UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018
  
or
  
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number:  0-49677

WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

IOWA42-1230603
(State of Incorporation)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 1601 22nd Street, West Des Moines, Iowa50266 
 (Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code) 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (515) 222-2300

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  x                      No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  x                      No  o

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

Large accelerated filero    
Accelerated filerx    
Non-accelerated filero(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting companyo    
Emerging growth companyo    

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. o



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  o                      No  x


As of OctoberJuly 25, 2017,2018, there were 16,215,67216,295,494 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding.



WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.
INDEX
  Page
PART I. 
   
Item 1.
   
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 20162017
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 20162017
   
 
   
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 20162017
   
 
   
Item 2.
   
 
"Safe Harbor" ConcerningConcerning Forward-Looking Statements
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Item 3.
   
Item 4.
   
PART II. 
   
Item 1.
   
Item 1A.
   
Item 2.
   
Item 3.
   
Item 4.
   
Item 5.
   
Item 6.
   
 
Exhibit Index

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Table of Contents


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary        
Consolidated Balance Sheets        
(unaudited)        
        
(in thousands, except share and per share data) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
ASSETS        
Cash and due from banks $33,560
 $40,943
 $36,964
 $34,952
Federal funds sold 5,937
 35,893
 28,139
 12,997
Cash and cash equivalents 39,497
 76,836
 65,103
 47,949
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value 418,374
 260,637
 526,793
 444,219
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $46,356 and $47,789 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) 45,597
 48,386
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $45,890 at December 31, 2017) 
 45,527
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 12,256
 10,771
 9,202
 9,174
Loans 1,456,905
 1,399,870
 1,534,404
 1,510,500
Allowance for loan losses (16,358) (16,112) (16,518) (16,430)
Loans, net 1,440,547
 1,383,758
 1,517,886
 1,494,070
Premises and equipment, net 23,173
 23,314
 22,053
 23,022
Accrued interest receivable 6,636
 5,321
 7,864
 7,344
Bank-owned life insurance 33,451
 33,111
 33,928
 33,618
Deferred tax assets, net 5,861
 6,957
 5,826
 4,645
Other assets 4,956
 5,113
 8,511
 4,809
Total assets $2,030,348
 $1,854,204
 $2,197,166
 $2,114,377
        
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
LIABILITIES        
Deposits:        
Noninterest-bearing demand $384,625
 $479,311
 $381,281
 $395,888
Interest-bearing demand 328,156
 282,592
 326,567
 395,052
Savings 776,921
 668,688
 1,004,926
 850,216
Time of $250 or more 16,539
 10,446
 29,382
 16,965
Other time 145,025
 105,568
 149,773
 152,692
Total deposits 1,651,266
 1,546,605
 1,891,929
 1,810,813
Federal funds purchased 925
 9,690
 860
 545
Short-term borrowings 48,000
 
Subordinated notes, net 20,408
 20,398
 20,418
 20,412
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net 101,005
 99,886
 77,124
 76,382
Long-term debt, net 24,195
 5,126
Long-term debt 19,611
 22,917
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 6,462
 7,123
 4,872
 5,210
Total liabilities 1,852,261
 1,688,828
 2,014,814
 1,936,279
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 9) 
 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8) 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 
 
Common stock, no par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 16,215,672
and 16,137,999 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017
and December 31, 2016, respectively
 3,000
 3,000
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 
 
Common stock, no par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 16,295,494
and 16,215,672 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018
and December 31, 2017, respectively
 3,000
 3,000
Additional paid-in capital 22,763
 21,462
 23,653
 23,463
Retained earnings 152,252
 141,956
 161,867
 153,527
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 72
 (1,042)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,168) (1,892)
Total stockholders' equity 178,087
 165,376
 182,352
 178,098
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $2,030,348
 $1,854,204
 $2,197,166
 $2,114,377
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary                
Consolidated Statements of Income                
(unaudited)                
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Interest income:                
Loans, including fees $15,854
 $14,898
 $46,865
 $42,667
 $17,168
 $16,042
 $33,642
 $31,011
Investment securities:                
Taxable 1,489
 991
 3,755
 3,222
 1,886
 1,239
 3,699
 2,266
Tax-exempt 1,081
 780
 2,674
 2,482
 1,306
 815
 2,668
 1,593
Federal funds sold 136
 27
 223
 58
 177
 70
 258
 87
Total interest income 18,560
 16,696
 53,517
 48,429
 20,537
 18,166
 40,267
 34,957
Interest expense:      
  
      
  
Deposits 2,108
 872
 5,084
 2,401
 3,798
 1,781
 6,810
 2,976
Federal funds purchased 4
 1
 24
 4
 52
 23
 79
 69
Short-term borrowings 9
 8
 58
 39
Subordinated notes 232
 169
 667
 533
 284
 223
 532
 435
Federal Home Loan Bank advances 972
 894
 2,837
 2,645
 907
 948
 1,739
 1,865
Long-term debt 204
 31
 334
 114
 197
 98
 392
 130
Total interest expense 3,529
 1,975
 9,004
 5,736
 5,238
 3,073
 9,552
 5,475
Net interest income 15,031
 14,721
 44,513
 42,693
 15,299
 15,093
 30,715
 29,482
Provision for loan losses 
 200
 
 900
 
 
 150
 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses 15,031
 14,521
 44,513
 41,793
 15,299
 15,093
 30,565
 29,482
Noninterest income:      
  
      
  
Service charges on deposit accounts 715
 632
 1,946
 1,847
 627
 631
 1,276
 1,231
Debit card usage fees 435
 450
 1,333
 1,372
 433
 458
 832
 898
Trust services 436
 355
 1,264
 946
 575
 436
 1,020
 828
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance 167
 160
 484
 492
 152
 163
 310
 317
Gain from bank-owned life insurance 
 
 307
 443
 
 
 
 307
Realized investment securities gains, net 197
 
 423
 60
Realized investment securities gains (losses), net (25) 229
 (25) 226
Other income 314
 322
 983
 892
 261
 399
 523
 669
Total noninterest income 2,264
 1,919
 6,740
 6,052
 2,023
 2,316
 3,936
 4,476
Noninterest expense:      
  
      
  
Salaries and employee benefits 4,430
 4,154
 13,216
 12,644
 4,775
 4,449
 9,288
 8,786
Occupancy 1,087
 1,038
 3,315
 2,972
 1,258
 1,131
 2,481
 2,228
Data processing 635
 643
 2,031
 1,849
 674
 708
 1,350
 1,396
FDIC insurance 151
 272
 514
 714
 165
 150
 327
 363
Professional fees 184
 189
 725
 619
 178
 248
 412
 541
Director fees 240
 202
 697
 672
 261
 246
 510
 457
Write-down of premises 333
 
 333
 
Other expenses 1,293
 1,495
 3,737
 4,141
 1,314
 1,240
 2,544
 2,444
Total noninterest expense 8,020
 7,993
 24,235
 23,611
 8,958
 8,172
 17,245
 16,215
Income before income taxes 9,275
 8,447
 27,018
 24,234
 8,364
 9,237
 17,256
 17,743
Income taxes 2,870
 2,634
 8,142
 7,249
 1,600
 2,872
 3,108
 5,272
Net income $6,405
 $5,813
 $18,876
 $16,985
 $6,764
 $6,365
 $14,148
 $12,471
                
Basic earnings per common share $0.40
 $0.36
 $1.17
 $1.05
 $0.42
 $0.39
 $0.87
 $0.77
Diluted earnings per common share $0.39
 $0.36
 $1.16
 $1.05
 $0.41
 $0.39
 $0.86
 $0.76
Cash dividends declared per common share $0.18
 $0.17
 $0.53
 $0.50
 $0.20
 $0.18
 $0.38
 $0.35
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary                
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive IncomeConsolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income      Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income      
(unaudited)                
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Net income $6,405
 $5,813
 $18,876
 $16,985
 $6,764
 $6,365
 $14,148
 $12,471
Other comprehensive income:      
  
Other comprehensive income (loss) :      
  
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:                
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period (1,316) 301
 2,509
 4,771
 (1,226) 2,218
 (8,191) 3,825
Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income (197) 
 (423) (60)
Less: reclassification adjustment for amortization of net unrealized gains to interest income on securities transferred from available for sale to
held to maturity
 (34) (7) (234) (122)
Income tax (expense) benefit 588
 (112) (704) (1,744)
Unrealized gains on investment securities transferred from held to maturity to available for sale 
 
 363
 
Plus: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses realized in net income 25
 (229) 25
 (226)
Less: other reclassification adjustment 
 (193) (36) (200)
Income tax benefit (expense) 301
 (683) 1,962
 (1,292)
Other comprehensive income (loss) on investment securities (959) 182
 1,148
 2,845
 (900) 1,113
 (5,877) 2,107
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:                
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period (29) 248
 (376) (889) 1,003
 (356) 2,548
 (347)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net loss on derivatives realized in net income 70
 118
 239
 362
Less: reclassification adjustment for amortization of derivative termination costs 28
 28
 82
 82
Income tax (expense) benefit (26) (149) 21
 170
Plus: reclassification adjustment for net (gain) loss on derivatives realized in net income (2) 79
 35
 169
Plus: reclassification adjustment for amortization of derivative termination costs 24
 27
 47
 54
Income tax benefit (expense) (257) 95
 (659) 47
Other comprehensive income (loss) on derivatives 43
 245
 (34) (275) 768
 (155) 1,971
 (77)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) (916) 427
 1,114

2,570
 (132) 958
 (3,906)
2,030
Comprehensive income $5,489
 $6,240
 $19,990
 $19,555
 $6,632
 $7,323
 $10,242
 $14,501

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

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Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary                            
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity                            
(unaudited)                            
                            
           Accumulated             Accumulated  
       Additional   Other         Additional   Other  
 Preferred Common Stock Paid-In Retained Comprehensive   Preferred Common Stock Paid-In Retained Comprehensive  
(in thousands, except share and per share data) Stock Shares Amount Capital Earnings Income (Loss) Total Stock Shares Amount Capital Earnings Income (Loss) Total
Balance, December 31, 2015 $
 16,064,435
 $3,000
 $20,067
 $129,740
 $(430) $152,377
Balance, December 31, 2016 $
 16,137,999
 $3,000
 $21,462
 $141,956
 $(1,042) $165,376
Net income 
 
 
 
 16,985
 
 16,985
 
 
 
 
 12,471
 
 12,471
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
 
 
 
 
 2,570
 2,570
 
 
 
 
 
 2,030
 2,030
Cash dividends declared, $0.50 per common share 
 
 
 
 (8,057) 
 (8,057)
Cash dividends declared, $0.35 per common share 
 
 
 
 (5,661) 
 (5,661)
Stock-based compensation costs 
 
 
 1,278
 
 
 1,278
 
 
 
 1,223
 
 
 1,223
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes 
 73,564
 
 (394) 
 
 (394) 
 73,162
 
 (553) 
 
 (553)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units 
 
 
 105
 
 
 105
Balance, September 30, 2016 $
 16,137,999
 $3,000
 $21,056
 $138,668
 $2,140
 $164,864
Balance, June 30, 2017 $
 16,211,161
 $3,000
 $22,132
 $148,766
 $988
 $174,886
                            
Balance, December 31, 2016 $
 16,137,999
 $3,000
 $21,462
 $141,956
 $(1,042) $165,376
Balance, December 31, 2017 $
 16,215,672
 $3,000
 $23,463
 $153,527
 $(1,892) $178,098
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of rate change 
 
 
 
 370
 (370) 
Net income 
 
 
 
 18,876
 
 18,876
 
 
 
 
 14,148
 
 14,148
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 
 
 
 
 
 1,114
 1,114
Cash dividends declared, $0.53 per common share 
 
 
 
 (8,580) 
 (8,580)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax 
 
 
 
 
 (3,906) (3,906)
Cash dividends declared, $0.38 per common share 
 
 
 
 (6,178) 
 (6,178)
Stock-based compensation costs 
 
 
 1,932
 
 
 1,932
 
 
 
 1,266
 
 
 1,266
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

  
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes 
 77,673
 
 (631) 
 
 (631) 
 79,822
 
 (1,076) 
 
 (1,076)
Balance, September 30, 2017 $
 16,215,672

$3,000
 $22,763
 $152,252
 $72
 $178,087
Balance, June 30, 2018 $
 16,295,494

$3,000
 $23,653
 $161,867
 $(6,168) $182,352

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary        
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows        
(unaudited)        
 Nine Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands) 2017 2016 2018 2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:        
Net income $18,876
 $16,985
 $14,148
 $12,471
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Provision for loan losses 
 900
 150
 
Net amortization and accretion 2,921
 3,293
 2,528
 1,835
Investment securities gains, net (423) (60)
Investment securities (gains) losses, net 25
 (226)
Stock-based compensation 1,932
 1,278
 1,266
 1,223
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance (484) (492) (310) (317)
Gain from bank-owned life insurance (307) (443) 
 (307)
Depreciation 1,007
 740
 703
 673
Write-down of premises 333
 
Deferred income taxes 413
 253
 122
 690
Change in assets and liabilities:        
(Increase) in accrued interest receivable (1,315) (542)
(Increase) decrease in other assets (125) 248
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities (516) 152
Increase in accrued interest receivable (520) (72)
Increase in other assets (1,204) (257)
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities (254) (1,114)
Net cash provided by operating activities 21,979
 22,312
 16,987
 14,599
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:  
  
  
  
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale 74,224
 1,544
 9,216
 53,020
Proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities 38,529
 46,190
 20,937
 28,122
Purchases of securities available for sale (267,133) 
 (76,796) (138,436)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock (16,794) (16,907) (6,854) (12,074)
Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock 15,309
 16,887
 6,826
 11,764
Net increase in loans (56,789) (136,116) (23,966) (35,135)
Purchases of premises and equipment (866) (10,201) (67) (431)
Proceeds of principal and earnings from bank-owned life insurance 451
 812
 
 451
Net cash used in investing activities (213,069) (97,791) (70,704) (92,719)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:  
  
  
  
Net increase in deposits 104,661
 50,927
 81,116
 28,470
Net (decrease) in federal funds purchased (8,765) (1,840)
Net increase in short-term borrowings 48,000
 15,500
Net increase in federal funds purchased 315
 5,470
Proceeds from long-term debt 22,000
 
 
 22,000
Principal payments on long-term debt (2,934) (2,458) (3,306) (1,656)
Common stock dividends paid (8,580) (8,057) (6,178) (5,661)
Restricted stock units withheld for payroll taxes (631) (394) (1,076) (553)
Net cash provided by financing activities 153,751
 53,678
 70,871
 48,070
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (37,339) (21,801)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 17,154
 (30,050)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:        
Beginning 76,836
 72,651
 47,949
 76,836
Ending $39,497
 $50,850
 $65,103
 $46,786
        
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:        
Cash payments for:        
Interest $8,667
 $5,742
 $9,457
 $5,361
Income taxes 6,410
 5,160
 2,020
 3,780
    
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing Activities:    
Transfer of investment securities held to maturity to available for sale $45,527
 $
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by West Bancorporation, Inc. (the Company) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.Commission (SEC).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented understandable, it is suggested that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present its financial position as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, net income and comprehensive income for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016,changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.  The results for these interim periods may not be indicative of results for the entire year or for any other period.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).  References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™, sometimes referred to as the Codification or ASC.  In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are the fair value and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of financial instruments and the allowance for loan losses.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, West Bank and West Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation.Corporation (which was liquidated in March 2018).  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  In accordance with GAAP, West Bancorporation Capital Trust I is recorded on the books of the Company using the equity method of accounting and is not consolidated.

Current accounting developments:  In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Codification. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. For public companies, this update will bewas effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. The implementation of the new standard did not result in a change to the accounting for any in-scope revenue streams; as such, no cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was recorded. The Company's revenue is primarily comprisedcomposed of interest income on financial instruments, including investment securities and loans, which are excluded from the scope of ASU 2014-09. The Company does not expectTopic 606. Also excluded from the guidance to have a material impact onscope of Topic 606 is revenue from bank-owned life insurance, loan fees and letter of credit fees. Approximately 90 percent of the Company's consolidated financial statements. The most significant impactrevenue is outside the scope of this update. Topic 606 is applicable to deposit account related fees, including general service fees charged for deposit account maintenance and activity and transaction-based fees charged for certain services, such as debit card, wire transfer or overdraft activities. Revenue is recognized when the updateperformance obligation is completed, which is generally after a transaction is completed or monthly for account maintenance services. Topic 606 is also applicable to trust services, which include periodic fees earned from trusts and investment management agency accounts, estate administration, custody accounts, individual retirement accounts, and other related services. Fees are charged based on standard agreements or by statute and are recognized over the period of time the Company may be additional noninterest income disclosure requirements.provides the contracted services.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The update enhances the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information by updating certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other changes, the update requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, and clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the entities' other deferred tax assets. For public companies, this update will bewas effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is to be applied on a2017. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective basis.method. Upon the effective date,adoption, the fair value of the Company's loan portfolio will beis now presented using an exit price method. TheAlso, the Company has concludedis no longer required to disclose the methodologies used for estimating fair value of financial assets and liabilities that theare not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The remaining requirements of this update aredid not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in the update supersedes the requirements in ASC Topic 840, Leases. The guidance is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company currently leases its main location and space for six other branch offices and operational departments under operating leases that will result in recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets under the ASU.update. The amount of assets and liabilities added to the balance sheet are estimated to be approximately $10,000 which does not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements per preliminary estimates.

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The guidance in this update simplifies several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance also allows an entity to make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate expected forfeitures or account for forfeitures as they occur. For public companies, the update was effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Portions of the amended guidance were to be applied using a modified retrospective transition method, and others require prospective application. Upon adoption of this update on January 1, 2017, the Company made the accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. This resulted in no effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements, as prior stock-based compensation expense assumed no expected forfeitures. Also upon adoption, the Company changed the calculation of the assumed proceeds of the treasury stock method on a prospective basis to eliminate deferred taxes from the calculation. The net impact on the income statement is dependent upon the change in the Company's stock price from grant date to vesting date and cannot be predicted with any certainty. The requirement to report the excess tax benefit or shortfall related to settlements of share-based payment awards in earnings as an increase or decrease to tax expense has been applied to settlements occurring on or after January 1, 2017, and the impact of applying that guidance reduced reported income tax expense $285 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in this update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial assets. TheUnder the updates, the income statement reflectswill reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount of financial assets. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination that are measured at amortized cost basis iswill be determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial allowance for credit losses iswill be added to the purchase price rather than being reported as a credit loss expense. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses arewill be recorded as a credit loss expense for these assets. Off-balance-sheet arrangements such as commitments to extend credit, guarantees and standby letters of credit that are not considered derivatives under ASC 815 and are not unconditionally cancellable are also within the scope of this update. Credit losses relating to available-for-saleavailable for sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may adopt the amendments in this update earlier as of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity will apply the amendments in this update on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company does not plan to early adopt this standard, but is currently planning for the implementation of this accounting standard.implementation. It is too early to assess the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016,2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this update provide guidance for eight specific cash flow classification issues for which current guidance is unclear or does not exist, thereby reducing diversity in practice. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company's early adoption of the update as of January 1, 2017, did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in this update shorten the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the adoption period. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this update make targeted changes to the existing hedge accounting model to better align an entity'sthe accounting rules with a company’s risk management activities, and financial reportingto simplify the application of the hedge accounting model. The updateexpands the types of transactions eligible for hedging relationships through changeshedge accounting, eliminates the requirement to bothseparately measure and present hedge ineffectiveness, and simplifies the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentationway assessments of hedge results.ineffectiveness may be performed. The update also permits a one-time reclassification of prepayable debt securities from held to maturity classification to available for sale. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, including in an interim period. The amendments' presentation and disclosure guidance is required on a prospective basis. The Company is currently assessingadopted the impactguidance effective January 1, 2018. The requirements of this guidance, but doesupdate related to the Company's hedging activities did not expect the guidance to have a materialany impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Upon adoption, the Company elected to transfer all its held to maturity securities portfolio to available for sale. The transferred securities had an amortized cost basis of $45,527 and a fair value of $45,890. Upon transfer, the Company recorded an adjustment of $273 to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, for the unrealized gains and losses related to the transferred securities.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendment in this update allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the December 22, 2017, enactment of the reduced federal corporate income tax rate, which became effective in 2018. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The amendment can be adopted at the beginning of the period or on a retrospective basis. The Company adopted the amendment effective January 1, 2018, using the beginning of period method. The reclassified amount was $370.


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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


2.  Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if the Company's outstanding restricted stock units were vested. The dilutive effect was computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes all stock-based awards were exercised and the hypothetical proceeds from exercise were used by the Company to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  The incremental shares, to the extent they would have been dilutive, were included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation.  The calculations of earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 20162017 are presented in the following table.

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
Net income$6,405
 $5,813
 $18,876
 $16,985
$6,764
 $6,365
 $14,148
 $12,471
              
Weighted average common shares outstanding16,213
 16,135
 16,186
 16,110
16,289
 16,204
 16,254
 16,173
Weighted average effect of restricted stock units outstanding118
 51
 127
 47
102
 106
 146
 131
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding16,331
 16,186
 16,313
 16,157
16,391
 16,310
 16,400
 16,304
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Basic earnings per common share$0.40
 $0.36
 $1.17
 $1.05
$0.42
 $0.39
 $0.87
 $0.77
Diluted earnings per common share$0.39
 $0.36
 $1.16
 $1.05
$0.41
 $0.39
 $0.86
 $0.76
Number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation24
 88
 14
 106
130
 1
 69
 8


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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


3.  Investment Securities

The following tables show the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities, by investment security type as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
September 30, 2017June 30, 2018
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:              
U.S. government agencies and corporations$2,500
 $
 $(11) $2,489
U.S. Treasuries$39,535
 $
 $(31) $39,504
State and political subdivisions133,300
 1,442
 (486) 134,256
179,445
 281
 (3,822) 175,904
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
150,298
 150
 (1,081) 149,367
167,778
 11
 (4,950) 162,839
Mortgage-backed securities (1)
54,622
 288
 (123) 54,787
56,421
 
 (1,391) 55,030
Asset-backed securities (2)
46,351
 61
 (139) 46,273
42,071
 
 (609) 41,462
Trust preferred securities2,130
 
 (430) 1,700
Trust preferred security2,144
 
 (144) 2,000
Corporate notes29,288
 306
 (92) 29,502
50,852
 135
 (933) 50,054
$418,489
 $2,247
 $(2,362) $418,374
$538,246
 $427
 $(11,880) $526,793
              
Securities held to maturity:       
State and political subdivisions$45,597
 $807
 $(48) $46,356
 
  
  
  
       
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:              
U.S. government agencies and corporations$2,524
 $69
 $
 $2,593
State and political subdivisions64,551
 376
 (591) 64,336
$146,331
 $928
 $(946) $146,313
Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
103,038
 255
 (1,343) 101,950
162,631
 28
 (2,727) 159,932
Mortgage-backed securities (1)
80,614
 341
 (797) 80,158
60,956
 20
 (547) 60,429
Asset-backed securities (2)
45,539
 8
 (352) 45,195
Trust preferred security1,784
 
 (534) 1,250
2,134
 
 (128) 2,006
Corporate notes10,326
 25
 (1) 10,350
30,278
 331
 (265) 30,344
$262,837
 $1,066
 $(3,266) $260,637
$447,869
 $1,315
 $(4,965) $444,219
              
Securities held to maturity:              
State and political subdivisions$48,386
 $70
 $(667) $47,789
$45,527
 $460
 $(97) $45,890
(1)All collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by FHLMC or FNMA, real estate mortgage investment conduits guaranteed by FNMA, FHLMC or GNMA, and commercial mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by the SBA.
(2)Pass-through asset-backed securities guaranteed by the SBA, representing participating interests in pools of long-term debentures issued by state and local development companies certified by the SBA.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the amendments of ASU No. 2017-12 and, as a result, elected to transfer all securities classified as held to maturity to available for sale. At the date of reclassification, the held to maturity securities portfolio was carried at an amortized cost of $45,527. The reclassification of securities between categories was accounted for at fair value. At the date of reclassification, the securities had a fair value of $45,890 and net unrealized holding gains of $273, which were recorded net of tax in other comprehensive income. The transfer enhanced liquidity and increased flexibility with regard to asset-liability management and balance sheet composition.

Investment securities with an amortized cost of approximately $123,457142,522 and $141,995120,338 as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, respectively, were pledged to secure access to the Federal Reserve discount window, for public fund deposits, and for other purposes as required or permitted by law or regulation.


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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the securities prior to maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities for collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Therefore, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories within the following maturity summary.
 September 30, 2017
 Amortized Cost Fair Value
Due in one year or less$2,117
 $2,121
Due after one year through five years5,633
 5,660
Due after five years through ten years43,213
 43,819
Due after ten years116,255
 116,347
 167,218
 167,947
Collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities251,271
 250,427
 $418,489
 $418,374
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities held to maturity as of September 30, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the securities prior to maturity.  
September 30, 2017June 30, 2018
Amortized Cost Fair ValueAmortized Cost Fair Value
Due in one year or less$
 $
$19,904
 $19,889
Due after one year through five years1,595
 1,600
22,887
 22,853
Due after five years through ten years24,936
 25,364
86,692
 85,373
Due after ten years19,066
 19,392
142,493
 139,347
$45,597
 $46,356
271,976
 267,462
Collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities266,270
 259,331
$538,246
 $526,793
The details of the sales of investment securities available for sale for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 20162017 are summarized in the following table.
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
Proceeds from sales$21,204
 $
 $74,224
 $1,544
$9,216
 $44,021
 $9,216
 $53,020
Gross gains on sales197
 
 527
 60
34
 291
 34
 330
Gross losses on sales
 
 104
 
59
 62
 59
 104

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
September 30, 2017June 30, 2018
Less than 12 months 12 months or longer TotalLess than 12 months 12 months or longer Total
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Securities available for sale:                      
U.S. government agencies and corporations$2,489
 $(11) $
 $
 $2,489
 $(11)
U.S. Treasuries$39,504
 $(31) $
 $
 $39,504
 $(31)
State and political subdivisions54,004
 (486) 
 
 54,004
 (486)141,075
 (3,520) 8,983
 (302) 150,058
 (3,822)
Collateralized mortgage obligations102,016
 (830) 18,001
 (251) 120,017
 (1,081)99,125
 (2,650) 55,565
 (2,300) 154,690
 (4,950)
Mortgage-backed securities27,500
 (123) 
 
 27,500
 (123)46,113
 (1,305) 8,015
 (86) 54,128
 (1,391)
Asset-backed securities20,217
 (139) 
 
 20,217
 (139)33,110
 (305) 8,352
 (304) 41,462
 (609)
Trust preferred securities
 
 1,700
 (430) 1,700
 (430)
Trust preferred security
 
 2,000
 (144) 2,000
 (144)
Corporate notes7,410
 (92) 
 
 7,410
 (92)36,823
 (745) 2,312
 (188) 39,135
 (933)
$213,636
 $(1,681) $19,701
 $(681) $233,337
 $(2,362)$395,750
 $(8,556) $85,227
 $(3,324) $480,977
 $(11,880)
 
  
  
  
  
  
Securities held to maturity:           
State and political subdivisions$1,658
 $(7) $1,755
 $(41) $3,413
 $(48)
            
  
  
  
  
  
                      
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
Less than 12 months 12 months or longer TotalLess than 12 months 12 months or longer Total
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Securities available for sale:                      
State and political subdivisions$34,903
 $(591) $
 $
 $34,903
 $(591)$86,750
 $(946) $
 $
 $86,750
 $(946)
Collateralized mortgage obligations75,771
 (1,255) 2,538
 (88) 78,309
 (1,343)107,526
 (1,583) 46,396
 (1,144) 153,922
 (2,727)
Mortgage-backed securities60,221
 (797) 
 
 60,221
 (797)53,974
 (547) 
 
 53,974
 (547)
Asset-backed securities38,652
 (352) 
 
 38,652
 (352)
Trust preferred security
 
 1,250
 (534) 1,250
 (534)
 
 2,006
 (128) 2,006
 (128)
Corporate notes1,499
 (1) 
 
 1,499
 (1)14,735
 (265) 
 
 14,735
 (265)
$172,394
 $(2,644) $3,788
 $(622) $176,182
 $(3,266)$301,637
 $(3,693) $48,402
 $(1,272) $350,039
 $(4,965)
                      
Securities held to maturity:                      
State and political subdivisions$32,976
 $(458) $3,968
 $(209) $36,944
 $(667)$12,611
 $(70) $1,740
 $(27) $14,351
 $(97)
As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, the available for sale and held to maturity securities with unrealized losses included onetwo U.S. government agency security, 89Treasuries, 204 state and political subdivision securities, 3044 collateralized mortgage obligation securities, eight16 mortgage-backed securities, threeseven asset-backed securities, one trust preferred security and two15 corporate notes. The Company believed the unrealized losses on investments available for sale and held to maturity as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 were due to market conditions rather than reduced estimated cash flows. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, does not anticipate that these securities will be required to be sold before anticipated recovery, and expects full principal and interest to be collected. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to have OTTIother than temporary impairment as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018.



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Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


4. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans consisted of the following segments as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017.
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Commercial$316,716
 $334,014
$326,820
 $347,482
Real estate:      
Construction, land and land development249,453
 205,610
182,681
 207,451
1-4 family residential first mortgages49,369
 47,184
49,679
 51,044
Home equity14,558
 18,057
13,859
 13,811
Commercial820,144
 788,000
956,810
 886,114
Consumer and other loans8,235
 8,355
Consumer and other6,524
 6,363
1,458,475
 1,401,220
1,536,373
 1,512,265
Net unamortized fees and costs(1,570) (1,350)(1,969) (1,765)
$1,456,905
 $1,399,870
$1,534,404
 $1,510,500
Real estate loans of approximately $710,000$750,000 and $680,000$810,000 were pledged as security for Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, respectively.

Loans are stated at the principal amounts outstanding, net of unamortized loan fees and costs, with interest income recognized on the interest method based upon those outstanding loan balances.the terms of the loan.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. Loans are reported by the portfolio segments identified above and are analyzed by management on this basis. All loan policies identified below apply to all segments of the loan portfolio.

Delinquencies are determined based on the payment terms of the individual loan agreements. The accrual of interest on past due and other impaired loans is generally discontinued at 90 days past due or when, in the opinion of management, the borrower may be unable to make all payments pursuant to contractual terms.  Unless considered collectible, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income, if accrued in the current year, or charged to the allowance for loan losses, if accrued in the prior year.  Generally, all payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied to the principal balance of the loan. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. 

A loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured (TDR) loan when the Company separately concludes that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a concession is granted that would not otherwise be considered. Concessions may include a restructuring of the loan terms to alleviate the burden of the borrower's cash requirements, such as an extension of the payment terms beyond the original maturity date or a change in the interest rate charged.  TDR loans with extended payment terms are accounted for as impaired until performance is established. A change to the interest rate would change the classification of a loan to a TDR loan if the restructured loan yields a rate that is below a market rate for that of a new loan with comparable risk. TDR loans with below-market rates are considered impaired until fully collected. TDR loans may also be reported as nonaccrual or 90 days past due 90 days if they are not performing per the restructured terms.

Based upon its ongoing assessment of credit quality within the loan portfolio, the Company maintains a Watch List, which includes loans classified as Doubtful, Substandard and Watch according to the Company's classification criteria. These loans involve the anticipated potential for payment defaults or collateral inadequacies. A loan on the Watch List is considered impaired when management believes it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  The amount of impairment, if any, and any subsequent changes are included in the allowance for loan losses.

  





15


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


TDR loans totaled $247$724 and $426$220 as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively, and were included in the nonaccrual loans.category. There was one loan modification considered to be TDR, with a pre- and post-modification recorded investment of $560, that occurred during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. There were no loan modifications considered to be TDR that occurred during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 and 2016.2017. No TDR loans that were modified within the twelve months preceding SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and SeptemberJune 30, 20162017 have subsequently had a payment default. A TDR loan is considered to have a payment default when it is past due 30 days or more.

The following table summarizes the recorded investment in impaired loans by segment, broken down by loans with no related allowance for loan losses and loans with a related allowance and the amount of that allowance as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related AllowanceRecorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance Recorded Investment Unpaid Principal Balance Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:                      
Commercial$
 $
 $
 $35
 $35
 $
$990
 $990
 $
 $
 $
 $
Real estate:                      
Construction, land and land development
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential first mortgages94
 94
 
 108
 108
 
116
 116
 
 91
 91
 
Home equity30
 30
 
 41
 41
 
172
 172
 
 172
 172
 
Commercial247
 247
 
 335
 335
 
724
 724
 
 220
 220
 
Consumer and other loans
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 
 
371
 371
 
 519
 519
 
2,002
 2,002
 
 483
 483
 
With an allowance recorded:                      
Commercial
 
 
 91
 91
 91

 
 
 
 
 
Real estate:                      
Construction, land and land development
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential first mortgages
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Home equity23
 23
 23
 276
 276
 276
16
 16
 16
 21
 21
 21
Commercial123
 123
 123
 136
 136
 136
109
 109
 109
 118
 118
 118
Consumer and other loans
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 
 
146
 146
 146
 503
 503
 503
125
 125
 125
 139
 139
 139
Total:                      
Commercial
 
 
 126
 126
 91
990
 990
 
 
 
 
Real estate:                      
Construction, land and land development
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential first mortgages94
 94
 
 108
 108
 
116
 116
 
 91
 91
 
Home equity53
 53
 23
 317
 317
 276
188
 188
 16
 193
 193
 21
Commercial370
 370
 123
 471
 471
 136
833
 833
 109
 338
 338
 118
Consumer and other loans
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 
 
$517
 $517
 $146
 $1,022
 $1,022
 $503
$2,127
 $2,127
 $125
 $622
 $622
 $139
   
The balance of impaired loans at SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 was composed of 5seven and 10five different borrowers, respectively. The Company has no commitments to advance additional funds on any of the impaired loans.



16


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following table summarizes the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans by segment for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income RecognizedAverage Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized Average Recorded Investment Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:                              
Commercial$
 $
 $
 $
 $24
 $
 $
 $
$902
 $
 $35
 $
 $543
 $
 $35
 $
Real estate:                              
Construction, land and land development
 
 
 
 
 
 11
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential first mortgages97
 
 124
 
 101
 
 242
 1
119
 
 101
 
 117
 
 104
 
Home equity29
 
 
 
 33
 
 
 
172
 
 29
 
 172
 
 34
 
Commercial262
 
 377
 
 291
 
 407
 
768
 
 290
 
 529
 
 305
 
Consumer and other loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
388
 
 501
 
 449
 
 660
 1
1,961
 
 455
 
 1,361
 
 478
 
With an allowance recorded:                              
Commercial62
 
 130
 
 78
 
 135
 

 
 85
 
 
 
 87
 
Real estate:                              
Construction, land and land development
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential first mortgages
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home equity157
 
 254
 
 223
 
 261
 
17
 
 247
 
 18
 
 258
 
Commercial125
 
 143
 
 130
 
 148
 
112
 
 130
 
 114
 
 132
 
Consumer and other loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
344
 
 527
 
 431
 
 544
 
129
 
 462
 
 132
 
 477
 
Total:                              
Commercial62
 
 130
 
 102
 
 135
 
902
 
 120
 
 543
 
 122
 
Real estate:                              
Construction, land and land development
 
 
 
 
 
 11
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-4 family residential first mortgages97
 
 124
 
 101
 
 242
 1
119
 
 101
 
 117
 
 104
 
Home equity186
 
 254
 
 256
 
 261
 
189
 
 276
 
 190
 
 292
 
Commercial387
 
 520
 
 421
 
 555
 
880
 
 420
 
 643
 
 437
 
Consumer and other loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$732
 $
 $1,028
 $
 $880
 $
 $1,204
 $1
$2,090
 $
 $917
 $
 $1,493
 $
 $955
 $



17


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables provide an analysis of the payment status of the recorded investment in loans as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017.
September 30, 2017June 30, 2018
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Current Nonaccrual Loans Total Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Current Nonaccrual Loans Total Loans
Commercial$
 $
 $
 $
 $316,716
 $
 $316,716
$65
 $
 $
 $65
 $325,765
 $990
 $326,820
Real estate:                          
Construction, land and                          
land development
 
 
 
 249,453
 
 249,453

 
 
 
 182,681
 
 182,681
1-4 family residential                          
first mortgages
 
 
 
 49,275
 94
 49,369

 
 
 
 49,563
 116
 49,679
Home equity3
 
 
 3
 14,502
 53
 14,558
30
 
 
 30
 13,641
 188
 13,859
Commercial
 
 
 
 819,774
 370
 820,144

 
 
 
 955,977
 833
 956,810
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 8,235
 
 8,235

 
 
 
 6,524
 
 6,524
Total$3
 $
 $
 $3
 $1,457,955
 $517
 $1,458,475
$95
 $
 $
 $95
 $1,534,151
 $2,127
 $1,536,373
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Current Nonaccrual Loans 
Total
Loans
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 Current Nonaccrual Loans 
Total
Loans
Commercial$109
 $
 $
 $109
 $333,779
 $126
 $334,014
$40
 $20
 $
 $60
 $347,422
 $
 $347,482
Real estate:                          
Construction, land and                          
land development
 
 
 
 205,610
 
 205,610

 
 
 
 207,451
 
 207,451
1-4 family residential                          
first mortgages64
 
 
 64
 47,012
 108
 47,184

 75
 
 75
 50,878
 91
 51,044
Home equity
 
 
 
 17,740
 317
 18,057

 
 
 
 13,618
 193
 13,811
Commercial
 
 
 
 787,529
 471
 788,000

 
 
 
 885,776
 338
 886,114
Consumer and other
 
 
 
 8,355
 
 8,355

 
 
 
 6,363
 
 6,363
Total$173
 $
 $
 $173
 $1,400,025
 $1,022
 $1,401,220
$40
 $95
 $
 $135
 $1,511,508
 $622
 $1,512,265


18


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present the recorded investment in loans by credit quality indicator and loan segment as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
September 30, 2017June 30, 2018
Pass Watch Substandard Doubtful TotalPass Watch Substandard Doubtful Total
Commercial$314,078
 $560
 $2,078
 $
 $316,716
$321,507
 $3,307
 $2,006
 $
 $326,820
Real estate:                  
Construction, land and land development249,308
 145
 
 
 249,453
181,452
 1,229
 
 
 182,681
1-4 family residential first mortgages48,564
 552
 253
 
 49,369
48,692
 791
 196
 
 49,679
Home equity14,377
 56
 125
 
 14,558
13,491
 80
 288
 
 13,859
Commercial800,622
 18,246
 1,276
 
 820,144
928,223
 19,374
 9,213
 
 956,810
Consumer and other8,196
 39
 
 
 8,235
6,493
 
 31
 
 6,524
Total$1,435,145
 $19,598
 $3,732
 $
 $1,458,475
$1,499,858
 $24,781
 $11,734
 $
 $1,536,373
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
Pass Watch Substandard Doubtful TotalPass Watch Substandard Doubtful Total
Commercial$329,366
 $3,303
 $1,345
 $
 $334,014
$344,586
 $901
 $1,995
 $
 $347,482
Real estate:                  
Construction, land and land development204,572
 
 1,038
 
 205,610
206,719
 732
 
 
 207,451
1-4 family residential first mortgages46,278
 798
 108
 
 47,184
49,905
 890
 249
 
 51,044
Home equity17,646
 
 411
 
 18,057
13,466
 54
 291
 
 13,811
Commercial769,010
 18,392
 598
 
 788,000
856,789
 20,574
 8,751
 
 886,114
Consumer and other8,355
 
 
 
 8,355
6,327
 36
 
 
 6,363
Total$1,375,227
 $22,493
 $3,500
 $
 $1,401,220
$1,477,792
 $23,187
 $11,286
 $
 $1,512,265
All loans are subject to the assessment of a credit quality indicator. Risk ratings are assigned for each loan at the time of approval, and they change as circumstances dictate during the term of the loan. The Company utilizes a 9-point risk rating scale as shown below, with ratings 1 - 5 included in the Pass column, rating 6 included in the Watch column, ratings 7 - 8 included in the Substandard column and rating 9 included in the Doubtful column. All loans classified as impaired that are included in the specific evaluation of the allowance for loan losses are included in the Substandard column along with all other loans with ratings of 7 - 8.

Risk rating 1: The loan is secured by cash equivalent collateral.

Risk rating 2: The loan is secured by properly margined marketable securities, bonds or cash surrender value of life insurance.

Risk rating 3: The borrower is in strong financial condition and has strong debt service capacity. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends of the borrower exceed industry statistics.

Risk rating 4: The borrower's financial condition is satisfactory and stable.  The borrower has satisfactory debt service capacity, and the loan is well secured. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends fall in line with industry statistics.

Risk rating 5: The borrower's financial condition is less than satisfactory. The loan is still generally paying as agreed, but strained cash flows may cause some slowness in payments. The collateral values adequately preclude loss on the loan. Financial characteristics and trends lag industry statistics. There may be noncompliance with loan covenants.

Risk rating 6: The borrower's financial condition is deficient. Payment delinquencies may be more common. Collateral values still protect from loss, but margins are narrow. The loan may be reliant on secondary sources of repayment, including liquidation of collateral and guarantor support.


19


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Risk rating 7: The loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Well-defined weaknesses exist that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. The Company is inadequately protected by the valuation or paying capacity of the collateral pledged. If deficiencies are not corrected, there is a distinct possibility that a loss will be sustained.

Risk rating 8: All the characteristics of rating 7 exist with the added condition that the loan is past due more than 90 days or there is reason to believe the Company will not receive its principal and interest according to the terms of the loan agreement.

Risk rating 9: All the weaknesses inherent in risk ratings 7 and 8 exist with the added condition that collection or liquidation, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, is highly questionable and improbable. A loan reaching this category would most likely be charged off.

Credit quality indicators for all loans and the Company's risk rating process are dynamic and updated on a continuous basis. Risk ratings are updated as circumstances that could affect the repayment of an individual loan are brought to management's attention through an established monitoring process. Individual lenders initiate changes as appropriate for ratings 1 through 5, and changes for ratings 6 through 9 are initiated via communications with management. The likelihood of loss increases as the risk rating increases and is generally preceded by a loan appearing on the Watch List, which consists of all loans with a risk rating of 6 or worse. Written action plans with firm target dates for resolution of identified problems are maintained and reviewed on a quarterly basis for all segments of criticized loans.loans included on the Watch List.

In addition to the Company's internal credit monitoring practices and procedures, an outsourced independent credit review function is in place to further assess assigned internal risk classifications and monitor compliance with internal lending policies and procedures.

In all portfolio segments, the primary risks are that a borrower's income stream diminishes to the point that the borrower is not able to make scheduled principal and interest payments and any collateral securing the loan declines in value. The risk of declining collateral values is present for most types of loans.

Commercial loans consist primarily of loans to businesses for various purposes, including revolving lines to finance current operations, inventory and accounts receivable, and capital expenditure loans to finance equipment and other fixed assets.  These loans generally have short maturities, have either adjustable or fixed interest rates, and are either unsecured or secured by inventory, accounts receivable and/or fixed assets. For commercial loans, the primary source of repayment is from the operation of the business.

Real estate loans include various types of loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral, and consist of loans on commercial properties and single and multifamily residences.  Real estate loans are typically structured to mature or reprice every five to ten years with payments based on amortization periods up to 30 years.  The majority of construction loans are to contractors and developers for construction of commercial buildings or residential real estate. These loans typically have maturities of up to 24 months. The Company's loan policy includes minimum appraisal and other credit guidelines.

Consumer loans include loans extended to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures not secured by real estate.  The majority of the Company's consumer lending is for vehicles, consolidation of personal debts and household improvements. The repayment source for consumer loans, including 1-4 family residential and home equity loans, is typically wages.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense.  The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans based on an evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior loss experience.  This evaluation also takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, the review of specific problem loans, and the current economic conditions that may affect the borrower's ability to pay.  Loans are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or the other factors relied upon.



20


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that meet the definition of impaired.  The general component covers the remaining loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors such as delinquency trends, loan growth, economic elements and local market conditions.  These same policies are applied to all segments of loans. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses, and may require the Company to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

The following tables detail the changes in the allowance for loan losses by segment for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Beginning balance$3,802
 $2,552
 $350
 $372
 $9,307
 $103
 $16,486
$3,582
 $1,853
 $320
 $186
 $10,442
 $82
 $16,465
Charge-offs(3) 
 
 (176) 
 
 (179)(13) 
 
 
 
 
 (13)
Recoveries34
 
 8
 5
 3
 1
 51
51
 
 3
 5
 4
 3
 66
Provision (1)
(165) 170
 (24) 16
 1
 2
 
53
 58
 (19) (9) (77) (6) 
Ending balance$3,668
 $2,722
 $334
 $217
 $9,311
 $106
 $16,358
$3,673
 $1,911
 $304
 $182
 $10,369
 $79
 $16,518
                          
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Beginning balance$4,441
 $2,804
 $393
 $483
 $7,606
 $102
 $15,829
$3,800
 $2,914
 $315
 $447
 $8,848
 $103
 $16,427
Charge-offs(25) (140) 
 
 
 (6) (171)(133) 
 
 
 
 
 (133)
Recoveries53
 
 37
 6
 4
 
 100
81
 95
 1
 7
 3
 5
 192
Provision (1)
(318) 8
 (84) (25) 621
 (2) 200
54
 (457) 34
 (82) 456
 (5) 
Ending balance$4,151
 $2,672
 $346
 $464
 $8,231
 $94
 $15,958
$3,802
 $2,552
 $350
 $372
 $9,307
 $103
 $16,486
                          
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Beginning balance$3,881
 $2,639
 $317
 $478
 $8,697
 $100
 $16,112
$3,866
 $2,213
 $319
 $186
 $9,770
 $76
 $16,430
Charge-offs(196) 
 
 (176) 
 
 (372)(208) 
 
 (1) 
 
 (209)
Recoveries174
 398
 10
 20
 9
 7
 618
110
 
 7
 11
 7
 12
 147
Provision (1)
(191) (315) 7
 (105) 605
 (1) 
(95) (302) (22) (14) 592
 (9) 150
Ending balance$3,668
 $2,722
 $334
 $217
 $9,311
 $106
 $16,358
$3,673
 $1,911
 $304
 $182
 $10,369
 $79
 $16,518
                          
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Beginning balance$4,369
 $2,338
 $508
 $481
 $7,254
 $17
 $14,967
$3,881
 $2,639
 $317
 $478
 $8,697
 $100
 $16,112
Charge-offs(25) (140) (93) 
 
 (6) (264)(193) 
 
 
 
 
 (193)
Recoveries194
 56
 58
 30
 10
 7
 355
140
 398
 2
 15
 6
 6
 567
Provision (1)
(387) 418
 (127) (47) 967
 76
 900
(26) (485) 31
 (121) 604
 (3) 
Ending balance$4,151
 $2,672
 $346
 $464
 $8,231
 $94
 $15,958
$3,802
 $2,552
 $350
 $372
 $9,307
 $103
 $16,486
(1)The negative provisions for the various segments are either related to the decline in outstanding balances in each of those portfolio segments during the time periods disclosed and/or improvement in the credit quality factors related to those portfolio segments.

21


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
September 30, 2017June 30, 2018
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Ending balance:                          
Individually evaluated for impairment$
 $
 $
 $23
 $123
 $
 $146
$
 $
 $
 $16
 $109
 $
 $125
Collectively evaluated for impairment3,668
 2,722
 334
 194
 9,188
 106
 16,212
3,673
 1,911
 304
 166
 10,260
 79
 16,393
Total$3,668
 $2,722
 $334
 $217
 $9,311
 $106
 $16,358
$3,673
 $1,911
 $304
 $182
 $10,369
 $79
 $16,518
                          
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Ending balance:                          
Individually evaluated for impairment$91
 $
 $
 $276
 $136
 $
 $503
$
 $
 $
 $21
 $118
 $
 $139
Collectively evaluated for impairment3,790
 2,639
 317
 202
 8,561
 100
 15,609
3,866
 2,213
 319
 165
 9,652
 76
 16,291
Total$3,881
 $2,639
 $317
 $478
 $8,697
 $100
 $16,112
$3,866
 $2,213
 $319
 $186
 $9,770
 $76
 $16,430
The following tables present the recorded investment in loans, exclusive of unamortized fees and costs, disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017.
September 30, 2017June 30, 2018
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Ending balance:                          
Individually evaluated for impairment$
 $
 $94
 $53
 $370
 $
 $517
$990
 $
 $116
 $188
 $833
 $
 $2,127
Collectively evaluated for impairment316,716
 249,453
 49,275
 14,505
 819,774
 8,235
 1,457,958
325,830
 182,681
 49,563
 13,671
 955,977
 6,524
 1,534,246
Total$316,716
 $249,453
 $49,369
 $14,558
 $820,144
 $8,235
 $1,458,475
$326,820
 $182,681
 $49,679
 $13,859
 $956,810
 $6,524
 $1,536,373
December 31, 2016December 31, 2017
  Real Estate      Real Estate    
Commercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other TotalCommercial Construction and Land 1-4 Family Residential Home Equity Commercial Consumer and Other Total
Ending balance:                          
Individually evaluated for impairment$126
 $
 $108
 $317
 $471
 $
 $1,022
$
 $
 $91
 $193
 $338
 $
 $622
Collectively evaluated for impairment333,888
 205,610
 47,076
 17,740
 787,529
 8,355
 1,400,198
347,482
 207,451
 50,953
 13,618
 885,776
 6,363
 1,511,643
Total$334,014
 $205,610
 $47,184
 $18,057
 $788,000
 $8,355
 $1,401,220
$347,482
 $207,451
 $51,044
 $13,811
 $886,114
 $6,363
 $1,512,265


22


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


5. Long-Term DebtDerivatives

On May 25, 2017,The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk related to the variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. The Company entered into a credit agreement with a commercial bank and borrowed $25,000. This credit agreement replaced a prior credit agreement with the same commercial bank that had a remaining outstanding principal balance of $3,000. The additional borrowing was used to make a capital injection into the Company's subsidiary, West Bank. Principal and interest under the term note are payable quarterly over five years. Required quarterly principal payments are $625, with the balance due at maturity. The Company may make additional principal payments without penalty. The interest rate is variable at 1.95 percent over the 30-day LIBOR rate. The interest rate was 3.18 percent at September 30, 2017. In the case of an event of default, the unaffiliated commercial bank may accelerate the payment of the loan. The loan is secured by 100 percent of the stock of West Bank.

6. Derivatives

The Company has entered into varioustwo forward-starting interest rate swap transactions to effectively convert variable rate FHLB advances and junior subordinated notesdebt instruments to fixed rate debt as of forward-starting dates. Theinstruments. These two swap transactions wereare designated as cash flow hedges.hedges of the changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments on $50,000 of debt instruments. In January 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts certain customer deposits with variable rates based on the federal funds upper target rate to fixed rate instruments. This swap transaction has a notional amount of $60,000 with a forward-starting date in December 2018 and is designated as a cash flow hedge of the risk of changes in total cash flows paid on certain customer deposits. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the interest rate swaps, which is minimized by collateral-pledging provisions in the agreements. Derivative contracts are executed with a Credit Support Annex, which is a bilateral ratings-sensitive agreement that requires collateral postings at established credit threshold levels. These agreements protect the interests of the Company and its counterparties should either party suffer a credit rating deterioration. As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company pledged $0 and $210, respectively, of collateral to the counterparty in the form of cash on deposit with a third party. The Company's counterparty was required to pledge $3,160 and $980 at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company estimates there will be approximately $37 of cash receipts and reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense through the 12 months ending June 30, 2019. Interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $70,000 were terminated in 2015, subject to termination fees totaling $541. The termination fees are being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense over the remaining life of the underlying cash flows through June 2020. An interest rate swap with a notional amountApproximately $95 of $30,000 became effective in December 2015. Another interest rate swap, with a notional amount of $20,000, has a forward-starting date in September 2018. No amount of ineffectiveness was included in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016, and the Company estimates theretermination fees will be approximately $373 of cash payments and reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive incomereclassified to interest expense through the 12 months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018. Derivative contracts are executed with a Credit Support Annex, which is a bilateral ratings-sensitive agreement that requires collateral postings at established credit threshold levels. These agreements protect the interests of the Company and its counterparties should either party suffer a credit rating deterioration. As of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company pledged $470 of collateral to the counterparty in the form of cash on deposit with a third party. The Company's counterparty was required to pledge $720 and $1,070 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.2019.

The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.
Interest Rate Swap  
Notional
Amount
 Fair Value 
Balance Sheet
Category
 Weighted Average Receive Rate Weighted Average Pay Rate Maturity
September 30, 2017         
 
Notional
Amount
 Fair Value 
Balance Sheet
Category
 Weighted Average Receive Rate Weighted Average Pay Rate Maturity
June 30, 2018         
Interest rate swap $30,000
 $(351) Other Liabilities 1.64% 2.52% 9/21/2020 $30,000
 $360
 Other Assets 2.64% 2.52% 9/21/2020
Interest rate swap(1)
 20,000
 786
 Other Assets 
 4.81% 9/30/2026 20,000
 1,625
 Other Assets 
 4.81% 9/30/2026
December 31, 2016         
Interest rate swap(2)
 60,000
 1,408
 Other Assets 
 2.31% 12/31/2025
December 31, 2017         
Interest rate swap 30,000
 (496) Other Liabilities 1.30% 2.52% 9/21/2020 $30,000
 $(86) Other Liabilities 1.95% 2.52% 9/21/2020
Interest rate swap(1)
 20,000
 1,068
 Other Assets 
 4.81% 9/30/2026 20,000
 895
 Other Assets 
 4.81% 9/30/2026
(1) This swap is a forward-starting swap with a weighted average pay rate of 4.81 percent beginning September 30, 2018. No interest payments are required related to this swap until December 30, 2018.
(1)This swap is a forward-starting swap with a weighted average pay rate of 4.81 percent beginning September 30, 2018. No interest payments are required related to this swap until December 30, 2018.
(2)This swap is a forward-starting swap with a weighted average pay rate of 2.31 percent beginning December 31, 2018. No interest payments are required related to this swap until January 31, 2019.

The following table identifies the pre-tax gains or losses recognized on the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.
   Effective Portion Ineffective Portion
   Amount of 
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income
 
Recognized in Income on
Derivatives
   Pre-tax (Loss)  
   Recognized   Amount of   Amount of
Interest Rate Swap  in OCI Category (Loss) Category Gain (Loss)
September 30, 2017  $(376) Interest Expense $(321) Other Income $
September 30, 2016  (889) Interest Expense (444) Other Income 
      Reclassified from AOCI into Income
  Amount of Pre-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI 
     Amount of Loss
  Six Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
  2018 2017 Category 2018 2017
Interest rate swaps $2,548
 (347) Interest Expense $(82) (223)


23


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


7.  Deferred6.  Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, Public Law 115-97, commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act), was signed into law. The Tax Act reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from the previous maximum rate of 35 percent to 21 percent. The lower federal corporate income tax rate became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The enactment of the legislation and the reduction in the federal income tax rate resulted in a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities in December 2017.

Net deferred tax assets consisted of the following as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017.  
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:      
Allowance for loan losses$6,216
 $6,123
$4,129
 $4,108
Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale15
 719
2,864
 902
Intangibles231
 462

 101
Accrued expenses499
 706
260
 176
Restricted stock compensation564
 446
335
 544
State net operating loss carryforward1,339
 1,271
1,458
 1,379
Other137
 190
76
 86
9,001
 9,917
9,122
 7,296
Deferred tax liabilities:      
Net deferred loan fees and costs289
 321
186
 193
Net unrealized gains on interest rate swaps59
 80
798
 139
Premises and equipment1,227
 1,027
711
 792
Other226
 261
143
 148
1,801
 1,689
1,838
 1,272
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance7,200
 8,228
7,284
 6,024
Valuation allowance(1,339) (1,271)(1,458) (1,379)
Net deferred tax assets$5,861
 $6,957
$5,826
 $4,645
The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the tax effect of the state net operating loss carryforwards, as management believes it is more likely than not that these carryforwards will expire without being utilized. The state net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2019 and thereafter.

8.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.
  Unrealized Unrealized Accumulated
  Gains Gains Other
  (Losses) on (Losses) on Comprehensive
  Securities Derivatives Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2015 $342
 $(772) $(430)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 2,958
 (550) 2,408
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (113) 275
 162
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 2,845
 (275) 2,570
Balance, September 30, 2016 $3,187
 $(1,047) $2,140
       
Balance, December 31, 2016 $(1,172) $130
 $(1,042)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 1,556
 (233) 1,323
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (408) 199
 (209)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 1,148
 (34) 1,114
Balance, September 30, 2017 $(24) $96
 $72

24


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


9.7.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.

  Unrealized Unrealized Accumulated
  Gains Gains Other
  (Losses) on (Losses) on Comprehensive
  Securities Derivatives Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2016 $(1,172) $130
 $(1,042)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 2,372
 (215) 2,157
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (265) 138
 (127)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 2,107
 (77) 2,030
Balance, June 30, 2017 $935
 $53
 $988
       
Balance, December 31, 2017 $(2,237) $345
 $(1,892)
Transfer of securities held to maturity to securities available for sale 273
 
 273
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (6,143) 1,911
 (4,232)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (7) 60
 53
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (5,877) 1,971
 (3,906)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects (475) 105
 (370)
Balance, June 30, 2018 $(8,589) $2,421
 $(6,168)
8.  Commitments and Contingencies

Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk: The Company is 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.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations that it uses for on-balance-sheet instruments.  The Company's commitments consisted of the following approximate amounts as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017. 
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Commitments to extend credit$597,325
 $614,681
$657,434
 $617,949
Standby letters of credit5,424
 5,487
4,848
 5,996
$602,749
 $620,168
$662,282
 $623,945
West Bank previously executed Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) Master Commitments (Commitments) with the FHLB of Des Moines to deliver residential mortgage loans and to guarantee the payment of any realized losses that exceed the FHLB's first loss account for mortgages delivered under the Commitments. West Bank receives credit enhancement fees from the FHLB for providing this guarantee and continuing to assist with managing the credit risk of the MPF Program residential mortgage loans. At SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, the liability represented by the present value of the credit enhancement fees less any expected losses in the mortgages delivered under the Commitments was approximately $125.$41. The outstanding balance of mortgage loans sold under the MPF Program was $98,353$86,651 and $112,084$94,292 at SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.

Contractual commitments: The Company hashad remaining commitments to invest in qualified affordable housing projects totaling $6,253$4,707 and $5,768$6,130 as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, respectively.

Contingencies: Neither the Company nor West Bank is a party, and no property of these entities is subject, to any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to West Bank's business. The Company does not know of any proceeding contemplated by a governmental authority against the Company or West Bank.


25


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


10.
9. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system.  Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts business.

The Company's balance sheet contains investment securities available for sale and derivative instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  The three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value is as follows:

Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 uses observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between Levels at the end of each reporting period, if applicable. There were no transfers between Levels of the fair value hierarchy during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Investment securities available for sale: When available, quoted market prices are used to determine the fair value of investment securities.securities (Level 1). If quoted market prices are not available, the Company determines fair value based on various sources and may apply matrix pricing with observable prices for similar bonds where a price for the identical bond is not observable.observable (Level 2). The fair values of these securities are determined by pricing models that consider observable market data such as interest rate volatilities, LIBOR yield curve, credit spreads, prices from market makers and live trading systems. Level 1 securities include certain corporate bonds and would include U.S. Treasuries, if any were held. Level 2 securities include U.S. government and agency securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, state and political subdivision securities, and trust preferred securities. The Company currently holds no investment securities classified as Level 3.

Generally, management obtains the fair value of investment securities at the end of each reporting period via a third-party pricing service. Management reviewed the valuation process used by the third party and believed that process was valid. On a quarterly basis, the Company testsmanagement corroborates the fair values by selectingof a randomly selected sample of investment securities from each category of securities,by obtaining pricing from an independent investment portfolio management firm and comparing the two sets of fair values. Any significant variances are reviewed and investigated. For a sample of securities, prices are further validated by management, with assistance from an independent investment portfolio management firm, by obtaining details of the inputs used by the pricing service. Those inputs were independently tested, and management concluded the fair values were consistent with GAAP requirements and the investment securities were properly classified in the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the period covered by this report.hierarchy.

Derivative instruments: The Company's derivative instruments consist of interest rate swaps, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company's derivative positions are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are valued using models generally accepted in the financial services industry and that use actively quoted or observable market input values from external market data providers and/or non-binding broker-dealer quotations. The fair value of the derivatives is determined using discounted cash flow models. These models’ key assumptions include the contractual terms of the respective contract along with significant observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curves, nonperformance risk and volatility.


26


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present the balances of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016.2017.

 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2018
 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets:                
Investment securities available for sale:                
U.S. government agencies and corporations $2,489
 $
 $2,489
 $
U.S. Treasuries $39,504
 $39,504
 $
 $
State and political subdivisions 134,256
 
 134,256
 
 175,904
 
 175,904
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations 149,367
 
 149,367
 
 162,839
 
 162,839
 
Mortgage-backed securities 54,787
 
 54,787
 
 55,030
 
 55,030
 
Asset-backed securities 46,273
 
 46,273
 
 41,462
 
 41,462
 
Trust preferred securities 1,700
 
 1,700
 
Trust preferred security 2,000
 
 2,000
 
Corporate notes 29,502
 29,202
 300
 
 50,054
 
 50,054
 
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap 786
 
 786
 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:        
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap $351
 $
 $351
 $
Derivative instruments, interest rate swaps 3,393
 
 3,393
 
 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2017
 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Financial assets:                
Investment securities available for sale:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
U.S. government agencies and corporations $2,593
 $
 $2,593
 $
State and political subdivisions 64,336
 
 64,336
 
 $146,313
 $
 $146,313
 $
Collateralized mortgage obligations 101,950
 
 101,950
 
 159,932
 
 159,932
 
Mortgage-backed securities 80,158
 
 80,158
 
 60,429
 
 60,429
 
Asset-backed securities 45,195
 
 45,195
 
Trust preferred security 1,250
 
 1,250
 
 2,006
 
 2,006
 
Corporate notes 10,350
 10,050
 300
 
 30,344
 
 30,344
 
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap 1,068
 
 1,068
 
 895
 
 895
 
                
Financial liabilities:                
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap $496
 $
 $496
 $
 $86
 $
 $86
 $
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  As of both SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, impaired loans for which a fair value adjustment was recorded were recorded at a net value of $0.  Impaired loans are evaluated and valued at the lower of cost or fair value when the loan is identified as impaired.  Fair value is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans.  The types of collateral vary widely and could include accounts receivables, inventory, a variety of equipment and real estate.  Evaluations of the underlying assets are completed for each impaired loan with a specific reserve. Collateral evaluations are reviewed and discounted as appropriate based on knowledge of the specific type of collateral. In the case of real estate, an independent appraisal may be obtained. Types of discounts considered includedinclude aging of receivables, condition of the collateral, potential market for the collateral and estimated disposal costs. These discounts will vary from loan to loan and may be discounted based on management's opinions concerning market developments or the client's business.
 

27


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.  The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above.  The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.

Cash and due from banks:  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Federal funds sold:  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Investment securities held to maturity: The fair values of these securities, which are all state and political subdivisions, are determined by the same method previously described for investment securities available for sale.

FHLB stock:  The fair value of this restricted stock is estimated at its carrying value and redemption price of $100 per share.

Loans:  The fair values of fixed rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on observable market interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The carrying values of variable rate loans approximate their fair values.

Deposits:  The carrying amounts for demand and savings deposits, which represent the amounts payable on demand, approximate their fair values.  The fair values for time deposits are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered on time deposits with similar terms.

Accrued interest receivable and payable:  The fair values of both accrued interest receivable and payable approximate their carrying amounts.

Borrowings:  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, short-term borrowings, variable rate FHLB advances, and variable rate long-term borrowings approximate their fair values.  Fair values of subordinated notes, a fixed rate FHLB advance and other long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered with similar terms.

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit:  The approximate fair values of commitments and standby letters of credit are based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and creditworthiness of the counterparties.


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Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following table presents the carrying amounts and approximate fair values of financial assets and liabilities as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Fair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Approximate Fair Value Carrying Amount Approximate Fair ValueFair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Amount Approximate Fair Value Carrying Amount Approximate Fair Value
Financial assets:                
Cash and due from banksLevel 1 $33,560
 $33,560
 $40,943
 $40,943
Level 1 $36,964
 $36,964
 $34,952
 $34,952
Federal funds soldLevel 1 5,937
 5,937
 35,893
 35,893
Level 1 28,139
 28,139
 12,997
 12,997
Investment securities available for saleSee previous table 418,374
 418,374
 260,637
 260,637
See previous table 526,793
 526,793
 444,219
 444,219
Investment securities held to maturityLevel 2 45,597
 46,356
 48,386
 47,789
Level 2 
 
 45,527
 45,890
Federal Home Loan Bank stockLevel 1 12,256
 12,256
 10,771
 10,771
Level 1 9,202
 9,202
 9,174
 9,174
Loans, net(1)
Level 2 1,440,547
 1,439,084
 1,383,758
 1,382,569
Level 2 1,517,886
 1,495,204
 1,494,070
 1,490,166
Accrued interest receivableLevel 1 6,636
 6,636
 5,321
 5,321
Level 1 7,864
 7,864
 7,344
 7,344
Interest rate swapLevel 2 786
 786
 1,068
 1,068
Interest rate swapsLevel 2 3,393
 3,393
 895
 895
Financial liabilities:                
DepositsLevel 2 $1,651,266
 $1,651,307
 $1,546,605
 $1,546,307
Level 2 $1,891,929
 $1,891,198
 $1,810,813
 $1,810,924
Federal funds purchasedLevel 1 925
 925
 9,690
 9,690
Level 1 860
 860
 545
 545
Short-term borrowingsLevel 1 48,000
 48,000
 
 
Subordinated notes, netLevel 2 20,408
 14,021
 20,398
 12,703
Level 2 20,418
 15,141
 20,412
 15,357
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, netLevel 2 101,005
 101,113
 99,886
 99,959
Level 2 77,124
 77,124
 76,382
 76,382
Long-term debt, netLevel 2 24,195
 24,134
 5,126
 5,054
Long-term debtLevel 2 19,611
 19,562
 22,917
 22,860
Accrued interest payableLevel 1 616
 616
 280
 280
Level 1 831
 831
 736
 736
Interest rate swapLevel 2 351
 351
 496
 496
Level 2 
 
 86
 86
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:                
Commitments to extend creditLevel 3 
 
 
 
Level 3 
 
 
 
Standby letters of creditLevel 3 
 
 
 
Level 3 
 
 
 

(1) All loans are Level 2 except impaired loans with a net value of $0 as of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, which are Level 3.

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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

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

"SAFE HARBOR" CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company'sCompany’s business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)"Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “future,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “strategy,” “plan,” “opportunity,” “will be,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar references, or references to estimates, predictions or future events.  Such forward-looking statements are based upon certain underlying assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Because of the possibility that the underlying assumptions are incorrect or do not materialize as expected in the future, actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties that may affect future results include: interest rate risk; competitive pressures; pricing pressures on loans and deposits; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company'sCompany’s loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; actions of bank and nonbank competitors; changes in local, national and international economic conditions; changes in legal and regulatory requirements, limitations and costs; changes in customers'customers’ acceptance of the Company'sCompany’s products and services; cyber-attacks; unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of this and other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current or future events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of thesethe Company's financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. These estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The estimates and judgments that management believes involve the most complex and subjective estimates and judgments and have the most effect on the Company's reported financial position and results of operations are described as critical accounting policies in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC on March 1, 2017.2018. There have been no significant changes in the critical accounting policies or the assumptions and judgments utilized in applying these policies since the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This report contains references to financial measures that are not defined in GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures include the Company’s presentation of net interest income and net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis, and the presentation of the efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis, excluding certain income and expenses. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors to analyze and evaluate the Company’s financial performance. Both measures are considered standard measures of comparison within the banking industry. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be considered an alternative to the Company’s GAAP results. The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of net interest income and net interest margin on an FTE basis and efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis to GAAP.

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016 2018 2017 2018 2017
Reconciliation of net interest income and annualized net interest margin on an FTE basis to GAAP:                
Net interest income (GAAP) $15,031
 $14,721
 $44,513
 $42,693
 $15,299
 $15,093
 $30,715
 $29,482
Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)
 677
 639
 1,892
 1,994
 236
 597
 525
 1,215
Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) $15,708
 $15,360
 $46,405
 $44,687
 $15,535
 $15,690
 $31,240
 $30,697
Average interest-earning assets $1,882,837
 $1,745,878
 $1,820,997
 $1,699,703
 $2,044,821
 $1,832,132
 $2,028,846
 $1,789,565
Net interest margin on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) 3.31% 3.50% 3.41% 3.51% 3.05% 3.44% 3.11% 3.46%
                
Reconciliation of efficiency ratio on an FTE basis to GAAP:                
Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP) $15,708
 $15,360
 $46,405
 $44,687
 $15,535
 $15,690
 $31,240
 $30,697
Noninterest income 2,264
 1,919
 6,740
 6,052
 2,023
 2,316
 3,936
 4,476
Less: realized investment securities gains, net (197) 
 (423) (60)
Adjustment for realized investment securities (gains) losses, net 25
 (229) 25
 (226)
Plus: losses on disposal of premises and equipment, net 10
 
 25
 
 
 15
 
 15
Adjusted income $17,785
 $17,279
 $52,747
 $50,679
 $17,583
 $17,792
 $35,201
 $34,962
Noninterest expense $8,020
 $7,993
 $24,235
 $23,611
 $8,958
 $8,172
 $17,245
 $16,215
Adjustment for write-down of premises (333) 
 (333) 
Adjusted expense $8,625
 $8,172
 $16,912
 $16,215
Efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis (non-GAAP) (2)
 45.10% 46.25% 45.95% 46.59% 49.05% 45.93% 48.05% 46.38%

(1)Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21 percent in 2018 and 35 percent in 2017, adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt securities and loans.
(2)Efficiency ratio expresses noninterest expense as a percent of fully taxable equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, excluding specific noninterest income and expenses.


(1) Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental federal income tax rate of 35 percent, adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt securities and loans.
(2) Efficiency ratio expresses noninterest expense as a percent of fully taxable equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, excluding specific noninterest income and expenses. Management believes the presentation of this non-GAAP measure provides supplemental useful information for proper understanding of the financial results, as it enhances the comparability of income and expenses arising from taxable and nontaxable sources.30


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

THREE AND NINESIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBERJUNE 30, 20172018

OVERVIEW

The following discussion describes the consolidated operations and financial condition of the Company, West Bank and West Bank's wholly owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation.Corporation (which was liquidated in March 2018). Results of operations for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 are compared to the results for the same periods in 20162017, and the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 is compared to December 31, 20162017. The Company operates in three markets: central Iowa, which is generally the greater Des Moines metropolitan area; eastern Iowa, which is the area including and surrounding Iowa City and Coralville, Iowa; and the Rochester, Minnesota area.

Net income for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 was $6,405,$6,764 or $0.39$0.41 per diluted common share, compared to $5,813,$6,365, or $0.36$0.39 per diluted common share, for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 were 1.291.27 percent and 14.4115.15 percent, respectively, compared to 1.261.33 percent and 14.2014.86 percent, respectively, for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017.

The increase in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to higher net interest income and a decrease in income taxes, partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense and decrease in noninterest income. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was signed into law. The Tax Act reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from the previous maximum rate of 35 percent to 21 percent effective for 2018 and future years. The enactment of the legislation and the reduction in the federal income tax rate was the primary driver of the decrease in income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 grew $206 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $145,792 increase in average investments and a $55,543 increase in average loans outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. During the three months ended June 30, 2018, interest expense on deposits increased $2,017 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, mainly due to a $210,885 increase in average deposit balances and increases to interest rates on various deposit products as a result of rising market rates. The Company recorded no provision for loan losses for each of the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.

Noninterest income declined $293 during the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, mainly due to net realized investment securities gains in 2017. Noninterest expense grew $786 during the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same time period in 2017, primarily due to a write-down of premises and an increase in salaries and benefits. To meet the changing needs of customers and improve the efficiency of resources, the Company will consolidate the Iowa City and Coralville branches in the fall of 2018. Accordingly, the Company recognized a write-down of premises of $333 during the three months ended June 30, 2018 related to the Iowa City branch facility. Eastern Iowa customers will continue to be served by our team at the Coralville branch and through our online and mobile banking platforms.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $14,148, or $0.86 per diluted common share, compared to $12,471, or $0.76 per diluted common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were 1.34 percent and 15.96 percent, respectively, compared to 1.34 percent and 14.83 percent, respectively, for the first six months of 2017.

The increase in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to higher net interest income and a decrease in income taxes, partially offset by increases in provision for loan losses and noninterest expense, and lower noninterest income.

Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 grew $1,233, or 4.2 percent, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $160,592 increase in average investments and a $66,635 increase in average loans outstanding for the first six months of 2018 compared to the first six months of 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, interest expense on deposits increased $3,834 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017, mainly due to a $270,637 increase in average deposit balances and increases to interest rates on various deposit products as a result of rising market rates. The Company recorded a $150 provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to no provision in the six months ended June 30, 2017.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The increase in netNoninterest income fordeclined $540 during the threesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the threesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016 was primarily2017, mainly due to the combination of highera nonrecurring gain from bank-owned life insurance and net interest income, growthrealized investment securities gains in noninterest income and a decrease in the provision for loan losses.2017. Noninterest expense forgrew $1,030 during the threesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 held steady compared to the same period in 2016.

Net interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2017 grew $310, or 2.1 percent, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in net interest income was driven by a $47,008, or 3.4 percent, increase in average loans outstanding and a $68,071, or 19.7 percent, increase in average investment securities held for the three months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same time period in 2016. Partially offsetting the increase in interest income was an increase of $1,236 in interest expense on deposits, primarily due to higher interest rates paid on certain deposit products. The Company recorded no provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to a $200 provision in the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Noninterest income grew $345, or 18.0 percent, during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same time period in 2016, mainly as the result of net gains on sales of investment securities and an increase in trust revenue.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $18,876, or $1.16 per diluted common share, compared to $16,985, or $1.05 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were 1.32 and 14.69 percent, respectively, compared to 1.26 and 14.29 percent, respectively, for the first nine months of 2016.

The increase in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to growth in net interest income associated with loan growth that exceeded the increase in interest expense on deposits, a decrease in the provision for loan losses and an increase in noninterest income. Partially offsetting these positive changes for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016 was a 2.6 percent increase in noninterest expense.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 grew $1,820, or 4.3 percent, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to the $113,699 increasewrite-down of premises in average loans outstanding for the first nine months of 2017 compared to the first nine months of 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, interest expense on deposits increased $2,683 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, mainly due to increased interest rates on certain money market deposit products2018 and certificates of deposit as a result of rising market rates. The Company recorded no provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to a $900 provision in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the allowance for loan losses grew $246 as a result of net recoveries on previously charged off loans exceeding current year charge-offs.

Noninterest income increased $688, or 11.4 percent, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, mainly due to net gains on sales of investment securities, an increase in trust revenue and a nonrecurring gain on an asset sale. Noninterest expense grew $624 during the first nine months of 2017, primarily due to an increase in salaries and benefit costs.benefits.

Total loans outstanding increased $57,035,$23,904, or 4.11.6 percent, during the first ninesix months of 2017.2018. Management believes the loan pipeline is strong and that loan growth will continue in all three of our markets during the remainder of 2017.2018. The credit quality of the loan portfolio remained strong, as evidenced by the Company's Texas ratio, which was 0.271.07 percent as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2018. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, the allowance for loan losses was 1.121.08 percent of outstanding loans, and management believed the allowance was adequate to absorb any losses inherent in the loan portfolio.




32


Tableportfolio as of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
that date.

Each quarter throughout the year, the Company's four key performance metrics are compared to those of our identified peer group of 16 companies. The group of 16 Midwestern, publicly traded peer financial institutions against which we compare our performance each quarter consists ofinstitutions. The peer group includes BankFinancial Corporation, Farmers Capital Bank Corporation, First Business Financial Services, Inc., First Defiance Financial Corp., First Internet Bancorp, First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc., Hills Bancorporation, Horizon Bancorp, Isabella Bank Corporation, Mercantile Bank Corporation, MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc., MutualFirst Financial, Inc., Nicolet Bankshares, Inc., Peoples Bancorp, QCR Holdings, Inc., Southwest Bancorp and Waterstone Financial, Inc. The members of the peer group are selected based on their business focus, scope and location of operations, size and other considerations. The Company is in the middle of the group in terms of asset size. The group is periodically reviewed, with changes made primarily to reflect merger and acquisition activity. Our goal is to perform at or near the top of these peers relative to what we consider to be four key metrics: return on average assets, return on average equity, efficiency ratio and Texas ratio. We believe these measures encompass the factors that define the performance of a community bank. When contrasted with the peer group's metrics for the sixthree months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 (latest data available), the Company's metrics for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 were better than those of each company in the peer group as shown in the table below, except for one peerfour peers that had a higher return on average assets.
 West Bancorporation, Inc. Peer Group Range
 NineSix Months Ended June 30, 2018Three months ended September 30, 2017Six months ended June 30, 2017March 31, 2018
Return on average assets1.32%1.34% 0.56%0.77% - 1.75%1.58%
Return on average equity14.69%15.96% 4.37%6.80% - 12.13%12.55%
Efficiency ratio*ratio(1) (2)
45.95%48.05% 54.04%53.84% - 73.76%77.67%
Texas ratio*ratio(2)
0.27%1.07% 3.78%1.82% - 23.16%19.34%
* A lower ratio is more desirable.
(1) The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.

In July 2017, the Company was included on Bank Director Magazine's 2017 Bank Performance Scorecard listing of the top performing publicly traded banks in the nation with assets of $1 billion to $5 billion. The ranking was based on five key metrics that measured performance for 2016. The Company was ranked No. 6 in the nation.(2) A lower ratio is more desirable.

At its meeting on OctoberJuly 25, 2017,2018, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18$0.20 per common share. The dividend is payable on NovemberAugust 22, 2017,2018, to stockholders of record as of Novemberon August 8, 2017. The dividend was increased by $0.01 to the $0.18 level for the dividend declared in April 2017 and represents the highest quarterly dividend ever paid by the Company.2018.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table shows selected financial results and measures for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared with the same periods in 2016.2017. 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 Change Change % 2017 2016 Change Change %2018 2017 Change Change % 2018 2017 Change Change %
Net income$6,405
 $5,813
 $592
 10.18% $18,876
 $16,985
 $1,891
 11.13%$6,764
 $6,365
 $399
 6.27% $14,148
 $12,471
 $1,677
 13.45%
Average assets1,969,547
 1,838,125
 131,422
 7.15% 1,911,391
 1,794,777
 116,614
 6.50%2,140,649
 1,923,893
 216,756
 11.27% 2,121,867
 1,881,831
 240,036
 12.76%
Average stockholders' equity176,308
 162,867
 13,441
 8.25% 171,827
 158,821
 13,006
 8.19%179,100
 171,786
 7,314
 4.26% 178,748
 169,549
 9,199
 5.43%
                              
Return on average assets1.29% 1.26% 0.03 %   1.32% 1.26% 0.06 %  
1.27% 1.33% (0.06)%   1.34% 1.34%  %  
Return on average equity14.41% 14.20% 0.21 %   14.69% 14.29% 0.40 %  
15.15% 14.86% 0.29 %   15.96% 14.83% 1.13 %  
Net interest margin (1)
3.31% 3.50% (0.19)%   3.41% 3.51% (0.10)%  3.05% 3.44% (0.39)%   3.11% 3.46% (0.35)%  
Efficiency ratio (1) (2)
45.10% 46.25% (1.15)%   45.95% 46.59% (0.64)%  49.05% 45.93% 3.12 %   48.05% 46.38% 1.67 %  
Dividend payout ratio45.57% 47.19% (1.62)%   45.46% 47.43% (1.97)%  
48.18% 45.85% 2.33 %   43.67% 45.40% (1.73)%  
Average equity to average assets ratio8.95% 8.86% 0.09 %   8.99% 8.85% 0.14 %  
8.37% 8.93% (0.56)%   8.42% 9.01% (0.59)%  
                              
        As of September 30,          As of June 30,  
        2017 2016 Change          2018 2017 Change  
Texas ratio (2)
        0.27% 0.55% (0.28)%          1.07% 0.43% 0.64 %  
Equity to assets ratio        8.77% 9.03% (0.26)%  
        8.30% 9.12% (0.82)%  
Tangible common equity ratioTangible common equity ratio       8.77% 9.03% (0.26)%  
Tangible common equity ratio       8.30% 9.12% (0.82)%  
(1) Amounts are presented on an FTE basis. These are non-GAAP financial measures. For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.
(2) A lower ratio is more desirable.

Definitions of ratios:
Return on average assets - annualized net income divided by average assets.
Return on average equity - annualized net income divided by average stockholders' equity.
Net interest margin - annualized tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
Efficiency ratio - noninterest expense (excluding other real estate owned expense)expense and write-down of premises) divided by noninterest income (excluding net securities gains (losses) and gains/losses on disposition of premises and equipment) plus tax-equivalent net interest income.
Dividend payout ratio - dividends paid to common stockholders divided by net income.
Texas ratio - total nonperforming assets divided by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses.
Equity to assets ratio - equity divided by assets.
Tangible common equity ratio - common equity less intangible assets (none held) divided by tangible assets.



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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Net Interest Income

The following tables present average balances and related interest income or interest expense, with the resulting annualized average yield or rate by category of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities.  Interest income and the resulting net interest income are shown on an FTE basis.
Data for the three months ended September 30:              
Data for the three months ended June 30:Data for the three months ended June 30:              
                             
Average Balance Interest Income/Expense Yield/RateAverage Balance Interest Income/Expense Yield/Rate
2017 2016 Change 
Change-
%
 2017 2016 Change 
Change-
%
 2017 2016 Change2018 2017 Change 
Change-
%
 2018 2017 Change 
Change-
%
 2018 2017 Change
Interest-earning assets:                                          
Loans: (1) (2)
                                          
Commercial$308,585
 $365,632
 $(57,047) (15.60)% $3,452
 $3,874
 $(422) (10.89)% 4.44% 4.22% 0.22 %$321,897
 $333,674
 $(11,777) (3.53)% $3,821
 $3,626
 $195
 5.38 % 4.76% 4.36% 0.40 %
Real estate (3)
1,109,041
 1,003,492
 105,549
 10.52 % 12,503
 11,166
 1,337
 11.97 % 4.47% 4.43% 0.04 %1,186,686
 1,117,973
 68,713
 6.15 % 13,344
 12,547
 797
 6.35 % 4.51% 4.50% 0.01 %
Consumer and other8,489
 9,983
 (1,494) (14.97)% 88
 102
 (14) (13.73)% 4.09% 4.06% 0.03 %6,854
 8,247
 (1,393) (16.89)% 68
 81
 (13) (16.05)% 3.98% 3.98%  %
Total loans1,426,115
 1,379,107
 47,008
 3.41 % 16,043
 15,142
 901
 5.95 % 4.46% 4.37% 0.09 %1,515,437
 1,459,894
 55,543
 3.80 % 17,233
 16,254
 979
 6.02 % 4.56% 4.47% 0.09 %
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
Investment securities: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Taxable259,225
 230,054
 29,171
 12.68 % 1,489
 991
 498
 50.25 % 2.30% 1.72% 0.58 %306,983
 223,795
 83,188
 37.17 % 1,886
 1,239
 647
 52.22 % 2.46% 2.21% 0.25 %
Tax-exempt (3)
154,834
 115,934
 38,900
 33.55 % 1,569
 1,176
 393
 33.42 % 4.05% 4.06% (0.01)%184,142
 121,538
 62,604
 51.51 % 1,477
 1,200
 277
 23.08 % 3.21% 3.95% (0.74)%
Total investment securities414,059
 345,988
 68,071
 19.67 % 3,058
 2,167
 891
 41.12 % 2.95% 2.50% 0.45 %491,125
 345,333
 145,792
 42.22 % 3,363
 2,439
 924
 37.88 % 2.74% 2.82% (0.08)%
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Federal funds sold42,663
 20,783
 21,880
 105.28 % 136
 26
 110
 423.08 % 1.27% 0.51% 0.76 %38,259
 26,905
 11,354
 42.20 % 177
 70
 107
 152.86 % 1.85% 1.04% 0.81 %
Total interest-earning assets (3)
$1,882,837
 $1,745,878
 $136,959
 7.84 % 19,237
 17,335
 1,902
 10.97 % 4.05% 3.95% 0.10 %$2,044,821
 $1,832,132
 $212,689
 11.61 % 20,773
 18,763
 2,010
 10.71 % 4.07% 4.11% (0.04)%
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest-bearing liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Deposits: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest-bearing demand,                                          
savings and money                                          
market$1,081,227
 $944,809
 $136,418
 14.44 % 1,686
 678
 1,008
 148.67 % 0.62% 0.29% 0.33 %$1,245,738
 $1,070,180
 $175,558
 16.40 % 3,203
 1,444
 1,759
 121.81 % 1.03% 0.54% 0.49 %
Time deposits159,949
 110,223
 49,726
 45.11 % 422
 194
 228
 117.53 % 1.04% 0.70% 0.34 %176,857
 141,530
 35,327
 24.96 % 595
 337
 258
 76.56 % 1.35% 0.96% 0.39 %
Total deposits1,241,176
 1,055,032
 186,144
 17.64 % 2,108
 872
 1,236
 141.74 % 0.67% 0.33% 0.34 %1,422,595
 1,211,710
 210,885
 17.40 % 3,798
 1,781
 2,017
 113.25 % 1.07% 0.59% 0.48 %
Other borrowed funds150,548
 132,583
 17,965
 13.55 % 1,421
 1,103
 318
 28.83 % 3.75% 3.31% 0.44 %128,646
 141,558
 (12,912) (9.12)% 1,440
 1,292
 148
 11.46 % 4.49% 3.66% 0.83 %
Total interest-bearing                                          
liabilities$1,391,724
 $1,187,615
 $204,109
 17.19 % 3,529
 1,975
 1,554
 78.68 % 1.01% 0.66% 0.35 %$1,551,241
 $1,353,268
 $197,973
 14.63 % 5,238
 3,073
 2,165
 70.45 % 1.35% 0.91% 0.44 %
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Tax-equivalent net interest income (FTE) (4)
Tax-equivalent net interest income (FTE) (4)
  
  
 $15,708
 $15,360
 $348
 2.27 %  
  
  
Tax-equivalent net interest income (FTE) (4)
  
  
 $15,535
 $15,690
 $(155) (0.99)%  
  
  
Net interest spread (FTE) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 3.04% 3.29% (0.25)% 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 2.72% 3.20% (0.48)%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 3.31% 3.50% (0.19)%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 3.05% 3.44% (0.39)%

3534


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Data for the nine months ended September 30:              
Data for the six months ended June 30:Data for the six months ended June 30:              
                                          
Average Balance Interest Income/Expense Yield/RateAverage Balance Interest Income/Expense Yield/Rate
2017 2016 Change 
Change-
%
 2017 2016 Change 
Change-
%
 2017 2016 Change2018 2017 Change 
Change-
%
 2018 2017 Change 
Change-
%
 2018 2017 Change
Interest-earning assets:                                          
Loans: (1) (2)
                                          
Commercial$326,090
 $361,315
 $(35,225) (9.75)% $10,556
 $11,377
 $(821) (7.22)% 4.33% 4.21% 0.12 %$324,291
 $334,988
 $(10,697) (3.19)% $7,501
 $7,104
 $397
 5.59 % 4.66% 4.28% 0.38 %
Real estate (3)
1,100,526
 951,226
 149,300
 15.70 % 36,692
 31,768
 4,924
 15.50 % 4.46% 4.46%  %1,175,093
 1,096,198
 78,895
 7.20 % 26,149
 24,189
 1,960
 8.10 % 4.49% 4.45% 0.04 %
Consumer and other8,340
 8,716
 (376) (4.31)% 251
 257
 (6) (2.33)% 4.02% 3.94% 0.08 %6,702
 8,265
 (1,563) (18.91)% 136
 163
 (27) (16.56)% 4.08% 3.99% 0.09 %
Total loans1,434,956
 1,321,257
 113,699
 8.61 % 47,499
 43,402
 4,097
 9.44 % 4.43% 4.39% 0.04 %1,506,086
 1,439,451
 66,635
 4.63 % 33,786
 31,456
 2,330
 7.41 % 4.52% 4.41% 0.11 %
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
Investment securities: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Taxable230,060
 243,811
 (13,751) (5.64)% 3,755
 3,222
 533
 16.54 % 2.18% 1.76% 0.42 %305,780
 215,236
 90,544
 42.07 % 3,699
 2,266
 1,433
 63.24 % 2.42% 2.11% 0.31 %
Tax-exempt (3)
129,808
 120,049
 9,759
 8.13 % 3,932
 3,742
 190
 5.08 % 4.04% 4.16% (0.12)%187,135
 117,087
 70,048
 59.83 % 3,049
 2,363
 686
 29.03 % 3.26% 4.04% (0.78)%
Total investment securities359,868
 363,860
 (3,992) (1.10)% 7,687
 6,964
 723
 10.38 % 2.85% 2.55% 0.30 %492,915
 332,323
 160,592
 48.32 % 6,748
 4,629
 2,119
 45.78 % 2.74% 2.79% (0.05)%
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Federal funds sold26,173
 14,586
 11,587
 79.44 % 223
 57
 166
��291.23 % 1.14% 0.53% 0.61 %29,845
 17,791
 12,054
 67.75 % 258
 87
 171
 196.55 % 1.74% 0.98% 0.76 %
Total interest-earning assets (3)
$1,820,997
 $1,699,703
 $121,294
 7.14 % 55,409
 50,423
 4,986
 9.89 % 4.07% 3.96% 0.11 %$2,028,846
 $1,789,565
 $239,281
 13.37 % 40,792
 36,172
 4,620
 12.77 % 4.05% 4.08% (0.03)%
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest-bearing liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Deposits: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Interest-bearing demand,                                          
savings and money                                          
market$1,030,095
 $909,950
 $120,145
 13.20 % 4,107
 1,842
 2,265
 122.96 % 0.53% 0.27% 0.26 %$1,229,604
 $1,004,105
 $225,499
 22.46 % 5,744
 2,421
 3,323
 137.26 % 0.94% 0.49% 0.45 %
Time deposits139,964
 110,218
 29,746
 26.99 % 977
 559
 418
 74.78 % 0.93% 0.68% 0.25 %174,944
 129,806
 45,138
 34.77 % 1,066
 555
 511
 92.07 % 1.23% 0.86% 0.37 %
Total deposits1,170,059
 1,020,168
 149,891
 14.69 % 5,084
 2,401
 2,683
 111.75 % 0.58% 0.31% 0.27 %1,404,548
 1,133,911
 270,637
 23.87 % 6,810
 2,976
 3,834
 128.83 % 0.98% 0.53% 0.45 %
Other borrowed funds146,583
 138,687
 7,896
 5.69 % 3,920
 3,335
 585
 17.54 % 3.58% 3.21% 0.37 %127,156
 144,567
 (17,411) (12.04)% 2,742
 2,499
 243
 9.72 % 4.35% 3.49% 0.86 %
Total interest-bearing                                          
liabilities$1,316,642
 $1,158,855
 $157,787
 13.62 % 9,004
 5,736
 3,268
 56.97 % 0.91% 0.66% 0.25 %$1,531,704
 $1,278,478
 $253,226
 19.81 % 9,552
 5,475
 4,077
 74.47 % 1.26% 0.86% 0.40 %
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Tax-equivalent net interest income (FTE) (4)
  
  
 $46,405
 $44,687
 $1,718
 3.84 %  
  
  
Net interest income (FTE) (4)
Net interest income (FTE) (4)
  
  
 $31,240
 $30,697
 $543
 1.77 %  
  
  
Net interest spread (FTE) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 3.16% 3.30% (0.14)% 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 2.79% 3.22% (0.43)%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 3.41% 3.51% (0.10)%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 3.11% 3.46% (0.35)%

(1)Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.  Interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans has been included.
(2)Interest income on loans includes amortization of loan fees and costs and prepayment penalties collected, which are not material.
(3)Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incrementala federal income tax rate of 21 percent in 2018 and 35 percent in 2017 and is adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt investment securities and loans.
(4)Net interest income (FTE) and net interest margin (FTE) are non-GAAP financial measures. For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.

The Company's largest component of net income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans and investment securities, and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, consisting of deposits and borrowings. Fluctuations in net interest income can result from the combination of changes in the average balances of asset and liability categories and changes in interest rates. Interest rates earned and paid are affected by general economic conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, and by competitive factors, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System increased the targeted federal funds interest rate by 25 basis points in each of December 2016, March 2017 and June 2018 and each of March, June and December 2017. We believe the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System will increase the targeted federal funds interest rate by 25 basis points at least one more time in 2018.


3635


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Net interest margin is a measure of the net return on interest-earning assets and is computed by dividing annualized tax-equivalent net interest income by total average interest-earning assets for the period. The net interest margin for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 declined 1939 and 1035 basis points, respectively, compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017. The primary drivers of the decline in the net interest margin were an increase in interest rates paid on certain deposit categoriesdeposits and an increase in the variable rates paid on other borrowed funds, partially offset by an increase in yield on loans. Also impacting the net interest margin was the decline in the federal income tax rate to 21 percent in 2018, from 35 percent in 2017, which is used in the calculation of the tax-equivalent interest income on tax-exempt loans and investment securities.securities on a non-GAAP basis. The change in the federal income tax rate used in the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income accounted for approximately 10 basis points of the decline in net interest margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. Despite the decline in the net interest margin, tax-equivalent net interest income for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 increased $348 and $1,718, respectively,$543 compared to the same time periodsperiod in 2016.2017. The increase in net interest income for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20162017 was largely due to thean increase in average outstanding loans and securities, partially offset by an increase in yieldaverage deposit balances and an increase in rates on investmentdeposits and other borrowed funds. Tax-equivalent net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 declined $155 compared to the same time period in 2017. The decline in net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 was largely due to an increase in average deposit balances and an increase in rates on deposits and other borrowed funds that exceeded the impact of an increase in average outstanding loans and securities. Management expects the current interest rate environment to continue to put pressure on the net interest margin throughout the remainder of 2017. Management continually develops and applies strategies2018, particularly if the U.S. Treasury yield curve continues to attempt to maintain the net interest margin.flatten.

Tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $901$979 for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $4,097$2,330 compared to the same time period in 2016.2017. The improvement for both time periods was primarily due to the increase in average loan balances outstanding. The average yieldsyield on loans increased by nine9 and four11 basis points, respectively, for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017, which is less than the increase in the cost of deposits due to the relatively flat yield curve. The Company continues to focus on expanding existing and entering into new customer relationships while maintaining strong credit quality. The yield on the Company's loan portfolio is affected by the portfolio's loan mix, the interest rate environment, the effects of competition, the level of nonaccrual loans and reversals of previously accrued interest on charged-off loans. The political and economic environments can also influence the volume of new loan originations and the mix of variable rate versus fixed rate loans.

The average balance of investment securities was higher during the three and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 than during the same periodperiods in 20162017 as a result of significant investment purchase activity during the second and third quartershalf of 2017. The average balance of investment securities was slightly lower during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 than during the same period in 2016. The purchase activity in 2017 focused on higher yielding bonds within the existing risk profile and was the result of growth in deposits and the reinvestment of proceeds from sales and principal paydowns of investment securities. In certain cases, securities were sold and the funds were reinvested in securities with higher rates while slightly extending the duration of the portfolio, which is expected to improveportfolio. The change in the federal income tax rate used in the tax-equivalent adjustment of tax-exempt securities accounted for an approximately 78 basis point reduction in the yield on thetax-exempt investment portfolio in future periods. The overall portfolio yield increased 45 and 30 basis points, respectively,securities for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods last year.three and six months ended June 30, 2017. This was offset by improvements of 25 and 31 basis points, respectively, in the yield on taxable investment securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

The average balance of interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits increased for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016, partially2017, primarily due to an increase in average balances of money market accounts, including public funds from municipalities.accounts. In addition, approximately $76,000 of noninterest-bearing accounts were reclassified to interest-bearing accounts in April 2017 as part of a retail deposit product restructuring in which we realigned and simplified the retail checking account products provided to our customers. The average rate paid on interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 increased 3349 and 2645 basis points, respectively, compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to increasing interest rates on certain money market deposit products in response to increases in the Federal Reserve System's rate increases.targeted federal funds rate. The average balance of time deposits increased for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016.2017. The increase was primarily due to the shift of demand and savings account balances to higher interest rate time deposits. Interest rates on time deposits increased 3439 and 2537 basis points, respectively, for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016,2017, primarily due to higher market interest rates paid at the time new and renewed time deposits were issued.

The average rate paid on other borrowed funds increased 44 and 37 basis points, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase in the average rate paid was due to increases in rates for variable rate FHLB advances, the subordinated notes and long-term debt. The Company borrowed an additional $22,000 in long-term borrowings in May 2017 resulting in an increase in the average balance of other borrowed funds.

3736


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The average rate paid on other borrowed funds increased 83 and 86 basis points, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in the average rate paid was due to increases in rates for variable rate FHLB advances, subordinated notes and long-term debt. The average balance of other borrowed funds declined for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to lower average balances of federal funds purchased and the December 2017 payoff of a $25,000 FHLB advance, partially offset by a $22,000 increase in long-term debt in May 2017.

Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents charges made to earnings to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses.  The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated quarterly by management and reviewed by the Board of Directors. The allowance for loan losses is management's best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  Based upon the most recent evaluation, no provision was recorded for either the three or nine months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, as 2017 year-to-date recoveries on previously charged off loans exceeded year-to-date charge-offs and were sufficient to increase the allowance for loan losses to a level deemed appropriate in relation to the 2017 year-to-date loan growth and credit quality.2018. The provision recorded for loan lossesthe six months ended June 30, 2018 was $150. No provision was recorded for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016 was $200 and $900, respectively.2017.

Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: the borrower's financial condition; the value and adequacy of loan collateral; the condition of the local economy and the borrower's specific industry; the levels and trends of loans by segment; and a review of delinquent and classified loans.  The quarterly evaluation focuses on factors such as specific loan reviews, changes in the components of the loan portfolio given the current and forecasted economic conditions, and historical loss experience.  Any one of the following conditions may result in the review of a specific loan: concern about whether the customer's cash flow or net worth is sufficient to repay the loan; delinquency status; criticism of the loan in a regulatory examination; the suspension of interest accrual; or other factors, including whether the loan has other special or unusual characteristics that suggest special monitoring is warranted. The Company's concentration risks include geographic concentration in central and eastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. The local economies are composed primarily of service industries and state and county governments.

West Bank has a significant portion of its loan portfolio in commercial real estate loans, commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans, and construction and land development loans.  West Bank's typical commercial borrower is a small- or medium-sized, privately owned business entity.  West Bank's commercial loans typically have greater credit risks thanCompared to residential mortgages or consumer loans, because they oftencommercial loans typically have larger balances, and repayment usually depends on the borrowers' successful business operations.  Commercial loans also involve additional risks because they generally are not fully repaid over the loan period and, thus, may require refinancing or a large payoff at maturity.  When the economy turns downward, commercial borrowers may not be able to repay their loans, and the value of their assets, which are usually pledged as collateral, may decrease rapidly and significantly. 

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reduction in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in circumstances, changes in the overall economy in the markets we currently serve, or later acquired information.  Identifiable sectors within the general economy are subject to additional volatility, which at any time may have a substantial impact on the loan portfolio.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as integral parts of their examination processes, periodically review the credit quality of the loan portfolio and the level of the allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require West Bank to recognize additional losses based on such agencies' review of information available to them at the time of their examinations.
  

3837


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

West Bank's policy is to charge off loans when, in management's opinion, a loan or a portion of a loan is deemed uncollectible. Concerted efforts are made to maximize subsequent recoveries.  The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's allowance for loan losses for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 and 20162017 and related ratios. 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2018 2017 Change 2018 2017 Change
Balance at beginning of period$16,486
 $15,829
 $657
 $16,112
 $14,967
 $1,145
$16,465
 $16,427
 $38
 $16,430
 $16,112
 $318
Charge-offs(179) (171) (8) (372) (264) (108)(13) (133) 120
 (209) (193) (16)
Recoveries51
 100
 (49) 618
 355
 263
66
 192
 (126) 147
 567
 (420)
Net (charge-offs) recoveries(128) (71) (57) 246
 91
 155
53
 59
 (6) (62) 374
 (436)
Provision for loan losses charged to operations
 200
 (200) 
 900
 (900)
 
 
 150
 
 150
Balance at end of period$16,358
 $15,958
 $400
 $16,358
 $15,958
 $400
$16,518
 $16,486
 $32
 $16,518
 $16,486
 $32
                      
Average loans outstanding$1,426,115
 $1,379,107
   $1,434,956
 $1,321,257
  $1,515,437
 $1,459,894
   $1,506,086
 $1,439,451
  
                      
Ratio of annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) during the period to average loans outstanding0.04% 0.02%   (0.02)% (0.01)%  
Ratio of annualized net (charge-offs) recoveries during the period to average loans outstanding0.01% 0.02%   (0.01)% 0.05%  
                      
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to average loans outstanding1.15% 1.16%   1.14 % 1.21 %  1.09% 1.13%   1.10 % 1.15%  
           
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period1.08% 1.15%   1.08 % 1.15%  
In general, the U.S. economy is growing but at a slower rate than was considered normal before the financial crisis.moderate pace. Average monthly job growth through August 2017for the first six months of 2018 was approximately 177,000,215,000 based on preliminary estimates, while the national unemployment rate has declined slightly to 4.2remained low at 4.0 percent as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017, the lowest level since May 2007. The U.S. economy lost 33,000 jobs in September 2017, primarily in the leisure and hospitality industries, that were attributed to Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.2018. Activity in the housing market continues at a moderate pace. InterestShort-term interest rates are expected to continue to gradually rise. The economic environments in Iowa and Minnesota continue to improve. Based on the current economic indicators, the Company decided to maintain the economic factors within the allowance for loan losses evaluation at the same levels used in 2016.2017. In the first ninesix months of 2017,2018, the Company continued to use experience factors based on the highest losses calculated over a rolling 12-, 16-, or 20-quarter period. Loan growth in the first nine months of 2017 resulted in theThe portion of the allowance for loan losses related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment to increase $603increased $102 to a total of $16,212,$16,393, or 1.111.07 percent, as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to $15,609,$16,291, or 1.111.08 percent, as of December 31, 2016.2017. Management believed the resulting allowance for loan losses as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 was adequate to absorb any losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the end of the quarter.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Noninterest Income

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest income categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  In addition, accounts within the “Other income” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below.
Three Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30,
Noninterest income:2017 2016 Change Change %2018 2017 Change Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts$715
 $632
 $83
 13.13 %$627
 $631
 $(4) (0.63)%
Debit card usage fees435
 450
 (15) (3.33)%433
 458
 (25) (5.46)%
Trust services436
 355
 81
 22.82 %575
 436
 139
 31.88 %
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance167
 160
 7
 4.38 %152
 163
 (11) (6.75)%
Realized investment securities gains, net197
 
 197
 N/A
Realized investment securities gains (losses), net(25) 229
 (254) (110.92)%
Other income:     
  
     
  
Discount on purchased income tax credits36
 8
 28
 350.00 %15
 65
 (50) (76.92)%
Gain on sale of other assets
 88
 (88) (100.00)%
All other income278
 314
 (36) (11.46)%246
 246
 
  %
Total other income314
 322
 (8) (2.48)%261
 399
 (138) (34.59)%
Total noninterest income$2,264
 $1,919
 $345
 17.98 %$2,023
 $2,316
 $(293) (12.65)%
              
Nine Months Ended September 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
Noninterest income:2017 2016 Change Change %2018 2017 Change Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts$1,946
 $1,847
 $99
 5.36 %$1,276
 $1,231
 $45
 3.66 %
Debit card usage fees1,333
 1,372
 (39) (2.84)%832
 898
 (66) (7.35)%
Trust services1,264
 946
 318
 33.62 %1,020
 828
 192
 23.19 %
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance484
 492
 (8) (1.63)%310
 317
 (7) (2.21)%
Gain from bank-owned life insurance307
 443
 (136) (30.70)%
 307
 (307) (100.00)%
Realized investment securities gains, net423
 60
 363
 605.00 %
Realized investment securities gains (losses), net(25) 226
 (251) (111.06)%
Other income:     
  
     
  
Discount on purchased income tax credits117
 43
 74
 172.09 %27
 81
 (54) (66.67)%
Gain on sale of other assets88
 
 88
 N/A

 88
 (88) (100.00)%
All other income778
 849
 (71) (8.36)%496
 500
 (4) (0.80)%
Total other income983
 892
 91
 10.20 %523
 669
 (146) (21.82)%
Total noninterest income$6,740
 $6,052
 $688
 11.37 %$3,936
 $4,476
 $(540) (12.06)%
The increase in service charges on deposit accounts for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20162017 was driven primarily by the March and April 2017 realignment and simplification of the retail checking account products provided to our customers. We expect to see higher retail service charge income for the remainder of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, but we cannot predict how customers may modify their banking behavior in response to the change in checking account terms related to the product realignment. During the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, nonsufficient funds fees declined $33$35 and $86,$58, respectively, and debit card usage fees declined $25 and $66, respectively, compared to the same time periods in 2016,2017. These declines are consistent with the trend of the past several years.recent trends.

Revenue from trust services was higher during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20162017 due to the combination of a higher amountamounts of one-time estate fees and asset growth achieved through ongoing business development efforts.growth.

Gain from bank-owned life insurance was recognized for both the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 and 2016, but not duringas the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.result of a single policy event.

The Company recognized net gains on sales of investment securities in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as the Company took advantage of the opportunity to sell various types of investment securities available for sale at gains and reinvested the proceeds in higher yielding securities with similar risk profiles and slightly longer durations.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Totalrecognizes revenue from discounts on purchased transferable State of Iowa income tax credits increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same time periods in 2016. During the second quarter of 2017, the Company entered into agreements to purchase additional discounted transferable income tax credits and expects to recognize total income from discounts of approximately $153 for the year ended December 31, 2017.credits. The Company reviews opportunities to acquire transferable State of Iowa income tax credits at favorable discounts as they are presented and as they are aligned with our projected ability to utilize them. The Company expects to recognize total income from discounts on purchased tax credits of approximately $50 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Gain on sale of other assets for the ninethree and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 included a nonrecurring gain of $88 in June 2017 related to athe final payment received from the 2015 sale of SmartyPig, LLC.

All other income declined during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to a lower level of letter of credit fees and small losses on equipment disposals.

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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Noninterest Expense

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest expense categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, accounts within the “Other expenses” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below.
Three Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended June 30,
Noninterest expense:2017 2016 Change Change %2018 2017 Change Change %
Salaries and employee benefits$4,430
 $4,154
 $276
 6.64 %$4,775
 $4,449
 $326
 7.33 %
Occupancy1,087
 1,038
 49
 4.72 %1,258
 1,131
 127
 11.23 %
Data processing635
 643
 (8) (1.24)%674
 708
 (34) (4.80)%
FDIC insurance expense151
 272
 (121) (44.49)%165
 150
 15
 10.00 %
Professional fees184
 189
 (5) (2.65)%178
 248
 (70) (28.23)%
Director fees240
 202
 38
 18.81 %261
 246
 15
 6.10 %
Write-down of premises333
 
 333
 N/A
Other expenses:     
  
     
  
Marketing50
 51
 (1) (1.96)%
Business development191
 157
 34
 21.66 %269
 246
 23
 9.35 %
Insurance expense89
 88
 1
 1.14 %85
 88
 (3) (3.41)%
Investment advisory fees22
 124
 (102) (82.26)%
Charitable contributions180
 
 180
 N/A
75
 
 75
 N/A
Postage and courier72
 79
 (7) (8.86)%71
 80
 (9) (11.25)%
Subscriptions80
 66
 14
 21.21 %
Trust124
 106
 18
 16.98 %96
 110
 (14) (12.73)%
Consulting fees60
 91
 (31) (34.07)%60
 92
 (32) (34.78)%
Miscellaneous losses(5) 247
 (252) (102.02)%
Low income housing projects amortization102
 99
 3
 3.03 %130
 104
 26
 25.00 %
All other458
 504
 (46) (9.13)%398
 403
 (5) (1.24)%
Total other1,293
 1,495
 (202) (13.51)%1,314
 1,240
 74
 5.97 %
Total noninterest expense$8,020
 $7,993
 $27
 0.34 %$8,958
 $8,172
 $786
 9.62 %
              
Nine Months Ended September 30,Six Months Ended June 30,
Noninterest expense:2017 2016 Change Change %2018 2017 Change Change %
Salaries and employee benefits$13,216
 $12,644
 $572
 4.52 %$9,288
 $8,786
 $502
 5.71 %
Occupancy3,315
 2,972
 343
 11.54 %2,481
 2,228
 253
 11.36 %
Data processing2,031
 1,849
 182
 9.84 %1,350
 1,396
 (46) (3.30)%
FDIC insurance expense514
 714
 (200) (28.01)%
FDIC insurance327
 363
 (36) (9.92)%
Professional fees725
 619
 106
 17.12 %412
 541
 (129) (23.84)%
Director fees697
 672
 25
 3.72 %510
 457
 53
 11.60 %
Write-down of premises333
 
 333
 N/A
Other expenses:     
  
     
  
Marketing95
 119
 (24) (20.17)%
Business development609
 574
 35
 6.10 %487
 418
 69
 16.51 %
Insurance expense267
 256
 11
 4.30 %177
 178
 (1) (0.56)%
Investment advisory fees89
 397
 (308) (77.58)%
Charitable contributions180
 
 180
 N/A
150
 
 150
 N/A
Postage and courier238
 241
 (3) (1.24)%140
 166
 (26) (15.66)%
Subscriptions171
 131
 40
 30.53 %
Trust339
 310
 29
 9.35 %189
 215
 (26) (12.09)%
Consulting fees213
 238
 (25) (10.50)%125
 153
 (28) (18.30)%
Miscellaneous losses(1) 246
 (247) (100.41)%
Low income housing projects amortization322
 305
 17
 5.57 %264
 220
 44
 20.00 %
All other1,481
 1,574
 (93) (5.91)%746
 844
 (98) (11.61)%
Total other3,737
 4,141
 (404) (9.76)%2,544
 2,444
 100
 4.09 %
Total noninterest expense$24,235
 $23,611
 $624
 2.64 %$17,245
 $16,215
 $1,030
 6.35 %

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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Salaries and employee benefits increased for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 when compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016,2017, mainly as the result of an increaseincreases in benefit costs, salaries and related payroll taxes, and additional payroll taxes related to the pricevesting of Company commonrestricted stock which increased stock-based employee compensation costs.units.

When compared with the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016,2017, occupancy costs increased for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, partially as the result of operating costs associateddue to a periodic indexed rent adjustment in accordance with the new Rochester, Minnesota, office, which opened in November 2016. Also impacting the increase in occupancy costs compared to the prior year was a first quarter 2016 one-time reversal of previously accrued rent related to the terms of the previous lease for the Waukee, Iowa, branch facility at the time the branch was acquired in February 2016.Company's main office.

The increase in dataData processing expenseprimarily includes fees paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same time period in 2016 was primarily because of costs associated with upgrading credit analysis software, one-time costs associated with revising the retail checking account products,our core applications systems, ongoing enhancementsenhancement and monitoring tools for maintaining security, and an annual-inflation-rate-based contractual increaseone-time costs associated with implementation of new applications. Data processing expense declined for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same time periods in fees paid to our core2017, primarily because of varying one-time costs associated with the implementation of new applications systems service provider.in each period.

FDIC insurance expense declined for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017. The FDIC assessment rate calculation includes a series of risk-based factors. As a result of the May 2017 capital injection of $40,000 into West Bank, theour capital ratio component improved enough to reduce the assessment rate to the minimum base assessment level established by the FDIC. Management believesexpects the assessment rate willto remain at or near the minimum level throughoutduring 2018. FDIC insurance expense increased for the remainder ofthree months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 and into 2018.due to growth in average assets.

Professional fees increaseddeclined for the ninethree and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the same time periodperiods in 2016, chiefly2017, primarily due to increasedlower legal fees at West Bank and one-time costs incurred in 2017 associated with the preparation and adoption of the West Bancorporation, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive PlanPlan.

Director fees increased for the three and filing a new shelf registration statement withsix months ended June 30, 2018 when compared to the Securitiesthree and Exchange Commission (which allows us to issue registered equity and debt instruments) andsix months ended June 30, 2017, mainly due to higher legalstock-based compensation costs and an increase in annual retainer fees at West Bank.effective April 2018.

The Company recognized a $333 write-down of premises during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 related to the Iowa City branch facility. The Company plans to consolidate the Iowa City and Coralville branches in the fall of 2018.

The increase in business development expense for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20162017 was the result of additional sponsorships of community events and efforts to cultivate new and expanded customer relationships.

Investment advisory fees declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as contrasted with the same time periods in 2016, mainly as a result of bringing the administration of the investment portfolio in-house, effective October 1, 2016. The Company also pays an administrative fee to an investment management firm for assisting with the purchase and administration of public company floating rate commercial loans. That administrative fee has declined as the result of holding a lower level of those loans.

Charitable contributions increased for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared to the same time periods in 20162017 due to the accrualtiming of the normal annual contributioncontributions to the West Bancorporation Foundation.

The increase in trust expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 is commensurate with the increase in the growth in trust assets.

Consulting fees declined in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as the 2016 expense included data analysis costs associated with a class action litigation matter, which was settled in the third quarter of 2016. Miscellaneous losses declined in 2017, as the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 included a $250 settlement of the previously mentioned class action litigation. An offsetting $300 insurance reimbursement of litigation costs was received in the fourth quarter of 2016.

All other expenses declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016, primarily due to the elimination of certain costs related to a retail deposit product, and first quarter 2016 included a one-time cost associated with a bank-owned life insurance claim.


43


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $2,870 (30.9$1,600 (19.1 percent of pre-tax income) and $8,142 (30.1$3,108 (18.0 percent of pre-tax income) for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, respectively, compared with $2,634 (31.2$2,872 (31.1 percent of pre-tax income) and $7,249 (29.9$5,272 (29.7 percent of pre-tax income) for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016.2017, respectively. The decline in the percentage of income tax expense to pre-tax income was the result of the enactment of the Tax Act on December 22, 2017. This legislation lowered the federal corporate income tax rate to 21 percent beginning in 2018 from a maximum rate of 35 percent in 2017. The Company's consolidated income tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate in each respective period, primarily due to tax-exempt interest income, the tax-exempt increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance, tax-exempt gain on bank-owned life insurance, disallowed interest expense, and state income taxes.

Two other items significantly impacted the effective tax rateIn addition, for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018 and 2017, compared toa tax benefit of $261 and $244, respectively, was recorded as a result of the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), effective January 1, 2017, simplified the recording of income taxes related to vesting of equity compensation. The impact of an increase in the fair value of restricted stock over the vesting period is now recorded as a reduction in income tax expense rather than as additional paid-in capital. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, a tax benefit of $285 was recorded as a result of this change in accounting method. By comparison, the tax benefit recorded in additional paid-in capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $105.period. The tax rate for the first ninesix months of 20172018 and 20162017 was also impacted by year-to-date federal low income housing tax credits of approximately $308$250 and $262,$205, respectively.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company had total assets of $2,030,348$2,197,166 as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, an increase of 9.53.9 percent compared to total assets of $1,854,204$2,114,377 as of December 31, 2016.2017. The most significant changes in the balance sheet were increases in investment securities available for sale,investments, loans deposits, short-term borrowings and long-term debt, and a decline in cash and cash equivalents.deposits. A summary of changes in the balance sheet components is provided below.

Investment Securities

On January 1, 2018, the Company elected to transfer all securities classified as held to maturity to available for sale. At the date of reclassification, the held to maturity securities portfolio was carried at an amortized cost of $45,527. The reclassification of securities between categories was accounted for at fair value. At the date of reclassification, the securities had a fair value of $45,890 and unrealized holding gains of $273, which were recorded net of tax in other comprehensive income. The transfer enhanced liquidity and increased flexibility with regard to asset-liability management and balance sheet composition.

The balance of investment securities available for sale, subsequent to the transfer of held to maturity securities, increased by $157,737$37,047 during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2018. U.S. Treasuries increased $39,504 and corporate notes increased $19,710 during the six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to purchases of securities, which were funded by growth in deposits and securities sales. State and political subdivision securities increaseddeclined by $69,920, corporate notes increased by $19,152,$15,936 during the six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to the sale of securities for reinvestment in higher yielding bonds with minimal impact on the portfolio's risk profile and governmentduration. Government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities increaseddeclined by a total of $68,319$6,225 during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2018, primarily due to normal principal paydowns. The market value of the investment portfolio declined $7,803 during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company purchased $267,133 of investment securitiesbelieved the unrealized losses on investments available for sale during the nine months ended Septemberas of June 30, 2017. Securities sold totaled $74,224,2018 were due to interest rate and the proceeds were primarily reinvested in higher yielding securities that have a similar risk profile. The remaining purchases included the reinvestment of normal principal paydowns, calls and maturities, as well as investing the growth in deposits. The overall mix of the entire investment portfolio did not change significantly as a result of this activity.market conditions rather than reduced estimated cash flows.

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, approximately 6050 percent of the available for sale investment securities portfolio consisted of government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. Management believes these securities provide relatively good yields, have little to no credit risk and provide fairly consistent cash flows.

Loans and Nonperforming Assets

Loans outstanding increased $57,035,$23,904, from $1,399,870$1,510,500 as of December 31, 20162017 to $1,456,905$1,534,404 as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017. Growth2018. Changes in the loan portfolio during the first ninesix months of 2017 was primarily the result2018 included an increase of increases of $43,843 in construction loans and $32,144$70,696 in commercial real estate loans. This growth wasloans, partially offset by a decreasereductions of $17,298$20,662 in commercial loans that includedand $24,770 in construction real estate loans. The commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios were impacted by a $16,556 reduction$28,568 payoff when a customer was acquired by an out-of-state buyer in public company floating rate loans purchased from a third-party asset manager.the first quarter of 2018. The Company continues to focus on business development efforts in all of its markets. Management believes loan growth will continueoccur in all three of our markets during the remainder of 2017.2018.

Credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio remains strong and stable. The Company's Texas ratio, which is computed by dividing total nonperforming assets by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses, was 0.271.07 percent as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, compared to 0.560.32 percent as of December 31, 2016.2017. The increase in the Texas ratio was due to the increase in nonaccrual loans related to two customers. The ratio for both dates was significantly better than the June 30, 2017March 31, 2018 peer group average (latest data available), which was approximately 8.578.03 percent, according to data in the June 2017March 2018 Bank Holding Company Performance Report prepared by the Division of Supervision and Regulation of the Federal Reserve.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The following table sets forth the amount of nonperforming assets held by the Company and common ratio measurements of those assets as of the dates shown. 
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 ChangeJune 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Change
Nonaccrual loans$517
 $1,022
 $(505)$2,127
 $622
 $1,505
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest
 
 

 
 
Troubled debt restructured loans (1)

 
 

 
 
Total nonperforming loans517
 1,022
 (505)2,127
 622
 1,505
Other real estate owned
 
 

 
 
Total nonperforming assets$517
 $1,022
 $(505)$2,127
 $622
 $1,505
 
  
  
 
  
  
Nonperforming loans to total loans0.04% 0.07% (0.03)%0.14% 0.04% 0.10%
Nonperforming assets to total assets0.03% 0.06% (0.03)%0.10% 0.03% 0.07%

(1)
While TDR loans are commonly reported by the industry as nonperforming, those not classified in the nonaccrual category are accruing interest due to payment performance. TDR loans on nonaccrual status are categorized as nonaccrual. There waswere two TDR loans as of June 30, 2018 and one TDR loan as of September 30,December 31, 2017 with a balancebalances of $247,$724 and two TDR loans as of December 31, 2016 with an aggregate balance of $426,$220, respectively, categorized as nonaccrual.

For additional information, refer to “Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses” in this section, and NotesNote 4 and 10 to the financial statements.

Deposits

Deposits increased $104,661$81,116 during the first ninesix months of 2017,2018, or 6.84.5 percent, compared to December 31, 2016.2017.  Interest-bearing demand accounts increased $45,564, and noninterest-bearing demanddeclined $68,485, while savings accounts, declined $94,686, from December 31, 2016 to September 30, 2017. Savings deposits, which include money market and insured cash sweep money market accounts, increased $108,233
$154,710 from December 31, 20162017 to SeptemberJune 30, 2017. Approximately $76,000 of noninterest-bearing accounts was reclassified to interest-bearing accounts in April 2017 as part of a retail deposit product restructuring. Other balance2018. Balance fluctuations were primarily due to business development efforts and normal customer activity, as corporate customers' liquidity needs vary at any given time. Total time deposits increased $45,550$9,498 during the first ninesix months of 2017, primarily due to customers moving balances from savings accounts, including money market accounts, to higher interest rate time deposits.2018. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, a significant related party relationship maintained total deposit balances with West Bank of approximately $146,000.$160,586.

Borrowings

Short-term borrowings, in the form of overnight funding, increased to $48,000 as of September 30, 2017 from $0 as of December 31, 2016. The need for overnight funding is primarily dependent on corporate customer deposit fluctuations, loan fundings and loan repayments. The investment portfolio was increased during the third quarter of 2017 in anticipation of known deposit increases coming in the fourth quarter. Overnight borrowings funded those investments in the interim.

Long-term debt increased $19,069 during the first nine months of 2017. On May 25, 2017, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a commercial bank and borrowed $25,000. This credit agreement replaced a prior credit agreement with the same commercial bank that had a remaining balance of $3,000. The additional borrowing was used to make a capital injection into the Company's subsidiary, West Bank. Principal and interest under the term note are payable quarterly over five years. Required quarterly principal payments are $625, with the balance due at maturity. The Company may make additional principal payments without penalty. The interest rate is variable at 1.95 percent over the 30-day LIBOR rate. The interest rate was 3.18 percent at September 30, 2017.


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West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The objectives of liquidity management are to ensure the availability of sufficient cash flows to meet all financial commitments and to capitalize on opportunities for profitable business expansion.  The Company's principal source of funds is deposits.  Other sources include loan principal repayments, proceeds from the maturity and sale of investment securities, principal payments on collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, federal funds purchased, advances from the FHLB, and funds provided by operations.  Liquidity management is conducted on both a daily and a long-term basis.  Investments in liquid assets are adjusted based on expected loan demand, projected loan and investment securities maturities and payments, expected deposit flows and the objectives set by the Company's asset-liability management policy. The Company had liquid assets (cash and cash equivalents) of $39,497$65,103 as of SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 compared with $76,836$47,949 as of December 31, 2016.2017.

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, West Bank had additional borrowing capacity available from the FHLB of approximately $255,000,$342,000, as well as approximately $67,000 through unsecured federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks.  Net cash from operating activities contributed $21,979$16,987 to liquidity for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2018.  Management believed that the combination of high levels of potentially liquid assets, cash flows from operations, and additional borrowing capacity provided the Company with strong liquidity as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2018.

The Company's total stockholders' equity increased to $178,087$182,352 at SeptemberJune 30, 20172018 from $165,376$178,098 at December 31, 2016.2017.  The increase was primarily the result of net income less dividends paid, and an increasewas partially offset by a decline in accumulated other comprehensive income.

At SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, the Company's tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets was 8.778.30 percent compared to 8.928.42 percent as of December 31, 2016.2017.

The Company and West Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements (as shown in the following table) can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators, which, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and West Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Management believed the Company and West Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2018.

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West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table.
Actual 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes With Capital Conservation Buffer
 
To Be Well-Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
Actual For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes With Capital Conservation Buffer
 
To Be Well-Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount RatioAmount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio Amount Ratio
As of September 30, 2017:           
As of June 30, 2018:               
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)           Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)            
Consolidated$214,373
 12.01% $165,070
 9.25% N/A
 N/A
$225,038
 12.08% $149,072
 8.00% $184,010
 9.875% N/A
 N/A
West Bank235,067
 13.18% 164,963
 9.25% $178,339
 10.00%240,701
 12.93% 148,896
 8.00% 183,794
 9.875% $186,120
 10.00%
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
      
  
  
  
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) 
  
  
  
  
  
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)      
  
  
  
Consolidated198,015
 11.10% 129,379
 7.25% N/A
 N/A
208,520
 11.19% 111,804
 6.00% 146,742
 7.875% N/A
 N/A
West Bank218,709
 12.26% 129,295
 7.25% 142,671
 8.00%224,183
 12.05% 111,672
 6.00% 146,570
 7.875% 148,896
 8.00%
                          
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)          Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)          
Consolidated178,015
 9.98% 102,611
 5.75% N/A
 N/A
188,520
 10.12% 83,853
 4.50% 118,791
 6.375% N/A
 N/A
West Bank218,709
 12.26% 102,545
 5.75% 115,920
 6.50%224,183
 12.05% 83,754
 4.50% 118,652
 6.375% 120,978
 6.50%
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
      
  
  
  
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) 
  
  
  
  
  
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)      
  
  
  
Consolidated198,015
 10.06% 78,738
 4.00% N/A
 N/A
208,520
 9.69% 86,091
 4.00% 86,091
 4.00% N/A
 N/A
West Bank218,709
 11.12% 78,694
 4.00% 98,368
 5.00%224,183
 10.42% 86,018
 4.00% 86,018
 4.00% 107,522
 5.00%
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
      
  
  
  
As of December 31, 2016: 
  
  
  
  
  
As of December 31, 2017: 
  
      
  
  
  
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) 
  
  
  
  
  
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)      
  
  
  
Consolidated$202,530
 11.87% $147,108
 8.625% N/A
 N/A
$216,420
 11.76% $147,169
 8.00% $170,164
 9.25% N/A
 N/A
West Bank186,118
 11.04% 145,414
 8.625% $168,597
 10.00%235,570
 12.82% 147,049
 8.00% 170,026
 9.25% $183,812
 10.00%
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
      
  
  
  
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets) 
  
  
  
  
  
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)      
  
  
  
Consolidated186,418
 10.93% 112,996
 6.625% N/A
 N/A
199,990
 10.87% 110,377
 6.00% 133,372
 7.25% N/A
 N/A
West Bank170,006
 10.08% 111,695
 6.625% 134,877
 8.00%219,140
 11.92% 110,287
 6.00% 133,263
 7.25% 147,049
 8.00%
                          
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)          Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)          
Consolidated166,418
 9.76% 87,412
 5.125% N/A
 N/A
179,990
 9.78% 82,783
 4.50% 105,778
 5.75% N/A
 N/A
West Bank170,006
 10.08% 86,406
 5.125% 109,588
 6.50%219,140
 11.92% 82,715
 4.50% 105,692
 5.75% 119,478
 6.50%
                          
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets) 
  
  
  
  
  
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)      
  
  
  
Consolidated186,418
 10.14% 73,530
 4.00% N/A
 N/A
199,990
 9.60% 83,326
 4.00% 83,326
 4.00% N/A
 N/A
West Bank170,006
 9.34% 72,807
 4.00% 91,009
 5.00%219,140
 10.52% 83,287
 4.00% 83,287
 4.00% 104,109
 5.00%

On January 1, 2015, the Company and West Bank became subject to the rules of the Basel III regulatory capital framework and related Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act changes. The new rules included the implementation of a capital conservation buffer that is added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes. The capital conservation buffer is subject to a three year phase-in period that began on January 1, 2016 and will be fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 at 2.5 percent. The required phase-in capital conservation buffer during 20172018 is 1.875 percent and was 1.25 percent.percent in 2017. A banking organization with a conservation buffer of less than the required amount will be subject to limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. At SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2018, the ratios for the Company and West Bank were sufficient to meet the fully phased-in conservation buffer.
In late May 2017, the Company made a capital injection into the Company's subsidiary, West Bank, funded by entering into a $25,000 credit agreement with an unaffiliated commercial bank (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) and selling four bank buildings to West Bank for $18,000. The four bank buildings were properties the Company had previously owned and leased to West Bank. The new credit agreement replaced a prior credit agreement that had a remaining outstanding balance of $3,000, for net loan proceeds of $22,000. In total, $40,000 was added to West Bank's capital.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of earnings volatility that results from adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. The Company's market risk is primarily interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking. Interest rate risk is the risk that the change in market interest rates may adversely affect the Company's net interest income. Management continually develops and implements strategies to mitigate this risk. The analysis of the Company's interest rate risk as of December 31, 20162017 was presented in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC on March 1, 2017.2018. The Company has not experienced any material changes to its interest rate risk position since December 31, 2016.2017. Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and management of that exposure in the first ninesix months of 20172018 materially changed compared to those in the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

a. Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) was performed under the supervision, and with the participation, of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission'sSEC's rules and forms.

b. Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Neither the Company nor West Bank is a party, and no property of these entities is subject, to any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to West Bank's business. The Company does not know of any proceeding contemplated by a governmental authority against the Company or West Bank.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Management does not believe there have been any material changes in the risk factors that were disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2017.2018.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.



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Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
ExhibitsDescription
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


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SIGNATURES

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

West Bancorporation, Inc.   
(Registrant)   
    
    
OctoberJuly 26, 20172018By:/s/ David D. Nelson 
Date David D. Nelson 
  Chief Executive Officer and President 
  (Principal Executive Officer) 
    
OctoberJuly 26, 20172018By:/s/ Douglas R. Gulling 
Date Douglas R. Gulling 
  Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer 
  (Principal Financial Officer) 
    
OctoberJuly 26, 20172018By:/s/ Marie I. Roberts 
Date Marie I. Roberts 
  Senior Vice President Controller and Chief Accounting Officer 
  (Principal Accounting Officer) 


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