137 $20,205
 47 $5,834

December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $1
 4 $91
Real estate – construction and development6 1,358
 3 30
Real estate – commercial and farmland20 8,460
 5 2,402
Real estate – residential123 13,713
 33 2,077
Consumer installment3 11
 1 
Total153 $23,543
 46 $4,600


The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of purchased non-covered loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) under restructured terms at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  2  $17   -  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  4   552   1   10 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  15   6,199   1   206 
Real estate – residential  17   2,804   4   602 
Consumer installment  3   5   -   - 
Total  41  $9,577   6  $818 

As of December 31, 2015 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  3  $23   -  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  2   374   2   30 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  15   6,570   2   57 
Real estate – residential  9   2,086   8   883 
Consumer installment  3   7   1   1 
Total  32  $9,060   13  $971 

As of September 30, 2015 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $1   -  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  3   382   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  7   4,106   -   - 
Real estate – residential  12   2,451   4   707 
Consumer installment  4   8   -   - 
Total  27  $6,948   4  $707 

80
2016: 

September 30, 2017
Loans Currently Paying
 Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural1 $12
 2 $6
Real estate – construction and development8 1,365
 1 6
Real estate – commercial and farmland21 8,197
 5 1,945
Real estate – residential127 13,340
 17 1,162
Consumer installment1 3
 1 3
Total158 $22,917
 26 $3,122

December 31, 2016Loans Currently Paying
Under Restructured Terms
 Loans that have Defaulted Under Restructured Terms
Loan Class# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Commercial, financial and agricultural3 $16
 2 $76
Real estate – construction and development8 1,378
 1 9
Real estate – commercial and farmland25 10,862
  
Real estate – residential126 13,484
 30 2,306
Consumer installment4 11
  
Total166 $25,751
 33 $2,391
The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  5  $1,799   1  $65 
Forbearance of principal  5   1,227   1   206 
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization  1   80   1   331 
Rate reduction only  7   4,037   2   74 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  7   646   7   371 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  4   1,113   2   55 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  4   391   -   - 
Total  33  $9,293   14  $1,102 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  4  $1,465   2  $87 
Forbearance of principal  2   574   -   - 
Payment modification only  2   892   -   - 
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization  1   86   1   355 
Rate reduction only  8   4,054   2   77 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  2   152   -   - 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  8   1,011   8   118 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  4   1,139   1   21 
Total  31  $9,373   14  $658 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  1  $-   1  $67 
Forbearance of principal  2   586   -   - 
Payment modification only  2   835   1   308 
Rate reduction only  6   3,700   1   22 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  6   927   6   70 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  3   988   -   - 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  2   152   -   - 
Total  22  $7,188   9  $467 

81
2016: 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest4 $189
 9 $1,772
Forgiveness of principal 
 1 63
Forbearance of principal6 1,934
 5 1,588
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization2 375
 1 298
Rate reduction only72 11,607
 16 1,465
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest19 1,913
 10 454
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal10 2,211
 5 194
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest24 1,976
  
Total137 $20,205
 47 $5,834
December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Type of Concession# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Forbearance of interest12 $3,553
 4 $207
Forbearance of principal7 2,003
 5 1,528
Forbearance of principal, extended amortization1 78
 1 323
Rate reduction only78 12,710
 13 1,385
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest20 1,387
 19 632
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal11 1,617
 3 231
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest24 2,195
 1 294
Total153 $23,543
 46 $4,600


The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in purchased non-covered loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Warehouse  4  $1,592   -  $- 
Raw land  1   401   4   89 
Hotel & motel  1   155   -   - 
Office  2   509   -   - 
Retail, including strip centers  4   3,326   1   206 
1-4 family residential  19   3,305   6   790 
Automobile/equipment/CD  2   5   3   17 
Total  33  $9,293   14  $1,102 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Warehouse  3  $1,722   -  $- 
Raw land  -   -   4   63 
Hotel & motel  1   158   -   - 
Retail, including strip centers  5   3,421   -   - 
Office  2   530   -   - 
1-4 family residential  17   3,535   6   571 
Automobile/equipment/inventory  3   7   4   24 
Total  31  $9,373   14  $658 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Warehouse  1  $289   -  $- 
Raw land  -   -   2   30 
Office  1   452   -   - 
Retail, including strip centers  4   3,330   -   - 
1-4 family residential  14   3,112   4   433 
Automobile/equipment/inventory  2   5   3   4 
Total  22  $7,188   9  $467 

82
2016: 

September 30, 2017Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse2 $369
  $
Raw land3 1,045
 7 846
Hotel and motel1 151
 1 497
Office2 470
 2 505
Retail, including strip centers8 5,074
 1 169
1-4 family residential121 13,096
 28 2,356
Church 
 2 1,390
Automobile/equipment/CD 
 6 71
Total137 $20,205
 47 $5,834

As of September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, the Company had a balance of $13.9 million, $15.5 million and $20.5 million, respectively, in troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans. The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of covered loans, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   3  $76 
Real estate – construction & development  4   813   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  4   1,801   2   680 
Real estate – residential  88   9,203   27   1,287 
Consumer installment  1   6   -   - 
Total  97  $11,823   32  $2,043 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  -  $-   2  $1 
Real estate – construction & development  4   779   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  4   1,967   3   1,067 
Real estate – residential  97   10,529   26   1,116 
Consumer installment  2   8   -   - 
Total  107  $13,283   31  $2,184 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $2   2  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  3   2,847   3   325 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  9   3,101   8   2,449 
Real estate – residential  96   10,625   17   1,167 
Consumer installment  1   1   -   - 
Total  110  $16,576   30  $3,941 

83

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings by loan class of covered loans, classified separately as those currently paying under restructured terms and those that have defaulted (defined as 30 days past due) under restructured terms at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  1  $-   2  $76 
Real estate – construction & development  4   813   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  6   2,481   -   - 
Real estate – residential  98   9,442   17   1,048 
Consumer installment  1   6   -   - 
Total  110  $12,742   19  $1,124 

As of December 31, 2015 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  2  $-   -  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  4   779   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  5   2,890   2   144 
Real estate – residential  95   9,057   28   2,589 
Consumer installment  2   8   -   - 
Total  108  $12,734   30  $2,733 

As of September 30, 2015 

Loans Currently Paying

Under Restructured Terms

  

Loans that have Defaulted

Under Restructured Terms

 
Loan class: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Commercial, financial & agricultural  3  $3   -  $- 
Real estate – construction & development  6   3,171   -   - 
Real estate – commercial & farmland  14   5,372   3   178 
Real estate – residential  92   9,240   21   2,552 
Consumer installment  1   1   -   - 
Total  116  $17,787   24  $2,730 

84

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans, by types of concessions made, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  5  $1,761   4  $163 
Forbearance of principal  -   -   3   34 
Rate reduction only  73   8,708   8   1,114 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  10   577   15   433 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  7   692   1   2 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  2   85   1   297 
Total  97  $11,823   32  $2,043 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  5  $1,347   4  $88 
Forbearance of principal  -   -   2   4 
Rate reduction only  84   10,270   7   744 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  8   564   16   422 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  7   708   2   926 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  3   394   -   - 
Total  107  $13,283   31  $2,184 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Type of concession: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Forbearance of interest  4  $1,564   9  $1,342 
Forbearance of principal  -   -   3   426 
Rate reduction only  89   13,249   8   803 
Rate reduction, forbearance of interest  10   655   8   320 
Rate reduction, forbearance of principal  4   713   2   1,050 
Rate reduction, forgiveness of interest  3   395   -   - 
Total  110  $16,576   30  $3,941 

85
December 31, 2016Accruing Loans Non-Accruing Loans
Collateral Type# 
Balance
(in thousands)
 # 
Balance
(in thousands)
Warehouse4 $1,532
  $
Raw land7 1,919
 4 86
Hotel and motel1 154
 1 558
Office3 967
  
Retail, including strip centers7 4,489
 1 197
1-4 family residential127 14,470
 33 2,318
Church 
 1 1,298
Automobile/equipment/CD4 12
 6 143
Total153 $23,543
 46 $4,600

The following table presents the amount of troubled debt restructurings included in covered loans, by collateral types, classified separately as accrual and nonaccrual at September 30, 2016, December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015:

As of September 30, 2016 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Raw land  5  $1,347   -  $- 
Hotel & motel  -   -   1   578 
Retail, including strip centers  2   528   -   - 
Office  1   473   -   - 
1-4 family residential  88   9,469   27   1,337 
Automobile/equipment/CD  1   6   4   128 
Total  97  $11,823   32  $2,043 

As of December 31, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Raw land  5  $1,321   -  $- 
Hotel & motel  1   620   1   923 
Retail, including strip centers  2   537   1   6 
1-4 family residential  97   10,742   27   1,255 
Automobile/equipment/inventory  2   63   2   - 
Total  107  $13,283   31  $2,184 

As of September 30, 2015 Accruing Loans  Non-Accruing Loans 
Collateral type: #  

Balance

(in thousands)

  #  

Balance

(in thousands)

 
Warehouse  2  $1,418   -  $- 
Raw land  1   431   4   346 
Agricultural land  -   -   1   512 
Hotel & motel  4   3,199   1   930 
Office  1   90   -   - 
Retail, including strip centers  3   662   1   6 
1-4 family residential  97   10,718   21   2,147 
Automobile/equipment/inventory  2   58   2   - 
Total  110  $16,576   30  $3,941 

86

Commercial Lending Practices


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

The CRE guidance is applicable when either:

(1)total loans for construction, land development, and other land, net of owner occupied loans, represent 100% or more of a bank’s total risk-based capital; or

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


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

As of September 30, 2016,2017, the Company exhibited a concentration in the CRE loan category based on Federal Reserve Call codes. The primary risks of CRE lending are:

(1)within CRE loans, construction and development loans are somewhat dependent upon continued strength in demand for residential real estate, which is reliant on favorable real estate mortgage rates and changing population demographics;

(2)on average, CRE loan sizes are generally larger than non-CRE loan types; and

(3)certain construction and development loans may be less predictable and more difficult to evaluate and monitor.




The following table outlines CRE loan categories and CRE loans as a percentage of total loans as of September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 2015.2016. The loan categories and concentrations below are based on Federal Reserve Call codes and include purchased non-covered and covered loans:

(Dollars in Thousands) September 30, 2016  December 31, 2015 
  Balance  

% of Total

Loans

  Balance  

% of Total

Loans

 
Construction and development loans $417,627   9% $324,385   8%
Multi-family loans  122,850   2%  102,320   3%
Nonfarm non-residential loans  1,778,808   37%  1,464,652   37%
                 
Total CRE Loans  2,319,285   48% $1,891,357   48%
All other loan types  2,526,021   52%  2,017,566   52%
                 
Total Loans $4,845,306   100% $3,908,923   100%

 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
(dollars in thousands)Balance 
% of Total
Loans
 Balance 
% of Total
Loans
Construction and development loans$618,772
 10% $444,412
 8%
Multi-family loans160,577
 3% 130,723
 3%
Nonfarm non-residential loans (excluding owner occupied)1,012,661
 17% 985,496
 19%
Total CRE Loans  (excluding owner occupied)
1,792,010
 30% 1,560,631
 30%
All other loan types4,165,012
 70% 3,703,695
 70%
Total Loans$5,957,022
 100% $5,264,326
 100%
The following table outlines the percentage of total CRE loans, net of owner occupied loans, to the Bank’s total risk-based capital, and the Company’s internal concentration limits as of September 30, 20162017 and December 31, 2015:

  Internal  September 30, 2016  December 31, 2015 
  Limit  Actual  Actual 
Construction and development  100%  65%  63%
Commercial real estate  300%  183%  189%

2016: 

 
Internal
Limit
 Actual
  September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
Construction and development100% 76% 72%
Commercial real estate300% 220% 253%
Short-Term Investments

The Company’s short-term investments are comprised of federal funds sold and interest-bearing balances.deposits in banks. At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company’s short-term investments were $90.8$112.8 million, compared with $272.0 million and $120.9$71.2 million at December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015, respectively.2016. At September 30, 2016, $5.5 million was in2017, the Company did not have any federal funds sold and $85.3all $112.8 million was in interest-bearing deposit balances at correspondent banks and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

87

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company has a cash flow hedge that matures September 15, 2020 with a notional amount of $37.1 million at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 20152016 for the purpose of converting the variable rate on certain junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate of 4.11%. The fair value of this instrument was a liability of approximately $2.0 million, $1.4 million$723,000 and $2.0 million$978,000 at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively.

The Company has fair value hedges with a combined notional amount of $20.4$22.7 million at September 30, 20162017 for the purpose of hedging the change in fair value of certain fixed rate loans. These instruments have maturity dates that range from January 2023 to October 2031 and are indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $204,000 and a liability of approximately $1.0 million$96,000 at September 30, 2017. At December 31, 2016, the Company had fair value hedges with a combined notional amount of $20.2 million. These instruments have maturity dates that range from January 2023 to October 2031 and are indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $229,000 and a liability of approximately $96,000 at December 31, 2016.

The Company also has forward contracts and IRLCs to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $5.1 million, $2.7$3.8 million and $3.5$4.3 million at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively, and a liability of approximately $840,000, $137,000$237,000 and $905,000$0 at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively.

No material hedge ineffectiveness from cash flow or fair value hedges was recognized in the statement of operations. All components of each derivative’s gain or loss are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

Capital

On January 29, 2015,18, 2017, the Company issued 128,572 unregistered shares of its common stock to William J. Villari in exchange for 4.99% of the outstanding shares of common stock of USPF. A registration statement was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2017 to register the resale or other disposition of these shares. The issuance of the 128,572 common shares was valued at $45.45 per share, resulting in an increase in shareholders’ equity of $5.8 million.


On March 6, 2017, the Company completed a private placementan underwritten public offering of 5,320,0002,012,500 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price to the public of $22.50$46.50 per share. The Company received net proceeds from the issuance of approximately $114.5$88.7 million, after deducting placement agent$4.9 million in underwriting discounts and commissions and other issuance costs. The
In March 2017, the Company usedmade a capital contribution to the Bank in the amount of $110.0 million, using the net proceeds to fundof the acquisitionsMarch 6, 2017 issuance of Merchants and eighteen Bankcommon stock as well as a portion of America branches located in North Florida and South Georgia.

the net proceeds of the March 13, 2017 issuance of the Company’s 5.75% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2027.

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

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

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve publishedfinal rules for the adoption of the Basel III regulatory capital framework (the "Basel III Capital Rules"). The Basel III Capital Rules defined a new capital measure called "Common Equity Tier 1" ("CET1"), established that Tier 1 capital consist of Common Equity Tier 1 and "Additional Tier 1 Capital" instruments meeting specified requirements, defined Common Equity Tier 1, established a capital conservation buffer and expanded the scope of the adjustments as compared with existing regulations. The capital conservation buffer is being phased in from 0.0% for 2015 and 0.625% for 2016. It is being increased by 0.625% per year until reaching 2.50% by 2019. The capital conservation buffer is being phased in from 0.0% for 2015 to, 0.625% for 2016, 1.25% for 2017, 1.875% for 2018, and 2.50% for 2019. The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for us on January 1, 2015 with certain transition provisions fully phased in on January 1, 2019.

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

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

b) The “CET1 Ratio” is defined as Common equity tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a CET1 ratio greater than or equal to 4.50% (5.75% including the 1.25% capital conservation buffer for 2017; 5.125% including the 0.625% capital conservation buffer for 2016). For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a CET1 ratio greater than or equal to 6.50%.

c) The “Core“Tier 1 Capital Ratio” is defined as Tier 1 capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a coreTier 1 capital ratio greater than or equal to 6.00% (7.25% including the 1.25% capital conservation buffer for 2017; 6.625% including the 0.625% capital conservation buffer for 2016). For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a coreTier 1 capital ratio greater than or equal to 8.00%.

d) The “Total Capital Ratio” is defined as total capital to total risk weighted assets. To be considered “adequately capitalized” under this measurement, a bank must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 8.00% (9.25% including the 1.25% capital conservation buffer for 2017; 8.625% including the 0.625% capital conservation buffer for 2016). For a bank to be considered “well capitalized,” it must maintain a total capital ratio greater than or equal to 10.00%.

88



As of September 30, 2016,2017, under the regulatory capital standards, the Bank was considered “well capitalized” under all capital measurements. The following table sets forth the regulatory capital ratios of Amerisfor the Company and the Bank at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015.

  September 30,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Leverage Ratio (tier 1 capital to average assets)            
Consolidated  9.09%  8.70%  8.85%
Ameris Bank  9.31   9.32   9.44 
CET1 Ratio (common equity tier 1capital to risk weighted assets)            
Consolidated  9.08   9.54   10.04 
Ameris Bank  10.93   11.74   12.31 
Core Capital Ratio (tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)            
Consolidated  10.67   10.96   11.52 
Ameris Bank  10.93   11.74   12.31 
Total Capital Ratio (total capital to risk weighted assets)            
Consolidated  11.11   11.45   12.09 
Ameris Bank  11.37   12.24   12.89 

2016. 

 September 30,
2017
 December 31, 2016
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio (tier 1 capital to average assets)
   
Consolidated9.94% 8.68%
Ameris Bank10.83% 9.27%
CET1 Ratio (common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)
   
Consolidated10.35% 8.32%
Ameris Bank12.69% 10.35%
Tier 1 Capital Ratio (tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets)
   
Consolidated11.65% 9.69%
Ameris Bank12.69% 10.35%
Total Capital Ratio (total capital to risk weighted assets)
   
Consolidated13.25% 10.11%
Ameris Bank13.10% 10.77%
Interest Rate Sensitivity and Liquidity

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

The ALCO Committee is comprised of senior officers of Ameris and two outside members of the Company’s Board of Directors. The ALCO Committee makes all strategic decisions with respect to the sources and uses of funds that may affect net interest income, including net interest spread and net interest margin. The objective of the ALCO Committee is to identify the interest rate, liquidity and market value risks of the Company’s balance sheet and use reasonable methods approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and executive management to minimize those identified risks.

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

The Company uses a simulation modeling process to measure interest rate risk and evaluate potential strategies. Interest rate scenario models are prepared using software created and licensed from an outside vendor. The Company’s simulation includes all financial assets and liabilities. Simulation results quantify interest rate risk under various interest rate scenarios. Management then develops and implements appropriate strategies. The ALCO Committee has determined that an acceptable level of interest rate risk would be for net interest income to increase/decrease no more than 20% given a change in selected interest rates of 200 basis points over any 24-month period.

Liquidity management involves the matching of the cash flow requirements of customers, who may be either depositors desiring to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs, and the ability of Ameris to manage those requirements. The Company strives to maintain an adequate liquidity position by managing the balances and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities so that the balance it has in short-term investmentsassets at any given time will adequately cover any reasonably anticipated immediate need for funds. Additionally, the Bank maintains relationships with correspondent banks, which could provide funds on short notice, if needed. The Company has invested in FHLB stock for the purpose of establishing credit lines with the FHLB. The credit availability to the Bank is equal to 30% of the Bank’s total assets as reported on the most recent quarterly financial information submitted to the regulators subject to the pledging of sufficient collateral. At September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 20152016, the net carrying value of the Company’s other borrowings was $808.6 million and $492.3 million, respectively. On March 13, 2017, the Company completed the public offering and sale of $75.0 million


in aggregate principal amount of its 5.75% Fixed-To-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2027. These subordinated notes are included in other borrowings at September 30, 2015, there were $373.5 million, $39.0 million and $39.0 million, respectively, outstanding borrowings with2017 at a net carrying value of $73.8 million. See Note 8 for additional details on the Company’s correspondent banks.

89
subordinated notes.

The following liquidity ratios compare certain assets and liabilities to total deposits or total assets:

  

September 30,

2016 

  June 30,
2016
  March 31,
2016
  December 31,
2015
  September 30,
2015
 
Investment securities available for sale to total deposits  15.80%  16.29%  16.00%  16.05%  17.91%
Loans (net of unearned income) to total deposits  91.32%  89.26%  84.98%  80.11%  80.77%
Interest-earning assets to total assets  91.25%  90.62%  89.98%  90.81%  90.17%
Interest-bearing deposits to total deposits  70.54%  70.00%  70.77%  72.74%  71.84%

 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2017 March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016
Investment securities available for sale to total deposits13.90% 14.13% 14.72% 14.76% 15.80%
Loans (net of unearned income) to total deposits101.04% 97.88% 94.31% 94.42% 91.32%
Interest-earning assets to total assets92.48% 92.14% 91.98% 91.32% 91.25%
Interest-bearing deposits to total deposits70.86% 71.12% 70.67% 71.78% 70.54%
The liquidity resources of the Company are monitored continuously by the ALCO Committee and on a periodic basis by state and federal regulatory authorities. As determined under guidelines established by these regulatory authorities, the Company’s and the Bank’s liquidity ratios at September 30, 20162017 were considered satisfactory. The Company is aware of no events or trends likely to result in a material change in liquidity.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

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

At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company had one cash flow hedge with a notional amount of $37.1 million for the purpose of converting the variable rate on certain junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate. The LIBOR rate swap exchanges fixed rate payments of 4.11% for floating rate payments based on the three-month LIBOR rate and matures September 2020. The fair value of this instrument was a liability of approximately $2.0 million, $1.4 million$723,000 and $2.0 million$978,000 at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2015,2016, respectively.

At September 30, 2016,2017, the Company had fair value hedges with a combined notional amount of $20.4$22.7 million for the purpose of hedging the change in fair value of certain fixed rate loans. These instruments have maturity dates that range from January 2023 to October 2031 and are indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $204,000 and a liability of approximately $1.0 million$96,000 at September 30, 2017. At December 31, 2016, the Company had fair value hedges with a combined notional amount of $20.2 million. These instruments have maturity dates that range from January 2023 to October 2031 and are indexed to the one-month LIBOR rate. The fair value of these instruments amounted to an asset of approximately $229,000 and a liability of approximately $96,000 at December 31, 2016.

The Company also had forward contracts and IRLCs to hedge changes in the value of the mortgage inventory due to changes in market interest rates. The fair value of these instruments amounted to a netan asset of approximately $4.2 million, $2.5$3.8 million and $2.6$4.3 million at September 30, 2016,2017 and December 31, 2015,2016, respectively, and a liability of $237,000 and $0 at September 30, 20152017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

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

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

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

basis

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





Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this report, as required by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on such evaluation, such officers have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2016,2017, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

90

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, as a normal incident of the nature and kind of business in which the Company is engaged, various claims or charges are asserted against the Company or the Bank. In the ordinary course of business, the Company and the Bank are also subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries and investigations. Other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business, management believes based on its current knowledge and after consultation with legal counsel that there are no pending or threatened legal proceedings that will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the consolidated results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

The following risk factor is in addition

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015:

Hurricanes or other adverse weather events could disrupt our operations or negatively affect economic conditions in the markets we serve, which could have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Our market areas, located in the southeastern United States, are susceptible to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, other severe weather events and related flooding and wind damage. These natural disasters could negatively impact regional economic conditions, cause a decline in the value of mortgage properties or the destruction of mortgaged properties, cause an increase in the risk of delinquencies, foreclosures or losses on loans originated by us, damage our banking facilities and offices and negatively impact our growth strategy. We cannot predict with certainty whether or to what extent damage that may be caused by severe weather events will affect our operations or assets or the economies in our current or future market areas.

2016.

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

(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

The table below sets forth information regarding the Company’s repurchase of shares of its outstanding common stock during the three-month period ended September 30, 2016.

Period: 

Total

Number of

Shares

Purchased(1)

  

Average Price

Paid Per Share

  

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased as

part of Publicly

Announced

Plans or

Programs

  

Approximate

Dollar Value of

Shares That

May Yet be

Purchased

Under the Plans

or Programs

 
July 1, 2016 through July 31, 2016  481  $29.70   -  $- 
August 1, 2016 through August 31, 2016  -   -   -   - 
September 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016  -   -   -   - 
Total  481  $29.70   -  $- 

(1)The shares purchased from July 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016 consist of shares of common stock surrendered to the Company in payment of the income tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of shares of restricted stock.
None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

91

Item 5. Other Information.

On November 7, 2016, the Bank and Edwin W. Hortman, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, entered into a Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement (the “Retirement Agreement”). The Retirement Agreement provides for the payment of an annual retirement benefit of $250,000 for a period of five years, payable in monthly installments, commencing when Mr. Hortman reaches age 75, provided that he remains employed by the Bank until age 66. The Retirement Agreement provides for a reduced benefit in the event that Mr. Hortman terminates his employment prior to reaching age 66. If the termination is voluntary and without “good reason,” as defined in the Retirement Agreement, then the termination benefit is equal to the liability balance then accrued in the Company’s accounting records for Mr. Hortman, to be paid out in monthly installments ratably over a period of five years commencing at age 75; provided, however, that Mr. Hortman does not become vested in this benefit until after the one-year anniversary of the date of the Retirement Agreement. If the termination of employment is involuntary and without “cause,” as defined in the Retirement Agreement, or is voluntary but with good reason, then the termination benefit is equal to the liability balance then accrued in the Company’s accounting records for Mr. Hortman, to be paid out in monthly installments ratably over a period of five years commencing at age 75, without a time-vesting precondition. If Mr. Hortman is terminated for cause at any time, then all remaining benefits under the Retirement Agreement will be forfeited. The Retirement Agreement also provides that if Mr. Hortman dies prior to reaching age 66, then the annual retirement benefit will be payable in monthly installments to his beneficiary for a period of five years, commencing ten years after Mr. Hortman’s death. In addition, if Mr. Hortman becomes disabled prior to reaching age 66, then he will be entitled to a benefit equal to the liability balance then accrued in the Company’s accounting records for him, to be paid out in monthly installments ratably over a period of five years commencing five years after his disability. The Retirement Agreement further provides that, following a “change in control,” as defined in the Retirement Agreement, Mr. Hortman will be entitled to receive the annual retirement benefit in monthly installments for a period of five years commencing at age 75, without regard to whether he continues to be employed by the Bank until reaching age 66.

Also on November 7, 2016, the Bank and Cindi H. Lewis, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company and the Bank, entered into an amendment to the Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement between the Bank and Ms. Lewis dated as of November 7, 2012 to extend the annual retirement benefit of $100,000 provided under that agreement for an additional five years in all circumstances under which Ms. Lewis or her beneficiary would otherwise be entitled to receive benefit payments.

None.



Item 6. Exhibits.

The exhibits required to be furnished with this report are listed on the exhibit index attached hereto.

SIGNATURE

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


Date: November 9, 2016
AMERIS BANCORP
Exhibit
Number
Description
  
 /s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr. 

Dennis J. Zember Jr.,

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

(duly authorized signatory and principal accounting and financial officer)

92

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit

No.

Description
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-A filed with the CommissionSEC on August 14, 1987).
   
Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 28, 1996).
3.3Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Ameris Bancorp’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Commission on July 17, 1996).
3.4Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on March 25, 1998).
3.5 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the CommissionSEC on March 26, 1999).
   
3.6 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Ameris Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the CommissionSEC on March 31, 2003).
   
3.7 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the CommissionSEC on December 1, 2005).
   
3.8 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the CommissionSEC on November 21, 2008).
   
3.9 Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Ameris Bancorp (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the CommissionSEC on June 1, 2011).
   
3.10 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ameris Bancorp, as amended and restated effective July 18, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ameris Bancorp’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the CommissionSEC on March 14, 2005)July 21, 2017).
   
10.1* Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement bySeverance Protection and between Ameris Bank and Edwin W. Hortman, Jr. dated as of November 7, 2016.
10.2*First Amendment to Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement by and between Ameris Bank and Cindi H. Lewis dated as of November 7, 2016.
10.3*Executive EmploymentRestrictive Covenants Agreement by and among Ameris Bancorp, Ameris Bank and Joseph B. KisselWilliam D. McKendry dated as of July 25, 2016.October 3, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Ameris Bancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 6, 2017).
   
Third Amendment to Loan Agreement dated October 20, 2017 by and between Ameris Bancorp and NexBank SSB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Ameris Bancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 23, 2017).
Third Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note dated as of September 26, 2017 issued by Ameris Bancorp to NexBank SSB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Ameris Bancorp's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 23, 2017).
.
 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
   
 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.
   
 Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
   
 Section 1350 Certification by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.
   
101 The following financial statements from Ameris Bancorp’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016,2017, formatted as interactive data files in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of EarningsIncome and Comprehensive Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’Shareholders’ Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
   
*Management contract or othera compensatory plan or arrangement.




SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 9, 2017AMERIS BANCORP
 93
/s/ Dennis J. Zember Jr.
Dennis J. Zember Jr.,
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
(duly authorized signatory and principal accounting and financial officer)



67