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WEST BANCORPORATION INC - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016
 
 
or
 
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number:  0-49677

WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

IOWA
42-1230603
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 
1601 22nd Street, West Des Moines, Iowa
50266
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (515) 222-2300

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  o

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

Yes  x                      No  o

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

Large accelerated filer
o
 
Accelerated filer
x
 
Non-accelerated filer
o
 
Smaller reporting company
o
 

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

Yes  o                      No  x

As of October 26, 2016, there were 16,137,999 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding.



WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.

INDEX
 
 
Page
PART I.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
"Safe Harbor" Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
 
 
 
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit Index

2


Table of Contents


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
44,526

 
$
57,329

Federal funds sold
 
6,324

 
15,322

Cash and cash equivalents
 
50,850

 
72,651

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
 
278,411

 
320,714

Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $49,943 and $51,918 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)
 
48,405

 
51,259

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
 
12,467

 
12,447

Loans
 
1,382,895

 
1,246,688

Allowance for loan losses
 
(15,958
)
 
(14,967
)
Loans, net
 
1,366,937

 
1,231,721

Premises and equipment, net
 
21,023

 
11,562

Accrued interest receivable
 
5,230

 
4,688

Bank-owned life insurance
 
32,956

 
32,834

Deferred tax assets, net
 
4,843

 
6,670

Other assets
 
3,708

 
3,850

Total assets
 
$
1,824,830

 
$
1,748,396

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand
 
$
483,434

 
$
486,707

Interest-bearing demand
 
264,640

 
267,824

Savings
 
637,044

 
570,391

Time of $250,000 or more
 
10,818

 
14,749

Other time
 
95,720

 
101,058

Total deposits
 
1,491,656

 
1,440,729

Federal funds purchased
 
920

 
2,760

Short-term borrowings
 
34,500

 
19,000

Subordinated notes, net of discount
 
20,395

 
20,385

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net of discount
 
99,509

 
98,385

Long-term debt, net of discount
 
5,952

 
8,405

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
7,034

 
6,355

Total liabilities
 
1,659,966

 
1,596,019

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8)
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 

 

Common stock, no par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 16,137,999 and 16,064,435 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
 
3,000

 
3,000

Additional paid-in capital
 
21,056

 
20,067

Retained earnings
 
138,668

 
129,740

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
2,140

 
(430
)
Total stockholders' equity
 
164,864

 
152,377

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,824,830

 
$
1,748,396

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans, including fees
 
$
14,898

 
$
13,313

 
$
42,667

 
$
38,934

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
 
991

 
1,017

 
3,222

 
3,184

Tax-exempt
 
780

 
789

 
2,482

 
2,309

Federal funds sold
 
27

 
28

 
58

 
60

Total interest income
 
16,696

 
15,147

 
48,429

 
44,487

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Deposits
 
872

 
500

 
2,401

 
1,622

Federal funds purchased
 
1

 
2

 
4

 
6

Short-term borrowings
 
8

 
5

 
39

 
32

Subordinated notes
 
169

 
179

 
533

 
526

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
894

 
698

 
2,645

 
2,095

Long-term debt
 
31

 
57

 
114

 
183

Total interest expense
 
1,975

 
1,441

 
5,736

 
4,464

Net interest income
 
14,721

 
13,706

 
42,693

 
40,023

Provision for loan losses
 
200

 
200

 
900

 
400

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
14,521

 
13,506

 
41,793

 
39,623

Noninterest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts
 
632

 
663

 
1,847

 
1,934

Debit card usage fees
 
450

 
463

 
1,372

 
1,367

Trust services
 
355

 
302

 
946

 
944

Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
 
160

 
183

 
492

 
550

Gain from bank-owned life insurance
 

 

 
443

 

Realized investment securities gains, net
 

 

 
60

 
47

Other income
 
322

 
324

 
892

 
875

Total noninterest income
 
1,919

 
1,935

 
6,052

 
5,717

Noninterest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
 
4,154

 
4,056

 
12,644

 
12,051

Occupancy
 
1,038

 
1,031

 
2,972

 
3,090

Data processing
 
643

 
595

 
1,849

 
1,738

FDIC insurance
 
272

 
209

 
714

 
620

Professional fees
 
189

 
194

 
619

 
575

Director fees
 
202

 
226

 
672

 
642

Other expenses
 
1,495

 
1,238

 
4,141

 
3,722

Total noninterest expense
 
7,993

 
7,549

 
23,611

 
22,438

Income before income taxes
 
8,447

 
7,892

 
24,234

 
22,902

Income taxes
 
2,634

 
2,466

 
7,249

 
7,101

Net income
 
$
5,813

 
$
5,426

 
$
16,985

 
$
15,801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
 
$
0.36

 
$
0.34

 
$
1.05

 
$
0.98

Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.36

 
$
0.34

 
$
1.05

 
$
0.98

Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.17

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.50

 
$
0.46

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
 
$
5,813

 
$
5,426

 
$
16,985

 
$
15,801

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Unrealized gains on available for sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period
 
301

 
1,765

 
4,771

 
1,205

Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains realized in net income
 

 

 
(60
)
 
(47
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for amortization of net unrealized gains to interest income on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity
 
(7
)
 
(10
)
 
(122
)
 
(29
)
Income tax (expense)
 
(112
)
 
(667
)
 
(1,744
)
 
(429
)
Other comprehensive income on available for sale securities
 
182

 
1,088

 
2,845

 
700

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period
 
248

 
(735
)
 
(889
)
 
(1,470
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net loss on derivatives realized in net income
 
118

 

 
362

 
74

Less: reclassification adjustment for amortization of derivative termination costs
 
28

 
28

 
82

 
44

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
(149
)
 
269

 
170

 
514

Other comprehensive income (loss) on derivatives
 
245

 
(438
)
 
(275
)
 
(838
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
427

 
650

 
2,570


(138
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
6,240

 
$
6,076

 
$
19,555

 
$
15,663


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

5


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Preferred
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2014
 
$

 
16,018,734

 
$
3,000

 
$
18,971

 
$
117,950

 
$
254

 
$
140,175

Net income
 

 

 

 

 
15,801

 

 
15,801

Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
(138
)
 
(138
)
Cash dividends declared, $0.46 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(7,382
)
 

 
(7,382
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
831

 

 

 
831

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted
 


 


 


 


 


 


 
 
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
45,701

 

 
(225
)
 

 

 
(225
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 

 

 

 
155

 

 

 
155

Balance, September 30, 2015
 
$

 
16,064,435

 
$
3,000

 
$
19,732

 
$
126,369

 
$
116

 
$
149,217

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2015
 
$

 
16,064,435

 
$
3,000

 
$
20,067

 
$
129,740

 
$
(430
)
 
$
152,377

Net income
 

 

 

 

 
16,985

 

 
16,985

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
2,570

 
2,570

Cash dividends declared, $0.50 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(8,057
)
 

 
(8,057
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
1,278

 

 

 
1,278

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted
 


 


 


 


 


 


 
 
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
73,564

 

 
(394
)
 

 

 
(394
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 

 

 

 
105

 

 

 
105

Balance, September 30, 2016
 
$

 
16,137,999


$
3,000

 
$
21,056

 
$
138,668

 
$
2,140

 
$
164,864


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


6


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
16,985

 
$
15,801

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
 
900

 
400

Net amortization and accretion
 
3,293

 
2,718

Loss on disposition of premises and equipment
 

 
4

Investment securities gains, net
 
(60
)
 
(47
)
Stock-based compensation
 
1,278

 
831

Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
 
(492
)
 
(550
)
Gain from bank-owned life insurance
 
(443
)
 

Depreciation
 
740

 
700

Deferred income taxes
 
253

 
(295
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 
(105
)
 
(155
)
Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
(Increase) in accrued interest receivable
 
(542
)
 
(616
)
Decrease in other assets
 
248

 
3,728

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
152

 
(95
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
22,207

 
22,424

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
 
1,544

 
16,946

Proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities
 
46,190

 
36,899

Purchases of securities available for sale
 

 
(106,971
)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
(16,907
)
 
(15,827
)
Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
16,887

 
16,692

Net increase in loans
 
(136,116
)
 
(55,340
)
Purchases of premises and equipment
 
(10,201
)
 
(1,831
)
Proceeds of principal and earnings from bank-owned life insurance
 
812

 

Proceeds from settlement of other assets
 

 
3,593

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(97,791
)
 
(105,839
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Net increase in deposits
 
50,927

 
116,674

Net (decrease) in federal funds purchased
 
(1,840
)
 
(315
)
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings
 
15,500

 
(7,000
)
Principal payments on long-term debt
 
(2,458
)
 
(2,946
)
Interest rate swap termination costs paid
 

 
(541
)
Common stock dividends paid
 
(8,057
)
 
(7,382
)
Restricted stock units withheld for payroll taxes
 
(394
)
 
(225
)
Excess tax benefits from vesting of restricted stock units
 
105

 
155

Net cash provided by financing activities
 
53,783

 
98,420

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(21,801
)
 
15,005

Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
 
 
 
Beginning
 
72,651

 
39,781

Ending
 
$
50,850

 
$
54,786

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for:
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
$
5,742

 
$
4,493

Income taxes
 
5,160

 
4,110


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)


1.  Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by West Bancorporation, Inc. (the Company) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented understandable, it is suggested that these interim consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present its financial position as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, net income and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.  The results for these interim periods may not be indicative of results for the entire year or for any other period.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).  References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification™, sometimes referred to as the Codification or ASC.  In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses for the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term are the fair value and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of financial instruments and the allowance for loan losses.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, West Bank and West Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation (which owned an interest in a limited liability company that was sold in the fourth quarter of 2015).  All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  In accordance with GAAP, West Bancorporation Capital Trust I is recorded on the books of the Company using the equity method of accounting and is not consolidated.

Reclassification: Certain amounts in prior year consolidated financial statements have been reclassified, with no effect on net income, comprehensive income or stockholders' equity, to conform with current period presentation.

Current accounting developments: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Summary and Amendments that Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40). The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the Codification. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The update simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs by requiring that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this update. For public companies, this update was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and was applied retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance required a balance sheet reclassification of unamortized debt issuance costs, which did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


8


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The update enhances the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information by updating certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other changes, the update requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes and clarifies that entities should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the entities' other deferred tax assets. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance in the update supersedes the requirements in ASC Topic 840, Leases. The update will require business entities to recognize lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose key information about leasing arrangements. A lessee would recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the leased asset for the lease term. For public companies, this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The update simplifies several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance also allows an entity to make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate expected forfeitures or account for forfeitures as they occur. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Portions of the amended guidance are to be applied using a modified retrospective transition method and others require prospective application. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326). The amendments in this update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial assets to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial assets. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount of financial assets. An entity must use judgment in determining the relevant information and estimation methods that are appropriate in its circumstances. The allowance for credit losses for purchased financial assets with a more-than-insignificant amount of credit deterioration since origination that are measured at amortized cost basis is determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial allowance for credit losses is added to the purchase price rather than being reported as a credit loss expense. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded as a credit loss expense for these assets. Off-balance-sheet arrangements such as commitments to extend credit, guarantees, and standby letters of credit that are not considered derivatives under ASC 815 and are not unconditionally cancellable are also within the scope of this amendment. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may adopt the amendments in this update earlier as of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. An entity will apply the amendments in this update on a modified retrospective basis, through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company is currently planning for the implementation of this accounting standard. It is too early to assess the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230). The amendments in this update provide guidance for eight specific cash flow classification issues for which current guidance is unclear or does not exist, thereby reducing diversity in practice. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

9


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


2.  Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if the Company's outstanding restricted stock units were vested. The dilutive effect was computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes all stock-based awards were exercised and the hypothetical proceeds from exercise were used by the Company to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  The incremental shares, to the extent they would have been dilutive, were included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation.  The calculations of earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are presented in the following table.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income
$
5,813

 
$
5,426

 
$
16,985

 
$
15,801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
16,135

 
16,062

 
16,110

 
16,045

Weighted average effect of restricted stock units
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   outstanding
51

 
38

 
47

 
47

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
16,186

 
16,100

 
16,157

 
16,092

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.36

 
$
0.34

 
$
1.05

 
$
0.98

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.36

 
$
0.34

 
$
1.05

 
$
0.98


Restricted stock units totaling 87,600 and 106,231 were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Restricted stock units totaling 139,500 and 95,157 were anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

10


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


3.  Investment Securities

The following tables show the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities, by investment security type as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
2,531

 
$
89

 
$

 
$
2,620

State and political subdivisions
64,590

 
2,590

 

 
67,180

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
110,200

 
1,053

 
(56
)
 
111,197

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
86,136

 
1,713

 

 
87,849

Trust preferred security
1,781

 

 
(600
)
 
1,181

Corporate notes
8,346

 
38

 

 
8,384

 
$
273,584

 
$
5,483

 
$
(656
)
 
$
278,411

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
48,405

 
$
1,719

 
$
(181
)
 
$
49,943

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
December 31, 2015
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$
2,551

 
$
141

 
$

 
$
2,692

State and political subdivisions
71,431

 
1,669

 
(21
)
 
73,079

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
133,414

 
491

 
(1,290
)
 
132,615

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
101,299

 
485

 
(696
)
 
101,088

Trust preferred security
1,773

 

 
(668
)
 
1,105

Corporate notes and equity securities
10,130

 
61

 
(56
)
 
10,135

 
$
320,598

 
$
2,847

 
$
(2,731
)
 
$
320,714

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
51,259

 
$
883

 
$
(224
)
 
$
51,918

(1)
All collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by GNMA or issued by FNMA and real estate mortgage investment conduits guaranteed by FHLMC or GNMA.

Investment securities with an amortized cost of approximately $133,770 and $78,553 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, were pledged to secure access to the Federal Reserve discount window, for public fund deposits, and for other purposes as required or permitted by law or regulation. The increase in the amount of pledged investment securities as of September 30, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015 was primarily due to an increase in public fund deposits.


11


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale as of September 30, 2016, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the securities prior to maturity.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities for collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.  Therefore, collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories within the following maturity summary.
 
September 30, 2016
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
4,517

 
$
4,530

Due after one year through five years
14,764

 
15,054

Due after five years through ten years
31,747

 
33,020

Due after ten years
26,220

 
26,761

 
77,248

 
79,365

Collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities
196,336

 
199,046

 
$
273,584

 
$
278,411

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities held to maturity as of September 30, 2016, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Certain securities have call features that allow the issuer to call the securities prior to maturity.  
 
September 30, 2016
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$

 
$

Due after one year through five years
486

 
484

Due after five years through ten years
19,375

 
19,850

Due after ten years
28,544

 
29,609

 
$
48,405

 
$
49,943

The details of the sales of investment securities available for sale for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are summarized in the following table.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Proceeds from sales
$

 
$

 
$
1,544

 
$
16,946

Gross gains on sales

 

 
60

 
54

Gross losses on sales

 

 

 
7


12


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

State and political subdivisions

 

 

 

 

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations
2,098

 
(1
)
 
5,922

 
(55
)
 
8,020

 
(56
)
Mortgage-backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

Trust preferred security

 

 
1,181

 
(600
)
 
1,181

 
(600
)
Corporate notes

 

 

 

 

 

 
$
2,098

 
$
(1
)
 
$
7,103

 
$
(655
)
 
$
9,201

 
$
(656
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
621

 
$
(7
)
 
$
4,009

 
$
(174
)
 
$
4,630

 
$
(181
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

State and political subdivisions
321

 
(1
)
 
2,053

 
(20
)
 
2,374

 
(21
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
53,043

 
(449
)
 
38,286

 
(841
)
 
91,329

 
(1,290
)
Mortgage-backed securities
67,662

 
(600
)
 
7,200

 
(96
)
 
74,862

 
(696
)
Trust preferred security

 

 
1,105

 
(668
)
 
1,105

 
(668
)
Corporate notes and equity securities
4,500

 
(56
)
 

 

 
4,500

 
(56
)
 
$
125,526

 
$
(1,106
)
 
$
48,644

 
$
(1,625
)
 
$
174,170

 
$
(2,731
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
2,832

 
$
(42
)
 
$
7,341

 
$
(182
)
 
$
10,173

 
$
(224
)
As of September 30, 2016, the available for sale and held to maturity securities with unrealized losses that have existed for longer than one year included 11 state and political subdivision securities, two collateralized mortgage obligation securities and one trust preferred security. The Company believes the unrealized losses on investments available for sale and held to maturity as of September 30, 2016 were due to market conditions, rather than reduced estimated cash flows. The Company does not intend to sell these securities, does not anticipate that these securities will be required to be sold before anticipated recovery, and expects full principal and interest to be collected. Therefore, the Company did not consider these investments to have OTTI as of September 30, 2016.



13


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


4. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans consisted of the following segments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Commercial
$
352,774

 
$
349,051

Real estate:
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
208,046

 
174,602

1-4 family residential first mortgages
48,890

 
51,370

Home equity
18,618

 
21,749

Commercial
747,447

 
644,176

Consumer and other loans
8,424

 
6,801

 
1,384,199

 
1,247,749

Net unamortized fees and costs
(1,304
)
 
(1,061
)
 
$
1,382,895

 
$
1,246,688

Real estate loans of approximately $640,000 and $590,000 were pledged as security for Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Loans are stated at the principal amounts outstanding, net of unamortized loan fees and costs, with interest income recognized on the interest method based upon those outstanding loan balances.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method. Loans are reported by the portfolio segments identified above and are analyzed by management on this basis. All loan policies identified below apply to all segments of the loan portfolio.

Delinquencies are determined based on the payment terms of the individual loan agreements. The accrual of interest on past due and other impaired loans is generally discontinued at 90 days past due or when, in the opinion of management, the borrower may be unable to make all payments pursuant to contractual terms.  Unless considered collectible, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income, if accrued in the current year, or charged to the allowance for loan losses, if accrued in the prior year.  Generally, all payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status are applied to the principal balance of the loan. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. 

A loan is classified as a troubled debt restructured (TDR) loan when the Company separately concludes that a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and a concession is granted that would not otherwise be considered. Concessions may include a restructuring of the loan terms to alleviate the burden of the borrower's cash requirements, such as an extension of the payment terms beyond the original maturity date or a change in the interest rate charged.  TDR loans with extended payment terms are accounted for as impaired until performance is established. A change to the interest rate would change the classification of a loan to a TDR loan if the restructured loan yields a rate that is below a market rate for that of a new loan with comparable risk. TDR loans with below-market rates are considered impaired until fully collected. TDR loans may also be reported as nonaccrual or past due 90 days if they are not performing per the restructured terms.

Based upon its ongoing assessment of credit quality within the loan portfolio, the Company maintains a Watch List, which includes loans classified as Doubtful, Substandard and Watch according to the Company's classification criteria. These loans involve the anticipated potential for payment defaults or collateral inadequacies. A loan on the Watch List is considered impaired when management believes it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all contractual principal and interest payments due in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, at the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  The amount of impairment, if any, and any subsequent changes are included in the allowance for loan losses.

  


14


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The table below presents the TDR loans by segment as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Troubled debt restructured loans(1):
 
 
 
Commercial
$
94

 
$
102

Real estate:
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 
60

1-4 family residential first mortgages

 
86

Home equity

 

Commercial
370

 
445

Consumer and other loans

 

Total troubled debt restructured loans
$
464

 
$
693


(1)
Included in this table were two TDR loans as of September 30, 2016 and three TDR loans as of December 31, 2015, with balances of $464 and $613, respectively, categorized as nonaccrual.

There were no loan modifications considered to be TDR that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were no loan modifications considered to be TDR that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015, and two loan modifications considered to be TDR that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 with a pre- and post-modification recorded investment of $130.

The recorded investment in TDR loans that have been modified within the twelve months preceding September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, and that have subsequently had a payment default, totaled $0 and $107, respectively. A TDR loan is considered to have a payment default when it is past due 30 days or more.


15


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following table summarizes the recorded investment in impaired loans by segment, broken down by loans with no related allowance for loan losses and loans with a related allowance and the amount of that allowance as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 
60

 
663

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
116

 
116

 

 
352

 
360

 

Home equity

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial
370

 
370

 

 
482

 
482

 

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 
486

 
486

 

 
894

 
1,505

 

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
127

 
127

 
127

 
142

 
142

 
142

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 

 

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity
249

 
249

 
249

 
270

 
270

 
270

Commercial
141

 
141

 
141

 
155

 
155

 
155

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 
517

 
517

 
517

 
567

 
567

 
567

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
127

 
127

 
127

 
142

 
142

 
142

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 
60

 
663

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
116

 
116

 

 
352

 
360

 

Home equity
249

 
249

 
249

 
270

 
270

 
270

Commercial
511

 
511

 
141

 
637

 
637

 
155

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 
$
1,003

 
$
1,003

 
$
517

 
$
1,461

 
$
2,072

 
$
567

   
The balance of impaired loans at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was composed of 7 and 13 different borrowers, respectively. The Company has no commitments to advance additional funds on any of the impaired loans.



16


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following table summarizes the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$

 
$

 
$
132

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
151

 
$

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 
255

 
3

 
11

 

 
319

 
10

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
124

 

 
316

 

 
242

 
1

 
295

 

Home equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial
377

 

 
1,565

 

 
407

 

 
1,088

 

Consumer and other loans

 

 
3

 

 

 

 
3

 

 
501

 

 
2,271

 
3

 
660

 
1

 
1,856

 
10

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
130

 

 
146

 

 
135

 

 
222

 
2

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 

 

 

 

 
247

 
6

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity
254

 

 
231

 

 
261

 

 
227

 

Commercial
143

 

 
161

 

 
148

 

 
166

 

Consumer and other loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
527

 

 
538

 

 
544

 

 
862

 
8

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
130

 

 
278

 

 
135

 

 
373

 
2

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 
255

 
3

 
11

 

 
566

 
16

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
124

 

 
316

 

 
242

 
1

 
295

 

Home equity
254

 

 
231

 

 
261

 

 
227

 

Commercial
520

 

 
1,726

 

 
555

 

 
1,254

 

Consumer and other loans

 

 
3

 

 

 

 
3

 

 
$
1,028

 
$

 
$
2,809

 
$
3

 
$
1,204

 
$
1

 
$
2,718

 
$
18




17


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables provide an analysis of the payment status of the recorded investment in loans as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Nonaccrual Loans
 
Total Loans
Commercial
$
137

 
$
40

 
$

 
$
177

 
$
352,470

 
$
127

 
$
352,774

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 

 

 
208,046

 

 
208,046

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
65

 

 

 
65

 
48,709

 
116

 
48,890

Home equity

 

 

 

 
18,369

 
249

 
18,618

Commercial

 

 

 

 
746,936

 
511

 
747,447

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 
8,424

 

 
8,424

Total
$
202

 
$
40

 
$

 
$
242

 
$
1,382,954

 
$
1,003

 
$
1,384,199

 
December 31, 2015
 
30-59
Days Past
Due
 
60-89
Days Past
Due
 
90 Days
or More
Past Due
 
Total
Past Due
 
Current
 
Nonaccrual Loans
 
Total
Loans
Commercial
$
1

 
$
38

 
$

 
$
39

 
$
348,870

 
$
142

 
$
349,051

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 

 

 
174,602

 

 
174,602

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
317

 

 

 
317

 
50,721

 
332

 
51,370

Home equity

 

 

 

 
21,479

 
270

 
21,749

Commercial

 

 

 

 
643,539

 
637

 
644,176

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 
6,801

 

 
6,801

Total
$
318

 
$
38

 
$

 
$
356

 
$
1,246,012

 
$
1,381

 
$
1,247,749



18


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present the recorded investment in loans by credit quality indicator and loan segment as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
Commercial
$
347,894

 
$
3,635

 
$
1,245

 
$

 
$
352,774

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
207,007

 

 
1,039

 

 
208,046

1-4 family residential first mortgages
48,050

 
724

 
116

 

 
48,890

Home equity
18,278

 

 
340

 

 
18,618

Commercial
726,265

 
20,541

 
641

 

 
747,447

Consumer and other
8,412

 

 
12

 

 
8,424

Total
$
1,355,906

 
$
24,900

 
$
3,393

 
$

 
$
1,384,199

 
December 31, 2015
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
Commercial
$
344,650

 
$
2,936

 
$
1,465

 
$

 
$
349,051

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
173,373

 

 
1,229

 

 
174,602

1-4 family residential first mortgages
50,375

 
517

 
478

 

 
51,370

Home equity
21,401

 
68

 
280

 

 
21,749

Commercial
619,608

 
22,977

 
1,591

 

 
644,176

Consumer and other
6,786

 

 
15

 

 
6,801

Total
$
1,216,193

 
$
26,498

 
$
5,058

 
$

 
$
1,247,749

All loans are subject to the assessment of a credit quality indicator. Risk ratings are assigned for each loan at the time of approval, and they change as circumstances dictate during the term of the loan. The Company utilizes a 9-point risk rating scale as shown below, with ratings 1 - 5 included in the Pass column, rating 6 included in the Watch column, ratings 7 - 8 included in the Substandard column and rating 9 included in the Doubtful column. All loans classified as impaired that are included in the specific evaluation of the allowance for loan losses are included in the Substandard column along with all other loans with ratings of 7 - 8.

Risk rating 1: The loan is secured by cash equivalent collateral.

Risk rating 2: The loan is secured by properly margined marketable securities, bonds or cash surrender value of life insurance.

Risk rating 3: The borrower is in strong financial condition and has strong debt service capacity. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends of the borrower exceed industry statistics.

Risk rating 4: The borrower is in satisfactory financial condition and has satisfactory debt service capacity. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends of the borrower fall in line with industry statistics.

Risk rating 5: The borrower's financial condition is less than satisfactory. The loan is still generally paying as agreed, but strained cash flows may cause some slowness in payments. The collateral values adequately preclude loss on the loan. Financial characteristics and trends lag industry statistics. There may be noncompliance with loan covenants.

Risk rating 6: The borrower's financial condition is deficient. Payment delinquencies may be more common. Collateral values still protect from loss, but margins are narrow. The loan may be reliant on secondary sources of repayment, including liquidation of collateral and guarantor support.


19


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


Risk rating 7: The loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Well-defined weaknesses exist that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. The Company is inadequately protected by the valuation or paying capacity of the collateral pledged. If deficiencies are not corrected, there is a distinct possibility that a loss will be sustained.

Risk rating 8: All the characteristics of rating 7 exist with the added condition that the loan is past due more than 90 days or there is reason to believe the Company will not receive its principal and interest according to the terms of the loan agreement.

Risk rating 9: All the weaknesses inherent in risk ratings 7 and 8 exist with the added condition that collection or liquidation, on the basis of currently known facts, conditions and values, is highly questionable and improbable. A loan reaching this category would most likely be charged off.

Credit quality indicators for all loans and the Company's risk rating process are dynamic and updated on a continuous basis. Risk ratings are updated as circumstances that could affect the repayment of an individual loan are brought to management's attention through an established monitoring process. Individual lenders initiate changes as appropriate for ratings 1 through 5, and changes for ratings 6 through 9 are initiated via communications with management. The likelihood of loss increases as the risk rating increases and is generally preceded by a loan appearing on the Watch List, which consists of all loans with a risk rating of 6 or worse. Written action plans with firm target dates for resolution of identified problems are maintained and reviewed on a quarterly basis for all segments of criticized loans.

In addition to the Company's internal credit monitoring practices and procedures, an outsourced independent credit review function is in place to further assess assigned internal risk classifications and monitor compliance with internal lending policies and procedures.

In all portfolio segments, the primary risks are that a borrower's income stream diminishes to the point that the borrower is not able to make scheduled principal and interest payments and any collateral securing the loan declines in value. The risk of declining collateral values is present for most types of loans.

Commercial loans consist primarily of loans to businesses for various purposes, including revolving lines to finance current operations, inventory and accounts receivable, and capital expenditure loans to finance equipment and other fixed assets.  These loans generally have short maturities, have either adjustable or fixed interest rates, and are either unsecured or secured by inventory, accounts receivable and/or fixed assets. For commercial loans, the primary source of repayment is from the operation of the business.

Real estate loans include various types of loans for which the Company holds real property as collateral, and consist of loans on commercial properties and single and multifamily residences.  Real estate loans are typically structured to mature or reprice every five years with payments based on amortization periods up to 30 years.  The majority of construction loans are to contractors and developers for construction of commercial buildings or residential real estate. These loans typically have maturities of up to 24 months. The Company's loan policy includes minimum appraisal and other credit guidelines.

Consumer loans include loans extended to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures not secured by real estate.  The majority of the Company's consumer lending is for vehicles, consolidation of personal debts and household improvements. The repayment source for consumer loans, including 1-4 family residential and home equity loans, is typically wages.

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense.  The allowance is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb probable losses on existing loans based on an evaluation of the collectability of loans and prior loss experience.  This evaluation also takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, the review of specific problem loans, and the current economic conditions that may affect the borrower's ability to pay.  Loans are charged-off against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely. While management uses the best information available to make its evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if there are significant changes in economic conditions or the other factors relied upon.



20


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components.  The specific component relates to loans that meet the definition of impaired.  The general component covers the remaining loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors such as delinquency trends, loan growth, economic elements and local market conditions.  These same policies are applied to all segments of loans. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes, periodically review the Company's allowance for loan losses, and may require the Company to make additions to the allowance based on their judgment about information available to them at the time of their examinations.

The following tables detail the changes in the allowance for loan losses by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,441

 
$
2,804

 
$
393

 
$
483

 
$
7,606

 
$
102

 
$
15,829

Charge-offs
(25
)
 
(140
)
 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
(171
)
Recoveries
53

 

 
37

 
6

 
4

 

 
100

Provision (1)
(318
)
 
8

 
(84
)
 
(25
)
 
621

 
(2
)
 
200

Ending balance
$
4,151

 
$
2,672

 
$
346

 
$
464

 
$
8,231

 
$
94

 
$
15,958

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,736

 
$
1,700

 
$
445

 
$
474

 
$
6,982

 
$
27

 
$
14,364

Charge-offs
(152
)
 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(154
)
Recoveries
201

 

 
2

 
43

 
3

 
1

 
250

Provision (1)
(327
)
 
189

 
(30
)
 
(16
)
 
388

 
(4
)
 
200

Ending balance
$
4,458

 
$
1,889

 
$
417

 
$
501

 
$
7,373

 
$
22

 
$
14,660

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,369

 
$
2,338

 
$
508

 
$
481

 
$
7,254

 
$
17

 
$
14,967

Charge-offs
(25
)
 
(140
)
 
(93
)
 

 

 
(6
)
 
(264
)
Recoveries
194

 
56

 
58

 
30

 
10

 
7

 
355

Provision (1)
(387
)
 
418

 
(127
)
 
(47
)
 
967

 
76

 
900

Ending balance
$
4,151

 
$
2,672

 
$
346

 
$
464

 
$
8,231

 
$
94

 
$
15,958

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
4,415

 
$
2,151

 
$
466

 
$
534

 
$
6,013

 
$
28

 
$
13,607

Charge-offs
(208
)
 

 
(15
)
 

 

 
(2
)
 
(225
)
Recoveries
528

 
250

 
4

 
78

 
9

 
9

 
878

Provision (1)
(277
)
 
(512
)
 
(38
)
 
(111
)
 
1,351

 
(13
)
 
400

Ending balance
$
4,458

 
$
1,889

 
$
417

 
$
501

 
$
7,373

 
$
22

 
$
14,660

(1)
The negative provisions for the various segments are either related to the decline in balance for each of those portfolio segments during the time periods disclosed and/or improvement in the credit quality factors related to those portfolio segments.

21


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present a breakdown of the allowance for loan losses disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
127

 
$

 
$

 
$
249

 
$
141

 
$

 
$
517

Collectively evaluated for impairment
4,024

 
2,672

 
346

 
215

 
8,090

 
94

 
15,441

Total
$
4,151

 
$
2,672

 
$
346

 
$
464

 
$
8,231

 
$
94

 
$
15,958

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
142

 
$

 
$

 
$
270

 
$
155

 
$

 
$
567

Collectively evaluated for impairment
4,227

 
2,338

 
508

 
211

 
7,099

 
17

 
14,400

Total
$
4,369

 
$
2,338

 
$
508

 
$
481

 
$
7,254

 
$
17

 
$
14,967

The following tables present the recorded investment in loans, exclusive of unamortized fees and costs, disaggregated on the basis of impairment analysis method by segment as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
127

 
$

 
$
116

 
$
249

 
$
511

 
$

 
$
1,003

Collectively evaluated for impairment
352,647

 
208,046

 
48,774

 
18,369

 
746,936

 
8,424

 
1,383,196

Total
$
352,774

 
$
208,046

 
$
48,890

 
$
18,618

 
$
747,447

 
$
8,424

 
$
1,384,199

 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
142

 
$
60

 
$
352

 
$
270

 
$
637

 
$

 
$
1,461

Collectively evaluated for impairment
348,909

 
174,542

 
51,018

 
21,479

 
643,539

 
6,801

 
1,246,288

Total
$
349,051

 
$
174,602

 
$
51,370

 
$
21,749

 
$
644,176

 
$
6,801

 
$
1,247,749



22


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


5. Derivatives

In 2012 and 2013, the Company entered into forward-starting interest rate swap transactions to effectively convert variable rate FHLB advances and junior subordinated notes to fixed rate debt as of the forward-starting dates. The swap transactions were designated as cash flow hedges. Three interest rate swaps, with a total notional amount of $70,000, have been terminated, subject to termination fees totaling $541. The termination fees will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense over the remaining life of the underlying cash flows, which will be through June 2020. The remaining interest rate swap, with a notional amount of $30,000, became effective in December 2015. No amount of ineffectiveness was included in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015, and the Company estimates there will be approximately $513 of cash payments and reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense through the twelve months ended September 30, 2017. Derivative contracts are executed with a Credit Support Annex, which is a bilateral ratings-sensitive agreement that requires collateral postings at established credit threshold levels. These agreements protect the interests of the Company and its counterparties should either party suffer a credit rating deterioration. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company pledged $1,270 and $740, respectively, of collateral to the counterparty in the form of cash on deposit with a third party.

The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
Interest Rate Swap
 
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Category
 
Receive Rate
 
Pay Rate
 
Maturity
September 30, 2016
 
 
$
30,000

 
$
1,302

 
Other Liabilities
 
1.17
%
 
2.52
%
 
9/21/2020
December 31, 2015
 
 
30,000

 
774

 
Other Liabilities
 
0.88
%
 
2.52
%
 
9/21/2020
The following table identifies the pre-tax losses recognized on the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
 
 
Effective Portion
 
Ineffective Portion
 
 
 
Amount of
 
Reclassified from AOCI into
Income
 
Recognized in Income on
Derivatives
 
 
 
Pre-tax (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
Recognized in
 
 
 
Amount of
 
 
 
Amount of
Interest Rate Swap
 
 
OCI
 
Category
 
Gain (Loss)
 
Category
 
Gain (Loss)
September 30, 2016
 
 
$
(889
)
 
Interest Expense
 
$
(444
)
 
Other Income
 
$

September 30, 2015
 
 
(1,470
)
 
Interest Expense
 
(118
)
 
Other Income
 



23


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


6.  Deferred Income Taxes

Net deferred tax assets consisted of the following as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
$
6,064

 
$
5,687

Intangibles
540

 
771

Accrued expenses
597

 
898

Restricted stock compensation
291

 
358

Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps
643

 
473

State net operating loss carryforward
1,252

 
1,183

Capital loss carryforward
355

 
355

Other
38

 
34

 
9,780

 
9,759

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Net deferred loan fees and costs
330

 
350

Premises and equipment
776

 
674

Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale
1,954

 
210

Other
270

 
317

 
3,330

 
1,551

Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
6,450

 
8,208

Valuation allowance
(1,607
)
 
(1,538
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
4,843

 
$
6,670

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the tax effect of the state net operating loss carryforwards and federal and state capital loss carryforwards, as management believes it is more likely than not that such carryforwards will expire without being utilized.
The federal and state capital loss carryforwards expire at the end of 2016.

7.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table summarizes the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
 
 
 
 
Unrealized
 
Accumulated
 
 
Unrealized
 
Gains
 
Other
 
 
Gains
 
(Losses) on
 
Comprehensive
 
 
on Securities
 
Derivatives
 
Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2014
 
$
416

 
$
(162
)
 
$
254

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
747

 
(911
)
 
(164
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
(47
)
 
73

 
26

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
700

 
(838
)
 
(138
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
 
$
1,116

 
$
(1,000
)
 
$
116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2015
 
$
342

 
$
(772
)
 
$
(430
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
2,958

 
(550
)
 
2,408

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
(113
)
 
275

 
162

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
2,845

 
(275
)
 
2,570

Balance, September 30, 2016
 
$
3,187

 
$
(1,047
)
 
$
2,140


24


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


8.  Commitments and Contingencies

Financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk: The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations that it uses for on-balance-sheet instruments.  The Company's commitments consisted of the following approximate amounts as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Commitments to extend credit
$
571,604

 
$
558,633

Standby letters of credit
6,547

 
8,720

 
$
578,151

 
$
567,353

West Bank previously executed Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) Master Commitments (Commitments) with the FHLB of Des Moines to deliver residential mortgage loans and to guarantee the payment of any realized losses that exceed the FHLB's first loss account for mortgages delivered under the Commitments. West Bank receives credit enhancement fees from the FHLB for providing this guarantee and continuing to assist with managing the credit risk of the MPF Program residential mortgage loans. At September 30, 2016, the liability represented by the present value of the credit enhancement fees less any expected losses in the mortgages delivered under the Commitments was approximately $249. The outstanding balance of mortgage loans sold under the MPF Program was $119,968 and $139,152 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Contractual commitments: The Company has remaining commitments to invest in five qualified affordable housing projects totaling $6,072 as of September 30, 2016.

During 2015, the Company began construction on a new office in Rochester, Minnesota. Progress billings of approximately $4,953 have been paid on the $6,668 contract through September 30, 2016.

Contingencies: On September 29, 2010, West Bank was sued in a class action lawsuit filed in the Iowa District Court for Polk County. Plaintiffs, Darla and Jason T. Legg, asserted nonsufficient funds fees charged by West Bank on debit card transactions were usurious under the Iowa Consumer Credit Code and that the sequence West Bank formerly used to post debit card transactions for payment violated various alleged duties of good faith and ordinary care. Plaintiffs sought alternative remedies including injunctive relief, damages (including treble damages), punitive damages, refund of bank fees, and attorney fees. The trial court entered orders on preliminary motions on March 4, 2014. It dismissed one of Plaintiffs’ claims and found that factual disputes precluded summary judgment in West Bank’s favor on the remaining claims. In addition, the court certified two classes for further proceedings. West Bank appealed the adverse rulings to the Iowa Supreme Court. On January 22, 2016, the Iowa Supreme Court filed two opinions that affirmed and reversed parts of the trial court rulings. The court reversed the trial court by holding the Iowa Consumer Credit Code usury claim and an unjust enrichment claim should be dismissed. Certification of classes on those claims was also reversed. The court affirmed the trial court by holding that the Plaintiffs could proceed with a breach of express contract claim based on a 2006 change in debit card payment sequencing coupled with the alleged lack of notice concerning that change. During the third quarter of 2016, the parties to the lawsuit participated in a mediation and reached a settlement agreement in principle, which has not yet been finalized, executed, or approved by the court. As part of the proposed settlement, West Bank does not admit to any liability or wrongdoing, and the settlement agreement would include a release of all claims brought or that could have been brought in the lawsuit and would result in a dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice. In the quarter ended September 30, 2016, West Bank recorded an expense of $250, which is the amount West Bank expects to pay in the settlement. The proposed settlement agreement is subject to court approval and will require notice to be sent to class members providing them with an opportunity to opt out of the class or object to the settlement. West Bank will seek preliminary court approval of the proposed settlement in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Except as described above, neither the Company nor West Bank is a party, and no property of these entities is subject, to any other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to West Bank's business. The Company does not know of any proceeding contemplated by a governmental authority against the Company or West Bank.


25


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


9. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities using a hierarchy system.  Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in the market in which the reporting entity transacts business.

The Company's balance sheet contains investment securities available for sale and derivative instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  The three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value is as follows:

Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 uses observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company's policy is to recognize transfers between Levels at the end of each reporting period, if applicable. There were no transfers between Levels of the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Investment securities available for sale: When available, quoted market prices are used to determine the fair value of investment securities. If quoted market prices are not available, the Company determines fair value based on various sources and may apply matrix pricing with observable prices for similar bonds where a price for the identical bond is not observable. The fair values of these securities are determined by pricing models that consider observable market data such as interest rate volatilities, LIBOR yield curve, credit spreads, prices from market makers and live trading systems. Level 1 securities include certain corporate bonds and preferred stocks, and would include U.S. Treasuries, if any were held. Level 2 securities include U.S. government and agency securities, state and political subdivision securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities, and one trust preferred security. The Company currently holds no investment securities classified as Level 3.

Generally, management obtains the fair value of investment securities at the end of each reporting period via a third party pricing service. Management, with the assistance of an independent investment advisory firm, reviewed the valuation process used by the third party and believed that process was valid. On a quarterly basis, management corroborates the fair values of investment securities by obtaining pricing from an independent investment advisory firm and compares the two sets of fair values. Any significant variances are reviewed and investigated. In addition, the Company has instituted a practice of further testing the fair values of a sample of securities. For that sample, the prices are further validated by management, with assistance from an independent investment advisory firm, by obtaining details of the inputs used by the pricing service. Those inputs were independently tested, and management concluded the fair values were consistent with GAAP requirements and securities were properly classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative instrument: The Company's derivative instrument consists of an interest rate swap, which is accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The Company's derivative position is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and is valued using models generally accepted in the financial services industry and that use actively quoted or observable market input values from external market data providers and/or non-binding broker-dealer quotations. The fair value of the derivative is determined using discounted cash flow models. These models’ key assumptions include the contractual terms of the contract along with significant observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curves, nonperformance risk and volatility.


26


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following tables present the balances of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies and corporations
 
$
2,620

 
$

 
$
2,620

 
$

State and political subdivisions
 
67,180

 

 
67,180

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations
 
111,197

 

 
111,197

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
87,849

 

 
87,849

 

Trust preferred security
 
1,181

 

 
1,181

 

Corporate notes
 
8,384

 
8,084

 
300

 


 


 


 


 


Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap
 
$
1,302

 
$

 
$
1,302

 
$

 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government agencies and corporations
 
$
2,692

 
$

 
$
2,692

 
$

State and political subdivisions
 
73,079

 

 
73,079

 

Collateralized mortgage obligations
 
132,615

 

 
132,615

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
101,088

 

 
101,088

 

Trust preferred security
 
1,105

 

 
1,105

 

Corporate notes and equity securities
 
10,135

 
9,835

 
300

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap
 
$
774

 
$

 
$
774

 
$

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. That is, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment).  As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, impaired loans of $0 and $98, respectively, for which a fair value adjustment was recorded were classified as Level 3.  Impaired loans are evaluated and valued at the lower of cost or fair value when the loan is identified as impaired.  Fair value is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans.  The types of collateral vary widely and could include accounts receivables, inventory, a variety of equipment and real estate.  Evaluations of the underlying assets are completed for each impaired loan with a specific reserve. Collateral evaluations are reviewed and discounted as appropriate based on knowledge of the specific type of collateral. In the case of real estate, an independent appraisal may be obtained. Types of discounts considered included aging of receivables, condition of the collateral, potential market for the collateral and estimated disposal costs. These discounts will vary from loan to loan and may be discounted based on management's opinions concerning market developments or the client's business.
 

27


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.  The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis are discussed above.  The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.

Cash and due from banks:  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Federal funds sold:  The carrying amount approximates fair value.

Investment securities held to maturity: The fair values of these securities, which are all state and political subdivisions, are determined by the same method previously described for investment securities available for sale.

FHLB stock:  The fair value of this restricted stock is estimated at its carrying value and redemption price of $100 per share.

Loans:  The fair values of fixed rate loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on observable market interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers with similar credit quality. The carrying values of variable rate loans approximate their fair values.

Deposits:  The carrying amounts for demand and savings deposits, which represent the amounts payable on demand, approximate their fair values.  The fair values for time deposits are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered on time deposits with similar terms.

Accrued interest receivable and payable:  The fair values of both accrued interest receivable and payable approximate their carrying amounts.

Borrowings:  The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, short-term borrowings, variable rate FHLB advances, and variable rate long-term borrowings approximate their fair values.  Fair values of subordinated notes, a fixed rate FHLB advance and other long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on observable market interest rates currently being offered with similar terms.

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit:  The approximate fair values of commitments and standby letters of credit are based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and creditworthiness of the counterparties.


28


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)


The following table presents the carrying amounts and approximate fair values of financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015
 
 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying Amount
 
Approximate Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Approximate Fair Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
Level 1
 
$
44,526

 
$
44,526

 
$
57,329

 
$
57,329

Federal funds sold
Level 1
 
6,324

 
6,324

 
15,322

 
15,322

Investment securities available for sale
See previous table
 
278,411

 
278,411

 
320,714

 
320,714

Investment securities held to maturity
Level 2
 
48,405

 
49,943

 
51,259

 
51,918

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
Level 1
 
12,467

 
12,467

 
12,447

 
12,447

Loans, net(1)
Level 2
 
1,366,937

 
1,370,122

 
1,231,721

 
1,235,336

Accrued interest receivable
Level 1
 
5,230

 
5,230

 
4,688

 
4,688

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
Level 2
 
$
1,491,656

 
$
1,491,634

 
$
1,440,729

 
$
1,440,762

Federal funds purchased
Level 1
 
920

 
920

 
2,760

 
2,760

Short-term borrowings
Level 1
 
34,500

 
34,500

 
19,000

 
19,000

Subordinated notes, net
Level 2
 
20,395

 
12,646

 
20,385

 
11,674

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net
Level 2
 
99,509

 
99,631

 
98,385

 
98,812

Long-term debt, net
Level 2
 
5,952

 
5,879

 
8,405

 
8,314

Accrued interest payable
Level 1
 
336

 
336

 
343

 
343

Interest rate swap
See previous table
 
1,302

 
1,302

 
774

 
774

Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments to extend credit
Level 3
 

 

 

 

Standby letters of credit
Level 3
 

 

 

 


(1) All loans are Level 2 except impaired loans of $0 and $98 as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are Level 3.

29


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

"SAFE HARBOR" CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company's business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “future,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “strategy,” “plan,” “opportunity,” “will be,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar references, or references to estimates, predictions or future events.  Such forward-looking statements are based upon certain underlying assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Because of the possibility that the underlying assumptions are incorrect or do not materialize as expected in the future, actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties that may affect future results include: interest rate risk; competitive pressures; pricing pressures on loans and deposits; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company's loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; actions of bank and nonbank competitors; changes in local, national and international economic conditions; changes in regulatory requirements, limitations and costs; changes in customers' acceptance of the Company's products and services; cyber-attacks; unexpected outcomes of existing or new litigation involving the Company; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of this and other reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update such forward-looking statements to reflect current or future events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company's consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. These estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The estimates and judgments that management believes have the most effect on the Company's reported financial position and results of operations are described as critical accounting policies in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2016. There have been no significant changes in the critical accounting policies or the assumptions and judgments utilized in applying these policies since the year ended December 31, 2015.


30


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

OVERVIEW

The following discussion describes the consolidated operations and financial condition of the Company, West Bank and West Bank's wholly owned subsidiary WB Funding Corporation (which owned an interest in a limited liability company that was sold in the fourth quarter of 2015). Results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 are compared to the results for the same periods in 2015, and the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of September 30, 2016 is compared to balances as of December 31, 2015. The Company operates in three markets: central Iowa, which is generally the greater Des Moines metropolitan area; eastern Iowa, which is the area including and surrounding Iowa City and Coralville, Iowa; and the Rochester, Minnesota area.

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was $5,813, or $0.36 per diluted common share, compared to $5,426, or $0.34 per diluted common share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The Company's annualized return on average assets (ROA) and return on average equity (ROE) for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were 1.26 and 14.20 percent, respectively, compared to 1.28 and 14.63 percent, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

The increase in net income for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 was mainly due to higher net interest income. The $1,015, or 7.4 percent, increase in net interest income was fueled by an increase of $155,408, or 12.7 percent, in average loans outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time period in 2015. Partially offsetting the increase in net interest income for the third quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was a 5.9 percent increase in noninterest expense. The increase in noninterest expense included a $250 proposed settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit and normal increases in other operating costs. As previously disclosed, the class action litigation was originally filed in September 2010 and has involved considerable management time and expense. As part of the proposed litigation settlement, West Bank does not admit to any liability or wrongdoing, and the settlement agreement, subject to court approval, would include a release of all claims brought or that could have been brought in the lawsuit and would result in a dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice. West Bank will seek preliminary court approval of the proposed settlement in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $16,985, or $1.05 per diluted common share, compared to $15,801, or $0.98 per diluted common share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Company's annualized ROA and ROE for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were 1.26 and 14.29 percent, respectively, compared to 1.28 and 14.62 percent, respectively, for the first nine months of 2015.

The increase in net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was primarily due to growth in net interest income associated with loan growth and the recognition of tax-exempt gain from bank-owned life insurance. Partially offsetting these increases for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015 were increases in the provision for loan losses and noninterest expense.

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 grew $2,670, or 6.7 percent, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. Similar to the three months ended September 30, 2016, the increase in net interest income was primarily due to the $115,064 increase in average loans outstanding for the first nine months of 2016 compared to the first nine months of 2015. In association with the loan growth, the Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $900 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to a $400 provision in the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

The Company recognized tax-exempt gain from bank-owned life insurance of $443 in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to the losses of one of our colleagues as well as a former employee. Partially offsetting this tax-exempt income was an increase of approximately $171 in noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to the recognition of costs associated with the death of the employee. The remaining $1,002 increase in noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 was due to the combination of increased salaries and benefit costs, the litigation settlement mentioned above and normal increases in other operating costs.

The Company has reached an agreement with its insurance carrier for reimbursement of $300 of defense costs related to the class action litigation and a 50 percent reimbursement rate for future class action litigation-related defense costs incurred to conclude the proposed settlement. The $300 reimbursement will be recognized upon receipt, which is expected to be in the fourth quarter of 2016.


31


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Total loans outstanding increased $136,207, or 10.9 percent, during the first nine months of 2016. The credit quality of the loan portfolio remains strong as evidenced by the Company's Texas ratio, which was 0.55 percent as of September 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, the allowance for loan losses was 1.15 percent of outstanding loans, and management believes it was adequate to absorb any losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

Each quarter throughout the year, the Company's four key performance metrics are compared to those of our identified peer group of 16 companies. The group of 16 publicly traded peer financial institutions against which we compare our performance each quarter consists of BankFinancial Corporation, Farmers Capital Bank Corporation, First Business Financial Services, Inc., First Defiance Financial Corp., First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc., Hills Bancorporation, Horizon Bancorp, Isabella Bank Corporation, Mercantile Bank Corporation, MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc., MutualFirst Financial, Inc., Nicolet Bankshares, Inc., Peoples Bancorp, QCR Holdings, Inc., Southwest Bancorp and Waterstone Financial, Inc. The members of the peer group are selected based on their business focus, scope and location of operations, size and other considerations. The Company is in the middle of the group in terms of asset size. The group is periodically reviewed, with changes made primarily to reflect merger and acquisition activity. Our goal is to perform at or near the top of these peers relative to what we consider to be four key metrics: return on average assets, return on average equity, efficiency ratio and Texas ratio. We believe these measures encompass the factors that define the performance of a community bank. When contrasted with the peer group's metrics for the six months ended June 30, 2016 (latest data available), the Company's metrics for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were better than those of each company in the peer group as shown in the table below, except for one peer that had a higher ROA.
 
West Bancorporation, Inc.
 
Peer Group Range
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
 
Six months ended June 30, 2016
Return on average assets
1.26%
 
0.36% - 1.34%
Return on average equity
14.29%
 
2.60% - 10.73%
Efficiency ratio*
46.59%
 
54.47% - 77.57%
Texas ratio*
0.55%
 
3.73% - 23.59%
* A lower ratio is more desirable.

Previously announced construction continues on a new office in Rochester, Minnesota. The new facility will replace a leased office and is expected to open in November 2016. We believe the more prominent location of the new office along with the addition of an experienced consumer banker will enhance our ability to expand the customer base in that market.

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company elected to become a financial holding company. The election provides the Company with additional flexibility to engage in a broader range of financial activities through affiliates than are permissible for bank holding companies that are not financial holding companies. While the Company does not currently have a plan to engage in any new activities, the election affords the ability to respond more quickly to market developments and opportunities.

At its meeting on October 26, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per common share. The dividend is payable on November 23, 2016, to stockholders of record as of November 9, 2016. The dividend was increased $0.01 to the $0.17 level in April 2016 and represents the highest quarterly dividend amount ever paid by the Company.





32


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table shows selected financial results and measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared with the same periods in 2015
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change %
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change %
Net income
$
5,813

 
$
5,426

 
$
387

 
7.13
%
 
$
16,985

 
$
15,801

 
$
1,184

 
7.49
%
Average assets
1,838,125

 
1,678,005

 
160,120

 
9.54
%
 
1,794,777

 
1,652,232

 
142,545

 
8.63
%
Average stockholders' equity
162,867

 
147,120

 
15,747

 
10.70
%
 
158,821

 
144,540

 
14,281

 
9.88
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.26
%
 
1.28
%
 
(0.02
)%
 
 
 
1.26
%
 
1.28
%
 
(0.02
)%
 
 

Return on average equity
14.20
%
 
14.63
%
 
(0.43
)%
 
 
 
14.29
%
 
14.62
%
 
(0.33
)%
 
 

Net interest margin
3.50
%
 
3.59
%
 
(0.09
)%
 
 
 
3.51
%
 
3.59
%
 
(0.08
)%
 
 
Efficiency ratio*
46.25
%
 
46.30
%
 
(0.05
)%
 
 
 
46.59
%
 
47.12
%
 
(0.53
)%
 
 
Dividend payout ratio
47.19
%
 
47.36
%
 
(0.17
)%
 
 
 
47.43
%
 
46.72
%
 
0.71
 %
 
 

Average equity to average
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
assets ratio
8.86
%
 
8.77
%
 
0.09
 %
 
 
 
8.85
%
 
8.75
%
 
0.10
 %
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
 
Texas ratio*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.55
%
 
2.35
%
 
(1.80
)%
 
 
Equity to assets ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.03
%
 
8.61
%
 
0.42
 %
 
 

Tangible common equity ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.03
%
 
8.61
%
 
0.42
 %
 
 

* A lower ratio is more desirable.

Definitions of ratios:
Return on average assets - annualized net income divided by average assets.
Return on average equity - annualized net income divided by average stockholders' equity.
Net interest margin - annualized tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
Efficiency ratio - noninterest expense (excluding other real estate owned expense) divided by noninterest income (excluding net securities gains and gains/losses on disposition of premises and equipment) plus tax-equivalent net interest income.
Dividend payout ratio - dividends paid to common stockholders divided by net income.
Texas ratio - total nonperforming assets divided by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses.
Equity to assets ratio - equity divided by assets.
Tangible common equity ratio - common equity less intangible assets divided by tangible assets.



33


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Net Interest Income

The following tables present average balances and related interest income or interest expense, with the resulting annualized average yield or rate by category of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities.  Interest income and the resulting net interest income are shown on a fully taxable basis.
Data for the three months ended September 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Yield/Rate
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans: (1) (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
365,632

 
$
337,915

 
$
27,717

 
8.20
 %
 
$
3,874

 
$
3,564

 
$
310

 
8.70
 %
 
4.22
%
 
4.18
%
 
0.04
 %
Real estate (3)
1,003,492

 
877,732

 
125,760

 
14.33
 %
 
11,166

 
9,921

 
1,245

 
12.55
 %
 
4.43
%
 
4.48
%
 
(0.05
)%
Consumer and other
9,983

 
8,052

 
1,931

 
23.98
 %
 
102

 
84

 
18

 
21.43
 %
 
4.06
%
 
4.12
%
 
(0.06
)%
Total loans
1,379,107

 
1,223,699

 
155,408

 
12.70
 %
 
15,142

 
13,569

 
1,573

 
11.59
 %
 
4.37
%
 
4.40
%
 
(0.03
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Investment securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Taxable
230,054

 
211,297

 
18,757

 
8.88
 %
 
991

 
1,017

 
(26
)
 
(2.56
)%
 
1.72
%
 
1.93
%
 
(0.21
)%
Tax-exempt (3)
115,934

 
107,408

 
8,526

 
7.94
 %
 
1,176

 
1,195

 
(19
)
 
(1.59
)%
 
4.06
%
 
4.45
%
 
(0.39
)%
Total investment securities
345,988

 
318,705

 
27,283

 
8.56
 %
 
2,167

 
2,212

 
(45
)
 
(2.03
)%
 
2.50
%
 
2.78
%
 
(0.28
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal funds sold
20,783

 
43,725

 
(22,942
)
 
(52.47
)%
 
26

 
28

 
(2
)
 
(7.14
)%
 
0.51
%
 
0.26
%
 
0.25
 %
Total interest-earning assets (3)
$
1,745,878

 
$
1,586,129

 
$
159,749

 
10.07
 %
 
17,335

 
15,809

 
1,526

 
9.65
 %
 
3.95
%
 
3.95
%
 
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing demand,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
savings and money
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
market
$
944,809

 
$
815,195

 
$
129,614

 
15.90
 %
 
678

 
302

 
376

 
124.50
 %
 
0.29
%
 
0.15
%
 
0.14
 %
Time deposits
110,223

 
121,356

 
(11,133
)
 
(9.17
)%
 
194

 
198

 
(4
)
 
(2.02
)%
 
0.70
%
 
0.65
%
 
0.05
 %
Total deposits
1,055,032

 
936,551

 
118,481

 
12.65
 %
 
872

 
500

 
372

 
74.40
 %
 
0.33
%
 
0.21
%
 
0.12
 %
Other borrowed funds
132,583

 
139,302

 
(6,719
)
 
(4.82
)%
 
1,103

 
941

 
162

 
17.22
 %
 
3.31
%
 
2.68
%
 
0.63
 %
Total interest-bearing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
liabilities
$
1,187,615

 
$
1,075,853

 
$
111,762

 
10.39
 %
 
1,975

 
1,441

 
534

 
37.06
 %
 
0.66
%
 
0.53
%
 
0.13
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax-equivalent net interest income
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
15,360

 
$
14,368

 
$
992

 
6.90
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net interest spread
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.29
%
 
3.42
%
 
(0.13
)%
Net interest margin
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.50
%
 
3.59
%
 
(0.09
)%

34


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Data for the nine months ended September 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Yield/Rate
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans: (1) (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
361,315

 
$
327,185

 
$
34,130

 
10.43
 %
 
$
11,377

 
$
10,232

 
$
1,145

 
11.19
 %
 
4.21
%
 
4.18
%
 
0.03
 %
Real estate (3)
951,226

 
870,436

 
80,790

 
9.28
 %
 
31,768

 
29,181

 
2,587

 
8.87
 %
 
4.46
%
 
4.48
%
 
(0.02
)%
Consumer and other
8,716

 
8,572

 
144

 
1.68
 %
 
257

 
252

 
5

 
1.98
 %
 
3.94
%
 
3.93
%
 
0.01
 %
Total loans
1,321,257

 
1,206,193

 
115,064

 
9.54
 %
 
43,402

 
39,665

 
3,737

 
9.42
 %
 
4.39
%
 
4.40
%
 
(0.01
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Investment securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Taxable
243,811

 
219,597

 
24,214

 
11.03
 %
 
3,222

 
3,184

 
38

 
1.19
 %
 
1.76
%
 
1.93
%
 
(0.17
)%
Tax-exempt (3)
120,049

 
104,325

 
15,724

 
15.07
 %
 
3,742

 
3,495

 
247

 
7.07
 %
 
4.16
%
 
4.47
%
 
(0.31
)%
Total investment securities
363,860

 
323,922

 
39,938

 
12.33
 %
 
6,964

 
6,679

 
285

 
4.27
 %
 
2.55
%
 
2.75
%
 
(0.20
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal funds sold
14,586

 
31,190

 
(16,604
)
 
(53.24
)%
 
57

 
60

 
(3
)
 
(5.00
)%
 
0.53
%
 
0.26
%
 
0.27
 %
Total interest-earning assets (3)
$
1,699,703

 
$
1,561,305

 
$
138,398

 
8.86
 %
 
50,423

 
46,404

 
4,019

 
8.66
 %
 
3.96
%
 
3.97
%
 
(0.01
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing demand,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
savings and money
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
market
$
909,950

 
$
817,065

 
$
92,885

 
11.37
 %
 
1,842

 
953

 
889

 
93.28
 %
 
0.27
%
 
0.16
%
 
0.11
 %
Time deposits
110,218

 
132,766

 
(22,548
)
 
(16.98
)%
 
559

 
669

 
(110
)
 
(16.44
)%
 
0.68
%
 
0.67
%
 
0.01
 %
Total deposits
1,020,168

 
949,831

 
70,337

 
7.41
 %
 
2,401

 
1,622

 
779

 
48.03
 %
 
0.31
%
 
0.23
%
 
0.08
 %
Other borrowed funds
138,687

 
148,681

 
(9,994
)
 
(6.72
)%
 
3,335

 
2,842

 
493

 
17.35
 %
 
3.21
%
 
2.56
%
 
0.65
 %
Total interest-bearing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
liabilities
$
1,158,855

 
$
1,098,512

 
$
60,343

 
5.49
 %
 
5,736

 
4,464

 
1,272

 
28.49
 %
 
0.66
%
 
0.54
%
 
0.12
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax-equivalent net interest income
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
$
44,687

 
$
41,940

 
$
2,747

 
6.55
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net interest spread
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.30
%
 
3.43
%
 
(0.13
)%
Net interest margin
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
3.51
%
 
3.59
%
 
(0.08
)%

(1)
Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.  Interest income recognized on nonaccrual loans has been included.
(2)
Interest income on loans includes amortization of loan fees and costs and prepayment penalties collected, which are not material.
(3)
Tax-exempt income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis using an incremental federal income tax rate of 35 percent and is adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt investment securities and loans.

The Company's largest component of net income is net interest income. Fluctuations in net interest income can result from the combination of changes in the average balances of asset and liability categories and changes in interest rates. Interest rates earned and paid are affected by general economic conditions, particularly changes in market interest rates, and by competitive factors, government policies and the actions of regulatory authorities. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System increased the targeted federal funds interest rate by 25 basis points in December 2015, the first interest rate change in seven years. No additional changes to the targeted federal funds interest rate have been made to date in 2016.


35


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Net interest margin is a measure of the net return on interest-earning assets and is computed by dividing annualized tax-equivalent net interest income by total average interest-earning assets for the period. The net interest margin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 declined nine and eight basis points, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The primary drivers of the decline in the net interest margin for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same respective periods in 2015 were an increase in interest rates paid on certain deposit categories, a reduction in yield on investment securities due to calls of higher yielding securities, and an increase in the rate paid on other borrowed funds. Despite the decline in the net interest margin, tax-equivalent net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased $992 and $2,747, respectively, compared to the same time periods in 2015. The increase in net interest income for both 2016 periods compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was largely due to the increase in average outstanding loans. Management expects the persisting low interest rate environment to continue to put pressure on the net interest margin throughout the remainder of 2016. Management continually develops and applies strategies to maintain the net interest margin.

Tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $1,573 and $3,737, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The improvement for both time periods was due to the significant increase in average loan balances outstanding. The average yields on loans decreased slightly for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The Company continues to focus on expanding existing and entering into new customer relationships while maintaining strong credit quality. The yield on the Company's loan portfolio is affected by the mix of the loans in the portfolio, the interest rate environment, the effects of competition, the level of nonaccrual loans and reversals of previously accrued interest on charged-off loans. The political and economic environments can also influence the volume of new loan originations and the mix of variable rate versus fixed rate loans.

The average balance of investment securities was higher during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 than during the same periods in 2015, while calls of certain higher-yielding municipal securities and a lower yield on the most recent portfolio purchases caused the overall portfolio yield to decline 28 and 20 basis points, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods last year. The increase in average balances was primarily attributable to purchases in the third quarter of 2015. No investment securities were purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

The average balance of interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, mainly due to an increase in average balances of money market accounts, including public funds from municipalities. The average rate paid on interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased 14 and 11 basis points, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to increasing interest rates on certain money market deposit products in late December 2015 and the mix of new deposits in 2016. The average balance of time deposits continued to decline for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 as fewer maturing deposits have been renewed due to the historically low interest rates. Meanwhile, interest rates on time deposits increased five basis points for the three months and one basis point for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015, primarily due to fees paid at the time new and renewed Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service deposits were issued.

The average rate paid on other borrowed funds increased 63 and 65 basis points, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increase in the average rate paid was due to the combination of an interest rate swap that became effective in December 2015, amortization of interest rate swap termination fees paid in 2015, and increases in rates for variable rate FHLB advances and a subordinated note. The decline in the average balance of other borrowed funds for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015 was caused by lower average overnight borrowings and scheduled principal payments on long-term borrowings.


36


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents a charge made to earnings to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses.  The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is evaluated quarterly by management and reviewed by the Board of Directors. The allowance for loan losses is management's best estimate of probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  Based upon the evaluations, the provision for loan losses was $200 for both the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. The provision for loan losses was $900 and $400, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. The increased provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time period in 2015 was directly associated with the strong 2016 year-to-date loan growth.

Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: an assessment of the financial condition of the borrower; the value and adequacy of loan collateral; the condition of the local economy and the condition of the specific industry of the borrower; the levels and trends of loans by segment; and a review of delinquent and classified loans.  The quarterly evaluation focuses on factors such as specific loan reviews, changes in the components of the loan portfolio given the current and forecasted economic conditions, and historical loss experience.  Any one of the following conditions may result in the review of a specific loan: concern about whether the customer's cash flow or net worth is sufficient to repay the loan; delinquency status; criticism of the loan in a regulatory examination; the suspension of interest accrual; or other factors, including whether the loan has other special or unusual characteristics that suggest special monitoring is warranted. The Company's concentration risks include geographic concentration in central and eastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota. The local economies are composed primarily of service industries and state and county governments.

West Bank has a significant portion of its loan portfolio in commercial real estate loans, commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans, and construction and land development loans.  West Bank's typical commercial borrower is a small- or medium-sized, privately owned business entity.  West Bank's commercial loans typically have greater credit risks than residential mortgages or consumer loans because they often have larger balances and repayment usually depends on the borrowers' successful business operations.  Commercial loans also involve additional risks because they generally are not fully repaid over the loan period and, thus, may require refinancing or a large payoff at maturity.  When the economy turns downward, commercial borrowers may not be able to repay their loans, and the value of their assets, which are usually pledged as collateral, may decrease rapidly and significantly. 

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, further reduction in the carrying amounts of loans may be necessary based on changes in circumstances, changes in the overall economy in the markets we currently serve, or later acquired information.  Identifiable sectors within the general economy are subject to additional volatility, which at any time may have a substantial impact on the loan portfolio.  In addition, regulatory agencies, as integral parts of their examination processes, periodically review the credit quality of the loan portfolio and the level of the allowance for loan losses.  Such agencies may require West Bank to recognize additional losses based on such agencies' review of information available to them at the time of their examinations.
  

37


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

West Bank's policy is to charge off loans when, in management's opinion, a loan or a portion of a loan is deemed uncollectible. Concerted efforts are made to maximize subsequent recoveries.  The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and related ratios. 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
Change
Balance at beginning of period
$
15,829

 
$
14,364

 
$
1,465

 
$
14,967

 
$
13,607

 
$
1,360

Charge-offs
(171
)
 
(154
)
 
(17
)
 
(264
)
 
(225
)
 
(39
)
Recoveries
100

 
250

 
(150
)
 
355

 
878

 
(523
)
Net (charge-offs) recoveries
(71
)
 
96

 
(167
)
 
91

 
653

 
(562
)
Provision for loan losses charged to operations
200

 
200

 

 
900

 
400

 
500

Balance at end of period
$
15,958

 
$
14,660

 
$
1,298

 
$
15,958

 
$
14,660

 
$
1,298

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans outstanding
$
1,379,107

 
$
1,223,699

 
 
 
$
1,321,257

 
$
1,206,160

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of annualized net charge-offs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(recoveries) during the period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
to average loans outstanding
0.02
%
 
(0.03
)%
 
 
 
(0.01
)%
 
(0.07
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
average loans outstanding
1.16
%
 
1.20
 %
 
 
 
1.21
 %
 
1.22
 %
 
 
In general, the U.S. economy is growing, but at a lower rate than was considered normal before the financial crisis. Average monthly job growth in 2016 has dropped below 200,000, while the national unemployment rate has increased slightly to 5.0 percent as of September 30, 2016. Activity in the housing market continues at a moderate pace. Interest rates are expected to gradually increase, although any increase may be delayed due to the sluggish world economy. The economic environments in Iowa and Minnesota continue to slowly improve. Based on the current economic indicators, the Company decided to maintain the economic factors within the allowance for loan losses evaluation at the same levels used in 2015. In the first nine months of 2016, the Company continued to use experience factors based on the highest losses calculated over a rolling 12-, 16-, or 20-quarter period. The loan growth in the first nine months of 2016 resulted in the portion of the allowance for loan losses related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment to increase by $1,041 to a total of $15,441, which was 1.12 percent of loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2016 compared to $14,400, or 1.16 percent, as of December 31, 2015. Management believes the resulting allowance for loan losses as of September 30, 2016 was adequate to absorb the losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the end of the quarter.


38


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Noninterest Income

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest income categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  In addition, accounts within the “Other income” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest income:
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
632

 
$
663

 
$
(31
)
 
(4.68
)%
Debit card usage fees
450

 
463

 
(13
)
 
(2.81
)%
Trust services
355

 
302

 
53

 
17.55
 %
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
160

 
183

 
(23
)
 
(12.57
)%
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Revenue from residential mortgage banking
51

 
45

 
6

 
13.33
 %
Loan fees
22

 
85

 
(63
)
 
(74.12
)%
Letter of credit fees
23

 
13

 
10

 
76.92
 %
Credit card fees
63

 
53

 
10

 
18.87
 %
All other income
163

 
128

 
35

 
27.34
 %
Total other income
322

 
324

 
(2
)
 
(0.62
)%
Total noninterest income
$
1,919

 
$
1,935

 
$
(16
)
 
(0.83
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest income:
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
1,847

 
$
1,934

 
$
(87
)
 
(4.50
)%
Debit card usage fees
1,372

 
1,367

 
5

 
0.37
 %
Trust services
946

 
944

 
2

 
0.21
 %
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
492

 
550

 
(58
)
 
(10.55
)%
Gain from bank-owned life insurance
443

 

 
443

 
N/A

Realized investment securities gains, net
60

 
47

 
13

 
27.66
 %
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Revenue from residential mortgage banking
116

 
132

 
(16
)
 
(12.12
)%
Loan fees
50

 
122

 
(72
)
 
(59.02
)%
Letter of credit fees
80

 
61

 
19

 
31.15
 %
Credit card fees
195

 
164

 
31

 
18.90
 %
All other income
451

 
396

 
55

 
13.89
 %
Total other income
892

 
875

 
17

 
1.94
 %
Total noninterest income
$
6,052

 
$
5,717

 
$
335

 
5.86
 %
Service charges on deposit accounts declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to lower fees resulting from fewer instances of nonsufficient funds, which was partially offset by higher fees from commercial accounts.

Revenue from trust services was higher during the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time period in 2015, due to the combination of successful, ongoing business development efforts and pricing updates for certain account types.

The increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance was lower in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 than in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, as crediting rates within the policies have declined slightly due to the historically low interest rate environment. As previously mentioned, gain from bank-owned life insurance was recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to the losses of one of our colleagues as well as a former employee.

The Company sold three preferred stocks during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, recognizing gains of $60, while net gains on sales of securities of $47 were recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

39


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Loan fees declined for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2015, due to the recognition of a rate lock fee on one loan in the third quarter of 2015. Letter of credit fees grew due to the increase in the amount of standby letters of credit activity for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Credit card fees increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, due to both higher volumes of credit transactions and an increase in the number of credit cards issued through a third party. All other income for the three months ended September 30, 2016 included a discount of $33 related to the purchase of a State of Iowa income tax credit.


40


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Noninterest Expense

The following tables show the variance from the prior year in the noninterest expense categories shown in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, accounts within the “Other expenses” category that represent a significant portion of the total or a significant variance are shown below.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest expense:
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
4,154

 
$
4,056

 
$
98

 
2.42
 %
Occupancy
1,038

 
1,031

 
7

 
0.68
 %
Data processing
643

 
595

 
48

 
8.07
 %
FDIC insurance expense
272

 
209

 
63

 
30.14
 %
Professional fees
189

 
194

 
(5
)
 
(2.58
)%
Director fees
202

 
226

 
(24
)
 
(10.62
)%
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Marketing
72

 
55

 
17

 
30.91
 %
Business development
157

 
166

 
(9
)
 
(5.42
)%
Insurance expense
88

 
96

 
(8
)
 
(8.33
)%
Investment advisory fees
124

 
130

 
(6
)
 
(4.62
)%
Postage and courier
79

 
78

 
1

 
1.28
 %
Trust
106

 
107

 
(1
)
 
(0.93
)%
Consulting fees
91

 
70

 
21

 
30.00
 %
Supplies
75

 
68

 
7

 
10.29
 %
Low income housing projects amortization
99

 
76

 
23

 
30.26
 %
Miscellaneous losses
247

 
27

 
220

 
814.81
 %
All other
357

 
365

 
(8
)
 
(2.19
)%
Total other
1,495

 
1,238

 
257

 
20.76
 %
Total noninterest expense
$
7,993

 
$
7,549

 
$
444

 
5.88
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Noninterest expense:
2016
 
2015
 
Change
 
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
12,644

 
$
12,051

 
$
593

 
4.92
 %
Occupancy
2,972

 
3,090

 
(118
)
 
(3.82
)%
Data processing
1,849

 
1,738

 
111

 
6.39
 %
FDIC insurance expense
714

 
620

 
94

 
15.16
 %
Professional fees
619

 
575

 
44

 
7.65
 %
Director fees
672

 
642

 
30

 
4.67
 %
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Marketing
170

 
182

 
(12
)
 
(6.59
)%
Business development
574

 
534

 
40

 
7.49
 %
Insurance expense
256

 
265

 
(9
)
 
(3.40
)%
Investment advisory fees
397

 
375

 
22

 
5.87
 %
Postage and courier
241

 
244

 
(3
)
 
(1.23
)%
Trust
310

 
300

 
10

 
3.33
 %
Consulting fees
238

 
191

 
47

 
24.61
 %
Supplies
217

 
220

 
(3
)
 
(1.36
)%
Low income housing projects amortization
305

 
198

 
107

 
54.04
 %
Miscellaneous losses
246

 
13

 
233

 
1,792.31
 %
All other
1,187

 
1,200

 
(13
)
 
(1.08
)%
Total other
4,141

 
3,722

 
419

 
11.26
 %
Total noninterest expense
$
23,611

 
$
22,438

 
$
1,173

 
5.23
 %

41


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Salaries and employee benefits increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily as the result of increases in stock-based compensation costs, health insurance, defined contribution plan expenses and payroll taxes. The increases in defined contribution plan expenses and payroll taxes were primarily associated with a one-time payout of accrued vacation that occurred in the second quarter of 2016 in conjunction with a change in the Company's vacation carryover policy.

When contrasted with the nine months ended September 30, 2015, occupancy costs declined for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily as the result of the February 2016 purchase of the Waukee, Iowa, branch facility. The reduction reflects a one-time reversal of previously accrued rent related to the terms of the previous lease. Ongoing operating costs for that location are expected to remain lower than previous rental costs. Occupancy costs are expected to increase when the new Rochester building opens in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The increase in data processing expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time periods in 2015 was primarily because of the implementation of additional security measures and mobile banking in 2016, and an annual contractual increase in fees paid to our core processor that is based upon an inflation factor.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance expense increased for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015. The increases were due to the combination of growth in total assets and a July 1, 2016 revision in the assessment rate system for institutions with less than $10 billion in total assets. Based on the change in methodology for calculation of the rate within the revised assessment system, the rate can be significantly affected by the types of loans within the portfolio and by the credit quality of the portfolio.  The Company expects the assessment calculation revisions to will increase the Company's annual cost of FDIC insurance by approximately $100.

Professional fees increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time period in 2015, chiefly due to increased legal fees associated with the previously disclosed litigation.

Director fees for the three months ended September 30, 2016 declined compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 as the result of one director, who was not replaced, retiring from the Board of Directors in late April 2016. Director fees increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015 as a result of higher stock-based compensation costs.

The increase in marketing expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2015 was because of costs associated with converting certain branch locations to drive-up service only. The increase in business development costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time period in 2015 was the result of efforts to cultivate new and expanded customer relationships.

Investment advisory fees consist of fees paid to an independent investment advisory firm for assistance with managing the investment portfolio and an administrative fee charged by an investment management firm for assisting with the purchase and administration of public company floating rate commercial loans. Effective October 1, 2016, the investment portfolio will be managed internally with an expected annual cost savings of approximately $280.

Consulting fees increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, primarily due to expenses relating to data analysis conducted in association with the previously mentioned litigation.

Low income housing project amortization increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time periods in 2015 due to the Company making commitments to invest in additional projects. The projected expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 is approximately $400 compared to $228 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The combination of the tax deductible amortization plus the federal income tax credits exceeds the investment in the projects.

Miscellaneous losses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same time periods in 2015, due to reaching a $250 mediated proposed settlement agreement during the third quarter of 2016 for the previously disclosed class action litigation.

42


Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $2,634 (31.2 percent of pre-tax income) and $7,249 (29.9 percent of pre-tax income) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, compared with $2,466 (31.2 percent of pre-tax income) and $7,101 (31.0 percent of pre-tax income) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The Company's consolidated income tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate primarily due to tax-exempt interest income, the tax-exempt increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance, disallowed interest expense, and state income taxes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the tax rate was also lower than the statutory income tax rate due to $443 of tax-exempt gain from bank-owned life insurance. The tax rate for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015 was also impacted by year-to-date federal low income housing tax credits of approximately $262 and $225, respectively.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company had total assets of $1,824,830 as of September 30, 2016, an increase of 4.37 percent compared to total assets as of December 31, 2015. The most significant changes in the balance sheet were increases in loans, premises and equipment, deposits and short-term borrowings, and decreases in cash and cash equivalents and securities available for sale.  A summary of changes in the components of the balance sheet is provided below.

Investment Securities

The balance of investment securities available for sale declined by $42,303 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which was attributed primarily to normal principal paydowns on mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, and calls of state and political subdivision securities and corporate notes. The Company also sold equity securities during the second quarter of 2016 for a total of $1,544, resulting in a gain of $60. These cash flows were used to fund loan growth.

As of September 30, 2016, approximately 71 percent of the available for sale investment securities portfolio consisted of government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities. In the current low interest rate environment, management believes both provide relatively good yields, have little to no credit risk and provide fairly consistent cash flows.

Loans and Nonperforming Assets

Loans outstanding increased $136,207 from $1,246,688 as of December 31, 2015, to $1,382,895 as of September 30, 2016. Growth in the loan portfolio during the first nine months of 2016 was primarily the result of increases of $33,444 in construction loans and $103,271 in commercial real estate loans. Approximately $44,000 of new commercial real estate loans were made to entities managed by a West Bank related party. The Company continues to focus on business development efforts in all of its markets. Management believes loan growth will continue in all three of our markets during the remainder of 2016, however, not at the level experienced in the first nine months of 2016.

Credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio remains strong and stable. The Company's Texas ratio, which is computed by dividing total nonperforming assets by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses, was 0.55 percent as of September 30, 2016, compared to 0.87 percent as of December 31, 2015. The ratio for both dates was significantly better than the June 30, 2016 peer group average (latest data available), which was approximately 9.98 percent, according to data in the June 2016 Bank Holding Company Performance Report prepared by the Division of Supervision and Regulation of the Federal Reserve.

The following table sets forth the amount of nonperforming loans and assets held by the Company and common ratio measurements of those items as of the dates shown. 
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Change
Nonaccrual loans
$
1,003

 
$
1,381

 
$
(378
)
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

 

 

Troubled debt restructured loans (1)

 
80

 
(80
)
Total nonperforming loans
1,003

 
1,461

 
(458
)
Other real estate owned

 

 

Total nonperforming assets
$
1,003

 
$
1,461

 
$
(458
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.07
%
 
0.12
%
 
(0.05
)%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.05
%
 
0.08
%
 
(0.03
)%

(1)
While TDR loans are commonly reported by the industry as nonperforming, those not classified in the nonaccrual category are accruing interest due to payment performance. TDR loans on nonaccrual status are categorized as nonaccrual. There were two TDR loans as of September 30, 2016, and three TDR loans as of December 31, 2015, with aggregate balances of $464 and $613, respectively, categorized as nonaccrual.

For additional information, refer to the “Provision for Loan Losses and the Related Allowance for Loan Losses” in this section, and Notes 4 and 9 to the financial statements.


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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment increased $9,461 since December 31, 2015, to $21,023 as of September 30, 2016. In February 2016, the Company purchased a branch facility for $4,512 that had previously been leased. The Company also spent $4,278 from December 31, 2015 through September 30, 2016, on the construction of a new office in Rochester, Minnesota.

Deposits

Deposits increased $50,927 during the first nine months of 2016, or 3.53 percent, compared to December 31, 2015.  Savings deposits, which include money market and insured cash sweep money market accounts, increased $66,653 from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 . Interest-bearing demand accounts declined $3,184, and noninterest-bearing demand accounts declined $3,273 from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016. These changes were due to a combination of business development efforts and normal fluctuations, as corporate customers' liquidity needs vary at any given time. Total time deposits declined $9,269 during the first nine months of 2016 due to the continued low interest rate environment. As of September 30, 2016, a significant related party relationship maintained total deposit balances with West Bank of approximately $190,000.

Borrowings

Short-term borrowings increased to $34,500 as of September 30, 2016 from $19,000 as of December 31, 2015. The need for this overnight funding is primarily dependent on corporate customer deposit fluctuations, loan fundings and loan repayments. Long-term debt declined $2,453 during the first nine months of 2016 due to scheduled repayments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The objectives of liquidity management are to ensure the availability of sufficient cash flows to meet all financial commitments and to capitalize on opportunities for profitable business expansion.  The Company's principal source of funds is deposits.  Other sources include loan principal repayments, proceeds from the maturity and sale of investment securities, principal payments on collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed securities, federal funds purchased, advances from the FHLB, and funds provided by operations.  Liquidity management is conducted on both a daily and a long-term basis.  Investments in liquid assets are adjusted based on expected loan demand, projected loan and investment securities maturities and payments, expected deposit flows and the objectives set by the Company's asset-liability management policy. The Company had liquid assets (cash and cash equivalents) of $50,850 as of September 30, 2016 compared with $72,651 as of December 31, 2015.

As of September 30, 2016, West Bank had additional borrowing capacity available from the FHLB of approximately $238,000, as well as $67,000 through unsecured federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks.  Net cash from operating activities contributed $22,207 and $22,424 to liquidity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The combination of high levels of potentially liquid assets, cash flows from operations, and additional borrowing capacity provided the Company with strong liquidity as of September 30, 2016.

The Company's total stockholders' equity increased to $164,864 at September 30, 2016 from $152,377 at December 31, 2015.  The increase was primarily the result of net income less dividends paid, and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income.

At September 30, 2016, the Company's tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets was 9.03 percent compared to 8.72 percent as of December 31, 2015.

The Company and West Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements (as shown in the following table) can result in certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators, which, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and West Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Management believes the Company and West Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject as of September 30, 2016.

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Table of Contents
West Bancorporation, Inc.
Management's Discussion and Analysis
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table.
 
Actual
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes With Capital Conservation Buffer
 
To Be Well-Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
As of September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
$
198,682

 
11.87
%
 
$
144,372

 
8.625
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
183,202

 
11.06
%
 
142,894

 
8.625
%
 
$
165,674

 
10.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
182,724

 
10.92
%
 
110,894

 
6.625
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
167,244

 
10.09
%
 
109,759

 
6.625
%
 
132,539

 
8.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
162,724

 
9.72
%
 
85,786

 
5.125
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
167,244

 
10.09
%
 
84,908

 
5.125
%
 
107,688

 
6.50
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
182,724

 
9.97
%
 
73,329

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
167,244

 
9.20
%
 
72,685

 
4.00
%
 
90,856

 
5.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

As of December 31, 2015:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
$
187,790

 
12.12
%
 
$
123,979

 
8.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
174,450

 
11.32
%
 
123,279

 
8.00
%
 
$
154,099

 
10.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
172,807

 
11.15
%
 
92,984

 
6.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
159,467

 
10.35
%
 
92,460

 
6.00
%
 
123,279

 
8.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
152,807

 
9.86
%
 
69,738

 
4.50
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
159,467

 
10.35
%
 
69,345

 
4.50
%
 
100,164

 
6.50
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
172,807

 
9.91
%
 
69,764

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
159,467

 
9.20
%
 
69,352

 
4.00
%
 
86,690

 
5.00
%

On January 1, 2015, the Company and West Bank became subject to the rules of the Basel III regulatory capital framework and related Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act changes. The new rules included the implementation of a new capital conservation buffer that is added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes. The capital conservation buffer is subject to a three year phase-in period that began on January 1, 2016 and will be fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 at 2.5 percent. The required phase-in capital conservation buffer during 2016 is 0.625 percent. A banking organization with a conservation buffer of less than the required amount will be subject to limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. At September 30, 2016, the ratios for the Company and West Bank were sufficient to meet the fully phased-in conservation buffer.


46


Table of Contents


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of earnings volatility that results from adverse changes in interest rates and market prices. The Company's market risk is primarily interest rate risk arising from its core banking activities of lending and deposit taking. Interest rate risk is the risk that the change in market interest rates may adversely affect the Company's net interest income. Management continually develops and implements strategies to mitigate this risk. The analysis of the Company's interest rate risk as of December 31, 2015 was presented in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2016. The Company has not experienced any material changes to its interest rate risk position since December 31, 2015. Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and management of that exposure in the first nine months of 2016 materially changed compared to those in the year ended December 31, 2015.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

a. Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) was performed under the supervision, and with the participation, of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

b. Changes in internal controls over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information required by this item is set forth in Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I Item 1 of this report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Management does not believe there have been any material changes in the risk factors that were disclosed in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2016.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.


47


Table of Contents


Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibits
Description
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


48


Table of Contents


SIGNATURES

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

West Bancorporation, Inc.
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 27, 2016
By:
/s/ David D. Nelson
 
Date
 
David D. Nelson
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
October 27, 2016
By:
/s/ Douglas R. Gulling
 
Date
 
Douglas R. Gulling
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
October 27, 2016
By:
/s/ Marie I. Roberts
 
Date
 
Marie I. Roberts
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 


49


Table of Contents


EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed herewith:
Exhibit No.
Description
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 

50