WEST BANCORPORATION INC - Quarter Report: 2018 March (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 March 31, 2018

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, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer	o
Accelerated filer	x
Non-accelerated filer	o	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company	o
Emerging growth company	o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 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 April 25, 2018, there were 16,271,494 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding.

WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.

INDEX



		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements	4

	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	4

	Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	5

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	6

	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	7

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	8

	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	9

Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29

	"Safe Harbor" Concerning Forward-Looking Statements	29

	Critical Accounting Policies	29

	Non-GAAP Financial Measures	30

	Overview	30

	Results of Operations	32

	Financial Condition	38

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	42

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	42

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	42

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	42

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	42

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	42

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	42

Item 5.	Other Information	42

Item 6.	Exhibits	43

	Signatures	44

Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements



West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	36,978		$	34,952
Federal funds sold	488			12,997
Cash and cash equivalents	37,466			47,949
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value	482,787			444,219
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $45,890 at December 31, 2017)	—			45,527
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost	10,130			9,174
Loans	1,502,283			1,510,500
Allowance for loan losses	(16,465		)	(16,430		)
Loans, net	1,485,818			1,494,070
Premises and equipment, net	22,682			23,022
Accrued interest receivable	7,287			7,344
Bank-owned life insurance	33,776			33,618
Deferred tax assets, net	5,625			4,645
Other assets	6,454			4,809
Total assets	$	2,092,025		$	2,114,377

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing demand	$	394,100		$	395,888
Interest-bearing demand	314,546			395,052
Savings	854,941			850,216
Time of $250 or more	26,224			16,965
Other time	148,347			152,692
Total deposits	1,738,158			1,810,813
Federal funds purchased	51,820			545
Subordinated notes, net	20,415			20,412
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net	76,751			76,382
Long-term debt	21,639			22,917
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	5,000			5,210
Total liabilities	1,913,783			1,936,279
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8)
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	—			—
Common stock, no par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 16,271,494 and 16,215,672 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	3,000			3,000
Additional paid-in capital	22,916			23,463
Retained earnings	158,362			153,527
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,036		)	(1,892		)
Total stockholders' equity	178,242			178,098
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,092,025		$	2,114,377

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents



West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2018		2017
Interest income:
Loans, including fees	$	16,474	$	14,969
Investment securities:
Taxable	1,813		1,027
Tax-exempt	1,362		778
Federal funds sold	81		17
Total interest income	19,730		16,791
Interest expense:
Deposits	3,012		1,195
Federal funds purchased	27		46
Subordinated notes	248		212
Federal Home Loan Bank advances	832		917
Long-term debt	195		32
Total interest expense	4,314		2,402
Net interest income	15,416		14,389
Provision for loan losses	150		—
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	15,266		14,389
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts	649		600
Debit card usage fees	399		440
Trust services	445		392
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance	158		154
Gain from bank-owned life insurance	—		307
Realized investment securities losses, net	—		(3		)
Other income	262		270
Total noninterest income	1,913		2,160
Noninterest expense:
Salaries and employee benefits	4,513		4,337
Occupancy	1,223		1,097
Data processing	676		688
FDIC insurance	162		213
Professional fees	234		293
Director fees	249		211
Other expenses	1,230		1,204
Total noninterest expense	8,287		8,043
Income before income taxes	8,892		8,506
Income taxes	1,508		2,400
Net income	$	7,384	$	6,106

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.46	$	0.38
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.45	$	0.37
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.18	$	0.17

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents



West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Net income	$	7,384		$	6,106
Other comprehensive income (loss) :
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period	(6,965		)	1,607
Unrealized gains on investment securities transferred from held to maturity to available for sale	363			—
Plus: reclassification adjustment for net losses realized in net income	—			3
Less: other reclassification adjustment	(36		)	(7		)
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,661			(609		)
Other comprehensive income (loss) on investment securities	(4,977		)	994
Unrealized gains on derivatives:
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period	1,545			9
Plus: reclassification adjustment for net loss on derivatives realized in net income	37			90
Plus: reclassification adjustment for amortization of derivative termination costs	23			27
Income tax (expense)	(402		)	(48		)
Other comprehensive income on derivatives	1,203			78
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,774		)	1,072
Comprehensive income	$	3,610		$	7,178

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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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, 2016	$	—	16,137,999	$	3,000	$	21,462		$	141,956		$	(1,042	)	$	165,376
Net income	—		—	—		—			6,106			—			6,106
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—	—		—			—			1,072			1,072
Cash dividends declared, $0.17 per common share	—		—	—		—			(2,743		)	—			(2,743		)
Stock-based compensation costs	—		—	—		514			—			—			514
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes	—		49,162	—		(553		)	—			—			(553		)
Balance, March 31, 2017	$	—	16,187,161	$	3,000	$	21,423		$	145,319		$	30		$	169,772

Balance, December 31, 2017	$	—	16,215,672	$	3,000	$	23,463		$	153,527		$	(1,892	)	$	178,098
Reclassification of stranded tax effects of rate change	—		—	—		—			370			(370		)	—
Net income	—		—	—		—			7,384			—			7,384
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	—		—	—		—			—			(3,774		)	(3,774		)
Cash dividends declared, $0.18 per common share	—		—	—		—			(2,919		)	—			(2,919		)
Stock-based compensation costs	—		—	—		529			—			—			529
Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted
stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes	—		55,822	—		(1,076		)	—			—			(1,076		)
Balance, March 31, 2018	$	—	16,271,494	$	3,000	$	22,916		$	158,362		$	(6,036	)	$	178,242

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$	7,384		$	6,106
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses	150			—
Net amortization and accretion	1,252			904
Investment securities losses, net	—			3
Stock-based compensation	529			514
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance	(158		)	(154		)
Gain from bank-owned life insurance	—			(307		)
Depreciation	353			341
Deferred income taxes	279			450
Change in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable	57			(264		)
Increase in other assets	(149		)	(418		)
Decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities	(124		)	(99		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,573			7,076
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale	—			8,999
Proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities	9,464			12,437
Purchases of securities available for sale	(10,000		)	(21,108		)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	(2,134		)	(7,034		)
Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	1,178			5,695
Net (increase) decrease in loans	8,102			(46,550		)
Purchases of premises and equipment	(13		)	(32		)
Proceeds of principal and earnings from bank-owned life insurance	—			451
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	6,597			(47,142		)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net decrease in deposits	(72,655		)	(17,851		)
Net increase in federal funds purchased	51,275			27,735
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,278		)	(828		)
Common stock dividends paid	(2,919		)	(2,743		)
Restricted stock units withheld for payroll taxes	(1,076		)	(553		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(26,653		)	5,760
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(10,483		)	(34,306		)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning	47,949			76,836
Ending	$	37,466		$	42,530

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash payments for:
Interest	$	4,196		$	2,361
Income taxes	—			—

Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing Activities:
Transfer of investment securities held to maturity to available for sale	$	45,527		$	—

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(dollars 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, 2017. 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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and net income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. 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 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 was liquidated in March 2018). 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.

Current accounting developments: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). 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 was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. The Company's revenue is primarily composed of interest income on financial instruments, including investment securities and loans, which are excluded from the scope of this update. Also excluded from the scope of the update is revenue from bank-owned life insurance, loan fees and letter of credit fees. Approximately 90 percent of the Company's revenue is outside the scope of this update. Deposit account related fees, including service charges, debit card usage fees, overdraft fees and wire transfer fees are within the scope of the guidance; however, revenue recognition practices did not change under the guidance, as deposit agreements are considered day-to-day contracts. Deposit account transaction related fees will continue to be recognized as the services are performed. Other noninterest income sources of revenue are considered immaterial. Implementation of the guidance did not change current business practices. Implementation of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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 was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. Upon adoption, the fair value of the Company's loan portfolio is now presented using an exit price method. Also, the Company is no longer required to disclose the methodologies used for estimating fair value of financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The remaining requirements of this update did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

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 guidance is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with terms of more than 12 months. 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 currently leases its main location and space for six other branch offices and operational departments under operating leases that will result in recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets under the update. The amount of assets and liabilities added to the balance sheet are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements per preliminary estimates.

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. Under the updates, the income statement will reflect 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 will be determined in a similar manner to other financial assets measured at amortized cost basis; however, the initial allowance for credit losses will be added to the purchase price rather than being reported as a credit loss expense. Only subsequent changes in the allowance for credit losses will be 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 update. 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 does not plan to early adopt this standard, but is currently planning for the implementation. It is too early to assess the impact that this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The amendments in this update make targeted changes to the existing hedge accounting model to better align the accounting rules with a company’s risk management activities, and to simplify the application of the hedge accounting model. The update expands the types of transactions eligible for hedge accounting, eliminates the requirement to separately measure and present hedge ineffectiveness, and simplifies the way assessments of hedge ineffectiveness may be performed. The update also permits a one-time reclassification of prepayable debt securities from held to maturity classification to available for sale. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, including in an interim period. The amendments' presentation and disclosure guidance is required on a prospective basis. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2018. The requirements of this update related to the Company's hedging activities did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Upon adoption, the Company elected to transfer all its held to maturity securities portfolio to available for sale. The transferred securities had an amortized cost basis of $45,527 and a fair value of $45,890. Upon transfer, the Company recorded an adjustment of $273 to accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, for the unrealized gains and losses related to the transferred securities.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendment in this update allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the December 22, 2017, enactment of the reduced federal corporate income tax rate, which became effective in 2018. For public companies, the update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The amendment can be adopted at the beginning of the period or on a retrospective basis. The Company adopted the amendment effective January 1, 2018, using the beginning of period method. The reclassified amount was $370.

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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 months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are presented in the following table.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data)	2018		2017
Net income	$	7,384	$	6,106

Weighted average common shares outstanding	16,219		16,141
Weighted average effect of restricted stock units outstanding	189		151
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	16,408		16,292

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.46	$	0.38
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.45	$	0.37
Number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation	8		—

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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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value
Securities available for sale:
State and political subdivisions	$	191,622	$	293	$	(4,242	)	$	187,673
Collateralized mortgage obligations ⁽¹⁾	156,873		3		(4,421		)	152,455
Mortgage-backed securities ⁽¹⁾	58,565		7		(1,118		)	57,454
Asset-backed securities ⁽²⁾	43,562		66		(323		)	43,305
Trust preferred security	2,139		—		(139		)	2,000
Corporate notes	40,278		270		(648		)	39,900
	$	493,039	$	639	$	(10,891	)	$	482,787


	December 31, 2017
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Fair Value
Securities available for sale:
State and political subdivisions	$	146,331	$	928	$	(946	)	$	146,313
Collateralized mortgage obligations ⁽¹⁾	162,631		28		(2,727		)	159,932
Mortgage-backed securities ⁽¹⁾	60,956		20		(547		)	60,429
Asset-backed securities ⁽²⁾	45,539		8		(352		)	45,195
Trust preferred security	2,134		—		(128		)	2,006
Corporate notes	30,278		331		(265		)	30,344
	$	447,869	$	1,315	$	(4,965	)	$	444,219

Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions	$	45,527	$	460	$	(97	)	$	45,890


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


(2)	Pass-through asset-backed securities guaranteed by the SBA, representing participating interests in pools of long-term debentures issued by state and local development companies certified by the SBA.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the amendments of ASU No. 2017-12 and, as a result, elected to transfer all securities classified as held to maturity to available for sale. At the date of reclassification, the held to maturity securities portfolio was carried at an amortized cost of $45,527. The reclassification of securities between categories was accounted for at fair value. At the date of reclassification, the securities had a fair value of $45,890 and net unrealized holding gains of $273, which were recorded net of tax in other comprehensive income. The transfer enhanced liquidity and increased flexibility with regard to asset-liability management and balance sheet composition.

Investment securities with an amortized cost of approximately $117,276 and $120,338 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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.

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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 March 31, 2018, 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, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Therefore, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are not included in the maturity categories within the following maturity summary.



	March 31, 2018
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	110	$	110
Due after one year through five years	3,946		3,926
Due after five years through ten years	74,586		73,682
Due after ten years	155,397		151,855
	234,039		229,573
Collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	259,000		253,214
	$	493,039	$	482,787

The details of the sales of investment securities available for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized in the following table.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Proceeds from sales	$	—	$	8,999
Gross gains on sales	—		39
Gross losses on sales	—		42

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018
	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:
State and political subdivisions	$	156,316	$	(4,232	)	$	1,727	$	(10	)	$	158,043	$	(4,242	)
Collateralized mortgage obligations	106,623		(2,778		)	43,597		(1,643		)	150,220		(4,421		)
Mortgage-backed securities	53,791		(1,118		)	—		—			53,791		(1,118		)
Asset-backed securities	29,837		(323		)	—		—			29,837		(323		)
Trust preferred security	—		—			2,000		(139		)	2,000		(139		)
Corporate notes	24,347		(648		)	—		—			24,347		(648		)
	$	370,914	$	(9,099	)	$	47,324	$	(1,792	)	$	418,238	$	(10,891	)


	December 31, 2017
	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:
State and political subdivisions	$	86,750	$	(946	)	$	—	$	—		$	86,750	$	(946	)
Collateralized mortgage obligations	107,526		(1,583		)	46,396		(1,144		)	153,922		(2,727		)
Mortgage-backed securities	53,974		(547		)	—		—			53,974		(547		)
Asset-backed securities	38,652		(352		)	—		—			38,652		(352		)
Trust preferred security	—		—			2,006		(128		)	2,006		(128		)
Corporate notes	14,735		(265		)	—		—			14,735		(265		)
	$	301,637	$	(3,693	)	$	48,402	$	(1,272	)	$	350,039	$	(4,965	)

Securities held to maturity:
State and political subdivisions	$	12,611	$	(70	)	$	1,740	$	(27	)	$	14,351	$	(97	)

As of March 31, 2018, the available for sale securities with unrealized losses included 225 state and political subdivision securities, 41 collateralized mortgage obligation securities, 15 mortgage-backed securities, five asset-backed securities, one trust preferred security and nine corporate notes. The Company believed the unrealized losses on investments available for sale as of March 31, 2018 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 other than temporary impairment as of March 31, 2018.

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Commercial	$	316,188		$	347,482
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	173,495			207,451
1-4 family residential first mortgages	50,229			51,044
Home equity	13,756			13,811
Commercial	944,067			886,114
Consumer and other	6,450			6,363
	1,504,185			1,512,265
Net unamortized fees and costs	(1,902		)	(1,765		)
	$	1,502,283		$	1,510,500

Real estate loans of approximately $730,000 and $810,000 were pledged as security for Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, 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 the terms of the loan. 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 90 days past due 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.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

TDR loans totaled $191 and $220 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and were included in the nonaccrual category. There were no loan modifications considered to be TDR that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. No TDR loans that were modified within the twelve months preceding March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 have subsequently had a payment default. A TDR loan is considered to have a payment default when it is past due 30 days or more.

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial	$	883	$	883	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	—		—		—		—		—		—
1-4 family residential first mortgages	122		122		—		91		91		—
Home equity	172		172		—		172		172		—
Commercial	798		798		—		220		220		—
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—		—		—
	1,975		1,975		—		483		483		—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial	—		—		—		—		—		—
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	—		—		—		—		—		—
1-4 family residential first mortgages	—		—		—		—		—		—
Home equity	18		18		18		21		21		21
Commercial	114		114		114		118		118		118
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—		—		—
	132		132		132		139		139		139
Total:
Commercial	883		883		—		—		—		—
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	—		—		—		—		—		—
1-4 family residential first mortgages	122		122		—		91		91		—
Home equity	190		190		18		193		193		21
Commercial	912		912		114		338		338		118
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—		—		—
	$	2,107	$	2,107	$	132	$	622	$	622	$	139

The balance of impaired loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was composed of seven and five different borrowers, respectively. The Company has no commitments to advance additional funds on any of the impaired loans.

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 months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018				2017
	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial	$	270	$	—	$	26	$	—
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	—		—		—		—
1-4 family residential first mortgages	115		—		107		—
Home equity	172		—		38		—
Commercial	357		—		319		—
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—
	914		—		490		—
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial	—		—		89		—
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	—		—		—		—
1-4 family residential first mortgages	—		—		—		—
Home equity	20		—		272		—
Commercial	116		—		134		—
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—
	136		—		495		—
Total:
Commercial	270		—		115		—
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	—		—		—		—
1-4 family residential first mortgages	115		—		107		—
Home equity	192		—		310		—
Commercial	473		—		453		—
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—
	$	1,050	$	—	$	985	$	—

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018
	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	$	13	$	10	$	—	$	23	$	315,282	$	883	$	316,188
Real estate:
Construction, land and
land development	—		—		—		—		173,495		—		173,495
1-4 family residential
first mortgages	—		—		—		—		50,107		122		50,229
Home equity	30		—		—		30		13,536		190		13,756
Commercial	—		—		—		—		943,155		912		944,067
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—		6,450		—		6,450
Total	$	43	$	10	$	—	$	53	$	1,502,025	$	2,107	$	1,504,185



	December 31, 2017
	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	$	40	$	20	$	—	$	60	$	347,422	$	—	$	347,482
Real estate:
Construction, land and
land development	—		—		—		—		207,451		—		207,451
1-4 family residential
first mortgages	—		75		—		75		50,878		91		51,044
Home equity	—		—		—		—		13,618		193		13,811
Commercial	—		—		—		—		885,776		338		886,114
Consumer and other	—		—		—		—		6,363		—		6,363
Total	$	40	$	95	$	—	$	135	$	1,511,508	$	622	$	1,512,265

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018
	Pass		Watch		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial	$	310,620	$	3,665	$	1,903	$	—	$	316,188
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	172,324		1,171		—		—		173,495
1-4 family residential first mortgages	49,228		798		203		—		50,229
Home equity	13,415		51		290		—		13,756
Commercial	915,076		20,349		8,642		—		944,067
Consumer and other	6,416		34		—		—		6,450
Total	$	1,467,079	$	26,068	$	11,038	$	—	$	1,504,185



	December 31, 2017
	Pass		Watch		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Commercial	$	344,586	$	901	$	1,995	$	—	$	347,482
Real estate:
Construction, land and land development	206,719		732		—		—		207,451
1-4 family residential first mortgages	49,905		890		249		—		51,044
Home equity	13,466		54		291		—		13,811
Commercial	856,789		20,574		8,751		—		886,114
Consumer and other	6,327		36		—		—		6,363
Total	$	1,477,792	$	23,187	$	11,286	$	—	$	1,512,265

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's financial condition is satisfactory and stable. The borrower has satisfactory debt service capacity, and the loan is well secured. The loan is performing as agreed, and the financial characteristics and trends 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.

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 loans included on the Watch List.

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 to ten 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.

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 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.

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 months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
				Real Estate
	Commercial			Construction and Land			1-4 Family Residential			Home Equity			Commercial		Consumer and Other			Total
Beginning balance	$	3,866		$	2,213		$	319		$	186		$	9,770	$	76		$	16,430
Charge-offs	(195		)	—			—			(1		)	—		—			(196		)
Recoveries	59			—			4			6			3		9			81
Provision ⁽¹⁾	(148		)	(360		)	(3		)	(5		)	669		(3		)	150
Ending balance	$	3,582		$	1,853		$	320		$	186		$	10,442	$	82		$	16,465

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
				Real Estate
	Commercial			Construction and Land			1-4 Family Residential			Home Equity			Commercial		Consumer and Other			Total
Beginning balance	$	3,881		$	2,639		$	317		$	478		$	8,697	$	100		$	16,112
Charge-offs	(60		)	—			—			—			—		—			(60		)
Recoveries	59			303			1			8			3		1			375
Provision ⁽¹⁾	(80		)	(28		)	(3		)	(39		)	148		2			—
Ending balance	$	3,800		$	2,914		$	315		$	447		$	8,848	$	103		$	16,427


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

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018
			Real Estate
	Commercial		Construction and Land		1-4 Family Residential		Home Equity		Commercial		Consumer and Other		Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	18	$	114	$	—	$	132
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,582		1,853		320		168		10,328		82		16,333
Total	$	3,582	$	1,853	$	320	$	186	$	10,442	$	82	$	16,465

	December 31, 2017
			Real Estate
	Commercial		Construction and Land		1-4 Family Residential		Home Equity		Commercial		Consumer and Other		Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	21	$	118	$	—	$	139
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,866		2,213		319		165		9,652		76		16,291
Total	$	3,866	$	2,213	$	319	$	186	$	9,770	$	76	$	16,430

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018
			Real Estate
	Commercial		Construction and Land		1-4 Family Residential		Home Equity		Commercial		Consumer and Other		Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	883	$	—	$	122	$	190	$	912	$	—	$	2,107
Collectively evaluated for impairment	315,305		173,495		50,107		13,566		943,155		6,450		1,502,078
Total	$	316,188	$	173,495	$	50,229	$	13,756	$	944,067	$	6,450	$	1,504,185



	December 31, 2017
			Real Estate
	Commercial		Construction and Land		1-4 Family Residential		Home Equity		Commercial		Consumer and Other		Total
Ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	—	$	—	$	91	$	193	$	338	$	—	$	622
Collectively evaluated for impairment	347,482		207,451		50,953		13,618		885,776		6,363		1,511,643
Total	$	347,482	$	207,451	$	51,044	$	13,811	$	886,114	$	6,363	$	1,512,265

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

5. Derivatives

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage the interest rate risk related to the variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. The Company entered into two forward-starting interest rate swap transactions to effectively convert variable rate debt instruments to fixed rate instruments. These two swap transactions are designated as cash flow hedges of the changes in LIBOR, the benchmark interest rate being hedged, associated with the interest payments on $50,000 of debt instruments. In January 2018, the Company entered into a new interest rate swap agreement that effectively converts certain customer deposits with variable rates based on the federal funds upper target rate to fixed rate instruments. This swap transaction has a notional amount of $60,000 with a forward-starting date in December 2018 and is designated as a cash flow hedge of the risk of changes in total cash flows paid on certain customer deposits. The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the interest rate swaps, which is minimized by collateral-pledging provisions in the agreements. 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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company pledged $0 and $210, respectively, of collateral to the counterparty in the form of cash on deposit with a third party. The Company's counterparty was required to pledge $2,580 and $980 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company estimates there will be approximately $91 of cash payments and reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense through the 12 months ending March 31, 2019. Interest rate swaps with a total notional amount of $70,000 were terminated in 2015, subject to termination fees totaling $541. The termination fees are being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense over the remaining life of the underlying cash flows through June 2020.

The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	Notional Amount		Fair Value			Balance Sheet Category	Weighted Average Receive Rate		Weighted Average Pay Rate		Maturity
March 31, 2018
Interest rate swap	$	30,000	$	256		Other Assets	2.53	%	2.52	%	9/21/2020
Interest rate swap⁽¹⁾	20,000		1,423			Other Assets	—		4.81	%	9/30/2026
Interest rate swap⁽²⁾	60,000		713			Other Assets	—		2.31	%	12/31/2025
December 31, 2017
Interest rate swap	$	30,000	$	(86	)	Other Liabilities	1.95	%	2.52	%	9/21/2020
Interest rate swap⁽¹⁾	20,000		895			Other Assets	—		4.81	%	9/30/2026


(1)	This swap is a forward-starting swap with a weighted average pay rate of 4.81 percent beginning September 30, 2018. No interest payments are required related to this swap until December 30, 2018.


(2)	This swap is a forward-starting swap with a weighted average pay rate of 2.31 percent beginning December 31, 2018. No interest payments are required related to this swap until January 31, 2019.

The following table identifies the pre-tax gains or losses recognized on the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.



				Reclassified from AOCI into Income
	Amount of Pre-tax Gain Recognized in OCI			Reclassified from AOCI into Income
	Amount of Pre-tax Gain Recognized in OCI				Amount of Loss
	Three months ended March 31,				Three months ended March 31,
	2018		2017	Category	2018			2017
Interest rate swaps	$	1,545	9	Interest Expense	$	(60	)	(117	)

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

6. Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) was signed into law. The Tax Act reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from the previous maximum rate of 35 percent to 21 percent. The lower federal corporate income tax rate became effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The enactment of the legislation and the reduction in the federal income tax rate resulted in a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities in December 2017.

Net deferred tax assets consisted of the following as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$	4,116		$	4,108
Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale	2,563			902
Intangibles	51			101
Accrued expenses	215			176
Restricted stock compensation	285			544
State net operating loss carryforward	1,420			1,379
Other	81			86
	8,731			7,296
Deferred tax liabilities:
Net deferred loan fees and costs	188			193
Net unrealized gains on interest rate swaps	541			139
Premises and equipment	809			792
Other	148			148
	1,686			1,272
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	7,045			6,024
Valuation allowance	(1,420		)	(1,379		)
Net deferred tax assets	$	5,625		$	4,645

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the tax effect of state net operating loss carryforwards, as management believes it is more likely than not that these carryforwards will expire without being utilized. The state net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2019 and thereafter.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

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 three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.



	Unrealized			Unrealized		Accumulated
	(Losses)			Gains		Other
	on			on		Comprehensive
	Securities			Derivatives		Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	(1,172	)	$	130	$	(1,042	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	996			6		1,002
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(2		)	72		70
Net current period other comprehensive income	994			78		1,072
Balance, March 31, 2017	$	(178	)	$	208	$	30

Balance, December 31, 2017	$	(2,237	)	$	345	$	(1,892	)
Transfer of securities held to maturity to securities available for sale	273			—		273
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(5,225		)	1,159		(4,066		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(25		)	44		19
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,977		)	1,203		(3,774		)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects	(475		)	105		(370		)
Balance, March 31, 2018	$	(7,689	)	$	1,653	$	(6,036	)

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Commitments to extend credit	$	612,165	$	617,949
Standby letters of credit	5,785		5,996
	$	617,950	$	623,945

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 March 31, 2018, 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 $68. The outstanding balance of mortgage loans sold under the MPF Program was $90,842 and $94,292 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Contractual commitments: The Company has remaining commitments to invest in qualified affordable housing projects totaling $6,097 and $6,130 as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Contingencies: Neither the Company nor West Bank is a party, and no property of these entities is subject, to any 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.

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 three months ended March 31, 2018.

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 would include U.S. Treasuries, if any were held. Level 2 securities include U.S. government and agency securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, state and political subdivision securities, one trust preferred security and corporate notes. 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 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 a randomly selected sample of investment securities by obtaining pricing from an independent investment portfolio management firm and comparing the two sets of fair values. Any significant variances are reviewed and investigated. For a sample of securities, prices are further validated by management, with assistance from an independent investment portfolio management 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 the investment securities were properly classified in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative instruments: The Company's derivative instruments consist of interest rate swaps, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The Company's derivative positions are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are 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 derivatives is determined using discounted cash flow models. These models’ key assumptions include the contractual terms of the respective contract along with significant observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curves, nonperformance risk and volatility.

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



	March 31, 2018
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Investment securities available for sale:
State and political subdivisions	$	187,673	$	—	$	187,673	$	—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	152,455		—		152,455		—
Mortgage-backed securities	57,454		—		57,454		—
Asset-backed securities	43,305		—		43,305		—
Trust preferred security	2,000		—		2,000		—
Corporate notes	39,900		—		39,900		—
Derivative instruments, interest rate swaps	2,392		—		2,392		—



	December 31, 2017
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Investment securities available for sale:
State and political subdivisions	$	146,313	$	—	$	146,313	$	—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	159,932		—		159,932		—
Mortgage-backed securities	60,429		—		60,429		—
Asset-backed securities	45,195		—		45,195		—
Trust preferred security	2,006		—		2,006		—
Corporate notes	30,344		—		30,344		—
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap	895		—		895		—

Financial liabilities:
Derivative instrument, interest rate swap	$	86	$	—	$	86	$	—

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 March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, impaired loans with a net book value of $0 and $0, 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 include 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.

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 following table presents the carrying amounts and approximate fair values of financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.



		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Fair Value Hierarchy Level	Carrying Amount		Approximate Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Approximate Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	Level 1	$	36,978	$	36,978	$	34,952	$	34,952
Federal funds sold	Level 1	488		488		12,997		12,997
Investment securities available for sale	Level 2	482,787		482,787		444,219		444,219
Investment securities held to maturity	Level 2	—		—		45,527		45,890
Federal Home Loan Bank stock	Level 1	10,130		10,130		9,174		9,174
Loans, net	Level 2	1,485,818		1,470,260		1,494,070		1,490,166
Accrued interest receivable	Level 1	7,287		7,287		7,344		7,344
Interest rate swaps	Level 2	2,392		2,392		895		895
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	Level 2	$	1,738,158	$	1,737,541	$	1,810,813	$	1,810,924
Federal funds purchased	Level 1	51,820		51,820		545		545
Subordinated notes, net	Level 2	20,415		15,489		20,412		15,357
Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net	Level 2	76,751		76,751		76,382		76,382
Long-term debt	Level 2	21,639		21,585		22,917		22,860
Accrued interest payable	Level 1	854		854		736		736
Interest rate swap	Level 2	—		—		86		86
Off-balance-sheet financial instruments:
Commitments to extend credit	Level 3	—		—		—		—
Standby letters of credit	Level 3	—		—		—		—

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. 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 legal and 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 SEC). 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 the Company's 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 involve the most complex and subjective estimates and judgments and 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, 2017, as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2018. 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, 2017.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This report contains references to financial measures that are not defined in GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures include the Company’s presentation of net interest income and net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent (FTE) basis, and the presentation of the efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis, excluding certain income and expenses. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to both management and investors to analyze and evaluate the Company’s financial performance. Both measures are considered standard measures of comparison within the banking industry. Management believes the presentation of the efficiency ratio provides supplemental useful information for proper understanding of the financial results, as it enhances the comparability of income and expenses arising from taxable and nontaxable sources. Limitations associated with non-GAAP financial measures include the risks that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items included in these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be considered an alternative to the Company’s GAAP results. The following table reconciles the non-GAAP financial measures of net interest income and net interest margin on an FTE basis and efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis to GAAP.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Reconciliation of net interest income and annualized net interest margin on an FTE basis to GAAP:
Net interest income (GAAP)	$	15,416		$	14,389
Tax-equivalent adjustment ⁽¹⁾	289			618
Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)	$	15,705		$	15,007
Average interest-earning assets	$	2,012,694		$	1,746,525
Net interest margin on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)	3.16		%	3.48		%

Reconciliation of efficiency ratio on an FTE basis to GAAP:
Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)	$	15,705		$	15,007
Noninterest income	1,913			2,160
Adjustment for realized investment securities losses, net	—			3
Adjusted income	$	17,618		$	17,170
Noninterest expense	$	8,287		$	8,043
Efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis (non-GAAP) ⁽²⁾	47.04		%	46.84		%


(1)	Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21 percent in 2018 and 35 percent in 2017, adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt securities and loans.


(2)	Efficiency ratio expresses noninterest expense as a percent of fully taxable equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, excluding specific noninterest income and expenses.

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018

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 was liquidated in March 2018). Results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are compared to the results for the same period in 2017, and the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of March 31, 2018 is compared to December 31, 2017. 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 March 31, 2018 was $7,384, or $0.45 per diluted common share, compared to $6,106, or $0.37 per diluted common share, for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were 1.42 percent and 16.79 percent, respectively, compared to 1.35 percent and 14.80 percent, respectively, for the first three months of 2017.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily due to higher net interest income and a decrease in income taxes, partially offset by increases in provision for loan losses and noninterest expense. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law. The Tax Act reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from the previous maximum rate of 35 percent to 21 percent effective for 2018 and future years. The enactment of the legislation and the reduction in the federal income tax rate resulted in a decrease in income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

Net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 grew $1,027, or 7.1 percent, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $175,556 increase in average investments and $77,851 increase in average loans outstanding for the first three months of 2018 compared to the first three months of 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, interest expense on deposits increased $1,817 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, mainly due to a $331,051 increase in average deposit balances and increases to interest rates on certain money market deposit products and certificates of deposit as a result of rising market rates. The Company recorded a $150 provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to no provision in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Noninterest income declined $247 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, mainly due to a nonrecurring gain from bank-owned life insurance in 2017. Noninterest expense grew $244, or 3.0 percent, during the first three months of 2018 compared to the same time period in 2017, primarily due to increases in salaries and benefit costs and occupancy expenses.

Total loans outstanding declined $8,217, or 0.5 percent, during the first three months of 2018. Management believes the loan pipeline is strong and that loan growth will continue in all three of our markets during the remainder of 2018. The credit quality of the loan portfolio remained strong, as evidenced by the Company's Texas ratio, which was 1.08 percent as of March 31, 2018. As of March 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses was 1.10 percent of outstanding loans, and management believed the allowance 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 Midwestern, publicly traded peer financial institutions. During the third quarter of 2017, one peer was removed from the group due to a merger, resulting in a group of 15 as of December 31, 2017 which included 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. and Waterstone Financial, Inc. Effective January 1, 2018, First Internet Bancorp was added to bring the peer group back up to 16 financial institutions. 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 year ended December 31, 2017 (latest data available), the Company's metrics for the year ended December 31, 2017 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 return on average assets. The Company's return on average assets and return on average equity ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were positively affected by the reduction in the federal income tax rates in 2018 and therefore are not comparable to ratios as of December 31, 2017. Management expects peer results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to be similarly affected by this change.



	West Bancorporation, Inc.		Peer Group Range
	Three months ended March 31, 2018	Year ended December 31, 2017	Year ended December 31, 2017
Return on average assets	1.42%	1.18%	0.56% - 1.43%
Return on average equity	16.79%	13.29%	4.44% - 11.51%
Efficiency ratio^{(1) (2)}	47.04%	45.39%	53.34% - 75.03%
Texas ratio⁽²⁾	1.08%	0.32%	2.31% - 16.31%

(1) The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.

(2) A lower ratio is more desirable.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

In March 2018, the Company was recognized as a Raymond James Community Bankers Cup winner. West Bank was ranked 7th overall based on six profitability, operational efficiency and balance sheet metrics that measured performance for 2017. The study recognizes the top performing exchange-traded banks with assets between $500 million and $10 billion.

At its meeting on April 25, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per common share. The dividend is payable on May 23, 2018, to stockholders of record on May 9, 2018. The quarterly dividend was increased from the last dividend amount by $0.02 to the $0.20 level, an 11 percent increase, and represents the highest quarterly dividend ever paid by the Company.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table shows selected financial results and measures for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared with the same period in 2017.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017			Change			Change %
Net income	$	7,384		$	6,106		$	1,278		20.93	%
Average assets	2,102,876			1,839,301			263,575			14.33	%
Average stockholders' equity	178,392			167,288			11,104			6.64	%

Return on average assets	1.42		%	1.35		%	0.07		%
Return on average equity	16.79		%	14.80		%	1.99		%
Net interest margin ⁽¹⁾	3.16		%	3.48		%	(0.32		)%
Efficiency ratio ^{(1) (2)}	47.04		%	46.84		%	0.2		%
Dividend payout ratio	39.53		%	44.92		%	(5.39		)%
Average equity to average assets ratio	8.48		%	9.10		%	(0.62		)%

	As of March 31,
	2018			2017			Change
Texas ratio ⁽²⁾	1.08		%	0.49		%	0.59		%
Equity to assets ratio	8.52		%	9.09		%	(0.57		)%
Tangible common equity ratio	8.52		%	9.09		%	(0.57		)%

(1) Amounts are presented on an FTE basis. These are non-GAAP financial measures. For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.

(2) 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 (none held) divided by tangible assets.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Net Interest Income

The following table presents 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 an FTE basis.

Data for the three months ended March 31:



	Average Balance									Interest Income/Expense									Yield/Rate
	2018		2017		Change			Change- %		2018		2017		Change			Change- %		2018		2017		Change
Interest-earning assets:
Loans: ^{(1) (2)}
Commercial	$	326,710	$	336,317	$	(9,607	)	(2.86	)%	$	3,680	$	3,478	$	202		5.81	%	4.57	%	4.19	%	0.38	%
Real estate ⁽³⁾	1,163,372		1,074,179		89,193			8.30	%	12,805		11,642		1,163			9.99	%	4.46	%	4.40	%	0.06	%
Consumer and other	6,549		8,284		(1,735		)	(20.94	)%	68		82		(14		)	(17.07	)%	4.18	%	4.00	%	0.18	%
Total loans	1,496,631		1,418,780		77,851			5.49	%	16,553		15,202		1,351			8.89	%	4.49	%	4.35	%	0.14	%

Investment securities:
Taxable	304,564		206,582		97,982			47.43	%	1,813		1,027		786			76.53	%	2.38	%	1.99	%	0.39	%
Tax-exempt ⁽³⁾	190,160		112,586		77,574			68.90	%	1,572		1,163		409			35.17	%	3.31	%	4.13	%	(0.82	)%
Total investment securities	494,724		319,168		175,556			55.00	%	3,385		2,190		1,195			54.57	%	2.74	%	2.74	%	—	%

Federal funds sold	21,339		8,577		12,762			148.79	%	81		17		64			376.47	%	1.54	%	0.80	%	0.74	%
Total interest-earning assets ⁽³⁾	$	2,012,694	$	1,746,525	$	266,169		15.24	%	20,019		17,409		2,610			14.99	%	4.03	%	4.04	%	(0.01	)%

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Interest-bearing demand,
savings and money
market	$	1,213,290	$	937,297	$	275,993		29.45	%	2,541		977		1,564			160.08	%	0.85	%	0.42	%	0.43	%
Time deposits	173,010		117,952		55,058			46.68	%	471		218		253			116.06	%	1.10	%	0.75	%	0.35	%
Total deposits	1,386,300		1,055,249		331,051			31.37	%	3,012		1,195		1,817			152.05	%	0.88	%	0.46	%	0.42	%
Other borrowed funds	125,650		147,609		(21,959		)	(14.88	)%	1,302		1,207		95			7.87	%	4.20	%	3.32	%	0.88	%
Total interest-bearing
liabilities	$	1,511,950	$	1,202,858	$	309,092		25.70	%	4,314		2,402		1,912			79.60	%	1.16	%	0.81	%	0.35	%

Net interest income (FTE) ⁽⁴⁾										$	15,705	$	15,007	$	698		4.65	%
Net interest spread (FTE)																			2.87	%	3.23	%	(0.36	)%
Net interest margin (FTE) ⁽⁴⁾																			3.16	%	3.48	%	(0.32	)%


(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 a federal income tax rate of 21 percent in 2018 and 35 percent in 2017 and is adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt investment securities and loans.


(4)	Net interest income (FTE) and net interest margin (FTE) are non-GAAP financial measures. For further information, refer to the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this report.

The Company's largest component of net income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets, consisting primarily of loans and investment securities, and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, consisting of deposits and borrowings. 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 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 March 2018 and each of March, June and December 2017.

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 months ended March 31, 2018 declined 32 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The primary drivers of the decline in the net interest margin were an increase in interest rates paid on certain deposit categories and an increase in the variable rates paid on other borrowed funds, partially offset by an increase in yield on loans. Also impacting the net interest margin was the decline in the federal income tax rate to 21 percent in 2018, from 35 percent in 2017, which is used in the calculation of the tax-equivalent interest income on tax-exempt loans and securities. The change in the federal income tax rate used in the tax-equivalent adjustment to net interest income accounted for approximately 10 basis points of the decline in net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Despite the decline in the net interest margin, tax-equivalent net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $698 compared to the same time period in 2017. The increase in net interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 was largely due to an increase in average outstanding loans and securities, partially offset by an increase in average deposit balances and an increase in rates on deposits and other borrowed funds. Management expects the current interest rate environment to continue to put pressure on the net interest margin throughout the remainder of 2018.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $1,351 compared to the same time period in 2017. The improvement was primarily due to the increase in average loan balances outstanding. The average yield on loans increased by 14 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. 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 portfolio's loan mix, 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 months ended March 31, 2018 than during the same period in 2017 as a result of significant investment purchase activity during 2017. The purchase activity in 2017 focused on higher yielding bonds within the existing risk profile and was the result of growth in deposits and the reinvestment of proceeds from sales and principal paydowns of investment securities. In certain cases, securities were sold and the funds were reinvested in securities with higher rates while slightly extending the duration of the portfolio. The change in the federal income tax rate used in the tax-equivalent adjustment of tax-exempt securities accounted for an approximately 78 basis point reduction in the yield on tax-exempt investment securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. This was offset by improvements in the yield on taxable investment securities which resulted in the overall portfolio yield remaining the same at 2.74 percent for both the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The average balance of interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to an increase in average balances of money market accounts, including public funds from municipalities. In addition, approximately $76,000 of noninterest-bearing accounts were reclassified to interest-bearing accounts in April 2017 as part of a retail deposit product restructuring in which we realigned and simplified the retail checking account products provided to our customers. The average rate paid on interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased 43 basis points compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to increasing interest rates on certain money market deposit products in response to increases in the targeted federal funds rate. The average balance of time deposits increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily due to the shift of demand and savings account balances to higher interest rate time deposits. Interest rates on time deposits increased 35 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily due to higher market interest rates paid at the time new and renewed time deposits were issued.

The average rate paid on other borrowed funds increased 88 basis points for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in the average rate paid was due to increases in rates for variable rate FHLB advances, subordinated notes and long-term debt. The average balance of other borrowed funds declined for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to lower average balances of federal funds purchased and the December 2017 payoff of a $25,000 FHLB advance.

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 charges 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 most recent quarterly evaluation, a $150 provision was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to no provision recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Factors considered in establishing an appropriate allowance include: the borrower's financial condition; the value and adequacy of loan collateral; the condition of the local economy and the borrower's specific industry; 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. Compared to residential mortgages or consumer loans, commercial loans typically have larger balances, and repayment usually depends on the borrowers' successful business operations. Commercial loans 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.

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 months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and related ratios.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017			Change
Balance at beginning of period	$	16,430		$	16,112		$	318
Charge-offs	(196		)	(60		)	(136		)
Recoveries	81			375			(294		)
Net (charge-offs) recoveries	(115		)	315			(430		)
Provision for loan losses charged to operations	150			—			150
Balance at end of period	$	16,465		$	16,427		$	38

Average loans outstanding	$	1,496,631		$	1,418,780

Ratio of annualized net (charge-offs) recoveries during the period to average loans outstanding	(0.03		)%	0.09		%

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to average loans outstanding	1.10		%	1.16		%

Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period	1.10		%	1.14		%

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

In general, the U.S. economy is growing at a moderate pace. Average monthly job growth for the first three months of 2018 was approximately 201,000 based on preliminary estimates, while the national unemployment rate remained low at 4.1 percent as of March 31, 2018. Activity in the housing market continues at a moderate pace. Interest rates are expected to continue to gradually rise. The economic environments in Iowa and Minnesota continue to 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 2017. In the first three months of 2018, the Company continued to use experience factors based on the highest losses calculated over a rolling 12-, 16-, or 20-quarter period. The portion of the allowance for loan losses related to loans collectively evaluated for impairment increased $42 to a total of $16,333, or 1.09 percent, as of March 31, 2018 compared to $16,291, or 1.08 percent, as of December 31, 2017. Management believed the resulting allowance for loan losses as of March 31, 2018 was adequate to absorb any losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the end of the quarter.

Noninterest Income

The following table shows 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 March 31,
Noninterest income:	2018		2017			Change			Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	649	$	600		$	49		8.17	%
Debit card usage fees	399		440			(41		)	(9.32	)%
Trust services	445		392			53			13.52	%
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance	158		154			4			2.60	%
Gain from bank-owned life insurance	—		307			(307		)	(100.00	)%
Realized investment securities losses, net	—		(3		)	3			100.00	%
Other income:
Discount on purchased income tax credits	12		16			(4		)	(25.00	)%
All other income	250		254			(4		)	(1.57	)%
Total other income	262		270			(8		)	(2.96	)%
Total noninterest income	$	1,913	$	2,160		$	(247	)	(11.44	)%

The increase in service charges on deposit accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 was driven primarily by the March and April 2017 realignment and simplification of the retail checking account products provided to our customers. We expect retail service charge income for the remainder of 2018 to remain comparable to the same periods in 2017. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, nonsufficient funds fees declined $27 and debit card usage fees declined $41 compared to the same time period in 2017. These declines are consistent with recent trends.

Revenue from trust services was higher during the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 due to the combination of higher amounts of one-time estate fees and asset growth.

Gain from bank-owned life insurance was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as the result of a single policy event.

The Company recognizes revenue from discounts on purchased transferable State of Iowa income tax credits. The Company reviews opportunities to acquire transferable State of Iowa income tax credits at favorable discounts as they are presented and as they are aligned with our projected ability to utilize them. The Company expects to recognize total income from discounts on current purchased tax credits of approximately $46 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Noninterest Expense

The following table shows 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 March 31,
Noninterest expense:	2018		2017		Change			Change %
Salaries and employee benefits	$	4,513	$	4,337	$	176		4.06	%
Occupancy	1,223		1,097		126			11.49	%
Data processing	676		688		(12		)	(1.74	)%
FDIC insurance	162		213		(51		)	(23.94	)%
Professional fees	234		293		(59		)	(20.14	)%
Director fees	249		211		38			18.01	%
Other expenses:
Marketing	45		68		(23		)	(33.82	)%
Business development	218		172		46			26.74	%
Insurance expense	92		90		2			2.22	%
Investment advisory fees	16		41		(25		)	(60.98	)%
Charitable contributions	75		—		75			N/A
Postage and courier	69		86		(17		)	(19.77	)%
Subscriptions	91		65		26			40.00	%
Trust	93		105		(12		)	(11.43	)%
Consulting fees	65		61		4			6.56	%
Low income housing projects amortization	134		116		18			15.52	%
All other	332		400		(68		)	(17.00	)%
Total other	1,230		1,204		26			2.16	%
Total noninterest expense	$	8,287	$	8,043	$	244		3.03	%

Salaries and employee benefits increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, mainly as the result of standard increases in salaries and related payroll taxes plus additional taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock units.

When compared with the three months ended March 31, 2017, occupancy costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018, partially due to a periodic indexed rent adjustment in accordance with the terms of the lease for the Company's main office.

Data processing primarily includes fees paid for our core applications systems, ongoing enhancement and monitoring tools for maintaining security and one-time costs associated with implementation of new applications. Data processing expense declined for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same time period in 2017, primarily because of varying one-time costs associated with the implementation of new applications in each period.

FDIC insurance expense declined for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. The FDIC assessment rate calculation includes a series of risk-based factors. As a result of the May 2017 capital injection of $40,000 into West Bank, our capital ratio component improved enough to reduce the assessment rate to the minimum base assessment level established by the FDIC. Management expects the assessment rate to remain at or near the minimum level during 2018.

Professional fees decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same time period in 2017, primarily due to lower legal fees at West Bank and one-time costs incurred in 2017 associated with the preparation and adoption of the West Bancorporation, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

Director fees increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, mainly due to the addition of a new director effective January 1, 2018 and higher stock-based compensation costs.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The decrease in marketing expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to costs associated with the retail checking account product updates that occurred in 2017.

The increase in business development expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 was the result of additional sponsorships of community events and efforts to cultivate new and expanded customer relationships.

Investment advisory fees declined for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as contrasted with the same time period in 2017, mainly as a result of lower administrative fees paid to an investment management firm for the administration of public company floating rate commercial loans. That administrative fee has declined as the result of a lower volume of loans in that portfolio. The Company does not plan to add any additional public company floating rate commercial loans to the portfolio.

Charitable contributions increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same time period in 2017 due to the accrual of the annual contribution to the West Bancorporation Foundation.

Subscriptions increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to an increase in subscription services utilized and timing of renewals.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $1,508 (17.0 percent of pre-tax income) for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared with $2,400 (28.2 percent of pre-tax income) for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decline in the percentage of income tax expense to pre-tax income was the result of enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017. This legislation lowered the federal corporate income tax rate to 21 percent beginning in 2018 from a maximum rate of 35 percent in 2017. The Company's consolidated income tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate in each respective period, primarily due to tax-exempt interest income, the tax-exempt increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance, tax-exempt gain on bank-owned life insurance, disallowed interest expense, and state income taxes.

In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, a tax benefit of $238 and $193, respectively, was recorded as a result of the increase in fair value of restricted stock over the vesting period. The tax rate for the first three months of 2018 and 2017 was also impacted by year-to-date federal low income housing tax credits of approximately $125 and $103, respectively.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company had total assets of $2,092,025 as of March 31, 2018, a decrease of 1.1 percent compared to total assets of $2,114,377 as of December 31, 2017. The most significant changes in the balance sheet were declines in federal funds sold, loans and deposits, and an increase in federal funds purchased. A summary of changes in the balance sheet components is provided below.

Investment Securities

On January 1, 2018, the Company elected to transfer all securities classified as held to maturity to available for sale. At the date of reclassification, the held to maturity securities portfolio was carried at an amortized cost of $45,527. The reclassification of securities between categories was accounted for at fair value. At the date of reclassification, the securities had a fair value of $45,890 and unrealized holding gains of $273 which were recorded net of tax in other comprehensive income. The transfer enhanced liquidity and increased flexibility with regard to asset-liability management and balance sheet composition.

The balance of investment securities available for sale, subsequent to the transfer of held to maturity securities, decreased by $6,959 during the three months ended March 31, 2018. State and political subdivision securities decreased by $4,530 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to declines in fair value. Corporate notes increased by $9,556 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to purchases of securities. Government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities decreased by a total of $12,342 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, primarily due to normal principal paydowns.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

As of March 31, 2018, approximately 50 percent of the available for sale investment securities portfolio consisted of government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. Management believes these securities provide relatively good yields, have little to no credit risk and provide fairly consistent cash flows.

Loans and Nonperforming Assets

Loans outstanding decreased $8,217, from $1,510,500 as of December 31, 2017 to $1,502,283 as of March 31, 2018. Changes in the loan portfolio during the first three months of 2018 included decreases of $31,294 in commercial loans and $33,956 in construction real estate loans, partially offset by an increase of $57,953 in commercial real estate loans. The commercial and commercial real estate loan portfolios were impacted by a $28,568 payoff when our customer was acquired by an out-of-state buyer. The Company continues to focus on business development efforts in all its markets. Management believes loan growth will occur in all three of our markets during the remainder of 2018.

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 1.08 percent as of March 31, 2018, compared to 0.32 percent as of December 31, 2017. The ratio for both dates was significantly better than the December 31, 2017 peer group average (latest data available), which was approximately 7.96 percent, according to data in the December 2017 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 assets held by the Company and common ratio measurements of those assets as of the dates shown.



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			Change
Nonaccrual loans	$	2,107		$	622		$	1,485
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest	—			—			—
Troubled debt restructured loans ⁽¹⁾	—			—			—
Total nonperforming loans	2,107			622			1,485
Other real estate owned	—			—			—
Total nonperforming assets	$	2,107		$	622		$	1,485

Nonperforming loans to total loans	0.14		%	0.04		%	0.10		%
Nonperforming assets to total assets	0.10		%	0.03		%	0.07		%


(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 was one TDR loan as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 with a balance of $191 and $220, respectively, categorized as nonaccrual.

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

Deposits

Deposits declined $72,655 during the first three months of 2018, or 4.0 percent, compared to December 31, 2017. Interest-bearing demand accounts declined $80,506 while savings accounts, which include money market accounts, increased $4,725 from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018. Balance fluctuations were primarily due to normal customer activity, as corporate customers' liquidity needs vary at any given time. Total time deposits increased $4,914 during the first three months of 2018. As of March 31, 2018, a significant related party relationship maintained total deposit balances with West Bank of approximately $158,000.

Borrowings

Federal funds purchased increased to $51,820 as of March 31, 2018 from $545 as of December 31, 2017. The need for overnight funding is primarily dependent on corporate customer deposit fluctuations, loan fundings and loan repayments.

Long-term debt declined $1,278 during the first three months of 2018, as the Company made principal repayments on the outstanding debt.

Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc.

Management's Discussion and Analysis

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

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, mortgage-backed and asset-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 $37,466 as of March 31, 2018 compared with $47,949 as of December 31, 2017.

As of March 31, 2018, West Bank had additional borrowing capacity available from the FHLB of approximately $319,000, as well as approximately $35,000 through unsecured federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks. Net cash from operating activities contributed $9,573 to liquidity for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Management believed that 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 March 31, 2018.

The Company's total stockholders' equity increased to $178,242 at March 31, 2018 from $178,098 at December 31, 2017. The increase was primarily the result of net income less dividends paid, and was partially offset by a decline in accumulated other comprehensive income. At March 31, 2018, the Company's tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets was 8.52 percent compared to 8.42 percent as of December 31, 2017.

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 believed the Company and West Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject as of March 31, 2018.

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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				For Capital Adequacy Purposes With Capital Conservation Buffer				To Be Well-Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
As of March 31, 2018:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	220,743	12.01	%	$	146,993	8.00	%	$	181,444	9.875	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	238,603		13.00	%	146,831		8.00	%	181,244		9.875	%	$	183,538	10.00	%

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	204,278		11.12	%	110,245		6.00	%	144,696		7.875	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	222,138		12.10	%	110,123		6.00	%	144,536		7.875	%	146,831		8.00	%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	184,278		10.03	%	82,683		4.50	%	117,135		6.375	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	222,138		12.10	%	82,592		4.50	%	117,006		6.375	%	119,300		6.50	%

Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
Consolidated	204,278		9.68	%	84,391		4.00	%	84,391		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	222,138		10.54	%	84,326		4.00	%	84,326		4.00	%	105,407		5.00	%

As of December 31, 2017:
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	$	216,420	11.76	%	$	147,169	8.00	%	$	170,164	9.25	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	235,570		12.82	%	147,049		8.00	%	170,026		9.25	%	$	183,812	10.00	%

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	199,990		10.87	%	110,377		6.00	%	133,372		7.25	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	219,140		11.92	%	110,287		6.00	%	133,263		7.25	%	147,049		8.00	%

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
Consolidated	179,990		9.78	%	82,783		4.50	%	105,778		5.75	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	219,140		11.92	%	82,715		4.50	%	105,692		5.75	%	119,478		6.50	%

Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
Consolidated	199,990		9.60	%	83,326		4.00	%	83,326		4.00	%	N/A		N/A
West Bank	219,140		10.52	%	83,287		4.00	%	83,287		4.00	%	104,109		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 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 2018 is 1.875 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 March 31, 2018, the ratios for the Company and West Bank were sufficient to meet the fully phased-in conservation buffer.

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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, 2017 was presented in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2018. The Company has not experienced any material changes to its interest rate risk position since December 31, 2017. Management does not believe that the Company's primary market risk exposure and management of that exposure in the first three months of 2018 materially changed compared to those in the year ended December 31, 2017.

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

Neither the Company nor West Bank is a party, and no property of these entities is subject, to any 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.

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 1, 2018.

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.

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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

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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)


April 26, 2018	By:	/s/ David D. Nelson
Date		David D. Nelson
		Chief Executive Officer and President
		(Principal Executive Officer)

April 26, 2018	By:	/s/ Douglas R. Gulling
Date		Douglas R. Gulling
		Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

April 26, 2018	By:	/s/ Marie I. Roberts
Date		Marie I. Roberts
		Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
		(Principal Accounting Officer)