NICOLET BANKSHARES INC - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017

¨ 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 001-37700

NICOLET BANKSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

111 North Washington Street

Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301

(920) 430-1400

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or 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 x

Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ¨

Emerging growth company x

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 Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

As of June 30, 2017, (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) the aggregate market value of the common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $453.3 million based on the closing sale price of $54.71 per share as reported on Nasdaq on June 30, 2017. The registrant’s common stock commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market on February 24, 2016.

As of February 28, 2018 9,742,160 shares of common stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of Form 10-K – Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

Nicolet Bankshares, Inc.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. Statements in this report that are not strictly historical are forward-looking and based upon current expectations that may differ materially from actual results. These forward-looking statements, identified by words such as “will”, “expect”, “believe” and “prospects”, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic trends and changes in interest rates, increased competition, regulatory or legislative developments affecting the financial industry generally or Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. specifically, the interpretations and impact of recently enacted tax legislation, changes in consumer demand for financial services, the possibility of unforeseen events affecting the industry generally or Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. specifically, the uncertainties associated with newly developed or acquired operations and market disruptions. Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements publicly to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

PART I

General

Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (individually referred to herein as the “Parent Company” and together with all its subsidiaries collectively referred to herein as “Nicolet,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and under the bank holding company laws of the State of Wisconsin. At December 31, 2017, Nicolet had total assets of $2.9 billion, loans of $2.1 billion, deposits of $2.5 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $364 million. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Nicolet earned net income of $33.1 million, or $3.33 per diluted common share. For 2017, Nicolet’s return on average assets was 1.25%.

The Parent Company is a Wisconsin corporation, originally incorporated on April 5, 2000 as Green Bay Financial Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation, to serve as the holding company for and the sole shareholder of Nicolet National Bank. It amended and restated its articles of incorporation and changed its name to Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. on March 14, 2002. It subsequently became the holding company for Nicolet National Bank upon the completion of the bank’s reorganization into a holding company structure on June 6, 2002. Nicolet elected to become a financial holding company in 2008.

Nicolet conducts its primary operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nicolet National Bank, a commercial bank which was organized in 2000 as a national bank under the laws of the United States and opened for business, in Green Bay, Brown County, Wisconsin, on November 1, 2000 (referred to herein as the “Bank”). Structurally, the Parent Company also wholly owns a registered investment advisory firm, Brookfield Investment Partners, LLC (“Brookfield”), that principally provides investment strategy and transactional services to select community banks, wholly owns a registered investment advisory firm, Nicolet Advisory Services, LLC (“Nicolet Advisory”), that conducts brokerage and financial advisory services primarily to individual consumers, and entered into a joint venture that provides for 50% ownership of the building in which Nicolet is headquartered. Structurally, the Bank wholly owns an investment subsidiary based in Nevada, a subsidiary in Green Bay that provides a web-based investment management platform for financial advisor trades and related activity, and a subsidiary that owns a for-sale Green Bay property that is partially leased, and the Bank owns 99.2% of United Financial Services, Inc (“UFS Inc.”) which in turn owns 50.2% of UFS, LLC, a data processing services company located in Grafton, Wisconsin (collectively referred to herein as “UFS”). Other than the Bank, these subsidiaries are closely related to or incidental to the business of banking and none are individually or collectively significant to Nicolet’s financial position or results as of December 31, 2017.

Nicolet’s profitability is significantly dependent upon net interest income (interest income earned on loans and other interest-earning assets such as investments, net of interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds), and noninterest income sources (including but not limited to service charges on deposits, trust and brokerage fees, and mortgage income from sales of residential mortgages into the secondary market), offset by the level of the provision for loan losses, noninterest expenses (largely employee compensation and overhead expenses tied to processing and operating the Bank’s business), and income taxes.

Since its opening in late 2000, Nicolet has supplemented its organic growth with branch purchase and acquisition transactions. Most recently, the Company completed a merger transaction with First Menasha Bancshares, Inc. (“First Menasha”) consummated on April 28, 2017. During 2016, the Company completed two transactions (collectively the “2016 acquisitions”) consisting of a private transaction to hire a select group of financial advisors and to purchase their respective books of business and operating platform completed on April 1, 2016 and the merger transaction with Baylake Corp. (“Baylake”) consummated on April 29, 2016. For additional information, see Note 2, “Acquisitions,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8.

Products and Services Overview

Nicolet’s principal business is banking, consisting of lending and deposit gathering, as well as ancillary banking-related products and services, to businesses and individuals of the communities it serves, and the operational support to deliver, fund and manage such banking products and services. Additionally, through the Bank and Nicolet Advisory, trust, brokerage and other investment management services for individuals and retirement plan services for business customers are offered. Nicolet delivers its products and services principally through 38 bank branch locations, on-line banking, mobile banking and an interactive website. Nicolet’s call center also services customers.

Nicolet offers a variety of loans, deposits and related services to business customers (especially small and medium-sized businesses and professional concerns), including but not limited to: business checking and other business deposit products and cash management services, international banking services, business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction loans, agricultural real estate or production loans, and letters of credit, as well as retirement plan services. Similarly, Nicolet offers a variety of banking products and services to consumers, including but not limited to: residential mortgage loans and mortgage refinancing, home equity loans and lines of credit, residential construction loans, personal loans, checking, savings and money market accounts, various certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts, safe deposit boxes, and personal brokerage, trust and fiduciary services. Nicolet also provides on-line services including commercial, retail and trust on-line banking, automated bill payment, mobile banking deposits and account access, remote deposit capture, and telephone banking, and other services such as wire transfers, debit cards, credit cards, pre-paid gift cards, direct deposit, and official bank checks.

Lending is critical to Nicolet’s balance sheet and earnings potential. Nicolet seeks creditworthy borrowers principally within the geographic area of its branch locations. As a community bank with experienced commercial lenders and residential mortgage lenders, the primary lending function is to make loans in the following categories:

Lending involves credit risk. Nicolet has and follows extensive loan policies and procedures to standardize processes, meet compliance requirements and prudently manage underwriting, credit and other risks. Credit risk is further controlled and monitored through active asset quality management including the use of lending standards, thorough review of current and potential borrowers through Nicolet’s underwriting process, close relationships with and regular check-ins with borrowers, and active asset quality administration. For further discussion of the loan portfolio composition and credit risk management, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” under Part II, Item 7.

Employees

At December 31, 2017, Nicolet had approximately 535 full-time equivalent employees. None of our employees are represented by unions.

Market Area and Competition

The Bank is a full-service community bank, providing a full range of traditional commercial, wealth and retail banking products and services throughout northeastern and central Wisconsin and in Menominee, Michigan. Nicolet markets its services to owner-managed companies, the individual owners of these businesses, and other residents of its market area, which at December 31, 2017 is through 38 branches located principally in its trade area of northeastern and central Wisconsin, and in Menominee, Michigan. Based on deposit market share data published by the FDIC as of June 30, 2017, the Bank ranks in the top three of market share for Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Taylor and Clark counties and in the top five for Menominee, Marinette and Winnebago counties.

The financial services industry is highly competitive. Nicolet competes for loans, deposits and wealth management or financial services in all its principal markets. Nicolet competes directly with other bank and nonbank institutions located within our markets (some that may have an established customer base or name recognition), internet-based banks, out-of-market banks that advertise or otherwise serve its markets, money market and other mutual funds, brokerage houses, mortgage companies, insurance companies or other commercial entities that offer financial services products. Competition involves efforts to retain current or procure new customers, obtain new loans and deposits, increase the scope and type of products or services offered, and offer competitive interest rates paid on deposits or earned on loans, as well as to deliver other aspects of banking competitively. Many of Nicolet’s competitors may enjoy competitive advantages, including greater financial resources, broader geographic presence, more accessible branches or more advanced technologic delivery of products or services, more favorable pricing alternatives and lower origination or operating costs.

We believe our competitive pricing, personalized service and community engagement enable us to effectively compete in our markets. Nicolet employs seasoned banking and wealth management professionals with experience in its market areas and who are active in their communities. Nicolet’s emphasis on meeting customer needs in a relationship-focused manner, combined with local decision making on extensions of credit, distinguishes Nicolet from its competitors, particularly in the case of large financial institutions. Nicolet believes it further distinguishes itself by providing a range of products and services characteristic of a large financial institution while providing the personalized service, real conversation, and convenience characteristic of a local, community bank.

Supervision and Regulation

Set forth below is an explanation of the major pieces of legislation and regulation affecting the banking industry and how that legislation and regulation affects Nicolet’s business. The following summary is qualified by reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions discussed. Changes in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on the business and prospects of Nicolet or the Bank, and legislative changes and the policies of various regulatory authorities may significantly affect their operations. We cannot predict the effect that fiscal or monetary policies, or new federal or state legislation or regulation may have on the future business and earnings of Nicolet or the Bank.

Uncertainty remains as to the ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), which could have a material adverse impact on the financial services industry as a whole or on Nicolet’s and the Bank’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are in the process of being implemented while other aspects remain subject to further rulemaking. These regulations are scheduled to take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on Nicolet, its customers or the financial industry more generally. However, full implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act would likely increase the regulatory burden, compliance costs and interest expense for Nicolet and the Bank. Some of the rules that have been adopted to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act’s mandates are discussed below.

Regulation of Nicolet

Because Nicolet owns all of the capital stock of the Bank, it is a bank holding company under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”). As a result, Nicolet is primarily subject to the supervision, examination, and reporting requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act and the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). As a bank holding company located in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (the “WDFI”) also regulates and monitors all significant aspects of its operations.

Acquisitions of Banks. The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before:

Additionally, the Bank Holding Company Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly, substantially lessen competition, or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks involved in the transaction and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve’s consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below.

Change in Bank Control. Subject to various exceptions, the Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with related regulations, require Federal Reserve approval prior to any person or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. The regulations provide a procedure for challenging rebuttable presumptions of control.

Permitted Activities. The Bank Holding Company Act has generally prohibited a bank holding company from engaging in activities other than banking or managing or controlling banks or other permissible subsidiaries and from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect control of any company engaged in any activities other than those determined by the Federal Reserve to be closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act have expanded the permissible activities of a bank holding company that qualifies as a financial holding company to engage in activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to financial activities. Those activities include, among other activities, certain insurance, advisory and security activities.

Nicolet meets the qualification standards applicable to financial holding companies, and elected to become a financial holding company in 2008. In order to remain a financial holding company, Nicolet must continue to be considered well managed and well capitalized by the Federal Reserve, and the Bank must continue to be considered well managed and well capitalized by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and have at least a “satisfactory” rating under the Community Reinvestment Act.

Support of Subsidiary Institutions. Under Federal Reserve policy and the Dodd-Frank Act, Nicolet is expected to act as a source of financial strength for the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank. This support may be required at times when, without this Federal Reserve policy or the related rules, Nicolet might not be inclined to provide it.

In addition, any capital loans made by Nicolet to the Bank will be repaid only after the Bank’s deposits and various other obligations are repaid in full.

Capital Adequacy. Nicolet is subject to capital requirements applied on a consolidated basis, which are substantially similar to those required of the Bank, which are summarized under “Regulation of the Bank” below.

Dividend Restrictions. Under Federal Reserve policies, bank holding companies may pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization's expected future needs and financial condition and if the organization is not in danger of not meeting its minimum regulatory capital requirements. Federal Reserve policy also provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holding company's ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries.

Regulation of the Bank

Because the Bank is chartered as a national bank, it is primarily subject to the supervision, examination, and reporting requirements of the National Bank Act and the regulations of the OCC. The OCC regularly examines the Bank’s operations and has the authority to approve or disapprove mergers, the establishment of branches and similar corporate actions. The OCC also has the power to prevent the continuance or development of unsafe or unsound banking practices or other violations of law. Because the Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent provided by law, it is also subject to certain FDIC regulations and the FDIC also has examination authority and back-up enforcement power over the Bank. The Bank is also subject to numerous state and federal statutes and regulations that affect Nicolet, its business, activities, and operations.

Branching. National banks are required by the National Bank Act to adhere to branching laws applicable to state banks in the states in which they are located. Under Wisconsin law and the Dodd-Frank Act, and with the prior approval of the OCC, the Bank may open branch offices within or outside of Wisconsin, provided that a state bank chartered by the state in which the branch is to be located would also be permitted to establish a branch. In addition, with prior regulatory approval, the Bank may acquire branches of existing banks located in Wisconsin or other states.

Capital Adequacy. Banks and bank holding companies, as regulated institutions, are required to maintain minimum levels of capital. The Federal Reserve and the OCC have adopted minimum risk-based capital requirements (Tier 1 capital, common equity Tier 1 capital (“CET1”) and total capital) and leverage capital requirements, as well as guidelines that define components of the calculation of capital and the level of risk associated with various types of assets. Financial institutions are expected to maintain a level of capital commensurate with the risk profile assigned to their assets in accordance with the guidelines.

In addition to the minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, banking organizations must maintain a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of CET1 in an amount equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets in order to avoid restrictions on their ability to make capital distributions and to pay certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. In order to avoid those restrictions, the capital conservation buffer effectively increases the minimum CET1 capital, Tier 1 capital, and total capital ratios for U.S. banking organizations to 7.0%, 8.5%, and 10.5%, respectively. Banking organizations with capital levels that fall within the buffer will be required to limit dividends, share repurchases or redemptions (unless replaced within the same calendar quarter by capital instruments of equal or higher quality), and discretionary bonus payments. The capital conservation buffer will be fully phased in on January 1, 2019.

The following table presents the risk-based and leverage capital requirements applicable to the Bank:

Although capital instruments such as trust preferred securities and cumulative preferred shares were required by the Dodd-Frank Act to be phased-out of Tier 1 capital by January 1, 2016, for certain larger banking organizations, Nicolet’s trust preferred securities are permanently grandfathered as Tier 1 capital (provided they do not exceed 25% of Tier 1 capital) as a result of Nicolet qualifying as a smaller entity.

The capital rules require that goodwill and other intangible assets (other than mortgage servicing assets), net of associated deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”), be deducted from CET1 capital. Additionally, deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) that arise from net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, net of associated DTLs and valuation allowances, are fully deducted from CET1 capital. However, DTAs arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks, along with mortgage servicing assets and “significant” (defined as greater than 10% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the unconsolidated financial institution) investments in the common stock of unconsolidated “financial institutions” are partially includible in CET1 capital, subject to deductions defined in the rules.

The OCC also considers interest rate risk (arising when the interest rate sensitivity of the Bank’s assets does not match the sensitivity of its liabilities or its off-balance-sheet position) in the evaluation of the bank’s capital adequacy. Banks with excessive interest rate risk exposure are required to hold additional amounts of capital against their exposure to losses resulting from that risk. Through the risk-weighting of assets, the regulators also require banks to incorporate market risk components into their risk-based capital. Under these market risk requirements, capital is allocated to support the amount of market risk related to a bank’s lending and trading activities.

The Bank’s capital categories are determined solely for the purpose of applying the “prompt corrective action” rules described below and they are not necessarily an accurate representation of its overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes. Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank or bank holding company to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting brokered deposits, and certain other restrictions on its business. See “Prompt Corrective Action” below.

Prompt Corrective Action. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized financial institutions. Under this system, the federal banking regulators have established five capital categories: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, in which all institutions are placed. The federal banking agencies have also specified by regulation the relevant capital levels for each category.

A “well-capitalized” bank is one that is not required to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure pursuant to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive, and has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, a CET1 capital ratio of at least 6.5%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%. Generally, a classification as well capitalized will place a bank outside of the regulatory zone for purposes of prompt corrective action. However, a well-capitalized bank may be reclassified as “adequately capitalized” based on criteria other than capital, if the federal regulator determines that a bank is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or is engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, which requires certain remedial action.

As of December 31, 2017, the Bank satisfied the requirements of “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. See Note 19, “Regulatory Capital Requirements and Restrictions of Dividends,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8, for Nicolet and the Bank regulatory capital ratios.

As a bank’s capital position deteriorates, federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories: undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized.

FDIC Insurance Assessments. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC up to the maximum amount permitted by law, which was permanently increased to $250,000 by the Dodd-Frank Act. The FDIC uses the Deposit Insurance Fund to protect against the loss of insured deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. The Bank is thus subject to FDIC deposit premium assessments. The cost of premium assessments are impacted by, among other things, a bank’s capital category under the prompt corrective action system.

Commercial Real Estate Lending. The federal banking regulators have issued the following guidance to help identify institutions that are potentially exposed to significant commercial real estate lending risk and may warrant greater supervisory scrutiny:

At December 31, 2017 the Bank’s commercial real estate lending levels are below the guidance levels noted above.

Enforcement Powers. The Financial Institution Reform Recovery and Enforcement Act (“FIRREA”) expanded and increased civil and criminal penalties available for use by the federal regulatory agencies against depository institutions and certain “institution-affiliated parties.” Institution-affiliated parties primarily include management, employees, and agents of a financial institution, as well as independent contractors and consultants such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of the financial institution’s affairs. These practices can include the failure of an institution to timely file required reports or the filing of false or misleading information or the submission of inaccurate reports. Civil penalties may be as high as $1,963,870 per day for such violations. Criminal penalties for some financial institution crimes have been increased to 20 years.

Community Reinvestment Act. The Community Reinvestment Act requires that, in connection with examinations of financial institutions within their respective jurisdictions, the federal banking agencies evaluate the record of each financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. These facts are also considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could impose additional requirements and limitations on the Bank. Additionally, the Bank must publicly disclose the terms of various Community Reinvestment Act-related agreements.

Payment of Dividends. Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to the Bank’s payment of dividends to the Parent Company. If, in the opinion of the OCC, the Bank were engaged in or about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, the OCC could require that the Bank stop or refrain from engaging in the practice. The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice.

The Bank is required by federal law to obtain prior approval of the OCC for payments of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any year will exceed (1) the total of the Bank’s net profits for that year, plus (2) the Bank’s retained net profits of the preceding two years. The payment of dividends may also be affected by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines or any conditions or restrictions that may be imposed by regulatory authorities.

Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders. The Bank is subject to the provisions of Regulation W promulgated by the Federal Reserve, which implements Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. Regulation W places limits and conditions on the amount of loans or extensions of credit to, investments in, or certain other transactions with, affiliates and on the amount of advances to third parties collateralized by the securities or obligations of affiliates. Regulation W also prohibits, among other things, an institution from engaging in certain transactions with certain affiliates unless the transactions are on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to such institution or its subsidiaries, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies. Federal law also places restrictions on the Bank’s ability to extend credit to its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests. These extensions of credit must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated third parties; and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

USA PATRIOT Act. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the "USA PATRIOT Act") requires each financial institution to: (i) establish an anti-money laundering program; and (ii) establish due diligence policies, procedures and controls with respect to its private and correspondent banking accounts involving foreign individuals and certain foreign banks. In addition, the USA PATRIOT Act encourages cooperation among financial institutions, regulatory authorities and law enforcement authorities with respect to individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities.

Customer Protection. The Bank is also subject to consumer laws and regulations intended to protect consumers in transactions with depository institutions, as well as other laws or regulations affecting customers of financial institutions generally. While the list set forth herein is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, among others. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits or making loans to such customers.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Act centralized responsibility for consumer financial protection including implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). Depository institutions with less than $10 billion in assets, such as the Bank, are subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB but will continue to be examined and supervised by federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes.

UDAP and UDAAP. Bank regulatory agencies have increasingly used a general consumer protection statute to address "unethical" or otherwise "bad" business practices that may not necessarily fall directly under the purview of a specific banking or consumer finance law. The law of choice for enforcement against such business practices has been Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act—the primary federal law that prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce ("UDAP" or "FTC Act"). "Unjustified consumer injury" is the principal focus of the FTC Act. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, there was little formal guidance to provide insight to the parameters for compliance with the UDAP law. However, the UDAP provisions have been expanded under the Dodd-Frank Act to apply to "unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices" ("UDAAP"). The CFPB has brought a variety of enforcement actions for violations of UDAAP provisions and CFPB guidance continues to evolve.

Mortgage Reform. The CFPB has adopted final rules implementing minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages, including standards regarding a customer's ability to repay, restricting variable-rate lending by requiring that the ability to repay variable-rate loans be determined by using the maximum rate that will apply during the first five years of a variable-rate loan term, and making more loans subject to provisions for higher cost loans, new disclosures, and certain other revisions. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act allows borrowers to raise certain defenses to foreclosure if they receive any loan other than a “qualified mortgage” as defined by the CFPB.

Available Information

Nicolet became a public reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) on March 26, 2013, when Nicolet’s registration statement related to its acquisition of Mid-Wisconsin Financial Services, Inc. (Registration Statement on Form S-4, Regis. No. 333-186401) became effective. Nicolet registered its common stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on February 24, 2016 in connection with listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nicolet files annual, quarterly, and current reports, and other information with the SEC. These filings are available to the public on the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders may also read and copy any document that we file at the SEC’s public reference rooms located at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Shareholders may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.

Nicolet’s internet address is www.nicoletbank.com. We make available free of charge on or through our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

An investment in our common stock involves risks. If any of the following risks, or other risks which have not been identified or which we may believe are immaterial or unlikely, actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In such a case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.

Risks Relating to Nicolet’s Business

Nicolet may not be able to sustain its historical rate of growth, or may encounter issues associated with its growth, either of which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and share price.

We have grown over the past several years and intend to continue to pursue a significant growth strategy for our business. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in significant growth stages of development. We may not be able to further expand our market presence in existing markets or to enter new markets successfully, nor can we guarantee that any such expansion would not adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on the business, future prospects, financial condition or results of our operations, and could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement business strategies. Also, if such growth occurs more slowly than anticipated or declines, our operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Our ability to grow successfully will depend on a variety of factors including the continued availability of desirable business opportunities, the competitive responses from other financial institutions in our market areas and the ability to manage our growth. While we believe we have the management resources and internal systems in place to manage future growth successfully, there can be no assurance that growth opportunities will be available or that any growth will be managed successfully. In addition, our recent growth may distort some of our historical financial ratios and statistics.

As part of our growth strategy, we regularly evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt, or equity securities may occur at any time. We seek merger or acquisition partners that are culturally similar, have experienced management, and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale, or expanded services.

As noted above in Item 1, Business, Nicolet completed its acquisition of First Menasha on April 28, 2017. In addition, Nicolet completed its acquisition of Baylake on April 29, 2016, and completed the hiring of a select group of financial advisors and purchase of their respective books of business and operating platform on April 1, 2016. As evidenced by these acquisitions, we intend to continue pursuing a growth strategy for our business through attractive acquisition opportunities.

Acquiring other banks, businesses, or branches involves potential adverse impact to our financial results and various other risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things, difficulty in estimating the value of the target company, payment of a premium over book and market values that may dilute our tangible book value and earnings per share in the short and long term, potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company, exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company, potential volatility in reported income as goodwill impairment losses could occur irregularly and in varying amounts, difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company, inability to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and / or other projected benefits, potential disruption to our business, potential diversion of our management’s time and attention, and the possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company.

As a community bank, Nicolet’s success depends upon local and regional economic conditions and has different lending risks than larger banks.

We provide services to our local communities. Our ability to diversify economic risks is limited by our own local markets and economies. We lend primarily to individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses, which may expose us to greater lending risks than those of banks lending to larger, better-capitalized businesses with longer operating histories.

We manage our credit exposure through careful monitoring of loan applicants and loan concentrations in particular industries, and through loan approval and review procedures. We have established an evaluation process designed to determine the appropriateness of our allowance for loan losses. While this evaluation process uses historical and other objective information, the classification of loans and the establishment of loan losses is an estimate based on experience, judgment and expectations regarding borrowers and economic conditions, as well as regulator judgments. We can make no assurance that our loan loss reserves will be sufficient to absorb future loan losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, profitability or financial condition.

The core industries in our market area are manufacturing, wholesaling, paper, packaging, food production and processing, agriculture, forest products, retail, service, and businesses supporting the general building industry. The area has a broad range of diversified equipment manufacturing services related to these core industries and others. The residential and commercial real estate markets throughout these areas depend primarily on the strength of these core industries. A material decline in any of these sectors will affect the communities we serve and could negatively impact our financial results and have a negative impact on profitability.

If the communities in which we operate do not grow or if the prevailing economic conditions locally or nationally are less favorable than we have assumed, our ability to maintain our low volume of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned and implement our business strategies may be adversely affected and our actual financial performance may be materially different from our projections.

Nicolet may experience increased delinquencies and credit losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, results of operations, and share price.

Our success depends to a significant extent upon the quality of our assets, particularly loans. In originating loans, there is a substantial likelihood that we will experience credit losses. The risk of loss will vary with, among other things, general economic conditions, the type of loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan, and, in the case of a collateralized loan, the quality of the collateral for the loan.

Our loan customers may not repay their loans according to the terms of these loans, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to assure repayment. As a result, we may experience significant loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Management makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. We maintain an allowance for loan losses in an attempt to cover any loan losses that may occur. In determining the size of the allowance, we rely on an analysis of our loan portfolio based on historical loss experience, volume and types of loans, trends in classification, volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, national and local economic conditions, and other pertinent information.

If management’s assumptions are wrong, our current allowance may not be sufficient to cover future loan losses, and we may need to make adjustments to allow for different economic conditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio. Material additions to our allowance would materially decrease net income. We expect our allowance to continue to fluctuate; however, given current and future market conditions, we can make no assurance that our allowance will be appropriate to cover future loan losses.

In addition, the market value of the real estate securing our loans as collateral could be adversely affected by the economy and unfavorable changes in economic conditions in our market areas. As of December 31, 2017, approximately 40% of our loans were secured by commercial-based real estate, 2% of loans were secured by agriculture-based real estate, and 24% of our loans were secured by residential real estate. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures, or losses caused by adverse market and economic conditions, including another downturn in the real estate market, in our markets could adversely affect the value of our assets, results of operations, and financial condition.

Nicolet is subject to extensive regulation that could limit or restrict our activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or share price.

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to examination, supervision, and comprehensive regulation by various regulatory agencies. Our compliance with these regulations, including compliance with regulatory commitments, is costly and restricts certain of our activities, including the declaration and payment of cash dividends to stockholders, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans and interest rates charged, interest rates paid on deposits, and locations of offices. We are also subject to capitalization guidelines established by our regulators, which require us to maintain adequate capital to support our growth and operations.

The laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry have recently changed and may continue to change, and we cannot predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability. Some or all of the changes, including the rulemaking authority granted to the CFPB, may result in greater reporting requirements, assessment fees, operational restrictions, capital requirements, and other regulatory burdens for us, and many of our competitors that are not banks or bank holding companies may remain free from such limitations. This could affect our ability to attract and retain depositors, to offer competitive products and services, and to expand our business. Because government regulation greatly affects the business and financial results of all commercial banks and bank holding companies, the cost of compliance could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.

Congress may consider additional proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system and to expand or contract the powers of banking institutions, bank holding companies and financial holding companies. Such legislation may change existing banking statutes and regulations, as well as the current operating environment significantly. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. We cannot predict whether new legislation will be enacted and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any regulations, would have on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Nicolet’s profitability is sensitive to changes in the interest rate environment.

As a financial institution, our earnings significantly depend on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income that we earn on interest-earning assets, such as investment securities and loans, and the interest expense that we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Therefore, any change in general market interest rates, including changes in federal fiscal and monetary policies, affects us more than non-financial institutions and can have a significant effect on our net interest income and total income. Our assets and liabilities may react differently to changes in overall market rates or conditions because there may be mismatches between the repricing or maturity characteristics of the assets and liabilities. As a result, an increase or decrease in market interest rates could have material adverse effects on our net interest margin and results of operations.

In addition, we cannot predict whether interest rates will continue to remain at present levels, or the timing of any anticipated changes. Changes in interest rates may cause significant changes, up or down, in our net interest income. Depending on our portfolio of loans and investments, our results of operations may be adversely affected by changes in interest rates. If there is a substantial increase in interest rates, our investment portfolio is at risk of experiencing price declines that may negatively impact our total capital position through changes in other comprehensive income. In addition, any significant increase in prevailing interest rates could adversely affect our mortgage banking business because higher interest rates could cause customers to request fewer refinancing and purchase money mortgage originations.

We rely on other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure.

Third party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure such as internet connections, network access and core application processing. While we have selected these third party vendors carefully, we do not control their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties, including as a result of their not providing us their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers and otherwise to conduct our business. Replacing these third party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense.

Negative publicity could damage our reputation.

Reputation risk, or the risk to our earnings and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in our business. Negative public opinion could adversely affect our ability to keep and attract customers and expose us to adverse legal and regulatory consequences. Negative public opinion could result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending or foreclosure practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct.

Competition in the banking industry is intense and Nicolet faces strong competition from larger, more established competitors.

The banking business is highly competitive, and we experience strong competition from many other financial institutions. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market funds, and other financial institutions that operate in our primary market areas and elsewhere.

We compete with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making loans. In addition, we have to attract our customer base from other existing financial institutions and from new residents. Many of our competitors are well-established, much larger financial institutions. While we believe we can and do successfully compete with these other financial institutions, we may face a competitive disadvantage as compared to large national or regional banks as a result of our smaller size and relative lack of geographic diversification.

Although we compete by concentrating our marketing efforts in our primary market area with local advertisements, personal contacts, and greater flexibility in working with local customers, we can give no assurance that this strategy will be successful.

Nicolet continually encounters technological change and we may have fewer resources than our competition to continue to invest in technological improvements, and Nicolet’s information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security.

The banking and financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that enhance customer convenience, as well as create additional efficiencies in operations. Many of our competitors have greater resources to invest in technological improvements, and we may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driving products and services, which could reduce our ability to effectively compete.

In addition, we rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan functionality and the effective operation of other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of a failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Nicolet’s Common Stock

Our stock price can be volatile.

Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for you to sell your common stock when you want and at prices you find attractive. Our stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:

General market fluctuations, industry factors, and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes, or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of our operating results.

Nicolet has not historically paid dividends to our common shareholders, and we cannot guarantee that it will pay dividends to such shareholders in the future.

The holders of our common stock receive dividends if and when declared by the Nicolet board of directors out of legally available funds. Nicolet’s board of directors has not declared a dividend on the common stock since our inception in 2000 and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future. Any future determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of Nicolet’s board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including the company’s future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, future prospects, regulatory restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.

Our principal business operations are conducted through the Bank. Cash available to pay dividends to our shareholders is derived primarily, if not entirely, from dividends paid by the Bank. The ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us, as well as our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders, is subject to and limited by certain legal and regulatory restrictions, as well as contractual restrictions related to our junior subordinated debentures. Further, any lenders making loans to us may impose financial covenants that may be more restrictive than regulatory requirements with respect to the payment of dividends by us. There can be no assurance of whether or when we may pay dividends in the future.

Nicolet may need to raise additional capital in the future but that capital may not be available when it is needed or may be dilutive to our shareholders.

We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate capital levels to support our operations. In order to support our operations and comply with regulatory standards, we may need to raise capital in the future. Our ability to raise additional capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, on favorable terms. The capital and credit markets have experienced significant volatility in recent years. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. If current levels of volatility worsen, our ability to raise additional capital may be disrupted. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected, and our banking regulators may subject us to regulatory enforcement action, including receivership. In addition, the issuance of additional shares of our equity securities will dilute the economic ownership interest of our common shareholders.

Nicolet’s directors and executive officers own a significant portion of our common stock and can influence shareholder decisions.

Our directors and executive officers, as a group, beneficially owned approximately 16% of our fully diluted issued and outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2017. As a result of their ownership, our directors and executive officers have the ability, if they voted their shares in concert, to influence the outcome of matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election of directors.

Holders of Nicolet’s subordinated debentures have rights that are senior to those of its common shareholders.

We have supported our continued growth by issuing trust preferred securities and accompanying junior subordinated debentures and by assuming the trust preferred securities and accompanying junior subordinated debentures issued by companies we have acquired. As of December 31, 2017, we had outstanding trust preferred securities and associated junior subordinated debentures with an aggregate par principal amount of approximately $37.1 million and $38.2 million, respectively.

We have unconditionally guaranteed the payment of principal and interest on our trust preferred securities. Also, the junior debentures issued to the special purpose trusts that relate to those trust preferred securities are senior to our common stock. As a result, we must make payments on the junior subordinated debentures before we can pay any dividends on our common stock, and in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, holders of our junior subordinated debentures must be satisfied before any distributions can be made on our common stock. We do have the right to defer distributions on our junior subordinated debentures (and related trust preferred securities) for up to five years, but during that time would not be able to pay dividends on our common stock.

Because Nicolet is a regulated bank holding company, your ability to obtain “control” or to act in concert with others to obtain control over Nicolet without the prior consent of the Federal Reserve or other applicable bank regulatory authorities is limited and may subject you to regulatory oversight.

Nicolet is a bank holding company and, as such, is subject to significant regulation of its business and operations. In addition, under the provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act, certain regulatory provisions may become applicable to individuals or groups who are deemed by the regulatory authorities to “control” Nicolet or our subsidiary bank. The Federal Reserve and other bank regulatory authorities have very broad interpretive discretion in this regard and it is possible that the Federal Reserve or some other bank regulatory authority may, whether through a merger or through subsequent acquisition of Nicolet’s shares, deem one or more of Nicolet’s shareholders to control or to be acting in concert for purposes of gaining or exerting control over Nicolet. Such a determination may require a shareholder or group of shareholders, among other things, to make voluminous regulatory filings under the Change in Bank Control Act, including disclosure to the regulatory authorities of significant amounts of confidential personal or corporate financial information. In addition, certain groups or entities may also be required to either register as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act, becoming themselves subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve under that Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which may include requirements to materially limit other operations or divest other business concerns, or to divest immediately their investments in Nicolet.

In addition, these limitations on the acquisition of our stock may generally serve to reduce the potential acquirers of our stock or to reduce the volume of our stock that any potential acquirer may be able to acquire. These restrictions may serve to generally limit the liquidity of our stock and, consequently, may adversely affect its value.

We are an emerging growth company and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and we have taken advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. In addition, even if we comply with the greater obligations of public companies that are not emerging growth companies, we may avail ourselves of the reduced requirements applicable to emerging growth companies from time to time in the future, so long as we are an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the first sale of our common stock pursuant to an effective registration statement filed under the Securities Act, though we may cease to be an emerging growth company earlier under certain circumstances, including if, before the end of such five years, we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC (which depends on, among other things, having a market value of common stock held by non-affiliates in excess of $700 million) or if our total annual gross revenues equal or exceed $1 billion in a fiscal year. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Nicolet’s securities are not FDIC insured.

Our securities are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of the Bank, and are not insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund, or any other agency or private entity and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of some or all of the value of your investment.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

The corporate headquarters of both the Parent Company and the Bank are located at 111 North Washington Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin. At year-end 2017, including the main office, the Bank operated 38 bank branch locations, 29 of which are owned and nine that are leased. In addition, we have one leased location solely related to Nicolet Advisory. In addition, Nicolet owns or leases other real property that, when considered in aggregate, is not significant to its financial position. Most of the offices are free-standing, newer buildings that provide adequate access, customer parking, and drive-through and/or ATM services. The properties are in good condition and considered adequate for present and near term requirements. None of the owned properties are subject to a mortgage or similar encumbrance.

Three of the leased locations involve directors, executive officers, or direct relatives of a director or executive officer, each with lease terms that management considers arms-length. For additional disclosure, see Note 17, “Related Party Transactions,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8.

We and our subsidiaries may be involved from time to time in various routine legal proceedings incidental to our respective businesses. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are currently engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

Not applicable.

PART II

Nicolet registered its common stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on February 24, 2016, in connection with listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and trades under the symbol “NCBS”. Prior to February 24, 2016, Nicolet’s common stock was traded on the Over-The-Counter Markets (“OTCBB”), also under the symbol “NCBS”. The trading volume of Nicolet’s common stock is less than that of banks with larger market capitalizations, even though Nicolet has improved accessibility to its common stock first through the OTCBB and more recently through its listing on Nasdaq. As of February 28, 2018, Nicolet had approximately 2,250 shareholders of record.

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices (beginning February 24, 2016) or the high and low bid prices (prior to February 24, 2016) and quarter end closing prices of Nicolet’s common stock as reported by Nasdaq and the OTCBB for the periods presented, as well as Nicolet’s quarter end book value per share for the periods presented.

Nicolet has not paid dividends on its common stock since its inception in 2000, nor does it currently have any plans to pay dividends on Nicolet common stock in the foreseeable future. Any cash dividends paid by Nicolet on its common stock must comply with applicable Federal Reserve policies described further in “Business—Regulation of Nicolet—Dividend Restrictions.” The Bank is also subject to regulatory restrictions on the amount of dividends it is permitted to pay to Nicolet as further described in “Business—Regulation of the Bank – Payment of Dividends” and in Note 19, “Regulatory Capital Requirements and Restrictions of Dividends,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8.

Following are Nicolet’s monthly common stock purchases during the fourth quarter of 2017.

(a) During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company repurchased 713 and 80,979 shares for minimum tax withholding settlements on restricted stock and net settlements of stock options, respectively. These purchases do not count against the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the board of directors’ authorization.

(b) During early 2014, a common stock repurchase program was approved which authorized, with subsequent modifications through December 31, 2017, the use of up to $30 million to repurchase up to 1,050,000 shares of outstanding common stock. The common stock repurchase program has no expiration date. During 2017 and 2016, Nicolet spent $10.0 million and $4.4 million to repurchase and cancel 188,554 and 114,914 shares, respectively, at a weighted average price per share of $52.87 and $37.98, respectively, including commissions. Since the commencement of the common stock repurchase program through December 31, 2017, Nicolet has used $24.1 million to repurchase and cancel 707,163 shares at a weighted average price per share of $34.12 including commissions. Using the last closing stock price prior to December 31, 2017 of $54.74, a total of approximately 107,000 shares of common stock could be repurchased under this plan as of December 31, 2017. Subsequent to year-end 2017, on February 20, 2018, the stock repurchase program was further modified, adding $12 million more to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of outstanding common stock. Including this subsequent modification, the Board has authorized the Company the use of up to $42 million to repurchase and cancel 1,250,000 shares of Nicolet common stock.

Performance Graph

The following graph shows the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock for the period of May 17, 2013 to December 31, 2017, compared with the KBW NASDAQ Bank Index and the S&P 500 Index. The graph assumes a $100 investment on May 17, 2013, the date Nicolet began trading on the OTCBB.

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

The selected consolidated financial data presented as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The selected consolidated financial data for all other periods shown is derived from audited consolidated financial statements that are not required to be included in this report.

EARNINGS SUMMARY AND SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following discussion is management’s analysis to assist in the understanding and evaluation of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Nicolet. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes and the selected financial data presented elsewhere in this report.

The detailed financial discussion that follows focuses on 2017 results compared to 2016. See “2016 Compared to 2015” for the summary comparing 2016 and 2015 results. Some tabular information is shown for trends of three years or for five years as required under SEC regulations.

Evaluation of financial performance and average balances between 2017 and 2016 was impacted in general from the timing and sizes of the 2017 and 2016 acquisitions. The inclusion of the Baylake balance sheet (at about 80% of Nicolet’s then pre-merger asset size) and operational results for 12 months in 2017 and 8 months in 2016, and to a lesser extent, the inclusion of the First Menasha balance sheet (at about 20% of Nicolet’s then pre-merger asset size) and operational results for approximately 8 months in 2017, analytically explains most of the increase in certain average balances and income statement line items between 2017 and 2016. The 2016 financial advisory business acquisition primarily impacts the brokerage fee income, personnel expense and certain other expense line items. Lastly, the 2017 and 2016 acquisitions impacted pre-tax net income by inclusion of non-recurring direct merger expenses of approximately $0.5 million in 2017 ($0.2 million and $0.3 million in the first and second quarters, respectively) and approximately $1.3 million in 2016 ($0.4 million, $0.4 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million in first through fourth quarters, respectively), along with a $1.7 million lease termination charge in second quarter 2016 related to a Nicolet branch closed concurrent with the Baylake merger.

Overview

Nicolet provides a diversified range of traditional commercial and retail banking services, as well as wealth management services, to individuals, business owners, and businesses in its market area primarily through, as of year-end 2017, the 38 bank branch offices of its banking subsidiary, located in northeast and central Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan.

In 2017 Nicolet delivered on growth, profitability, and capital management. At December 31, 2017 Nicolet had total assets of $2.9 billion, loans of $2.1 billion, deposits of $2.5 billion and stockholders’ equity of $364 million, representing increases over December 31, 2016 of 27%, 33%, 25% and 32% in assets, loans, deposits and total equity, respectively. This balance sheet growth was predominantly attributable to the April 2017 First Menasha transaction, which added assets of $480 million (about 20% of Nicolet’s pre-merger asset size), loans of $351 million, deposits of $375 million, core deposit intangible of $4 million and goodwill of $41 million, for a total purchase price that included the issuance of $62 million of common equity (or 1.3 million shares) and $19 million of cash. Nicolet has used acquisitions as part of its growth strategy over the past few years and has successfully integrated and realized cost efficiencies related to scale fairly quickly after each acquisition. Asset quality remained strong on declining nonperforming assets, with net charge-offs to average loans of 0.08% for 2017 and nonperforming assets to assets of 0.49% at December 31, 2017 (down from 0.97% at year-end 2016). With total stockholders’ equity to assets of 12.42% at year-end 2017 (largely from common stock issued in recent transactions and earnings exceeding stock repurchases), Nicolet has capacity to act on targets of interest in relevant markets that provide a path to or support our position as the lead-local community bank.

For 2017, net income attributable to Nicolet was $33.1 million (80% higher than 2016), and return on average assets was 1.25% (compared to 0.95% for 2016). The improved performance between 2017 and 2016 was largely attributable to the timing of the acquisitions in both years, benefits from strong organic loan and deposit growth (of 11% and 6%, respectively, excluding the First Menasha balances at acquisition), $5.8 million of higher aggregate discount accretion on purchased loans (included in the $30.6 million or 45% increase in net interest income between the years), growth in noninterest revenue sources, effective cost management, and $2.5 million lower direct merger-related costs between the years. Additionally, income tax expense included a favorable tax benefit of $1.9 million (the tax impact of large option exercises, particularly in the fourth quarter of 2017), and $0.9 million of tax expense related to Nicolet’s current evaluation of the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 on its then outstanding deferred tax assets and liabilities. Diluted earnings per common share for 2017 was $3.33 ($0.96 or 41% higher than 2016), aided by strong net earnings and no preferred stock dividends, but impacted in part by an increase of approximately 30% in diluted average shares mostly due to the stock consideration issued in the 2016 and 2017 acquisitions. Capital management for 2017 included the closure of three branches (one in an outlier and two in overlapping geographies) as well as the repurchase of approximately 188,600 shares of common stock for $10.0 million under Nicolet’s common stock repurchase program. At December 31, 2017 there remains $5.9 million authorized under the repurchase program which Nicolet may from time to time repurchase shares in the open market or through block transactions as market conditions warrant or in private transactions as an alternative use of capital.

For 2018, Nicolet’s focus will remain on achieving strong organic growth in loans, deposits and wealth management services within all our markets, though particularly in the expanded Green Bay to Oshkosh corridor, in a cost-effective, profitable manner to sustain a healthy return on average assets. After rapid execution on cost saves and efficiencies related to the 2016 and 2017 acquisitions (including 10 branch closures cumulatively during those years), additional resources are planned for personnel expenses (market-based and competitive wage increases in support of growing talent, leadership and performance, including expense of equity and other incentives that started in 2017), and for capital investment on complete renovations of two branch locations (in Sturgeon Bay and Rhinelander) in 2018. Further, we expect that the tax reform enacted in December 2017 (which includes many broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including the corporate tax rate reduction from 35% to 21%) to provide significant benefit to net earnings in 2018 (by reducing our estimated 2018 effective tax rate to approximately 25%), while also providing consumer and corporate stimulus as the general benefits of tax cuts spread deeper into the economy. Nicolet believes delivering strong earnings, return on assets, and capital management in 2018 will provide upward pressure on our common stock performance throughout the year.

Performance Summary

Net income attributable to Nicolet was $33.1 million for 2017, or $3.33 per diluted common share. Comparatively, 2016 net income attributable to Nicolet was $18.5 million, and after $633,000 of preferred stock dividends, diluted earnings per common share was $2.37. Nicolet redeemed its outstanding preferred stock in full in September 2016, explaining the absence of preferred stock dividends in 2017. Return on average assets was 1.25% and 0.95% for 2017 and 2016, respectively, while return on average common equity was 9.96% for 2017 and 8.20% for 2016. Book value per common share was $37.09 at December 31, 2017, up 15% over $32.26 at December 31, 2016. Key factors contributing to these results are discussed below.

INCOME STATEMENT ANALYSIS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the consolidated statements of income (which excludes any taxable equivalent adjustments) was $98.7 million in 2017, up $30.6 million or 45% compared to $68.1 million in 2016, including $5.8 million higher aggregate discount accretion between the years and impacted by the timing of the 2017 and 2016 acquisitions. Taxable equivalent adjustments (adjustments to bring tax-exempt interest to a level that would yield the same after-tax income had that been subject to a 35% tax rate) were $2.4 million for 2017 and $1.9 million for 2016, resulting in taxable equivalent net interest income of $101.1 million for 2017 and $70.0 million for 2016.

Taxable equivalent net interest income is a non-GAAP measure, but is a preferred industry measurement of net interest income (and its use in calculating a net interest margin) as it enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.

Net interest income is the primary source of Nicolet’s revenue, and is the difference between interest income on earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings. Net interest income is directly impacted by the sensitivity of the balance sheet to changes in interest rates and by the amount, mix and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, including characteristics such as the fixed or variable nature of the financial instruments, contractual maturities, and repricing frequencies.

Tables 1, 2, and 3 present information to facilitate the review and discussion of selected average balance sheet items, taxable equivalent net interest income, interest rate spread and net interest margin.

Table 1: Average Balance Sheet and Net Interest Income Analysis — Taxable-Equivalent Basis

(dollars in thousands)

Table 2: Volume/Rate Variance — Taxable-Equivalent Basis
(dollars in thousands)

Table 3: Interest Rate Spread, Margin and Average Balance Mix — Taxable-Equivalent Basis
(dollars in thousands)

Comparison of 2017 versus 2016

Taxable-equivalent net interest income was $101.1 million for 2017, up $31.1 million or 44%, compared to 2016, with $28.3 million from net favorable volume and mix variances (predominantly due to the addition of acquired net interest-earning assets, as well as organic growth), and $2.8 million from net favorable rate variances (predominantly from a higher earning asset yield, mostly from loans, offset partly by a higher overall cost of funds) between the periods. Taxable-equivalent interest income on earning assets increased $34.3 million between the years, with $31.2 million more interest from loans ($28.6 million from greater volume and $2.6 million from rates (with $5.8 million in higher aggregate discount accretion income, attributable to added discounts on the 2017 acquired loan portfolio and $4.9 million higher discount income related to favorably resolved purchased credit impaired loans, more than offsetting lower underlying loan yields mainly from the acquired portfolios)), $2.8 million more interest from total investments (mostly volume-based), and $0.3 million more interest from other earning assets (mostly rate-based). Interest expense increased $3.2 million, led by $2.5 million higher interest on interest-bearing liabilities due to volume and mix variances (mostly acquired deposits and a higher proportion of brokered deposits), and $0.7 million higher interest from net unfavorable rate variances due to higher cost funding (largely from higher-costing First Menasha deposits acquired, an increase in select deposit rates that began in July 2017, and general rate pressures influenced by a 100 bps increase in the federal funds rate since January 1, 2016).

The taxable-equivalent net interest margin was 4.30% for 2017, up 29 bps versus 2016. The interest rate spread increased 27 bps between the periods, with a favorable increase in the earning asset yield (up 31 bps to 4.75% for 2017), partially offset by an increase in the cost of funds (up 4 bps to 0.60% for 2017). The contribution from net free funds increased 2 bps, mostly due to the increase in noninterest-bearing demand deposits. Since January 1, 2016, the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates by 100 bps to 1.50% as of December 31, 2017 (up 25 bps in each of December 2016, March 2017, June 2017, and December 2017). These increases have impacted the rate earned on cash and the cost of shorter-term deposits and borrowings, but have not proportionately influenced rates further out on the yield curve; and thus, have impacted new investment yields and new loan pricing to a lesser degree. Additionally, while both 2017 and 2016 periods are experiencing favorable income from discount accretion on acquired loans, particularly where such loans pay or resolve at better than their carrying values, such favorable interest flow can be sporadic and will diminish over time.

The earning asset yield was influenced largely by the mix of underlying earning assets, particularly carrying a higher proportion of loans and investments (each at higher yields in 2017 than 2016) and a lower proportion of low-earning cash. Loans, investments and other interest earning assets (mostly low-earning cash) represented 81%, 17% and 2% of average earning assets, respectively, for 2017, and 78%, 17%, and 5%, respectively, for 2016. Loans yielded 5.31% and 5.11%, respectively, for 2017 and 2016, while non-loan earning assets combined yielded 2.37% and 2.03%, respectively, for the years. The 20 bps increase in loan yield between the years was largely due to the higher aggregate discount accretion on acquired loans between periods, more than offsetting lower underlying loan yields mainly from the acquired loan portfolios and competitive pricing.

Average interest-earning assets were $2.4 billion for 2017, $628 million, or 36% higher than 2016, largely attributable to acquired balances as well as strong organic loan growth. The change consisted of a $553 million increase in average loans (up 41% to $1.9 billion), a $108 million increase in investment securities (up 37% to $399 million) and a $33 million decrease in other interest-earning assets, predominantly low earning cash.

Nicolet’s cost of funds increased 4 bps to 0.60% for 2017 compared to 2016. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits (which represented 96% of average interest-bearing liabilities for both 2017 and 2016), was 0.46% for 2017, up 5 bps from 2016, largely influenced by the higher-costing First Menasha deposits acquired, an increase in select deposit rates that began in July 2017, and general rate pressures influenced by a 100 bps increase in the federal funds rate since January 1, 2016.

Average interest-bearing liabilities were $1.8 billion for 2017, up $443 million or 34% from 2016, predominantly attributable to acquired balances and organic deposit growth. Interest-bearing deposits represented 96% of average interest-bearing liabilities for both 2017 and 2016, while the mix of average interest-bearing deposits moved from higher costing core time deposits to lower costing transaction accounts. Average brokered deposits were $119 million for 2017, up $91 million from 2016 (largely due to brokered deposits assumed in the 2017 acquisition), with average rates declining from 1.12% to 0.65%, as a larger proportion of brokered deposits were lower-costing transaction-based deposits versus term.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses in 2017 was $2.3 million, exceeding $1.5 million of net charge-offs. Comparatively, 2016 provision and net charge-offs were $1.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The higher provision in 2017 was largely attributable to a $1.0 million commercial loan charge-off. At December 31, 2017, the ALLL was $12.7 million or 0.61% of loans compared to $11.8 million or 0.75% of loans at December 31, 2016. The decline in this ratio was mainly a result of recording acquired loans at their fair value with no carryover of its allowance at the time of merger.

The provision for loan losses is predominantly a function of Nicolet’s methodology and judgment as to qualitative and quantitative factors used to determine the appropriateness of the ALLL. The appropriateness of the ALLL is affected by changes in the size and character of the loan portfolio, changes in levels of impaired and other nonperforming loans, historical losses and delinquencies in each portfolio segment, the risk inherent in specific loans, concentrations of loans to specific borrowers or industries, existing and future economic conditions, the fair value of underlying collateral, and other factors which could affect potential credit losses. For additional information regarding asset quality and the ALLL, see “Balance Sheet Analysis — Loans,” and “— Allowance for Loan Losses” and “—Nonperforming Assets.”

Noninterest Income

Table 4: Noninterest Income
(dollars in thousands) 

N/M means not meaningful.

Comparison of 2017 versus 2016

Noninterest income grew $8.0 million or 30% over 2016, with increases in most line items, aided largely by the 2016 and 2017 acquisitions. Removing net gains from sale of assets from both periods, noninterest income increased $6.0 million or 23%. Notable contributions to the change in noninterest income were:

Noninterest Expense

Table 5: Noninterest Expense
(dollars in thousands)

Comparison of 2017 versus 2016

Noninterest expense increased $16.4 million or 25%, primarily attributable to the larger operating base resulting from the 2016 and 2017 acquisitions. Notable contributions to the change in noninterest expense were:

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $16.3 million for 2017 and $9.4 million for 2016. The effective tax rate was 32.7% for 2017 and 33.4% for 2016, including, among other items, both years benefitting from tax-exempt interest income. As detailed further below, income tax expense between the years was significantly impacted by a new accounting standard and the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017. The net deferred tax asset was $5.0 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $10.9 million at the end of 2016. The $5.9 million decrease in the net deferred tax asset was primarily attributable to approximately $4 million in reductions from purchase accounting items, $1 million related to net operating losses subject to Internal Revenue Code section 382 restrictions and $0.9 million related to the write-down of deferred tax assets in conjunction with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, discussed further below.

The accounting for income taxes requires deferred income taxes to be analyzed to determine if a valuation allowance is required. A valuation allowance is required if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. This analysis involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretation, and judgment concerning accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax codes; therefore, income taxes are considered a critical accounting policy. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, no valuation allowance was determined to be necessary. Additional information on the subjectivity of income taxes is discussed further under “Critical Accounting Policies-Income Taxes.” The Company’s accounting policy for income taxes are described in Note 1, “Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies,” and additional disclosures relative to income taxes are included in Note 15, “Income Taxes” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8.

The Company adopted a new accounting standard as required effective January 1, 2017, which requires the tax impact of stock option exercises to be recorded as a reduction to income tax expense rather than to stockholders’ equity directly. As a result of this accounting change and particularly large option exercises during the year, income tax expense for 2017 included a favorable tax benefit of $1.9 million for the tax impact of stock option exercises. See Note 1, “Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies – Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8 for additional information about this new accounting standard.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law, necessitating that all companies evaluate deferred tax asset and liability positions for year-end 2017 under the lower corporate tax rate, as well as other impacts. Income tax expense included $0.9 million additional expense in 2017 related to the Company’s current evaluation of this tax law change, and was comprised of a $532,000 net write-down on deferred tax assets and $353,000 net write-down on the permanent difference for investment securities. If, in the future, the interpretations of the new tax law were to change, the Company’s current estimates may require adjustments.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Loans

Nicolet services a diverse customer base throughout northeastern and central Wisconsin and in Menominee, Michigan including the following industries: manufacturing, wholesaling, paper, packaging, food production and processing, agriculture, forest products, retail, service, and businesses supporting the general building industry. It continues to concentrate its efforts in originating loans in its local markets and assisting its current loan customers. It actively utilizes government loan programs such as those provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration to help customers weather current economic conditions and position their businesses for the future. In addition to the discussion that follows, accounting policies behind loans are described in Note 1, “Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies,” and additional disclosures are included in Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8.

Table 6: Loan Composition
As of December 31,
(dollars in thousands)