Southside Bancshares, Inc. Announces Financial Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017


TYLER, Texas, Oct. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Southside Bancshares, Inc. (“Southside” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:SBSI) today reported its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Southside reported net income of $14.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.6 million, or 12.8%, compared to $12.9 million for the same period in 2016.  Southside reported net income of $44.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $6.2 million, or 16.4%, compared to $37.8 million for the same period in 2016.

Diluted earnings per common share were $0.49 for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $0.01, or 2.1%, compared to $0.48 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, diluted earnings per common share increased $0.10, or 7.2%, to $1.49 when compared to $1.39 for the same period in 2016.

The return on average shareholders’ equity was 10.87% for both the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.  The return on average assets was 1.05% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 0.98% for the same period in 2016.

“Strong third quarter financial performance resulted from a continued focus on our business model of serving our customers’ needs, quality loan growth and continued cost containment,” stated Lee R. Gibson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southside.  “Similar to the second quarter, we experienced solid loan growth of $72.6 million, or 2.8%, on a linked quarter basis while maintaining strong asset quality ratios as evidenced by our nonperforming assets to total assets ratio of 0.17%.  During the third quarter our efficiency ratio reached a new low of 49.99%, while our efficiency ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 declined to 50.62% from 54.78% for the same period in 2016.  Net income of $14.5 million during the third quarter included $365,000 of merger related expenses, net of tax, and $49,000 net of tax expense associated with branch closures.”

“During the third quarter we decreased the securities portfolio $121 million on a linked quarter basis.  As long term interest rates decreased during August and into September, we sold selected, mostly longer duration securities.”

“The shareholders of Diboll Bancshares, Inc. ("Diboll") have approved the merger with Southside and we have received the required approval from two of our three regulators. We still anticipate closing the merger sometime during the fourth quarter.”

Loans and Deposits

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, total loans increased by $126.2 million, or 4.9%, compared to December 31, 2016.  The net increase in our loans was comprised primarily of increases of $127.7 million of commercial real estate loans, $40.3 million of construction loans, and $23.7 million of municipal loans, which were partially offset by decreases of $28.1 million of 1-4 family residential loans, $27.0 million of loans to individuals, and $10.3 million of commercial loans. Oil and gas industry loans totaled 1.10% of the loan portfolio at September 30, 2017, compared to 1.09% at December 31, 2016.

Nonperforming assets decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 by $6.0 million, or 39.6%, to $9.1 million, or 0.17% of total assets, compared to 0.27% of total assets at December 31, 2016, due to the payoff of several nonaccrual commercial loans during the three months ended June 30, 2017.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the allowance for loan losses increased by $2.0 million, or 10.9%, to $19.9 million, or 0.74% of total loans, compared to 0.70% of total loans at December 31, 2016, primarily due to loan growth.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, deposits, net of brokered deposits, decreased $10.2 million, or 0.3%, compared to December 31, 2016.  During this same nine-month period, total deposits increased $31.1 million, or 0.9%, to $3.56 billion at September 30, 2017, due to an increase of $41.3 million in brokered deposits and $58.3 million in non-public fund deposits, partially offset by a decrease in public fund deposits of $68.5 million.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the mix of non-interest bearing and interest bearing deposits changed.  Noninterest bearing deposits increased $77.7 million and interest bearing deposits decreased $46.6 million.

Net Interest Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Net interest income increased $1.0 million, or 3.0%, to $35.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $33.9 million for the same period in 2016.  The increase in net interest income was the result of a $5.3 million increase in interest income on loans and the securities portfolio, partially offset by the increase in interest expense of $4.3 million associated with our deposits and other interest bearing liabilities, compared to the same period in 2016.  For the three months ended September 30, 2017, our net interest spread decreased to 2.82%, compared to 3.06% for the same period in 2016.  Our net interest margin decreased to 3.02% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 3.19% for the same period in 2016.  Both the decrease in net interest spread and margin was due to higher average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities, partially offset by the increase in the average yield on earning assets.  The increase in average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities was primarily due to overall higher interest rates during 2017 and the remaining purchase accretion on the certificate of deposit premium amortizing during the third quarter of 2016.  The increase in the average yield on earning assets during the three months ended September 30, 2017 was the result of increases in the average yields on most of the earning asset categories partially offset by the mix in earning assets and the decrease in purchase accounting accretion on loans.  The net interest spread and margin on a linked quarter basis decreased from 2.89% and 3.07%, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, to 2.82% and 3.02%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Net Interest Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Net interest income increased $740,000, or 0.7%, to $105.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to $104.9 million for the same period in 2016.  The increase in net interest income was the result of a $12.1 million increase in interest income on loans and the securities portfolio, partially offset by the increase in interest expense of $11.4 million associated with our deposits and other interest bearing liabilities, compared to the same period in 2016.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, our net interest spread decreased to 2.88%, compared to 3.23% for the same period in 2016.  Our net interest margin decreased to 3.06% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 3.35% for the same period in 2016.  Both the decrease in net interest spread and margin was due to higher average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities along with a decrease in the average yield on earning assets.  The increase in average rates paid on interest bearing liabilities was primarily due to overall higher interest rates during 2017 and the remaining purchase accretion on the certificate of deposit premium amortizing during the third quarter of 2016.  The decrease in the average yield on earning assets was the result of the mix in earning assets, a decrease in the average yields on investment securities combined with a decrease in purchase accounting accretion on loans and the effect on the average yield on loans in 2016 of the $1.3 million recovery of interest income on the payoff of a long-term nonaccrual loan during the first quarter of 2016, partially offset by the increase in average yield on mortgage-backed and related securities, FHLB stock, at cost and other investments and interest earning deposits.

Net Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Net income increased $1.6 million, or 12.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, to $14.5 million compared to the same period in 2016.  The increase was primarily the result of a $5.3 million increase in interest income, a $3.4 million decrease in noninterest expense, and a $0.7 million decrease in provision for loan losses, partially offset by a $4.3 million increase in interest expense, a $2.3 million decrease in noninterest income, and a $1.1 million increase in income tax expense.

Noninterest income decreased $2.3 million, or 19.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, due primarily to a decrease in the net gain on sale of securities available for sale, a decrease in gain on sale of loans, and a decrease in other noninterest income.

Noninterest expense decreased $3.4 million, or 12.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to reductions in occupancy expense of $1.6 million, salary and employee benefit expense of $0.8 million, and other noninterest expense of $0.8 million.  During the third quarter of 2016, we incurred $1.8 million in occupancy expense due to the early termination of a lease that included the write-off of the associated leasehold improvements.  Salary and employee benefits decreased due to reductions in direct salary expense and retirement expense.  Other noninterest expense decreased primarily due to decreases in the provision expense for losses on loans sold with recourse and expense related to repossessed assets, partially offset by $0.4 million in acquisition expense related to the proposed merger with Diboll.

Net Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Net income increased $6.2 million, or 16.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, to $44.0 million compared to the same period in 2016.  The increase was primarily the result of a $12.1 million increase in interest income, a $7.2 million decrease in noninterest expense, and a $4.3 million decrease in provision for loan losses, partially offset by an $11.4 million increase in interest expense, a $4.3 million decrease in noninterest income, and a $1.8 million increase in income tax expense. Noninterest income decreased $4.3 million, or 13.2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016, due to a decrease in net gain on sale of securities available for sale and a decrease in gain on sale of loans, partially offset by increases in other noninterest income.

Noninterest expense decreased $7.2 million, or 8.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a reduction in salaries and employee benefits of $2.6 million, occupancy expense of $2.2 million, professional fees of $1.0 million, and other noninterest expense of $1.1 million.  The decrease in salaries and employee benefits is primarily due to a one-time expense of $1.7 million related to the acceptance of early retirement packages of 16 employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The decrease in occupancy expense is due to the early termination of a lease during the third quarter of 2016 and lower rent expense in 2017.  Professional fees decreased due to less consulting fees associated with cost containment and process improvement efforts initiated in January 2016.  Other noninterest expense decreased primarily due to a reduction in the provision expense for losses on unfunded loan commitments and loans sold with recourse, losses on other real estate owned, repossessed assets expense, and amortization expense on core deposit intangibles, partially offset by acquisition expense of $0.9 million related to the proposed merger with Diboll.

Conference Call

Southside's management team will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2017 financial results on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. CDT.  The call can be accessed by dialing 844-775-2540 and by identifying the conference ID number 92812124 or by identifying “Southside Bancshares, Inc., Third Quarter 2017 Earnings Call.”  To listen to the call via webcast, register at www.southside.com/about/investor-relations.

For those unable to listen to the conference call live, a recording of the conference call will be available from approximately 3:00 p.m. CDT October 27, 2017 through November 7, 2017 by accessing the company website, www.southside.com/about/investor-relations.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States and prevailing practices in the banking industry.  However, certain non-GAAP measures are used by management to supplement the evaluation of our performance.  These include the following fully-taxable equivalent measures: (i) tax-equivalent net interest income, (ii) tax-equivalent net interest margin, (iii) tax-equivalent net interest spread, and (iv) tax-equivalent efficiency ratio, which include the effects of taxable-equivalent adjustments using a federal income tax rate of 35% to increase tax-exempt interest income to a tax-equivalent basis.  Whenever we present a non-GAAP financial measure in an SEC filing, we are also required to present the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP and reconcile the differences between the non-GAAP financial measure and such comparable GAAP measure.  Tax-equivalent adjustments are reported in notes 2 and 3 to the  “Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates” tables below.

Tax-equivalent net interest income, net interest margin and net interest spread.  Net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis is a non-GAAP measure that adjusts for the tax-favored status of net interest income from loans and investments.  We believe this measure to be the preferred industry measurement of net interest income and it enhances comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.  The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest income.  Net interest margin on a tax-equivalent basis is net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis divided by average interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis.  The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest margin.  Net interest spread on a tax-equivalent basis is the difference in the average yield on average interest-earning assets on a tax equivalent basis and the average rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.   The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our net interest spread.

Tax-equivalent efficiency ratio.  The efficiency ratio, calculated on a tax-equivalent basis, is a non-GAAP measure that provides a measure of productivity in the banking industry.  This ratio is calculated to measure the cost of generating one dollar of revenue.  The ratio is designed to reflect the percentage of one dollar which must be expended to generate that dollar of revenue.  We calculate this ratio by dividing noninterest expense, excluding amortization of intangibles and certain non-recurring expense by the sum of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis and noninterest income, excluding gains (losses) on sales of investment securities and certain non-recurring impairments. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is our efficiency ratio.

These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to GAAP-basis financial statements, and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures or similar measures differently.

About Southside Bancshares, Inc.

Southside Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company with approximately $5.48 billion in assets as of September 30, 2017, that owns 100% of Southside Bank.  Southside Bank currently has 57 banking centers in Texas and operates a network of 71 ATMs/ITMs.

To learn more about Southside Bancshares, Inc., please visit our investor relations website at www.southside.com/about/investor-relations.  Our investor relations site provides a detailed overview of our activities, financial information and historical stock price data.  To receive e-mail notification of company news, events and stock activity, please register on the E-mail Notification portion of the website.  Questions or comments may be directed to Suni Davis at (903) 531-7235, or suni.davis@southside.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements of other than historical fact that are contained in this document and in other written material, press releases and oral statements issued by or on behalf of the Company may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of and subject to the safe harbor protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, nor should they be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date.  These statements may include words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “likely,” “intend,” “probability,” “risk,” “target,” “objective,” “plans,” “potential,” and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, expectations, objectives, goals, anticipations, assumptions and estimates about the Company's future performance and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.  For example, discussions about trends in asset quality, capital, liquidity, the pace of loan and revenue growth, the Company's ability to sell nonperforming assets, expense reductions, planned operational efficiencies, earnings, pending acquisitions, and certain market risk disclosures, including the impact of interest rates and other economic factors, are based upon information presently available to management and are dependent on choices about key model characteristics and assumptions and are subject to various limitations.  By their nature, certain of the market risk disclosures are only estimates and could be materially different from what actually occurs in the future.

Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial results, is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, under “Forward-Looking Information” and Item 1A.  “Risk Factors,” and in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update any factors or to announce publicly the result of revisions to any of the forward-looking statements included herein to reflect future events or developments.

 SOUTHSIDE BANCSHARES, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)
 (In thousands, except per share data)
          
          
 As of
 2017 2016
 Sept. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sept. 30,
ASSETS         
Cash and due from banks$57,947  $56,033  $54,345  $59,363  $54,255 
Interest earning deposits120,996  175,039  185,289  102,251  144,833 
Federal funds sold5,570  4,760  7,360  8,040   
Securities available for sale, at estimated fair value1,292,072  1,397,811  1,444,043  1,479,600  1,622,128 
Securities held to maturity, at carrying value909,844  925,538  929,793  937,487  775,682 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost61,845  61,561  61,305  61,084  51,901 
Loans held for sale2,177  3,036  5,303  7,641  5,301 
Loans2,682,766  2,610,198  2,538,918  2,556,537  2,483,641 
Less: Allowance for loan losses(19,871) (19,241) (18,485) (17,911) (15,993)
Net loans2,662,895  2,590,957  2,520,433  2,538,626  2,467,648 
Premises & equipment, net107,099  105,938  105,327  106,003  106,777 
Goodwill91,520  91,520  91,520  91,520  91,520 
Other intangible assets, net3,379  3,767  4,177  4,608  5,060 
Bank owned life insurance99,616  99,011  98,377  97,775  97,002 
Other assets69,470  63,511  148,977  69,769  42,796 
Total assets$5,484,430  $5,578,482  $5,656,249  $5,563,767  $5,464,903 
          
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY         
Noninterest bearing deposits$781,701  $757,353  $753,224  $704,013  $747,270 
Interest bearing deposits2,782,474  2,866,720  2,952,072  2,829,063  2,834,117 
Total deposits3,564,175  3,624,073  3,705,296  3,533,076  3,581,387 
Short-term obligations999,583  1,024,257  960,730  873,615  720,634 
Long-term obligations310,505  320,658  411,310  601,464  621,640 
Other liabilities54,144  62,429  47,447  37,338  68,682 
Total liabilities4,928,407  5,031,417  5,124,783  5,045,493  4,992,343 
Shareholders' equity556,023  547,065  531,466  518,274  472,560 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$5,484,430  $5,578,482  $5,656,249  $5,563,767  $5,464,903 



 At or For the Three Months Ended
 2017 2016
 Sept. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sept. 30,
Income Statement:         
Total interest income$46,473  $46,009  $44,888  $43,680  $41,132 
Total interest expense11,513  10,585  9,608  9,039  7,202 
Net interest income34,960  35,424  35,280  34,641  33,930 
Provision for loan losses960  1,346  1,098  2,065  1,631 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses34,000  34,078  34,182  32,576  32,299 
Noninterest income         
Deposit services5,476  5,255  5,114  5,183  5,335 
Net gain (loss) on sale of securities available for sale627  (75) 322  (2,676) 2,343 
Gain on sale of loans347  505  701  461  818 
Trust income873  899  890  900  867 
Bank owned life insurance income636  635  634  649  656 
Brokerage services561  682  547  466  551 
Other888  1,392  1,465  1,730  1,162 
     Total noninterest income9,408  9,293  9,673  6,713  11,732 
Noninterest expense         
Salaries and employee benefits14,395  14,915  15,919  16,194  15,203 
Occupancy expense2,981  2,897  2,863  2,825  4,569 
Advertising, travel & entertainment487  548  583  648  588 
ATM and debit card expense1,024  889  927  820  868 
Professional fees996  1,050  939  982  1,148 
Software and data processing expense732  688  725  687  736 
Telephone and communications459  476  526  572  407 
FDIC insurance441  445  441  215  643 
Other3,492  3,629  2,935  2,934  4,263 
     Total noninterest expense25,007  25,537  25,858  25,877  28,425 
Income before income tax expense18,401  17,834  17,997  13,412  15,606 
Income tax expense3,890  3,353  3,008  1,839  2,741 
Net income$14,511  $14,481  $14,989  $11,573  $12,865 
          
Common share data:   
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding29,370  29,318  29,288  27,542  26,923 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding29,570  29,519  29,504  27,731  27,080 
Shares outstanding end of period29,433  29,344  29,306  29,261  26,939 
Net income per common share         
Basic$0.49  $0.49  $0.51  $0.42  $0.48 
Diluted0.49  0.49  0.51  0.42  0.48 
Book value per common share18.89  18.64  18.14  17.71  17.54 
Cash dividend paid per common share0.28  0.28  0.25  0.30  0.24 
          
Selected Performance Ratios:         
Return on average assets1.03% 1.04% 1.08% 0.83% 0.98%
Return on average shareholders’ equity10.38  10.70  11.57  9.56  10.78 
Average yield on earning assets (1)3.90  3.88  3.82  3.73  3.78 
Average rate on interest bearing liabilities1.08  0.99  0.89  0.83  0.72 
Net interest spread (tax-equivalent basis) (1)2.82  2.89  2.93  2.90  3.06 
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (1)3.02  3.07  3.08  3.03  3.19 
Average earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities123.32  121.57  120.04  119.88  120.40 
Noninterest expense to average total assets1.77  1.83  1.87  1.85  2.17 
Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)49.99  50.26  51.60  52.00  53.88 

(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 At or For the
Nine Months Ended
 September 30,
 2017 2016
Income Statement:   
Total interest income$137,370  $125,233 
Total interest expense31,706  20,309 
Net interest income105,664  104,924 
Provision for loan losses3,404  7,715 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses102,260  97,209 
Noninterest income   
Deposit services15,845  15,519 
Net gain on sale of securities available for sale874  5,512 
Gain on sale of loans1,553  2,334 
Trust income2,662  2,591 
Bank owned life insurance income1,905  1,977 
Brokerage services1,790  1,661 
Other3,745  3,104 
     Total noninterest income28,374  32,698 
Noninterest expense   
Salaries and employee benefits45,229  47,784 
Occupancy expense8,741  10,897 
Advertising, travel & entertainment1,618  1,995 
ATM and debit card expense2,840  2,316 
Professional fees2,985  3,964 
Software and data processing expense2,145  2,224 
Telephone and communications1,461  1,359 
FDIC insurance1,327  1,926 
Other10,056  11,180 
     Total noninterest expense76,402  83,645 
Income before income tax expense54,232  46,262 
Income tax expense10,251  8,486 
Net income$43,981  $37,776 


Common share data:  
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding29,326  26,976 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding29,531  27,091 
Net income per common share   
Basic$1.50  $1.40 
Diluted1.49  1.39 
Book value per common share18.89  17.54 
Cash dividend paid per common share0.81  0.71 


  
Selected Performance Ratios:   
Return on average assets1.05% 0.98%
Return on average shareholders’ equity10.87  10.87 
Average yield on earning assets (1)3.87  3.92 
Average yield on interest bearing liabilities0.99  0.69 
Net interest spread (tax-equivalent basis) (1)2.88  3.23 
Net interest margin (tax-equivalent basis) (1)3.06  3.35 
Average earning assets to average interest bearing liabilities121.64  120.08 
Noninterest expense to average total assets1.83  2.18 
Efficiency ratio (tax-equivalent basis) (1)50.62  54.78 

(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 Southside Bancshares, Inc.
 Selected Financial Data (unaudited)
 (dollars in thousands)
          
 Three Months Ended
 2017 2016
 Sept. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sept. 30,
Nonperforming assets:$9,119  $9,165  $14,079  $15,105  $16,008 
Nonaccrual loans (1)3,095  3,034  7,261  8,280  8,536 
Accruing loans past due more than 90 days (1)    1  6  1 
Restructured loans (2)5,725  5,884  6,424  6,431  7,193 
Other real estate owned298  233  367  339  237 
Repossessed assets1  14  26  49  41 
          
Asset Quality Ratios:         
Nonaccruing loans to total loans0.12% 0.12% 0.29% 0.32% 0.34%
Allowance for loan losses to nonaccruing loans642.04  634.18  254.58  216.32  187.36 
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming assets217.91  209.94  131.29  118.58  99.91 
Allowance for loan losses to total loans0.74  0.74  0.73  0.70  0.64 
Nonperforming assets to total assets0.17  0.16  0.25  0.27  0.29 
Net charge-offs to average loans0.05  0.09  0.08  0.02  0.09 
          
Capital Ratios:         
Shareholders’ equity to total assets10.14  9.81  9.40  9.32  8.65 
Average shareholders’ equity to average total assets9.91  9.72  9.36  8.66  9.10 

(1) Excludes purchased credit impaired ("PCI") loans measured at fair value at acquisition.
(2) Includes $3.0 million, $3.0 million, $3.0 million, $3.1 million, and $3.2 million in PCI loans restructured as of September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017, March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, and September 30, 2016, respectively.

Loan Portfolio Composition

The following table sets forth loan totals by category for the periods presented:

 Three Months Ended
 2017 2016
 Sept. 30, June 30, Mar. 31, Dec. 31, Sept. 30,
Real Estate Loans:         
Construction$420,497  $386,853  $362,367  $380,175  $466,323 
1-4 Family Residential609,159  615,405  622,881  637,239  644,746 
Commercial1,073,646  1,033,629  974,307  945,978  759,795 
Commercial Loans166,919  172,311  176,908  177,265  191,154 
Municipal Loans322,286  305,023  297,417  298,583  293,949 
Loans to Individuals90,259  96,977  105,038  117,297  127,674 
Total Loans$2,682,766  $2,610,198  $2,538,918  $2,556,537  $2,483,641 

The “Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates” tables that follow show average earning assets and interest bearing liabilities together with the average yield on the earning assets and the average rate of the interest bearing liabilities (dollars in thousands) for the periods presented.

 Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates
 (unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2017 June 30, 2017
 Avg Balance Interest Income Avg Yield/Rate Avg Balance Interest Income Avg Yield/Rate
ASSETS           
Loans (1) (2)$2,657,562  $30,378  4.54% $2,557,093  $29,080  4.56%
Loans held for sale5,060  47  3.69% 5,914  60  4.07%
Securities:           
Investment securities (taxable) (4)11,085  58  2.08% 58,168  267  1.84%
Investment securities (tax-exempt) (3) (4)758,828  9,214  4.82% 749,259  9,386  5.02%
Mortgage-backed and related securities (4)1,550,494  10,567  2.70% 1,594,269  10,818  2.72%
    Total securities2,320,407  19,839  3.39% 2,401,696  20,471  3.42%
FHLB stock, at cost, and other investments66,994  329  1.95% 66,744  299  1.80%
Interest earning deposits144,700  506  1.39% 156,124  364  0.94%
Federal funds sold4,626  21  1.80% 5,326  14  1.05%
Total earning assets5,199,349  51,120  3.90% 5,192,897  50,288  3.88%
Cash and due from banks53,220      50,961     
Accrued interest and other assets360,073      358,041     
Less: Allowance for loan losses(19,556)     (18,495)    
Total assets$5,593,086      $5,583,404     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY           
Savings deposits$260,860  117  0.18% $262,009  121  0.19%
Time deposits988,380  2,878  1.16% 1,014,101  2,723  1.08%
Interest bearing demand deposits1,562,993  2,425  0.62% 1,616,036  2,294  0.57%
Total interest bearing deposits2,812,233  5,420  0.76% 2,892,146  5,138  0.71%
Short-term interest bearing liabilities1,095,968  3,382  1.22% 1,010,484  2,480  0.98%
Long-term interest bearing liabilities – FHLB Dallas149,512  778  2.06% 210,416  1,075  2.05%
Subordinated notes (5)98,190  1,413  5.71% 98,151  1,398  5.71%
Long-term debt (6)60,239  520  3.42% 60,238  494  3.29%
Total interest bearing liabilities4,216,142  11,513  1.08% 4,271,435  10,585  0.99%
Noninterest bearing deposits773,739      729,564     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities48,682      39,819     
Total liabilities5,038,563      5,040,818     
Shareholders’ equity554,523      542,586     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$5,593,086      $5,583,404     
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (7)  $39,607      $39,703   
Net interest margin on average earning assets (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    3.02%     3.07%
Net interest spread (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    2.82%     2.89%

(1) Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.

(2) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $1,103 and $1,050 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017, respectively.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(3) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $3,544 and $3,229 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017, respectively.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(4) For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities is presented at historical cost.

(5) The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs reflected in the carrying amount of the subordinated notes totaled approximately $1.8 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017.

(6) Represents issuance of junior subordinated debentures.  In connection with the adoption of ASU 2015-03 that requires unamortized debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, our average long-term debt for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017 reflect unamortized debt issuance costs of $72,000 and $73,000, respectively.

(7) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Note:  As of September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017, loans totaling $3,095 and $3,034, respectively, were on nonaccrual status.  Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

 Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates
 (unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Avg Balance Interest Income Avg Yield/Rate Avg Balance Interest Income Avg Yield/Rate
ASSETS           
Loans (1) (2)$2,549,230  $28,241  4.49% $2,512,820  $27,835  4.41%
Loans held for sale7,023  48  2.77% 4,845  36  2.96%
Securities:           
Investment securities (taxable) (4)86,511  377  1.77% 115,057  485  1.68%
Investment securities (tax-exempt) (3) (4)779,772  9,929  5.16% 812,771  10,352  5.07%
Mortgage-backed and related securities (4)1,570,510  10,045  2.59% 1,520,045  9,294  2.43%
    Total securities2,436,793  20,351  3.39% 2,447,873  20,131  3.27%
FHLB stock, at cost, and other investments66,547  298  1.82% 62,087  210  1.35%
Interest earning deposits162,235  346  0.86% 134,786  165  0.49%
Federal funds sold7,217  14  0.79% 2,972  5  0.67%
Total earning assets5,229,045  49,298  3.82% 5,165,383  48,382  3.73%
Cash and due from banks53,528      52,415     
Accrued interest and other assets350,729      359,217     
Less: Allowance for loan losses(18,130)     (16,467)    
Total assets$5,615,172      $5,560,548     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY           
Savings deposits$252,744  92  0.15% $250,706  76  0.12%
Time deposits927,610  2,227  0.97% 926,021  2,261  0.97%
Interest bearing demand deposits1,707,996  1,962  0.47% 1,646,535  1,543  0.37%
Total interest bearing deposits2,888,350  4,281  0.60% 2,823,262  3,880  0.55%
Short-term interest bearing liabilities1,007,546  2,065  0.83% 869,398  1,428  0.65%
Long-term interest bearing liabilities – FHLB Dallas301,775  1,402  1.88% 457,754  1,837  1.60%
Subordinated notes (5)98,117  1,393  5.76% 98,011  1,439  5.84%
Long-term debt (6)60,237  467  3.14% 60,235  455  3.01%
Total interest bearing liabilities4,356,025  9,608  0.89% 4,308,660  9,039  0.83%
Noninterest bearing deposits693,729      717,599     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities39,960      52,714     
Total liabilities5,089,714      5,078,973     
Shareholders’ equity525,458      481,575     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$5,615,172      $5,560,548     
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (7)  $39,690      $39,343   
Net interest margin on average earning assets (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    3.08%     3.03%
Net interest spread (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    2.93%     2.90%

(1) Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.

(2) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $1,035 and $1,045 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(3) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $3,375 and $3,657 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(4) For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities is presented at historical cost.

(5) The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs reflected in the carrying amount of the subordinated notes totaled approximately $1.9 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(6) Represents issuance of junior subordinated debentures.  In connection with the adoption of ASU 2015-03 that requires unamortized debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, our average long-term debt for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 reflect unamortized debt issuance costs of $74,000 and $76,000, respectively.

(7) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Note:  As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, loans totaling $7,261 and $8,280, respectively, were on nonaccrual status.  Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

 Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates
 (unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2016
 Avg Balance Interest Income Avg Yield/Rate
ASSETS     
Loans (1) (2)$2,436,349  $26,750  4.37%
Loans held for sale6,718  54  3.20%
Securities:     
Investment securities (taxable) (4)61,238  251  1.63%
Investment securities (tax-exempt) (3) (4)690,635  8,911  5.13%
Mortgage-backed and related securities (4)1,492,271  9,399  2.51%
    Total securities2,244,144  18,561  3.29%
FHLB stock, at cost, and other investments54,085  186  1.37%
Interest earning deposits57,598  89  0.61%
Total earning assets4,798,894  45,640  3.78%
Cash and due from banks49,418     
Accrued interest and other assets385,917     
Less: Allowance for loan losses(14,989)    
Total assets$5,219,240     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     
Savings deposits$248,364  71  0.11%
Time deposits949,019  2,073  0.87%
Interest bearing demand deposits1,634,898  1,460  0.36%
Total interest bearing deposits2,832,281  3,604  0.51%
Short-term interest bearing liabilities608,130  1,122  0.73%
Long-term interest bearing liabilities – FHLB Dallas472,470  1,857  1.56%
Subordinated notes (5)12,823  189  5.86%
Long-term debt (6)60,234  430  2.84%
Total interest bearing liabilities3,985,938  7,202  0.72%
Noninterest bearing deposits702,539     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities55,783     
Total liabilities4,744,260     
Shareholders’ equity474,980     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$5,219,240     
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (7)  $38,438   
Net interest margin on average earning assets (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    3.19%
Net interest spread (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    3.06%

(1) Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.

(2) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustment of $1,064 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(3) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustment of $3,444 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(4) For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities is presented at historical cost.

(5) The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs reflected in the carrying amount of the subordinated notes totaled approximately $220,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

(6) Represents issuance of junior subordinated debentures.  In connection with the adoption of ASU 2015-03 that requires unamortized debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, our average long-term debt for the three months ended September 30, 2016 reflects unamortized debt issuance costs of $77,000.

(7) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Note:  As of September 30, 2016, loans totaling $8,536 were on nonaccrual status.  Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.

 Average Balances with Average Yields and Rates
 (unaudited)
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
 Avg Balance Interest Income Avg Yield/Rate Avg Balance Interest Income Avg Yield/Rate
ASSETS           
Loans (1) (2)$2,588,358  $87,699  4.53% $2,432,652  $82,818  4.55%
Loans held for sale5,992  155  3.46% 5,100  126  3.30%
Securities:           
Investment securities (taxable) (4)51,645  702  1.82% 41,708  572  1.83%
Investment securities (tax-exempt) (3) (4)762,543  28,529  5.00% 661,430  26,041  5.26%
Mortgage-backed and related securities (4)1,571,685  31,430  2.67% 1,465,923  28,156  2.57%
    Total securities2,385,873  60,661  3.40% 2,169,061  54,769  3.37%
FHLB stock, at cost, and other investments66,763  926  1.85% 54,051  588  1.45%
Interest earning deposits154,289  1,216  1.05% 55,378  220  0.53%
Federal funds sold5,713  49  1.15%      
Total earning assets5,206,988  150,706  3.87% 4,716,242  138,521  3.92%
Cash and due from banks52,568      50,738     
Accrued interest and other assets356,212      378,000     
Less: Allowance for loan losses(18,732)     (19,136)    
Total assets$5,597,036      $5,125,844     
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY           
Savings deposits$258,568  330  0.17% $242,852  204  0.11%
Time deposits976,919  7,828  1.07% 946,986  5,723  0.81%
Interest bearing demand deposits1,628,477  6,681  0.55% 1,693,135  4,448  0.35%
Total interest bearing deposits2,863,964  14,839  0.69% 2,882,973  10,375  0.48%
Short-term interest bearing liabilities1,038,326  7,927  1.02% 469,831  2,724  0.77%
Long-term interest bearing liabilities – FHLB Dallas220,007  3,255  1.98% 510,392  5,770  1.51%
Subordinated notes (5)98,153  4,204  5.73% 4,305  189  5.86%
Long-term debt (6)60,238  1,481  3.29% 60,233  1,251  2.77%
Total interest bearing liabilities4,280,688  31,706  0.99% 3,927,734  20,309  0.69%
Noninterest bearing deposits732,637      685,982     
Accrued expenses and other liabilities42,749      48,120     
Total liabilities5,056,074      4,661,836     
Shareholders’ equity540,962      464,008     
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$5,597,036      $5,125,844     
Net interest income (tax-equivalent basis) (7)  $119,000      $118,212   
Net interest margin on average earning assets (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    3.06%     3.35%
Net interest spread (tax-equivalent basis) (7)    2.88%     3.23%

(1) Interest on loans includes net fees on loans that are not material in amount.

(2) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $3,188 and $3,206 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(3) Interest income includes taxable-equivalent adjustments of $10,148 and $10,082 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(4) For the purpose of calculating the average yield, the average balance of securities is presented at historical cost.

(5) The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs reflected in the carrying amount of the subordinated notes totaled approximately $1.8 million  and $74,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(6) Represents issuance of junior subordinated debentures.  In connection with the adoption of ASU 2015-03 that requires unamortized debt issuance costs be presented as a direct deduction from the related debt liability, our average long-term debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 reflect unamortized debt issuance costs of $73,000 and $78,000, respectively.

(7) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

Note:  As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, loans totaling $3,095 and $8,536, respectively, were on nonaccrual status.  Our policy is to reverse previously accrued but unpaid interest on nonaccrual loans; thereafter, interest income is recorded to the extent received when appropriate.