EQUITY BANCSHARES INC - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020

☐	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 001-37624

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Kansas		72-1532188
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 300 Wichita, KS		67207
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 316.612.6000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Class A, Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Trading Symbol

EQBK

Name of each exchange on which registered

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ Yes ☐ No

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


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐
Emerging growth company	☒

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

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

As of October 23, 2020, the registrant had 14,853,487 shares of Class A common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I	Financial Information	5
Item 1.	Financial Statements	5
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	5
	Consolidated Statements of Operations	6
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	7
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity	8
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	10
	Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements	12
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	43
	Overview	43
	Critical Accounting Policies	45
	Results of Operations	48
	Financial Condition	59
	Liquidity and Capital Resources	70
	Non-GAAP Financial Measures	72
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	75
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	77
Part II	Other Information	78
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	78
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	78
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	78
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	79
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	79
Item 5.	Other Information	79
Item 6.	Exhibits	79

Important Notice about Information in this Quarterly Report

Unless we state otherwise or the context otherwise requires, references in this Quarterly Report to “we,” “our,” “us,” “the Company” and “Equity” refer to Equity Bancshares, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Equity Bank, which we sometimes refer to as “Equity Bank,” “the Bank” or “our Bank.”

The information contained in this Quarterly Report is accurate only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and as of the dates specified herein.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control, particularly with regard to developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A - Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 10, 2020, and in Item 1A – Risk Factors of this Quarterly Report.

There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following:

•

a continued economic downturn related to the COVID-19 pandemic; especially one affecting our core market areas;

•

inability of borrowers on deferral to make payments on their loans following the end of the deferral period;

•

the occurrence of various events that negatively impact the real estate market, since a significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate;

•

generally difficult or unfavorable conditions in the market for financial products and services;

•

interest rate fluctuations, which could have an adverse effect on our profitability;

•

external economic and/or market factors, such as changes in monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), inflation or deflation, changes in the demand for loans, and fluctuations in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits, which may have an adverse impact on our financial condition;

•

continued or increasing competition from other financial institutions, credit unions, and non-bank financial services companies, many of which are subject to different regulations than we are;

•

costs arising from the environmental risks associated with making loans secured by real estate;

•

losses resulting from a decline in the credit quality of the assets that we hold;

•

the adoption of ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, and its impact on our allowance for loan losses and capital;

•

the effects of new federal tax laws, or changes to existing federal tax laws;

•

inadequacies in our allowance for loan losses, which could require us to take a charge to earnings and thereby adversely affect our financial condition;

•

differences in our qualitative factors used in our calculation of the allowance for loan losses from actual results;

•

inaccuracies or changes in the appraised value of real estate securing the loans that we originate, which could lead to losses if the real estate collateral is later foreclosed upon and sold at a price lower than the appraised value;

•

potential fraud related to Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loan applications through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) as part of the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”);

•

the costs of integrating the businesses we acquire, which may be greater than expected;

•

challenges arising from unsuccessful attempts to expand into new geographic markets, products, or services;

•

a lack of liquidity resulting from decreased loan repayment rates, lower deposit balances, or other factors;

•

restraints on the ability of Equity Bank to pay dividends to us, which could limit our liquidity;

•

the loss of our largest loan and depositor relationships;

•

limitations on our ability to lend and to mitigate the risks associated with our lending activities as a result of our size and capital position;

•

additional regulatory requirements and restrictions on our business, which could impose additional costs on us;

•

increased capital requirements imposed by banking regulators, which may require us to raise capital at a time when capital is not available on favorable terms or at all;

•

a failure in the internal controls we have implemented to address the risks inherent to the business of banking;

•

inaccuracies in our assumptions about future events, which could result in material differences between our financial projections and actual financial performance;

•

the departure of key members of our management personnel or our inability to hire qualified management personnel;

•

disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems;

•

unauthorized access to nonpublic personal information of our customers, which could expose us to litigation or reputational harm;

•

disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events affecting the third-party vendors who perform several of our critical processing functions;

•

required implementation of new accounting standards that significantly change certain of our existing recognition practices;

•

the occurrence of adverse weather or man-made events, which could negatively affect our core markets or disrupt our operations;

•

the effects of pandemic and widespread public health emergencies;

•

an increase in FDIC deposit insurance assessments, which could adversely affect our earnings;

•

the impact of the transition from London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and our ability to adequately manage such transition;

•

an inability to keep pace with the rate of technological advances due to a lack of resources to invest in new technologies;

•

expiration of our emerging growth company designation will impose additional compliance obligations and costs; and

•

other factors that are discussed in “Item 1A - Risk Factors.”

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with other cautionary statements that are included in this Quarterly Report. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or verbal forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

PART I

Item 1: Financial Statements

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	(Unaudited) September 30,			December 31,
	2020			2019
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	65,534		$	88,973
Federal funds sold		305			318
Cash and cash equivalents		65,839			89,291
Interest-bearing time deposits in other banks		499			2,498
Available-for-sale securities		798,576			142,067
Held-to-maturity securities, fair value of $0 and $783,911		—			769,059
Loans held for sale		9,053			5,933
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $34,087 and $12,232		2,691,626			2,544,420
Other real estate owned, net		8,727			8,293
Premises and equipment, net		86,087			84,478
Bank-owned life insurance		76,555			75,103
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock		32,545			31,137
Interest receivable		18,110			15,738
Goodwill		31,601			136,432
Core deposit intangibles, net		17,101			19,907
Other		29,252			25,222
Total assets	$	3,865,571		$	3,949,578
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits
Demand	$	693,967		$	481,298
Total non-interest-bearing deposits		693,967			481,298
Savings, NOW and money market		1,816,307			1,749,048
Time		623,344			833,170
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,439,651			2,582,218
Total deposits		3,133,618			3,063,516
Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		46,295			35,708
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		167,862			324,373
Bank stock loan		—			8,990
Subordinated debt		87,537			14,561
Contractual obligations		5,478			5,836
Interest payable and other liabilities		22,609			18,534
Total liabilities		3,463,399			3,471,518
Commitments and contingent liabilities, see Notes 11 and 12
Stockholders’ equity, see Note 7
Common stock		174			174
Additional paid-in capital		386,017			382,731
Retained earnings		38,299			125,757
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		21,074			(3	)
Employee stock loans		(43	)		(77	)
Treasury stock		(43,349	)		(30,522	)
Total stockholders’ equity		402,172			478,060
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,865,571		$	3,949,578

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30,						(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Interest and dividend income
Loans, including fees	$	32,278		$	38,051		$	99,281		$	112,611
Securities, taxable		3,476			4,673			12,113			14,724
Securities, nontaxable		923			1,045			2,769			3,143
Federal funds sold and other		405			780			1,409			2,037
Total interest and dividend income		37,082			44,549			115,572			132,515
Interest expense
Deposits		3,064			10,507			13,827			32,381
Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		25			50			80			116
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		471			1,957			2,198			5,103
Federal Reserve Bank discount window		—			—			6			—
Bank stock loan		—			198			415			507
Subordinated debt		1,415			311			1,953			955
Total interest expense		4,975			13,023			18,479			39,062
Net interest income		32,107			31,526			97,093			93,453
Provision for loan losses		815			679			23,255			17,299
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		31,292			30,847			73,838			76,154
Non-interest income
Service charges and fees		1,706			2,268			5,097			6,431
Debit card income		2,491			2,205			6,735			6,129
Mortgage banking		877			820			2,298			1,699
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance		489			507			1,452			1,494
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions		—			4			12			17
Other		922			768			1,929			2,577
Total non-interest income		6,485			6,572			17,523			18,347
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		13,877			13,039			40,076			40,204
Net occupancy and equipment		2,224			2,177			6,578			6,332
Data processing		2,817			2,673			8,243			7,436
Professional fees		877			991			3,187			3,375
Advertising and business development		598			806			1,697			2,174
Telecommunications		486			523			1,363			1,593
FDIC insurance		360			111			1,291			1,119
Courier and postage		366			352			1,103			1,020
Free nationwide ATM cost		439			459			1,186			1,240
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		1,030			784			2,806			2,348
Loan expense		107			165			628			608
Other real estate owned		133			(88	)		710			326
Merger expenses		—			—			—			915
Goodwill impairment		104,831			—			104,831			—
Other		2,690			2,231			6,831			6,099
Total non-interest expense		130,835			24,223			180,530			74,789
Income (loss) before income taxes		(93,058	)		13,196			(89,169	)		19,712
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(2,653	)		2,790			(1,711	)		4,147
Net income (loss) and net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	(90,405	)	$	10,406		$	(87,458	)	$	15,565
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(6.01	)	$	0.67		$	(5.75	)	$	0.99
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	(6.01	)	$	0.66		$	(5.75	)	$	0.98

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

	(Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30,						(Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Net income (loss)	$	(90,405	)	$	10,406		$	(87,458	)	$	15,565
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during the period on available-for-sale securities		(1,843	)		952			2,321			5,240
Unrealized holding gain arising from the transfer of held-to-maturity securities to available-for-sale		24,848		—				24,848		—
Amortization of unrealized loss on held-to-maturity securities		620			209			988			714
Total other comprehensive income		23,625			1,161			28,157			5,954
Tax effect		(5,941	)		(293	)		(7,080	)		(1,510	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		17,684			868			21,077			4,444
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(72,721	)	$	11,274		$	(66,381	)	$	20,009

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

	Common Stock					Additional					Accumulated Other			Employee						Total
	Shares Outstanding			Amount		Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings			Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Stock Loans			Treasury Stock			Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at July 1, 2019		15,563,873		$	173	$	381,133	$	105,337		$	(1,291	)	$	(83	)	$	(26,863	)	$	458,406
Net income		—			—		—		10,406			—			—			—			10,406
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects		—			—		—		—			868			—			—			868
Stock-based compensation		—			—		617		—			—			—			—			617
Common stock issued under stock-based incentive plan		450			1		—		—			—			—			—			1
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan		19,221			—		405		—			—			—			—			405
Repayment on employee stock loans		—			—		—		—			—			6			—			6
Treasury stock purchases		(143,210	)		—		—		—			—			—			(3,659	)		(3,659	)
Balance at September 30, 2019		15,440,334		$	174	$	382,155	$	115,743		$	(423	)	$	(77	)	$	(30,522	)	$	467,050

Balance at July 1, 2020		15,218,301		$	174	$	384,955	$	128,704		$	3,390		$	(43	)	$	(37,414	)	$	479,766
Net income		—			—		—		(90,405	)		—			—			—			(90,405	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects		—			—		—		—			17,684			—			—			17,684
Stock-based compensation		—			—		812		—			—			—			—			812
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options		500			—		8		—			—			—			—			8
Common stock issued under stock-based incentive plan		380			—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan		17,829			—		242		—			—			—			—			242
Treasury stock purchases		(383,523	)		—		—		—			—			—			(5,935	)		(5,935	)
Balance at September 30, 2020		14,853,487		$	174	$	386,017	$	38,299		$	21,074		$	(43	)	$	(43,349	)	$	402,172

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

	Common Stock					Additional					Accumulated Other			Employee						Total
	Shares Outstanding			Amount		Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings			Comprehensive Income (loss)			Stock Loans			Treasury Stock			Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at January 1, 2019		15,793,095		$	173	$	379,085	$	101,326		$	(4,867	)	$	(121	)	$	(19,655	)	$	455,941
Net income		—			—		—		15,565			—			—			—			15,565
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects		—			—		—		—			4,444			—			—			4,444
Stock-based compensation		9,104			—		2,349		—			—			—			—			2,349
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options		17,502			—		316		—			—			—			—			316
Common stock issued under stock-based incentive plan		22,428			1		—		—			—			—			—			1
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan		19,221			—		405		—			—			—			—			405
Repayment on employee stock loans		—			—		—		—			—			44			—			44
Treasury stock purchases		(421,016	)		—		—		—			—			—			(10,867	)		(10,867	)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle from implementation of ASU 2017-08		—			—		—		(1,148	)		—			—			—			(1,148	)
Balance at September 30, 2019		15,440,334		$	174	$	382,155	$	115,743		$	(423	)	$	(77	)	$	(30,522	)	$	467,050

Balance at January 1, 2020		15,444,434		$	174	$	382,731	$	125,757		$	(3	)	$	(77	)	$	(30,522	)	$	478,060
Net income		—			—		—		(87,458	)		—			—			—			(87,458	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects		—			—		—		—			21,077			—			—			21,077
Stock-based compensation		17,703			—		2,670		—			—			—			—			2,670
Common stock issued upon exercise of stock options		1,150			—		20		—			—			—			—			20
Common stock issued under stock-based incentive plan		34,591			—		—		—			—			—			—			—
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan		34,593			—		596		—			—			—			—			596
Repayment on employee stock loans		—			—		—		—			—			34			—			34
Treasury stock purchases		(678,984	)		—		—		—			—			—			(12,827	)		(12,827	)
Balance at September 30, 2020		14,853,487		$	174	$	386,017	$	38,299		$	21,074		$	(43	)	$	(43,349	)	$	402,172

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

	(Unaudited) September 30,
	2020			2019
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	(87,458	)	$	15,565
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Stock-based compensation		2,670			2,349
Depreciation		2,780			2,637
Amortization of operating lease right-of-use asset		462			465
Amortization of cloud computing implementation costs		81			73
Provision for loan losses		23,255			17,299
Goodwill impairment		104,831			—
Net (accretion) amortization of purchase accounting adjustments		(1,627	)		(3,639	)
Amortization (accretion) of premiums and discounts on securities		4,406			4,315
Amortization of intangibles		2,843			2,385
Deferred income taxes		(5,015	)		(383	)
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends		(585	)		(704	)
Loss (gain) on sales and valuation adjustments on other real estate owned		120			(143	)
Change in unrealized loss (gain) on equity securities		(12	)		(17	)
Loss (gain) on disposal of premises and equipment		1			(10	)
Loss (gain) on sale of foreclosed assets		280			11
Loss (gain) on sales of loans		(1,895	)		(1,405	)
Originations of loans held for sale		(87,429	)		(71,483	)
Proceeds from the sale of loans held for sale		85,780			67,076
Increase in the value of bank-owned life insurance		(1,452	)		(1,494	)
Change in fair value of derivatives recognized in earnings		411			502
Payments on operating lease payable		(544	)		(583	)
Net change in:
Interest receivable		(2,371	)		394
Other assets		(5,729	)		(3,104	)
Interest payable and other liabilities		2,627			760
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		36,430			30,866
Cash flows from (to) investing activities
Purchases of available-for-sale securities		(91,495	)		—
Purchases of held-to-maturity securities		(2,754	)		(106,019	)
Proceeds from sales, calls, pay-downs and maturities of available-for-sale securities		73,588			20,096
Proceeds from calls, pay-downs and maturities of held-to-maturity securities		156,963			86,565
Net change in interest-bearing time deposits in other banks		1,999			1,494
Net change in loans		(172,154	)		(26,499	)
Capitalized construction cost of other real estate owned		(62	)		(56	)
Purchase of premises and equipment		(6,388	)		(6,020	)
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment		16			10
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets		1,991			312
Net redemption (purchase) of Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock		(823	)		(1,792	)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned		3,947			1,331
Net cash received from acquisition of MidFirst locations		—			85,360
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(35,172	)		54,782
Cash flows from (to) financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in deposits		70,019			(115,208	)
Net change in federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		10,587			(9,416	)
Net borrowings (payments) on Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit		(157,223	)		27,453
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank term advances		253,000			—

Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank term advances		(252,273	)		(2,240	)
Proceeds from Federal Reserve Bank discount window		62,000			—
Principal payments on Federal Reserve Bank discount window		(62,000	)		—
Proceeds from bank stock loan		38,354			7,208
Principal payments on bank stock loan		(47,344	)		(7,888	)
Principal payments on employee stock loans		34			44
Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options		20			317
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan		596			405
Proceeds from subordinated notes		75,000			—
Debt issuance cost		(2,295	)		—
Purchase of treasury stock		(12,827	)		(10,867	)
Net change in contractual obligations		(358	)		(221	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(24,710	)		(110,413	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		(23,452	)		(24,765	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		89,291			192,818
Ending cash and cash equivalents	$	65,839		$	168,053
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	19,730		$	37,536
Income taxes paid, net of refunds		2,208			1,786
Supplemental noncash disclosures:
Other real estate owned acquired in settlement of loans	$	2,456		$	906
Other real estate owned transferred from premise and equipment		1,982			—
Operating leases recognized		—			3,546
Total fair value of assets acquired in purchase of MidFirst locations		—			13,246
Total fair value of liabilities acquired in purchase of MidFirst locations		—			98,606

See accompanying condensed notes to interim consolidated financial statements.

EQUITY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONDENSED NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2020

(Unaudited)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Equity Bancshares, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries, EBAC, LLC and Equity Bank and Equity Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, EBHQ, LLC and SA Holdings, Inc. These entities are collectively referred to as the “Company”. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with guidance provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial information. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, the interim statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company on a consolidated basis and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. These financial statements and the accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020, or any other period.

Reclassifications

Some items in prior financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Management determined the items reclassified are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole and did not result in a change in equity or net income for the periods reported.

Risk and Uncertainties

The outbreak of COVID-19 has adversely impacted a broad range of industries in which the Company’s customers operate and could impair their ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic indicating that almost all public commerce and related business activities must be, to varying degrees, curtailed with the goal of decreasing the rate of new infections. The spread of the outbreak has caused significant disruptions in the U.S. economy and has disrupted banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates. While there has been no material impact to the Company’s employees to date, COVID-19 could also potentially create widespread business continuity issues for the Company.

Congress, the President, and the Federal Reserve have taken several actions designed to cushion the economic fallout. Most notably, the CARES Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020 as a $2 trillion legislative package. The goal of the CARES Act is to prevent a severe economic downturn through various measures, including direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The package also includes extensive emergency funding for hospitals and medical providers. In addition to the general impact of COVID-19, certain provisions of the CARES Act as well as other recent legislative and regulatory relief efforts are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operations.

The Company’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. If the global response to contain COVID-19 is unsuccessful, the Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While it is not possible to know the full universe or extent that the impact of COVID-19, and resulting measures to curtail its spread, will have on the Company’s operations, the Company is disclosing potentially material items of which it is aware.

Financial position and results of operations

The Company’s interest income and fees could be reduced due to COVID-19. In keeping with guidance from regulators, the Company is actively working with COVID-19 affected borrowers to defer their payments, interest, and fees. While interest and fees will still accrue to income, through normal GAAP accounting, should eventual credit losses on these deferred payments emerge, interest income and fees accrued would need to be reversed. In such a scenario, interest income in future periods could be negatively impacted. At this time, the Company is unable to project the materiality of such an impact but recognizes the breadth of the economic impact may affect its borrowers’ ability to repay in future periods.

Capital and liquidity

As of September 30, 2020, all our capital ratios, and our subsidiary bank’s capital ratios, were in excess of regulatory requirements. While we are currently classified as well capitalized, an extended economic recession brought about by COVID-19 could adversely impact our reported and regulatory capital ratios by further credit losses. The Company relies on cash on hand as well as dividends from its subsidiary bank to service its debt. If the Company’s subsidiary bank’s capital deteriorates such that it is unable to pay dividends to the Company for an extended period of time, the Company may not be able to service its debt.

The Company maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity. Wholesale funding markets have remained open to us, but rates for short term funding have historically been volatile. If funding costs are elevated for an extended period of time, it could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest margin. If an extended recession caused large numbers of the Company’s deposit customers to withdraw their funds, the Company might become more reliant on volatile or more expensive sources of funding.

Asset valuation

Currently, the Company does not expect COVID-19 to affect its ability to account timely for the assets on its balance sheet; however, this could change in future periods. While certain valuation assumptions and judgments will change to account for pandemic-related circumstances such as widening credit spreads, the Company does not anticipate significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of assets measured in accordance with GAAP.

At September 30, 2020, the Company performed a quantitative analysis to assess goodwill for impairment of Equity Bancshares, Inc., the sole reporting unit. Consideration was given to the on-going economic market disruption, the movement of the Company’s stock price in relation to other bank indexes and the length of time that the market value of the reporting unit has been below its book value as triggering events and completed a quantitative analysis to assess whether or not goodwill was impaired. This analysis determined that goodwill was impaired and subsequently the Company booked a non-cash impairment charge of $104,831 to goodwill on September 30, 2020.

The determination of the fair value of the reporting unit incorporates assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their estimates of fair value in a change in control transaction, as prescribed by ASC Topic 820. To arrive at a conclusion of fair value, we utilized both the income approach and the market approach and then applied weighting factors to each approach. Weighting factors represent our best business judgement of the weightings a market participant would utilize in arriving at fair value of the reporting unit. In performing the analysis, Company management made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, reporting unit business performance, economic and market conditions and various other matters, many of which require significant management judgement. Projections related to business unit performance over the next five years assumed an economic downturn over a 12-month time horizon subsequently returning to conservative positive growth rates in loan and deposits after that time period. The analysis performed and the assumptions that are incorporated into the analysis reflect the best currently available estimates and judgements as to the expected future financial performance of the reporting unit. At September 30, 2020, the Company had goodwill of $31,601 which could be at risk of further impairment with further declines in performance, stock price or market conditions for bank stocks.

Processes, controls and business continuity plan

As of September 30, 2020, all the Company’s bank locations were open to customers with social distancing measures in place, allowing full access for customer use. Customers are served by appointment, calling ahead, curbside and drive-through but offered full lobby access during normal hours. The Company does not anticipate incurring additional material cost related to its continued deployment of the preparedness plan and no material operational or internal control challenges or risks have been identified to date. The Company does not anticipate significant challenges to its ability to maintain its systems and controls in light of the measures the Company has taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Company has not experienced any material resource constraints through the implementation of its business continuity plans.

Lending operations and accommodations to borrowers

In keeping with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during this unprecedented situation and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company has worked with customers affected by COVID-19 and offered short-term assistance in accordance with regulatory guidelines. Commercial borrowers needing assistance have been offered either a 90-day principal and interest deferral or a 180-day principal only deferral. Commercial borrowers that originally requested a 90-day deferral can request an additional 90-day deferral by providing their previous year financial information, current year interim financial information, projections for the balance of the calendar year and information related to their cash reserves to show a need for the additional 90-day deferral. Consumers needing assistance have been offered a 90-day principal and interest deferral with an option to request an additional 90-day deferral. At the end of the deferral period, the interest will be capitalized and the loan re-amortized generally causing a minimal increase to payments for most consumers. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had 68 remaining deferrals on outstanding loan balances of $41,228, with interest deferred of $306. In accordance with interagency guidance issued in March 2020, these short-term deferrals are not automatically considered troubled debt restructurings, are not reflected in past due loan balances and have not been reported as a classified loan solely due to a deferral. These deferred loans are subject to ongoing monitoring and will be downgraded or placed on nonaccrual if a noted weakness exists.

The following table lists loans by category that have been deferred under the payment deferral program at September 30, 2020.

	September 30, 2020
Commercial real estate	$	4,965
Commercial and industrial		25,746
Residential real estate		9,752
Agricultural real estate		643
Consumer		122
Total loans	$	41,228

With the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), administered by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”), the Company actively participated in assisting its customers with applications for resources through the program. PPP loans originated prior to June 5, 2020, have a two-year term and originated on or after June 5, 2020, have a five-year term, unless the lender and borrower agree differently. All PPP loans earn interest at 1.0%. As of September 30, 2020, there were 3,221 loans with an outstanding balance of $367,844 that were originated under the PPP program. It is the Company’s understanding that loans funded through the PPP program are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Should those circumstances change, the Company could be required to establish additional allowance for loan loss through additional provision for loan loss expense charged to earnings.

Credit

As a result of the current economic environment caused by the COVID-19 virus, the Company is engaging in frequent communication with borrowers to better understand their situation and the challenges faced, allowing the Company to respond proactively as needs and issues arise. Should economic conditions worsen, the Company could experience further increases in its required allowance for loan losses and record additional provision for loan losses. It is possible that the Company’s asset quality measures could worsen at future measurement periods if the effects of COVID-19 are prolonged.

Many industries have and will continue to experience adverse impacts as a result of COVID-19. Our exposure from outstanding loans and commitments to industries which we consider a higher risk totaled approximately $285,943 in hospitality and $65,088 in aircraft manufacturing.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, which will change how the Company measures credit losses for most of its financial assets. This guidance is applicable to loans held for investment, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, such as loan commitments and standby letters of credit, and held-to-maturity investment securities. The Company is required to use a new forward-looking current expected credit losses (CECL) model that is anticipated to result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses, the Company will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice but will recognize those credit losses as allowances rather than reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. In addition, the ASU requires significantly more disclosure including information about credit quality by year of origination for most loans. The amendments will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The ASU was effective for the Company beginning in the

first quarter of 2020; however, the CARES Act, issued in 2020, provided temporary relief related to the implementation of this accounting guidance until the earlier of the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 virus terminates or December 31, 2020. The Company has elected to utilize this relief and has calculated the allowance for loan losses and the resulting provision for loan losses using the prior incurred loss method at September 30, 2020. When the temporary relief expires the implementation of this accounting guidance is expected to be applied retroactively back to January 1, 2020. The Company completed the process of developing credit models and model implementation during the fourth quarter of 2019 and is in the final stages of implementing the internal controls, accounting, financial reporting and governance processes to comply with the new guidance. The adoption of CECL is expected to result in an increase to our total allowance for credit losses (ACL) on loans held for investment and will require a reclassification of purchased credit-impaired discount from loans to the allowance for credit losses. The expected increase in the ACL is largely attributable to the longer duration of the real estate portfolios. The ultimate impact to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations of the ASU, at both adoption and each subsequent reporting period, is highly dependent on credit quality, macroeconomic forecasts and conditions, the composition of our loan portfolio and other management judgements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, which has simplified the subsequent measurement of goodwill. Goodwill and other intangibles must be assessed for impairment annually. If an entity’s assessment determines that the fair value of an entity is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill, previously, the measurement of goodwill impairment required that the entity’s identifiable net assets be valued following procedures similar to determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Under ASU 2017-04, goodwill impairment is measured to the extent that the carrying amount of an entity exceeds its fair value. The amendments in this update are effective for the Company’s annual goodwill impairment tests beginning in 2020. The amendments are applied on a prospective basis and the impact from the accounting guidance is highly dependent on changes in financial markets and future events. The Company will monitor indicators of goodwill impairment on a quarterly basis and will record impairment when it is determined to have occurred.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements by requiring that Level 3 fair value disclosures include the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop those fair value measurements. For certain unobservable inputs, an entity may disclose other quantitative information in lieu of the weighted average if the entity determines that other quantitative information would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

In March 2020, various regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (“the agencies”) issued an interagency statement on loan modifications and reporting for financial institutions working with customers affected by the Coronavirus. The interagency statement was effective immediately and impacted accounting for loan modifications. This interagency statement was later revised in April 2020 to clarify the interaction between the original interagency statement and section 4013 of the CARES Act, as well as the agencies’ views on consumer protection considerations. Under Accounting Standards Codification 310-40, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, (“ASC 310-40”), a restructuring of debt constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if the creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. The agencies confirmed with the staff of the FASB that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not to be considered TDRs. This includes short-term (e.g., six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant. Borrowers considered current are those that are less than 30 days past due on their contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented. This interagency guidance is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements; however, this impact cannot be quantified at this time.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The transactions primarily include contract modifications; hedging relationships; and sale or transfer of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. The guidance was effective immediately for the Company and the amendments may be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is in the process of evaluating the guidance, and its effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows has not yet been determined.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-08, Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables-Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. ASU 2020-08 clarifies that the Company should reevaluate whether a callable debt security is within the scope of the guidance of premium amortization of purchased callable debt securities, at each reporting date. If there is no remaining premium or if there are no further call dates the Company shall reset the effective yield using the payment terms of the debt security. ASU 2020-08 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020 and early application is not permitted. The guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

NOTE 2 – SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are listed below.

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2020
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. Government-sponsored entities	$	995	$	34	$	—		$	1,029
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities		581,265		23,605		—			604,870
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities		21,165		—		(81	)		21,084
Corporate		44,508		514		(158	)		44,864
Small Business Administration loan pools		1,227		49		—			1,276
State and political subdivisions		121,262		4,245		(54	)		125,453
	$	770,422	$	28,447	$	(293	)	$	798,576
December 31, 2019
Available-for-sale securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	$	141,082	$	1,261	$	(276	)	$	142,067
	$	141,082	$	1,261	$	(276	)	$	142,067

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity securities and the related gross unrecognized gains and losses are listed in the following table.

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrecognized Gains		Gross Unrecognized Losses			Fair Value
December 31, 2019
Held-to-maturity securities
U.S. Government-sponsored entities	$	1,991	$	23	$	(1	)	$	2,013
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities		593,236		11,272		(536	)		603,972
Corporate		22,992		503		—			23,495
Small Business Administration loan pools		1,478		12		—			1,490
State and political subdivisions		149,362		3,604		(25	)		152,941
	$	769,059	$	15,414	$	(562	)	$	783,911

The tables above present unrecognized gains and losses on held-to-maturity securities since date of designation. During the third quarter of 2020, all held-to-maturity securities were moved to available-for-sale to better manage the Company’s assets and liabilities and to facilitate opportunities to take advantage of changes in the yield curve or other market factors.

The fair value and amortized cost of debt securities at September 30, 2020, by contractual maturity, is shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately.

	Available-for-Sale
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Within one year	$	8,244	$	8,323
One to five years		27,681		28,504
Five to ten years		64,849		66,478
After ten years		88,383		90,401
Mortgage-backed securities		581,265		604,870
Total debt securities	$	770,422	$	798,576

The carrying value of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, was approximately $717,770 at September 30, 2020, and $780,038 at December 31, 2019.

The following tables show 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 September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
September 30, 2020
Available-for-sale securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities	$	18,515	$	(81	)	$	—	$	—		$	18,515	$	(81	)
Corporate		11,795		(158	)		—		—			11,795		(158	)
State and political subdivisions		3,702		(30	)		530		(24	)		4,232		(54	)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	34,012	$	(269	)	$	530	$	(24	)	$	34,542	$	(293	)
December 31, 2019
Available-for-sale securities
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	$	2,017	$	(3	)	$	32,466	$	(273	)	$	34,483	$	(276	)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	2,017	$	(3	)	$	32,466	$	(273	)	$	34,483	$	(276	)

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss			Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
December 31, 2019
Held-to-maturity securities
U.S. Government-sponsored entities	$	—	$	—		$	999	$	(1	)	$	999	$	(1	)
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities		26,246		(51	)		96,987		(639	)		123,233		(690	)
Small Business Administration loan pools		811		(14	)		—		—			811		(14	)
State and political subdivisions		1,771		(4	)		1,354		(21	)		3,125		(25	)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	28,828	$	(69	)	$	99,340	$	(661	)	$	128,168	$	(730	)

The tables above present unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities since the date of purchase, independent of the impact associated with changes in cost basis upon transfer from the available-for-sale designation to the held-to-maturity designation. As of September 30, 2020, the Company held 38 available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position.

Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized into income because the security issuers are of high credit quality, management does not intend to sell, it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities prior to their

anticipated recovery and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates. The fair value is expected to recover as the securities approach maturity.

There were no proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, or 2019.

NOTE 3 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following table lists categories of loans at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Commercial real estate	$	1,188,329		$	1,178,427
Commercial and industrial		857,244			571,647
Residential real estate		402,242			503,439
Agricultural real estate		127,349			141,868
Consumer		67,465			68,378
Agricultural		83,084			92,893
Total loans		2,725,713			2,556,652
Allowance for loan losses		(34,087	)		(12,232	)
Net loans	$	2,691,626		$	2,544,420

Included in the commercial and industrial loan balances at September 30, 2020, are $376,040 of loans that were originated under the SBA PPP program.

From time to time, the Company has purchased pools of residential real estate loans originated by other financial institutions to hold for investment with the intent to diversify the residential real estate portfolio. During the first nine months of 2020, the Company purchased one pool of residential real estate loans totaling $752. As of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, residential real estate loans include $96,917 and $144,554 of purchased residential real estate loans.

The unamortized discount of merger purchase accounting adjustments related to non-purchase credit impaired loans included in the loan totals above are $5,945 with related loans of $402,250 at September 30, 2020, and $8,287 with related loans of $624,747 at December 31, 2019.

Overdraft deposit accounts are reclassified and included in consumer loans above. These accounts totaled $674 at September 30, 2020, and $815 at December 31, 2019.

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses by class for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

September 30, 2020	Commercial Real Estate			Commercial and Industrial			Residential Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer			Agricultural			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	9,467		$	10,168		$	5,315		$	975		$	7,343		$	810		$	34,078
Provision for loan losses		(218	)		1,361			(591	)		468			(158	)		(47	)		815
Loans charged-off		(308	)		(3	)		(153	)		(167	)		(244	)		—			(875	)
Recoveries		1			3			22			5			33			5			69
Total ending allowance balance	$	8,942		$	11,529		$	4,593		$	1,281		$	6,974		$	768		$	34,087

September 30, 2019	Commercial Real Estate			Commercial and Industrial			Residential Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer			Agricultural			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	4,712		$	7,948		$	2,908		$	525		$	1,344		$	340		$	17,777
Provision for loan losses		396			49			(324	)		131			241			186			679
Loans charged-off		(506	)		(18	)		(355	)		(9	)		(313	)		(5	)		(1,206	)
Recoveries		47			17			450			38			73			—			625
Total ending allowance balance	$	4,649		$	7,996		$	2,679		$	685		$	1,345		$	521		$	17,875

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses by class for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

September 30, 2020	Commercial Real Estate			Commercial and Industrial			Residential Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer			Agricultural			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	3,919		$	3,061		$	2,676		$	608		$	1,422		$	546		$	12,232
Provision for loan losses		5,189			8,711			2,203			859			6,076			217			23,255
Loans charged-off		(367	)		(259	)		(312	)		(191	)		(697	)		(1	)		(1,827	)
Recoveries		201			16			26			5			173			6			427
Total ending allowance balance	$	8,942		$	11,529		$	4,593		$	1,281		$	6,974		$	768		$	34,087

September 30, 2019	Commercial Real Estate			Commercial and Industrial			Residential Real Estate			Agricultural Real Estate			Consumer			Agricultural			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	4,662		$	2,707		$	2,320		$	391		$	1,070		$	304		$	11,454
Provision for loan losses		981			13,979			805			299			973			262			17,299
Loans charged-off		(1,114	)		(8,756	)		(934	)		(43	)		(994	)		(47	)		(11,888	)
Recoveries		120			66			488			38			296			2			1,010
Total ending allowance balance	$	4,649		$	7,996		$	2,679		$	685		$	1,345		$	521		$	17,875

The following tables present the recorded investment in loans and the balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio and class based on impairment method as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020	Commercial Real Estate		Commercial and Industrial		Residential Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Agricultural		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	910	$	4,639	$	536	$	776	$	70	$	159	$	7,090
Collectively evaluated for impairment		7,600		5,571		3,930		149		6,904		491		24,645
Purchased credit impaired loans		432		1,319		127		356		—		118		2,352
Total	$	8,942	$	11,529	$	4,593	$	1,281	$	6,974	$	768	$	34,087
Loan Balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	5,017	$	28,434	$	6,378	$	3,111	$	259	$	480	$	43,679
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,176,817		824,265		393,129		120,346		67,186		80,512		2,662,255
Purchased credit impaired loans		6,495		4,545		2,735		3,892		20		2,092		19,779
Total	$	1,188,329	$	857,244	$	402,242	$	127,349	$	67,465	$	83,084	$	2,725,713

December 31, 2019	Commercial Real Estate		Commercial and Industrial		Residential Real Estate		Agricultural Real Estate		Consumer		Agricultural		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	281	$	199	$	303	$	56	$	39	$	57	$	935
Collectively evaluated for impairment		3,581		2,848		2,352		459		1,383		394		11,017
Purchased credit impaired loans		57		14		21		93		—		95		280
Total	$	3,919	$	3,061	$	2,676	$	608	$	1,422	$	546	$	12,232
Loan Balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,375	$	16,335	$	7,358	$	584	$	381	$	518	$	29,551
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,166,106		550,201		493,309		135,776		67,972		90,347		2,503,711
Purchased credit impaired loans		7,946		5,111		2,772		5,508		25		2,028		23,390
Total	$	1,178,427	$	571,647	$	503,439	$	141,868	$	68,378	$	92,893	$	2,556,652

The following table presents information related to impaired loans, excluding purchased credit impaired loans which have not deteriorated since acquisition, by class of loans as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable due to immateriality.

	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance for Loan Losses Allocated		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Allowance for Loan Losses Allocated
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2,166	$	2,150	$	—
Commercial and industrial		19,970		13,857		—		20,152		14,832		—
Residential real estate		4,506		4,235		—		4,395		4,324		—
Agricultural real estate		—		—		—		1,610		1,533		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—		—		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal		24,476		18,092		—		28,323		22,839		—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate		8,006		6,452		1,342		3,469		2,749		338
Commercial and industrial		18,913		18,130		5,958		1,845		1,640		213
Residential real estate		3,346		2,990		663		3,395		3,244		324
Agricultural real estate		7,247		5,812		1,132		1,142		1,015		149
Consumer		281		259		70		430		381		39
Agricultural		1,497		1,010		277		1,619		1,359		152
Subtotal		39,290		34,653		9,442		11,900		10,388		1,215
Total	$	63,766	$	52,745	$	9,442	$	40,223	$	33,227	$	1,215

The tables below present average recorded investment and interest income related to impaired loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019. Interest income recognized in the following table was substantially recognized on the cash basis. The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable due to immateriality.

	As of and for the three months ended
	September 30, 2020				September 30, 2019
	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	18	$	35	$	3,327	$	3
Commercial and industrial		13,857		—		808		—
Residential real estate		4,262		14		7,800		19
Agricultural real estate		—		—		1,750		—
Consumer		—		—		15		—
Agricultural		—		—		161		—
Subtotal		18,137		49		13,861		22
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate		6,324		16		7,032		—
Commercial and industrial		15,483		190		21,066		9
Residential real estate		3,586		2		3,891		20
Agricultural real estate		5,356		28		1,296		2
Consumer		271		3		728		4
Agricultural		1,435		1		1,128		—
Subtotal		32,455		240		35,141		35
Total	$	50,592	$	289	$	49,002	$	57

	As of and for the nine months ended
	September 30, 2020				September 30, 2019
	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	556	$	36	$	7,427	$	82
Commercial and industrial		14,229		23		2,064		5
Residential real estate		4,299		14		4,161		50
Agricultural real estate		566		5		1,804		—
Consumer		—		—		31		—
Agricultural		—		—		300		—
Subtotal		19,650		78		15,787		137
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate		5,667		35		7,140		74
Commercial and industrial		9,507		362		18,528		12
Residential real estate		3,573		5		6,965		28
Agricultural real estate		3,534		34		907		2
Consumer		318		3		772		9
Agricultural		1,401		1		663		2
Subtotal		24,000		440		34,975		127
Total	$	43,650	$	518	$	50,762	$	264

The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, by portfolio and class of loans.

September 30, 2020	30 - 59 Days Past Due		60 - 89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Still On Accrual		Nonaccrual		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Commercial real estate	$	579	$	158	$	—	$	6,452	$	1,181,140	$	1,188,329
Commercial and industrial		254		203		—		31,987		824,800		857,244
Residential real estate		605		2,720		248		7,225		391,444		402,242
Agricultural real estate		—		—		—		5,812		121,537		127,349
Consumer		178		78		—		259		66,950		67,465
Agricultural		70		—		—		1,010		82,004		83,084
Total	$	1,686	$	3,159	$	248	$	52,745	$	2,667,875	$	2,725,713

December 31, 2019	30 - 59 Days Past Due		60 - 89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days Past Due Still On Accrual		Nonaccrual		Loans Not Past Due		Total
Commercial real estate	$	1,191	$	218	$	—	$	6,913	$	1,170,105	$	1,178,427
Commercial and industrial		74		11		—		16,906		554,656		571,647
Residential real estate		831		1,008		—		8,013		493,587		503,439
Agricultural real estate		59		78		—		4,807		136,924		141,868
Consumer		402		138		—		381		67,457		68,378
Agricultural		10		14		—		1,359		91,510		92,893
Total	$	2,567	$	1,467	$	—	$	38,379	$	2,514,239	$	2,556,652

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. Consumer loans are considered pass credits unless downgraded due to payment status or reviewed as part of a larger credit relationship. Loans that participated in the short-term deferral program are not automatically considered classified solely due to a deferral, are subject to ongoing monitoring and will be downgraded or placed on nonaccrual if a noted weakness exists. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings.

Pass: Loans classified as pass include all loans that do not fall under one of the three following categories. These loans are considered unclassified.

Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of the Company’s credit position at some future date. These loans are considered classified.

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These loans are considered classified.

Doubtful: Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. These loans are considered classified.

The risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

September 30, 2020	Unclassified		Classified		Total
Commercial real estate	$	1,180,611	$	7,718	$	1,188,329
Commercial and industrial		814,402		42,842		857,244
Residential real estate		395,017		7,225		402,242
Agricultural real estate		119,977		7,372		127,349
Consumer		67,206		259		67,465
Agricultural		81,317		1,767		83,084
Total	$	2,658,530	$	67,183	$	2,725,713

December 31, 2019	Unclassified		Classified		Total
Commercial real estate	$	1,167,101	$	11,326	$	1,178,427
Commercial and industrial		539,877		31,770		571,647
Residential real estate		495,418		8,021		503,439
Agricultural real estate		132,065		9,803		141,868
Consumer		67,997		381		68,378
Agricultural		88,607		4,286		92,893
Total	$	2,491,065	$	65,587	$	2,556,652

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

The Company has acquired loans, for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and it was probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments would not be collected. The table below lists recorded investments in purchased credit impaired loans as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Contractually required principal payments	$	25,497		$	29,895
Discount		(5,718	)		(6,505	)
Recorded investment	$	19,779		$	23,390

The accretable yield associated with these loans was $2,756 and $3,127 as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. The

interest income recognized on these loans for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019, was $402 and $1,479. The interest income recognized on these loans for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019, was $1,263 and $2,011. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, there was a provision for loan losses of $54 and $2,072 recorded for these loans. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, there was a provision for loan losses of $28 and $191 recorded for these loans.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The Company had troubled debt restructurings with an amortized cost of $15,045 and $15,508 as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. The Company had allocated $367 of allowance for these loans at September 30, 2020. At December 31, 2019, there was no allowance for these loans. At September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, there were no commitments to lend additional amounts on these loans.

There were no loan modifications considered to be troubled debt restructurings that occurred during the three or nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, or 2019.

No restructured loans that were modified within the twelve months preceding September 30, 2020, have subsequently had a payment default. There were no troubled debt restructurings within the twelve months preceding September 30, 2019. Default is determined at 90 or more days past due, charge-off or foreclosure.

As of September 30, 2020, we had 63 deferrals of either the full loan payment or the principal component of the loan payment on outstanding loan balances of $40,232 in connection with the COVID-19 relief provided by the CARES Act. These deferrals were no more than 180 days in duration and were not considered troubled debt restructurings based on interagency guidance issued in March 2020.

NOTE 4 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company is exposed to interest-rate risk primarily from the effect of interest rate changes on its interest-earning assets and its sources of funding these assets. The Company will periodically enter into interest rate swaps or interest rate caps/floors to manage certain interest rate risk exposure.

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Fair Value Hedges

The Company periodically enters into interest rate swaps to hedge the fair value of certain commercial real estate loans. These transactions are designated as fair value hedges. In this type of transaction, the Company typically receives from the counterparty a variable-rate cash flow based on the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a spread to this index and pays a fixed-rate cash flow equal to the customer loan rate. At September 30, 2020, the portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 6.5 years, a weighted average pay rate of 5.19% and a weighted average rate received of 3.22%. At December 31, 2019, the portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 7.3 years, a weighted average pay rate of 5.19% and a weighted average rate received of 4.78%.

Stand-Alone Derivatives

The Company periodically enters into interest rate swaps with our borrowers and simultaneously enters into swaps with a counterparty with offsetting terms for the purpose of providing our borrowers long-term fixed rate loans. Neither swap is designated as a hedge and both are marked to market through earnings. At September 30, 2020, this portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 8.1 years, weighted average pay rate of 4.14% and a weighted average rate received of 4.14%. At December 31, 2019, this portfolio of interest rate swaps had a weighted average maturity of 8.8 years, weighted average pay rate of 4.92% and weighted average rate received of 4.92%.

In 2009, the Company purchased an interest rate cap derivative to assist with interest-rate risk management. This was not designated as a hedging instrument but rather as a stand-alone derivative. During 2019, the interest rate cap derivative matured.

Reconciliation of Derivative Fair Values and Gains/(Losses)

The notional amount of a derivative contract is a factor in determining periodic interest payments or cash flows received or paid. The notional amount of derivatives serves as a level of involvement in various types of derivatives. The notional amount does not represent the Company’s overall exposure to credit or market risk, generally, the exposure is significantly smaller.

The following table shows the notional balances and fair values (including net accrued interest) of the derivatives outstanding by derivative type at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

	September 30, 2020							December 31, 2019
	Notional Amount		Derivative Assets		Derivative Liabilities			Notional Amount		Derivative Assets		Derivative Liabilities
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps	$	5,640	$	—	$	561		$	5,797	$	30	$	177
Total derivatives designated as hedging relationships		5,640		—		561			5,797		30		177
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps		120,015		7,937		8,738			114,571		3,505		3,899
Interest rate caps/floors		—		—		—			—		—		—
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		120,015		7,937		8,738			114,571		3,505		3,899
Total	$	125,655		7,937		9,299		$	120,368		3,535		4,076
Cash collateral				—		(9,401	)				—		(4,186	)
Netting adjustments				102		102					182		182
Net amount presented in Balance Sheet			$	8,039	$	—				$	3,717	$	72

The table below lists designated and qualifying hedged items in fair value hedges at September 30, 2020.

	September 30, 2020
	Carrying Amount		Hedging Fair Value Adjustment		Fair Value Adjustments on Discontinued Hedges
Commercial real estate loans	$	5,640	$	555	$	—
Total	$	5,640	$	555	$	—

The Company reports hedging derivative gains/(losses) as adjustments to loan interest income along with the related net interest settlements and the derivative gains/(losses) and net interest settlements for economic derivatives are reported in other income. For the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019, the Company recorded net gains/(losses) on derivatives and hedging activities.

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019			2020			2019
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—
Total net gain (loss) related to fair value hedges		—		—			—			—
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Economic hedges:
Interest rate swaps		77		(180	)		(407	)		(501	)
Interest rate caps/floors		—		—			—			(1	)
Total net gains (losses) related to derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		77		(180	)		(407	)		(502	)
Net gains (losses) on derivatives and hedging activities	$	77	$	(180	)	$	(407	)	$	(502	)

The following table shows the recorded net gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedging relationships and the impact of those derivatives on the Company’s net interest income for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

	September 30, 2020
	Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives		Gain/(Loss) on Hedged Items			Net Fair Value Hedge Gain/(Loss)		Effect of Derivatives on Net Interest Income
Commercial real estate loans	$	27	$	(27	)	$	—	$	(28	)
Total	$	27	$	(27	)	$	—	$	(28	)

	September 30, 2019
	Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives		Gain/(Loss) on Hedged Items			Net Fair Value Hedge Gain/(Loss)		Effect of Derivatives on Net Interest Income
Commercial real estate loans	$	307	$	(307	)	$	—	$	2
Total	$	307	$	(307	)	$	—	$	2

The following table shows the recorded net gains (losses) on derivatives and the related hedged items in fair value hedging relationships and the impact of those derivatives on the Company’s net interest income for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

	September 30, 2020
	Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives			Gain/(Loss) on Hedged Items		Net Fair Value Hedge Gain/(Loss)		Effect of Derivatives on Net Interest Income
Commercial real estate loans	$	(409	)	$	409	$	—	$	(61	)
Total	$	(409	)	$	409	$	—	$	(61	)

	September 30, 2019
	Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives			Gain/(Loss) on Hedged Items		Net Fair Value Hedge Gain/(Loss)		Effect of Derivatives on Net Interest Income
Commercial real estate loans	$	(489	)	$	489	$	—	$	21
Total	$	(489	)	$	489	$	—	$	21

NOTE 5 – LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Right-of-use asset and lease obligations by type of property for the periods ended September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, are listed below.

	September 30, 2020
Operating Leases	Right-of-Use Asset		Lease Liability		Weighted Average Lease Term in Years		Weighted Average Discount Rate
Land and building leases	$	3,691	$	3,655		16.6		2.98	%
Total operating leases	$	3,691	$	3,655		16.6		2.98	%

	December 31, 2019
Operating Leases	Right-of-Use Asset		Lease Liability		Weighted Average Lease Term in Years		Weighted Average Discount Rate
Land and building leases	$	4,153	$	4,112		16.0		2.95	%
Total operating leases	$	4,153	$	4,112		16.0		2.95	%

Operating lease costs for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019, are listed below.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Operating lease cost	$	184	$	185	$	549	$	540
Short-term lease cost		—		—		—		—
Variable lease cost		3		12		22		35
Total operating lease cost	$	187	$	197	$	571	$	575

There were no sales and leaseback transactions, leverage leases, lease transactions with related parties or leases that had not yet commenced during the three or nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020.

A maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities and reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to the total operating lease liability is listed below.

Lease Payments	September 30, 2020
Due in one year or less	$	492
Due after one year through two years		504
Due after two years through three years		434
Due after three years through four years		240
Due after four years through five years		216
Thereafter		2,886
Total undiscounted cash flows		4,772
Discount on cash flows		(1,117	)
Total operating lease liability	$	3,655

NOTE 6 – BORROWINGS

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements

Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, are listed below.

September 30,

2020

December 31,

2019

Federal funds purchased

—

Retail repurchase agreements

46,295

35,708

The Company has available federal funds lines of credit with its correspondent banks.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (retail repurchase agreements) consist of obligations of the Company to other parties. The obligations are secured by residential mortgage-backed securities held by the Company with a fair value of $51,087 and $40,412 at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. The agreements are on a day-to-day basis and can be terminated on demand.

	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Year-to-date average daily balance during the period	$	44,548		$	42,459
Maximum month-end balance year-to-date	$	53,543		$	45,575
Weighted average interest rate at period-end		0.21	%		0.40	%

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

Federal Home Loan Bank advances as of September 30, 2020, are listed below.

	September 30, 2020		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Term in Years
Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit advances	$	154,000		0.33	%	—
Federal Home Loan Bank fixed-rate term advances		13,821		2.19	%		1.9
Total principal outstanding		167,821
Merger purchase accounting adjustment		41
Total Federal Home Loan Bank advances	$	167,862

Federal Home Loan Bank advances as of December 31, 2019, are listed below.

	December 31, 2019		Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Term in Years
Federal Home Loan Bank line of credit advances	$	311,223		1.79	%	—
Federal Home Loan Bank fixed-rate term advances		13,095		2.80	%		2.7
Total principal outstanding		324,318
Merger purchase accounting adjustment		55
Total Federal Home Loan Bank advances	$	324,373

The advances, Mortgage Partnership Finance credit enhancement obligations and letters of credit were collateralized by certain qualifying loans totaling $785,177 and $811,394 at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. Based on this collateral and the Company’s holdings of Federal Home Loan Bank stock, the Company was eligible to borrow an additional $568,848 and $448,278 at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

Federal Reserve Bank discount window

At September 30, 2020, to support the $275,635 borrowing capacity from the Federal Reserve Bank, the Company has pledged loans with an outstanding balance of $282,617 and securities with a fair value of $66,695. No borrowings were secured from this facility at periods ended September 30, 2020, or 2019.

Bank stock loan

On March 13, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated financial institution that provided for a maximum borrowing facility of $30,000, secured by the Company’s stock in Equity Bank. The borrowing facility was amended on March 11, 2019, to provide a maximum borrowing facility of $40,000 and extend the maturity to May 15, 2020. The loan was extended to August 15, 2020, and subsequently renewed and amended on June 30, 2020, with a maturity date of August 15, 2021. Each draw of funds on the facility will create a separate note that is repayable over a term of five years. Each note will bear interest at the greater of a variable interest rate equal to the prime rate published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal (or any generally recognized successor), floating daily, or a floor of 3.50%. Accrued interest and principal payments will be due quarterly with one final payment of unpaid principal and interest due at the end of the five-year term of each separate note. The Company is also required to pay an unused commitment fee in an amount equal to 20 basis points per annum on the unused portion of the maximum borrowing facility.

On September 30, 2020, there was no outstanding principal balance on the bank stock loan.

Bank stock loan advances as of December 31, 2019, are listed below.

December 31,

2019

Weighted Average Rate

Weighted Average Term in Years

Bank stock loan

8,990

4.75

3.7

The terms of the borrowing facility require the Company and Equity Bank to maintain minimum capital ratios, and other covenants. In the event of default, the lender has the option to declare all outstanding balances immediately due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the lender has granted the Company a waiver with reference to the return on assets ratio covenant contained within our loan contract. The Company was in compliance with all other terms of the borrowing facility.

Subordinated debt

Subordinated debt as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, are listed below.

	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Subordinated debentures	$	14,793	$	14,561
Subordinated notes		72,744		—
Total	$	87,537	$	14,561

Subordinated debentures

In conjunction with prior acquisitions, the Company assumed certain subordinated debentures owed to special purpose unconsolidated subsidiaries that are controlled by the Company. These subordinated debentures have the same terms as the trust preferred securities issued by the special purpose unconsolidated subsidiaries.

FCB Capital Trust II (“CTII”): The trust preferred securities issued by CTII accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 2.00% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on April 15, 2035, or upon earlier redemption.

FCB Capital Trust III (“CTIII”): The trust preferred securities issued by CTIII accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 1.89% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on June 15, 2037, or upon earlier redemption.

Community First (AR) Statutory Trust I (“CFSTI”): The trust preferred securities issued by CFSTI accrue and pay distributions quarterly at three-month LIBOR plus 3.25% on the stated liquidation amount of the trust securities. These trust preferred securities are mandatorily redeemable upon maturity on December 26, 2032, or upon earlier redemption.

Subordinated debentures as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, are listed below.

	September 30, 2020			Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Term in Years
CTII subordinated debentures	$	10,310			2.24	%		14.5
CTIII subordinated debentures		5,155			2.14	%		16.7
CFSTI subordinated debentures		5,155			3.48	%		12.2
Total contractual balance		20,620
Fair market value adjustments		(5,827	)
Total subordinated debentures	$	14,793

	December 31, 2019			Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Term in Years
CTII subordinated debentures	$	10,310			3.99	%	15.3
CTIII subordinated debentures		5,155			3.78	%		17.5
CFSTI subordinated debentures		5,155			5.20	%		13.0
Total contractual balance		20,620
Fair market value adjustments		(6,059	)
Total subordinated debentures	$	14,561

Subordinated notes

On June 29, 2020, the Company entered into Subordinated Note Purchase Agreements with certain qualified institutional buyers and institutional accredited investors pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $42,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated notes due 2030. The notes were issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2020 (the “Indenture”), by and between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee. The notes will mature on June 30, 2030. From June 29, 2020, through June 29, 2025, the Company will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on June 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing on December 30, 2020, at a fixed interest rate of 7.00%. Beginning June 30, 2025, the notes convert to a floating interest rate, to be reset quarterly, equal to the then-current Three-Month Term SOFR, as defined in the Indenture, plus 688 basis points. Interest payments during the floating-rate period will be paid quarterly in arrears on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30 of each year, commencing on September 30, 2025. On July 23, 2020, the Company closed on an additional $33,000 of subordinated notes with the same terms as the June 29, 2020, issue.

Subordinated notes as of September 30, 2020, are listed below.

	September 30, 2020			Weighted Average Rate			Weighted Average Term in Years
Subordinated notes	$	75,000			7.00	%		9.8
Total principal outstanding		75,000
Debt issuance cost		(2,256	)
Total subordinated notes	$	72,744

Future principal repayments

Future principal repayments of the September 30, 2020, outstanding balances are as follows.

	Retail Repurchase Agreements		FHLB Advances		Subordinated Debentures		Subordinated Notes		Total
Due in one year or less	$	46,295	$	159,357	$	—	$	—	$	205,652
Due after one year through two years		—		2,357		—		—		2,357
Due after two years through three years		—		2,357		—		—		2,357
Due after three years through four years		—		2,107		—		—		2,107
Due after four years through five years		—		1,643		—		—		1,643
Thereafter		—		—		20,620		75,000		95,620
Total	$	46,295	$	167,821	$	20,620	$	75,000	$	309,736

NOTE 7 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred stock

The Company’s articles of incorporation provide for the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. At September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, there was no preferred stock outstanding.

Common stock

The Company’s articles of incorporation provide for the issuance of 45,000,000 shares of Class A voting common stock (“Class A common stock”) and 5,000,000 shares of Class B non-voting common stock (“Class B common stock”), both of which have a par value of $0.01 per share.

The following table presents shares that were issued and were held in treasury or were outstanding at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Class A common stock – issued		17,224,530			17,136,493
Class A common stock – held in treasury		(2,371,043	)		(1,692,059	)
Class A common stock – outstanding		14,853,487			15,444,434
Class B common stock – issued		234,903			234,903
Class B common stock – held in treasury		(234,903	)		(234,903	)
Class B common stock – outstanding		—			—

On January 27, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Equity Bancshares, Inc. 2019 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and reserved 500,000 shares of common stock for issuance. The ESPP was approved by the Company’s stockholders on April 24, 2019. The ESPP enables eligible employees to purchase the Company’s common stock at a price per share equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock at the beginning or end of each offering period. The following table presents the offering periods and costs associated with this program.

Offering Period	Shares Purchased		Cost Per Share		Compensation Expense
February 15, 2019 to August 14, 2019		19,221	$	21.07	$	72
August 15, 2019 to February 14, 2020		16,764		21.11		63
February 15, 2020 to August 14, 2020		17,829		13.61		43

Treasury stock is stated at cost, determined by the first-in, first-out method.

On April 18, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,100,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, from time to time, beginning April 29, 2019, and concluding October 30, 2020. The repurchase program did not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and it could be extended, modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Under this program, during the third quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased a total of 383,523 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a weighted average price paid of $15.48 per share. Since the inception of the repurchase program, the total authorized amount of 1,100,000 shares have been repurchased at a weighted average price paid of $21.54.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

At September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of (i) the after-tax effect of unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities and (ii) the after-tax effect of unamortized unrealized gains (losses) on securities transferred from the available-for-sale designation to the held-to-maturity designation.

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, are listed below.

	Available-for- Sale Securities			Held-to- Maturity Securities			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
September 30, 2020
Net unrealized or unamortized gains (losses)	$	28,154		$	—		$	28,154
Tax effect		(7,080	)		—			(7,080	)
	$	21,074		$	—		$	21,074
December 31, 2019
Net unrealized or unamortized gains (losses)	$	985		$	(988	)	$	(3	)
Tax effect		(248	)		248			—
	$	737		$	(740	)	$	(3	)

NOTE 8 – REGULATORY MATTERS

Banks and bank holding companies (on a consolidated basis) are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. The final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks (Basel III rules) became effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and became fully phased in January 1, 2019. The Basel III rules require banks to maintain a Common Equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5%, a total Tier 1 capital ratio of 8%, a total capital ratio of 10% and a leverage ratio of 5% to be deemed “well capitalized” for purposes of certain rules and prompt corrective action requirements. The risk-based ratios include a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% which can limit certain activities of an institution, including payment of dividends, share repurchases and discretionary bonuses to executive officers, if its capital level is below the buffer amount. Management believes as of September 30, 2020, the Company and Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as are asset growth and acquisitions, and capital restoration plans are required.

As of September 30, 2020, the most recent notifications from the federal regulatory agencies categorized Equity Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, Equity Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table below. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed Equity Bank’s category.

The Company’s and Equity Bank’s capital amounts and ratios at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, are presented in the table below. Ratios provided for Equity Bancshares, Inc. represent the ratios of the Company on a consolidated basis.

	Actual					Minimum Required for Capital Adequacy Under Basel III					To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
September 30, 2020
Total capital to risk weighted assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.	$	454,222		17.35	%	$	274,873		10.50	%	$	N/A	N/A
Equity Bank		402,785		15.41	%		274,446		10.50	%		261,377		10.00	%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.		348,738		13.32	%		222,516		8.50	%	N/A		N/A
Equity Bank		370,095		14.16	%		222,171		8.50	%		209,102		8.00	%
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.		333,945		12.76	%		183,249		7.00	%	N/A		N/A
Equity Bank		370,095		14.16	%		182,964		7.00	%		169,895		6.50	%
Tier 1 leverage to average assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.		348,738		8.76	%		159,167		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
Equity Bank		370,095		9.31	%		158,967		4.00	%		198,709		5.00	%
December 31, 2019
Total capital to risk weighted assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.	$	352,853		12.59	%	$	294,341		10.50	%	$	N/A	N/A
Equity Bank		348,951		12.47	%		293,917		10.50	%		279,921		10.00	%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.		340,621		12.15	%		238,276		8.50	%	N/A		N/A
Equity Bank		336,719		12.03	%		237,933		8.50	%		223,937		8.00	%
Common equity Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.		326,060		11.63	%		196,227		7.00	%	N/A		N/A
Equity Bank		336,719		12.03	%		195,945		7.00	%		181,949		6.50	%
Tier 1 leverage to average assets
Equity Bancshares, Inc.		340,621		9.02	%		151,072		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
Equity Bank		336,719		8.92	%		150,943		4.00	%		188,679		5.00	%

Equity Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may declare without prior regulatory approval.

NOTE 9 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following table presents earnings (loss) per share for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

	Three months ended					Nine months ended
	September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020			September 30, 2019
Basic:
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	(90,405	)	$	10,406	$	(87,458	)	$	15,565
Weighted average common shares outstanding		15,040,386			15,513,969		15,210,856			15,677,972
Weighted average vested restricted stock units		21			73		1,045			1,584
Weighted average shares		15,040,407			15,514,042		15,211,901			15,679,556
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	(6.01	)	$	0.67	$	(5.75	)	$	0.99
Diluted:
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	(90,405	)	$	10,406	$	(87,458	)	$	15,565
Weighted average common shares outstanding for:
Basic earnings per common share		15,040,407			15,514,042		15,211,901			15,679,556
Dilutive effects of the assumed exercise of stock options		—			178,285		—			201,024
Dilutive effects of the assumed vesting of restricted stock units		—			15,711		—			16,025
Average shares and dilutive potential common shares		15,040,407			15,708,038		15,211,901			15,896,605
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(6.01	)	$	0.66	$	(5.75	)	$	0.98

Dilutive shares not included above due to the net loss in the period.

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Dilutive effects of the assumed exercise of stock options		50,376		—		96,125		—
Dilutive effects of the assumed vesting of restricted stock units		32,428		—		29,486		—
Dilutive effects of the assumed exercise of ESPP purchases		2,043		—		3,289		—
Total dilutive shares		84,847		—		128,900		—

Average shares not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because they were antidilutive are shown in the following table.

	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019		September 30, 2020		September 30, 2019
Stock options		483,181		347,528		408,300		315,522
Restricted stock units		226,139		141,693		181,344		2,197
Total antidilutive shares		709,320		489,221		589,644		317,719

NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE

The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to disclose the fair value of its financial instruments. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. For disclosure purposes, the Company groups its financial and non-financial assets and liabilities into three different levels based on the nature of the instrument and the availability and reliability of the information that is used to determine fair value. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values are defined as follows.

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

Level 1 inputs are considered to be the most transparent and reliable. The Company assumes the use of the principal market to conduct a transaction of each particular asset or liability being measured and then considers the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. Whenever possible, the Company first looks for quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (Level 1 inputs) to value each asset or liability. However, when inputs from identical assets or liabilities on active markets are not available, the Company utilizes market observable data for similar assets and liabilities. The Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and limits the use of unobservable inputs to occasions when observable inputs are not available. The need to use unobservable inputs generally results from the lack of market liquidity of the actual financial instrument or of the underlying collateral. Although, in some instances, third party price indications may be available, limited trading activity can challenge the implied value of those quotations.

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of each instrument under the hierarchy.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

The fair values of securities available-for-sale and equity securities with readily determinable fair value are carried at fair value on a recurring basis. To the extent possible, observable quoted prices in an active market are used to determine fair value and, as such, these securities are classified as Level 1. For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities, generally determined by matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). The Company’s available-for-sale securities, including U.S. Government sponsored entity securities, residential mortgage-backed securities (all of which are issued or guaranteed by government sponsored agencies), corporate securities, Small Business Administration securities, and State and Political Subdivision securities are classified as Level 2.

The fair values of derivatives are determined based on a valuation pricing model using readily available observable market parameters such as interest rate yield curves (Level 2 inputs) adjusted for credit risk attributable to the seller of the interest rate derivative. Cash collateral received from or delivered to a derivative counterparty is classified as Level 1.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following table.

	September 30, 2020
	(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. Government-sponsored entities	$	—		$	1,029	$	—
Mortgage backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage backed securities		—			604,870		—
Private label residential mortgage backed securities		—			21,084		—
Corporate		—			44,864		—
Small Business Administration loan pools		—			1,276		—
State and political subdivisions		—			125,453		—
Derivative assets:
Derivative assets (included in other assets)		—			7,937		—
Cash collateral held by counterparty and netting adjustments		102			—		—
Total derivative assets		102			7,937		—
Other assets:
Equity securities with readily determinable fair value		501			—		—
Total other assets		501			—		—
Total assets	$	603		$	806,513	$	—
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities:
Derivative liabilities (included in other liabilities)	$	—		$	9,299	$	—
Cash collateral held by counterparty and netting adjustments		(9,299	)		—		—
Total derivative liabilities		(9,299	)		9,299		—
Total liabilities	$	(9,299	)	$	9,299	$	—

	December 31, 2019
	(Level 1)			(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities:
Mortgage backed securities
Government-sponsored redisential mortgage backed securities	$	—		$	142,067	$	—
Derivative assets:
Derivative assets (included in other assets)		—			3,535		—
Cash collateral held by counterparty and netting adjustments		182			—		—
Total derivative assets		182			3,535		—
Other assets:
Equity securities with readily determinable fair value		489			—		—
Total other assets		489			—		—
Total assets	$	671		$	145,602	$	—
Liabilities:
Derivative liabilities:
Derivative liabilities (included in other liabilities)	$	—		$	4,076	$	—
Cash collateral held by counterparty		(4,004	)		—		—
Total derivative liabilities		(4,004	)		4,076		—
Total liabilities	$	(4,004	)	$	4,076	$	—

There were no material transfers between levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, or the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of a level as of the end of a reporting period.

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-recurring Basis

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when there is evidence of impairment. The fair value of impaired securities is determined as discussed previously for available-for-sale securities. The fair values of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses are generally based on recent real estate appraisals of the collateral less estimated cost to sell. Declines in the fair values of other real estate owned subsequent to their initial acquisitions are also based on recent real estate appraisals less estimated selling costs.

Real estate appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. We routinely value loans other than real estate as multiples of earnings or with the discounted cash flow approach and adjustments are made to observable market data to make the valuation consistent with the underlying credit. Such adjustments made to real estate appraisals and other loan valuations are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are summarized below.

	September 30, 2020
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Impaired loans:
Commercial real estate	$	—	$	—	$	5,110
Commercial and industrial		5,193		—		6,979
Residential real estate		—		—		2,327
Agricultural real estate		—		—		4,680
Other		—		—		922
Other real estate owned:
Commercial real estate		—		—		4,956
Residential real estate		—		—		671

	December 31, 2019
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Impaired loans:
Commercial real estate	$	—	$	—	$	2,411
Commercial and industrial		—		—		15,688
Residential real estate		—		—		2,920
Agricultural real estate		—		—		866
Other		—		—		1,549
Other real estate owned:
Commercial real estate		—		—		1,268
Residential real estate		—		—		42

The Company did not record any liabilities for which the fair value was measured on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2020, or at December 31, 2019.

Valuations of impaired loans and other real estate owned utilize third party appraisals or broker price opinions and were classified as Level 3 due to the significant judgment involved. Appraisals may include the utilization of unobservable inputs, subjective factors and quantitative data to estimate fair market value.

The following table presents additional information about the unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of financial assets measured on a nonrecurring basis that were categorized with Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (weighted average) or Multiple of Earnings
September 30, 2020
Impaired real estate loans	$	20,018	Sales Comparison Approach	Adjustments for differences between comparable sales with additional 15.00% stress	6% - 26% (16%)
Impaired other real estate owned	$	5,627	Sales Comparison Approach	Adjustments for differences between comparable sales with additional 13.29% stress	8% - 45% (26%)
December 31, 2019
Impaired real estate loans	$	9,173	Sales Comparison Approach	Adjustments for differences between comparable sales	3% - 12% (8%)
Impaired other loans	$	14,261	Multiple of Earnings	Multiples of earnings for comparable entities	4.5X - 5.5X (5X)
Impaired other real estate owned	$	1,310	Sales Comparison Approach	Adjustments for differences between comparable sales	10% - 55% (32%)

Carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments at period end were as follows.

	September 30, 2020
	Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	65,839		$	65,839		$	65,839		$	—	$	—
Interest-bearing time deposits in other banks		499			499			—			499		—
Available-for-sale securities		798,576			798,576			—			798,576		—
Loans held for sale		9,053			9,053			—			9,053		—
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses		2,691,626			2,572,807			—			—		2,572,807
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock		32,545		N/A			N/A			N/A		N/A
Interest receivable		18,110			18,110			—			18,110		—
Derivative assets		7,937			7,937			—			7,937		—
Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments		102			102			102			—		—
Total derivative assets		8,039			8,039			102			7,937		—
Equity securities with readily determinable fair value		501			501			501			—		—
Total assets	$	3,624,788		$	3,473,424		$	66,442		$	834,175	$	2,572,807
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	3,133,618		$	3,138,015		$	—		$	3,138,015	$	—
Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		46,295			46,295			—			46,295		—
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		167,862			168,400			—			168,400		—
Subordinated debt		87,537			87,537			—			87,537		—
Contractual obligations		5,478			5,478			—			5,478		—
Interest payable		2,894			2,894			—			2,894		—
Derivative liabilities		9,299			9,299			—			9,299		—
Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments		(9,299	)		(9,299	)		(9,299	)		—		—
Total derivative liabilities		—			—			(9,299	)		9,299		—
Total liabilities	$	3,443,684		$	3,448,619		$	(9,299	)	$	3,457,918	$	—

	December 31, 2019
	Carrying Amount			Estimated Fair Value			Level 1			Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	89,291		$	89,291		$	89,291		$	—	$	—
Interest-bearing time deposits in other banks		2,498			2,498			—			2,498		—
Available-for-sale securities		142,067			142,067			—			142,067		—
Held-to-maturity securities		769,059			783,911			—			783,911		—
Loans held for sale		5,933			5,933			—			5,933		—
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses		2,544,420			2,538,209			—			—		2,538,209
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock		31,137		N/A			N/A			N/A		N/A
Interest receivable		15,738			15,738			—			15,738		—
Derivative assets		3,535			3,535			—			3,535		—
Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments		182			182			182			—		—
Total derivative assets		3,717			3,717			182			3,535		—
Equity securities with readily determinable fair value		489			489			489			—		—
Total assets	$	3,604,349		$	3,581,853		$	89,962		$	953,682	$	2,538,209
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	3,063,516		$	3,070,305		$	—		$	3,070,305	$	—
Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		35,708			35,708			—			35,708		—
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		324,373			324,373			—			324,373		—
Bank stock loan		8,990			8,990			—			8,990		—
Subordinated debt		14,561			14,561			—			14,561		—
Contractual obligations		5,836			5,836			—			5,836		—
Interest payable		4,454			4,454			—			4,454		—
Derivative liabilities		4,076			4,076			—			4,076		—
Cash collateral held by derivative counterparty and netting adjustments		(4,004	)		(4,004	)		(4,004	)		—		—
Total derivative liabilities		72			72			(4,004	)		4,076		—
Total liabilities	$	3,457,510		$	3,464,299		$	(4,004	)	$	3,468,303	$	—

The fair value of off-balance-sheet items is not considered material.

NOTE 11 – COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK

The Company extends credit for commercial real estate mortgages, residential mortgages, working capital financing and loans to businesses and consumers.

Commitments to Originate Loans and Available Lines of Credit

Commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments and lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments and lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment and lines of credit amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate. Mortgage loans in the process of origination represent amounts that the Company plans to fund within a normal period of 60 to 90 days, and which are intended for sale to investors in the secondary market.

The contractual amounts of commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, were as follows.

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Fixed Rate		Variable Rate		Fixed Rate		Variable Rate
Commitments to make loans	$	50,686	$	93,720	$	41,916	$	141,685
Mortgage loans in the process of origination		15,272		2,767		9,200		2,473
Unused lines of credit		86,836		168,516		95,866		150,749

The fixed rate loan commitments have interest rates ranging from 2.40% to 7.51% and maturities ranging from 1 month to 121 months.

Standby Letters of Credit

Standby letters of credit are irrevocable commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party once specified pre-conditions are met. Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing, and similar transactions. Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

The contractual amounts of standby letters of credit as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, were as follows.

September 30, 2020

December 31, 2019

Fixed

Rate

Variable

Rate

Fixed

Rate

Variable

Rate

Standby letters of credit

2,988

3,343

2,877

3,352

NOTE 12 – LEGAL MATTERS

The Company is party to various matters of litigation in the ordinary course of business. The Company periodically reviews all outstanding pending or threatened legal proceedings and determines if such matters will have an adverse effect on the business, financial condition or results of operations or cash flows. A loss contingency is recorded when the outcome is probable and reasonably able to be estimated. The following loss contingency has been identified by the Company as reasonably possible to result in an unfavorable outcome for the Company or the Bank.

Equity Bank is a party to a February 3, 2015, lawsuit filed against it by CitiMortgage, Inc. (“Citi”). The lawsuit involves an alleged breach of contract related to loan repurchase obligations and damages of $2,700 plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest. In January 2018, judgment was entered by the court dismissing Citi’s claims with regard to six loans and holding Equity Bank liable with regard to six loans. A loss contingency of $477 was recorded at December 31, 2017, in connection with this case. Subsequently, Citi appealed the court’s decision. On November 6, 2019, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision affirming the trial court’s findings dismissing Citi’s claims with regard to six loans and holding Equity Bank liable with regard to six loans. Citi unsuccessfully sought en banc review of the portion of the Court’s ruling in Equity Bank’s favor. As a result of the Eighth Circuit’s ruling, Equity Bank will be required to satisfy the total judgment of $1,474, but shall be entitled to a reassignment of loans in which there is existing collateral. At the time of the January 2018 judgment, Citi held four loans with collateral having a total balance of $1,129; however, at this time, the Company has not yet received actual transfer of the loans or been required to pay the judgment and does not have access to up to date loan information, such as, loan balance, loan status or collateral value to reassess the loss contingency that was recorded at December 31, 2017.

Except for the above-mentioned lawsuit, there are no other outstanding claims for potential repurchase or indemnification demands regarding mortgage loans originated by Equity Bank and sold to investors. However, the Company believes there is possible risk it may face similar demands based on comparable demands loan aggregators are facing from their investors, including Government Sponsored Entities such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and or settlement agreements loan aggregators have entered into with those investors. The amount of potential loss and outcome of such possible litigation, if it were commenced, is uncertain and the Company would vigorously contest any claims.

On May 13, 2019, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a putative securities class action lawsuit in federal court in the Southern District of New York against the Company and certain of its executive officers. On August 16, 2019, the court appointed lead plaintiffs and on October 15, 2019, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased Company securities between April 20, 2018, and April 23, 2019. Plaintiffs allege that the Company made materially misleading statements about the Company’s financial results, business, operations and prospects starting on April 20, 2018, that these statements caused the Company’s securities to be overvalued and that the “truth” came out on January 24, 2019, when the Company disclosed that a credit relationship was downgraded and further on April 22, 2019, when the Company disclosed a $14,500 provision for loan loss against that credit relationship. On December 6, 2019, the Company filed a motion to dismiss all claims in the lawsuit. On October 14, 2020, the court issued a ruling in favor of the Company finding that the case had no merit and dismissing all claims with prejudice. The plaintiffs have 30 days to appeal the adverse ruling. At this time, the Company is confident the outcome will be resolved in favor of the Company.

NOTE 13 – REVENUE RECOGNITION

The majority of the Company’s revenues come from interest income on financial instruments, including loans, leases, securities and derivatives, which are outside the scope of ASC 606. The Company’s services that fall within the scope of ASC 606 are presented with non-interest income and are recognized as revenue as the Company satisfies its obligation to the customer. Services within the scope of ASC 606 include service charges and fees on deposits, debit card income, investment referral income, insurance sales commissions and other non-interest income related to loans and deposits.

Except for gains or losses from the sale of other real estate owned, all of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers within the scope of ASC 606 is recognized in non-interest income. The following table presents the Company’s sources of non-interest income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Non-interest income
Service charges and fees	$	1,706	$	2,268	$	5,097	$	6,431
Debit card income		2,491		2,205		6,735		6,129
Mortgage banking^(a)		877		820		2,298		1,699
Increase in bank-owned life insurance^(a)		489		507		1,452		1,494
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions^(a)		—		4		12		17
Other
Investment referral income		163		165		461		489
Trust income		128		61		283		181
Insurance sales commissions		42		61		71		106
Recovery on zero-basis purchased loans^(a)		10		28		116		106
Income from equity method investments^(a)		3		10		3		23
Other non-interest income related to loans and deposits		539		440		756		1,659
Other non-interest income not related to loans and deposits^(a)		37		3		239		13
Total other non-interest income		922		768		1,929		2,577
Total	$	6,485	$	6,572	$	17,523	$	18,347
^(a) Not within the scope of ASC 606.

NOTE 14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On October 22, 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City advised the Company that it had no objection to the Company’s authorization of its repurchase of up to 800,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Voting Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, from time to time, beginning October 30, 2020, and concluding October 29, 2021. This follows the completion of a previously authorized 2019 repurchase program in which the Company repurchased 1,100,000 shares at a total cost of $23,695, or an average of $21.54 per share. The Company may repurchase shares in privately negotiated transactions, in the open market, including pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or otherwise in a manner that complies with applicable federal securities laws. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire a specific dollar amount or number of shares and it may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time without notice.

At the close of business on October 23, 2020, Equity Bank acquired the assets and assumed the deposit liabilities of Almena State Bank (“ASB”), with locations in Almena and Norton, Kansas, pursuant to a Purchase and Assumption Agreement facilitated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Information necessary to recognize the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed remains incomplete. At September 30, 2020, ASB reported total assets of $65,733, which includes total loans of $49,855 and securities of $7,412. Total deposit liabilities reported were $64,941.

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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020, and our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Also, see the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A: Risk Factors” included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Item 1A of this Quarterly Report. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

This discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation includes the following sections:

•

Overview – a general description of our business and financial highlights;

•

Critical Accounting Policies – a discussion of accounting policies that require critical estimates and assumptions;

•

Recent Developments – a discussion of COVID-19 and the CARES Act

•

Results of Operations – an analysis of our operating results, including disclosures about the sustainability of our earnings;

•

Financial Condition – an analysis of our financial position;

•

Liquidity and Capital Resources – an analysis of our cash flows and capital position; and

•

Non-GAAP Financial Measures – a reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

Overview

We are a bank holding company headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Our wholly owned banking subsidiary, Equity Bank, provides a broad range of financial services primarily to businesses and business owners as well as individuals through our network of 49 full-service banking sites located in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. As of September 30, 2020, we had consolidated total assets of $3.87 billion, total loans held for investment of $2.69 billion, net of allowances, total deposits of $3.13 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $402.2 million. Due to a goodwill impairment charge of $104.8 million during the third quarter of 2020, there was net loss of $90.4 million and $87.5 million for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020. During the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019, net income was $10.4 million and $15.6 million.

Selected Financial Data for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts).

	September 30, 2020			June 30, 2020			March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			September 30, 2019
Statement of Income Data (for the quarterly period ended)
Interest and dividend income	$	37,082		$	37,933		$	40,557		$	42,984		$	44,549
Interest expense		4,975			5,042			8,462			10,579			13,023
Net interest income		32,107			32,891			32,095			32,405			31,526
Provision for loan losses		815			12,500			9,940			1,055			679
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions		—			4			8			(3	)		4
Other non-interest income		6,485			5,728			5,298			6,644			6,568
Goodwill impairment		104,831			—			—			—			—
Other non-interest expense		26,004			23,937			25,758			24,846			24,223
Income (loss) before income taxes		(93,058	)		2,186			1,703			13,145			13,196
Provision for income taxes		(2,653	)		497			445			3,131			2,790
Net income (loss)		(90,405	)		1,689			1,258			10,014			10,406
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders		(90,405	)		1,689			1,258			10,014			10,406
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	(6.01	)	$	0.11		$	0.08		$	0.65		$	0.67
Diluted earnings (loss)per share	$	(6.01	)	$	0.11		$	0.08		$	0.64		$	0.66
Balance Sheet Data (at period end)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	65,839		$	178,290		$	142,252		$	89,291		$	168,053
Available-for-sale securities		798,576			177,228			187,812			142,067			152,680
Held-to-maturity securities		—			662,522			721,992			769,059			764,163
Loans held for sale		9,053			4,802			6,494			5,933			8,784
Gross loans held for investment		2,725,713			2,806,334			2,507,123			2,556,652			2,600,924
Allowance for loan losses		34,087			34,078			21,915			12,232			17,875
Loans held for investment, net of allowance for loan losses		2,691,626			2,772,256			2,485,208			2,544,420			2,583,049
Goodwill and core deposit intangibles, net		48,702			154,563			155,537			156,339			157,159
Other intangible assets, net		1,142			1,154			1,167			1,179			1,191
Total assets		3,865,571			4,205,269			3,943,832			3,949,578			4,074,663
Total deposits		3,133,618			3,247,267			2,960,397			3,063,516			3,106,929
Borrowings		301,694			452,032			481,371			383,632			480,000
Total liabilities		3,463,399			3,725,503			3,466,481			3,471,518			3,607,613
Total stockholders’ equity		402,172			479,766			477,351			478,060			467,050
Tangible common equity*		352,328			324,049			320,647			320,542			308,700
Performance ratios
Return on average assets (ROAA) annualized		(8.90	)%		0.16	%		0.13	%		1.01	%		1.02	%
Return on average equity (ROAE) annualized		(74.45	)%		1.40	%		1.05	%		8.39	%		8.91	%
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) annualized*		(108.31	)%		3.03	%		2.35	%		13.42	%		14.38	%
Yield on loans annualized		4.65	%		4.68	%		5.47	%		5.67	%		5.70	%
Cost of interest-bearing deposits annualized		0.50	%		0.63	%		1.09	%		1.32	%		1.56	%
Net interest margin annualized		3.47	%		3.49	%		3.67	%		3.61	%		3.42	%
Efficiency ratio*		67.38	%		61.98	%		68.88	%		63.63	%		63.59	%
Non-interest income / average assets annualized		0.64	%		0.55	%		0.55	%		0.67	%		0.65	%
Non-interest expense / average assets annualized		12.88	%		2.31	%		2.66	%		2.51	%		2.38	%
Capital Ratios
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio		8.76	%		8.52	%		9.02	%		9.02	%		8.49	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio		12.76	%		12.02	%		11.67	%		11.63	%		11.08	%
Tier 1 Risk Based Capital Ratio		13.32	%		12.57	%		12.20	%		12.15	%		11.59	%

Total Risk Based Capital Ratio		17.35	%		15.33	%		13.00	%		12.59	%		12.21	%
Equity / Assets		10.40	%		11.41	%		12.10	%		12.10	%		11.46	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets*		9.23	%		8.00	%		8.47	%		8.45	%		7.88	%
Book value per share	$	27.08		$	31.53		$	31.41		$	30.95		$	30.25
Tangible common book value per share*	$	23.72		$	21.29		$	21.10		$	20.75		$	19.99
Tangible common book value per diluted share*	$	23.57		$	21.13		$	20.96		$	20.39		$	19.73

* The value noted is considered a Non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies are integral to understanding the results reported. Our accounting policies are described in detail in Note 1 to the December 31, 2019, audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020. There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies since that time. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity. We have identified the following accounting policies and estimates that, due to the difficult, subjective or complex judgments and assumptions inherent in those policies and estimates and the potential sensitivity of our financial statements to those judgments and assumptions, are critical to an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. We believe that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements are appropriate.

Loans and allowance for loan losses: The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. A loan review process, independent of the loan approval process, is utilized by management to verify loans are being made and administered in accordance with company policy, to review loan risk grades and potential losses, to verify that potential problem loans are receiving adequate and timely corrective measures to avoid or reduce losses and to assist in the verification of the adequacy of the loan loss reserve. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported net at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the sale of the collateral. Troubled debt restructurings are separately identified for impairment disclosures and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral. For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, we determine the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest due according to the terms of the loan agreement. All loans are individually evaluated for impairment. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or on the value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. We evaluate the collectability of both principal and interest when assessing the need for a loss accrual.

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.

The general component of the allowance for loan losses covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio and class and is based on the actual loss history experienced by us. This actual loss experience is then adjusted by comparing current conditions to the conditions that existed during the loss history. We consider the changes related to (i) lending policies, (ii) economic conditions, (iii) nature and volume of the loan portfolio and class, (iv) lending staff, (v) volume and severity of past due, non-accrual and risk graded loans, (vi) loan review system, (vii) value of underlying collateral for collateral dependent loans, (viii) concentration levels and (ix) effects of other external factors.

Goodwill Impairment: Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment and any such impairment is recognized and expensed in the period identified. We have selected December 31 as the date to perform our annual goodwill impairment test;

however, if during the year we become aware of quantitative or qualitative data that suggest goodwill impairment may have occurred, we will test on an interim basis as well. At September 30, 2020, the Company considered the on-going economic market disruption, the movement of the Company’s stock price in relation to other bank indexes and the length of time that the market value of the reporting unit has been below its book value as triggering events and has completed a quantitative analysis to assess whether or not goodwill was impaired. This analysis determined that goodwill was impaired and subsequently the Company booked a non-cash impairment charge of $104.8 million for goodwill impairment. At September 30, 2020, we had goodwill of $31.6 million, representing approximately 8% of equity.

Fair Value: Fair values of assets and liabilities are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, collateral values and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular assets and liabilities. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could materially affect the estimates.

Recent Developments

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused economic and social disruption on an unprecedented scale. While some industries have been impacted more severely than others, all businesses have been impacted to some degree. This disruption has resulted in the shuttering of businesses across the country, significant job loss, and aggressive measures by federal, state and local government.

Congress, the President, and the Federal Reserve have taken several actions designed to cushion the economic fallout. Most notably, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020, as a $2 trillion legislative package. The goal of the CARES Act is to prevent a severe economic downturn through various measures, including direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The package also includes extensive emergency funding for hospitals and medical providers. In addition to the general impact of COVID-19, certain provisions of the CARES Act as well as other recent legislative and regulatory relief efforts are expected to have a material impact on our operations. While it is not possible to know the full universe or extent of these impacts as of the date of this filing, we are disclosing potentially material items of which we are aware.

Financial position and results of operations

Pertaining to our September 30, 2020, financial condition and results of operations, COVID-19 had a material impact on our allowance for loan losses. While we have not yet experienced any charge-offs related to COVID-19, our allowance for loan losses calculation and resulting provision for loan losses are significantly impacted by changes in economic conditions. Given that economic scenarios have become less certain since the pandemic was declared in early March, we believe our need for additional allowance for loan losses has increased significantly. Refer to our discussion of the allowance for loan losses in Note 1 and Note 3 of our unaudited financial statements as well as further discussion later in this section. Should economic conditions worsen, we could experience further increases in our required allowance for loan losses and record additional provision for loan losses expense. The execution of the payment deferral program discussed in the following commentary improved our ratio of past due loans to total loans. It is possible that our asset quality measures could worsen at future measurement periods if the effects of COVID-19 are prolonged.

Our interest and fee income could be reduced due to COVID-19. In keeping with guidance from regulators, we are actively working with COVID-19 affected borrowers to defer their payments, interest, and fees. While interest and fees will still accrue to income, through normal GAAP accounting, should eventual credit losses on these deferred payments emerge, interest income and fees accrued would need to be reversed. In such a scenario, interest income in future periods could be negatively impacted. At this time, we are unable to project the materiality of such an impact but recognize the breadth of the economic impact may affect our borrowers’ ability to repay in future periods.

Capital and liquidity

As of September 30, 2020, all our capital ratios and our subsidiary bank’s capital ratios were in excess of all regulatory requirements. While we are currently classified as well capitalized, an extended economic recession brought about by COVID-19 could adversely impact our reported and regulatory capital ratios by further credit losses. We rely on cash on hand as well as dividends from our subsidiary bank to service our debt. If our subsidiary bank capital deteriorates such that it is unable to pay dividends to us for an extended period of time, we may not be able to service our debt.

We maintain access to multiple sources of liquidity. Wholesale funding markets have remained open to us, but rates for short term funding may be volatile. If funding costs are elevated for an extended period, it could have an adverse effect on our net interest margin. If an extended recession caused large numbers of our deposit customers to withdraw their funds, we might become more reliant on volatile or more expensive sources of funding.

Asset valuation

Currently, we do not expect COVID-19 to affect our ability to account timely for the assets on our balance sheet. However, this could change in future periods. While certain valuation assumptions and judgments will change to account for pandemic-related

circumstances such as widening credit spreads, we do not anticipate significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of assets measured in accordance with GAAP.

Our processes, controls and business continuity plan

In early March 2020, the Company successfully deployed a modified working strategy, including emphasis on social distancing and remote work as necessary to emphasize the safety of our teams and continuity of our business processes. The Company and its leaders provided timely communication to team members and customers, implemented protocols for team member safety and initiated strategies for monitoring and responding to local COVID-19 impacts – including customer relief efforts. The Company’s preparedness efforts, coupled with quick and decisive plan implementation, resulted in minimal impacts to operations as a result of COVID-19. Prior technology planning resulted in the successful deployment of a portion of our operational team to a remote environment, while the remainder of the team continued to work on location in a workspace emphasizing social distancing. To achieve implementation of our working strategy, during the first quarter of 2020, we incurred a minimal amount of technology spending to provide additional laptops to team members who required them to work remotely. In early May 2020, all the Company’s bank locations were open to customers with social distancing measures in place. The Company continues to serve customers curbside and drive-through but offers full lobby access during normal hours. No material operational or internal control challenges or risks have been identified to date. We continue to anticipate and respond to any future COVID-19 interruptions or developments. As of September 30, 2020, we do not anticipate significant challenges to our ability to maintain our systems and controls considering the measures we have taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Company does not currently face any material resource constraint through the implementation of our business continuity plans.

Lending operations and accommodations to borrowers

In keeping with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during this unprecedented situation, the Company executed a payment deferral program for our commercial lending clients that were adversely affected by the pandemic. Depending on the demonstrated need of the client, the Company originally deferred either the full loan payment or the principal component of the loan payment for 90 or 180 days. Loans originally deferred for 90 days may, dependent on specific qualifications, be approved for an additional 90-day deferral. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has 63 loans, totaling $40.2 million, that have been granted a payment deferral, and remain on deferral, as part of our COVID-19 response. In accordance with interagency guidance issued in March 2020, these short-term deferrals are not automatically considered troubled debt restructurings, are not reflected in past due loan balances and have been reported as a classified loan solely due to a deferral. These deferred loans are subject to ongoing monitoring and will be downgraded or placed on nonaccrual if a noted weakness exists.

With the passage of the PPP, administered by the SBA, the Company is actively participating in assisting our customers with applications for resources through the program. PPP loans generally have a two-year term and earn interest at 1.0%. As of September 30, 2020, we have 3,221 loans, with an outstanding balance of $367.8 million that were originated under this program. It is our understanding that loans funded through the PPP program are fully guaranteed by the U.S. government. Should those circumstances change, we could be required to establish additional allowance for loan losses through additional provision for loan expense charged to earnings.

The Company participates in the Main Street Lending Program (“Program”), created by the Federal Reserve to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a total of $190 thousand outstanding under the Program for the period ended September 30, 2020.

Credit

While all industries have and will continue to experience adverse impacts as a result of COVID-19, we had exposures (on balance sheet loans and commitments to lend) in the following loan categories we considered to be most at-risk of a significant impact as of September 30, 2020.

Hospitality Lending:

The Company’s exposure to the hospitality sector at September 30, 2020, approximated $285.9 million, or 12.1%, of total loans excluding PPP loans. As of September 30, 2020, none of these loans were actively participating in a deferral program.

The top 20 loans within this portfolio comprise $223.1 million, or 78.0%, of the total exposure. These loans are geographically diversified and well secured. The borrowers are well known to the Bank and experienced hoteliers who have evidenced efforts to enhance profitability in the current economic environment by driving down costs and creatively occupying their properties, including arrangements with medical professionals and others on the front line of this pandemic. Historically, the portfolio has exhibited strong operational cash flows.

The remainder of the portfolio is comprised of many smaller balance loans.

Aircraft Manufacturing:

The Company’s exposure to the aircraft manufacturing category at September 30, 2020, approximated $65.1 million, or 2.8%, of total loans excluding PPP loans. As of September 30, 2020, none of these loans were actively participating in a deferral program. The portfolio is comprised of experienced industry operators who have historically performed without exception.

We have worked with customers directly affected by COVID-19. We are prepared to offer short-term assistance in accordance with regulator guidelines. As a result of the current economic environment caused by the COVID-19 virus, we are engaging in frequent communication with borrowers to better understand their situation and the challenges faced, allowing us to respond proactively as needs and issues arise.

While management is optimistic about the performance of the above addressed portions of the portfolio as a whole, the Company acknowledges the risks associated with the current economic conditions and related unknowns. These risks are believed to have been addressed and reserved for through our allowance for loan losses and associated provision for loan losses as of and for the period ended September 30, 2020.

Retail operations

The Company is committed to assisting our customers and communities in this time of need. The Company is serving customers curbside and drive-through but offers full lobby access during normal hours. We have introduced temporary changes to help with the financial hardship caused by COVID-19 for both our customers and non-customers.

The Company continues to monitor the safety of our staff through health stations at each work location. Staffing is adequate to address the requests for time off by any of our employees who are impacted by health or childcare issues.

Results of Operations

We generate most of our revenue from interest income and fees on loans, interest and dividends on investment securities and non-interest income, such as service charges and fees, debit card income and mortgage banking income. We incur interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds and non-interest expense, such as salaries and employee benefits and occupancy expenses. On February 8, 2019, we completed our acquisition of the assets and assumption of the deposits and certain other liabilities for two branches in Guymon, Oklahoma and one branch in Cordell, Oklahoma from MidFirst Bank of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (“MidFirst acquisition”). Results of operations from our MidFirst acquisition were included in our financial results beginning February 9, 2019.

Changes in interest rates on interest-earning assets or on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as the volume and types of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are usually the largest drivers of periodic change in net interest income. Fluctuations in interest rates are driven by many factors, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, deflation, macroeconomic developments, changes in unemployment, the money supply, political and international environments and conditions in domestic and foreign financial markets. Periodic changes in the volume and types of loans in our loan portfolio are affected by, among other factors, economic and competitive conditions in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, as well as developments affecting the commercial, consumer and real estate sectors within these markets.

Net Income

Three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with three months ended September 30, 2019: Net loss and net loss allocable to common stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2020, was $90.4 million as compared to net income of $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of $100.8 million. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, an increase in non-interest expense of $106.6 million, primarily due to a $104.8 million charge to goodwill impairment, and a decrease in non-interest income of $87 thousand were partially offset by a decrease in provision for income taxes of $5.4 million, an increase in net interest income of $581 thousand and an increase in provision for loan losses of $136 thousand when compared with the three months ended September 30, 2019. The changes in the components of net income are discussed in more detail in the following “Results of Operations” sections.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with nine months ended September 30, 2019: Net loss and net loss allocable to common stockholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $87.5 million as compared to net income of $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of $103.0 million. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020, an increase in non-interest expense of $105.7 million, primarily due to a $104.8 million charge to goodwill impairment, an increase in provision for loan losses of $6.0 million and a decrease in non-interest income of $824 thousand were partially offset by a decrease in provision for income taxes of $5.9 million and an increase in net interest income of $3.6 million when compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The changes in the components of net income are discussed in more detail in the following “Results of Operations” sections.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Analysis

Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, including loans and securities, and interest expense incurred on interest-bearing liabilities, including deposits and other borrowed funds. To evaluate net interest income, management measures and monitors (1) yields on loans and other interest-earning assets, (2) the costs of deposits and other funding sources, (3) the net interest spread and (4) net interest margin. Net interest spread is the difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is calculated as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets. Because non-interest-bearing sources of funds, such as non-interest-bearing deposits and stockholders’ equity also fund interest-earning assets, net interest margin includes the benefit of these non-interest-bearing sources of funds. Net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as a “volume change,” and is also affected by changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing deposits and other borrowed funds, referred to as a “yield/rate change.”

Three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with three months ended September 30, 2019: The following table shows the average balance of each principal category of assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity and the average yields on interest-earning assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities for the three months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019. The yields and rates are calculated by dividing annualized income or annualized expense by the average daily balances of the associated assets or liabilities.

Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis

	For the Three Months Ended September 30,
	2020							2019
(Dollars in thousands)	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/ Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/ Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾
Interest-earning assets:
Loans⁽¹⁾
Commercial and industrial	$	848,096	$	8,400		3.94	%	$	562,399	$	8,845		6.24	%
Commercial real estate		979,775		12,886		5.23	%		1,012,393		14,678		5.75	%
Real estate construction		214,775		2,233		4.14	%		211,235		3,191		6.00	%
Residential real estate		429,965		4,734		4.38	%		561,423		6,402		4.52	%
Agricultural real estate		131,725		1,718		5.19	%		140,693		2,115		5.96	%
Consumer		69,485		1,104		6.32	%		71,688		1,441		7.97	%
Agricultural		84,859		1,205		5.65	%		86,623		1,379		6.32	%
Total loans		2,758,680		32,280		4.65	%		2,646,454		38,051		5.70	%
Taxable securities		683,630		3,475		2.02	%		782,994		4,673		2.37	%
Nontaxable securities		118,895		922		3.09	%		143,845		1,045		2.88	%
Federal funds sold and other		117,963		404		1.36	%		84,677		780		3.66	%
Total interest-earning assets		3,679,168		37,081		4.01	%		3,657,970		44,549		4.83	%
Non-interest-earning assets:
Other real estate owned, net		7,332							5,795
Premises and equipment, net		87,344							84,797
Bank-owned life insurance		76,235							74,266
Goodwill, core deposit and other intangibles, net		154,049							158,760
Other non-interest-earning assets		37,060							49,018
Total assets	$	4,041,188						$	4,030,606
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	827,190		500		0.24	%	$	674,681		2,012		1.18	%
Savings and money market		957,701		374		0.16	%		1,032,778		3,377		1.30	%
Savings, NOW and money market		1,784,891		874		0.19	%		1,707,459		5,389		1.25	%
Certificates of deposit		645,516		2,189		1.35	%		965,548		5,118		2.10	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,430,407		3,063		0.50	%		2,673,007		10,507		1.56	%
FHLB term and line of credit advances		248,437		471		0.75	%		320,528		1,957		2.42	%
Bank stock loan		—		—		0.00	%		14,770		198		5.32	%
Subordinated debt		79,947		1,415		7.04	%		14,437		311		8.52	%
Other borrowings		48,774		25		0.20	%		40,827		50		0.48	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,807,565		4,974		0.70	%		3,063,569		13,023		1.69	%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
Non-interest-bearing checking accounts		715,403							479,778
Non-interest-bearing liabilities		35,132							24,007
Stockholders’ equity		483,088							463,252
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,041,188						$	4,030,606
Net interest income			$	32,107						$	31,526
Interest rate spread						3.31	%						3.14	%
Net interest margin⁽²⁾						3.47	%						3.42	%
Total cost of deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits	$	3,145,810	$	3,063		0.39	%	$	3,152,785	$	10,507		1.32	%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						131.04	%						119.40	%

(1)	Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.

(2)	Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earnings assets for the period.

(3)	Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax equivalent basis.

(4)	Actual unrounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed. Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest yields/rates. The following table analyzes the change in volume variances and yield/rate variances for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020, and 2019

	Increase (Decrease) Due to:						Total Increase /
(Dollars in thousands)	Volume⁽¹⁾			Yield/Rate⁽¹⁾			(Decrease)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans
Commercial and industrial	$	3,531		$	(3,976	)	$	(445	)
Commercial real estate		(462	)		(1,330	)		(1,792	)
Real estate construction		53			(1,011	)		(958	)
Residential real estate		(1,454	)		(214	)		(1,668	)
Agricultural real estate		(129	)		(268	)		(397	)
Consumer		(43	)		(294	)		(337	)
Agricultural		(28	)		(146	)		(174	)
Total loans		1,468			(7,239	)		(5,771	)
Taxable securities		(552	)		(646	)		(1,198	)
Nontaxable securities		(190	)		67			(123	)
Federal funds sold and other		233			(609	)		(376	)
Total interest-earning assets	$	959		$	(8,427	)	$	(7,468	)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW and money market	$	146		$	(4,661	)	$	(4,515	)
Certificates of deposit		(1,404	)		(1,525	)		(2,929	)
Total interest-bearing deposits		(1,258	)		(6,186	)		(7,444	)
FHLB term and line of credit advances		(366	)		(1,120	)		(1,486	)
Bank stock loan		(198	)		—			(198	)
Subordinated debt		1,168			(64	)		1,104
Other borrowings		8			(33	)		(25	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		(646	)		(7,403	)		(8,049	)
Net Interest Income	$	1,605		$	(1,024	)	$	581

(1)

The effect of changes in volume is determined by multiplying the change in volume by the previous year’s average rate. Similarly, the effect of rate changes is calculated by multiplying the change in average rate by the prior year’s volume. The changes attributable to both volume and rate, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated to the volume variance and the rate variance in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of the change in each.

The decrease in loan interest income, including loan fees, was driven by a 105 basis point decrease in yield on the loan portfolio from 5.70% for the three months ended September 30, 2019, to 4.65% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, which was partially offset by an increase in average loan volume. This decrease in yield is largely due to the 1.0% SBA PPP loans added to the portfolio during 2020. The impact to net interest income from loan fees for the three months ended September 30, 2020, was $2.5 million, compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

The reduction in expense on interest-bearing deposits was due to a 106 basis point decrease in cost on these deposits from 1.56% for the three months ended September 30, 2019, to 0.50% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Average borrowings from the FHLB decreased by $72.1 million from an average balance of $320.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, to an average balance of $248.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. FHLB borrowings average rate decreased 167 basis points from 2.42% for the three months ended September 30, 2019, to 0.75% for the three months ended September 30, 2020. The bank stock loan did not carry an outstanding balance during the third quarter of 2020 and therefore there was no interest expense on our bank stock loan for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to $198 thousand for the same time period in 2019. Total cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 99 basis points to 0.70% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, from 1.69% for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

The increase in net interest margin is largely due to an increase in non-interest-bearing deposits and a further reduction in cost of interest-bearing liabilities.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with nine months ended September 30, 2019: The following table shows the average balance of each principal category of assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity and the average yields on interest-earning assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019. The yields and rates are calculated by dividing annualized income or annualized expense by the average daily balances of the associated assets or liabilities.

Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Analysis

	For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020							2019
(Dollars in thousands)	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/ Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/ Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾
Interest-earning assets:
Loans⁽¹⁾
Commercial and industrial	$	757,773	$	26,789		4.72	%	$	566,658	$	28,221		6.66	%
Commercial real estate		942,478		36,533		5.18	%		1,035,634		41,401		5.34	%
Real estate construction		245,167		8,644		4.71	%		204,642		10,449		6.83	%
Residential real estate		464,340		14,528		4.18	%		518,110		18,192		4.69	%
Agricultural real estate		133,302		5,574		5.59	%		138,861		6,105		5.88	%
Consumer		67,255		3,461		6.87	%		70,529		4,060		7.70	%
Agricultural		86,873		3,752		5.77	%		86,463		4,183		6.47	%
Total loans		2,697,188		99,281		4.92	%		2,620,897		112,611		5.74	%
Taxable securities		737,009		12,113		2.20	%		780,813		14,724		2.52	%
Nontaxable securities		125,352		2,769		2.95	%		142,735		3,143		2.94	%
Federal funds sold and other		102,202		1,409		1.84	%		84,045		2,037		3.24	%
Total interest-earning assets		3,661,751		115,572		4.22	%		3,628,490		132,515		4.88	%
Non-interest-earning assets:
Other real estate owned, net		7,054							6,079
Premises and equipment, net		85,862							83,151
Bank-owned life insurance		75,755							73,772
Goodwill, core deposit and other intangibles, net		155,774							158,551
Other non-interest-earning assets		43,422							44,583
Total assets	$	4,029,618						$	3,994,626
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing demand deposits	$	764,477		2,618		0.46	%	$	695,807		6,515		1.25	%
Savings and money market		990,282		2,305		0.31	%		1,009,805		10,399		1.38	%
Savings, NOW and money market		1,754,759		4,923		0.37	%		1,705,612		16,914		1.33	%
Certificates of deposit		728,083		8,904		1.63	%		997,270		15,467		2.07	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,482,842		13,827		0.74	%		2,702,882		32,381		1.60	%
FHLB term and line of credit advances		271,548		2,198		1.08	%		266,118		5,103		2.56	%
Federal Reserve Bank discount window		3,288		6		0.24	%		—		—		0.00	%
Bank stock loan		16,111		415		3.44	%		12,518		507		5.42	%
Subordinated debt		36,712		1,953		7.11	%		14,364		955		8.89	%
Other borrowings		44,754		80		0.24	%		43,162		116		0.36	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,855,255		18,479		0.86	%		3,039,044		39,062		1.72	%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities and stockholders’ equity:
Non-interest-bearing checking accounts		658,714							474,217
Non-interest-bearing liabilities		32,562							21,329
Stockholders’ equity		483,087							460,036
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,029,618						$	3,994,626
Net interest income			$	97,093						$	93,453
Interest rate spread						3.36	%						3.16	%
Net interest margin⁽²⁾						3.54	%						3.44	%
Total cost of deposits, including non-interest bearing deposits	$	3,141,556	$	13,827		0.59	%	$	3,177,099	$	32,381		1.36	%
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						128.25	%						119.40	%

(1)	Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.

(2)	Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earnings assets for the period.

(3)	Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax equivalent basis.

(4)	Actual unrounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed. Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

Increases and decreases in interest income and interest expense result from changes in average balances (volume) of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as changes in average interest yields/rates. The following table analyzes the change in volume variances and yield/rate variances for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020, and 2019

	Increase (Decrease) Due to:						Total Increase /
(Dollars in thousands)	Volume(1)			Yield/Rate(1)			(Decrease)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans
Commercial and industrial	$	8,033		$	(9,465	)	$	(1,432	)
Commercial real estate		(3,640	)		(1,228	)		(4,868	)
Real estate construction		1,819			(3,624	)		(1,805	)
Residential real estate		(1,788	)		(1,876	)		(3,664	)
Agricultural real estate		(239	)		(292	)		(531	)
Consumer		(182	)		(417	)		(599	)
Agricultural		20			(451	)		(431	)
Total loans		4,023			(17,353	)		(13,330	)
Taxable securities		(794	)		(1,817	)		(2,611	)
Nontaxable securities		(384	)		10			(374	)
Federal funds sold and other		377			(1,005	)		(628	)
Total interest-earning assets	$	3,222		$	(20,165	)	$	(16,943	)
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings, NOW and money market	$	391		$	(12,382	)	$	(11,991	)
Certificates of deposit		(3,680	)		(2,883	)		(6,563	)
Total interest-bearing deposits		(3,289	)		(15,265	)		(18,554	)
FHLB term and line of credit advances		102			(3,007	)		(2,905	)
Federal Reserve Bank discount window		6			—			6
Bank stock loan		122			(214	)		(92	)
Subordinated debt		1,223			(225	)		998
Other borrowings		4			(40	)		(36	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		(1,832	)		(18,751	)		(20,583	)
Net Interest Income	$	5,054		$	(1,414	)	$	3,640

⁽¹⁾

The decrease in loan interest income, including loan fees was driven by a 82 basis point decrease in yield on the loan portfolio from 5.74% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, to 4.92% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, partially offset by an increase in average loan volume. This decrease in yield is largely due to the 1.0% SBA PPP loans added to the portfolio during 2020. The impact to net interest income from loan fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $5.2 million, compared to $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

The decrease in cost of interest-bearing deposits was created by a 86 basis point decrease in cost on these deposits and to a lesser extent the decreased volume of these deposits. Average borrowings from the FHLB increased by $5.4 million from an average balance of $266.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, to an average balance of $271.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The negative effect of this increase in average FHLB borrowings was more than offset by a decrease in

average rate of 148 basis points from 2.56% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, to 1.08% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Interest expense on our bank stock loan for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $415 thousand compared to $507 thousand for the same time period in 2019. Total cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 86 basis points to 0.86% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, from 1.72% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

The increase in net interest margin is primarily due to an increase in loans coupled with a decrease in total interest-bearing deposits.

Provision for Loan Losses

We maintain an allowance for loan losses for probable incurred credit losses. The allowance for loan losses is increased by a provision for loan losses, a charge to earnings, and subsequent recoveries of amounts previously charged off, but is decreased by charge-offs when the collectability of a loan balance is unlikely. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, discounted cash flows, economic conditions and other factors including regulatory guidance, as described in “Part I – Item 2 – Financial Condition – Allowance for Loan Losses.” As these factors change, the amount of the loan loss provision changes.

Three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with three months ended September 30, 2019: The provision for loan losses for the three months ended September 30, 2020, was $815 thousand compared with $679 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2019. Net charge-offs for the three months ended September 30, 2020, were $806 thousand compared to net charge-offs of $581 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2019. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, gross charge-offs were $874 thousand offset by gross recoveries of $68 thousand. In comparison, gross charge-offs were $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, offset by gross recoveries of $625 thousand.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with nine months ended September 30, 2019: The provision for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $23.3 million compared with $17.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Net charge-offs for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, were $1.4 million compared to net charge-offs of $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The provision for loan losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was largely the result of increases in qualitative loss factors brought on by the projected economic impact of COVID-19. As part of the process to adjust qualitative factors in response to COVID-19, we considered the loss rates we experienced during the last economic downturn, the level of loan deferrals in the loan portfolio and industries we considered at risk to determine the necessary level of probable incurred loss. Included in the first nine months of 2019 was a $14.5 million provision against one credit relationship that was determined to be an isolated incident that was unique within our portfolio. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, gross charge-offs were $1.8 million offset by gross recoveries of $427 thousand. In comparison, gross charge-offs were $11.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, of which $11.7 million was directly related to the above-mentioned credit relationship, offset by gross recoveries of $1.0 million.

Non-Interest Income

The primary sources of non-interest income are service charges and fees, debit card income, mortgage banking income and increases in the value of bank-owned life insurance. Non-interest income does not include loan origination or other loan fees which are recognized as an adjustment to yield using the interest method.

Three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with three months ended September 30, 2019: The following table provides a comparison of the major components of non-interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

Non-Interest Income

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

					2020 vs. 2019
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019		Change			%
Service charges and fees	$	1,706	$	2,268	$	(562	)		(24.8	)%
Debit card income		2,491		2,205		286			13.0	%
Mortgage banking		877		820		57			7.0	%
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance		489		507		(18	)		(3.6	)%
Other
Investment referral income		163		165		(2	)		(1.2	)%
Trust income		128		61		67			109.8	%
Insurance sales commissions		42		61		(19	)		(31.1	)%
Recovery on zero-basis purchased loans		10		28		(18	)		(64.3	)%
Income from equity method investments		3		10		(7	)		(70.0	)%
Other non-interest income		576		443		133			30.0	%
Total other		922		768		154			20.1	%
Subtotal		6,485		6,568		(83	)		(1.3	)%
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions		—		4		(4	)		(100.0	)%
Total non-interest income	$	6,485	$	6,572	$	(87	)		(1.3	)%

Service charges and fees decreased $562 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the same time period during 2019, mostly due to a decline in non-sufficient funds charges. The decrease in service charges and fees was partially offset by increases in debit card income and other non-interest income. Other non-interest income increased $133 thousand, or 30.0%, during the three months ended September 30, 2020, primarily from derivative mark-to-market valuation changes.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with nine months ended September 30, 2019: The following table provides a comparison of the major components of non-interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

Non-Interest Income

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

					2020 vs. 2019
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019		Change			%
Service charges and fees	$	5,097	$	6,431	$	(1,334	)		(20.7	)%
Debit card income		6,735		6,129		606			9.9	%
Mortgage banking		2,298		1,699		599			35.3	%
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance		1,452		1,494		(42	)		(2.8	)%
Other
Investment referral income		461		489		(28	)		(5.7	)%
Trust income		283		181		102			56.4	%
Insurance sales commissions		71		106		(35	)		(33.0	)%
Recovery on zero-basis purchased loans		116		106		10			9.4	%
Income from equity method investments		3		23		(20	)		(87.0	)%
Other non-interest income		995		1,672		(677	)		(40.5	)%
Total other		1,929		2,577		(648	)		(25.1	)%
Subtotal		17,511		18,330		(819	)		(4.5	)%
Net gain (loss) from securities transactions		12		17		(5	)		(29.4	)%
Total non-interest income	$	17,523	$	18,347	$	(824	)		(4.5	)%

Service charges and fees decreased $1.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, versus the same time period during 2019, mainly due to decreases in non-sufficient fund charges, which was in part related to government programs linked to COVID-19. Other non-interest income decreased $677 thousand, or 40.5%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2020,

primarily from derivative mark-to-market valuation changes. Debit card income was $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of $606 thousand, or 9.9%, from $6.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Mortgage banking increased $599 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the same time period during 2019, mainly due to origination volume.

Non-Interest Expense

Three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with three months ended September 30, 2019: For the three months ended September 30, 2020, non-interest expense totaled $130.8 million, an increase of $106.6 million, due to the goodwill impairment of $104.8 million. Non-interest expense adjusted for goodwill impairment increased $1.8 million, or 7.4%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2019. Changes in the various components of non-interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019 are discussed in more detail in the following table.

Non-Interest Expense

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

						2020 vs. 2019
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019			Change			%
Salaries and employee benefits	$	13,877	$	13,039		$	838			6.4	%
Net occupancy and equipment		2,224		2,177			47			2.2	%
Data processing		2,817		2,673			144			5.4	%
Professional fees		877		991			(114	)		(11.5	)%
Advertising and business development		598		806			(208	)		(25.8	)%
Telecommunications		486		523			(37	)		(7.1	)%
FDIC insurance		360		111			249			224.3	%
Courier and postage		366		352			14			4.0	%
Free nationwide ATM cost		439		459			(20	)		(4.4	)%
Amortization of core deposit intangible		1,030		784			246			31.4	%
Loan expense		107		165			(58	)		(35.2	)%
Other real estate owned		133		(88	)		221			(251.1	)%
Other		2,690		2,231			459			20.6	%
Subtotal		26,004		24,223			1,781			7.4	%
Goodwill impairment		104,831		—			104,831			100.0	%
Total non-interest expense	$	130,835	$	24,223		$	106,612			440.1	%

Salaries and employee benefits: There was a $838 thousand increase in salaries and employee benefits for the current quarter, as compared to the same quarter in the prior year. This variance largely was due to increases in restricted stock unit expenses, employee incentives and increases in retirement plan expenses.

Data processing: The increase in data processing is mainly attributable to expenses related to the new online banking system installed in 2019.

Professional fees: The variance of $114 thousand, or 11.5%, is principally due to a $123 thousand reduction in attorney fees.

Advertising and business development: Advertising and business development includes media advertising, community sponsorships, customer appreciation expenses and other forms of advertising. The decrease in advertising and business development is primarily because of a reduction in sponsorships and customer appreciation events because of COVID-19.

Other real estate owned: Other real estate owned includes other real estate expenses, including provision for unrealized losses and gains or losses on the sales of other real estate owned and other repossessed property. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, there was $321 thousand in other real estate owned expense, partially offset by a net $188 thousand gain from the sale of other repossessed assets. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, there was $192 thousand gain on the sale of other real estate owned and $8 thousand of other income, partially offset by $112 thousand in other real estate owned expense.

Other: Other non-interest expenses consist of subscriptions, memberships and dues, employee expenses (including travel, meals, entertainment and education), supplies, printing, insurance, account-related losses, correspondent bank fees, customer program expenses, losses net of gains on the sale of fixed assets and other operating expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, employee expenses were $589 thousand, insurance expense was $258 thousand and correspondent bank fees were $193 thousand. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, employee expenses, including travel, meals, entertainment and education, were $802 thousand, insurance expense was $247 thousand and correspondent bank fees were $79 thousand.

Merger expenses: There were no merger expenses for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with nine months ended September 30, 2019: For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, non-interest expense totaled $180.5 million, an increase of $105.7 million, largely due to a goodwill impairment of $104.8 million. Non-interest expense before goodwill impairment was $75.7 million, or a 2.5% increase, compared with $73.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Changes in the various components of non-interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and 2019 are discussed in more detail in the following table.

Non-Interest Expense

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

					2020 vs. 2019
(Dollars in thousands)	2020		2019		Change			%
Salaries and employee benefits	$	40,076	$	40,204	$	(128	)		(0.3	)%
Net occupancy and equipment		6,578		6,332		246			3.9	%
Data processing		8,243		7,436		807			10.9	%
Professional fees		3,187		3,375		(188	)		(5.6	)%
Advertising and business development		1,697		2,174		(477	)		(21.9	)%
Telecommunications		1,363		1,593		(230	)		(14.4	)%
FDIC insurance		1,291		1,119		172			15.4	%
Courier and postage		1,103		1,020		83			8.1	%
Free nationwide ATM cost		1,186		1,240		(54	)		(4.4	)%
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		2,806		2,348		458			19.5	%
Loan expense		628		608		20			3.3	%
Other real estate owned		710		326		384			117.8	%
Other		6,831		6,099		732			12.0	%
Sub-Total		75,699		73,874		1,825			2.5	%
Merger expenses		—		915		(915	)		(100.0	)%
Goodwill impairment		104,831		—		104,831			100.0	%
Total non-interest expense	$	180,530	$	74,789	$	105,741			141.4	%

Salaries and employee benefits: There was a $128 thousand decrease in salaries and employee benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This variance largely was due to the deferral of loan origination costs, including salaries and benefits, associated with originating SBA PPP loans, partially offset by increases in incentives and restricted stock unit expense.

Net occupancy and equipment: Net occupancy and equipment includes expenses related to the use of premises and equipment, such as depreciation, operating leases, repairs and maintenance, insurance, property taxes and utilities and is net of incidental rental income of excess facilities. The majority of the increase is due to increases in maintenance and repairs to furniture and equipment, real estate taxes, depreciation and personal property taxes, partially offset by a decrease in maintenance and repairs to buildings.

Data processing: The increase in data processing expense was due to higher debit card volumes, particularly during the first quarter of 2020, and costs related to the online banking system, which was new in 2019.

Professional fees: The decrease is mainly attributable to reductions in consulting and advisory fees of $272 thousand, attorney fees of $173 thousand and regulatory assessment costs of $34 thousand, partially offset by a $291 thousand increase in accounting fees.

Advertising and business development: Advertising and business development includes media advertising, community sponsorships, customer appreciation expenses and other forms of advertising. Sponsorships and customer appreciation events were greatly restricted during the second and third quarters of 2020 causing a reduction in expenses.

Other real estate owned: Other real estate owned includes other real estate expenses, including provision for unrealized losses and gains or losses on the sales of other real estate owned and other repossessed property. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there was $791 thousand in other real estate owned expense and a $120 thousand loss from sale of other real estate owned, partially offset by $201 thousand of gain from the sale of other repossessed assets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, there was $632 thousand in other real estate owned expense, partially offset by $291 thousand gain on the sale of other real estate owned and $15 thousand of other income.

Other: Other non-interest expenses consist of subscriptions, memberships and dues, employee expenses (including travel, meals, entertainment and education), supplies, printing, insurance, account-related losses, correspondent bank fees, customer program expenses, losses net of gains on the sale of fixed assets and other operating expenses. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, employee expenses were $1.9 million, insurance expense was $766 thousand and correspondent bank fees were $510 thousand. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, employee expenses, including travel, meals, entertainment and education, were $2.1 million, insurance expense was $687 thousand and correspondent bank fees were $400 thousand.

Merger expenses: There were no merger expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Merger expenses were $915 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Efficiency Ratio

The efficiency ratio is a supplemental financial measure utilized in the internal evaluation of performance and is not defined under GAAP. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2. Our efficiency ratio is computed by dividing non-interest expense, excluding merger expenses and goodwill impairment, by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding net gain or loss from securities transactions. Generally, an increase in the efficiency ratio indicates that more resources are being utilized to generate the same volume of income, while a decrease would indicate a more efficient allocation of resources.

The efficiency ratio was 67.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with 63.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The increase was primarily due to an increase in non-interest expense and a decrease in non-interest income, partially offset by an increase in net interest income, as discussed in “Results of Operations – Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Analysis.”

The efficiency ratio was 66.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with 66.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Additional discussion can be found in “Results of Operations – Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Analysis.”

Income Taxes

Income tax expense has been provided based on an estimated annual effective tax rate, which in addition to statutory tax rates, takes into consideration estimated tax-exempt interest income, non-taxable life insurance income and non-deductible expenses in proportion to anticipated annual income before income taxes, as well as federal income tax credits anticipated to be available in each annual period. Tax effects of the goodwill impairment were separately reflected on a discrete basis in the current period.

Three months ended September 30, 2020, compared with three months ended September 30, 2019: The income tax benefit of $2.7 million recorded for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020 reflects income tax expense provided at an estimated annual effective tax rate of 22.5% on third-quarter income before taxes and total goodwill impairment net of a deferred income tax benefit of $5.3 million associated with the portion of the goodwill impairment which will continue to be amortized for tax purposes. The income tax expense of $2.8 million recorded for the three-month period ended September 30, 2019 was recorded at and estimated annual effective tax rate of 21.1%.

Nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared with nine months ended September 30, 2019: The income tax benefit of $1.7 million recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 reflects income tax expense provided at an estimated annual effective tax rate of 22.5% on income before taxes and total goodwill impairment net of a deferred income tax benefit of $5.3 million associated with the portion of the goodwill impairment which will continue to be amortized for tax purposes. Additional tax expense associated with the settlement of restricted stock units and the exercise of stock options recorded in the nine months ended September 2020 was $70 thousand. Income tax expense of $4.1 million recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was recorded at an estimated annual effective tax rate of 21.1% less tax benefits of $14 thousand associated with the settlement of restricted stock units and the exercise of stock options.

Impact of Inflation

The consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative value of money over time due to inflation or recession.

Unlike many industrial companies, substantially all our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates may not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. However, other operating expenses reflect general levels of inflation.

Financial Condition

Total assets decreased $84.0 million from December 31, 2019, to $3.87 billion at September 30, 2020. This variance was primarily due to a decrease of $112.6 million in total securities and a $104.8 million goodwill impairment charge taken in the third quarter, partially offset by an increase of $147.2 million in net loans held for investment. Our total liabilities decreased $8.1 million to $3.46 billion at September 30, 2020. The change in total liabilities came primarily from a decrease in FHLB loan advances of $156.5 million, largely offset by an increase in subordinated debt of $73.0 million and an increase in total deposits of $70.1 million. Total stockholders’ equity decreased $75.9 million from $478.1 million at December 31, 2019, to $402.2 million at September 30, 2020.

Loan Portfolio

Loans are our largest category of earning assets and typically provide higher yields than other types of earning assets. At September 30, 2020, our gross loans held for investment totaled $2.73 billion, an increase of $169.1 million, or 6.6%, compared with December 31, 2019. The overall increase in loan volume consisted of $285.6 million from commercial and industrial and $54.4 million from commercial real estate, partially offset by decreases of $101.2 million from residential real estate, $44.5 million from real estate construction, $14.5 million from agricultural real estate, $9.8 million from agricultural and $913 thousand from consumer. We also had loans classified as held-for-sale totaling $9.1 million at September 30, 2020, as compared to $5.9 million at December 31, 2019.

Our commercial loan portfolio consists of various types of loans, most of which are generally made to borrowers located in the Wichita, Kansas City and Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSAs”), as well as various community markets throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Most of our loan portfolio consists of commercial and industrial and commercial real estate loans and a substantial portion of our borrowers’ ability to honor their obligations is dependent on local economies in which they operate.

At September 30, 2020, gross total loans, including loans held-for-sale, were 87.3% of deposits and 70.7% of total assets. At December 31, 2019, gross total loans, including loans held-for-sale, were 83.6% of deposits and 64.9% of total assets.

We provide commercial lines of credit, working capital loans, commercial real estate-backed loans (including loans secured by owner-occupied commercial properties), term loans, equipment financing, aircraft financing, real property acquisition and development loans, borrowing base loans, real estate construction loans, homebuilder loans, SBA loans, agricultural and agricultural real estate loans, letters of credit and other loan products to national and regional companies, real estate developers, mortgage lenders, manufacturing and industrial companies and other businesses. The types of loans we make to consumers include residential real estate loans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, installment loans, unsecured and secured personal lines of credit, overdraft protection and letters of credit.

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio by type of loan as of the dates indicated.

Composition of Loan Portfolio

	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
	Amount		Percent			Amount		Percent			Change			%
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	857,244		31.4	%	$	571,647		22.4	%	$	285,597			50.0	%
Real estate loans:
Commercial real estate		1,001,158		36.7	%		946,760		37.0	%		54,398			5.7	%
Real estate construction		187,171		6.9	%		231,667		9.1	%		(44,496	)		(19.2	)%
Residential real estate		402,242		14.8	%		503,439		19.7	%		(101,197	)		(20.1	)%
Agricultural real estate		127,349		4.7	%		141,868		5.5	%		(14,519	)		(10.2	)%
Total real estate loans		1,717,920		63.1	%		1,823,734		71.3	%		(105,814	)		(5.8	)%
Consumer		67,465		2.5	%		68,378		2.7	%		(913	)		(1.3	)%
Agricultural		83,084		3.0	%		92,893		3.6	%		(9,809	)		(10.6	)%
Total loans held for investment	$	2,725,713		100.0	%	$	2,556,652		100.0	%	$	169,061			6.6	%
Total loans held for sale	$	9,053		100.0	%	$	5,933		100.0	%	$	3,120			52.6	%
Total loans held for investment (net of allowances)	$	2,691,626		100.0	%	$	2,544,420		100.0	%	$	147,206			5.8	%

Commercial and industrial: Commercial and industrial loans include loans used to purchase fixed assets, provide working capital or meet other financing needs of the business.

Commercial real estate: Commercial real estate loans include all loans secured by nonfarm, nonresidential properties and by multifamily residential properties, as well as 1-4 family investment-purpose real estate loans.

Real estate construction: Real estate construction loans include loans made for the purpose of acquisition, development or construction of real property, both commercial and consumer.

Residential real estate: Residential real estate loans include loans secured by primary or secondary personal residences.

Agricultural real estate, Agricultural, Consumer and other: Agricultural real estate loans are loans related to farmland. Agricultural loans are primarily operating lines subject to annual farming revenues including productivity/yield of the agricultural commodities produced. Consumer loans are generally secured by consumer assets but may be unsecured.

The contractual maturity ranges of loans in our loan portfolio and the amount of such loans with predetermined interest rates and floating rates in each maturity range as of September 30, 2020, are summarized in the following table.

Loan Maturity and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

	As of September 30, 2020
	One year or less		After one year through five years		After five years		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	193,560	$	592,208	$	71,476	$	857,244
Real Estate:
Commercial real estate		162,782		578,458		259,918		1,001,158
Real estate construction		81,183		38,344		67,644		187,171
Residential real estate		5,584		10,292		386,366		402,242
Agricultural real estate		47,154		56,296		23,899		127,349
Total real estate		296,703		683,390		737,827		1,717,920
Consumer		21,913		38,739		6,813		67,465
Agricultural		57,173		23,474		2,437		83,084
Total	$	569,349	$	1,337,811	$	818,553	$	2,725,713
Loans with a predetermined fixed interest rate		255,801		1,000,180		284,289		1,540,270
Loans with an adjustable/floating interest rate		313,548		337,631		534,264		1,185,443
Total	$	569,349	$	1,337,811	$	818,553	$	2,725,713

The contractual maturity ranges of loans in our loan portfolio and the amount of such loans with predetermined interest rates and floating rates in each maturity range as of December 31, 2019, are summarized in the following table.

Loan Maturity and Sensitivity to Changes in Interest Rates

	As of December 31, 2019
	One year or less		After one year through five years		After five years		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	218,717	$	224,356	$	128,574	$	571,647
Real Estate:
Commercial real estate		147,977		498,013		300,770		946,760
Real estate construction		64,528		114,606		52,533		231,667
Residential real estate		7,357		11,885		484,197		503,439
Agricultural real estate		56,064		52,324		33,480		141,868
Total real estate		275,926		676,828		870,980		1,823,734
Consumer		16,268		43,844		8,266		68,378
Agricultural		73,487		17,786		1,620		92,893
Total	$	584,398	$	962,814	$	1,009,440	$	2,556,652
Loans with a predetermined fixed interest rate		281,991		589,383		326,629		1,198,003
Loans with an adjustable/floating interest rate		302,407		373,431		682,811		1,358,649
Total	$	584,398	$	962,814	$	1,009,440	$	2,556,652

Credit Quality Indicators

We categorize 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. Loans are analyzed individually and classified based on credit risk. Consumer loans are considered pass credits unless downgraded due to payment status or reviewed as part of a larger credit relationship. Loans that participated in the short-term deferral program are not automatically considered classified solely due to a deferral, are subject to ongoing monitoring and will be downgraded or placed on nonaccrual if a noted weakness exists. We use the following definitions for risk ratings.

Pass: Loans classified as pass include all loans that do not fall under one of the three following categories. These loans are considered unclassified.

Special Mention: Loans classified as special mention have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or of our credit position at some future date. These loans are considered classified.

Substandard: Loans classified as substandard are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. These loans are considered classified.

The risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows as of September 30, 2020.

Risk Category of Loans by Class

	As of September 30, 2020
	Unclassified		Classified		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	814,402	$	42,842	$	857,244
Real estate:
Commercial real estate		993,487		7,671		1,001,158
Real estate construction		187,124		47		187,171
Residential real estate		395,017		7,225		402,242
Agricultural real estate		119,977		7,372		127,349
Total real estate		1,695,605		22,315		1,717,920
Consumer		67,206		259		67,465
Agricultural		81,317		1,767		83,084
Total	$	2,658,530	$	67,183	$	2,725,713

The risk category of loans by class of loans is as follows as of December 31, 2019.

Risk Category of Loans by Class

	As of December 31, 2019
	Unclassified		Classified		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	539,877	$	31,770	$	571,647
Real estate:
Commercial real estate		937,090		9,670		946,760
Real estate construction		230,011		1,656		231,667
Residential real estate		495,418		8,021		503,439
Agricultural real estate		132,065		9,803		141,868
Total real estate		1,794,584		29,150		1,823,734
Consumer		67,997		381		68,378
Agricultural		88,607		4,286		92,893
Total	$	2,491,065	$	65,587	$	2,556,652

At September 30, 2020, loans considered unclassified increased to 97.5% of total loans, up from 97.4% of total loans at December 31, 2019. Classified loans were $67.2 million at September 30, 2020, an increase of $1.6 million, or 2.4%, from $65.6 million at December 31, 2019. As part of our COVID-19 response we have granted payment deferrals to our customers affected by the pandemic and if these loans do not return to normal payments after the deferral period the loans would be at risk of being downgraded in future periods. For additional information see “Lending operations and accommodations to borrowers” earlier in this section.

Nonperforming Assets

The following table presents information regarding nonperforming assets at the dates indicated.

Nonperforming Assets

	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	52,745		$	38,379
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due		248			—
Restructured loans-accruing		—			—
OREO acquired through foreclosure, net		6,745			8,293
OREO transferred from property and equipment for real estate no longer used in operations		1,982			—
Other repossessed assets		—			236
Total nonperforming assets	$	61,720		$	46,908
Ratios:
Nonperforming assets to total assets		1.60	%		1.19	%
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus OREO		2.26	%		1.83	%

Generally, loans are designated as nonaccrual when either principal or interest payments are 90 days or more past due based on contractual terms, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income earned in the current year is reversed against income and unpaid interest earned in prior years is charged off. Future interest income may be recorded on a cash basis after recovery of principal is reasonably assured. Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Nonaccrual loans include purchased loans that were identified upon acquisition as having experienced credit deterioration since origination (“purchased credit impaired loans”). However, if the purchased credit impaired loan included in nonaccrual loans has not experienced further deterioration since acquisition the loan is not considered impaired for purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses. See the

“Critical Accounting Policies – Impaired Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses” sections for information regarding the review of loans for determining impairment and the allowance for loan losses.

The nonperforming loans at September 30, 2020, consisted of 205 separate credits and 150 separate borrowers. We had nine non-performing loan relationships, totaling $41.3 million, with an outstanding balance in excess of $1.0 million as of September 30, 2020.

There are several procedures in place to assist us in maintaining the overall quality of our loan portfolio. We have established underwriting guidelines to be followed by lenders and we also monitor delinquency levels for any negative or adverse trends. In accordance with applicable regulation, appraisals or evaluations are required to independently value real estate and, as an important element, to consider when underwriting loans secured in part or in whole by real estate. The value of real estate collateral provides additional support to the borrower’s credit capacity. There can be no assurance, however, that our loan portfolio will not become subject to increasing pressures from deteriorating borrower credit due to general economic conditions.

Potential Problem Loans

Potential problem loans consist of loans that are performing in accordance with contractual terms, but for which management has concerns about the borrower’s ability to comply with repayment terms because of the borrower’s potential financial difficulties. Potential problem loans are assigned a grade of special mention or substandard. At September 30, 2020, the Company had $14.7 million in potential problem loans which were not included in either non-accrual or 90 days past due categories, compared to $27.2 million at December 31, 2019.

With respect to potential problem loans, all monitored and under-performing loans are reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are impaired. If we determine that a loan is impaired, then we evaluate the borrower’s overall financial condition to determine the need, if any, for possible write downs or appropriate additions to the allowance for loan losses based on the unlikelihood of full repayment of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms or the net realizable value of the pledged collateral.

The Company also monitors the aging of loans less than 90 days past due and the loans that have been deferred under the Company’s COVID-19 related payment deferral program as reported in “NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION” and “NOTE 3 – LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Please see “Critical Accounting Policies – Allowance for Loan Losses” for additional discussion of our allowance policy.

In connection with our review of the loan portfolio, risk elements attributable to particular loan types or categories are considered when assessing the quality of individual loans. Some of the risk elements include the following items.

•

Commercial and industrial loans are dependent on the strength of the industries of the related borrowers and the success of their businesses. Commercial and industrial loans are advanced for equipment purchases, to provide working capital or to meet other financing needs of the business. These loans may be secured by accounts receivable, inventory, equipment or other business assets. Financial information is obtained from the borrower to evaluate the debt service coverage and ability to repay the loans.

•

Commercial real estate loans are dependent on the industries tied to these loans as well as the local commercial real estate market. The loans are secured by the real estate and appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount. An evaluation of the project’s cash flows is performed to evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay the loan at the time of origination and periodically updated during the life of the loan.

•

Residential real estate loans are affected by the local residential real estate market, the local economy and movement in interest rates. We evaluate the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit reports and debt to income ratios. Appraisals are obtained to support the loan amount.

•

Agricultural real estate loans are real estate loans related to farmland and are affected by the value of farmland. We evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay based on cash flows from farming operations.

•

Consumer loans are dependent on the local economy. Consumer loans are generally secured by consumer assets but may be unsecured. We evaluate the borrower’s repayment ability through a review of credit scores and an evaluation of debt to income ratios.

•

Agricultural loans are primarily operating lines subject to annual farming revenues including productivity/yield of the agricultural commodities produced and the market pricing at the time of sale.

Analysis of allowance for loan losses: At September 30, 2020, the allowance for loan losses totaled $34.1 million, or 1.25% of total loans. At December 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses aggregated $12.2 million, or 0.48% of total loans.

The allowance for loan losses on loans collectively evaluated for impairment totaled $24.6 million, or 0.93% of the $2.66 billion in loans collectively evaluated for impairment at September 30, 2020, compared to an allowance for loan losses of $11.0 million, or 0.44% of the $2.50 billion in loans collectively evaluated for impairment at December 31, 2019. The increases in the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans and of loans collectively evaluated for impairment principally reflect management’s evaluation of current environmental conditions and changes in the composition and quality of our loan portfolio. Also considered by management in evaluating the allowance for loan losses are applied loss factors which are based in part on historical loss experience from the last major economic downturn. Allowance for loan losses related to consumer loans increased substantially due to the portfolios higher historical realized loss rates.

The following table presents, as of and for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data.

Allowance for Loan Losses

	As of and for the Three Months Ended September 30,						As of and for the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
	(Dollars in thousands)						(Dollars in thousands)
Average loans outstanding	$	2,758,680		$	2,646,454		$	2,697,188		$	2,620,897
Gross loans outstanding at end of period⁽¹⁾	$	2,725,713		$	2,600,924		$	2,725,713		$	2,600,924
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of the period	$	34,078		$	17,777		$	12,232		$	11,454
Provision for loan losses		815			679			23,255			17,299
Charge-offs:
Commercial and industrial		(3	)		(18	)		(259	)		(8,756	)
Real estate:
Commercial real estate		(115	)		(506	)		(174	)		(1,114	)
Real estate construction		(193	)		—			(193	)		—
Residential real estate		(153	)		(355	)		(312	)		(934	)
Agricultural real estate		(167	)		(9	)		(191	)		(43	)
Consumer		(243	)		(313	)		(697	)		(994	)
Agricultural		—			(5	)		(1	)		(47	)
Total charge-offs		(874	)		(1,206	)		(1,827	)		(11,888	)
Recoveries:
Commercial and industrial		3			17			16			66
Real estate:
Commercial real estate		1			47			7			96
Real estate construction		—			—			194			24
Residential real estate		22			450			26			488
Agricultural real estate		5			38			5			38
Consumer		32			73			173			296
Agricultural		5			—			6			2
Total recoveries		68			625			427			1,010
Net recoveries (charge-offs)		(806	)		(581	)		(1,400	)		(10,878	)
Allowance for loan losses at end of the period	$	34,087		$	17,875		$	34,087		$	17,875
Ratio of allowance to period-end loans		1.25	%		0.69	%		1.25	%		0.69	%
Annualized ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans		0.12	%		0.09	%		0.07	%		0.55	%

(1)Excluding loans held for sale.

The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among our loan categories and certain other information as of the dates indicated. The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any loan category.

Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses

	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
	Amount		% of Total Allowance			Amount		% of Total Allowance
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance of allowance for loan losses applicable to:
Commercial and industrial	$	11,529		33.8	%	$	3,061		25.0	%
Real estate:
Commercial real estate		8,898		26.1	%		2,704		22.1	%
Real estate construction		44		0.1	%		1,215		9.9	%
Residential real estate		4,593		13.5	%		2,676		21.9	%
Agricultural real estate		1,281		3.8	%		608		5.0	%
Consumer		6,974		20.5	%		1,422		11.6	%
Agricultural		768		2.2	%		546		4.5	%
Total allowance for loan losses	$	34,087		100.0	%	$	12,232		100.0	%

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2020, was adequate to cover probable incurred losses in the loan portfolio as of such date. There can be no assurance, however, that we will not sustain losses in future periods, which could be substantial in relation to the size of the allowance at September 30, 2020. While COVID-19 began impacting many borrowers in the first nine months of 2020, such loans may not meet the threshold of impaired until future periods as borrowers may not have sufficient levels of liquidity, operating performance and guarantor support to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans in periods beyond September 30, 2020, and the resulting future losses would be recorded in the period incurred. For loans modified that do not meet the definition of trouble debt restructurings, those loans may subsequently default, and such future losses would be recorded when the loss is incurred.

Securities

We use our securities portfolio to provide a source of liquidity, to provide an appropriate return on funds invested, to manage interest rate risk, to meet pledging requirements and to meet regulatory capital requirements. At September 30, 2020, the carrying amount of investment securities totaled $798.6 million, a decrease of $112.6 million compared with December 31, 2019. At September 30, 2020, securities represented 20.7% of total assets compared with 23.1% at December 31, 2019.

At the date of purchase, debt securities are classified into one of two categories, held-to-maturity or available-for-sale. We do not purchase securities for trading purposes. At each reporting date, the appropriateness of the classification is reassessed. Investments in debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts, only if management has the positive intent and ability to hold those securities to maturity. Debt securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and measured at fair value in the financial statements with unrealized gains and losses reported, net of tax, as accumulated comprehensive income or loss until realized. Interest earned on securities is included in total interest and dividend income. Also included in total interest and dividend income are dividends received on stock investments in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the FHLB of Topeka. These stock investments are stated at cost.

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value by classification of available-for-sale securities as of the dates shown.

Available-For-Sale Securities

	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government-sponsored entities	$	995	$	1,029	$	—	$	—
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities		581,265		604,870		141,082		142,067
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities		21,165		21,084		—		—
Corporate		44,508		44,864		—		—
Small Business Administration loan pools		1,227		1,276		—		—
State and political subdivisions		121,262		125,453		—		—
Total available-for-sale securities	$	770,422	$	798,576	$	141,082	$	142,067

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value by classification of held-to-maturity securities as of the dates shown.

Held-To-Maturity Securities

	December 31, 2019
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. government-sponsored entities	$	1,991	$	2,013
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities		593,236		603,972
Corporate		22,992		23,495
Small Business Administration loan pools		1,478		1,490
State and political subdivisions		149,362		152,941
Total held-to-maturity securities	$	769,059	$	783,911

At September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, we did not own securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government and its agencies or sponsored entities) for which aggregate adjusted cost exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity at the reporting dates noted.

The following tables summarize the contractual maturity of debt securities and their weighted average yields as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately. Available-for-sale securities are shown at fair value and held-to-maturity securities are shown at cost, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and the accretion of discounts.

	September 30, 2020
	Due in one year or less					Due after one year through five years					Due after five years through 10 years					Due after 10 years					Total
	Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale securities:
U.S. Government-sponsored entities	$	—	—%			$	1,029		2.78	%	$	—	—%			$	—	—%			$	1,029		2.78	%
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities		14		5.49	%		1,657		3.16	%		64,228		2.87	%		538,971		2.45	%		604,870		2.50	%
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities		—	—%				—	—%				—	—%				21,084		(0.48	)%		21,084		(0.48	)%
Corporate		5,107		2.17	%		—	—%				35,763		4.35	%		3,994		4.25	%		44,864		4.10	%
Small Business Administration loan pools		—	—%				—	—%				—	—%				1,276		2.38	%		1,276		2.38	%
State and political subdivisions(1)		3,216		2.57	%		27,475		2.50	%		30,715		2.87	%		64,047		3.16	%		125,453		2.93	%
Total available-for-sale securities		8,337		2.33	%		30,161		2.54	%		130,706		3.28	%		629,372		2.44	%		798,576		2.58	%
Total debt securities	$	8,337		2.33	%	$	30,161		2.54	%	$	130,706		3.28	%	$	629,372		2.44	%	$	798,576		2.58	%

⁽¹⁾	The calculated yield is not presented on a tax equivalent basis.

	December 31, 2019
	Due in one year or less					Due after one year through five years					Due after five years through 10 years					Due after 10 years					Total
	Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield			Carrying Value		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale securities:
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities	$	—	—%			$	4		3.50	%	$	39		2.50	%	$	142,024		2.56	%	$	142,067		2.56	%
Total available-for-sale securities		—	—%				4		3.50	%		39		2.50	%		142,024		2.56	%		142,067		2.56	%
Held-to-maturity securities:
U.S. government- sponsored entities		999		1.65	%		992		2.78	%		—	—%				—	—%				1,991		2.21	%
Mortgage-backed securities
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities		—	—%				2,826		2.81	%		71,317		2.96	%		519,093		2.81	%		593,236		2.83	%
Corporate		—	—%				5,095		2.74	%		17,897		4.94	%		—	—%				22,992		4.45	%
Small Business Administration loan pools		—	—%				—	—%				—	—%				1,478		2.73	%		1,478		2.73	%
State and political subdivisions⁽¹⁾		16,421		0.83	%		29,082		2.78	%		33,320		2.91	%		70,539		3.15	%		149,362		2.77	%
Total held-to-maturity securities		17,420		0.88	%		37,995		2.77	%		122,534		3.24	%		591,110		2.85	%		769,059		2.87	%
Total debt securities	$	17,420		0.88	%	$	37,999		2.77	%	$	122,573		3.24	%	$	733,134		2.80	%	$	911,126		2.82	%

⁽¹⁾	The calculated yield is not presented on a tax equivalent basis.

Mortgage-backed securities are securities that have been developed by pooling a number of real estate mortgages and which are principally issued by federal agencies such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Unlike U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agency securities, which have a lump sum payment at maturity, mortgage-backed securities provide cash flows from regular principal and interest payments and principal prepayments throughout the lives of the securities. Premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities are amortized and accreted over the expected life of the security and may be impacted by prepayments. As such, mortgage-backed securities which are purchased at a premium will generally produce decreasing net yields as interest rates drop because homeowners tend to refinance their mortgages resulting in prepayments and an acceleration of premium amortization. Securities purchased at a discount will reflect higher net yields in a decreasing interest rate environment as prepayments result in an acceleration of discount accretion.

The contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities is not a reliable indicator of their expected lives because borrowers have the right to prepay their obligations at any time. Monthly pay downs on mortgage-backed securities cause the average lives of these securities to be much different than their stated lives. At September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, 89.1% and 89.9% of the government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities held by us had contractual final maturities of more than ten years with a weighted average life of 2.2 years and 4.2 years and a modified duration of 2.2 years and 3.8 years. At September 30, 2020, 100.0% of the private label residential mortgage-backed securities held by us had contractual final maturities of more than ten years with a weighted average life of 0.7 years and a modified duration of 0.7 years. There were no private label residential mortgage-backed securities held by us at December 31, 2019.

If the current economic environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic continues for an extended period, it could adversely impact the ability of state and political subdivisions to repay their current debt obligations when due. As part of the Company’s review of potential risk caused by the COVID-19 pandemic we have reviewed the types and amount of bonds that will mature over the next 12 months. At September 30, 2020, we had total general obligation bonds of $84.7 million with $2.0 million maturing in the next 12 months and total revenue bonds of $34.4 million with $571 thousand maturing in the next 12 months.

Goodwill Impairment Assessment

At September 30, 2020, we performed an interim quantitative analysis and determined from this analysis that goodwill was impaired and subsequently booked a $104.8 million non-cash charge for goodwill impairment. For more information on our September 30, 2020, interim analysis, see “Critical Accounting Policies” and “NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION.”

Other Assets

On January 31, 2020, the Company submitted a notice of proposed branch closing with the Federal Reserve for three locations. At their December meeting, the Board of Directors voted to close these branches and to move the loans, deposits and property that would not be sold with the building to other branches that will remain open in the markets of the branches being closed. The three locations were subsequently closed on May 1, 2020. At the present time, the Company does not have an active program in place to locate a buyer, these properties are not listed with a realtor and they are not being actively marketed. These properties were moved to other real estate owned during the third quarter.

Deposits

Our lending and investing activities are primarily funded by deposits. A variety of deposit accounts are offered with a wide range of interest rates and terms including demand, savings, money market and time deposits. We rely primarily on competitive pricing policies, convenient locations, comprehensive marketing strategy and personalized service to attract and retain these deposits.

The following table shows our composition of deposits at September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

Composition of Deposits

	September 30, 2020					December 31, 2019
	Amount		Percent of Total			Amount		Percent of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-interest-bearing demand	$	693,967		22.1	%	$	481,298		15.7	%
Interest-bearing demand		870,398		27.8	%		703,048		23.0	%
Savings and money market		945,909		30.2	%		1,046,000		34.1	%
Time		623,344		19.9	%		833,170		27.2	%
Total deposits	$	3,133,618		100.0	%	$	3,063,516		100.0	%

Total deposits at September 30, 2020, were $3.13 billion, an increase of $70.1 million, or 2.3%, compared to total deposits of $3.06 billion at December 31, 2019.

Included in interest-bearing demand deposits are brokered deposit balances of $150.9 million at September 30, 2020, and $43.8 million at December 31, 2019. Also included in savings and money market deposits are brokered deposit balances of $5.9 million as of September 30, 2020, and $20.0 million as of December 31, 2019. These balances represent customer funds placed in the Insured Cash Sweep (“ICS”) service that allows Equity Bank to break large money market deposits into smaller amounts and place them in a network of other ICS banks to ensure FDIC insurance coverage on the entire deposit. These deposits are placed through ICS services, but are Equity Bank’s customer relationships that management views as core funding. Brokered certificates of deposit as of September 30, 2020, were $10.1 million and $9.5 million at December 31, 2019. Of these balances, $10.1 million at September 30, 2020, and $9.5 million at December 31, 2019, were reciprocal customer funds placed in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”) program. CDARS allows Equity Bank to break large time deposits into smaller amounts and place them in a network of other CDARS banks to ensure FDIC insurance coverage on the entire deposit. Reciprocal deposits are not considered brokered deposits as long as the aggregate balance is less than the lesser of 20% of total liabilities or $5.0 billion and Equity Bank is well capitalized and well rated. All non-reciprocal deposits and reciprocal deposits in excess of regulatory limits are considered brokered deposits.

The following table provides information on the maturity distribution of time deposits of $100 thousand or more as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019		Change			%
	(Dollars in thousands)
3 months or less	$	91,694	$	132,148	$	(40,454	)		(30.6	)%
Over 3 through 6 months		76,351		110,714		(34,363	)		(31.0	)%
Over 6 through 12 months		117,391		163,802		(46,411	)		(28.3	)%
Over 12 months		98,177		133,337		(35,160	)		(26.4	)%
Total Time Deposits	$	383,613	$	540,001	$	(156,388	)		(29.0	)%

Other Borrowed Funds

We utilize borrowings to supplement deposits to fund our lending and investing activities. Short-term borrowings and long-term borrowings include federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, Federal Reserve Bank discount window, a bank stock loan and subordinated debentures. For additional information see “NOTE 6 – BORROWINGS” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Market and public confidence in our financial strength and financial institutions in general will largely determine access to appropriate levels of liquidity. This confidence is significantly dependent on our ability to maintain sound asset quality and appropriate levels of capital reserves.

Liquidity is defined as the ability to meet anticipated customer demands for future funds under credit commitments and deposit withdrawals at a reasonable cost and on a timely basis. We measure our liquidity position by considering both on and off-balance sheet sources of and demands for funds on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Liquidity risk involves the risk of being unable to fund assets with the appropriate duration and rate-based liabilities, as well as the risk of not being able to meet unexpected cash needs. Liquidity planning and management are necessary to ensure the ability to fund operations in a cost-effective manner and to meet current and future potential obligations such as loan commitments, lease obligations and unexpected deposit outflows. In this process, we focus on both assets and liabilities and on the way they combine to provide adequate liquidity to meet our needs.

During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and 2019, our liquidity needs have primarily been met by core deposits, security and loan maturities and amortizing investment and loan portfolios. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased, brokered certificates of deposit, borrowings from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve discount window.

Our largest sources of funds are deposits and FHLB borrowings and largest uses of funds are loans and securities. Average loans were $2.70 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an increase of 3.4% over the December 31, 2019, average balance. Excess deposits are primarily invested in our interest-bearing deposit account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, investment securities, federal funds sold or other short-term liquid investments until the funds are needed to fund loan growth. Our securities portfolio has a weighted average life of 2.8 years and a modified duration of 2.6 years at September 30, 2020.

Cash and cash equivalents were $65.8 million at September 30, 2020, a decrease of $23.5 million from the $89.3 million cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2019. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents is driven primarily by $35.2 million net cash used in investing activities and $24.7 million net cash used in financing activities, partially offset by $36.4 million provided by operating activities. Cash and cash equivalents at January 1, 2020, plus liquidity provided by operating activities, pay downs, sales and maturities of investment securities and FHLB borrowings during the first nine months of 2020 were used to originate or purchase loans and to purchase investment securities. We believe that our daily funding needs can be met through cash provided by operating activities, payments and maturities on loans and investment securities, core deposit base and FHLB advances and other borrowing relationships.

Off-Balance Sheet Items

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets. We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers. These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments. The same credit policies and procedures are used in making these commitments as for on-balance sheet instruments.

Our commitments associated with outstanding standby and performance letters of credit and commitments to extend credit expiring by period as of September 30, 2020, are summarized below. Since commitments associated with letters of credit and commitments to extend credit may expire unused, the amounts shown do not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements.

Credit Extensions Commitments

As of September 30, 2020

	1 Year or Less		More Than 1 Year but Less Than 3 Years		3 Years or More but Less Than 5 Years		5 Years or More		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Standby and performance letters of credit	$	5,721	$	400	$	210	$	—	$	6,331
Commitments to extend credit		266,895		43,581		20,699		86,622		417,797
Total	$	272,616	$	43,981	$	20,909	$	86,622	$	424,128

Standby and Performance Letters of Credit: Standby letters of credit are irrevocable commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party once specified pre-conditions are met. Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing and similar transactions. Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

Commitments to Extend Credit: Commitments to originate loans and available lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments and lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments and lines of credit may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment and lines of credit amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer’s creditworthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate. Commitments to extend credit include mortgage loans in the process of origination that we plan to fund within a normal period of 60 to 90 days, and which are intended for sale to investors in the secondary market.

Capital Resources

Capital management consists of providing equity to support our current and future operations. The federal bank regulators view capital levels as important indicators of an institution’s financial soundness. As a general matter, FDIC-insured depository institutions and their holding companies are required to maintain minimum capital relative to the amount and types of assets they hold. As a bank holding company and a state-chartered-Fed-member bank, the Company and Equity Bank are subject to regulatory capital requirements.

Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations, involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. Management believes as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the Company and Equity Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as are asset growth and acquisitions, and capital restoration plans are required.

Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject the institution to a variety of enforcement remedies by federal bank regulatory agencies, including termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, restrictions on certain business activities and appointment of the FDIC as conservator or receiver. As of September 30, 2020, the most recent notifications from the federal regulatory agencies categorized Equity Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, Equity Bank must maintain minimum Total capital, Tier 1 capital, Common Equity Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 leverage ratios. For additional information, see “NOTE 8 – REGULATORY MATTERS” in the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed Equity Bank’s category.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We identify certain financial measures discussed in this Quarterly Report as being “non-GAAP financial measures.” In accordance with SEC’s rules, we classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheet or statements of cash flows. Non-GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures or ratios, or statistical measures calculated using exclusively either financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, operating measures or other measures that are not non-GAAP financial measures or both.

The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Quarterly Report should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the way we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Quarterly Report may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures similar or with names like the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this Quarterly Report when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share and Tangible Book Value Per Diluted Common Share: Tangible book value is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate: (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of amortization); (b) tangible book value per common share as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by shares of common stock outstanding; and tangible book value per diluted common share as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by diluted shares of common stock outstanding. For tangible book value, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is book value.

Management believes that these measures are important to many investors who are interested in changes from period to period in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing our tangible book value.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity, tangible book value per common share and tangible book value per diluted common share and compares these values with book value per common share.

	For the three months ended
	September 30, 2020		June 30, 2020		March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Total stockholders’ equity	$	402,172	$	479,766	$	477,351	$	478,060	$	467,050
Less: goodwill		31,601		136,432		136,432		136,432		136,432
Less: core deposit intangibles, net		17,101		18,131		19,105		19,907		20,727
Less: mortgage servicing asset, net		1		2		4		5		7
Less: naming rights, net		1,141		1,152		1,163		1,174		1,184
Tangible common equity	$	352,328	$	324,049	$	320,647	$	320,542	$	308,700
Common shares issued at period end		14,853,487		15,218,301		15,198,986		15,444,434		15,440,334
Diluted common shares outstanding at period end		14,945,282		15,334,144		15,297,319		15,719,810		15,647,456
Book value per common share	$	27.08	$	31.53	$	31.41	$	30.95	$	30.25
Tangible book value per common share	$	23.72	$	21.29	$	21.10	$	20.75	$	19.99
Tangible book value per diluted common share	$	23.57	$	21.13	$	20.96	$	20.39	$	19.73

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets: Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate (a) tangible common equity as total stockholders’ equity less preferred stock, goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); (b) tangible assets as total assets less goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); and (c) tangible common equity to tangible assets as tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)) divided by tangible assets (as described in clause (b)). For tangible common equity to tangible assets, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is total stockholders’ equity to total assets.

Management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the relative changes from period to period in common equity and total assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing both total stockholders’ equity and total assets while not increasing tangible common equity or tangible assets.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total stockholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets.

	For the three months ended
	September 30, 2020			June 30, 2020			March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Total stockholders’ equity	$	402,172		$	479,766		$	477,351		$	478,060		$	467,050
Less: goodwill		31,601			136,432			136,432			136,432			136,432
Less: core deposit intangibles, net		17,101			18,131			19,105			19,907			20,727
Less: mortgage servicing asset, net		1			2			4			5			7
Less: naming rights, net		1,141			1,152			1,163			1,174			1,184
Tangible common equity	$	352,328		$	324,049		$	320,647		$	320,542		$	308,700
Total assets	$	3,865,571		$	4,205,269		$	3,943,832		$	3,949,578		$	4,074,663
Less: goodwill		31,601			136,432			136,432			136,432			136,432
Less: core deposit intangibles, net		17,101			18,131			19,105			19,907			20,727
Less: mortgage servicing asset, net		1			2			4			5			7
Less: naming rights, net		1,141			1,152			1,163			1,174			1,184
Tangible assets	$	3,815,727		$	4,049,552		$	3,787,128		$	3,792,060		$	3,916,313
Equity to assets		10.40	%		11.41	%		12.10	%		12.10	%		11.46	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		9.23	%		8.00	%		8.47	%		8.45	%		7.88	%

Return on Average Tangible Common Equity: Return on average tangible common equity is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate (a) average tangible common equity as total average stockholders’ equity less average goodwill, core deposit intangibles (net of accumulated amortization) and other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization); (b) adjusted net income allocable to common stockholders as net income allocable to common stockholders plus intangible asset amortization less tax effect on intangible assets amortization; and (c) return on average tangible common equity as annualized adjusted net income allocable to common stockholders (as described in clause (b)) divided by average tangible common equity (as described in clause (a)). For return on average tangible common equity, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is return on average equity.

Management believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in earnings quality on tangible common equity. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total stockholders’ equity while not increasing tangible common equity.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, return on average stockholders’ equity and return on average tangible common equity.

	For the three months ended
	September 30, 2020			June 30, 2020			March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Total average stockholders’ equity	$	483,088		$	483,605		$	482,567		$	473,562		$	463,252
Less: average intangible assets		154,049			156,194			157,097			157,993			158,760
Average tangible common equity	$	329,039		$	327,411		$	325,470		$	315,569		$	304,492
Net income allocable to common stockholders	$	(90,405	)	$	1,689		$	1,258		$	10,014		$	10,406
Goodwill impairment		104,831			—			—			—			—
Amortization of intangible assets		1,043			986			814			833			797
Less: tax effect		5,539			207			171			175			167
Adjusted net income allocable to common stockholders	$	9,930		$	2,468		$	1,901		$	10,672		$	11,036
Return on total average stockholders’ equity (ROAE) annualized		(74.45	)%		1.40	%		1.05	%		8.39	%		8.91	%
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) annualized		12.01	%		3.03	%		2.35	%		13.42	%		14.38	%

Efficiency Ratio: The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP measure generally used by financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions. We calculate the efficiency ratio by dividing non-interest expense, excluding merger expenses and goodwill impairment, by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding net gain (loss) from securities transactions. The GAAP-based efficiency ratio is non-interest expense divided by net interest income plus non-interest income.

In management’s judgment, the adjustments made to non-interest expense and non-interest income allow investors and analysts to better assess operating expenses in relation to operating revenue by removing merger expenses and net gain (loss) from securities transactions.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, the efficiency ratio to the GAAP-based efficiency ratio.

	For the three months ended
	September 30, 2020			June 30, 2020			March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			September 30, 2019
	(Dollars in thousands)
Non-interest expense	$	130,835		$	23,937		$	25,758		$	24,846		$	24,223
Less: goodwill impairment		104,831			—			—			—			—
Non-interest expense, excluding goodwill impairment	$	26,004		$	23,937		$	25,758		$	24,846		$	24,223
Net interest income	$	32,107		$	32,891		$	32,095		$	32,405		$	31,526
Non-interest income	$	6,485		$	5,732		$	5,306		$	6,641		$	6,572
Less: net gain (loss) from securities transactions		—			4			8			(3	)		4
Non-interest income, excluding net gain (loss) from securities transactions	$	6,485		$	5,728		$	5,298		$	6,644		$	6,568
Net interest income plus non-interest income, excluding net gain (loss) from securities transactions	$	38,592		$	38,619		$	37,393		$	39,049		$	38,094
Non-interest expense to net interest income plus non-interest income		339.02	%		61.98	%		68.87	%		63.63	%		63.58	%
Efficiency Ratio		67.38	%		61.98	%		68.88	%		63.63	%		63.59	%

Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our asset-liability policy provides guidelines for effective funds management and management has established a measurement system for monitoring net interest rate sensitivity position within established guidelines.

As a financial institution, the primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility. Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most assets and liabilities and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short-term maturity. Interest rate risk is the potential of economic gains or losses due to future interest rate changes. These changes can be reflected in future net interest income and/or fair market values. The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income (“NII”) and economic value of equity (“EVE”) and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.

We manage interest rate exposure by structuring the balance sheet in the ordinary course of business. We have the ability to enter into instruments such as leveraged derivatives, interest rate swaps, financial options, financial futures contracts or forward delivery contracts for the purpose of reducing interest rate risk. Currently, we do not have a material exposure to these instruments. We also have the ability to enter into interest rate swaps as an accommodation to our customers in connection with an interest rate swap program. Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk. We do not own any trading assets.

Our exposure to interest rate risk is managed by the Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which is composed of certain members of senior management, in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Directors. ALCO formulates strategies based on appropriate levels of interest rate risk. In determining the appropriate level of interest rate risk, ALCO considers the impact on earnings and capital of the current outlook on interest rates, potential changes in interest rates, regional economies, liquidity, business strategies and other factors. ALCO meets monthly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, securities purchase and sale activities, commitments to originate loans and the maturities of investment securities and borrowings. Additionally, ALCO reviews liquidity, projected cash flows, maturities of deposits and consumer and commercial deposit activity.

ALCO uses a simulation analysis to monitor and manage the pricing and maturity of assets and liabilities in order to diminish the potential adverse impact that changes in interest rates could have on net interest income. The simulation tests the sensitivity of NII and EVE. Contractual maturities and repricing opportunities of loans are incorporated in the simulation model as are prepayment assumptions, maturity data and call options within the investment securities portfolio. Assumptions based on past experience are incorporated into the model for non-maturity deposit accounts. The assumptions used are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure the future NII and EVE. Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing,

magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies.

The change in the impact of net interest income from the base case for September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was primarily driven by the rate and mix of variable and fixed rate financial instruments, the underlying duration of the financial instruments and the level of response to changes in the interest rate environment. The increase in the level of negative impact to net interest income in the up interest rate shock scenarios is due to the assumed migration of non-term deposit liabilities to higher rate term deposits; the level of fixed rate investments and loans receivable that will not reprice to higher rates; the variable rate Federal Home Loan Bank advances; the variable rate subordinated debentures and the non-term deposits that are assumed not to migrate to term deposits that are variable rate and will reprice to the higher rates; and a portion of our portfolio of variable rate loans contain restrictions on the amount of repricing and frequency of repricing that limit the amount of repricing to the current higher rates. These factors result in the negative impacts to net interest income in the up-interest rate shock scenarios that are detailed in the table below. In the down interest rate shock scenario, the main drivers of the negative impact on net interest income are the decrease in investment income due to the negative convexity features of the fixed rate mortgage backed securities, assumed prepayment of existing fixed rate loans receivable, the downward pricing of variable rate loans receivable, the constraint of the shock on non-term deposits and the level of term deposit repricing. Our mortgage backed security portfolio is comprised of fixed rate investments and as rates decrease, the level of prepayments is assumed to increase and cause the current higher rate investments to prepay and the assumed reinvestment will be at lower interest rates. Similar to our mortgage backed securities, the model assumes that our fixed rate loans receivable will prepay at a faster rate and reinvestment will occur at lower rates. The level of downward shock on the non-term deposits is constrained to limit the downward shock to a non-zero rate which results in a minimal reduction in the average rate paid. Term deposits repricing will only decrease the average cost paid by a minimal amount due to the assumed repricing occurring at maturity. These factors result in the negative impact to net interest income in the down interest rate shock scenario.

The change in the EVE from the base case for September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019, is due to being in a liability sensitive position and the level of convexity in pre-payable assets. Generally, with a liability sensitive position, as interest rates increase, the value of assets decrease faster than the value of liabilities and as interest rates decrease, the value of assets increase at a faster rate than liabilities. However, due to the level of convexity in fixed rate pre-payable assets, we do not experience a similar change in the value of assets in a down interest rate shock scenario. In addition, the mix of interest-bearing deposit and non-interest-bearing deposits impact the level of deposit decay and the resulting benefit of discounting from the non-interest-bearing deposits. At September 30, 2020, non-interest-bearing deposits were approximately $694.0 million or 44.2% higher than that deposit type at December 31, 2019. Substantially all investments and approximately 56.5% of loans are pre-payable and fixed rate and as rates decrease, the level of modeled prepayments increase. The prepaid principal is assumed to reprice at the assumed current rates resulting in a smaller positive impact to the EVE.

Management utilizes static balance sheet rate shocks to estimate the potential impact on various rate scenarios. This analysis estimates a percentage of change in the metric from the stable rate base scenario versus alternative scenarios of rising and falling market interest rates by instantaneously shocking a static balance sheet. The following table summarizes the simulated immediate change in net interest income for twelve months as of the dates indicated.

Market Risk

	Impact on Net Interest Income
Change in prevailing interest rates	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
+300 basis points		(8.1	)%		(12.3	)%
+200 basis points		(4.6	)%		(7.6	)%
+100 basis points		(1.8	)%		(3.5	)%
0 basis points		—			—
-100 basis points		(1.0	)%		1.9	%

The following table summarizes the simulated immediate impact on economic value of equity as of the dates indicated.

	Impact on Economic Value of Equity
Change in prevailing interest rates	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
+300 basis points		8.8	%		(7.6	)%
+200 basis points		11.2	%		(3.0	)%
+100 basis points		7.6	%		(0.6	)%
0 basis points		—			—
-100 basis points		(20.4	)%		(4.4	)%

Item 4: Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and management was required to apply judgement in evaluating its controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC rules and forms.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are a party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of our business. See “NOTE 12 – LEGAL MATTERS” of the Condensed Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 to this Quarterly report for a complete discussion of litigation matters.

Item 1A: Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the following risk factor represents material updates and additions to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10- K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factor set forth below also is a cautionary statement identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us.

•

The inability of borrowers on deferral to make payments on their loans following the end of the deferral period.

•

Expiration of our emerging growth company designation will impose additional compliance obligations and costs.

•

The economic impact of the novel COVID-19 outbreak could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported in China, and, in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. On March 12, 2020, the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States a national emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant economic dislocation in the United States as many state and local governments have ordered non-essential businesses to close and residents to shelter in place at home. This has resulted in an unprecedented slow-down in economic activity and a related increase in unemployment. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, more than 22 million people have filed claims for unemployment and stock markets have declined in value, in particular, bank stocks have significantly declined in value. In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Federal Reserve Board has reduced the benchmark fed funds rate to a target range of 0% to 0.25% and the yields on 10 and 30-year treasury notes have declined to historic lows. Various state governments and federal agencies are requiring lenders to provide forbearance and other relief to borrowers (e.g., waiving late payment and other fees). The federal banking agencies have encouraged financial institutions to prudently work with affected borrowers and recently passed legislation has provided relief from reporting loan classifications due to modifications related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Certain industries have been particularly hard hit, including the travel and hospitality industry, the restaurant industry and the retail industry. Finally, the spread of the coronavirus has caused us to modify our business practices, including employee travel, work locations and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences. We may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers and business partners.

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the coronavirus can be controlled and abated and when and how the economy may be reopened.

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

Repurchase of Common Stock

The following table presents shares that have been repurchased under the program during the third quarter of 2020.

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Repurchase Plan		Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan
July 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020		38,489	$	14.20		38,489		345,034
August 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020		278,202	$	15.44		278,202		66,832
September 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020		66,832	$	16.37		66,832		—
Total		383,523	$	15.48		383,523		—

Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4: Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5: Other Information

None

Item 6: Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description
4.1		Indenture, dated as of June 29, 2020, by and between Equity Bancshares, Inc. and UMB Bank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Equity Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2020).
4.2		Form of 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2030 (included in Exhibit 4.1) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Equity Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2020).
10.1		Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2020, by and among Equity Bancshares, Inc. and the several purchasers thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Equity Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2020).
10.2		Form of Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2020, by and among Equity Bancshares, Inc. and the several purchasers thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Equity Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2020).
10.3		The Fourth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement and Promissory Notes Modification Agreement, dated June 29, 2020, by and among Equity Bancshares, Inc. as Borrower and ServisFirst Bank, as Lender (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Equity Bancshares, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on July 2, 2020).
31.1*		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*		Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104*		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

*	Filed herewith.

**	These exhibits are furnished herewith and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

SIGNATURES

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

	Equity Bancshares, Inc.

October 29, 2020	By:	/s/ Brad S. Elliott
Date		Brad S. Elliott
		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

October 29, 2020	By:	/s/ Eric R. Newell
Date		Eric R. Newell
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer