UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2014

OR

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

For the transition period from                          to                         

Commission file number   0-23406

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

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

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

 

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SOUTHERN MISSOURI BANCORP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

 

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PART I:  Item 1:  Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

SOUTHERN MISSOURI BANCORP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND JUNE 30, 2014

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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SOUTHERN MISSOURI BANCORP, INC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE THREE- AND SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013 (Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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SOUTHERN MISSOURI BANCORP, INC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE- AND SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013 (Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

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SOUTHERN MISSOURI BANCORP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE- AND SIX-MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013 (Unaudited)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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SOUTHERN MISSOURI BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1:  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 2014, has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. Operating results for the three- and six-month periods ended December 31, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. For additional information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's June 30, 2014, Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Southern Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Note 2:  Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization. Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the Company) was organized in 1994 and is the parent company of Southern Bank (the Bank). Substantially all of the Company's consolidated revenues are derived from the operations of the Bank, and the Bank represent substantially all of the Company's consolidated assets and liabilities.

The Bank is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking and financial services to individuals and corporate customers in its market areas. The Bank and Company are subject to competition from other financial institutions. The Bank and Company are subject to regulation by certain federal and state agencies and undergo periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

 

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation. The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and general practices within the banking industry. In the normal course of business, the Company encounters two significant types of risk: economic and regulatory. Economic risk is comprised of interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. The Company is subject to interest rate risk to the degree that its interest-bearing liabilities reprice on a different basis than its interest-earning assets. Credit risk is the risk of default on the Company's investment or loan portfolios resulting from the borrowers' inability or unwillingness to make contractually required payments. Market risk reflects changes in the value of the investment portfolio, collateral underlying loans receivable, and the value of the Company's investments in real estate.

 

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, estimated fair values of purchased loans, other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI), and fair value of financial instruments.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash, due from depository institutions and interest-bearing deposits in other depository institutions with original maturities of three months or less. Interest-bearing deposits in other depository institutions were $28.2 million and $8.6 million at December 31 and June 30, 2014, respectively. The deposits are held in various commercial banks with $248,000

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exceeding the FDIC's deposit insurance limits, as well as at the Federal Reserve and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines.

 

Available for Sale Securities. Available for sale securities, which include any security for which the Company has no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders' equity. All securities have been classified as available for sale.

Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized or accreted as adjustments to income over the estimated life of the security using the level yield method. Realized gains or losses on the sale of securities is based on the specific identification method. The fair value of securities is based on quoted market prices or dealer quotes. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

The Company does not invest in collateralized mortgage obligations that are considered high risk.

When the Company does not intend to sell a debt security, and it is more likely than not the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it recognizes the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income. As a result, the Company's balance sheet as of the dates presented reflects the full impairment (that is, the difference between the security's amortized cost basis and fair value) on debt securities that the Company intends to sell or would more likely than not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For available-for-sale debt securities that management has no intent to sell and believes that it more likely than not will not be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment is recognized in earnings, while the noncredit loss is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security as projected based on cash flow projections.

Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank Stock. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Capital stock of the Federal Reserve and the FHLB is a required investment based upon a predetermined formula and is carried at cost.

 

Loans. Loans are generally stated at unpaid principal balances, less the allowance for loan losses and net deferred loan origination fees and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.

Interest on loans is accrued based upon the principal amount outstanding. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in management's judgment, the collectability of interest or principal in the normal course of business is doubtful. The Company complies with regulatory guidance which indicates that loans should be placed in nonaccrual status when 90 days past due, unless the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection. A loan that is "in the process of collection" may be subject to legal action or, in appropriate circumstances, through other collection efforts reasonably expected to result in repayment or restoration to current status in the near future. A loan is considered delinquent when a payment has not been made by the contractual due date. Interest income previously accrued but not collected at the date a loan is placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against interest income. Cash receipts on a nonaccrual loan are applied to principal and interest in accordance with its contractual terms unless full payment of principal is not expected, in which case cash receipts, whether designated as principal or interest, are applied as a reduction of the carrying value of the loan. A nonaccrual loan is generally returned to accrual status when principal and interest payments are current, full collectability of principal and interest is reasonably assured, and a consistent record of performance has been demonstrated.

The allowance for losses on loans represents management's best estimate of losses probable in the existing loan portfolio. The allowance for losses on loans is increased by the provision for losses on loans charged to expense and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries. Loans are charged off in the period deemed uncollectible, based on management's analysis of expected cash flow (for non-collateral dependent loans) or collateral value (for collateral-dependent loans). Subsequent recoveries of loans previously charged off, if any, are credited to the allowance when received. The provision for losses on loans is determined based on management's assessment of several factors: reviews and evaluations of specific loans, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and the related impact on specific borrowers and industry groups, historical loan loss experience, the level of classified and nonperforming loans and the results of regulatory examinations.

Loans are considered impaired if, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the

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loan agreement. Depending on a particular loan's circumstances, we measure impairment of a loan based upon either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's observable market price, or the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell if the loan is collateral dependent. Valuation allowances are established for collateral-dependent impaired loans for the difference between the loan amount and fair value of collateral less estimated selling costs. For impaired loans that are not collateral dependent, a valuation allowance is established for the difference between the loan amount and the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate or the observable market price of the loan. Impairment losses are recognized through an increase in the required allowance for loan losses. Cash receipts on loans deemed impaired are recorded based on the loan's separate status as a nonaccrual loan or an accrual status loan.

Some loans are accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. For these loans ("purchased credit impaired loans"), the Company recorded a fair value discount and began carrying them at book value less their face amount (see Note 4). For these loans, we determined the contractual amount and timing of undiscounted principal and interest payments (the "undiscounted contractual cash flows"), and estimated the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal and interest payments, including expected prepayments (the "undiscounted expected cash flows"). Under acquired impaired loan accounting, the difference between the undiscounted contractual cash flows and the undiscounted expected cash flows is the nonaccretable difference. The nonaccretable difference is an estimate of the loss exposure of principal and interest related to the purchased credit impaired loans, and the amount is subject to change over time based on the performance of the loans. The carrying value of purchased credit impaired loans is initially determined as the discounted expected cash flows. The excess of expected cash flows at acquisition over the initial fair value of the purchased credit impaired loans is referred to as the "accretable yield" and is recorded as interest income over the estimated life of the acquired loans using the level-yield method, if the timing and amount of the future cash flows is reasonably estimable. The carrying value of purchased credit impaired loans is reduced by payments received, both principal and interest, and increased by the portion of the accretable yield recognized as interest income. Subsequent to acquisition, the Company evaluates the purchased credit impaired loans on a quarterly basis. Increases in expected cash flows compared to those previously estimated increase the accretable yield and are recognized as interest income prospectively. Decreases in expected cash flows compared to those previously estimated decrease the accretable yield and may result in the establishment of an allowance for loan losses and a provision for loan losses. Purchased credit impaired loans are generally considered accruing and performing loans, as the loans accrete interest income over the estimated life of the loan when expected cash flows are reasonably estimable. Accordingly, purchased credit impaired loans that are contractually past due are still considered to be accruing and performing as long as there is an expectation that the estimated cash flows will be received. If the timing and amount of cash flows is not reasonably estimable, the loans may be classified as nonaccrual loans.

Loan fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net fee or cost is recognized as an adjustment to interest income using the interest method over the contractual life of the loans.

 

Foreclosed Real Estate. Real estate acquired by foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. Costs for development and improvement of the property are capitalized.

Valuations are periodically performed by management, and an allowance for losses is established by a charge to operations if the carrying value of a property exceeds its estimated fair value, less estimated selling costs.

Loans to facilitate the sale of real estate acquired in foreclosure are discounted if made at less than market rates. Discounts are amortized over the fixed interest period of each loan using the interest method.

 

Premises and Equipment. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and include expenditures for major betterments and renewals. Maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When property is retired or sold, the retired asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss taken into income. The Company reviews property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment loss recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Depreciation is computed by use of straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated lives are generally seven to forty years for premises, three to seven years for equipment, and three years for software.

 

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Intangible Assets.  The Company's intangible assets at December 31, 2014 included gross core deposit intangibles of $5.9 million with $1.4 million accumulated amortization, gross other identifiable intangibles of $3.8 million with accumulated amortization of $3.7 million, and mortgage servicing rights of $66,000. At June 30, 2014, the Company's intangible assets included gross core deposit intangibles of $2.9 million with $875,000 accumulated amortization, and gross other identifiable intangibles of $3.8 million with accumulated amortization of $3.5 million, and mortgage servicing rights of $38,000.  The Company's core deposit and other intangible assets are being amortized using the straight line method, over periods ranging from five to fifteen years, with amortization expense expected to be approximately $646,000 in the remainder of fiscal 2015, $1.0 million in fiscal 2016, $911,000 in fiscal 2017, $911,000 in fiscal 2018,  $655,000 in fiscal 2019 and $541,000 thereafter.

Goodwill. The Company's goodwill is evaluated annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators are present.  A qualitative assessment is performed to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not the fair value is less than the carrying amount, including goodwill.  If, based on the evaluation, it is determined to be more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value, then goodwill is tested further for impairment.  If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, a goodwill impairment is indicated and goodwill is written down to its implied fair value.  Subsequent increases in goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements.

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (ASC 740, Income Taxes). The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management's judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.

 

Incentive Plan. The Company accounts for its Management and Recognition Plan (MRP) and Equity Incentive Plan (EIP) in accordance with ASC 718, "Share-Based Payment." Compensation expense is based on the market price of the Company's stock on the date the shares are granted and is recorded over the vesting period. The difference between the aggregate purchase price and the fair value on the date the shares are considered earned represents a tax benefit to the Company and is recorded as an adjustment to additional paid in capital

 

Outside Directors' Retirement. Southern Bank adopted a directors' retirement plan in April 1994 for outside directors. The directors' retirement plan provides that each non-employee director (participant) shall receive, upon termination of service on the Board on or after age 60, other than termination for cause, a benefit in equal annual installments over a five year period. The benefit will be based upon the product of the participant's vesting percentage and the total Board fees paid to the participant during the calendar year preceding termination of service on the Board. The vesting percentage shall be determined based upon the participant's years of service on the Board.

In the event that the participant dies before collecting any or all of the benefits, Southern Bank shall pay the participant's beneficiary. No benefits shall be payable to anyone other than the beneficiary, and benefits shall terminate on the death of the beneficiary.

 

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Stock Options. The amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued, and recognized over the vesting period during which an employee provides service in exchange for the award.

 

Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share available to common stockholders is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share available to common stockholders includes the effect of all weighted-average dilutive potential common shares (stock options and warrants) outstanding during each period.

 

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized in income, and changes in the funded status of defined benefit pension plans.

 

Reclassification. Certain amounts included in the prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net income.

 

The following paragraphs summarize the impact of new accounting pronouncements:

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Note 3:  Securities

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and approximate fair value of securities available for sale consisted of the following:

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment and mortgage-backed securities, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties.

The following tables show our investments' gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31 and June 30, 2014:

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Other securities. At December 31, 2014, there were three pooled trust preferred securities with an estimated fair value of $733,000 and unrealized losses of $717,000 in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or more. These unrealized losses were primarily due to the long-term nature of the pooled trust preferred securities, a lack of demand or inactive market for these securities, and concerns regarding the financial institutions that have issued the underlying trust preferred securities. Rules adopted by the federal banking agencies in December 2013 to implement Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act (the "Volcker Rule") generally prohibit banking entities from engaging in proprietary trading and from investing in, sponsoring, or having certain relationships with a hedge fund or private equity fund. The pooled trust preferred securities owned by the Company were included in a January 2014 listing of securities which the agencies considered to be grandfathered with regard to these prohibitions; as such, banking entities are permitted to retain their interest in these securities, provided the interest was acquired on or before December 10, 2013, unless acquired pursuant to a merger or acquisition.

The December 31, 2014, cash flow analysis for these three securities indicated it is probable the Company will receive all contracted principal and related interest projected. The cash flow analysis used in making this determination was based on anticipated default, recovery, and prepayment rates, and the resulting cash flows were discounted based on the yield anticipated at the time the securities were purchased. Other inputs include the actual collateral attributes, which include credit ratings and other performance indicators of the underlying financial institutions, including profitability, capital ratios, and asset quality. Assumptions for these three securities included annualized prepayments of 1%; no recoveries on issuers currently in default; recoveries of 39 to 100 percent on currently deferred issuers within the next two years; new defaults of 50 basis points annually; and recoveries of 10% of new defaults.

One of these three securities has continued to receive cash interest payments in full since our purchase; the second of the three securities received principal-in-kind (PIK) for a period of time following the recession and financial crisis which began in 2008, but resumed interest payments during fiscal 2014. Our cash flow analysis indicates that interest payments are expected to continue for these two securities. Because the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

For the last of these three securities, the Company is receiving principal-in-kind (PIK), in lieu of cash interest. Pooled trust preferred securities generally allow, under the terms of the issue, for issuers to defer interest for up to five consecutive years. After five years, if not cured, the issuer is considered to be in default and the trustee may demand payment in full of principal and accrued interest. Issuers are also considered to be in default in the event of the failure of the issuer or a subsidiary. Both deferred and defaulted issuers are considered non-performing, and the trustee calculates, on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, certain coverage tests prior to the payment of cash interest to owners of the various tranches of the securities. The tests must show that performing collateral is sufficient to meet requirements for senior tranches, both in terms of cash flow and collateral value, before cash interest can be paid to subordinate tranches. If the tests are not met, available cash flow is diverted to pay down the principal balance of senior tranches until the coverage tests are met, before cash interest payments to subordinate tranches may resume. The Company is receiving PIK for this security due to failure of the required coverage tests described above at senior tranche levels of the security. The risk to holders of a tranche of a security in PIK status is that the pool's total cash flow will not be sufficient to repay all principal and accrued interest related to the investment. The impact of payment of PIK to subordinate tranches is to strengthen the position of senior tranches, by reducing the senior tranches' principal balances relative to available collateral and cash flow, while increasing principal balances, decreasing cash flow, and increasing credit risk to the tranches receiving PIK. For our security in receipt of PIK, the principal balance is increasing, cash flow has stopped, and, as a result, credit risk is increasing. The Company expects

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this security to remain in PIK status for a period of two years. Despite these facts, because the Company does not intend to sell this security and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell this security prior to recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider this investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014.

At December 31, 2008, analysis of a fourth pooled trust preferred security indicated other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). The loss recognized at that time reduced the amortized cost basis for the security, and as of December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of the security exceeds the new, lower amortized cost basis.

The Company does not believe any other individual unrealized loss as of December 31, 2014, represents OTTI. However, the Company could be required to recognize OTTI losses in future periods with respect to its available for sale investment securities portfolio. The amount and timing of any additional OTTI will depend on the decline in the underlying cash flows of the securities. Should the impairment of any of these securities become other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the investment will be reduced and the resulting loss recognized in the period the other-than-temporary impairment is identified.

Credit losses recognized on investments. As described above, one of the Company's investments in trust preferred securities experienced fair value deterioration due to credit losses, but is not otherwise other-than-temporarily impaired. During fiscal 2009, the Company adopted ASC 820, formerly FASB Staff Position 157-4, "Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly."  The following table provides information about the trust preferred security for which only a credit loss was recognized in income and other losses are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) for the six-month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Note 4:  Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Classes of loans are summarized as follows:

The Company's lending activities consist of originating loans secured by mortgages on one- to four-family residences and commercial and agricultural real estate, construction loans on residential and commercial properties, commercial and agricultural business loans and consumer loans. The Company has also occasionally purchased loan participation interests originated by other lenders and secured by properties generally located in the states of Missouri and Arkansas.

 

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Residential Mortgage Lending. The Company actively originates loans for the acquisition or refinance of one- to four-family residences. This category includes both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage ("ARM") loans amortizing over periods of up to 30 years, and the properties securing such loans may be owner-occupied or non-owner-occupied. Single-family residential loans do not generally exceed 90% of the lower of the appraised value or purchase price of the secured property. Substantially all of the one- to four-family residential mortgage originations in the Company's portfolio are located within the Company's primary lending area.

The Company also originates loans secured by multi-family residential properties that are often located outside the Company's primary lending area, but made to borrowers who operate within the primary lending area. The majority of the multi-family residential loans that are originated by the Bank are amortized over periods generally up to 25 years, with balloon maturities typically up to ten years. Both fixed and adjustable interest rates are offered and it is typical for the Company to include an interest rate "floor" and "ceiling" in the loan agreement. Generally, multi-family residential loans do not exceed 85% of the lower of the appraised value or purchase price of the secured property.

Commercial Real Estate Lending. The Company actively originates loans secured by commercial real estate including land (improved, unimproved, and farmland), strip shopping centers, retail establishments and other businesses. These properties are typically owned and operated by borrowers headquartered within the Company's primary lending area, however, the property may be located outside our primary lending area.

Most commercial real estate loans originated by the Company generally are based on amortization schedules of up to 20 years with monthly principal and interest payments. Generally, the interest rate received on these loans is fixed for a maturity of up to five years, with a balloon payment due at maturity. Alternatively, for some loans, the interest rate adjusts at least annually after an initial period up to five years. For loans with interest rates that adjust, the Company typically includes an interest rate "floor" in the loan agreement. Generally, improved commercial real estate loan amounts do not exceed 80% of the lower of the appraised value or the purchase price of the secured property. Agricultural real estate terms offered differ slightly, with amortization schedules of up to 25 years with an 80% loan-to-value ratio, or 30 years with a 75% loan-to-value ratio.

Construction Lending. The Company originates real estate loans secured by property or land that is under construction or development. Construction loans originated by the Company are generally secured by mortgage loans for the construction of owner occupied residential real estate or to finance speculative construction secured by residential real estate, land development, or owner-operated or non-owner occupied commercial real estate. During construction, these loans typically require monthly interest-only payments and have maturities ranging from six to twelve months. Once construction is completed, loans may be converted to permanent status with monthly payments using amortization schedules of up to 30 years on residential and generally up to 20 years on commercial real estate.

While the Company typically utilizes maturity periods ranging from 6 to 12 months to closely monitor the inherent risks associated with construction loans, weather conditions, change orders, availability of materials and/or labor, and other factors may contribute to the lengthening of a project, thus necessitating the need to renew the construction loan at the balloon maturity. Such extensions are typically executed in incremental three month periods to facilitate project completion. The Company's average term for a construction loan is approximately nine months. During construction, loans typically require monthly interest only payments which may allow the Company an opportunity to monitor for early signs of financial difficulty should the borrower fail to make a required monthly payment. Additionally, during the construction phase, the Company typically obtains interim inspections completed by an independent third party. This monitoring further allows the Company an opportunity to assess risk. At December 31, 2014, construction loans outstanding included 41 loans, totaling $5.9 million, for which a modification had been agreed to. At June 30, 2014, construction loans outstanding included 31 loans, totaling $13.1 million, for which a modification had been agreed to. All modifications were solely for the purpose of extending the maturity date due to conditions described above.  None of these modifications were executed due to financial difficulty on the part of the borrower and, therefore, the loans were not accounted for as TDRs.

Consumer Lending. The Company offers a variety of secured consumer loans, including home equity, direct and indirect automobile loans, second mortgages, mobile home loans and loans secured by deposits. The Company originates substantially all of its consumer loans in its primary lending area. Usually, consumer loans are originated with fixed rates for terms of up to five years, with the exception of home equity lines of credit, which are variable, tied to the prime rate of interest and are for a period of ten years.

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Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are secured with a deed of trust and are issued up to 100% of the appraised or assessed value of the property securing the line of credit, less the outstanding balance on the first mortgage and are typically issued for a term of ten years. Interest rates on the HELOCs are generally adjustable. Interest rates are based upon the loan-to-value ratio of the property with better rates given to borrowers with more equity.

Automobile loans originated by the Company include both direct loans and a smaller amount of indirect loans originated by auto dealers. The Company generally pays a negotiated fee back to the dealer for indirect loans. Typically, automobile loans are made for terms of up to 60 months for new and used vehicles. Loans secured by automobiles have fixed rates and are generally made in amounts up to 100% of the purchase price of the vehicle.

Commercial Business Lending. The Company's commercial business lending activities encompass loans with a variety of purposes and security, including loans to finance accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and operating lines of credit, including agricultural production and equipment loans. The Company offers both fixed and adjustable rate commercial business loans. Generally, commercial loans secured by fixed assets are amortized over periods up to five years, while commercial operating lines of credit or agricultural production lines are generally for a one year period.

The following tables present the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans (excluding loans in process and deferred loan fees) based on portfolio segment and impairment methods as of December 31 and June 30, 2014, and activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three- and six-month periods ended  December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Management's opinion as to the ultimate collectability of loans is subject to estimates regarding future cash flows from operations and the value of property, real and personal, pledged as collateral. These estimates are affected by changing economic conditions and the economic prospects of borrowers.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level that, in management's judgment, is adequate to cover probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when an amount is determined to be uncollectible, based on management's analysis of expected cash flow (for non-collateral-dependent loans) or collateral value (for collateral-dependent loans). Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management's periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower's ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of allocated and general components. The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.

Under the Company's methodology, loans are first segmented into 1) those comprising large groups of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, including single-family mortgages and installment loans, which are collectively evaluated for impairment, and 2) all other loans which are individually evaluated. Those loans in the second category are further segmented utilizing a defined grading system which involves categorizing loans by severity of risk based on conditions that may affect the ability of the borrowers to repay their debt, such as current financial information, collateral valuations, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current trends.

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The loans subject to credit classification represent the portion of the portfolio subject to the greatest credit risk and where adjustments to the allowance for losses on loans as a result of provision and charge offs are most likely to have a significant impact on operations.

A periodic review of selected credits (based on loan size and type) is conducted to identify loans with heightened risk or probable losses and to assign risk grades.  The primary responsibility for this review rests with loan administration personnel.  This review is supplemented with periodic examinations of both selected credits and the credit review process by the Company's internal audit function and applicable regulatory agencies.  The information from these reviews assists management in the timely identification of problems and potential problems and provides a basis for deciding whether the credit represents a probable loss or risk that should be recognized.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the scheduled payments of principal or interest will not be able to be collected when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and agricultural loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Groups of loans with similar risk characteristics are collectively evaluated for impairment based on the group's historical loss experience adjusted for changes in trends, conditions and other relevant factors that affect repayment of the loans. Accordingly, individual consumer and residential loans are not separately identified for impairment measurements, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement due to financial difficulties of the borrower.

The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on quantitative and qualitative factors. The loan portfolio is stratified into homogeneous groups of loans that possess similar loss characteristics and an appropriate loss ratio adjusted for qualitative factors is applied to the homogeneous pools of loans to estimate the incurred losses in the loan portfolio.

Included in the Company's loan portfolio are certain loans accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. These loans were written down at acquisition to an amount estimated to be collectible. As a result, certain ratios regarding the Company's loan portfolio and credit quality cannot be used to compare the Company to peer companies or to compare the Company's current credit quality to prior periods. The ratios particularly affected by accounting under ASC 310-30 include the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans, nonaccrual loans, and nonperforming assets, and nonaccrual loans and nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans.

The following tables present the credit risk profile of the Company's loan portfolio (excluding loans in process and deferred loan fees) based on rating category and payment activity as of December 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014. These tables include purchased credit impaired loans, which are reported according to risk categorization after acquisition based on the Company's standards for such classification:

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The above amounts include purchased credit impaired loans. At December 31, 2014, purchased credited impaired loans comprised $5.5 million of loans rated "Pass"; $6.8 million of loans rated "Watch"; no loans rated "Special Mention"; $7.7 million of loans rated "Substandard"; and no loans rated "Doubtful". At June 30, 2014,  purchased credit impaired loans accounted for $409,000 of loans rated "Pass"; no loans rated "Watch"; no loans rated "Special Mention"; $2.7 million of loans rated "Substandard"; and no loans rated "Doubtful".

Credit Quality Indicators. The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. This analysis is performed on all loans at origination, and is updated on a quarterly basis for loans risk rated "Special Mention", "Substandard", or "Doubtful". In addition, lending relationships over $250,000 are subject to an independent loan review following origination, and lending relationships in excess of $2.5 million are subject to an independent loan review annually, as are a sample of lending relationships between $1.0 million and $2.5 million, in order to verify risk ratings. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Watch – Loans classified as watch exhibit weaknesses that require more than usual monitoring. Issues may include deteriorating financial condition, payments made after due date but within 30 days, adverse industry conditions or management problems.

Special Mention – Loans classified as special mention exhibit signs of further deterioration but still generally make payments within 30 days. This is a transitional rating and loans should typically not be rated Special Mention for more than 12 months

Substandard – Loans classified as substandard possess weaknesses that jeopardize the ultimate collection of the principal and interest outstanding. These loans exhibit continued financial losses, ongoing delinquency, overall poor financial condition, and insufficient collateral. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful – Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses of substandard loans, and have deteriorated to the level that there is a high probability of substantial loss.

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above described process are considered to be Pass rated loans.

The following tables present the Company's loan portfolio aging analysis (excluding loans in process and deferred loan fees) as of December 31 and June 30, 2014.

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