Edgar Filing: FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES INC

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Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

Commission file number 0-7674

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas

75-0944023

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)


400 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas		79601
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(325) 627-7155

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations 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 ☒ No ☐

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:


Class		Outstanding at May 2, 2018
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share		67,623,470

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item		Page

1.	Financial Statements		3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets – Unaudited		4
	Consolidated Statements of Earnings – Unaudited		5
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) – Unaudited		6
	Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Unaudited		7
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Unaudited		8
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Unaudited		9

2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		32

3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		50

4.	Controls and Procedures		50

	PART II

	OTHER INFORMATION

1.	Legal Proceedings		51

1A.	Risk Factors		51

2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		51

3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		51

4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		51

5.	Other Information		51

6.	Exhibits		52

	Signatures		53

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

The consolidated balance sheets of First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”) at March 31, 2018 and 2017 and December 31, 2017, and the consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, follow on pages 4 through 8.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


	March 31,						December 31,
	2018			2017			2017
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS	$	130,979		$	163,674		$	209,583
FEDERAL FUNDS SOLD		—			3,840			—
INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS IN BANKS		67,060			55,165			162,764

Total cash and cash equivalents		198,039			222,679			372,347
INTEREST-BEARING TIME DEPOSITS IN BANKS		1,458			1,707			1,458
SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE, at fair value		3,276,193			3,018,279			3,087,473
SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY (fair value of $116 at March 31, 2017 )		—			114			—
LOANS:
Held for investment		3,730,051			3,372,512			3,485,569
Less—allowance for loan losses		(49,499	)		(46,192	)		(48,156	)

Net loans held for investment		3,680,552			3,326,320			3,437,413
Held for sale		17,030			13,629			15,130

Net loans		3,697,582			3,339,949			3,452,543
BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT, net		126,446			122,787			124,026
INTANGIBLE ASSETS		175,569			143,435			141,143
OTHER ASSETS		92,162			81,420			75,725

Total assets	$	7,567,449		$	6,930,370		$	7,254,715

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
NONINTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS	$	2,111,116		$	1,827,609		$	2,041,650
INTEREST-BEARING DEPOSITS		4,079,647			3,834,359			3,921,311

Total deposits		6,190,763			5,661,968			5,962,961
DIVIDENDS PAYABLE		12,589			11,904			12,589
BORROWINGS		372,155			360,264			331,000
OTHER LIABILITIES		22,128			36,880			25,397

Total liabilities		6,597,635			6,071,016			6,331,947

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock—($0.01 par value, authorized 120,000,000 shares; 67,612,760, 66,131,832 and 66,260,444 shares issued at March 31, 2018 and 2017 and December 31, 2017, respectively)		676			661			663
Capital surplus		437,868			373,023			378,062
Retained earnings		533,427			461,229			517,257
Treasury stock (shares at cost: 493,994, 503,105, and 495,964 at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively)		(7,291	)		(6,790	)		(7,148	)
Deferred compensation		7,291			6,790			7,148
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss)		(2,157	)		24,441			26,786

Total shareholders’ equity		969,814			859,354			922,768

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,567,449		$	6,930,370		$	7,254,715

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS—(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
INTEREST INCOME:
Interest and fees on loans	$	46,746		$	39,584
Interest on investment securities:
Taxable		11,354			7,431
Exempt from federal income tax		10,341			11,492
Interest on federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks		641			276

Total interest income		69,082			58,783
INTEREST EXPENSE:
Interest on deposits		3,519			1,590
Other		114			173

Total interest expense		3,633			1,763

Net interest income		65,449			57,020
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		1,310			1,950

Net interest income after provision for loan losses		64,139			55,070

NONINTEREST INCOME:
Trust fees		6,904			6,017
Service charges on deposit accounts		4,884			4,550
ATM, interchange and credit card fees		6,996			6,164
Real estate mortgage operations		2,933			3,417
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities (includes $1,221 and $3 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to accumulated other comprehensive earnings reclassifications)		1,221			3
Net gain on sale of foreclosed assets		99			41
Net (loss) gain on sale of assets		(91	)		4
Interest on loan recoveries		119			154
Other		1,358			936

Total noninterest income		24,423			21,286
NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
Salaries and employee benefits		26,203			23,259
Net occupancy expense		2,883			2,600
Equipment expense		3,516			3,437
FDIC insurance premiums		566			547
ATM, interchange and credit card expenses		2,143			1,713
Professional and service fees		2,413			1,817
Printing, stationery and supplies		486			438
Operational and other losses		566			985
Software amortization and expense		524			500
Amortization of intangible assets		387			168
Other		8,111			6,688

Total noninterest expense		47,798			42,152

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		40,764			34,204
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (includes $256 and $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to income tax expense reclassification)		6,245			7,605

NET EARNINGS	$	34,519		$	26,599

EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC	$	0.51		$	0.40

EARNINGS PER SHARE, ASSUMING DILUTION	$	0.51		$	0.40

DIVIDENDS PER SHARE	$	0.19		$	0.18

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS)—(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
NET EARNINGS	$	34,519		$	26,599
OTHER ITEMS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS):
Change in unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale, before income taxes		(42,706	)		9,228
Reclassification adjustment for realized gains on investment securities included in net earnings, before income taxes		(1,221	)		(3	)

Total other items of comprehensive earnings (loss)		(43,927	)		9,225
Income tax benefit (expense) related to other items of comprehensive earnings		9,225			(3,229	)
Reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the change in the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to retained earnings		5,759			—

COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS)	$	5,576		$	32,595

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


																		Accumulated
																		Other			Total
	Common Stock				Capital		Retained			Treasury Stock						Deferred		Comprehensive			Shareholders’
	Shares		Amount		Surplus		Earnings			Shares			Amounts			Compensation		Earnings			Equity
Balances at December 31, 2016		66,094,695	$	661	$	372,245	$	446,534			(507,409	)	$	(6,671	)	$	6,671	$	18,445		$	837,885
Net earnings (unaudited)		—		—		—		26,599			—			—			—		—			26,599
Stock option exercises (unaudited)		37,137		—		563		—			—			—			—		—			563
Cash dividends declared, $0.18 per share (unaudited)		—		—		—		(11,904	)		—			—			—		—			(11,904	)
Change in unrealized gain in investment securities available-for-sale, net of related income taxes (unaudited)		—		—		—		—			—			—			—		5,996			5,996
Shares purchased (redeemed) in connection with directors’ deferred compensation plan, net (unaudited)		—		—		—		—			4,304			(119	)		119		—			—
Stock option expense (unaudited)		—		—		215		—			—			—			—		—			215

Balances at March 31, 2017 (unaudited)		66,131,832	$	661	$	373,023	$	461,229			(503,105	)	$	(6,790	)	$	6,790	$	24,441		$	859,354

Balances at December 31, 2017		66,260,444	$	663	$	378,062	$	517,257			(495,964	)	$	(7,148	)	$	7,148	$	26,786		$	922,768
Net earnings (unaudited)		—		—		—		34,519			—			—			—		—			34,519
Stock option exercises (unaudited)		62,945		—		1,355		—			—			—			—		—			1,355
Cash dividends declared, $.019 per share (unaudited)		—		—		—		(12,590	)		—			—			—		—			(12,590	)
Stock issued in acquisition of Commercial Bancshares, Inc.		1,289,371		13		58,074		—			—			—			—		—			58,087
Change in unrealized gain in investment securities available-for-sale, net of related income taxes (unaudited)		—		—		—		—			—			—			—		(34,702	)		(34,702	)
Shares purchased (redeemed) in connection with directors’ deferred compensation plan, net (unaudited)		—		—		—		—			1,970			(143	)		143		—			—
Stock option expense (unaudited)		—		—		377		—			—			—			—		—			377
Reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the change in U.S. statutory federal income tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to retained earnings		—		—		—		(5,759	)		—			—			—		5,759			—

Balances at March 31, 2018 (unaudited)		67,612,760	$	676	$	437,868	$	533,427			(493,994	)	$	(7,291	)	$	7,291	$	(2,157	)	$	969,814

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	$	34,519		$	26,599
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		3,178			2,905
Provision for loan losses		1,310			1,950
Securities premium amortization (discount accretion), net		7,185			7,836
Gain on sale of assets, net		(1,229	)		(48	)
Deferred federal income tax benefit		261			—
Change in loans held-for-sale		(1,901	)		13,269
Change in other assets		(4,462	)		5,685
Change in other liabilities		6,269			8,765

Total adjustments		10,611			40,362

Net cash provided by operating activities		45,130			66,961

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Cash received in acquisition of Commercial Bancshares, Inc.		18,653			—
Activity in available-for-sale securities:
Sales		91,445			6,180
Maturities		107,980			510,416
Purchases		(373,547	)		(683,386	)
Activity in held-to-maturity securities—maturities		—			8
Net decrease (increase) in loans		21,753			(17,029	)
Purchases of bank premises and equipment and other assets		(1,808	)		(3,888	)
Proceeds from sale of bank premises and equipment and other assets		266			343

Net cash used in investing activities		(135,258	)		(187,356	)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase (decrease) in noninterest-bearing deposits		(92,574	)		109,887
Net increase (decrease) in interest-bearing deposits		(21,526	)		73,542
Net decrease in borrowings		41,155			(85,506	)
Common stock transactions:
Proceeds from stock issuances		1,355			563
Dividends paid		(12,590	)		(11,898	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(84,180	)		86,588

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(174,308	)		(33,807	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period		372,347			256,486

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	198,039		$	222,679

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION AND NONCASH TRANSACTIONS:
Interest paid	$	3,635		$	1,822
Federal income taxes paid		—			—
Transfer of loans and bank premises to other real estate		126			1,082
Investment securities purchased but not settled		—			1,640
Restricted stocks grant to directors and officers		—			—

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, a Texas corporation and a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, or BHCA, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: First Financial Bank, National Association, Abilene, Texas; First Technology Services, Inc.; First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company, National Association; First Financial Investments, Inc.; and First Financial Insurance Agency, Inc.

Through our subsidiary bank, we conduct a full-service commercial banking business. Our banking centers are located primarily in Central, North Central, Southeast and West Texas. As of March 31, 2018, we had 72 financial centers across Texas, with eleven locations in Abilene, three locations in Weatherford, two locations in Cleburne, Conroe, San Angelo, Stephenville and Granbury, and one location each in Acton, Albany, Aledo, Alvarado, Beaumont, Boyd, Bridgeport, Brock, Burleson, Cisco, Clyde, Cut and Shoot, Decatur, Eastland, El Campo, Fort Worth, Fulshear, Glen Rose, Grapevine, Hereford, Huntsville, Keller, Kingwood, Magnolia, Mauriceville, Merkel, Midlothian, Mineral Wells, Montgomery, Moran, New Waverly, Newton, Odessa, Orange, Palacios, Port Arthur, Ranger, Rising Star, Roby, Southlake, Sweetwater, Tomball, Trent, Trophy Club, Vidor, Waxahachie, Willis and Willow Park, all in Texas. Our trust subsidiary has seven locations which are located in Abilene, Fort Worth, Odessa, Beaumont, San Angelo, Stephenville and Sweetwater.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and unaudited results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2017. All adjustments were of a normal recurring nature. However, the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018, due to seasonality, changes in economic conditions and loan credit quality, interest rate fluctuations, regulatory and legislative changes and other factors. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the financial statement date. Actual results could vary. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted under U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations. The Company evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued.

Goodwill and other intangible assets are evaluated annually for impairment as of the end of the second quarter. No such impairment has been noted in connection with the current or any prior evaluations.

New Revenue Recognition Standard

ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” established principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from the entity’s contracts to provide goods or services to customers. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services recognized as performance obligations are satisfied.

The majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from loan and investment income which are specifically excluded from the scope of this standard. Of the Company’s remaining sources of income, substantially all sources of revenue are recognized either by transaction (ATM, interchange, wire transfer, etc.) or when the Company charges a customer for a service that has already been rendered (monthly service charges, account fees, monthly trust management fees, etc.). Payment for such performance obligations are generally received at the time the performance obligations are satisfied. Other non-interest income primarily includes items such as letter of credit fees, gains on the sale of loans held for sale and servicing fees, none of which are subject to the requirements of ASC 606.

Note 2 – Stock Repurchase

On July 25, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2,000,000 common shares through September 30, 2020. Previously, the Board had authorized the repurchase of up to 1,500,000 common shares through September 30, 2017. The shares buyback plan authorizes management to repurchase the shares at such time as repurchases are considered beneficial to shareholders. Any repurchase of shares will be made through the open market, block trades or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Under the repurchase plan, there is no minimum number of shares that the Company is required to repurchase. Through March 31, 2018, no shares were repurchased under this authorization or the previous authorization.

Note 3—Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods presented. In computing diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and 2017, the Company assumes that all dilutive outstanding options to purchase common shares have been exercised at the beginning of the period (or the time of issuance, if later). The dilutive effect of the outstanding options and the restricted shares is reflected by application of the treasury stock method, whereby the proceeds from exercised options and restricted shares are assumed to be used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the respective periods. The weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were 67,527,010 and 66,073,399 shares, respectively. The weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing fully diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were 67,799,545 and 66,363,222 shares, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no weighted average outstanding stock options that were anti-dilutive that have been excluded from the EPS calculation.

Note 4—Interest-bearing Time Deposits in Banks and Securities

Interest-bearing time deposits in banks totaled $1,458,000, $1,707,000 and $1,458,000 at March 31, 2018 and 2017 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and have original maturities generally ranging from one to two years.

Management classifies debt and equity securities as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading based on its intent. Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and recorded at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, which are recognized as adjustments to interest income using the interest method. Securities not classified as held-to-maturity or trading are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value, with all unrealized gains and unrealized losses judged to be temporary, net of deferred income taxes, excluded from earnings and reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings. Available-for-sale securities that have unrealized losses that are judged other-than-temporary are included in gain (loss) on sale of securities and a new cost basis is established. Securities classified as trading are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings.

The Company records its available-for-sale and trading securities portfolio at fair value. Fair values of these securities are determined based on methodologies in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance. Fair values are volatile and may be influenced by a number of factors, including market interest rates, prepayment speeds, discount rates, credit ratings and yield curves. Fair values for investment securities are based on quoted market prices, where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on the quoted prices of similar instruments or an estimate of fair value by using a range of fair value estimates in the market place as a result of the illiquid market specific to the type of security.

When the fair value of a security is below its amortized cost, and depending on the length of time the condition exists and the extent the fair value is below amortized cost, additional analysis is performed to determine whether an other-than-temporary impairment condition exists. Available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities are analyzed quarterly for possible other-than-temporary impairment. The analysis considers (i) whether we have the intent to sell our securities prior to recovery and/or maturity, (ii) whether it is more likely than not that we will have to sell our securities prior to recovery and/or maturity, (iii) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost, and (iv) the financial condition of the issuer. Often, the information available to conduct these assessments is limited and rapidly changing, making estimates of fair value subject to judgment. If actual information or conditions are different than estimated, the extent of the impairment of the security may be different than previously estimated, which could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s investment portfolio consists of U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies, obligations of states and political subdivisions, mortgage pass-through securities, corporate bonds and general obligation or revenue based municipal bonds. Pricing for such securities is generally readily available and transparent in the market. The Company utilizes independent third-party pricing services to value its investment securities, which the Company reviews as well as the underlying pricing methodologies for reasonableness and to ensure such prices are aligned with pricing matrices. The Company validates quarterly, on a sample basis, prices supplied by the independent pricing services by comparison to prices obtained from other third-party sources.

A summary of the Company’s available-for-sale securities follows (in thousands):


	March 31, 2018
	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies	$	50,467	$	—	$	(252	)	$	50,215
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		1,289,886		33,014		(2,767	)		1,320,133
Corporate bonds and other		9,382		—		(55	)		9,327
Residential mortgage-backed securities		1,449,482		2,912		(24,622	)		1,427,772
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		476,060		235		(7,549	)		468,746

Total securities available-for-sale	$	3,275,277	$	36,161	$	(35,245	)	$	3,276,193


	March 31, 2017
	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Estimated Fair Value
U.S. Treasury securities	$	10,614	$	5	$	—		$	10,619
Obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies		79,777		130		(2	)		79,905
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		1,524,010		47,902		(7,399	)		1,564,513
Corporate bonds and other		47,601		333		(3	)		47,931
Residential mortgage-backed securities		989,272		7,718		(5,437	)		991,553
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		324,716		561		(1,519	)		323,758

Total securities available-for-sale	$	2,975,990	$	56,649	$	(14,360	)	$	3,018,279


	December 31, 2017
	Amortized Cost Basis		Gross Unrealized Holding Gains		Gross Unrealized Holding Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies	$	60,516	$	—	$	(186	)	$	60,330
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		1,369,295		52,491		(936	)		1,420,850
Corporate bonds and other		11,421		43		(5	)		11,459
Residential mortgage-backed securities		1,223,452		4,561		(8,916	)		1,219,097
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		377,934		263		(2,460	)		375,737

Total securities available-for-sale	$	3,042,618	$	57,358	$	(12,503	)	$	3,087,473

Disclosures related to the Company’s held-to-maturity securities, which totaled $114,000 at March 31, 2017, have not been presented due to insignificance. There were no such balances in held-to-maturity securities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The Company invests in mortgage-backed securities that have expected maturities that differ from their contractual maturities. These differences arise because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without a prepayment penalty. These securities include collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and other asset backed securities. The expected maturities of these securities at March 31, 2018 were computed by using scheduled amortization of balances and historical prepayment rates. At March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, the Company did not hold CMOs that entail higher risks than standard mortgage-backed securities.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2018, by contractual and expected maturity, are shown below (in thousands):


	Amortized Cost Basis		Estimated Fair Value
Due within one year	$	228,504	$	230,019
Due after one year through five years		630,063		648,915
Due after five years through ten years		489,472		498,752
Due after ten years		1,696		1,989
Mortgage-backed securities		1,925,542		1,896,518

Total	$	3,275,277	$	3,276,193

The following tables disclose, as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, the Company’s investment securities that have been in a continuous unrealized-loss position for less than 12 months and for 12 or more months (in thousands):


	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
March 31, 2018	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Obligations of U.S.government sponsored enterprises and agencies	$	50,215	$	252	$	—	$	—	$	50,215	$	252
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		156,791		1,103		43,335		1,664		200,126		2,767
Corporate bonds and other		9,135		51		235		4		9,370		55
Residential mortgage-backed securities		963,962		16,825		224,777		7,797		1,188,739		24,622
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		319,062		6,056		89,801		1,493		408,863		7,549

Total	$	1,499,165	$	24,287	$	358,148	$	10,958	$	1,857,313	$	35,245


	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
March 31, 2017	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Obligations of U.S.government sponsored enterprises and agencies	$	10,008	$	2	$	—	$	—	$	10,008	$	2
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		259,419		7,391		1,215		8		260,634		7,399
Corporate bonds and other		9,001		3		—		—		9,001		3
Residential mortgage-backed securities		494,836		4,544		31,558		893		526,394		5,437
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		225,789		1,454		12,788		65		238,577		1,519

Total	$	999,053	$	13,394	$	45,561	$	966	$	1,044,614	$	14,360


	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Longer				Total
December 31, 2017	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
Obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies	$	60,329	$	186	$	—	$	—	$	60,329	$	186
Obligations of state and political subdivisions		66,361		219		44,938		717		111,299		936
Corporate bonds and other		224		2		237		3		461		5
Residential mortgage-backed securities		701,252		3,988		239,641		4,928		940,893		8,916
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		239,548		1,500		92,549		960		332,097		2,460

Total	$	1,067,714	$	5,895	$	377,365	$	6,608	$	1,445,079	$	12,503

The number of investments in an unrealized loss position totaled 484 at March 31, 2018. We do not believe these unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary” as (i) we do not have the intent to sell our securities prior to recovery and/or maturity and (ii) it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell our securities prior to recovery and/or maturity. In making this determination, we also consider the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition of the issuer. The unrealized losses noted are interest rate related due to the level of interest rates at March 31, 2018 compared to the time of purchase. We have reviewed the ratings of the issuers and have not identified any issues related to the ultimate repayment of principal as a result of credit concerns on these securities. Our mortgage related securities are backed by GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC or are collateralized by securities backed by these agencies. At March 31, 2018, 82.61% of our available-for-sale securities that are obligations of states and political subdivisions were issued within the State of Texas, of which 28.97% are guaranteed by the Texas Permanent School Fund.

At March 31, 2018, $2,026,719,000 of the Company’s securities were pledged as collateral for public or trust fund deposits, repurchase agreements and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, sales of investment securities that were classified as available-for-sale totaled $91,445,000 and $6,180,000, respectively. Gross realized gains from security sales during the first quarter of 2018 and 2017 totaled $1,242,000 and $5,000, respectively. Gross realized losses from security sales during the first quarter of 2018 and 2017 totaled $21,000 and $2,000, respectively.

The specific identification method was used to determine cost in order to compute the realized gains and losses.

Note 5—Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans held for investment are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned income and an allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is calculated by using the simple interest method on daily balances of the principal amounts outstanding. The Company defers and amortizes net loan origination fees and costs as an adjustment to yield. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes the collectability of the principal is unlikely.

The Company has certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income with an acceptable level of risk. Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on an annual basis and makes changes as appropriate. Management receives and reviews monthly reports related to loan originations, quality, concentrations, delinquencies, nonperforming and potential problem loans. Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions, both by type of loan and geographic location.

Commercial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and effectively. Underwriting standards are designed to determine whether the borrower possesses sound business ethics and practices and to evaluate current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay their obligations as agreed. Commercial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and, secondarily, on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. Most commercial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory, and include personal guarantees.

Agricultural loans are subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial loans. These agricultural loans are based primarily on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower. Most agricultural loans are secured by the agriculture related assets being financed, such as farm land, cattle or equipment, and include personal guarantees.

Real estate loans are also subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and agricultural loans. These loans are underwritten primarily based on projected cash flows and, secondarily, as loans secured by real estate. The repayment of real estate loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loans or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy. The properties securing the Company’s real estate portfolio are generally diverse in terms of type and geographic location within Texas. This diversity helps reduce the exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry. Generally, real estate loans are owner occupied which further reduces the Company’s risk.

Consumer loan underwriting utilizes methodical credit standards and analysis to supplement the Company’s underwriting policies and procedures. The Company’s loan policy addresses types of consumer loans that may be originated and the collateral, if secured, which must be perfected. The relatively smaller individual dollar amounts of consumer loans that are spread over numerous individual borrowers also minimize the Company’s risk.

The allowance for loan losses is an amount which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that are inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses is comprised of three elements: (i) specific reserves determined based on probable losses on specific classified loans; (ii) a historical valuation reserve component that considers historical loss rates; and (iii) qualitative reserves based upon general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company. The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries). Management’s periodic evaluation of the appropriateness of the allowance is based on general economic conditions, the financial condition of borrowers, the value and liquidity of collateral, delinquency, prior loan loss experience, and the results of periodic reviews of the portfolio. For purposes of determining our historical valuation reserve, the loan portfolio, less cash secured loans, government guaranteed loans and classified loans, is multiplied by the Company’s historical loss rate. Specific allocations are increased or decreased in accordance with deterioration or improvement in credit quality and a corresponding increase or decrease in risk of loss on a particular loan. In addition, we adjust our allowance for qualitative factors such as current local economic conditions and trends, including, without limitations, unemployment, oil and gas prices, flood and drought conditions, changes in lending staff, policies and procedures, changes in credit concentrations, changes in the trends and severity of problem loans and changes in trends in volume and terms of loans. This qualitative reserve serves to estimate for additional areas of losses inherent in our portfolio that are not reflected in our historic loss factors.

Although we believe we use the best information available to make loan loss allowance determinations, future adjustments could be necessary if circumstances or economic conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making our initial determinations. A decline in the economy and employment rates could result in increased levels of non-performing assets and charge-offs, increased loan provisions and reductions in income. Additionally, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for loan losses and methodology and could require, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, additional provisions to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination as well as changes to our methodology.

Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan and payments are applied to principal when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, the borrower’s financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. Except consumer loans, generally all loans past due greater than 90 days, based on contractual terms, are placed on non-accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Consumer loans are generally charged-off when a loan becomes past due 90 days. For other loans in the portfolio, facts and circumstances are evaluated in making charge-off decisions.

Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, management determines that it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the loan agreement, including scheduled principal and interest payments. If a loan is impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectable.

The Company’s policy requires measurement of the allowance for an impaired, collateral dependent loan based on the fair value of the collateral. Other loan impairments for non-collateral dependent loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows or the loan’s observable market price. At March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, all significant impaired loans have been determined to be collateral dependent and the allowance for loss has been measured utilizing the estimated fair value of the collateral less costs to sell.

From time to time, the Company modifies its loan agreement with a borrower. A modified loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring when two conditions are met: (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and (ii) concessions are made by the Company that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit risk characteristics. Modifications to loan terms may include a lower interest rate, a reduction of principal, or a longer term to maturity. For all impaired loans, including the Company’s troubled debt restructurings, the Company performs a periodic, well-documented credit evaluation of the borrower’s financial condition and prospects for repayment to assess the likelihood that all principal and interest payments required under the terms of the agreement will be collected in full. When doubt exists about the ultimate collectability of principal and interest, the troubled debt restructuring remains on non-accrual status and payments received are applied to reduce principal to the extent necessary to eliminate such doubt. This determination of accrual status is judgmental and is based on facts and circumstances related to each troubled debt restructuring. Each of these loans is individually evaluated for impairment and a specific reserve is recorded based on probable losses, taking into consideration the related collateral, modified loan terms and cash flow. As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, substantially all of the Company’s troubled debt restructured loans are included in the non-accrual totals.

The Company originates certain mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market. Accordingly, these loans are classified as held-for-sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value on an aggregate basis. The mortgage loan sales contracts contain indemnification clauses should the loans default, generally in the first three to nine months, or if documentation is determined not to be in compliance with regulations. The Company’s historic losses as a result of these indemnities have been insignificant.

Loans acquired, including loans acquired in a business combination, are initially recorded at fair value with no valuation allowance. Acquired loans are segregated between those considered to be credit impaired and those deemed performing. To make this determination, management considers such factors as past due status, non-accrual status and credit risk ratings. The fair value of acquired performing loans is determined by discounting expected cash flows, both principal and interest, at prevailing market interest rates. The difference between the fair value and principal balances at acquisition date, the fair value discount, is accreted into interest income over the estimated life of the acquired loan portfolio.

Purchased credit impaired loans are those loans that showed evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts contractually owed. Their acquisition fair value, which includes a credit component at the acquisition date, was based on the estimate of cash flows, both principal and interest, expected to be collected or estimated collateral values if cash flows are not estimable, discounted at prevailing market rates of interest. The difference between the discounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the investment in the loan is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan, unless management was unable to reasonably forecast cash flows in which case the loans were placed on nonaccrual. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the cash flows expected at acquisition are not recognized as a yield adjustment. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows subsequent to acquisition are recognized as impairment. Valuation allowances on these impaired loans reflect only losses incurred after the acquisition. The carrying amount of purchased credit impaired loans at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, was $3,201,000, $937,000 and $618,000, respectively, compared to a contractual balance of $4,129,000, $1,414,000, and $755,000, respectively. Other purchased credit impaired loan disclosures were omitted due to immateriality.

Loans held-for-investment by class of financing receivables are as follows (in thousands):


	March 31,				December 31,
	2018		2017		2017
Commercial	$	734,156	$	666,687	$	684,099
Agricultural		95,958		79,237		94,543
Real estate		2,502,904		2,209,021		2,302,998
Consumer		397,033		417,567		403,929

Total loans held-for-investment	$	3,730,051	$	3,372,512	$	3,485,569

Loans held for sale totaled $17,030,000, $13,629,000 and $15,130,000 at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively, which are valued at the lower of cost or fair value.

The Company’s non-accrual loans, loans still accruing and past due 90 days or more and restructured loans are as follows (in thousands):


	March 31,				December 31,
	2018		2017		2017
Non-accrual loans*	$	22,752	$	28,080	$	17,670
Loans still accruing and past due 90 days or more		327		190		288
Troubled debt restructured loans**		514		695		627

Total	$	23,593	$	28,965	$	18,585

*	Includes $3,201,000, $937,000 and $618,000 of purchased credit impaired loans as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively.

**	Troubled debt restructured loans of $4,608,000, $6,073,000 and $4,629,000, whose interest collection, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, is doubtful are included in non-accrual loans at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The Company’s recorded investment in impaired loans and the related valuation allowance are as follows (in thousands):


March 31, 2018			March 31, 2017				December 31, 2017
Recorded Investment	Valuation Allowance		Recorded Investment		Valuation Allowance		Recorded Investment		Valuation Allowance
$22,752	$	4,365	$	28,080	$	5,072	$	17,670	$	3,996

The Company had $24,869,000, $30,518,000 and $20,117,000 in non-accrual, past due 90 days or more and still accruing, restructured loans and foreclosed assets at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively. Non-accrual loans at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, consisted of the following by class of financing receivables (in thousands):


	March 31,				December 31,
	2018		2017		2017
Commercial	$	5,351	$	6,953	$	3,612
Agricultural		143		72		134
Real estate		16,161		19,763		12,838
Consumer		1,097		1,292		1,086

Total	$	22,752	$	28,080	$	17,670

No significant additional funds are committed to be advanced in connection with impaired loans as of March 31, 2018.

The Company’s impaired loans and related allowance as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, are summarized in the following tables by class of financing receivables (in thousands). No interest income was recognized on impaired loans subsequent to their classification as impaired.


March 31, 2018	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance*		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Three- Month Average Recorded Investment
Commercial	$	7,360	$	1,754	$	3,597	$	5,351	$	1,306	$	5,725
Agricultural		159		12		131		143		30		146
Real Estate		20,168		3,799		12,362		16,161		2,580		16,751
Consumer		1,292		117		980		1,097		449		1,149

Total	$	28,979	$	5,682	$	17,070	$	22,752	$	4,365	$	23,771

*	Includes $3,201,000 of purchased credit impaired loans.


March 31, 2017	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance*		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Three- Month Average Recorded Investment
Commercial	$	15,986	$	770	$	6,183	$	6,953	$	2,017	$	9,069
Agricultural		76		—		72		72		17		72
Real Estate		24,748		6,609		13,154		19,763		2,605		18,935
Consumer		1,496		346		946		1,292		433		1,210

Total	$	42,306	$	7,725	$	20,355	$	28,080	$	5,072	$	29,286

*	Includes $937,000 of purchased credit impaired loans.


December 31, 2017	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance*		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		12 Month Average Recorded Investment
Commercial	$	5,597	$	518	$	3,094	$	3,612	$	1,194	$	4,849
Agricultural		147		—		134		134		31		120
Real Estate		16,823		2,348		10,490		12,838		2,316		13,835
Consumer		1,284		143		943		1,086		455		1,258

Total	$	23,851	$	3,009	$	14,661	$	17,670	$	3,996	$	20,062

*	Includes $618,000 of purchased credit impaired loans.

The Company recognized interest income on impaired loans prior to being recognized as impaired of approximately $624,000 during the year ended December 31, 2017. Such amounts for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were not significant.

From a credit risk standpoint, the Company rates its loans in one of four categories: (i) pass, (ii) special mention, (iii) substandard or (iv) doubtful. Loans rated as loss are charged-off.

The ratings of loans reflect a judgment about the risks of default and loss associated with the loan. The Company reviews the ratings on our credits as part of our on-going monitoring of the credit quality of our loan portfolio. Ratings are adjusted to reflect the degree of risk and loss that are felt to be inherent in each credit as of each reporting period. Our methodology is structured so that specific allocations are increased in accordance with deterioration in credit quality (and a corresponding increase in risk and loss) or decreased in accordance with improvement in credit quality (and a corresponding decrease in risk and loss).

Credits rated special mention show clear signs of financial weaknesses or deterioration in credit worthiness, however, such concerns are not so pronounced that the Company generally expects to experience significant loss within the short-term. Such credits typically maintain the ability to perform within standard credit terms and credit exposure is not as prominent as credits rated more harshly.

Credits rated substandard are those in which the normal repayment of principal and interest may be, or has been, jeopardized by reason of adverse trends or developments of a financial, managerial, economic or political nature, or important weaknesses exist in collateral. A protracted workout on these credits is a distinct possibility. Prompt corrective action is therefore required to strengthen the Company’s position, and/or to reduce exposure and to assure that adequate remedial measures are taken by the borrower. Credit exposure becomes more likely in such credits and a serious evaluation of the secondary support to the credit is performed.

Credits rated doubtful are those in which full collection of principal appears highly questionable, and which some degree of loss is anticipated, even though the ultimate amount of loss may not yet be certain and/or other factors exist which could affect collection of debt. Based upon available information, positive action by the Company is required to avert or minimize loss. Credits rated doubtful are generally also placed on non-accrual.

The following summarizes the Company’s internal ratings of its loans held-for-investment by class of financing receivables and portfolio segments, which are the same, at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):


March 31, 2018	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial	$	705,251	$	9,401	$	19,504	$	—	$	734,156
Agricultural		90,975		1,755		3,228		—		95,958
Real Estate		2,415,458		28,638		58,808		—		2,502,904
Consumer		394,312		285		2,436		—		397,033

Total	$	3,605,996	$	40,079	$	83,976	$	—	$	3,730,051


March 31, 2017	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial	$	623,429	$	5,135	$	38,123	$	—	$	666,687
Agricultural		77,050		730		1,457		—		79,237
Real Estate		2,134,703		17,310		57,008		—		2,209,021
Consumer		414,709		166		2,692		—		417,567

Total	$	3,249,891	$	23,341	$	99,280	$	—	$	3,372,512


December 31, 2017	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial	$	649,166	$	6,282	$	28,651	$	—	$	684,099
Agricultural		90,457		1,527		2,559		—		94,543
Real Estate		2,227,302		29,089		46,607		—		2,302,998
Consumer		401,434		181		2,314		—		403,929

Total	$	3,368,359	$	37,079	$	80,131	$	—	$	3,485,569

At March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, the Company’s past due loans are as follows (in thousands):


March 31, 2018	15-59 Days Past Due*		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		90 Days Past Due Still Accruing
Commercial	$	4,639	$	760	$	1,066	$	6,465	$	727,691	$	734,156	$	204
Agricultural		332		—		—		332		95,626		95,958		—
Real Estate		16,037		544		748		17,329		2,485,575		2,502,904		76
Consumer		824		221		161		1,206		395,827		397,033		47

Total	$	21,832	$	1,525	$	1,975	$	25,332	$	3,704,719	$	3,730,051	$	327


March 31, 2017	15-59 Days Past Due*		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		90 Days Past Due Still Accruing
Commercial	$	5,452	$	376	$	2,450	$	8,278	$	658,409	$	666,687	$	—
Agricultural		626		31		27		684		78,553		79,237		15
Real Estate		13,434		1,870		5,085		20,389		2,188,632		2,209,021		151
Consumer		1,058		268		87		1,413		416,154		417,567		24

Total	$	20,570	$	2,545	$	7,649	$	30,764	$	3,341,748	$	3,372,512	$	190


December 31, 2017	15-59 Days Past Due*		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Total Current		Total Loans		Total 90 Days Past Due Still Accruing
Commercial	$	2,039	$	1,104	$	1,081	$	4,224	$	679,875	$	684,099	$	7
Agricultural		640		—		—		640		93,903		94,543		—
Real Estate		12,308		511		1,198		14,017		2,288,981		2,302,998		216
Consumer		1,360		361		135		1,856		402,073		403,929		65

Total	$	16,347	$	1,976	$	2,414	$	20,737	$	3,464,832	$	3,485,569	$	288

*	The Company monitors commercial, agricultural and real estate loans after such loans are 15 days past due. Consumer loans are monitored after such loans are 30 days past due.

The following table details the allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, by portfolio segment (in thousands). There were no allowances for purchased credit impaired loans at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.


March 31, 2018	Commercial		Agricultural		Real Estate		Consumer		Total
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	1,306	$	30	$	2,580	$	449	$	4,365
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		7,971		1,482		29,959		5,722		45,134

Total	$	9,277	$	1,512	$	32,539	$	6,171	$	49,499


March 31, 2017	Commercial		Agricultural		Real Estate		Consumer		Total
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	2,017	$	17	$	2,605	$	433	$	5,072
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		9,665		929		24,674		5,852		41,120

Total	$	11,682	$	946	$	27,279	$	6,285	$	46,192


December 31, 2017	Commercial		Agricultural		Real Estate		Consumer		Total
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	1,194	$	31	$	2,316	$	455	$	3,996
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		9,671		1,274		27,580		5,635		44,160

Total	$	10,865	$	1,305	$	29,896	$	6,090	$	48,156

Changes in the allowance for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, are summarized as follows by portfolio segment (in thousands):


Three months ended March 31, 2018	Commercial			Agricultural			Real Estate			Consumer			Total
Beginning balance	$	10,865		$	1,305		$	29,896		$	6,090		$	48,156
Provision for loan losses		(1,627	)		203			2,434			300			1,310
Recoveries		158			4			242			100			504
Charge-offs		(119	)		—			(33	)		(319	)		(471	)

Ending balance	$	9,277		$	1,512		$	32,539		$	6,171		$	49,499


Three months ended March 31, 2017	Commercial			Agricultural			Real Estate			Consumer			Total
Beginning balance	$	11,707		$	1,101		$	26,864		$	6,107		$	45,779
Provision for loan losses		1,003			(153	)		773			327			1,950
Recoveries		227			6			52			204			489
Charge-offs		( 1,255	)		(8	)		( 410	)		(353	)		( 2,026	)

Ending balance	$	11,682		$	946		$	27,279		$	6,285		$	46,192

The Company’s recorded investment in loans as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017 related to the balance in the allowance for loan losses on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology was as follows (in thousands). Purchased credit impaired loans of $3,201,000, $937,000 and $618,000 at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively, are included in loans individually evaluated for impairment.


March 31, 2018	Commercial		Agricultural		Real Estate		Consumer		Total
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	5,351	$	143	$	16,161	$	1,097	$	22,752
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		728,805		95,815		2,486,743		395,936		3,707,299

Total	$	734,156	$	95,958	$	2,502,904	$	397,033	$	3,730,051


March 31, 2017	Commercial		Agricultural		Real Estate		Consumer		Total
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	6,953	$	72	$	19,763	$	1,292	$	28,080
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		659,734		79,165		2,189,258		416,275		3,344,432

Total	$	666,687	$	79,237	$	2,209,021	$	417,567	$	3,372,512


December 31, 2017	Commercial		Agricultural		Real Estate		Consumer		Total
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,612	$	134	$	12,838	$	1,086	$	17,670
Loan collectively evaluated for impairment		680,487		94,409		2,290,160		402,843		3,467,899

Total	$	684,099	$	94,543	$	2,302,998	$	403,929	$	3,485,569

The Company’s loans that were modified in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and considered troubled debt restructurings are as follows (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018						Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
			Pre- Modification		Post- Modification				Pre- Modification		Post- Modification
			Recorded		Recorded				Recorded		Recorded
	Number		Investment		Investment		Number		Investment		Investment
Commercial		—	$	—	$	—		4	$	234	$	234
Agricultural		1		4		4		—		—		—
Real Estate		2		363		363		1		56		56
Consumer		3		74		74		—		—		—

Total		6	$	441	$	441		5	$	290	$	290

The balances below provide information as to how the loans were modified as troubled debt restructured loans during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018						Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Adjusted Interest Rate		Extended Maturity		Combined Rate and Maturity		Adjusted Interest Rate		Extended Maturity		Combined Rate and Maturity
Commercial	$	—	$	—	$	—		—	$	90	$	144
Agricultural		—		—		4		—		—		—
Real Estate		—		—		363		—		56		—
Consumer		—		—		74		—		—		—

Total	$	—	$	—	$	441		—	$	146	$	144

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, two loans were modified as troubled debt restructured loan within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default. There were no such defaults for the three months ended March 31, 2018. A default for purposes of this disclosure is a troubled debt restructured loan in which the borrower is 90 days past due or more or results in the foreclosure and repossession of the applicable collateral. The loans with payment default are as follows (dollars in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018				Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Number		Balance		Number		Balance
Commercial		—	$	—		1	$	53
Agriculture		—		—		—		—
Real Estate		—		—		1		63
Consumer		—		—		—		—

Total		—	$	—		2	$	116

As of March 31, 2018, the Company has no commitments to lend additional funds to loan customers whose terms have been modified in troubled debt restructurings.

Our subsidiary bank has established a line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB) to provide liquidity and meet pledging requirements for those customers eligible to have securities pledged to secure certain uninsured deposits. At March 31, 2018, $2,171,318,000 in loans held by our bank subsidiary were subject to blanket liens as security for this line of credit. At March 31, 2018, there was no advances outstanding under this line of credit. At March 31, 2018, $2.85 million in letters of credit were outstanding under this line of credit that were pledged as collateral for public funds held by our bank subsidiary.

Note 6 – Borrowings

Borrowings at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):


	March 31,				December 31,
	2018		2017		2017
Securities sold under agreements with customers to repurchase	$	358,210	$	347,339	$	320,450
Federal funds purchased		13,945		12,925		10,550

Total	$	372,155	$	360,264	$	331,000

Securities sold under repurchase agreements are generally with significant customers of the Company that require short-term liquidity for their funds for which the Company pledges certain securities that have a fair value equal to at least the amount of the borrowings. The agreements mature daily and therefore the risk arising from a decline in the fair value of the collateral pledged is minimal. The securities pledged are mortgage-backed securities. These agreements do not include “right of set-off” provisions and therefore the Company does not offset such agreements for financial reporting purposes.

Note 7—Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $6,245,000 for the first quarter of 2018 as compared to $7,605,000 for the same period in 2017. The Company’s effective tax rates on pretax income were 15.32% and 22.23% for the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The effective tax rates differ from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 primarily due to tax exempt interest income earned on certain investment securities and loans, the deductibility of dividends paid to our employee stock ownership plan and excess tax benefits related to our directors’ deferred compensation plan.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law with sweeping modifications to the Internal Revenue Service Code. The primary change for the Company was to lower the corporate income tax rate to 21% from 35%. The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were re-measured based on the income tax rules at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is now generally 21%. The Company continues to analyze certain aspects of the Act resulting in refinement of the calculations which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts. The provisional amount recorded related to the re-measurement of the Company’s deferred tax balance was $7,650,000, and was recorded in December 2017 as a reduction of income tax expense. There were no adjustments to this provisional amount recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2018. In addition, income tax rate changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities totaling $5,759,000 related to amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings during the first quarter of 2018.

Note 8—Stock Option Plan and Restricted Stock Plan

The Company grants incentive stock options for a fixed number of shares with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant to employees. In June 2017, the Company granted 452,450 incentive stock options with an exercise price of $42.35 per share. The fair value of the options was $9.90 per option and was estimated using the Black-Scholes options pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: risk-free interest rate of 1.89%; expected dividend yield of 1.79%; expected life of 6.24 years; and expected volatility of 26.51%. No options have been granted in 2018.

The Company recorded stock option expense totaling $377,000 and $215,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The additional disclosure requirements under authoritative accounting guidance have been omitted due to the amounts being insignificant.

On April 26, 2016, upon re-election of existing directors, 7,660 restricted shares with a total value of $250,000 were granted to the ten non-employee directors and was expensed over the period from grant date to April 25, 2017, the date of the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting at which these directors’ term expired. On April 25, 2017, upon re-election of existing directors, 14,650 restricted shares with a total value of $600,000 were granted to the ten non-employee directors and is being expensed over the period from the grant date to April 24, 2018, the date of the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting at which these directors’ term expired. The Company recorded director expense related to these restricted share grants of $150,000 and $63,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

On April 24, 2018, upon re-election of nine of the existing directors, 10,710 restricted shares with a total value of $540,000 were granted to these non-employee directors and will be expensed over the period from grant date to April 23, 2019, the Company’s next shareholders’ meeting at which the director’s term expires.

On October 27, 2015, the Company granted 31,273 restricted shares with a total value of $1,060,000 to certain officers that is being expensed over the vesting period of three years. On October 25, 2016, the Company granted 15,405 restricted stock shares with a total value of $560,000 to certain officers that is being expensed over the vesting period of three years. On October 24, 2017, the Company granted 14,191 restricted shares with a total value of $655,000 to certain officers that is being expensed over the vesting period of one to three years. The Company recorded restricted stock expense for officers of $167,000 and $132,000, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Note 9—Pension Plan

The Company’s defined benefit pension plan was frozen effective January 1, 2004, whereby no new participants will be added to the plan and no additional years of service will accrue to participants, unless the pension plan is reinstated at a future date. The pension plan covered substantially all of the Company’s employees at the time. The benefits for each employee were based on years of service and a percentage of the employee’s qualifying compensation during the final years of employment. The Company’s funding policy was and is to contribute annually the amount necessary to satisfy the Internal Revenue Service’s funding standards. Contributions to the pension plan, prior to freezing the plan, were intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. As a result of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “Protection Act”), the Company will be required to contribute amounts in future years to fund any shortfalls. The Company has evaluated the provisions of the Protection Act as well as the Internal Revenue Service’s funding standards to develop a plan for funding in future years. The Company made no contribution in 2017, and has not made a contribution through March 31, 2018.

Net periodic benefit costs totaling $56,000 and $84,000 were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Note 10—Fair Value Disclosures

The authoritative accounting guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The price in the principal (or most advantageous) market used to measure the fair value of the asset or liability shall not be adjusted for transaction costs. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets and liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal market that are (i) independent, (ii) knowledgeable, (iii) able to transact, and (iv) willing to transact.

The authoritative accounting guidance requires the use of valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement costs). Valuation techniques should be consistently applied. Inputs to valuation techniques refer to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Inputs may be observable, meaning those that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, or unobservable, meaning those that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. In that regard, the authoritative guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy for valuation inputs that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The fair value hierarchy is as follows:

•

Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

•

Level 2 Inputs – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

•

Level 3 Inputs – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect an entity’s own assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

Securities classified as available-for-sale and trading are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 and Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include market spreads, cash flows, the United States Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, dealer quotes, market consensus prepayments speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other items.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 or Level 2 and Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and the year ended December 31, 2017.

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value (dollars in thousands):


March 31, 2018

	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Obligations of U. S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies	$	—	$	50,215	$	—	$	50,215
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—		1,320,133		—		1,320,133
Corporate bonds		—		4,971		—		4,971
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		1,427,772		—		1,427,772
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		—		468,746		—		468,746
Other securities		4,356		—		—		4,356

Total	$	4,356	$	3,271,837	$	—	$	3,276,193


March 31, 2017

	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Available-for-sale investment securities:
U.S. Treasury securities	$	10,619	$	—	$	—	$	10,619
Obligations of U. S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies		—		79,905		—		79,905
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—		1,564,513		—		1,564,513
Corporate bonds		—		43,503		—		43,503
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		991,553		—		991,553
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		—		323,758		—		323,758
Other securities		4,428		—		—		4,428

Total	$	15,047	$	3,003,232	$	—	$	3,018,279


December 31, 2017

	Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Available-for-sale investment securities:
Obligations of U. S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies		—		60,330		—		60,330
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		—		1,420,850		—		1,420,850
Corporate bonds		—		7,031		—		7,031
Residential mortgage-backed securities		—		1,219,097		—		1,219,097
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		—		375,737		—		375,737
Other securities		4,428		—		—		4,428

Total	$	4,428	$	3,083,045	$	—	$	3,087,473

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include the following at March 31, 2018:

Impaired Loans – Impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral less costs to sell. Collateral values are estimated using Level 2 inputs based on observable market data. At March 31, 2018, impaired loans with a carrying value of $22,752,000 were reduced by specific valuation reserves totaling $4,365,000 resulting in a net fair value of $18,387,000. The Company also had impaired loans of $5,682,000 with no specific valuation reserve at March 31, 2018, due to the loans carrying value generally being lower than the value of the collateral associated with the loan.

Loans Held-for-Sale – Loans held-for-sale are reported at the lower of cost or fair value. In determining whether the fair value of loans held-for-sale is less than cost when quoted market prices are not available, the Company considers investor commitments/contracts. These loans are considered Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. At March 31, 2018 the Company’s mortgage loans held-for-sale were recorded at cost as fair value exceeded cost.

Certain non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include other real estate owned, goodwill and other intangible assets and other non-financial long-lived assets. Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 include other real estate owned which, subsequent to their initial transfer to other real estate owned from loans, were re-measured at fair value through a write-down included in gain (loss) on sale of foreclosed assets. During the reported periods, all fair value measurements for foreclosed assets utilized Level 2 inputs based on observable market data, generally third-party appraisals, or Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria. These appraisals are evaluated individually and discounted as necessary due to the age of the appraisal, lack of comparable sales, expected holding periods of property or special use type of the property. Such discounts vary by appraisal based on the above factors but generally range from 5% to 25% of the appraised value. Re-evaluation of other real estate owned is performed at least annually as required by regulatory guidelines or more often if particular circumstances arise. The following table presents other real estate owned that were re-measured subsequent to their initial transfer to other real estate owned (dollars in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Carrying value of other real estate owned prior to re-measurement	$	—	$	—
Write-downs included in gain (loss) on sale of other real estate owned		—		—

Fair value	$	—	$	—

At March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, other real estate owned totaled $1,179,000, $1,207,000 and $1,347,000, respectively.

The Company is required under current authoritative accounting guidance to disclose the estimated fair value of their financial instrument assets and liabilities including those subject to the requirements discussed above. For the Company, as for most financial institutions, substantially all of its assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments. Many of the Company’s financial instruments, however, lack an available trading market as characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaging in an exchange transaction.

The estimated fair value amounts of financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required to interpret data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

In addition, reasonable comparability between financial institutions may not be likely due to the wide range of permitted valuation techniques and numerous estimates that must be made given the absence of active secondary markets for many of the financial instruments. This lack of uniform valuation methodologies also introduces a greater degree of subjectivity to these estimated fair values. Cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, interest-bearing deposits and time deposits in banks and accrued interest receivable and payable are liquid in nature and considered Levels 1 or 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Financial instruments with stated maturities have been valued using a present value discounted cash flow with a discount rate approximating current market for similar assets and liabilities and are considered Levels 2 and 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Financial instrument liabilities with no stated maturities have an estimated fair value equal to both the amount payable on demand and the carrying value and are considered Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The carrying value and the estimated fair value of the Company’s contractual off-balance-sheet unfunded lines of credit, loan commitments and letters of credit, which are generally priced at market at the time of funding, are not material.

The estimated fair values and carrying values of all financial instruments under current authoritative guidance at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, were as follows (in thousands):


	March 31,								December 31,
	2018				2017				2017
	Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Value		Estimated Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
Cash and due from banks	$	130,979	$	130,979	$	163,674	$	163,674	$	209,583	$	209,583		Level 1
Federal funds sold		—		—		3,840		3,840		—		—		Level 1
Interest-bearing deposits in banks		67,060		67,060		55,165		55,165		162,764		162,764		Level 1
Interest-bearing time deposits in banks		1,458		1,458		1,707		1,708		1,458		1,458		Level 2
Available-for-sale Securities		3,276,193		3,276,193		3,018,279		3,018,279		3,087,473		3,087,473		Levels 1 and 2
Held-to-maturity securities		—		—		114		116		—		—		Level 2
Loans		3,697,582		3,718,987		3,339,949		3,368,084		3,452,543		3,470,133		Level 3
Accrued interest receivable		28,631		28,631		26,639		26,639		36,081		36,081		Level 2
Deposits with stated maturities		468,078		469,000		495,720		496,782		451,255		451,255		Level 2
Deposits with no stated maturities		5,722,685		5,722,685		5,166,248		5,166,248		5,511,706		5,511,706		Level 1
Borrowings		372,155		372,155		360,264		360,264		331,000		331,000		Level 2
Accrued interest Payable		195		195		166		166		197		197		Level 2

Note 11—Recently Issued Authoritative Accounting Guidance

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2014-09 implements a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that supersedes substantially all existing revenue recognition guidance. The new standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity applies the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2015-4 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Deferral of the Effective Date” deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and as a result, the new standard became effective in the first quarter of 2018. The Company’s revenue is comprised of net interest income on financial assets and financial liabilities, which is explicitly excluded from the scope of ASU 2014-09, and non-interest income. Based on the Company’s analysis of the effect of the new standard on its recurring revenue streams, the Company did not expect these changes to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statement, and upon adoption in the first quarter of 2018, no adjustment to opening retained earnings was recorded. See Note 1 for additional information related to the Company’s consideration and analysis of this new standard.

ASU 2016-1, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” ASU 2016-1, among other things, (i) requires equity investments, with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, (iv) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (v) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (vi) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and (vii) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities. ASU 2016-1 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” ASU 2016-02 will amend current lease accounting to require lessees to recognize (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis, and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 does not significantly change lease accounting requirements applicable to lessors; however, certain changes were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model. The amended guidance will be effective in the first quarter of 2019 and will require transition using a modified retrospective approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the provision of the new lease standard but, due to the small number and dollar amount of lease agreements presently in effect for the Company, does not expect the new guidance will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” ASU 2016-09 amends current guidance such that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payment awards will be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement during the period in which they occur. Previously, such amounts were recorded in capital surplus. Additionally, excess tax benefits will be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity rather than a financing activity, as was previously the case. ASU 2016-09 also provides that any entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, which is the current requirement, or account for forfeitures when they occur. ASU 2016-09 became effective January 1, 2017 and did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” ASU 2016-13 implements a comprehensive change in estimating the allowances for loan losses from the current model of losses inherent in the loan portfolio to a current expected credit loss model that generally is expected to result in earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Additionally, purchase accounting rules have been modified as well as credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities. ASU 2016-13 will be effective in the first quarter of 2020. While the Company generally expects that the implementation of ASU 2016-13 will increase their allowance for loan losses balance, the Company is continuing to evaluate the potential impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.” ASU 2017-04 will amend and simplify current goodwill impairment testing to eliminate Step 2 from the current provisions. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform the goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. An entity still has the option to perform the quantitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-Retirement Benefit Cost.” ASU 2017-17 will require employers that sponsor defined benefit pension plans to present the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. Other components of the net periodic benefit cost will be presented separately from the service cost component. ASU 2017-17 became effective in 2018 and, as the Company froze its defined benefit pension plan in 2004, there is no service cost component of its net periodic benefit cost and therefore did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2017-08, “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs: Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” ASU 2017-08 addresses the amortization method for all callable bonds purchased at a premium to par. Under the revised guidance, entities will be required to amortize premiums on callable bonds to the earliest call date. ASU 2017-08 is effective in 2019 although early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2017-08 in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2018-02 was issued to address the income tax accounting treatment of the stranded tax effects within other comprehensive income due to the prohibition of backward tracing due to an income tax rate change that was initially recorded in other comprehensive income. This issue came about from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017 that changed the Company’s income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The ASU changed current accounting whereby an entity may elect to reclassify the stranded tax effect from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The ASU is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018 although early adoption was permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2018 and reclassified its stranded tax debit of $5,759,000 within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings.

Note 12 – Acquisition

At closing, Commercial Bancshares, Inc. was merged into the Company and Commercial State Bank, Kingwood, Texas, was merged into First Financial Bank, National Association, Abilene, Texas, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The primary purpose of the acquisition was to expand the Company’s market share around Houston. Factors that contributed to a purchase price resulting in goodwill include Commercial State Bank’s record of earnings, strong management and board of directors, strong local economic environment and opportunity for growth. The results of operations from this acquisition are included in the consolidated earnings of the Company commencing January 1, 2018.

The assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at estimated fair value on the acquisition date. The acquisition was not considered to be a significant business combination. The following table presents the amounts recorded on the consolidated balance sheet on the acquisition date (dollars in thousands):


Fair value of consideration paid:
Common stock issued (1,289,371 shares)	$	58,087

Fair value of identifiable assets acquired:
Cash and cash equivalents		18,653
Securities available-for-sale		64,501
Loans		266,327
Identifiable intangible assets		3,167
Other assets		15,375

Total identifiable assets acquired		368,023

Fair value of liabilities assumed:
Deposits		341,902
Other liabilities		(373	)

Total liabilities assumed		341,529

Fair value of net identifiable assets acquired		26,494

Goodwill resulting from acquisition	$	31,593

Goodwill recorded in the acquisition was accounted for in accordance with the authoritative business combination guidance. Accordingly, goodwill will not be amortized but will be tested for impairment annually. The goodwill recorded is not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

The fair value of total loans acquired was $266,335,000 at acquisition compared to contractual amounts of $271,714,000. The fair value of purchased credit impaired loans at acquisition was $3,013,000 compared to contractual amounts of $3,806,000. Additional purchased credit impaired loan disclosures were omitted due to immateriality. All other acquired loans were considered performing loans.

Commercial State Bank had branches in Kingwood, Fulshear, El Campo and Palacios, all located around Houston, Texas.

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this Form 10-Q, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “predict,” “project,” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to our management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited, to those listed in “Item 1A- Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the following:

•

general economic conditions, including our local, state and national real estate markets and employment trends;

•

effect of severe weather conditions, including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding and droughts;

•

volatility and disruption in national and international financial and commodity markets;

•

government intervention in the U.S. financial system including the effects of recent legislative, tax, accounting and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the capital ratios of Basel III as adopted by the federal banking authorities and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

•

political instability;

•

the ability of the Federal government to address the national economy;

•

changes in our competitive environment from other financial institutions and financial service providers;

•

the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”);

•

the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters;

•

the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which we and our subsidiaries must comply;

•

changes in the demand for loans;

•

fluctuations in the value of collateral securing our loan portfolio and in the level of the allowance for loan losses;

•

the accuracy of our estimates of future loan losses;

•

the accuracy of our estimates and assumptions regarding the performance of our securities portfolio;

•

soundness of other financial institutions with which we have transactions;

•

inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;

•

changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

•

changes in commodity prices (e.g., oil and gas, cattle and wind energy);

•

our ability to attract deposits and increase market share;

•

changes in our liquidity position;

•

changes in the reliability of our vendors, internal control system or information systems;

•

cyber attacks on our technology information systems, including fraud from our customers and external third party vendors;

•

our ability to attract and retain qualified employees;

•

acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses;

•

the possible impairment of goodwill associated with our acquisitions;

•

consequences of continued bank mergers and acquisitions in our market area, resulting in fewer but much larger and stronger competitors;

•

expansion of operations, including branch openings, new product offerings and expansion into new markets;

•

changes in our compensation and benefit plans; and

•

acts of God or of war or terrorism.

Such forward-looking statements reflect the current views of our management with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise (except as required by law).

Introduction

As a financial holding company, we generate most of our revenue from interest on loans and investments, trust fees, and service charges. Our primary source of funding for our loans and investments are deposits held by our subsidiary, First Financial Bank, National Association, Abilene, Texas. Our largest expense is salaries and related employee benefits. We usually measure our performance by calculating our return on average assets, return on average equity, our regulatory leverage and risk based capital ratios and our efficiency ratio, which is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income on a tax equivalent basis and noninterest income.

The following discussion and analysis of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q as well as those included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare consolidated financial statements based on GAAP and customary practices in the banking industry. These policies, in certain areas, require us to make significant estimates and assumptions.

We deem a policy critical if (1) the accounting estimate required us to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time we make the accounting estimate; and (2) different estimates that reasonably could have been used in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, would have a material impact on the financial statements.

We deem our most critical accounting policies to be (1) our allowance for loan losses and our provision for loan losses and (2) our valuation of securities. We have other significant accounting policies and continue to evaluate the materiality of their impact on our consolidated financial statements, but we believe these other policies either do not generally require us to make estimates and judgments that are difficult or subjective, or it is less likely they would have a material impact on our reported results for a given period. A discussion of (1) our allowance for loan losses and our provision for loan losses and (2) our valuation of securities is included in note 5 and note 4, respectively, to our notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) which begins on page 9.

Recent Development

Hurricane Harvey

Houston and the surrounding Gulf Coast region were significantly affected by Hurricane Harvey beginning in late August 2017 and continuing into the fourth quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2018. Our Company has locations (i) north of Houston in Conroe, Willis, Tomball, Huntsville, Montgomery, Magnolia, New Waverly and Cut and Shoot and (ii) in Southeast Texas in Orange, Beaumont, Vidor, Newton, Mauriceville and Port Arthur. We continue to evaluate the effect of the hurricane on our branch facilities and our loan and investment portfolios. Our initial assessment of our physical buildings and equipment indicates damage primarily at our Mauriceville branch, and amounts not covered by insurance do not appear to be significant. At March 31, 2018, we had loans totaling $455.43 million in our Conroe region and $394.35 million in the Southeast Texas/Orange region. We continue to evaluate these loans and the related collateral and business operations underlying such loans. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we provided additional allowance for loan losses as deemed appropriate based on this analysis.

Our tax exempt municipal bonds in the counties of Texas effected by the hurricane have also been evaluated, including insurance on the bonds. At March 31, 2018, our municipal bonds in these counties totaled $434.04 million, but only $87.75 million do not have bond insurance. Based on analysis of these bonds and the related municipality, at March 31, 2018, we do not believe we have any credit related losses other than temporary impairment.

Acquisitions and Asset Purchase

On October 12, 2017, we entered into an agreement and plan of reorganization to acquire Commercial Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Commercial State Bank, Kingwood, Texas. On January 1, 2018, the transaction closed. Pursuant to the agreement, we issued 1,289,371 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of Commercial Bancshares, Inc. In addition, in accordance with the plan of reorganization, Commercial Bancshares, Inc. paid a special dividend totaling $22.08 million to its shareholders prior to the closing of this transaction. At the closing, Kingwood Merger Sub., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, merged into Commercial Bancshares Inc., with Commercial Bancshares, Inc. surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Immediately following such merger, Commercial Bancshares, Inc. was merged into the Company and Commercial State Bank, Kingwood, Texas was merged into First Financial Bank, National Association, Abilene, Texas, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The total purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value net of assets acquired by approximately $31.24 million and the Company recorded such excess as goodwill. The balance sheet and results of operations of Commercial Bancshares, Inc. have been included in the financial statements of the Company effective January 1, 2018. See note 12 to the consolidated financial statements on page 31 for additional information and disclosure.

Results of Operations

Performance Summary. Net earnings for the first quarter of 2018 were $34.52 million, up $7.92 million when compared with earnings of $26.60 million in the same quarter last year. Basic earnings per share were $0.51 for the first quarter of 2018 compared with $0.40 in the same quarter a year ago. The increase in net earnings and basic earnings per share in the current quarter when compared with the same quarter a year ago largely resulted from the recent enactment of tax legislation that reduced the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent. Without this adjustment, net earnings for the first quarter of 2018 would have been $30.26 million with an adjusted basic earnings per share of $0.45. See note 7 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Also contributing to the increase in net earnings was the Company’s recent acquisition of Commercial Bancshares, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Commercial State Bank, Kingwood, Texas. See note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

The return on average assets was 1.84% for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to 1.57% for the first quarter of 2017. The return on average equity was 14.74% for the first quarter of 2018 as compared to 12.74% for the first quarter of 2017.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income on earning assets and interest expense on liabilities incurred to fund those assets. Our earning assets consist primarily of loans and investment securities. Our liabilities to fund those assets consist primarily of noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing deposits.

Tax-equivalent net interest income was $67.92 million for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to $63.57 million for the same period last year. The increase in 2018 compared to 2017 was largely attributable to the increase in interest earning assets, particularly loans and taxable securities, primarily from the acquisition of Commercial State Bank. Average earning assets increased $689.18 million for the first quarter of 2018 over the same period in 2017. Average loans and taxable securities increased $378.96 million and $459.06 million, respectively, for the first quarter of 2018 over the same quarter of 2017. Average interest-bearing liabilities increased $239.59 million for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to the same period in 2017. The yield on earning assets decreased five basis points and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities increased sixteen basis points for the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017. The decrease in yield on average assets was primarily caused by the 87 basis point decrease in yield on tax exempt securities due to the change in income tax rate from 35% to 21%.

Table 1 allocates the change in tax-equivalent net interest income between the amount of change attributable to volume and to rate.

Table 1 - Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	Change Attributable to						Total Change
	Volume			Rate			Total Change
Short-term investments	$	55		$	309		$	364
Taxable investment securities		2,495			1,428			3,923
Tax-exempt investment securities (1)		(2,036	)		(2,966	)		(5,002	)
Loans (1) (2)		4,504			2,426			6,930

Interest income		5,018			1,197			6,215
Interest-bearing deposits		138			1,791			1,929
Short-term borrowings		(35	)		(25	)		(60	)

Interest expense		103			1,766			1,869

Net interest income	$	4,915		$	(569	)	$	4,346

(1)	Computed on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017.

(2)	Non-accrual loans are included in loans.

The net interest margin for the first quarter of 2018 was 3.88%, a decrease of 15 basis points from the same period in 2017. The decrease in our net interest margin in 2018 and 2017 was due to (i) the change in the income tax rate from 35% to 21% from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its effect on our tax free municipal bonds and tax free loans and (ii) the result of the extended period of historically low levels of short-term interest rates. We have been able to somewhat mitigate the impact of low short-term interest rates by establishing minimum interest rates on certain of our loans, improving the pricing for loan risk, and minimizing rates paid on interest bearing liabilities. The Federal Reserve increased rates 25 basis points in the first quarter of 2018, 75 basis points in 2017 and 25 basis points in 2016 and 2015 and continues to issue forward guidance plans to increase rates further in 2018 and 2019. Although increasing, we expect interest rates to remain at lower levels, which will continue the downward pressure on our net interest margin.

The net interest margin, which measures tax-equivalent net interest income as a percentage of average earning assets, is illustrated in Table 2.

Table 2 - Average Balances and Average Yields and Rates (in thousands, except percentages):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018								2017
	Average Balance			Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate			Average Balance			Income/ Expense		Yield/ Rate
Assets
Short-term investments (1)	$	166,614		$	640		1.56	%	$	138,085		$	276		0.81	%
Taxable investment securities (2)		1,826,391			11,354		2.49			1,367,331			7,431		2.17
Tax-exempt investment securities (2)(3)		1,352,235			12,559		3.72			1,529,610			17,561		4.59
Loans (3)(4)		3,748,561			46,995		5.08			3,369,599			40,065		4.82

Total earning assets		7,093,801		$	71,548		4.09	%		6,404,625		$	65,333		4.14	%
Cash and due from banks		191,759								167,530
Bank premises and equipment, net		127,282								122,793
Other assets		63,327								59,396
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		164,306								143,534
Allowance for loan losses		(49,625	)							(46,292	)

Total assets	$	7,590,850							$	6,851,586

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Interest-bearing deposits	$	4,139,324		$	3,519		0.34	%	$	3,808,933		$	1,590		0.17	%
Short-term borrowings		357,414			113		0.13			448,217			173		0.16

Total interest-bearing liabilities		4,496,738		$	3,632		0.35	%		4,257,150		$	1,763		0.17	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits		2,111,983								1,709,294
Other liabilities		32,082								38,238

Total liabilities		2,144,065								6,004,682
Shareholders’ equity		950,047								846,904

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	7,590,850							$	6,851,586

Net interest income				$	67,916							$	63,570

Rate Analysis:
Interest income/earning assets							4.09	%							4.14	%
Interest expense/earning assets							(0.21	)							(0.11	)

Net interest margin							3.88	%							4.03	%

1)	Short-term investments are comprised of Fed Funds sold, interest-bearing deposits in banks and interest-bearing time deposits in banks.

(2)	Average balances include unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities.

(3)	Computed on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017.

(4)	Non-accrual loans are included in loans.

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income for the first quarter of 2018 was $24.42 million, an increase of $3.14 million compared to the same period in 2017. Trust fees increased 14.74% to $6.90 million in the first quarter of 2018 compared with $6.02 million in the same quarter last year, due to continued growth in the fair value of trust assets managed to $5.23 billion from $4.54 billion a year ago and an increase in trust fees. Service charges on deposit accounts increased 7.34% to $4.88 million compared with $4.55 million in the same quarter last year due to continued growth in net new accounts. ATM, interchange and credit card fees increased 13.50% to $7.00 million compared with $6.16 million in the same quarter last year due to continued growth in debit cards. Also included in noninterest income during the first quarter of 2018 were gains on the sale of securities of $1.22 million compared to $3 thousand for the same quarter in 2017. Real estate mortgage fees decreased in the first quarter of 2018 to $2.93 million compared with $3.42 million in the same quarter a year ago due to a slowdown in refinance activity and the sale of the mortgage servicing portfolio in July 2017.

ATM and interchange fees are charges that merchants pay to us and other card-issuing banks for processing electronic payment transactions. ATM and interchange fees consist of income from debit card usage, point of sale income for debit card transactions and ATM service fees. Federal Reserve rules applicable to financial institutions that have assets of $10 billion or more provide that the maximum permissible interchange fee for an electronic debit transaction is the sum of 21 cents per transaction and 5 basis points multiplied by the value of the transaction. While we currently have assets under $10 billion, we are monitoring the effect of this reduction in per transaction fee income as we approach the $10 billion asset level.

Table 3 - Noninterest Income (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			Increase (Decrease)			2017
Trust fees	$	6,904		$	887		$	6,017
Service charges on deposit accounts		4,884			334			4,550
ATM, interchange and credit card fees		6,996			832			6,164
Real estate mortgage operations		2,933			(484	)		3,417
Net gain on sale of available-for-sale securities		1,221			1,218			3
Net gain (loss) on sale of foreclosed assets		99			58			41
Net gain (loss) on sale of assets		(91	)		(95	)		4
Interest on loan recoveries		119			(35	)		154
Other:
Check printing fees		42			4			38
Safe deposit rental fees		203			10			193
Credit life fees		97			(30	)		127
Brokerage commissions		420			139			281
Miscellaneous income		596			299			297

Total other		1,358			422			936

Total Noninterest Income	$	24,423		$	3,137		$	21,286

Noninterest Expense. Total noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2017 was $47.80 million, an increase of $5.65 million compared to $42.15 million in the same period of 2017. An important measure in determining whether a financial institution effectively manages noninterest expense is the efficiency ratio, which is calculated by dividing noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis and noninterest income. Lower ratios indicate better efficiency since more income is generated with a lower noninterest expense total. Our efficiency ratio for the first quarter of 2018 was 51.76%, compared to 49.67% for the same period in 2017.

Salaries and employee benefits for the first quarter of 2018 totaled $26.20 million, an increase of $2.94 million compared to the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily driven by (i) annual merit pay increases that were effective March 1, 2018 (ii) an increase in our profit sharing expenses of $183 thousand over the same quarter in 2017, (iii) an increase in stock option and stock grant expense of $197 thousand due to the stock option grants in June 2017, and (iv) increases in all categories from the acquisition of Commercial State Bank.

All other categories of noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2018 totaled $21.59 million, an increase of $2.70 million compared to the same quarter in 2017. Included in noninterest expense in the first quarter of 2018 were technology contract termination and conversion related costs totaling $1.55 million related to the Commercial State Bank acquisition. Also included in noninterest expense in the first quarter of 2018 were increases in professional and service fees of $596 thousand and ATM, interchange and credit card fees of $430 thousand when compared to the same quarter a year ago.

Table 4 - Noninterest Expense (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		Increase (Decrease)			2017
Salaries	$	19,724	$	2,163		$	17,561
Medical		2,421		252			2,169
Profit sharing		1,209		183			1,026
Pension		56		(28	)		84
401(k) match expense		676		67			609
Payroll taxes		1,573		110			1,463
Stock option and stock grant expense		544		197			347

Total salaries and employee benefits		26,203		2,944			23,259
Net occupancy expense		2,883		283			2,600
Equipment expense		3,516		79			3,437
FDIC assessment fees		566		19			547
ATM, interchange and credit card expense		2,143		430			1,713
Professional and service fees		2,413		596			1,817
Printing, stationery and supplies		486		48			438
Operational and other losses		566		(419	)		985
Software amortization and expense		524		24			500
Amortization of intangible assets		387		219			168
Other:
Data processing fees		131		—			131
Postage		432		13			419
Advertising		866		3			863
Correspondent bank service charges		190		(27	)		217
Telephone		941		156			785
Public relations and business development		709		28			681
Directors’ fees		457		123			334
Audit and accounting fees		411		(43	)		454
Legal fees		362		(264	)		626
Regulatory exam fees		325		33			292
Travel		391		120			271
Courier expense		220		16			204
Other real estate		40		17			23
Other miscellaneous expense		2,636		1,248			1,388

Total other		8,111		1,423			6,688

Total Noninterest Expense	$	47,798	$	5,646		$	42,152

Balance Sheet Review

Loans. Our portfolio is comprised of loans made to businesses, professionals, individuals, and farm and ranch operations located in the primary trade areas served by our subsidiary bank. Real estate loans represent loans primarily for 1-4 family residences and commercial real estate. The structure of loans in the real estate mortgage area generally provides re-pricing intervals to minimize the interest rate risk inherent in long-term fixed rate loans. As of March 31, 2018, total loans held for investment were $3.73 billion, an increase of $244.48 million, as compared to December 31, 2017 balances. As compared to December 31, 2017, commercial loans increased $50.06 million, agricultural loans increased $1.42 million, real estate loans increased $199.91 million, and consumer loans decreased $6.91 million. Loans averaged $3.75 billion during the first quarter of 2018, an increase of $378.96 million from the prior year first quarter average balances. The increases noted were primarily due to the Commercial State Bank acquisition.

Table 5 - Composition of Loans (in thousands):


	March 31,				December 31,
	2018		2017		2017
Commercial	$	734,156	$	666,687	$	684,099
Agricultural		95,958		79,237		94,543
Real estate		2,502,904		2,209,021		2,302,998
Consumer		397,033		417,567		403,929

Total loans held-for-investment	$	3,730,051	$	3,372,512	$	3,485,569

At March 31, 2018, our real estate loans represent approximately 67.10% of our loan portfolio and are comprised of (i) 1-4 family residence loans of 45.80%, (ii) commercial real estate loans of 24.84%, generally owner occupied, (iii) other loans, which includes ranches, hospitals and universities, of 14.87%, (iv) residential development and construction loans of 8.28%, which includes our custom and speculation home construction loans and (v) commercial development and construction loans of 6.21%.

Loans held for sale, consisting of secondary market mortgage loans, totaled $17.03 million, $13.63 million, and $15.13 million at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017 respectively, which are valued using the lower of cost or market method.

Asset Quality. Our loan portfolio is subject to periodic reviews by our centralized independent loan review group as well as periodic examinations by bank regulatory agencies. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in the judgment of management, the collectability of principal or interest under the original terms becomes doubtful. Nonaccrual, past due 90 days or more and still accruing, and restructured loans plus foreclosed assets were $24.87 million at March 31, 2018, as compared to $30.52 million at March 31, 2017 and $20.12 million at December 31, 2017. As a percent of loans and foreclosed assets, these assets were 0.66% at March 31, 2018, as compared to 0.90% at March 31, 2017 and 0.57% at December 31, 2017. As a percent of total assets, these assets were 0.33% at March 31, 2018, as compared to 0.44% at March 31, 2017 and 0.28% at December 31, 2017. We believe the level of these assets to be manageable and are not aware of any material classified credits not properly disclosed as nonperforming at March 31, 2018.

Supplemental Oil and Gas Information. As of March 31, 2018, the Company’s exposure to the oil and gas industry totaled 2.30% of gross loans, or $86.22 million, up $26.05 million from December 31, 2017 year-end levels, and consisted (based on collateral supporting the loan) of (i) development and production loans of 1.18%, (ii) oil and gas field servicing loans of 11.35%, (iii) real estate loans of 46.24%, (iv) accounts receivable and inventory of 9.74% and (v) other of 31.49%. The increase in oil and gas related loans at March 31, 2018 when compared to December 31, 2017 balances primarily resulted from the Company’s acquisition of Commercial State Bank. The Company instituted additional monitoring procedures for these loans and classified, downgraded and charged-off loans as appropriate. The following oil and gas information is as of and for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017:


	March 31,						December 31,
	2018			2017			2017
Oil and gas related loans	$	86,218		$	75,262		$	60,164
Oil and gas related loans as a % of total loans		2.30	%		2.22	%		1.72	%
Classified oil and gas related loans	$	10,485		$	29,077		$	20,346
Nonaccrual oil and gas related loans		1,460			3,208			1,414
Net charge-offs for oil and gas related loans for quarter/year then ended		—			—			50
Allowance for oil and gas related loans as a % of oil and gas loans		3.64	%		6.59	%		7.90	%

Table 6 – Non-accrual, Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing, Restructured Loans and Foreclosed Assets (in thousands, except percentages):


	March 31,						December 31,
	2018			2017			2017
Non-accrual loans*	$	22,752		$	28,080		$	17,670
Loans still accruing and past due 90 days or more		327			190			288
Troubled debt restructured loans**		514			695			627

Nonperforming Loans		23,593			28,965			18,585
Foreclosed assets		1,276			1,553			1,532

Total nonperforming assets	$	24,869		$	30,518		$	20,117

As a % of loans and foreclosed assets		0.66	%		0.90	%		0.57	%
As a % of total assets		0.33	%		0.44	%		0.28	%

*	Includes $3.20 million, $937 thousand and $618 thousand of purchased credit impaired loans as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Other troubled debt restructured loans of $4.61 million, $6.07 million and $4.63 million, whose interest collection, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, is doubtful are included in non-accrual loans at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, respectively.

We record interest payments received on non-accrual loans as reductions of principal. Prior to the loans being placed on non-accrual, we recognized interest income on impaired loans of approximately $263 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2017. If interest on these impaired loans had been recognized on a full accrual basis during the year ended December 31, 2017, such income would have approximated $2.15 million. Such amounts for the 2018 and 2017 interim periods were not significant.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the amount we determine as of a specific date to be appropriate to absorb probable losses on existing loans in which full collectability is unlikely based on our review and evaluation of the loan portfolio. For a discussion of our methodology, see note 5 to our notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited). The provision for loan losses was $1.31 million for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to $1.95 million for the first quarter of 2017. The continued provision for loan losses in 2018 and 2017 reflects the growth in the loan portfolio. As a percent of average loans, net loan charge-offs were 0.00% for the first quarter of 2018, as compared to 0.18% for the first quarter of 2017. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans was 1.32% as of March 31, 2018, as compared to 1.36% as of March 31, 2017 and 1.38% as of December 31, 2017. Included in Table 7 is further analysis of our allowance for loan losses.

Table 7 - Loan Loss Experience and Allowance for Loan Losses (in thousands, except percentages):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Allowance for loan losses at period-end	$	49,499		$	46,192
Loans held for investment at period-end		3,730,051			3,372,512
Average loans for period		3,748,561			3,369,599
Net charge-offs/average loans (annualized)		—	%		0.18	%
Allowance for loan losses/period-end loans		1.32	%		1.36	%
Allowance for loan losses/non-accrual loans, past due 90 days still accruing and restructured loans		209.80	%		159.48	%

Interest-Bearing Deposits in Banks. At March 31,2018, our interest-bearing deposits in banks were $68.52 million compared to $56.87 million at March 31, 2017 and $164.22 million at December 31, 2017, respectively. At March 31, 2018, interest-bearing deposits in banks included $1.46 million invested in FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, $66.32 million maintained at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and $735.82 thousand on deposit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (“FHLB”).

Available-for-Sale and Held-to-Maturity Securities. At March 31, 2018, securities with a fair value of $3.28 billion were classified as securities available-for-sale. As compared to December 31, 2017, the available-for-sale portfolio at March 31, 2018 reflected (i) a decrease of $10.12 million in obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies, (ii) a decrease of $100.72 million in obligations of states and political subdivisions, (iii) a decrease of $2.14 million in corporate bonds and other, and (iv) an increase of $301.68 million in mortgage-backed securities. Our mortgage related securities are backed by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC or are collateralized by securities backed by these agencies.

See note 4 to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) for additional disclosures relating to the investment portfolio at March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017.

Table 8 - Maturities and Yields of Available-for-Sale Securities Held at March 31, 2018 (in thousands, except percentages):


	Maturing
	One Year or Less					After One Year Through Five Years					After Five Years Through Ten Years					After Ten Years					Total
Available-for-Sale:	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield
Obligations of U.S. government sponsored enterprises and agencies	$	45,241		1.42	%	$	4,974		1.64	%	$	—		—	%	$	—		—	%	$	50,215		1.44	%
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		175,903		4.49			643,489		4.14			498,752		3.94			1,989		5.65			1,320,133		4.11
Corporate bonds and other securities		8,873		2.18			454		1.87			—		—			—		—			9,327		2.16
Mortgage-backed securities		52,010		1.63			1,071,079		2.40			723,521		2.91			49,908		3.32			1,896,518		2.60

Total	$	282,027		3.39	%	$	1,719,996		3.05	%	$	1,222,273		3.33	%	$	51,897		3.41	%	$	3,276,193		3.19	%

Amounts for held-to-maturity securities are not included herein due to insignificance.

All yields are computed on a tax-equivalent basis assuming a marginal tax rate of 21%. Yields on available-for-sale securities are based on amortized cost. Maturities of mortgage-backed securities are based on contractual maturities and could differ due to prepayments of underlying mortgages. Maturities of other securities are reported at the earlier of maturity date or call date.

As of March 31, 2018, the investment portfolio had an overall tax equivalent yield of 3.19%, a weighted average life of 4.46 years and modified duration of 3.95 years.

Deposits. Deposits held by our subsidiary bank represent our primary source of funding. Total deposits were $6.19 billion as of March 31, 2018, as compared to $5.66 billion as of March 31, 2017 and $5.96 billion as of December 31, 2017. Table 9 provides a breakdown of average deposits and rates paid for the three months periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Table 9 — Composition of Average Deposits (in thousands, except percentages):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018					2017
	Average Balance		Average Rate			Average Balance		Average Rate
Noninterest-bearing deposits	$	2,111,983		—	%	$	1,709,294		—	%
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest-bearing checking		2,128,285		0.47			1,879,024		0.18
Savings and money market accounts		1,531,120		0.19			1,427,760		0.12
Time deposits under $100,000		215,160		0.20			220,123		0.17
Time deposits of $100,000 or more		264,759		0.36			282,026		0.31

Total interest-bearing deposits		4,139,324		0.34	%		3,808,933		0.17	%

Total average deposits	$	6,251,307				$	5,518,227

Borrowings. Included in borrowings were federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and advances from the FHLB of $372.16 million, $360.26 million and $331.00 million at March 31, 2018 and 2017 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Securities sold under repurchase agreements are generally with significant customers of the Company that require short-term liquidity for their funds for which we pledge certain securities that have a fair value equal to at least the amount of the borrowings. The average balance of federal funds purchased, securities sold under repurchase agreements and advances from the FHLB were $357.41 million and $448.22 million in the first quarter of 2018 and 2017, respectively. The weighted average interest rates paid on these borrowings were 0.13% and 0.16% for the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Capital Resources

We evaluate capital resources by our ability to maintain adequate regulatory capital ratios to do business in the banking industry. Issues related to capital resources arise primarily when we are growing at an accelerated rate but not retaining a significant amount of our profits or when we experience significant asset quality deterioration.

Total shareholders’ equity was $969.81 million, or 12.82% of total assets at March 31, 2018, as compared to $859.35 million, or 12.40% of total assets at March 31, 2018 and $922.77 million, or 12.72% of total assets at December 31, 2017. Included in shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2018 and 2017 and December 31, 2017, were $724 thousand, $27.49 million and $35.43 million, respectively, in unrealized gains on investment securities available-for-sale, net of related income taxes. For the first quarter of 2018, total shareholders’ equity averaged $950.05 million, or 12.52% of average assets, as compared to $846.90 million, or 12.36% of average assets, during the same period in 2017.

Banking regulators measure capital adequacy by means of the risk-based capital ratios and the leverage ratio under the Basel III regulatory capital framework and prompt corrective action regulations. The risk-based capital rules provide for the weighting of assets and off-balance-sheet commitments and contingencies according to prescribed risk categories. Regulatory capital is then divided by risk-weighted assets to determine the risk-adjusted capital ratios. The leverage ratio is computed by dividing shareholders’ equity less intangible assets by quarter-to-date average assets less intangible assets.

Beginning in January 2016, under the Basel III regulatory capital framework, the implementation of the capital conservation buffer was effective for the Company starting at the 0.625% level and increasing 0.625% each year thereafter, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress and requires increased capital levels for the purpose of capital distributions and other payments. Failure to meet the amount of the buffer will result in restrictions on the Company’s ability to make capital distributions, including dividend payments and stock repurchases, and to pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers.

As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, we had a total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 19.58%, 18.72% and 19.85%, a Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 18.43%, 17.56% and 18.66%; a common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets ratio of 18.43%, 17.56% and 18.66% and a leverage ratio of 10.90%, 10.60% and 11.09%, respectively. The regulatory capital ratios as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017 were calculated under Basel III rules. There is no threshold for well-capitalized status for bank holding companies.

As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2017, the regulatory capital ratios of the Company and Bank under the Basel III regulatory capital framework are as follows:


	Actual					Minimum Capital Required Under Basel III Phase-In					Minimum Capital Required-Basel III Fully Phased-In					Required to be Considered Well- Capitalized
As of March 31,2018:	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	858,195		19.58	%	$	432,892		9.875	%	$	460,290		10.50	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	776,039		17.75	%	$	431,800		9.875	%	$	459,129		10.50	%	$	437,266		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	808,112		18.43	%	$	345,218		7.875	%	$	372,616		8.50	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	725,956		16.60	%	$	344,347		7.875	%	$	371,676		8.50	%	$	349,812		8.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	808,112		18.43	%	$	279,462		6.375	%	$	306,860		7.00	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	725,956		16.60	%	$	278,757		6.375	%	$	306,086		7.00	%	$	284,223		6.50	%
Leverage Ratio:
Consolidated	$	808,112		10.90	%	$	296,504		4.00	%	$	296,504		4.00	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	725,956		9.82	%	$	295,761		4.00	%	$	295,761		4.00	%	$	369,701		5.00	%


	Actual					Minimum Capital Required Under Basel III Phase-In					Minimum Capital Required-Basel III Fully Phased-In					Required to be Considered Well- Capitalized
As of March 31, 2017:	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	755,961		18.72	%	$	373,554		9.25	%	$	424,035		10.50	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	659,141		16.36	%	$	372,656		9.25	%	$	423,015		10.50	%	$	402,872		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	709,172		17.56	%	$	292,786		7.25	%	$	343,266		8.50	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	612,353		15.20	%	$	292,082		7.25	%	$	342,441		8.50	%	$	322,297		8.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	709,172		17.56	%	$	232,209		5.75	%	$	282,690		7.00	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	612,353		15.20	%	$	231,651		5.75	%	$	282,010		7.00	%	$	261,867		6.50	%
Leverage Ratio:
Consolidated	$	709,172		10.60	%	$	267,528		4.00	%	$	267,528		4.00	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	612,353		9.19	%	$	266,548		4.00	%	$	266,548		4.00	%	$	333,185		5.00	%


	Actual					Minimum Capital Required Under Basel III Phase-In					Minimum Capital Required-Basel III Fully Phased-In					Required to be Considered Well- Capitalized
As of December 31, 2017:	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	814,634		19.85	%	$	379,578		9.250	%	$	430,872		10.50	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	723,563		17.68	%	$	378,614		9.250	%	$	429,777		10.50	%	$	409,312		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	765,882		18.66	%	$	297,507		7.250	%	$	348,801		8.50	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	674,811		16.49	%	$	296,751		7.250	%	$	347,915		8.50	%	$	327,450		8.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets:
Consolidated	$	765,882		18.66	%	$	235,954		5.750	%	$	287,248		7.00	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	674,811		16.49	%	$	235,354		5.750	%	$	286,518		7.00	%	$	266,053		6.50	%
Leverage Ratio:
Consolidated	$	765,882		11.09	%	$	276,296		4.000	%	$	276,296		4.00	%		—		N/A
First Financial Bank, N.A	$	674,811		9.80	%	$	275,320		4.000	%	$	275,320		4.00	%	$	344,151		5.00	%

We have performed a preliminary assessment using the regulatory capital estimation tool made available by the OCC and believe the Company and Bank are prepared to meet the new requirements upon full adoption of Basel III that will be effective December 31, 2019.

In connection with the adoption of the Basel III regulatory capital framework, our subsidiary bank made the election to continue to exclude most accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) from capital in connection with its quarterly financial filing and, in effect, to retain the AOCI treatment under the prior capital rules.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk results when the maturity or repricing intervals of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are different. Our exposure to interest rate risk is managed primarily through our strategy of selecting the types and terms of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities that generate favorable earnings while limiting the potential negative effects of changes in market interest rates. We use no off-balance sheet financial instruments to manage interest rate risk.

Our subsidiary bank has an asset liability management committee that monitors interest rate risk and compliance with investment policies. The subsidiary bank utilizes an earnings simulation model as the primary quantitative tool in measuring the amount of interest rate risk associated with changing market rates. The model quantifies the effects of various interest rate scenarios on projected net interest income and net income over the next twelve months. The model measures the impact on net interest income relative to a base case scenario of hypothetical fluctuations in interest rates over the next twelve months. These simulations incorporate assumptions regarding balance sheet growth and mix, pricing and the re-pricing and maturity characteristics of the existing and projected balance sheet.

As of March 31, 2018, the model simulations projected that 100 and 200 basis point increases in interest rates would result in positive variances in net interest income of 0.26% and 0.10%, respectively, relative to the current financial statement structure over the next twelve months, while a decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would result in a negative variance in net interest income of 3.39% relative to the current financial statement structure over the next twelve months. We consider the likelihood of a decrease in interest rates beyond 100 basis points as of March 31, 2018 remote given the Federal Reserves proposed rate increase. Our model simulation as of March 31, 2018 indicates that our balance sheet is more liability sensitive in the short-term categories. These are good faith estimates and assume that the composition of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at each year-end will remain constant over the relevant twelve-month measurement period and that changes in market interest rates are instantaneous and sustained across the yield curve regardless of duration of pricing characteristics on specific assets or liabilities. Also, this analysis does not contemplate any actions that we might undertake in response to changes in market interest rates. We believe these estimates are not necessarily indicative of what actually could occur in the event of immediate interest rate increases or decreases of this magnitude. As interest-bearing assets and liabilities re-price in different time frames and proportions to market interest rate movements, various assumptions must be made based on historical relationships of these variables in reaching any conclusion. Since these correlations are based on competitive and market conditions, we anticipate that our future results will likely be different from the foregoing estimates, and such differences could be material.

Should we be unable to maintain a reasonable balance of maturities and repricing of our interest-earning assets and our interest-bearing liabilities, we could be required to dispose of our assets in an unfavorable manner or pay a higher than market rate to fund our activities. Our asset liability committee oversees and monitors this risk.

Liquidity

Liquidity is our ability to meet cash demands as they arise. Such needs can develop from loan demand, deposit withdrawals or acquisition opportunities. Potential obligations resulting from the issuance of standby letters of credit and commitments to fund future borrowings to our loan customers are other factors affecting our liquidity needs. Many of these obligations and commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon; therefore the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements affecting our liquidity position. The potential need for liquidity arising from these types of financial instruments is represented by the contractual notional amount of the instrument. Asset liquidity is provided by cash and assets which are readily marketable or which will mature in the near future. Liquid assets include cash, federal funds sold, and short-term investments in time deposits in banks. Liquidity is also provided by access to funding sources, which include core depositors and correspondent banks that maintain accounts with and sell federal funds to our subsidiary bank. Other sources of funds include our ability to borrow from short-term sources, such as purchasing federal funds from correspondent banks, sales of securities under agreements to repurchase and advances from the FHLB (see below) and an unfunded $25.00 million revolving line of credit established with Frost Bank, a nonaffiliated bank, which matures in June 2019 (see next paragraph). Our subsidiary bank also has federal funds purchased lines of credit with two non-affiliated banks totaling $130.00 million. At March 31, 2018, no amounts were drawn on these lines of credit. Our subsidiary bank also has available a line of credit with the FHLB totaling $1.22 billion, at March 31, 2018, secured by portions of our loan portfolio and certain investment securities. At March 31, 2018, the Company did not have any advances outstanding but had $2.85 million in letters of credit outstanding under this line of credit.

The Company renewed its loan agreement, effective June 30, 2017, with Frost Bank. Under the loan agreement, as renewed and amended, we are permitted to draw up to $25.00 million on a revolving line of credit. Prior to June 30, 2019, interest is paid quarterly at The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate and the line of credit matures June 30, 2019. If a balance exists at June 30, 2019, the principal balance converts to a term facility payable quarterly over five years and interest is paid quarterly at our election at The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate plus 50 basis points or LIBOR plus 250 basis points. The line of credit is unsecured. Among other provisions in the credit agreement, we must satisfy certain financial covenants during the term of the loan agreement, including, without limitation, covenants that require us to maintain certain capital, tangible net worth, loan loss reserve, non-performing asset and cash flow coverage ratios. In addition, the credit agreement contains certain operational covenants, which among others, restricts the payment of dividends above 55% of consolidated net income, limits the incurrence of debt (excluding any amounts acquired in an acquisition) and prohibits the disposal of assets except in the ordinary course of business. Since 1995, we have historically declared dividends as a percentage of our consolidated net income in a range of 37% (low) in 1995 to 53% (high) in 2003 and 2006. The Company was in compliance with the financial and operational covenants at March 31, 2018. There was no outstanding balance under the line of credit as of March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

In addition, we anticipate that future acquisitions of financial institutions, expansion of branch locations or offerings of new products could also place a demand on our cash resources. Available cash and cash equivalents at our parent company which totaled $64.20 million at March 31, 2018, investment securities which totaled $8.36 million at March 31, 2018 and mature over 5 to 12 years, available dividends from our subsidiaries which totaled $186.27 million at March 31, 2018, utilization of available lines of credit, and future debt or equity offerings are expected to be the source of funding for these potential acquisitions or expansions.

Our liquidity position is continuously monitored and adjustments are made to the balance between sources and uses of funds as deemed appropriate. Liquidity risk management is an important element in our asset/liability management process. We regularly model liquidity stress scenarios to assess potential liquidity outflows or funding problems resulting from economic disruptions, volatility in the financial markets, unexpected credit events or other significant occurrences deemed potentially problematic by management. These scenarios are incorporated into our contingency funding plan, which provides the basis for the identification of our liquidity needs. As of March 31, 2018, management is not aware of any events that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, capital resources or operations. Given the strong core deposit base and relatively low loan to deposit ratios maintained at our subsidiary bank, we consider our current liquidity position to be adequate to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. In addition, management is not aware of any regulatory recommendations regarding liquidity that would have a material adverse effect on us.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include unfunded lines of credit, commitments to extend credit and federal funds sold to correspondent banks and standby letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in our consolidated balance sheets.

Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to the financial instrument for unfunded lines of credit, commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of these instruments. We generally use the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as we do for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Unfunded lines of credit and commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. These commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, as we deem necessary upon extension of credit, is based on our credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant, and equipment and income-producing commercial properties.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments we issue to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers. The average collateral value held on letters of credit usually exceeds the contract amount.

Table 10 – Commitments as of March 31, 2018 (in thousands):


	Total Notional Amounts Committed
Unfunded lines of credit	$	612,557
Unfunded commitments to extend credit		306,090
Standby letters of credit		26,964

Total commercial commitments	$	945,611

We believe we have no other off-balance sheet arrangements or transactions with unconsolidated, special purpose entities that would expose us to liability that is not reflected on the face of the financial statements.

Parent Company Funding. Our ability to fund various operating expenses, dividends, and cash acquisitions is generally dependent on our own earnings (without giving effect to our subsidiaries), cash reserves and funds derived from our subsidiaries. These funds historically have been produced by intercompany dividends and management fees that are limited to reimbursement of actual expenses. We anticipate that our recurring cash sources will continue to include dividends and management fees from our subsidiaries. At March 31, 2018, approximately $186.27 million was available for the payment of intercompany dividends by our subsidiaries without the prior approval of regulatory agencies. Our subsidiaries paid aggregate dividends of $1.80 million and $1.20 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Dividends. Our long-term dividend policy is to pay cash dividends to our shareholders of approximately 40% of annual net earnings while maintaining adequate capital to support growth. We are also restricted by a loan covenant within our line of credit agreement with Frost Bank to dividend no greater than 55% of net income, as defined in such loan agreement. The cash dividend payout ratios have amounted to 36.47% and 44.75% of net earnings for the first three months of 2018 and 2017, respectively. Given our current capital position and projected earnings and asset growth rates, we do not anticipate any significant change in our current dividend policy. On April 24, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a $0.21 per share cash dividend for the second quarter, an increase of $0.02 or 10.53% over 2017.

Our bank subsidiary, which is a national banking association and a member of the Federal Reserve System, is required by federal law to obtain the prior approval of the OCC to declare and pay dividends if the total of all dividends declared in any calendar year would exceed the total of (1) such bank’s net profits (as defined and interpreted by regulation) for that year plus (2) its retained net profits (as defined and interpreted by regulation) for the preceding two calendar years, less any required transfers to surplus.

To pay dividends, we and our subsidiary bank must maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines. In addition, if the applicable regulatory authority believes that a bank under its jurisdiction is engaged in or is about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice (which, depending on the financial condition of the bank, could include the payment of dividends), the authority may require, after notice and hearing, that such bank cease and desist from the unsafe practice. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC have each indicated that paying dividends that deplete a bank’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. The Federal Reserve, the OCC and the FDIC have issued policy statements that recommend that bank holding companies and insured banks should generally only pay dividends out of current operating earnings.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Management considers interest rate risk to be a significant market risk for the Company. See “Item 2—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital Resources—Interest Rate Risk” for disclosure regarding this market risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2018, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Our management, which includes our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud.

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on our evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2018.

Subsequent to our evaluation, there were no significant changes in internal controls over financial reporting or other factors that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, these internal controls.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time we and our subsidiaries are parties to lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of our banking business. However, there are no material pending legal proceedings to which we, our subsidiaries, or any of their properties, are currently subject. Other than regular, routine examinations by state and federal banking authorities, there are no proceedings pending or known to be contemplated by any governmental authorities.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There has been no material change in the risk factors previously disclosed under Item 1A. of the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable

Item 5. Other Information

None

Item 6. Exhibits



2.1	—	Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated October 12, 2017, by and among First Financial Bankshares, Inc., Kingwood Merger Sub, Inc., and Commercial Bancshares, Inc. (schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K) (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 2.1 to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 12, 2017).

3.1	—	Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed April 28, 2015).

3.2	—	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed January 24, 2012).

4.1	—	Specimen certificate of First Financial Common Stock (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3 of the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Form 8-A filed on Form 8-A/A No. 1 on January 7, 1994).

10.1	—	2002 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed May 4, 2010).++

10.2	—	2012 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix A of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed March 1, 2012).++

10.3	—	Loan agreement dated June 30, 2013, between First Financial Bankshares, Inc. and Frost Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed July 1, 2013).

10.4	—	First Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated June 30, 2015, between First Financial Bankshares, Inc. and Frost Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed June 30, 2015).

10.5	—	Second Amendment to Loan Agreement, dated June 30, 2017, between First Financial Bankshares, Inc. and Frost Bank (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed June 30, 2017).

10.6	—	2015 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix A of the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 filed March 2, 2015).++

10.7	—	Form of Executive Recognition Agreement (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed August 26, 2016).++

31.1	—	Rule 13a-14(a) / 15(d)-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer of First Financial Bankshares, Inc.*

31.2	—	Rule 13a-14(a) / 15(d)-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer of First Financial Bankshares, Inc.*

32.1	—	Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of First Financial Bankshares, Inc.+

32.2	—	Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of First Financial Bankshares, Inc.+

101.INS	—	XBRL Instance Document.*

101.SCH	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*

101.CAL	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*

101.DEF	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*

101.LAB	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*

101.PRE	—	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*

*	Filed herewith

Furnished herewith. This Exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

++	Management contract or compensatory plan on arrangement.

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.


	FIRST FINANCIAL BANKSHARES, INC.

Date: May 2, 2018	By:	/s/ F. Scott Dueser
		F. Scott Dueser
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 2, 2018	By:	/s/ J. Bruce Hildebrand
		J. Bruce Hildebrand
		Executive Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer