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WEST BANCORPORATION INC - Quarter Report: 2019 June (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 June 30, 2019
 
 
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

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

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, no par value
WTBA
The Nasdaq Global Select Market

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes  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
 
Smaller reporting company
x
 
 
 
 
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 July 24, 2019, there were 16,379,752 shares of common stock, no par value, outstanding.



WEST BANCORPORATION, INC.
INDEX
 
 
Page
PART I.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 

3


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)
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
 
$
45,286

 
$
46,369

Federal funds sold
 
47,278

 
1,105

Cash and cash equivalents
 
92,564

 
47,474

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value
 
398,534

 
453,758

Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost
 
10,826

 
12,037

Loans
 
1,792,718

 
1,721,830

Allowance for loan losses
 
(16,737
)
 
(16,689
)
Loans, net
 
1,775,981

 
1,705,141

Premises and equipment, net
 
30,447

 
21,491

Accrued interest receivable
 
7,937

 
7,631

Bank-owned life insurance
 
34,563

 
34,249

Deferred tax assets, net
 
4,901

 
6,518

Other assets
 
7,123

 
8,269

Total assets
 
$
2,362,876

 
$
2,296,568

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
Noninterest-bearing demand
 
$
373,627

 
$
400,530

Interest-bearing demand
 
321,747

 
336,089

Savings
 
974,769

 
950,501

Time of $250 or more
 
50,980

 
55,745

Other time
 
244,664

 
151,664

Total deposits
 
1,965,787

 
1,894,529

Federal funds purchased
 
2,280

 
19,985

Subordinated notes, net
 
20,432

 
20,425

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net
 
128,621

 
137,878

Long-term debt
 
22,982

 
27,040

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
20,839

 
5,688

Total liabilities
 
2,160,941

 
2,105,545

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8)
 

 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
 

 

Common stock, no par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 16,379,752
    and 16,295,494 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019
    and December 31, 2018, respectively
 
3,000

 
3,000

Additional paid-in capital
 
25,691

 
25,128

Retained earnings
 
176,567

 
169,709

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(3,323
)
 
(6,814
)
Total stockholders' equity
 
201,935

 
191,023

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
2,362,876

 
$
2,296,568

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans, including fees
 
$
21,108

 
$
17,168

 
$
41,496

 
$
33,642

Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable
 
2,632

 
1,886

 
4,960

 
3,699

Tax-exempt
 
485

 
1,306

 
1,322

 
2,668

Federal funds sold
 
110

 
177

 
208

 
258

Total interest income
 
24,335

 
20,537

 
47,986

 
40,267

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Deposits
 
6,670

 
3,798

 
12,634

 
6,810

Federal funds purchased
 
115

 
52

 
202

 
79

Subordinated notes
 
256

 
284

 
508

 
532

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
1,093

 
907

 
2,366

 
1,739

Long-term debt
 
163

 
197

 
349

 
392

Total interest expense
 
8,297

 
5,238

 
16,059

 
9,552

Net interest income
 
16,038

 
15,299

 
31,927

 
30,715

Provision for loan losses
 

 

 

 
150

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
 
16,038

 
15,299

 
31,927

 
30,565

Noninterest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Service charges on deposit accounts
 
600

 
627

 
1,211

 
1,276

Debit card usage fees
 
434

 
433

 
809

 
832

Trust services
 
481

 
575

 
964

 
1,020

Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
 
162

 
152

 
314

 
310

Realized investment securities gains (losses), net
 
23

 
(25
)
 
(65
)
 
(25
)
Other income
 
299

 
261

 
885

 
523

Total noninterest income
 
1,999

 
2,023

 
4,118

 
3,936

Noninterest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Salaries and employee benefits
 
5,424

 
4,775

 
10,884

 
9,288

Occupancy
 
1,344

 
1,258

 
2,577

 
2,481

Data processing
 
716

 
674

 
1,396

 
1,350

FDIC insurance
 
185

 
165

 
404

 
327

Professional fees
 
209

 
178

 
443

 
412

Director fees
 
258

 
261

 
509

 
510

Write-down of premises
 

 
333

 

 
333

Other expenses
 
1,614

 
1,314

 
3,081

 
2,544

Total noninterest expense
 
9,750

 
8,958

 
19,294

 
17,245

Income before income taxes
 
8,287

 
8,364

 
16,751

 
17,256

Income taxes
 
1,629

 
1,600

 
3,194

 
3,108

Net income
 
$
6,658

 
$
6,764

 
$
13,557

 
$
14,148

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
 
$
0.41

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.83

 
$
0.87

Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
0.41

 
$
0.41

 
$
0.83

 
$
0.86

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
 
$
6,658

 
$
6,764

 
$
13,557

 
$
14,148

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period
 
7,050

 
(1,226
)
 
11,967

 
(8,191
)
Unrealized gains on investment securities transferred from held to maturity to available for sale
 

 

 

 
363

Plus: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses realized in net income
 
(23
)
 
25

 
65

 
25

Less: other reclassification adjustment
 

 

 

 
(36
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
(1,757
)
 
301

 
(3,008
)
 
1,962

Other comprehensive income (loss) on investment securities
 
5,270

 
(900
)
 
9,024

 
(5,877
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period
 
(4,729
)
 
1,003

 
(7,170
)
 
2,548

Plus: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses on derivatives realized in net income
 
(114
)
 
(2
)
 
(251
)
 
35

Plus: reclassification adjustment for amortization of derivative termination costs
 
24

 
24

 
47

 
47

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
1,203

 
(257
)
 
1,841

 
(659
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) on derivatives
 
(3,616
)
 
768

 
(5,533
)
 
1,971

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
 
1,654

 
(132
)
 
3,491


(3,906
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
8,312

 
$
6,632

 
$
17,048

 
$
10,242


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

6


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Preferred
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
 
 
 
Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balance, March 31, 2019
 
$

 
16,357,752

 
$
3,000

 
$
24,898

 
$
173,349

 
$
(4,977
)
 
$
196,270

Net income
 

 

 

 

 
6,658

 

 
6,658

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
1,654

 
1,654

Cash dividends declared, $0.21 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(3,440
)
 

 
(3,440
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
793

 

 

 
793

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
22,000

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2019
 
$

 
16,379,752

 
$
3,000

 
$
25,691

 
$
176,567

 
$
(3,323
)
 
$
201,935

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Preferred
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
 
 
 
Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balance, March 31, 2018
 
$

 
16,271,494

 
$
3,000

 
$
22,916

 
$
158,362

 
$
(6,036
)
 
$
178,242

Net income
 

 

 

 

 
6,764

 

 
6,764

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
(132
)
 
(132
)
Cash dividends declared, $0.20 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(3,259
)
 

 
(3,259
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
737

 

 

 
737

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
24,000

 

 

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2018
 
$

 
16,295,494

 
$
3,000

 
$
23,653

 
$
161,867

 
$
(6,168
)
 
$
182,352

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

7


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Preferred
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
 
 
 
Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2018
 
$

 
16,295,494

 
$
3,000

 
$
25,128

 
$
169,709

 
$
(6,814
)
 
$
191,023

Net income
 

 

 

 

 
13,557

 

 
13,557

Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
3,491

 
3,491

Cash dividends declared, $0.41 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(6,699
)
 


 
(6,699
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
1,424

 

 

 
1,424

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
84,258

 

 
(861
)
 

 

 
(861
)
Balance, June 30, 2019
 
$

 
16,379,752

 
$
3,000

 
$
25,691

 
$
176,567

 
$
(3,323
)
 
$
201,935

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Preferred
 
Common Stock
 
Paid-In
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
 
 
 
 
Stock
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income (Loss)
 
Total
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
 

 

 

 

 
14,148

 

 
14,148

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 

 

 

 

 

 
(3,906
)
 
(3,906
)
Cash dividends declared, $0.38 per common share
 

 

 

 

 
(6,178
)
 

 
(6,178
)
Stock-based compensation costs
 

 

 

 
1,266

 

 

 
1,266

Issuance of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units, net of shares withheld for payroll taxes
 

 
79,822

 

 
(1,076
)
 

 

 
(1,076
)
Balance, June 30, 2018
 
$

 
16,295,494


$
3,000

 
$
23,653

 
$
161,867

 
$
(6,168
)
 
$
182,352


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


8


Table of Contents


West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
13,557

 
$
14,148

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

 
150

Net amortization and accretion
 
2,026

 
2,528

Investment securities losses, net
 
65

 
25

Stock-based compensation
 
1,424

 
1,266

Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
 
(314
)
 
(310
)
Gain on sale of premises
 
(307
)
 

Depreciation
 
698

 
703

Write-down of premises
 

 
333

Deferred income taxes
 
450

 
122

Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Increase in accrued interest receivable
 
(306
)
 
(520
)
Increase in other assets
 
(689
)
 
(1,204
)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities
 
9

 
(254
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
16,613

 
16,987

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale
 
145,342

 
9,216

Proceeds from maturities and calls of investment securities
 
19,403

 
20,937

Purchases of securities available for sale
 
(98,784
)
 
(76,796
)
Purchases of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
(22,378
)
 
(6,854
)
Proceeds from redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
 
23,589

 
6,826

Net increase in loans
 
(70,840
)
 
(23,966
)
Proceeds from sale of premises
 
604

 

Purchases of premises and equipment
 
(394
)
 
(67
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(3,458
)
 
(70,704
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Net increase in deposits
 
71,258

 
81,116

Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased
 
(17,705
)
 
315

Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
(110,000
)
 

Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
 
100,000

 

Principal payments on long-term debt
 
(4,058
)
 
(3,306
)
Common stock dividends paid
 
(6,699
)
 
(6,178
)
Restricted stock units withheld for payroll taxes
 
(861
)
 
(1,076
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
31,935

 
70,871

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
45,090

 
17,154

Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
 
 
 
Beginning
 
47,474

 
47,949

Ending
 
$
92,564

 
$
65,103

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
 
 
 
 
Cash payments for:
 
 
 
 
Interest
 
$
15,647

 
$
9,457

Income taxes
 
1,560

 
2,020

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Establishment of lease liability and right-of-use asset
 
$
10,435

 
$

Transfer of investment securities held to maturity to available for sale
 

 
45,527

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

9


Table of Contents

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


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 (SEC).  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, 2018 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019.  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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, net income, comprehensive income and changes in stockholders' equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.  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, West Bank's special purpose subsidiaries 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 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 right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. For public companies, this update was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2019. Upon adoption, the Company elected a practical expedient which allowed existing leases to retain their classification as operating leases. The Company also elected the option to account for lease and related non-lease components as a single lease component, and the option not to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities arising from short-term leases (leases with terms of twelve months or less). Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted at the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The right-of-use asset is measured at the amount of the lease liability adjusted for any cumulative prepaid or accrued rent if the lease payments are uneven throughout the lease term. Implementation of the guidance resulted in the recording of a right-of-use asset, included in premises and equipment, and an operating lease liability, included in other liabilities, on the consolidated balance sheet; however it did not have a material impact on the Company's other consolidated financial statements. See additional disclosures in Note 9.


10


Table of Contents

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


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. 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. In July 2019, the FASB proposed changes to the effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 for smaller reporting companies, as defined by the SEC, and other non-SEC reporting entities. The proposal would delay the effective date to fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal periods. As the Company is a smaller reporting company, the proposed delay would be applicable to the Company, if it is approved by the FASB.

The Company is developing its approach for determining the expected credit losses under the new guidance.  The Company continues collecting and retaining historical loan and credit data and is currently evaluating alternative loss estimation models. While the Company currently cannot reasonably estimate the impact of adopting this standard, the Company expects the impact will be influenced by the composition, risk characteristics and quality of our loan and securities portfolios, as well as the general economic conditions and forecasts as of the adoption date.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this update modify the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying, or adding certain disclosures. The update is effective for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for the removed disclosures and delayed adoption until fiscal year 2020 permitted for the new disclosures. The removed and modified disclosures will be adopted on a retrospective basis, and the new disclosures will be adopted on a prospective basis. The adoption will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC 326), Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815), and Financial Instruments (ASC 825). The amendments in the ASU improve the Codification by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. The amended guidance in this ASU related to the credit losses will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


11


Table of Contents

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


2.  Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if the Company's outstanding restricted stock units were vested. The dilutive effect was computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes all stock-based awards were exercised and the hypothetical proceeds from exercise were used by the Company to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period.  The incremental shares, to the extent they would have been dilutive, were included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation.  The calculations of earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 are presented in the following table.

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Net income
$
6,658

 
$
6,764

 
$
13,557

 
$
14,148

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
16,374

 
16,289

 
16,337

 
16,254

Weighted average effect of restricted stock units outstanding
63

 
102

 
76

 
146

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
16,437

 
16,391

 
16,413

 
16,400

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.41

 
$
0.42

 
$
0.83

 
$
0.87

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.41

 
$
0.41

 
$
0.83

 
$
0.86

Number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from diluted earnings per share computation
166

 
130

 
195

 
69



12


Table of Contents

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


3.  Investment Securities

The following tables show the amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities, by investment security type as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
48,608

 
$
1,081

 
$
(11
)
 
$
49,678

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
194,529

 
1,339

 
(685
)
 
195,183

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
55,679

 
284

 
(92
)
 
55,871

Asset-backed securities (2)
24,434

 
59

 
(38
)
 
24,455

Collateralized loan obligations
54,780

 
3

 
(435
)
 
54,348

Corporate notes
19,303

 
85

 
(389
)
 
18,999

 
$
397,333

 
$
2,851

 
$
(1,650
)
 
$
398,534

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
(Losses)
 
Fair
Value
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
152,293

 
$
156

 
$
(3,293
)
 
$
149,156

Collateralized mortgage obligations (1)
161,392

 

 
(4,388
)
 
157,004

Mortgage-backed securities (1)
64,813

 

 
(1,435
)
 
63,378

Asset-backed securities (2)
32,076

 
2

 
(175
)
 
31,903

Trust preferred security
2,153

 

 
(253
)
 
1,900

Corporate notes
51,862

 
124

 
(1,569
)
 
50,417

 
$
464,589

 
$
282

 
$
(11,113
)
 
$
453,758

(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.

Investment securities with an amortized cost of approximately $149,025 and $126,531 as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 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.

13


Table of Contents

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


The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities available for sale as of June 30, 2019, 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.
 
June 30, 2019
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
2,000

 
$
2,001

Due after one year through five years
4,979

 
4,981

Due after five years through ten years
68,942

 
68,215

Due after ten years
46,770

 
47,828

 
122,691

 
123,025

Collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities
274,642

 
275,509

 
$
397,333

 
$
398,534

The details of the sales of investment securities available for sale for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 are summarized in the following table.
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Proceeds from sales
$
83,068

 
$
9,216

 
$
145,342

 
$
9,216

Gross gains on sales
698

 
34

 
831

 
34

Gross losses on sales
675

 
59

 
896

 
59


14


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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
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
$

 
$

 
$
3,444

 
$
(11
)
 
$
3,444

 
$
(11
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
19,157

 
(193
)
 
72,037

 
(492
)
 
91,194

 
(685
)
Mortgage-backed securities

 

 
8,981

 
(92
)
 
8,981

 
(92
)
Asset-backed securities

 

 
14,721

 
(38
)
 
14,721

 
(38
)
Collateralized loan obligations
49,366

 
(435
)
 

 

 
49,366

 
(435
)
Corporate notes
1,974

 
(30
)
 
9,640

 
(359
)
 
11,614

 
(389
)
 
$
70,497

 
$
(658
)
 
$
108,823

 
$
(992
)
 
$
179,320

 
$
(1,650
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 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
$
21,264

 
$
(221
)
 
$
102,853

 
$
(3,072
)
 
$
124,117

 
$
(3,293
)
Collateralized mortgage obligations
32,230

 
(250
)
 
124,775

 
(4,138
)
 
157,005

 
(4,388
)
Mortgage-backed securities
10,960

 
(103
)
 
51,823

 
(1,332
)
 
62,783

 
(1,435
)
Asset-backed securities
6,668

 
(31
)
 
16,486

 
(144
)
 
23,154

 
(175
)
Trust preferred security

 

 
1,900

 
(253
)
 
1,900

 
(253
)
Corporate notes
19,470

 
(611
)
 
19,041

 
(958
)
 
38,511

 
(1,569
)
 
$
90,592

 
$
(1,216
)
 
$
316,878

 
$
(9,897
)
 
$
407,470

 
$
(11,113
)
As of June 30, 2019, the available for sale securities with unrealized losses included seven state and political subdivision securities, 27 collateralized mortgage obligation securities, three mortgage-backed securities, four asset-backed securities, eight collateralized loan obligation securities and four corporate notes. The Company believed the unrealized losses on securities available for sale as of June 30, 2019 were due to market conditions rather than reduced estimated cash flows. At June 30, 2019, the Company did not intend to sell these securities, did not anticipate that these securities will be required to be sold before anticipated recovery, and expected full principal and interest to be collected. Therefore, the Company did not consider these securities to have other than temporary impairment as of June 30, 2019.



15


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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Commercial
$
398,329

 
$
358,763

Real estate:
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
243,518

 
245,810

1-4 family residential first mortgages
49,446

 
49,052

Home equity
11,789

 
14,469

Commercial
1,085,282

 
1,050,025

Consumer and other
6,821

 
6,211

 
1,795,185

 
1,724,330

Net unamortized fees and costs
(2,467
)
 
(2,500
)
 
$
1,792,718

 
$
1,721,830

Real estate loans of approximately $820,000 and $800,000 were pledged as security for Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 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.

  





16


Table of Contents

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


TDR loans totaled $580 and $652 as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and were included in the nonaccrual category. There were no loan modifications considered to be TDR that occurred during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. There was one loan modification considered to be TDR, with a pre- and post-modification recorded investment of $560, that occurred during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

No TDR loans that were modified within the twelve months preceding June 30, 2019 have subsequently had a payment default. One TDR loan that was modified within the twelve months preceding June 30, 2018, with a recorded investment of $529, has 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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
 
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
845

 
$
845

 
$

 
$
1,014

 
$
1,014

 
$

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 

 

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
19

 
19

 

 
106

 
106

 

Home equity
36

 
36

 

 
41

 
41

 

Commercial
580

 
580

 

 
652

 
652

 

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,480

 
1,480

 

 
1,813

 
1,813

 

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial

 

 

 
15

 
15

 
15

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 

 

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial
91

 
91

 
91

 
100

 
100

 
100

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 

 

 
91

 
91

 
91

 
115

 
115

 
115

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
845

 
845

 

 
1,029

 
1,029

 
15

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 

 

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
19

 
19

 

 
106

 
106

 

Home equity
36

 
36

 

 
41

 
41

 

Commercial
671

 
671

 
91

 
752

 
752

 
100

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 

 

 
$
1,571

 
$
1,571

 
$
91

 
$
1,928

 
$
1,928

 
$
115

   
The balance of impaired loans at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was composed of seven and ten different borrowers, respectively. The Company has no commitments to advance additional funds on any of the impaired loans.



17


Table of Contents

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


The following table summarizes the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans by segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
 
Average Recorded Investment
 
Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
906

 
$

 
$
902

 
$

 
$
946

 
$

 
$
543

 
$

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
40

 
6

 
119

 

 
67

 
6

 
117

 

Home equity
30

 
2

 
172

 

 
34

 
2

 
172

 

Commercial
598

 

 
768

 

 
616

 

 
529

 

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,574

 
8

 
1,961

 

 
1,663

 
8

 
1,361

 

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
11

 

 

 

 
6

 

 

 

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home equity

 

 
17

 

 

 

 
18

 

Commercial
93

 

 
112

 

 
52

 

 
114

 

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
104

 

 
129

 

 
58

 

 
132

 

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
917

 

 
902

 

 
952

 

 
543

 

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-4 family residential first mortgages
40

 
6

 
119

 

 
67

 
6

 
117

 

Home equity
30

 
2

 
189

 

 
34

 
2

 
190

 

Commercial
691

 

 
880

 

 
668

 

 
643

 

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
$
1,678

 
$
8

 
$
2,090

 
$

 
$
1,721

 
$
8

 
$
1,493

 
$




18


Table of Contents

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


The following tables provide an analysis of the payment status of the recorded investment in loans as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
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
$

 
$
899

 
$

 
$
899

 
$
396,585

 
$
845

 
$
398,329

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 

 

 
243,518

 

 
243,518

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
267

 

 

 
267

 
49,160

 
19

 
49,446

Home equity

 

 

 

 
11,753

 
36

 
11,789

Commercial

 

 

 

 
1,084,611

 
671

 
1,085,282

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 
6,821

 

 
6,821

Total
$
267

 
$
899

 
$

 
$
1,166

 
$
1,792,448

 
$
1,571

 
$
1,795,185

 
December 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
$
54

 
$

 
$

 
$
54

 
$
357,680

 
$
1,029

 
$
358,763

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
land development

 

 

 

 
245,810

 

 
245,810

1-4 family residential
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
first mortgages
157

 

 

 
157

 
48,789

 
106

 
49,052

Home equity

 

 

 

 
14,428

 
41

 
14,469

Commercial

 

 

 

 
1,049,273

 
752

 
1,050,025

Consumer and other

 

 

 

 
6,211

 

 
6,211

Total
$
211

 
$

 
$

 
$
211

 
$
1,722,191

 
$
1,928

 
$
1,724,330



19


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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
Commercial
$
376,605

 
$
19,944

 
$
1,780

 
$

 
$
398,329

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
243,518

 

 

 

 
243,518

1-4 family residential first mortgages
48,320

 
1,049

 
77

 

 
49,446

Home equity
11,712

 
41

 
36

 

 
11,789

Commercial
1,055,112

 
28,151

 
2,019

 

 
1,085,282

Consumer and other
6,821

 

 

 

 
6,821

Total
$
1,742,088

 
$
49,185

 
$
3,912

 
$

 
$
1,795,185

 
December 31, 2018
 
Pass
 
Watch
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
Commercial
$
336,861

 
$
19,886

 
$
2,016

 
$

 
$
358,763

Real estate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction, land and land development
245,810

 

 

 

 
245,810

1-4 family residential first mortgages
47,923

 
963

 
166

 

 
49,052

Home equity
14,352

 
46

 
71

 

 
14,469

Commercial
1,019,256

 
29,063

 
1,706

 

 
1,050,025

Consumer and other
6,186

 

 
25

 

 
6,211

Total
$
1,670,388

 
$
49,958

 
$
3,984

 
$

 
$
1,724,330

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.


20


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.

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.


21


Table of Contents

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


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

The following tables detail the changes in the allowance for loan losses by segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
3,528

 
$
2,597

 
$
236

 
$
162

 
$
10,129

 
$
85

 
$
16,737

Charge-offs
(55
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(55
)
Recoveries
38

 

 
6

 
3

 
2

 
6

 
55

Provision (1)
221

 
(311
)
 
(20
)
 
(26
)
 
144

 
(8
)
 

Ending balance
$
3,732

 
$
2,286

 
$
222

 
$
139

 
$
10,275

 
$
83

 
$
16,737

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
3,582

 
$
1,853

 
$
320

 
$
186

 
$
10,442

 
$
82

 
$
16,465

Charge-offs
(13
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(13
)
Recoveries
51

 

 
3

 
5

 
4

 
3

 
66

Provision (1)
53

 
58

 
(19
)
 
(9
)
 
(77
)
 
(6
)
 

Ending balance
$
3,673

 
$
1,911

 
$
304

 
$
182

 
$
10,369

 
$
79

 
$
16,518

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
3,508

 
$
2,384

 
$
250

 
$
171

 
$
10,301

 
$
75

 
$
16,689

Charge-offs
(55
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(55
)
Recoveries
59

 

 
9

 
23

 
6

 
6

 
103

Provision (1)
220

 
(98
)
 
(37
)
 
(55
)
 
(32
)
 
2

 

Ending balance
$
3,732

 
$
2,286

 
$
222

 
$
139

 
$
10,275

 
$
83

 
$
16,737

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 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
(208
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(209
)
Recoveries
110

 

 
7

 
11

 
7

 
12

 
147

Provision (1)
(95
)
 
(302
)
 
(22
)
 
(14
)
 
592

 
(9
)
 
150

Ending balance
$
3,673

 
$
1,911

 
$
304

 
$
182

 
$
10,369

 
$
79

 
$
16,518

(1)
The negative provisions for the various segments are 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.

22


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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
91

 
$

 
$
91

Collectively evaluated for impairment
3,732

 
2,286

 
222

 
139

 
10,184

 
83

 
16,646

Total
$
3,732

 
$
2,286

 
$
222

 
$
139

 
$
10,275

 
$
83

 
$
16,737

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 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
$
15

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
100

 
$

 
$
115

Collectively evaluated for impairment
3,493

 
2,384

 
250

 
171

 
10,201

 
75

 
16,574

Total
$
3,508

 
$
2,384

 
$
250

 
$
171

 
$
10,301

 
$
75

 
$
16,689

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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
 
Real Estate
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
 
Construction and Land
 
1-4 Family Residential
 
Home Equity
 
Commercial
 
Consumer and Other
 
Total
Ending balance:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
845

 
$

 
$
19

 
$
36

 
$
671

 
$

 
$
1,571

Collectively evaluated for impairment
397,484

 
243,518

 
49,427

 
11,753

 
1,084,611

 
6,821

 
1,793,614

Total
$
398,329

 
$
243,518

 
$
49,446

 
$
11,789

 
$
1,085,282

 
$
6,821

 
$
1,795,185

 
December 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
$
1,029

 
$

 
$
106

 
$
41

 
$
752

 
$

 
$
1,928

Collectively evaluated for impairment
357,734

 
245,810

 
48,946

 
14,428

 
1,049,273

 
6,211

 
1,722,402

Total
$
358,763

 
$
245,810

 
$
49,052

 
$
14,469

 
$
1,050,025

 
$
6,211

 
$
1,724,330



23


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 has entered into various interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposures to the variability in interest payments due to interest rate movements. The interest rate swaps involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed payments. The Company has three interest rate swaps hedging the variable interest payments on certain borrowings and customer deposits. In the first half of 2019, the Company entered into four additional interest rate swaps to hedge the interest payments of rolling fixed-rate one or three-month funding consisting of FHLB advances or brokered deposits. The interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges.

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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company pledged $5,650 and $0, 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 $120 and $2,410 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company estimates there will be approximately $398 reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense through the 12 months ending June 30, 2020. 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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
 
 
Notional
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Category
 
Receive Floating Rate
 
Pay Fixed Rate
 
Maturity
June 30, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
30,000

 
$
(109
)
 
Other Liabilities
 
2.70
%
 
2.52
%
 
9/21/2020
Interest rate swap
 
20,000

 
29

 
Other Assets
 
5.37
%
 
4.81
%
 
9/30/2026
Interest rate swap
 
60,000

 
(2,389
)
 
Other Liabilities
 
2.49
%
 
2.31
%
 
12/31/2025
Interest rate swap
 
25,000

 
(965
)
 
Other Liabilities
 
2.55
%
 
2.57
%
 
2/8/2024
Interest rate swap
 
25,000

 
(1,328
)
 
Other Liabilities
 
2.58
%
 
2.62
%
 
1/8/2026
Interest rate swap
 
25,000

 
(354
)
 
Other Liabilities
 
2.41
%
 
1.93
%
 
6/10/2027
Interest rate swap
 
25,000

 
(441
)
 
Other Liabilities
 
2.41
%
 
2.01
%
 
6/10/2029
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
30,000

 
$
221

 
Other Assets
 
3.10
%
 
2.52
%
 
9/21/2020
Interest rate swap
 
20,000

 
1,199

 
Other Assets
 
5.58
%
 
4.81
%
 
9/30/2026
Interest rate swap
 
60,000

 
443

 
Other Assets
 
2.50
%
 
2.31
%
 
12/31/2025
The following table identifies the pre-tax gains or losses recognized on the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reclassified from AOCI into Income
 
 
Amount of Pre-tax Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Category
 
2019
 
2018
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(7,170
)
 
$
2,548

 
Interest Expense
 
$
204

 
$
(82
)


24


Table of Contents

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


6.  Income Taxes

Net deferred tax assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
$
4,184

 
$
4,172

Net unrealized losses on securities available for sale

 
2,708

Net unrealized losses on interest rate swaps
1,412

 

Lease liability
2,449

 

Accrued expenses
186

 
346

Restricted stock compensation
440

 
704

State net operating loss carryforward
1,075

 
1,021

Capital loss carryforward
3

 

Other
62

 
67

 
9,811

 
9,018

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Right-of-use asset
2,390

 

Net deferred loan fees and costs
185

 
183

Net unrealized gains on securities available for sale
300

 

Net unrealized gains on interest rate swaps

 
429

Premises and equipment
757

 
694

Other
200

 
173

 
3,832

 
1,479

Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
5,979

 
7,539

Valuation allowance
(1,078
)
 
(1,021
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
4,901

 
$
6,518

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against the tax effect of capital loss and 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 2020 and thereafter. The capital loss carryforward expires in 2022.


25


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 six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.
 
 
Unrealized
 
Unrealized
 
Accumulated
 
 
Gains
 
Gains
 
Other
 
 
(Losses) on
 
(Losses) on
 
Comprehensive
 
 
Securities
 
Derivatives
 
Income (Loss)
Balance, December 31, 2018
 
$
(8,123
)
 
$
1,309

 
$
(6,814
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
8,975

 
(5,378
)
 
3,597

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
49

 
(155
)
 
(106
)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
9,024

 
(5,533
)
 
3,491

Balance, June 30, 2019
 
$
901

 
$
(4,224
)
 
$
(3,323
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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
 
(6,143
)
 
1,911

 
(4,232
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
(7
)
 
60

 
53

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(5,877
)
 
1,971

 
(3,906
)
Reclassification of stranded tax effects
 
(475
)
 
105

 
(370
)
Balance, June 30, 2018
 
$
(8,589
)
 
$
2,421

 
$
(6,168
)
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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Commitments to extend credit
$
650,001

 
$
641,581

Standby letters of credit
7,126

 
6,631

 
$
657,127

 
$
648,212

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. The outstanding balance of mortgage loans sold under the MPF Program was $71,797 and $78,024 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Contractual commitments: The Company had remaining commitments to invest in qualified affordable housing projects totaling $2,241 and $4,421 as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 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.

26


Table of Contents

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


9. Leases

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 842. The Company leases real estate for its main office, nine branch offices and office space for operations departments under various operating lease agreements. The lease agreements have maturity dates ranging from May 2021 to February 2033, some of which include options to renew at the Company's discretion. If at lease inception, the Company considers the exercising of a renewal option to be reasonably certain, the Company will include the extended term in the measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. The weighted average remaining life of the term of these leases was 8.0 years as of June 30, 2019.

The discount rate used in determining the lease liability for each individual lease was the FHLB fixed advance rate which corresponded with the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019 for leases that existed at adoption and as of the lease commencement date for leases subsequently entered in to. The weighted average discount rate used in the measurement of the operating lease liability was 3.15% as of June 30, 2019.

The total operating lease costs were $411 and $793 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. The right-of-use asset and lease liability were $9,558 and $9,794 as of June 30, 2019, respectively.

Total estimated rental commitments for the operating leases were as follows as of June 30, 2019.
2019
$
841

2020
1,681

2021
1,627

2022
1,583

2023
1,565

Thereafter
3,882

Total lease payments
11,179

Less: interest
(1,385
)
Present value of lease liability
$
9,794



10. 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.


27


Table of Contents

West Bancorporation, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except per share 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 six months ended June 30, 2019.

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 (Level 1). 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 (Level 2). 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. For the corporate bond portfolio, the Company has elected to use a matrix pricing model as a practical expedient to individual quoted market prices.

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 the 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 financial market data vendor 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 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.


28


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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 
 
June 30, 2019
 
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
 
$
49,678

 
$

 
$
49,678

 
$

Collateralized mortgage obligations
 
195,183

 

 
195,183

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
55,871

 

 
55,871

 

Asset-backed securities
 
24,455

 

 
24,455

 

Collateralized loan obligations
 
54,348

 

 
54,348

 

Corporate notes
 
18,999

 

 
18,999

 

Derivative instruments, interest rate swaps
 
29

 

 
29

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments, interest rate swaps
 
$
5,586

 
$

 
$
5,586

 
$

 
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available for sale:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

State and political subdivisions
 
$
149,156

 
$

 
$
149,156

 
$

Collateralized mortgage obligations
 
157,004

 

 
157,004

 

Mortgage-backed securities
 
63,378

 

 
63,378

 

Asset-backed securities
 
31,903

 

 
31,903

 

Trust preferred security
 
1,900

 

 
1,900

 

Corporate notes
 
50,417

 

 
50,417

 

Derivative instrument, interest rate swap
 
1,863

 

 
1,863

 

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 both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, impaired loans with a fair value adjustment had a net book value of $0.  Impaired loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and 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.
 

29


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 June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018

 
 
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Fair Value Hierarchy Level
 
Carrying Amount
 
Approximate Fair Value
 
Carrying Amount
 
Approximate Fair Value
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
Level 1
 
$
45,286

 
$
45,286

 
$
46,369

 
$
46,369

Federal funds sold
Level 1
 
47,278

 
47,278

 
1,105

 
1,105

Investment securities available for sale
Level 2
 
398,534

 
398,534

 
453,758

 
453,758

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
Level 1
 
10,826

 
10,826

 
12,037

 
12,037

Loans, net
Level 2
 
1,775,981

 
1,792,335

 
1,705,141

 
1,688,700

Accrued interest receivable
Level 1
 
7,937

 
7,937

 
7,631

 
7,631

Interest rate swaps
Level 2
 
29

 
29

 
1,863

 
1,863

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
Level 2
 
$
1,965,787

 
$
1,966,304

 
$
1,894,529

 
$
1,893,621

Federal funds purchased
Level 1
 
2,280

 
2,280

 
19,985

 
19,985

Subordinated notes, net
Level 2
 
20,432

 
16,894

 
20,425

 
15,498

Federal Home Loan Bank advances, net
Level 2
 
128,621

 
128,621

 
137,878

 
137,878

Long-term debt
Level 2
 
22,982

 
22,954

 
27,040

 
27,000

Accrued interest payable
Level 1
 
1,729

 
1,729

 
1,317

 
1,317

Interest rate swaps
Level 2
 
5,586

 
5,586

 

 

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

 

 

 

Standby letters of credit
Level 3
 

 

 

 




30


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

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

"SAFE HARBOR" CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Company’s business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “future,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “strategy,” “plan,” “opportunity,” “will be,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar references, or references to estimates, predictions or future events.  Such forward-looking statements are based upon certain underlying assumptions, risks and uncertainties.  Because of the possibility that the underlying assumptions are incorrect or do not materialize as expected in the future, actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.  Risks and uncertainties that may affect future results include: interest rate risk; competitive pressures; pricing pressures on loans and deposits; changes in credit and other risks posed by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, including declines in commercial or residential real estate values or changes in the allowance for loan losses dictated by new market conditions or regulatory requirements; actions of bank and nonbank competitors; changes in local, national and international economic conditions; changes in 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; the monetary, trade and other regulatory policies of the U.S. government; and any other risks described in the “Risk Factors” sections of other reports filed by the Company with 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, 2018, as filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019. 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, 2018.


31


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. Additionally, management believes providing measures on an FTE basis enhances the comparability of income 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 their most directly comparable measures under GAAP.

 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Reconciliation of net interest income and annualized net interest margin on an FTE basis to GAAP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income (GAAP)
 
$
16,038

 
$
15,299

 
$
31,927

 
$
30,715

Tax-equivalent adjustment (1)
 
25

 
236

 
68

 
525

Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)
 
16,063

 
15,535

 
31,995

 
31,240

Average interest-earning assets
 
2,224,024

 
2,044,821

 
2,206,394

 
2,028,846

Net interest margin on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)
 
2.90
%
 
3.05
%
 
2.92
%
 
3.11
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of efficiency ratio on an FTE basis to GAAP:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income on an FTE basis (non-GAAP)
 
$
16,063

 
$
15,535

 
$
31,995

 
$
31,240

Noninterest income
 
1,999

 
2,023

 
4,118

 
3,936

Adjustment for realized investment securities (gains) losses, net
 
(23
)
 
25

 
65

 
25

Adjustment for gain on sale of premises
 

 

 
(307
)
 

Adjusted income
 
18,039

 
17,583

 
35,871

 
35,201

Noninterest expense
 
9,750

 
8,958

 
19,294

 
17,245

Adjustment for write-down of premises
 

 
(333
)
 

 
(333
)
   Adjusted expense
 
9,750

 
8,625

 
19,294

 
16,912

Efficiency ratio on an adjusted and FTE basis (non-GAAP) (2)
 
54.05
%
 
49.05
%
 
53.79
%
 
48.05
%

(1)
Computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21 percent, adjusted to reflect the effect of the nondeductible interest expense associated with owning tax-exempt securities and loans.
(2)
The efficiency ratio expresses noninterest expense as a percent of fully taxable equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, excluding specific noninterest income and expenses.


32


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

THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2019

OVERVIEW

The following discussion describes the consolidated operations and financial condition of the Company, West Bank and West Bank's special purpose subsidiaries (which invested in new market tax credit activities in 2018) and WB Funding Corporation (which was liquidated in March 2018). Results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 are compared to the results for the same periods in 2018, and the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of June 30, 2019 is compared to December 31, 2018. The Company operates in these primary 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. In March 2019, the Company expanded into three new Minnesota markets which include Owatonna, Mankato and St. Cloud, Minnesota. In May 2019, West Bank received regulatory approval for full branch office operations in these three new locations.

As announced on March 4, 2019, the Company's growth initiative in these three Minnesota markets is expected to cost approximately $3,000 on an annual basis. Twelve new employees have been hired to support this growth initiative. It is difficult to project the timing of attracting new business in these markets and, as a result, the time frame it will take to reach break-even.

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was $6,658, or $0.41per diluted common share, compared to $6,764, or $0.41 per diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the three months ended June 30, 2019 were 1.14 percent and 13.49 percent, respectively, compared to 1.27 percent and 15.15 percent, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

The slight decline in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily due to an increase in noninterest expense and income taxes and a decrease in noninterest income, partially offset by an increase in net interest income.

Net interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2019 grew $739 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to a $253,158 increase in average loans outstanding for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, interest expense on deposits increased $2,872 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, mainly due to a $156,107 increase in average deposit balances and increases to interest rates on various deposit products as a result of rising market rates throughout 2018. The Company recorded no provision for loan losses for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

Noninterest income declined $24 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018, mainly due to a decline in trust services and service charges on deposit accounts, partially offset by net realized investment securities gains in 2019. Noninterest expense grew $792 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, occupancy costs and the amortization of the investment in a new market tax credit project in 2019, partially offset by a write-down of premises in the 2018 period.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was $13,557, or $0.83 per diluted common share, compared to $14,148, or $0.86 per diluted common share, for the six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company's annualized return on average assets and return on average equity for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were 1.18 percent and 13.98 percent, respectively, compared to 1.34 percent and 15.96 percent, respectively, for the first six months of 2018.

The decline in net income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 was primarily due to an increase in noninterest expense and income taxes, partially offset by higher net interest income, lower provision for loan losses and higher noninterest income.


33


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

Net interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2019 grew $1,212, or 3.9 percent, compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, as the impact of increases in the average balance and average yield of total interest-earning assets exceeded the effect of increases in the average balance and average rate paid on total interest-bearing liabilities. Average interest-earning assets for the first six months of 2019 were $177,548 higher than the average interest-earning assets for the first six months of 2018. Average interest-bearing liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were $193,177 higher than the average interest-bearing liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Rising market interest rates in 2018 resulted in increases in both the yield on interest-earning assets and the rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities for the first six months of 2019 compared to the first six months of 2018. The Company recorded no provision for loan losses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to a provision of $150 in the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Noninterest income increased $182 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018, mainly due to a nonrecurring gain from the sale of the Iowa City branch facility in the first quarter of 2019, partially offset by a decrease in trust services and service charges on deposit accounts and an increase in net realized investment securities losses. Noninterest expense grew $2,049 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same time period in 2018, primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, occupancy costs and FDIC insurance and the amortization of the investment in a new market tax credit project in 2019, partially offset by a write-down of premises in the 2018 period.

Total loans outstanding increased $70,888, or 4.1 percent, during the first six months of 2019. Management believes the loan pipeline is strong and that loan growth will continue in all of our markets, including the new markets of Owatonna, Mankato and St. Cloud, Minnesota, during the remainder of 2019. The credit quality of the loan portfolio remained strong, as evidenced by the Company's Texas ratio, which was 0.72 percent as of June 30, 2019. As of June 30, 2019, the allowance for loan losses was 0.93 percent of outstanding loans, and management believed the allowance was adequate to absorb any losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of that date.

Each quarter throughout the year, the Company's four key performance metrics are compared to those of our identified peer group of 16 Midwestern, publicly traded peer financial institutions. The peer group for 2019 includes BankFinancial Corporation, Bank First National Corporation, First Business Financial Services, Inc., First Defiance Financial Corp., First Internet Bancorp, 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 Southern Missouri Bancorp, Inc. The members of the peer group are selected based on their business focus, scope and location of operations, size and other considerations. The Company is in the middle of the group in terms of asset size. The group is periodically reviewed, with changes made primarily to reflect merger and acquisition activity. Our goal is to perform at or near the top of this peer group 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. Company and peer results for the key financial performance measures are summarized below.
 
West Bancorporation, Inc.
 
Peer Group Range
 
As of and for the six months ended June 30, 2019
 
As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2019 (3)
Return on average assets
1.18%
 
0.63% - 1.49%
Return on average equity
13.98%
 
7.00% - 15.05%
Efficiency ratio(1) (2)
53.79%
 
50.31% - 79.18%
Texas ratio(2)
0.72%
 
1.28% - 19.21%
(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.
(3) Latest data available

At its meeting on July 24, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per common share. The dividend is payable on August 21, 2019, to stockholders of record on August 7, 2019.


34


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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table shows selected financial results and measures for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared with the same periods in 2018
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change %
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change %
Net income
$
6,658

 
$
6,764

 
$
(106
)
 
(1.57
)%
 
$
13,557

 
$
14,148

 
$
(591
)
 
(4.18
)%
Average assets
2,332,190

 
2,140,649

 
191,541

 
8.95
 %
 
2,312,602

 
2,121,867

 
190,735

 
8.99
 %
Average stockholders' equity
197,880

 
179,100

 
18,780

 
10.49
 %
 
195,518

 
178,748

 
16,770

 
9.38
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
1.14
%
 
1.27
%
 
(0.13
)%
 
 
 
1.18
%
 
1.34
%
 
(0.16
)%
 
 

Return on average equity
13.49
%
 
15.15
%
 
(1.66
)%
 
 
 
13.98
%
 
15.96
%
 
(1.98
)%
 
 

Net interest margin (1)
2.90
%
 
3.05
%
 
(0.15
)%
 
 
 
2.92
%
 
3.11
%
 
(0.19
)%
 
 
Efficiency ratio (1) (2)
54.05
%
 
49.05
%
 
5.00
 %
 
 
 
53.79
%
 
48.05
%
 
5.74
 %
 
 
Dividend payout ratio
51.67
%
 
48.18
%
 
3.49
 %
 
 
 
49.41
%
 
43.67
%
 
5.74
 %
 
 

Average equity to average assets ratio
8.48
%
 
8.37
%
 
0.11
 %
 
 
 
8.45
%
 
8.42
%
 
0.03
 %
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
 
Texas ratio (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.72
%
 
1.07
%
 
(0.35
)%
 
 
Equity to assets ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.55
%
 
8.30
%
 
0.25
 %
 
 

Tangible common equity ratio
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.55
%
 
8.30
%
 
0.25
 %
 
 

(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 and write-down of premises) divided by noninterest income (excluding net securities gains (losses) 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.



35


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 June 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Yield/Rate
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans: (1) (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
384,491

 
$
321,897

 
$
62,594

 
19.45
 %
 
$
4,923

 
$
3,821

 
$
1,102

 
28.84
 %
 
5.14
%
 
4.76
%
 
0.38
 %
Real estate (3)
1,377,528

 
1,186,686

 
190,842

 
16.08
 %
 
16,115

 
13,344

 
2,771

 
20.77
 %
 
4.69
%
 
4.51
%
 
0.18
 %
Consumer and other
6,576

 
6,854

 
(278
)
 
(4.06
)%
 
82

 
68

 
14

 
20.59
 %
 
4.96
%
 
3.98
%
 
0.98
 %
Total loans
1,768,595

 
1,515,437

 
253,158

 
16.71
 %
 
21,120

 
17,233

 
3,887

 
22.56
 %
 
4.79
%
 
4.56
%
 
0.23
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Investment securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Taxable
370,274

 
306,983

 
63,291

 
20.62
 %
 
2,632

 
1,886

 
746

 
39.55
 %
 
2.84
%
 
2.46
%
 
0.38
 %
Tax-exempt (3)
65,976

 
184,142

 
(118,166
)
 
(64.17
)%
 
498

 
1,477

 
(979
)
 
(66.28
)%
 
3.02
%
 
3.21
%
 
(0.19
)%
Total investment securities
436,250

 
491,125

 
(54,875
)
 
(11.17
)%
 
3,130

 
3,363

 
(233
)
 
(6.93
)%
 
2.87
%
 
2.74
%
 
0.13
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal funds sold
19,179

 
38,259

 
(19,080
)
 
(49.87
)%
 
110

 
177

 
(67
)
 
(37.85
)%
 
2.30
%
 
1.85
%
 
0.45
 %
Total interest-earning assets (3)
$
2,224,024

 
$
2,044,821

 
$
179,203

 
8.76
 %
 
24,360

 
20,773

 
3,587

 
17.27
 %
 
4.39
%
 
4.07
%
 
0.32
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing demand,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
savings and money
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
market
$
1,316,525

 
$
1,245,738

 
$
70,787

 
5.68
 %
 
5,218

 
3,203

 
2,015

 
62.91
 %
 
1.59
%
 
1.03
%
 
0.56
 %
Time deposits
262,177

 
176,857

 
85,320

 
48.24
 %
 
1,452

 
595

 
857

 
144.03
 %
 
2.22
%
 
1.35
%
 
0.87
 %
Total deposits
1,578,702

 
1,422,595

 
156,107

 
10.97
 %
 
6,670

 
3,798

 
2,872

 
75.62
 %
 
1.69
%
 
1.07
%
 
0.62
 %
Other borrowed funds
164,525

 
128,646

 
35,879

 
27.89
 %
 
1,627

 
1,440

 
187

 
12.99
 %
 
3.97
%
 
4.49
%
 
(0.52
)%
Total interest-bearing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
liabilities
$
1,743,227

 
$
1,551,241

 
$
191,986

 
12.38
 %
 
8,297

 
5,238

 
3,059

 
58.40
 %
 
1.91
%
 
1.35
%
 
0.56
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tax-equivalent net interest income (FTE) (4)
 
 

 
 

 
$
16,063

 
$
15,535

 
$
528

 
3.40
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net interest spread (FTE)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
2.48
%
 
2.72
%
 
(0.24
)%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
2.90
%
 
3.05
%
 
(0.15
)%

36


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

Data for the six months ended June 30:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Balance
 
Interest Income/Expense
 
Yield/Rate
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change-
%
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans: (1) (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
374,433

 
$
324,291

 
$
50,142

 
15.46
 %
 
$
9,540

 
$
7,501

 
$
2,039

 
27.18
 %
 
5.14
%
 
4.66
%
 
0.48
 %
Real estate (3)
1,370,845

 
1,175,093

 
195,752

 
16.66
 %
 
31,823

 
26,149

 
5,674

 
21.70
 %
 
4.68
%
 
4.49
%
 
0.19
 %
Consumer and other
6,506

 
6,702

 
(196
)
 
(2.92
)%
 
159

 
136

 
23

 
16.91
 %
 
4.92
%
 
4.08
%
 
0.84
 %
Total loans
1,751,784

 
1,506,086

 
245,698

 
16.31
 %
 
41,522

 
33,786

 
7,736

 
22.90
 %
 
4.78
%
 
4.52
%
 
0.26
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Investment securities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Taxable
345,720

 
305,780

 
39,940

 
13.06
 %
 
4,960

 
3,699

 
1,261

 
34.09
 %
 
2.87
%
 
2.42
%
 
0.45
 %
Tax-exempt (3)
91,223

 
187,135

 
(95,912
)
 
(51.25
)%
 
1,364

 
3,049

 
(1,685
)
 
(55.26
)%
 
2.99
%
 
3.26
%
 
(0.27
)%
Total investment securities
436,943

 
492,915

 
(55,972
)
 
(11.36
)%
 
6,324

 
6,748

 
(424
)
 
(6.28
)%
 
2.89
%
 
2.74
%
 
0.15
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal funds sold
17,667

 
29,845

 
(12,178
)
 
(40.80
)%
 
208

 
258

 
(50
)
 
(19.38
)%
 
2.37
%
 
1.74
%
 
0.63
 %
Total interest-earning assets (3)
$
2,206,394

 
$
2,028,846

 
$
177,548

 
8.75
 %
 
48,054

 
40,792

 
7,262

 
17.80
 %
 
4.39
%
 
4.05
%
 
0.34
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing demand,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
savings and money
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
market
$
1,318,526

 
$
1,229,604

 
$
88,922

 
7.23
 %
 
10,245

 
5,744

 
4,501

 
78.36
 %
 
1.57
%
 
0.94
%
 
0.63
 %
Time deposits
231,055

 
174,944

 
56,111

 
32.07
 %
 
2,389

 
1,066

 
1,323

 
124.11
 %
 
2.09
%
 
1.23
%
 
0.86
 %
Total deposits
1,549,581

 
1,404,548

 
145,033

 
10.33
 %
 
12,634

 
6,810

 
5,824

 
85.52
 %
 
1.64
%
 
0.98
%
 
0.66
 %
Other borrowed funds
175,300

 
127,156

 
48,144

 
37.86
 %
 
3,425

 
2,742

 
683

 
24.91
 %
 
3.94
%
 
4.35
%
 
(0.41
)%
Total interest-bearing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
liabilities
$
1,724,881

 
$
1,531,704

 
$
193,177

 
12.61
 %
 
16,059

 
9,552

 
6,507

 
68.12
 %
 
1.88
%
 
1.26
%
 
0.62
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net interest income (FTE) (4)
 
 

 
 

 
$
31,995

 
$
31,240

 
$
755

 
2.42
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net interest spread (FTE)
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
2.51
%
 
2.79
%
 
(0.28
)%
Net interest margin (FTE) (4)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
2.92
%
 
3.11
%
 
(0.19
)%

(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 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 a total of 100 basis points in 2018. The current expectation is for no increase in the targeted federal funds interest rate, with some possibility for a decrease during the remainder of 2019.


37


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

Net interest margin is a measure of the net return on interest-earning assets and is computed by dividing annualized tax-equivalent net interest income by total average interest-earning assets for the period. The net interest margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 declined 15 and 19 basis points, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The primary drivers of the decline in the net interest margin were an increase in interest rates paid on deposits, partially offset by an increase in yield on loans and investments and a decrease in the rate paid on other borrowed funds. Despite the decline in the net interest margin, tax-equivalent net interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 increased $528 and $755, respectively, compared to the same time periods in 2018. The increases in net interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 were largely due to increases in average outstanding loans and yields on loans, partially offset by a decrease in average investments, an increase in average deposit balances and other borrowed funds and an increase in rates on deposits. Management expects the current interest rate environment to continue to put pressure on the net interest margin throughout the remainder of 2019, particularly if the U.S. Treasury yield curve remains flat or inverted.

Tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $3,887 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2018. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, tax-equivalent interest income on loans increased $7,736 compared to the same time period in 2018. The improvement for both time periods was primarily due to the increase in average loan balances outstanding and the average yield on loans. The average yield on loans increased by 23 and 26 basis points, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, which was less than the increase in the cost of deposits between the periods due to the flattening of the yield curve. 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 balances of investment securities were lower during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 than during the same periods in 2018. The Company periodically evaluates the bond portfolio and may sell lower yielding bonds for reinvestment into higher yielding bonds with similar risk profiles and duration, or for funding loan growth.

The average balances of interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to an increase in average balances of money market accounts. The average rate paid on interest-bearing demand, savings and money market deposits for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 increased 56 and 63 basis points, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to increasing interest rates on certain money market deposit products in response to increases in the targeted federal funds rate throughout 2018. The average balance of time deposits also increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. This increase was due primarily to the Company entering into three brokered CDs for a total of $75,000 during the second quarter of 2019 and a general increase in demand for time deposit products. Interest rates on time deposits increased 87 and 86 basis points, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018, primarily due to higher market interest rates paid at the time new and renewed time deposits were issued.

The average balance of other borrowed funds increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily due to an increase in short-term FHLB funding. The increase in short-term funding contributed to the decrease in the average rate paid on borrowed funds, which declined 52 and 41 basis points, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

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.  No provision for loan losses was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. A provision of $0 and $150 was recorded for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.


38


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

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 and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 and related ratios. 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
2019
 
2018
 
Change
Balance at beginning of period
$
16,737

 
$
16,465

 
$
272

 
$
16,689

 
$
16,430

 
$
259

Charge-offs
(55
)
 
(13
)
 
(42
)
 
(55
)
 
(209
)
 
154

Recoveries
55

 
66

 
(11
)
 
103

 
147

 
(44
)
Net (charge-offs) recoveries

 
53

 
(53
)
 
48

 
(62
)
 
110

Provision for loan losses charged to operations

 

 

 

 
150

 
(150
)
Balance at end of period
$
16,737

 
$
16,518

 
$
219

 
$
16,737

 
$
16,518

 
$
219

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average loans outstanding
$
1,768,595

 
$
1,515,437

 
 
 
$
1,751,784

 
$
1,506,086

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of annualized net (charge-offs) recoveries during the period to average loans outstanding
0.00
%
 
0.01
%
 
 
 
0.01
%
 
(0.01
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to average loans outstanding
0.95
%
 
1.09
%
 
 
 
0.96
%
 
1.10
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to total loans at end of period
0.93
%
 
1.08
%
 
 
 
0.93
%
 
1.08
 %
 
 

39


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

In general, the growth rate of the U.S. economy appears to be decelerating, but remains relatively stable. Monthly job growth for the first six months of 2019 averaged approximately 170,000 based on preliminary estimates, compared to an average of over 220,000 in all of 2018. The national unemployment rate remained low at 3.7 percent as of June 30, 2019. Gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 3.1 percent in the first quarter of 2019. Activity in the housing market continues at a moderate pace. There are indications from both the Federal Reserve and the public markets that short-term interest rates could decline during the remainder of 2019. Based on the current economic indicators, the Company decided to make no changes to the economic factors within the allowance for loan losses evaluation. In the first six months of 2019, 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 $72 to a total of $16,646, or 0.93 percent of totals loans, as of June 30, 2019 compared to $16,574, or 0.96 percent of total loans, as of December 31, 2018. Management believed the resulting allowance for loan losses as of June 30, 2019 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 June 30,
Noninterest income:
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
600

 
$
627

 
$
(27
)
 
(4.31
)%
Debit card usage fees
434

 
433

 
1

 
0.23
 %
Trust services
481

 
575

 
(94
)
 
(16.35
)%
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
162

 
152

 
10

 
6.58
 %
Realized investment securities gains (losses), net
23

 
(25
)
 
48

 
192.00
 %
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

All other income
299

 
261

 
38

 
14.56
 %
Total other income
299

 
261

 
38

 
14.56
 %
Total noninterest income
$
1,999

 
$
2,023

 
$
(24
)
 
(1.19
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Noninterest income:
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change %
Service charges on deposit accounts
$
1,211

 
$
1,276

 
$
(65
)
 
(5.09
)%
Debit card usage fees
809

 
832

 
(23
)
 
(2.76
)%
Trust services
964

 
1,020

 
(56
)
 
(5.49
)%
Increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance
314

 
310

 
4

 
1.29
 %
Realized investment securities losses, net
(65
)
 
(25
)
 
(40
)
 
(160.00
)%
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Gain on sale of premises
307

 

 
307

 
N/A

All other income
578

 
523

 
55

 
10.52
 %
Total other income
885

 
523

 
362

 
69.22
 %
Total noninterest income
$
4,118

 
$
3,936

 
$
182

 
4.62
 %
The gains and losses on sales of investment securities during the first half of 2019 primarily resulted from the Company's strategy to reposition certain components of the investment portfolio into higher yielding securities without increasing the risk profile of the portfolio and liquidity needed for loan funding. The Company recognized a gain on sale of premises during the first quarter of 2019 related to the sale of the Iowa City branch facility. The Company consolidated the Iowa City and Coralville branches in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The decrease in revenue from trust services in the first half of 2019 was primarily due to one-time estate fees that were received in 2018 and did not recur in the first six months of 2019.




40


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 June 30,
Noninterest expense:
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
5,424

 
$
4,775

 
$
649

 
13.59
 %
Occupancy
1,344

 
1,258

 
86

 
6.84
 %
Data processing
716

 
674

 
42

 
6.23
 %
FDIC insurance expense
185

 
165

 
20

 
12.12
 %
Professional fees
209

 
178

 
31

 
17.42
 %
Director fees
258

 
261

 
(3
)
 
(1.15
)%
Write-down of premises

 
333

 
(333
)
 
(100.00
)%
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Marketing
55

 
50

 
5

 
10.00
 %
Business development
268

 
269

 
(1
)
 
(0.37
)%
Insurance expense
96

 
85

 
11

 
12.94
 %
Charitable contributions
45

 
75

 
(30
)
 
(40.00
)%
Postage and courier
69

 
71

 
(2
)
 
(2.82
)%
Subscriptions
94

 
80

 
14

 
17.50
 %
Trust
114

 
96

 
18

 
18.75
 %
Consulting fees
69

 
60

 
9

 
15.00
 %
Low income housing projects amortization
120

 
130

 
(10
)
 
(7.69
)%
New market tax credit project amortization
229

 

 
229

 
N/A

All other
455

 
398

 
57

 
14.32
 %
Total other
1,614

 
1,314

 
300

 
22.83
 %
Total noninterest expense
$
9,750

 
$
8,958

 
$
792

 
8.84
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
Noninterest expense:
2019
 
2018
 
Change
 
Change %
Salaries and employee benefits
$
10,884

 
$
9,288

 
$
1,596

 
17.18
 %
Occupancy
2,577

 
2,481

 
96

 
3.87
 %
Data processing
1,396

 
1,350

 
46

 
3.41
 %
FDIC insurance
404

 
327

 
77

 
23.55
 %
Professional fees
443

 
412

 
31

 
7.52
 %
Director fees
509

 
510

 
(1
)
 
(0.20
)%
Write-down of premises

 
333

 
(333
)
 
(100.00
)%
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Marketing
102

 
95

 
7

 
7.37
 %
Business development
536

 
487

 
49

 
10.06
 %
Insurance expense
189

 
177

 
12

 
6.78
 %
Charitable contributions
90

 
150

 
(60
)
 
(40.00
)%
Postage and courier
142

 
140

 
2

 
1.43
 %
Subscriptions
185

 
171

 
14

 
8.19
 %
Trust
211

 
189

 
22

 
11.64
 %
Consulting fees
131

 
125

 
6

 
4.80
 %
Low income housing projects amortization
191

 
264

 
(73
)
 
(27.65
)%
New market tax credit project amortization
459

 

 
459

 
N/A

All other
845

 
746

 
99

 
13.27
 %
Total other
3,081

 
2,544

 
537

 
21.11
 %
Total noninterest expense
$
19,294

 
$
17,245

 
$
2,049

 
11.88
 %

41


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

Salaries and employee benefits increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 when compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, partially due to the Company's previously announced expansion in Minnesota. In the first half of 2019, West Bank added twelve full time employees to support the new branch offices in three Minnesota markets. As a result, salaries and employee benefits through the remainder of the year are expected to be higher in comparison to 2018. Other increases in salaries and employee benefits were normal operating increases. Occupancy expense during the remainder of 2019 is also expected to be higher in comparison to 2018, as leases have been signed for either three or five year terms for the new Minnesota branch offices. Compensation, professional fees, occupancy and other costs related to the Company's growth strategy in Minnesota totaled $582 and $1,035, respectively, on a pre-tax basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.
FDIC insurance expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The FDIC assessment rate calculation includes a series of risk-based factors. Changes in West Bank's loan mix and asset growth have had the most significant impact on the FDIC insurance assessment compared to last year. In January 2019, West Bank was notified by the FDIC regarding eligibility for small bank assessment credits. The FDIC will automatically apply small bank assessment credits to offset regular deposit insurance assessments for assessment periods when the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio is at or above 1.38 percent until all credits are used. The Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio was 1.36 percent as of March 31, 2019. West Bank's small bank assessment credit was $498 at June 30, 2019. If the Deposit Insurance Fund reserve ratio reaches 1.38 percent, the credits will be applied, and the Company's FDIC insurance expense will be reduced.

The Company recognized a $333 write-down of premises during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 related to the Iowa City branch facility which was subsequently sold in the first quarter of 2019.

The Company recognized amortization expense related to an investment in a new market tax credit project in the first half of 2019. The amortization is expected to be a recurring expense through the seven-year term of the tax credit.

Income Tax Expense

The Company recorded income tax expense of $1,629 (19.7 percent of pre-tax income) and $3,194 (19.1 percent of pre-tax income) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, compared with $1,600 (19.1 percent of pre-tax income) and $3,108 (18.0 percent of pre-tax income) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company's consolidated income tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate in each period, primarily due to tax-exempt interest income, the tax-exempt increase in cash value of bank-owned life insurance, disallowed interest expense, and state income taxes. In addition, for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, a tax benefit of $15 and $261, respectively, was recorded as a result of the increase in fair value of restricted stock over the vesting period. The tax rates for the first six months of 2019 and 2018 were also impacted by year-to-date federal low income housing tax credits and new markets tax credit of approximately $633 and $250, respectively.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company had total assets of $2,362,876 as of June 30, 2019, compared to total assets of $2,296,568 as of December 31, 2018. Fluctuations in the balance sheet included increases in loans, premises and equipment, other liabilities and deposits, and decreases in investments and FHLB advances. A summary of changes in the balance sheet components is provided below.

Investment Securities

The balance of investment securities available for sale declined by $55,224 during the six months ended June 30, 2019. State and political subdivision securities and corporate notes declined by $99,478 and $31,418, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2019. Securities were sold during the first half of 2019 for liquidity purposes or for reinvestment into collateralized mortgage obligations and collateralized loan obligations, which was part of a reinvestment strategy to improve yield without significantly changing the risk profile of the portfolio. Government agency guaranteed collateralized mortgage obligations increased by $38,179. In addition, the Company invested in $54,348 of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) during the first six months of 2019. CLOs are floating rate debt securities backed by pools of senior secured commercial loans to a diverse group of companies across a broad spectrum of industries. The Company believes that its CLO portfolio, consisting entirely of variable rate securities, supports the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy by lowering the extension risk and duration risk inherent to certain fixed rate investment securities. At June 30, 2019, the Company owned AAA and AA rated CLOs and did not own CLOs rated below AA.


42


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

As of June 30, 2019, approximately 69 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 increased $70,888 from $1,721,830 as of December 31, 2018 to $1,792,718 as of June 30, 2019. Changes in the loan portfolio during the first six months of 2019 included increases of $39,566 in commercial loans and $35,257 in commercial real estate loans. The Company continues to focus on business development efforts in all of its markets. Branch offices in Owatonna, Mankato and St. Cloud, Minnesota began operations during the first six months of 2019. Management believes organic loan growth will occur in all of our markets during the remainder of 2019.

Credit quality of the Company's loan portfolio remains strong and stable. The Company's Texas ratio, which is computed by dividing total nonperforming assets by tangible common equity plus the allowance for loan losses, was 0.72 percent as of June 30, 2019, compared to 0.93 percent as of December 31, 2018.

In accordance with regulatory guidelines, the Company exercises heightened risk management practices when non-owner occupied commercial real estate lending exceeds 300 percent of total risk-based capital or construction, land development, and other land loans exceed 100 percent of total risk-based capital. Although the Company's loan portfolio is heavily concentrated in real estate and its real estate portfolio levels exceed these regulatory guidelines, it has established risk management policies and procedures to regularly monitor the commercial real estate portfolio. An analysis of the Company's non-owner occupied commercial real estate portfolio as of December 31, 2018 was presented in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019, and the Company has not experienced any material changes to that analysis since December 31, 2018.

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. 
 
June 30, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
Change
Nonaccrual loans
$
1,571

 
$
1,928

 
$
(357
)
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest

 

 

Troubled debt restructured loans (1)

 

 

Total nonperforming loans
1,571

 
1,928

 
(357
)
Other real estate owned

 

 

Total nonperforming assets
$
1,571

 
$
1,928

 
$
(357
)
 
 

 
 

 
 

Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.09
%
 
0.11
%
 
(0.02
)%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.07
%
 
0.08
%
 
(0.01
)%

(1)
While TDR loans are commonly reported by the industry as nonperforming, those not classified in the nonaccrual category are accruing interest due to payment performance. TDR loans on nonaccrual status are categorized as nonaccrual. There were two TDR loans as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 with balances of $580 and $652, 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.


43


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

Premises and Equipment

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This guidance requires the recognition of certain leases on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. As of June 30, 2019, the Company leases real estate for its main office, nine branch offices, and office space for operations departments under various operating lease agreements. The right-of-use assets, included in premises and equipment, and lease liabilities, included in other liabilities, were $9,558 and $9,794 as of June 30, 2019, respectively.

Deposits

Deposits increased $71,258 during the first six months of 2019.  Noninterest-bearing and interest-bearing demand accounts declined $26,903 and $14,342, respectively, while savings accounts, which include money market accounts, increased $24,268 from December 31, 2018 to June 30, 2019. Balance fluctuations were primarily due to normal customer activity, as corporate customers' liquidity needs vary at any given time. Total time deposits increased $88,235 during the first six months of 2019 primarily due to the Company obtaining three brokered CDs totaling $75,000 in the second quarter of 2019. $50,000 of brokered CDs were part of an interest rate risk strategy as described below.

Borrowed Funds

In the first six months of 2019, $60,000 of short-term FHLB advances matured. In a strategy to manage its exposures to the variability in interest payments on wholesale funding sources due to interest rate movements, the Company entered into four long term interest rate swap agreements in the first six months of 2019 with a total notional amount of $100,000 to hedge the interest payments of rolling fixed-rate one- or three-month funding consisting of FHLB advances or brokered deposits. As part of this strategy, the Company has obtained a fixed-rate one-month FHLB advance totaling $50,000 and two fixed-rate three-month brokered CDs totaling $50,000 as of June 30, 2019.

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 $92,564 as of June 30, 2019 compared with $47,474 as of December 31, 2018.

The Company is expecting above normal loan growth in the third quarter of 2019 as its growth initiative in Minnesota gains momentum. The Company began funding that expected loan growth in the second quarter of 2019 due to what it considered a favorable interest rate environment. In June 2019, the Company entered into two long term interest rate swaps to lock in its cost of funds. The two swaps have notional amounts of $25 million each, with terms of eight and ten years and fixed rates of 1.93 and 2.01 percent. These swaps are hedges against the interest cash flows of $50 million of underlying funding. In addition, $34 million of corporate notes in the investment portfolio were sold in June 2019. Corporate notes are 100 percent risk weighted for risk-based capital purposes. With the expected loan growth associated with the Minnesota expansion, the corporate notes were sold to provide liquidity to fund that loan growth. The net impact is expected to be a moderate increase in interest income and neutral impact on risk-based capital. Because of the decline in market interest rates, the bonds were sold at a slight gain.


44


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

As of June 30, 2019, West Bank had additional borrowing capacity available from the FHLB of approximately $325,000, as well as approximately $67,000 through unsecured federal funds lines of credit with correspondent banks.  Net cash from operating activities contributed $16,613 to liquidity for the six months ended June 30, 2019.  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 June 30, 2019.

The Company's total stockholders' equity increased to $201,935 at June 30, 2019 from $191,023 at December 31, 2018.  The increase was primarily the result of net income less dividends paid, and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income. At June 30, 2019, the Company's tangible common equity as a percent of tangible assets was 8.55 percent compared to 8.32 percent as of December 31, 2018.

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 June 30, 2019.


45


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

The Company's and West Bank's capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following table.
 
Actual
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
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 June 30, 2019:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
$
241,995

 
11.67
%
 
$
165,835

 
8.00
%
 
$
217,659

 
10.50
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
249,338

 
12.03
%
 
165,787

 
8.00
%
 
217,595

 
10.50
%
 
$
207,233

 
10.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
225,258

 
10.87
%
 
124,377

 
6.00
%
 
176,200

 
8.50
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
232,601

 
11.22
%
 
124,340

 
6.00
%
 
176,148

 
8.50
%
 
165,787

 
8.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
205,258

 
9.90
%
 
93,282

 
4.50
%
 
145,106

 
7.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
232,601

 
11.22
%
 
93,255

 
4.50
%
 
145,063

 
7.00
%
 
134,702

 
6.50
%
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
225,258

 
9.64
%
 
93,462

 
4.00
%
 
93,462

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
232,601

 
9.96
%
 
93,425

 
4.00
%
 
93,425

 
4.00
%
 
116,781

 
5.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

As of December 31, 2018:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
$
234,526

 
11.50
%
 
$
163,213

 
8.00
%
 
$
201,466

 
9.875
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
245,962

 
12.07
%
 
163,076

 
8.00
%
 
201,297

 
9.875
%
 
$
203,845

 
10.00
%
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
217,837

 
10.68
%
 
122,410

 
6.00
%
 
160,663

 
7.875
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
229,273

 
11.25
%
 
122,307

 
6.00
%
 
160,528

 
7.875
%
 
163,076

 
8.00
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
197,837

 
9.70
%
 
91,807

 
4.50
%
 
130,060

 
6.375
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
229,273

 
11.25
%
 
91,730

 
4.50
%
 
129,951

 
6.375
%
 
132,499

 
6.50
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Consolidated
217,837

 
9.74
%
 
89,485

 
4.00
%
 
89,485

 
4.00
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

West Bank
229,273

 
10.26
%
 
89,410

 
4.00
%
 
89,410

 
4.00
%
 
111,762

 
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 rules included the implementation of a capital conservation buffer that is added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes. The capital conservation buffer was subject to a three year phase-in period that began on January 1, 2016 and was fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 at 2.5 percent. The required phase-in capital conservation buffer during 2018 was 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 June 30, 2019, the ratios for the Company and West Bank were sufficient to meet the conservation buffer.

46


Table of Contents


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not required for smaller reporting companies.

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 SEC'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 SEC on February 28, 2019.

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

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.


47


Table of Contents


Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
Exhibits
Description
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


48


Table of Contents


SIGNATURES

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

West Bancorporation, Inc.
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 25, 2019
By:
/s/ David D. Nelson
 
Date
 
David D. Nelson
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
July 25, 2019
By:
/s/ Douglas R. Gulling
 
Date
 
Douglas R. Gulling
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
July 25, 2019
By:
/s/ Jane M. Funk
 
Date
 
Jane M. Funk
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 


49