GREAT SOUTHERN BANCORP, INC. (GSBC) Business
This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Informational only - not investment advice. See Disclaimer.
ITEM 1.BUSINESS.
THE COMPANY
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.
Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (“Bancorp” or “Company”) is a bank holding company, a financial holding company and the parent of Great Southern Bank (“Great Southern” or the “Bank”). Bancorp was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in July 1989 as a unitary savings and loan holding company. The Company became a one-bank holding company on June 30, 1998, upon the conversion of Great Southern to a Missouri-chartered trust company. In 2004, Bancorp was re-incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland.
As a Maryland corporation, the Company is authorized to engage in any activity that is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law and not prohibited by law or regulatory policy. The Company currently conducts its business as a financial holding company. Through the financial holding company structure, it is possible to expand the size and scope of the financial services offered by the Company beyond those offered by the Bank, although the Company has not yet chosen to offer financial services beyond those offered by the Bank. The financial holding company structure provides the Company with greater flexibility than the Bank has to diversify its business activities, through existing or newly formed subsidiaries, or through acquisitions of or mergers with other financial institutions as well as other companies. At December 31, 2025, Bancorp’s consolidated total assets were $5.60 billion, consolidated net loans were $4.36 billion, consolidated deposits were $4.48 billion and consolidated total stockholders’ equity was $636.1 million. For details about the Company’s assets, revenues and profits for each of the last five fiscal years, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The assets of the Company at the holding company level consist primarily of the stock of Great Southern and cash.
Through the Bank and subsidiaries of the Bank, the Company primarily offers a variety of banking and banking-related services, which are discussed further below. The activities of the Company are funded by retained earnings and through dividends from Great Southern. Activities of the Company may also be funded through borrowings from third parties or sales of additional securities.
The executive offices of the Company are located at 1451 East Battlefield, Springfield, Missouri, 65804, and its telephone number at that address is (417) 887-4400.
Great Southern Bank
Great Southern was formed as a Missouri-chartered mutual savings and loan association in 1923, and, in 1989, converted to a Missouri-chartered stock savings and loan association. In 1994, Great Southern changed to a federal savings bank charter and then, on June 30, 1998, changed to a Missouri-chartered trust company (the equivalent of a commercial bank charter). Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Great Southern offers a broad range of banking services through its 89 banking centers located in southern and central Missouri; the Kansas City, Missouri area; the St. Louis area; eastern Kansas; northwestern Arkansas; the Minneapolis area and eastern, western and central Iowa. At December 31, 2025, the Bank had total assets of $5.60 billion, net loans of $4.36 billion, deposits of $4.54 billion and equity capital of $610.3 million, or 10.9% of total assets. Its deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) to the maximum levels permitted by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”).
The size and complexity of the Bank’s operations increased substantially in 2009 with the completion of two FDIC-assisted transactions, and again in 2011, 2012 and 2014 with the completion of another FDIC-assisted transaction in each of those years. In 2009, the Bank entered into two separate purchase and assumption agreements (including loss sharing) with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits (excluding brokered deposits) and certain liabilities and acquire certain assets of TeamBank, N.A. and Vantus Bank. In these two transactions, we acquired assets with a fair value of approximately $499.9 million (approximately 18.8% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition) and $294.2 million (approximately 8.8% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition), respectively, and assumed liabilities with a fair value of $610.2 million (approximately 24.9% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition) and $440.0 million (approximately 13.2% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition), respectively. They also resulted in gains of $43.9 million and $45.9 million, respectively, which were included in Non-interest Income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2009. Prior to these
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acquisitions, the Company operated banking centers in Missouri with loan production offices in Arkansas and Kansas. These acquisitions added 31 banking centers and expanded our footprint to cover five states – Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Nebraska.
In 2011, the Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement (including loss sharing) with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits and certain liabilities and acquire certain assets of Sun Security Bank, which added locations in southern Missouri and St. Louis. In this transaction, we acquired assets with a fair value of approximately $248.9 million (approximately 7.3% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition) and assumed liabilities with a fair value of $345.8 million (approximately 10.1% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition). It also resulted in a gain of $16.5 million, which was included in Non-interest Income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2011.
In 2012, the Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement (including loss sharing) with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits and certain liabilities and acquire certain assets of Inter Savings Bank, FSB (“InterBank”), which added four locations in the greater Minneapolis area and represented a new market for the Company. In this transaction, we acquired assets with a fair value of approximately $364.2 million (approximately 9.4% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition) and assumed liabilities with a fair value of approximately $458.7 million (approximately 11.9% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition). It also resulted in a gain of $31.3 million, which was included in Non-interest Income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2012.
In 2014, the Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement (without loss sharing) with the FDIC to assume all of the deposits and certain liabilities and acquire certain assets of Valley Bank (“Valley”), which added five locations in the Quad Cities area of eastern Iowa and six locations in central Iowa, primarily in the Des Moines market area. These represented new markets for the Company in eastern Iowa and enhanced our market presence in central Iowa. In this transaction, we acquired assets with a fair value of approximately $378.7 million (approximately 10.0% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition) and assumed liabilities with a fair value of approximately $367.9 million (approximately 9.8% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition). It also resulted in a gain of $10.8 million, which was included in Non-interest Income in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Also in 2014, the Bank entered into a purchase and assumption agreement to acquire certain assets and depository accounts from Neosho, Missouri-based Boulevard Bank (“Boulevard”), which added one location in the Neosho, Missouri market, where the Company already operated a banking center. In this transaction, we acquired assets (primarily cash and cash equivalents) with a fair value of approximately $92.5 million (approximately 2.6% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition) and assumed liabilities (all deposits and related accrued interest) with a fair value of approximately $93.3 million (approximately 2.6% of the Company’s total consolidated assets at acquisition). This acquisition resulted in recognition of $790,000 of goodwill.
The Company also opened commercial loan production offices in Dallas, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, during 2014. The primary products offered in these offices are commercial real estate, commercial business and commercial construction loans. The Tulsa office was closed in February 2024 after an analysis of lending priorities and operational efficiencies.
In 2015, the Company announced plans to consolidate operations of 16 of its banking centers into other nearby Great Southern banking center locations. As part of an ongoing performance review of its entire banking center network, Great Southern evaluated each location for a number of criteria, including access and availability of services to affected customers, the proximity of other Great Southern banking centers, profitability and transaction volumes, and market dynamics. Subsequent to this announcement, the Bank entered into separate definitive agreements to sell two of the 16 banking centers, including all of the associated deposits (totaling approximately $20 million), to separate bank purchasers. One of those sale transactions was completed on February 19, 2016 and the other was completed on March 18, 2016. The closing of the remaining 14 facilities, which resulted in the transfer of approximately $127 million in deposits and banking center operations to other Great Southern locations, occurred at the close of business on January 8, 2016.
Also in 2015, the Company announced that it entered into a purchase and assumption agreement to acquire 12 branches, including related loans, and to assume related deposits in the St. Louis area from Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bank. The acquisition was completed at the close of business on January 29, 2016. The deposits assumed totaled approximately $228 million and the loans acquired totaled approximately $159 million.
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The loss sharing agreements related to the FDIC-assisted transactions in 2009, 2011 and 2012 added to the complexity of our operations by creating the need for new employees and processes to ensure compliance with the loss sharing agreements and the collection of problem assets acquired. The loss sharing agreements related to the 2009 and 2011 FDIC-assisted transactions were terminated during 2016. The loss sharing agreements related to the 2012 FDIC-assisted transaction were terminated during 2017.
The Company opened a commercial loan production office in Chicago during 2017. The primary products offered in this office are commercial real estate, commercial business and commercial construction loans.
In March 2018, the Bank entered into a definitive agreement to sell its four banking centers, including all of the associated deposits (totaling approximately $56 million), in the Omaha, Nebraska market to Lincoln, Nebraska-based West Gate Bank. This sale transaction was completed in July 2018.
The Company opened two commercial loan production offices – one in Denver and one in Atlanta – in late 2018. The primary products offered in these offices are commercial real estate, commercial business and commercial construction loans.
In March 2019, the Company ceased operating its indirect automobile financing unit. Market forces, including strong rate competition for well-qualified borrowers, made indirect lending through automobile dealerships a significant challenge to efficient and profitable operations over the long term. In addition, indirect loan balances had significantly declined in 2018 and 2019 after tightened underwriting guidelines were implemented by the Company in the latter part of 2016, in response to more challenging consumer credit conditions. The Company continues to offer direct consumer loans through its banking center network.
In April 2019, the Company consolidated its Fayetteville, Arkansas, location into its Rogers, Arkansas, banking center. The Company now operates one banking center in Arkansas. In September 2019, the Company consolidated its Ames, Iowa, banking center into its North Ankeny, Iowa, office. The Company entered the Ames market with only one banking center through the Valley Bank FDIC-assisted acquisition in 2014.
In April 2020, the Company was notified by its landlord that the Great Southern banking centers located inside the Hy-Vee stores at 2900 Devils Glen Rd in Bettendorf, Iowa, and 2351 W. Locust St. in Davenport, Iowa, had to permanently cease operations at those locations due to store infrastructure changes. Customer accounts were transferred to nearby offices. Great Southern operates three banking centers in the Quad Cities market area – two in Davenport and one in Bettendorf.
In August 2020, remodeling of the downtown office at 1900 Main in Parsons, Kansas, was completed, which included the addition of drive-thru banking lanes. With this completion, the nearby drive-thru facility was consolidated into the downtown office, leaving one location serving the Parsons market.
In September 2021, the Company opened a new banking center at 2801 E. 32nd Street in Joplin, Missouri, replacing a nearby leased office. The Company currently has two banking centers serving the Joplin market.
In November 2021, the Company consolidated one banking center in the St. Louis region. The Westfall Plaza banking center was consolidated into a Great Southern office less than three miles away.
In August 2022, the Company consolidated one banking center in the St. Louis region. The Clayton office was consolidated into the nearby Brentwood banking center. The Company continues to operate commercial lending services from the Clayton office building. The Company now operates 17 banking centers serving the greater St. Louis area.
Also in August 2022, a newly-constructed banking center opened in Kimberling City, Missouri. The new banking center replaced the former facility located on the same property.
The Company opened two commercial loan production offices – one in Phoenix and one in Charlotte – in 2022. The primary products offered in these offices are commercial real estate, commercial business and commercial construction loans.
In March 2023, a leased retail banking center office at 1232 S. Rangeline Road in Joplin, Missouri, was consolidated into a nearby office at 2801 E. 32nd Street. One banking center now serves the Joplin market.
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In September 2023, the Company opened Great Southern Express, a modern four-lane drive-through center using only interactive teller machine (ITM) technology to serve customers in Springfield, Missouri. This new facility at 1615 W. Sunshine replaced an outdated razed banking office on the same property. ITMs, also known as video remote tellers, offer an ATM-like interface, but with the enhancement of a video screen that allows customers to speak directly to a service representative in real time and in a highly personal manner during extended business hours seven days a week. Nearly any teller transaction that can be performed in the traditional drive-thru can be performed at an ITM, including cashing a check to the cents. ITMs provide convenience and enhanced access for customers, while creating greater operational efficiencies for the Bank.
In January 2024, in Springfield, Missouri, a retail banking center at 600 W. Republic Road was consolidated into a banking center at 2945 W. Republic Road, a short distance away. For customers’ convenience, an on-site ITM is currently available at the closed facility.
In October 2025, a newly-constructed banking center opened at 723 N. Benton Ave. in Springfield, Missouri. The new banking center replaced the former facility located on the same property. The new facility, designed as a next-generation banking center, features customer-centered designs, tools, and technology, and will allow the Company to test new processes and innovations. The location is one of 12 banking centers the Company operates in Springfield, in addition to a drive-thru Express Center.
In January 2026, the Company consolidated operations of its Edina, Minnesota, banking center, located at 3400 W. 66th St., in Edina, Minnesota, with its banking center at 10880 175th Court in Lakeville, Minnesota. Great Southern operates two additional banking centers in the greater Minneapolis area. A 24-hour deposit ATM will remain at the Edina location to serve customers.
In the first half of 2026, the Company expects to transition its banking center located at 4700 Mid Rivers Mall Dr. in Cottleville, Mo., to its second drive-thru Express Center location.
Great Southern is principally engaged in the business of originating commercial real estate loans, construction loans, other commercial loans, other residential (multi-family) and single-family residential real estate loans and consumer loans and funding these loans by attracting deposits from the general public, obtaining brokered deposits and through borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (the “FHLBank”) and others.
For many years, Great Southern has followed a strategy of emphasizing loan originations through residential, commercial and consumer lending activities in its market areas. The goal of this strategy is to be one of the leading providers of financial services in Great Southern’s market areas, while simultaneously diversifying assets and reducing interest rate risk by originating and holding adjustable-rate loans and fixed-rate loans, primarily with terms of five years or less, in its portfolio and by selling longer-term fixed-rate single-family mortgage loans in the secondary market. The Bank continues to emphasize real estate lending while also expanding and increasing its originations of commercial business loans.
The corporate office of Great Southern is located at 218 S. Glenstone, Springfield, Missouri, 65802 and its telephone number at that address is 417-887-4400.
Internet Website
Bancorp maintains a website at www.greatsouthernbank.com. The information contained on that website is not included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Bancorp currently makes available free of charge (other than a user’s internet access charges) on or through its website Bancorp’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments, if any, to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after Bancorp electronically files such materials with, or furnishes them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials are also available free of charge (other than a user’s internet access charges) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.
Market Areas
The Company currently operates 88 full-service retail banking offices, serving approximately 192,900 customers in six states – Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Arkansas and Nebraska. The Company also operates commercial loan production offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Omaha, and Phoenix and a mortgage lending office in Springfield, Missouri.
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The Company regularly evaluates its banking center network and lines of business to ensure that it is serving customers in the best way possible. The banking center network constantly evolves with changes in customer needs and preferences, emerging technology and local market developments. In response to these changes, the Company opens banking centers and invests resources where customer demand leads, and from time to time, consolidates banking centers when market conditions dictate.
Great Southern’s largest concentrations of deposits and loans are in the Springfield, Missouri, and St. Louis, market areas. Besides the Springfield and St. Louis market areas, the Company has deposit and loan concentrations in the following market areas: Kansas City, Missouri; Sioux City, Iowa; Des Moines, Iowa; Northwest Arkansas; Minneapolis; and Eastern Iowa in the area known as the “Quad Cities.” Deposits and loans are also generated in banking centers in rural markets in Missouri, Iowa, and Kansas.
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s total deposits were $4.48 billion. At that date, the Company had deposits in Missouri of $3.40 billion, which included its two largest deposit concentrations, in the Springfield and St. Louis areas, with $1.97 billion and $528 million, respectively. At December 31, 2025, the Company also had deposits of $674 million in Iowa, $239 million in Kansas, $118 million in Minnesota, $23 million in Nebraska and $29 million in Arkansas.
The Company’s commercial loan production offices generate a significant percentage of the Company’s commercial loan production. Commercial lending groups in our Kansas City, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Springfield and St. Louis banking offices also generate a significant percentage of the Company’s commercial loan production. Our largest concentrations of loans are in Missouri, Texas, Minnesota, Colorado and Iowa. Additional information on lending activities is included in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – General – Loans” in this Report.
Lending Activities
General
From its beginnings in 1923 through the early 1980s, Great Southern primarily made long-term, fixed-rate residential real estate loans that it retained in its loan portfolio. Beginning in the early 1980s, Great Southern increased its efforts to originate short-term and adjustable-rate loans. Beginning in the mid-1980s, Great Southern increased its efforts to originate commercial real estate and other residential (multi-family) loans, primarily with adjustable rates or shorter-term fixed rates. In addition, some competitor banking organizations merged with larger institutions and changed their business practices or moved operations away from the Springfield, Missouri area, and others consolidated operations from the Springfield, Missouri area to larger cities. This provided Great Southern expanded opportunities in residential and commercial real estate lending as well as in the origination of commercial business and consumer loans in the Springfield, Missouri area.
In addition to originating loans, the Bank has expanded and enlarged its relationships with other banks of varying asset sizes to purchase participations (at par, generally with no servicing costs) in loans these other banks originate but are unable to retain the entire balance in their portfolios due to capital or borrower relationship size limitations. The Bank uses the same underwriting guidelines in evaluating these participations as it does in its direct loan originations. At December 31, 2025, the balance of loan participations purchased and held in the portfolio was $329.8 million, or 7.6% of the total loan portfolio. No loan participations were included in non-performing loans at December 31, 2025. The largest aggregate amount of outstanding purchased loan participations acquired from one institution was $87.2 million at December 31, 2025. This amount was comprised of ten loans to six borrowers or groups of related borrowers. Four of these loans were secured by warehouses, five were secured by hotels, and one was secured by multi-family housing in the St. Louis area. These loans also included available lines of credit totaling $9.0 million at December 31, 2025.
One of the principal historical lending activities of Great Southern is the origination of fixed and adjustable-rate conventional residential real estate loans to enable borrowers to purchase or refinance owner-occupied homes. Great Southern originates a variety of conventional residential real estate mortgage loans, principally in compliance with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae standards for resale in the secondary market. Great Southern promptly sells most of the fixed-rate residential mortgage loans that it originates. To date, Great Southern has not experienced difficulties selling these loans in the secondary market and has had minimal repurchase requests. Depending on market conditions, the ongoing servicing of these loans is at times retained by Great Southern, but generally servicing is released to the purchaser of the loan. Great Southern retains in its portfolio substantially all of the adjustable-rate mortgage loans that it originates.
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Another principal lending activity of Great Southern is the origination of commercial real estate, other residential (multi-family) and multi-family and commercial construction loans. Since the early 1990s, commercial real estate, other residential (multi-family) and multi-family and commercial construction loans have collectively represented the largest percentage of the loan portfolio. At December 31, 2025, commercial real estate, other residential (multi-family) and multi-family and commercial construction loans accounted for approximately 35%, 31% and 6%, respectively, of the total outstanding portfolio. In addition, at December 31, 2025, one- to four-family residential loans accounted for approximately 18% of the total outstanding portfolio.
Great Southern, in recent years, has also increased its emphasis on the origination of other commercial loans and home equity loans, and has issued letters of credit. Letters of credit are contingent obligations and are not included in the Bank’s loan portfolio. See “- Other Commercial Lending,” “- Classified Assets,” and “Loan Delinquencies and Defaults” below.
The percentage of collateral value Great Southern will lend on real estate and other property varies based on factors including, but not limited to, the type of property and its location and the borrower’s credit history. As a general rule, Great Southern will lend up to 95% of the appraised value on one-to four-family residential properties. Typically, private mortgage insurance is required for loan amounts above the 80% level. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, loans secured by second liens on residential properties were $94.0 million, or 2.1%, and $87.9 million, or 1.8%, respectively, of our total loan portfolio. For commercial real estate and other residential real property loans, Great Southern may loan up to 85% of the appraised value. The origination of loans secured by other property is considered and determined on an individual basis by management with the assistance of any industry guides and other information which may be available. Collateral values are reappraised or reassessed as loans are renewed or when significant events indicating potential impairment occur. On a quarterly basis, management reviews individually evaluated loans to determine whether updated appraisals or reassessments are necessary based on loan performance, collateral type and guarantor support. While not specifically required by our policy, we seek to obtain cross-collateralization of loans to a borrower when it is available; this is most frequently done on commercial real estate loans.
Loan applications are approved at various levels of authority, depending on the type, amount and loan-to-value ratio of the loan. These authorities are reviewed annually and updated as needed. This includes individual loans and aggregate exposures that require loan committee approval. The loan committee is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, the Chief Credit Officer (chairman of the committee), Chief Lending Officer, Director of Commercial Lending, Director of Credit Underwriting, and other Regional Managing Directors of the Bank involved in lending activities. All loans, regardless of size or type, are required to conform to certain minimum underwriting standards to ensure portfolio quality. These standards and procedures include, but are not limited to, an analysis of the borrower’s financial condition, collateral, repayment ability, inquiry and analysis of liquid assets and credit history as required by loan type. It has been, and continues to be, our practice to verify information from potential borrowers regarding assets, income or payment ability and credit ratings as applicable and as required by the authority approving the loan. Underwriting standards also include loan-to-value ratios that vary depending on collateral type, debt service coverage ratios or debt payment to income ratios, where applicable, credit histories, use of guaranties and other recommended terms relating to equity requirements, amortization, and maturity. Generally, deviations from approved underwriting standards may only be allowed when doing so is not in violation of regulations or statutes and when appropriate lending authority is obtained. The loan committee reviews all new loan originations in excess of lender approval authorities. For secured loans originated and held, most lenders have approval authorities of $250,000 or below while thirteen Senior Managers have approval authority of varying amounts up to $2 million. Lender approval authorities are also subject to loans-to-one borrower limits of $500,000 or below for most lenders and of varying amounts up to $5 million for Senior Managers and Underwriters.
In general, state banking laws restrict loans to a single borrower and related entities to no more than 25% of the Bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. As computed on the basis of the Bank’s unimpaired capital and surplus at December 31, 2025, this limit was approximately $173 million. See “Government Supervision and Regulation.” At December 31, 2025, the Bank was in compliance with the loans-to-one borrower limit. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s largest relationship for purposes of this limit consisted of 19 loans totaling $98.7 million. This amount represents the total commitment for this relationship at December 31, 2025; the outstanding balance at that date totaled $81.1 million. Seven of these loans had fully disbursed credit lines. The collateral for the loans consists of multiple real estate projects on which a full personal guarantee from the principal owner of the borrowing entities was obtained. All loans included in this relationship were current at December 31, 2025. Including this relationship, we had ten loan relationships that each equaled or exceeded $50 million at December 31, 2025. Our policy does not set a loans-to-one borrower limit that is below the legal limits described; however, we do recognize the need to limit credit risk to any one borrower or group of related borrowers upon consideration of various risk factors. Extensions of credit to borrowers whose past due loans were charged-off or whose loans are classified as substandard require special lending approval.
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Great Southern is permitted under applicable regulations to originate or purchase loans and loan participations secured by real estate located in any part of the United States. In addition to the market areas where the Bank has offices, the Bank has made or purchased loans, secured primarily by commercial real estate, in other states, primarily Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. At December 31, 2025, loans in these seven states comprised approximately 11.7% combined of the total loan portfolio.
Loan Portfolio Composition
The following table sets forth information concerning the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio in dollar amounts and in percentages (before deductions for loans in process, deferred fees and discounts and allowance for credit losses) as of the dates indicated. The table is based on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and is qualified by reference to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto contained in Item 8 of this report.
Great Southern Loan Portfolio Composition:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | |||||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| One- to four- family(1) | | $ | 788,323 | 17.8 | % | $ | 839,684 | 17.6 | % | $ | 895,675 | 19.2 | % | $ | 908,214 | 19.8 | % | $ | 690,328 | 16.9 | % | |||||
| Other residential | | 1,387,410 | 31.3 | | 1,549,249 | 32.5 | | 942,071 | 20.2 | | 781,761 | 17.0 | | 697,903 | 17.1 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial(2) | | 1,565,674 | 35.3 | | 1,555,086 | 32.6 | | 1,533,080 | 32.8 | | 1,543,515 | 33.7 | | 1,490,433 | 36.5 | | ||||||||||
| Residential construction: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| One- to four- family | | 65,262 | 1.5 | | 67,158 | 1.4 | | 59,888 | 1.3 | | 82,051 | 1.8 | | 62,161 | 1.5 | | ||||||||||
| Other residential | | 152,148 | 3.4 | | 210,676 | 4.4 | | 562,112 | 12.1 | | 518,407 | 11.3 | | 480,474 | 11.8 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial construction | | 131,751 | 3.0 | | 167,857 | 3.5 | | 182,408 | 3.9 | | 264,761 | 5.8 | | 177,693 | 4.3 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total real estate loans | | 4,090,568 | 92.3 | | 4,389,710 | 92.0 | | 4,175,234 | 89.5 | | 4,098,709 | 89.4 | | 3,598,992 | 88.1 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| Consumer loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| Automobile, boat, etc. | | 46,124 | 1.0 | | 52,443 | 1.1 | | 57,489 | 1.2 | | 70,236 | 1.5 | | 86,074 | 2.1 | | ||||||||||
| Home equity and improvement | | 128,029 | 2.9 | | 115,836 | 2.4 | | 115,883 | 2.5 | | 123,242 | 2.7 | | 119,965 | 2.9 | | ||||||||||
| Other | | 807 | — | | 1,849 | 0.1 | | 540 | — | | 777 | — | | 743 | — | | ||||||||||
| Total consumer loans | | 174,960 | 3.9 | | 170,128 | 3.6 | | 173,912 | 3.7 | | 194,255 | 4.2 | | 206,782 | 5.0 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other commercial loans | | 168,988 | 3.8 | | 208,947 | 4.4 | | 318,050 | 6.8 | | 293,228 | 6.4 | | 280,513 | 6.9 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total other loans | | 343,948 | 7.7 | | 379,075 | 8.0 | | 491,962 | 10.5 | | 487,483 | 10.6 | | 487,295 | 11.9 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total loans | | 4,434,516 | 100.0 | % | 4,768,785 | 100.0 | % | 4,667,196 | 100.0 | % | 4,586,192 | 100.0 | % | 4,086,287 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Less: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| Deferred fees and discounts | | 6,054 | | | 6,695 | | | 7,058 | | | 11,065 | | | 9,298 | | | ||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | | 64,771 | | | 64,760 | | | 64,670 | | | 63,480 | | | 60,754 | | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total loans receivable, net | | $ | 4,363,691 | | | | $ | 4,697,330 | | | | $ | 4,595,468 | | | | $ | 4,511,647 | | | | $ | 4,016,235 | | |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Includes loans held for sale. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Total commercial real estate loans included industrial revenue bonds of $9.5 million, $11.3 million, $12.0 million, $12.9 million, and $14.2 million at December 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021. |
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The following table shows the fixed- and adjustable-rate composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio at the dates indicated. The table is based on information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Great Southern Loan Portfolio Composition by Fixed- and Adjustable-Rates:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | | Amount | | % | ||||||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-Rate Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Real Estate Loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| One- to four- family | | $ | 174,933 | 3.9 | % | $ | 186,453 | 3.9 | % | $ | 191,232 | 4.1 | % | $ | 189,936 | 4.2 | % | $ | 161,077 | 3.9 | % | |||||
| Other residential | | 301,117 | 6.8 | | 432,443 | 9.1 | | 352,055 | 7.5 | | 311,181 | 6.8 | | 328,726 | 8.1 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial | | 865,490 | 19.5 | | 910,274 | 19.1 | | 950,095 | 20.4 | | 868,374 | 18.9 | | 776,967 | 19.0 | | ||||||||||
| Residential construction: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| One- to four- family | | 24,337 | 0.5 | | 24,212 | 0.5 | | 31,147 | 0.7 | | 35,576 | 0.8 | | 31,941 | 0.8 | | ||||||||||
| Other residential | | — | — | | 13,564 | 0.3 | | 45,901 | 1.0 | | 79,571 | 1.7 | | 59,214 | 1.5 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial construction | | 30,454 | 0.7 | | 63,181 | 1.3 | | 51,289 | 1.1 | | 46,942 | 1.0 | | 28,612 | 0.7 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total real estate loans | | 1,396,331 | 31.4 | | 1,630,127 | 34.2 | | 1,621,719 | 34.8 | | 1,531,580 | 33.4 | | 1,386,537 | 34.0 | | ||||||||||
| Consumer | | 42,569 | 1.0 | | 48,688 | 1.0 | | 52,571 | 1.1 | | 62,558 | 1.4 | | 78,643 | 1.9 | | ||||||||||
| Other commercial | | 79,638 | 1.8 | | 101,197 | 2.1 | | 142,959 | 3.1 | | 128,604 | 2.8 | | 144,196 | 3.5 | | ||||||||||
| Total fixed-rate loans | | 1,518,538 | 34.2 | | 1,780,012 | 37.3 | | 1,817,249 | 39.0 | | 1,722,742 | 37.6 | | 1,609,376 | 39.4 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Adjustable-Rate Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| One- to four- family | | 613,390 | 13.9 | | 653,231 | 13.7 | | 704,443 | 15.1 | | 718,278 | 15.7 | | 529,251 | 13.0 | | ||||||||||
| Other residential | | 1,086,293 | 24.5 | | 1,116,806 | 23.5 | | 590,016 | 12.6 | | 470,580 | 10.3 | | 369,177 | 9.0 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial | | 700,184 | 15.8 | | 644,812 | 13.5 | | 582,985 | 12.5 | | 675,141 | 14.7 | | 713,466 | 17.5 | | ||||||||||
| Residential construction: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| One- to four- family | | 40,925 | 0.9 | | 42,946 | 0.9 | | 28,741 | 0.6 | | 46,475 | 1.0 | | 30,220 | 0.7 | | ||||||||||
| Other residential | | 152,148 | 3.4 | | 197,112 | 4.1 | | 516,211 | 11.1 | | 438,836 | 9.6 | | 421,260 | 10.3 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial construction | | 101,297 | 2.3 | | 104,676 | 2.2 | | 131,119 | 2.8 | | 217,819 | 4.7 | | 149,081 | 3.6 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total real estate loans | | 2,694,237 | 60.8 | | 2,759,583 | 57.9 | | 2,553,515 | 54.7 | | 2,567,129 | 56.0 | | 2,212,455 | 54.1 | | ||||||||||
| Consumer | | 132,391 | 3.0 | | 121,440 | 2.5 | | 121,341 | 2.6 | | 131,697 | 2.8 | | 128,139 | 3.1 | | ||||||||||
| Other commercial | | 89,350 | 2.0 | | 107,750 | 2.3 | | 175,091 | 3.7 | | 164,624 | 3.6 | | 136,317 | 3.4 | | ||||||||||
| Total adjustable-rate loans | | 2,915,978 | 65.8 | | 2,988,773 | 62.7 | | 2,849,947 | 61.0 | | 2,863,450 | 62.4 | | 2,476,911 | 60.6 | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Loans | | 4,434,516 | 100.0 | % | 4,768,785 | 100.0 | % | 4,667,196 | 100.0 | % | 4,586,192 | 100.0 | % | 4,086,287 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
| Less: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||
| Deferred fees and discounts | | 6,054 | | | 6,695 | | | 7,058 | | | 11,065 | | | 9,298 | | | ||||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | | 64,771 | | | 64,760 | | | 64,670 | | | 63,480 | | | 60,754 | | | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total loans receivable, net | | $ | 4,363,691 | | | | $ | 4,697,330 | | | | $ | 4,595,468 | | | | $ | 4,511,647 | | | | $ | 4,016,235 | | |
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The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2025, regarding the loans in our portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity.
Great Southern Loan Portfolio Composition by Contractual Maturities:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | One Year | | After One Year | | After Five Years | | After Fifteen | | | | ||||
| | | or Less | | through Five Years | | through Fifteen Years | | Years | | Total | |||||
| | | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||
| Real Estate Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Residential | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| One- to four- family | | $ | 47,830 | | $ | 83,427 | | $ | 61,008 | | $ | 596,058 | | $ | 788,323 |
| Other residential | | 726,142 | | 616,276 | | 43,077 | | | 1,915 | | 1,387,410 | ||||
| Commercial | | 564,258 | | 922,143 | | 77,750 | | | 1,523 | | 1,565,674 | ||||
| Residential construction: | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| One- to four- family | | 47,244 | | 17,469 | | 549 | | | — | | 65,262 | ||||
| Other residential | | — | | 152,148 | | — | | | — | | 152,148 | ||||
| Commercial construction | | 56,086 | | 74,777 | | 888 | | | — | | 131,751 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total real estate loans | | 1,441,560 | | 1,866,240 | | 183,272 | | | 599,496 | | 4,090,568 | ||||
| Other Loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Consumer loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||
| Automobile and other | | 8,375 | | 29,292 | | 9,140 | | | 124 | | 46,931 | ||||
| Home equity and improvement | | 24,769 | | 32,116 | | 71,144 | | | — | | 128,029 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer loans | | 33,144 | | 61,408 | | 80,284 | | | 124 | | 174,960 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other commercial loans | | 82,782 | | 74,235 | | 11,666 | | | 305 | | 168,988 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total other loans | | 115,926 | | 135,643 | | 91,950 | | | 429 | | 343,948 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total loans | | $ | 1,557,486 | | $ | 2,001,883 | | $ | 275,222 | | $ | 599,925 | | $ | 4,434,516 |
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The following table presents loans due after December 31, 2026 with fixed and adjustable interest rates as of December 31, 2025.
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Fixed Rates | | Adjustable Rates | | Total Loans | |||
| | | (In Thousands) | |||||||
| Real Estate Loans: | | | | | | | |||
| Residential | | | | | | | |||
| One- to four- family | | $ | 139,936 | | $ | 600,557 | | $ | 740,493 |
| Other residential | | 204,486 | | 456,782 | | 661,268 | |||
| Commercial | | 534,847 | | 466,569 | | 1,001,416 | |||
| Residential construction: | | | | | | | |||
| One- to four- family | | | 2,518 | | | 15,500 | | | 18,018 |
| Other residential | | | — | | | 152,148 | | | 152,148 |
| Commercial construction | | | 19,427 | | | 56,238 | | | 75,665 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total real estate loans | | 901,214 | | 1,747,794 | | 2,649,008 | |||
| Other Loans: | | | | | | | |||
| Consumer loans: | | | | | | | |||
| Automobile and other | | 37,365 | | 1,191 | | 38,556 | |||
| Home equity and improvement | | 167 | | 103,093 | | 103,260 | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total consumer loans | | 37,532 | | 104,284 | | 141,816 | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Other commercial loans | | 64,834 | | 21,372 | | 86,206 | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total other loans | | 102,366 | | 125,656 | | 228,022 | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total loans | | $ | 1,003,580 | | $ | 1,873,450 | | $ | 2,877,030 |
At December 31, 2025, $94.0 million, or 2.1%, of total loans were secured by junior lien mortgages and $9.2 million, or 1.4% of residential real estate loans, were interest only loans. At December 31, 2024, $87.9 million, or 1.8%, of total loans were secured by junior lien mortgages and $8.3 million, or 1.1% of residential real estate loans, were interest only loans. While high loan-to-value ratio mortgage loans are occasionally originated and held, they are typically either considered low risk based on analyses performed or are required to have private mortgage insurance. The Company does not originate or hold option ARM loans or significant amounts of loans with initial teaser rates or subprime loans in its residential real estate portfolio.
To monitor and control risks related to concentrations of credit in the composition of the loan portfolio, management reviews the loan portfolio by loan types, industries and market areas on a monthly basis for credit quality and known and anticipated market conditions. Changes in loan portfolio composition may be made by management based on the performance of each area of business, known and anticipated market conditions, credit demands, the deposit structure of the Bank and the expertise and/or depth of the lending staff. Loan portfolio industry and market areas are monitored regularly for credit quality and trends. Reports detailed by industry and geography are provided to the Board of Directors on a monthly and quarterly basis.
The composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio has changed over the past several years; speculative construction and land development loan types have been limited, consumer lending for automobiles and boats has decreased significantly (the origination of indirect automobile and boat lending was eliminated), commercial real estate loan types have been stabilized and diversified and emphasis has been placed on increasing our other residential (multi-family) and commercial real estate loan portfolios. One- to four-family real estate loans increased significantly in 2022, but have declined steadily since that time as originations of these loans held in portfolio slowed and repayments and pay-offs occurred. Commercial business loans increased in 2022 and 2023, but declined sharply in 2024 and 2025. A portion of this decrease related to two loan relationships that had short-term loan funding needs that were no longer necessary in 2024-2005.
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Environmental Issues
Loans secured by real property, whether commercial, residential or other, may have a material, negative effect on the financial position and results of operations of the lender if the collateral is environmentally contaminated. The result can be, but is not necessarily limited to, liability for the cost of cleaning up the contamination imposed on the lender by certain federal and state laws, a reduction in the borrower’s ability to pay because of the liability imposed upon it for any clean-up costs, a reduction in the value of the collateral because of the presence of contamination or a subordination of security interests in the collateral to a super priority lien securing the cleanup costs by certain state laws.
Management is aware of the risk that the Bank may be negatively affected by environmentally contaminated collateral and attempts to control this risk through commercially reasonable methods, consistent with guidelines arising from applicable government or regulatory rules and regulations, and to a more limited extent, publications of the lending industry. Management currently is unaware (without, in many circumstances, specific inquiry or investigation of existing collateral, some of which was accepted as collateral before risk controlling measures were implemented) of any environmental contamination of real property securing loans in the Bank’s portfolio that would subject the Bank to any material risk. No assurance can be given, however, that the Bank will not be adversely affected by environmental contamination.
Residential Real Estate Lending
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, loans secured by residential real estate, excluding that which is under construction, totaled $2.2 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, and represented approximately 49.1% and 50.1%, respectively, of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. The Bank’s one- to four-family residential real estate loan portfolio decreased during 2025 and 2024 due to net loan repayments. For many years, other residential (multi-family) loan balances had increased as the Bank emphasized this type of lending. The exception to this was in 2021 and 2025, when loan balances decreased due to projects refinancing or being sold and paying off at a faster pace. The Bank’s outstanding other residential (multi-family) loan portfolio decreased by approximately 10.4% in 2025, following a 64.5% increase in 2024.
The Bank currently is originating one- to four-family adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans primarily with one-year adjustment periods or with rates that are fixed for the first few years of the loan and then adjust annually. Rate adjustments on these loans are generally based upon changes in prevailing rates for one-year U.S. Treasury securities. Rate adjustments are generally limited to a 2% maximum annually as well as a maximum aggregate adjustment over the life of the loan. Accordingly, the interest rates on these loans typically may not be as rate sensitive as is the Bank’s cost of funds. Generally, the Bank’s adjustable-rate mortgage loans are not convertible into fixed-rate loans, do not permit negative amortization of principal and carry no prepayment penalty. The Bank also currently is originating other residential (multi-family) mortgage loans with interest rates that are generally either adjustable with changes to the prime rate of interest or a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR)-index interest rate, or initially fixed for short periods of time (one to five years) and then adjust annually based on the prime rate of interest or a SOFR index interest rate.
Since the adjustable-rate mortgage loans currently held in the Bank’s portfolio have not been subject to an interest rate environment which causes them to adjust to the maximum, these loans entail unquantifiable risks resulting from potential increased payment obligations on the borrower as a result of upward repricing. Until 2022, the indices used by Great Southern for these types of loans increased, but not significantly, at various times in the preceding ten years. One-year U.S. Treasury interest rates and SOFR-index interest rates increased significantly throughout 2022 and during the first half of 2023. These interest rates declined slightly in the fourth quarter of 2023, but remained above comparable interest rates in prior years. These interest rates remained stable in 2024 with slight decreases in the third quarter of 2024. These interest rates remained stable in the early part of 2025, with further decreases in the latter part of 2025. Compared to fixed-rate mortgage loans, these loans are subject to increased risk of delinquency or default if a higher, fully-indexed rate of interest subsequently comes into effect in replacement of a lower rate currently in effect. From 2008 through 2012, as a result of the significant economic recession, including declines in residential real estate values, the Bank experienced a significant increase in delinquencies in adjustable-rate mortgage loans. From 2013 through 2025, these delinquencies trended much lower.
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In underwriting one- to four-family residential real estate loans, Great Southern evaluates the borrower’s ability to make monthly payments and the value of the property securing the loan. It is the policy of Great Southern that generally all one- to four-family residential loans in excess of 80% of the appraised value of the property be insured for the excess amount by a private mortgage insurance company approved by Great Southern. In addition, Great Southern requires borrowers to obtain title and fire and casualty insurance in an amount not less than the amount of the loan. Real estate loans originated by the Bank generally contain a “due on sale” clause allowing the Bank to declare the unpaid principal balance due and payable upon the sale of the property securing the loan. The Bank may enforce these due on sale clauses to the extent permitted by law.
Commercial Real Estate and Construction Lending
Commercial real estate lending has been a significant part of Great Southern’s business activities since the mid-1980s. Great Southern engages in commercial real estate lending in order to increase the potential yield on, and the proportion of interest rate sensitive loans in, its portfolio. At December 31, 2008, commercial real estate loans and commercial construction loans each made up about one fourth of the total loan portfolio. The economic recession that began in 2008 resulted in reduced activity in the market caused by the downturn in the economy and reduced real estate values. In response, Great Southern began limiting residential and commercial land development lending to reduce the risk in the portfolio and began originating more commercial real estate loans. Since December 31, 2008, the commercial construction loan portfolio (including multi-family residential construction) has decreased from 32% of the loan portfolio to 6% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2025, while, overall, the percentage of commercial real estate loans in the total loan portfolio has trended upward, and was about 35% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2025. The decrease in the commercial construction loan portfolio (including multi-family residential construction) from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025 was due to loans moving from the construction category to the appropriate commercial real estate or other residential (multi-family) category, as projects were completed. Over the last five years, commercial real estate loans made up approximately 33-37% of the total loan portfolio while outstanding commercial construction loans (including multi-family residential construction) were 6-17%.
At both December 31, 2025 and 2024, loans secured by commercial real estate, excluding that which is under construction, totaled $1.6 billion, or approximately 35.3% and 32.6%, respectively, of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. In addition, at December 31, 2025 and 2024, construction loans secured by projects under construction and the land on which the projects are located aggregated $349.2 million and $445.7 million, respectively, or 7.9% and 9.3%, respectively, of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. A majority of the Bank’s commercial real estate loans have been originated with adjustable rates of interest, most of which are tied either to the national prime rate or to SOFR interest rates or fixed rates of interest with short-term maturities. A large majority of the Bank’s commercial real estate loans (both fixed and adjustable) mature in five years or less. Substantially all of these loans were originated with loan commitments which did not exceed 80% of the appraised value of the properties securing the loans.
Beyond the outstanding balance of our construction loans, our loan portfolio possesses increased risk due to the unfunded portion of commercial, residential and other residential (multi-family) loans for the purpose of construction. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had $650.5 million and $719.3 million in the unfunded portion of loans originated with the purpose of construction that had been closed, but were not yet fully funded. These balances are managed through the Bank’s various risk management processes. Management considers both on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet transactions in its evaluation of the Company’s liquidity. The nature of these commitments is such that the likelihood of funding them in the aggregate at any one time is low.
The Bank’s construction loans generally have a term of 18-24 months or less. The construction loan agreements for one- to four-family projects generally require principal reductions as individual condominium units or single-family houses are built and sold to a third party. This ensures that the remaining loan balance, as a proportion of the value of the remaining security, does not increase, assuming that the value of the remaining security does not decrease. Loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses. Generally, the amount of each disbursement is based on the construction cost estimate, with inspections of the project performed in connection with each disbursement request. Normally, Great Southern’s commercial real estate and other residential construction loans are made either as the initial stage of a combination loan (i.e., with a commitment from the Bank to provide permanent financing upon completion of the project) or with a commitment from a third party to provide permanent financing.
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The Bank’s commercial real estate and construction loan portfolios consist of loans with diverse collateral types. The following table sets forth loans that were secured by certain types of collateral at December 31, 2025. These collateral types represented the five highest percentage concentrations of commercial real estate and construction loan types in the loan portfolio at that date.
| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | Percentage of | | Non-Performing | |
| | | | | | Total Loan | | Loans at | |
| Collateral Type | | Loan Balance | | Portfolio | | December 31, 2025 | ||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | |
| Warehouses | | $ | 336,527 | 7.7 | % | $ | — | |
| Motels/Hotels | | $ | 314,077 | | 7.2 | % | $ | — |
| Retail (Varied Projects) | | $ | 297,133 | 6.8 | % | $ | — | |
| Health Care Facilities | | $ | 249,012 | 5.7 | % | $ | — | |
| Office | | $ | 172,737 | 4.0 | % | $ | — |
Commercial real estate lending and construction lending generally affords the Bank an opportunity to receive interest at rates higher than those obtainable from residential mortgage lending and to receive higher origination and other loan fees. In addition, commercial real estate loans and construction loans are generally made with adjustable rates of interest or, if made on a fixed-rate basis, for relatively short terms. Commercial real estate lending does, however, entail significant additional risks as compared with residential mortgage lending. Commercial real estate loans typically involve large loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers. In addition, the payment experience on loans secured by commercial properties is typically dependent on the successful operation of the related real estate project and thus may be subject, to a greater extent, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or in the economy generally.
Construction loans involve additional risks attributable to the fact that loan funds are advanced based on the expected value of the project under construction, which is uncertain prior to the completion of construction. Moreover, because of the uncertainties inherent in estimating construction costs, delays arising from labor shortages and other problems, material shortages, and other unpredictable contingencies, it is relatively difficult to evaluate accurately the total loan funds required to complete a project, and the related loan-to-value ratios. See also the discussion under the headings “- Classified Assets” and “- Loan Delinquencies and Defaults” below.
The Company executes interest rate swaps with certain commercial banking customers to facilitate their respective risk management strategies. The Company began offering this service during 2011. Those interest rate swaps are simultaneously hedged by offsetting interest rate swaps that the Company executes with a third party, such that the Company minimizes its net risk exposure resulting from such transactions. As the interest rate swaps associated with this program do not meet the strict hedge accounting requirements, changes in the fair value of both the customer swaps and the offsetting swaps are recognized directly in earnings. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had six interest rate swaps totaling $114.4 million in notional amount with commercial customers, and six interest rate swaps with the same notional amount with third parties related to this program. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had five interest rate swaps totaling $86.7 million in notional amount with commercial customers, and five interest rate swaps with the same notional amount with third parties related to this program. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized net losses of $62,000, $58,000 and $337,000, respectively, in non-interest income related to changes in the fair value of these interest rate swaps.
Other Commercial Lending
At December 31, 2025 and 2024, Great Southern had $169 million and $209 million, respectively, in other commercial loans outstanding, or 3.8% and 4.4%, respectively, of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. Great Southern’s other commercial lending activities encompass loans with a variety of purposes and security, including loans to finance accounts receivable, inventory and equipment. Great Southern expects to continue to originate loans in this category subject to market conditions and applicable regulatory restrictions. See “Government Supervision and Regulation” below.
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Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income and which are secured by real property, the value of which tends to be more easily ascertainable, other commercial loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. Commercial loans are generally secured by business assets, such as accounts receivable, equipment and inventory. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of other commercial loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself. Further, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business.
The Bank’s management recognizes the generally increased risks associated with other commercial lending. Great Southern’s commercial lending policy emphasizes complete credit file documentation and analysis of the borrower’s character, capacity to repay the loan, the adequacy of the borrower’s capital and collateral as well as an evaluation of the industry conditions affecting the borrower. Review of the borrower’s past, present and projected future cash flows is also an important aspect of Great Southern’s credit analysis. In addition, the Bank generally obtains personal guarantees from the borrowers on these types of loans. Historically, the majority of Great Southern’s commercial loans have been to borrowers in southwestern and central Missouri and the St. Louis, Missouri area. With the FDIC-assisted acquisitions in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2014, geographic concentrations for commercial loans expanded to include the greater Kansas City, Missouri area, several areas in Iowa, and the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Great Southern has continued its commercial lending in all of these geographic areas and in the commercial loan production offices in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Omaha and Phoenix.
As part of its commercial lending activities, Great Southern issues letters of credit and receives fees averaging approximately 1% of the amount of the letter of credit each year. At December 31, 2025, Great Southern had 43 letters of credit outstanding in the aggregate amount of $15.2 million. Approximately 67% of the aggregate dollar amount of these letters of credit was secured, including 19 letters of credit totaling $10.2 million secured by real estate.
Consumer Lending
Consumer loans generally have short terms to maturity, thus reducing Great Southern’s exposure to changes in interest rates, and carry higher rates of interest than do residential mortgage loans. In addition, Great Southern believes offering consumer loan products helps expand and create stronger ties to its existing retail customer base.
Great Southern offers a variety of secured consumer loans, including automobile loans, boat loans, home equity loans and loans secured by savings deposits. In addition, Great Southern also offers home improvement loans and unsecured consumer loans. Consumer loans totaled $175.0 million and $170.1 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, or 3.9% and 3.6%, respectively, of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.
The underwriting standards employed by the Bank for consumer loans include a determination of the applicant’s payment history on other debts and an assessment of ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. Although creditworthiness of the applicant is of primary consideration, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the underlying collateral, if any, in relation to the proposed loan amount.
Beginning in 1998, the Bank implemented indirect lending relationships, primarily with automobile dealerships. Through these dealer relationships, the dealer completes the application with the consumer and then submits it to the Bank for credit approval. While the Bank’s initial and ongoing concentrated effort was on automobiles, the program evolved for use from time to time with other tangible products where financing of the product is provided through the seller, including, to a lesser extent, boats and manufactured homes.
Nearly a decade ago, in response to more challenging consumer credit conditions, the Company tightened its underwriting guidelines on automobile lending. Management took this step in an effort to improve credit quality in the portfolio and lower delinquencies and charge-offs. The changes in underwriting guidelines resulted in lower origination volume, and as such, outstanding consumer auto loan balances decreased significantly since the end of 2016. Ultimately, the decision was made to exit this business line effective March 2019. Market and financial forces, including strong rate competition for well-qualified borrowers, have made indirect automobile lending less profitable for the Company over the long term. Direct consumer lending through the Company’s banking center network has continued, however.
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At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Bank had $46.1 million and $52.4 million, respectively, of direct and indirect auto, boat, modular home and recreational vehicle loans in its portfolio. Indirect consumer loans were $5.7 million and $7.4 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Consumer loans may entail greater risk than do residential mortgage loans, particularly in the case of consumer loans that are unsecured or secured by rapidly depreciable assets such as automobiles. In such cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance as a result of the greater likelihood of damage, loss or depreciation. The remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. In addition, consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial strength, and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state consumer bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount which can be recovered on these loans. These loans may also give rise to claims and defenses by a consumer loan borrower against an assignee of these loans such as the Bank, and a borrower may be able to assert against the assignee claims and defenses which it has against the seller of the underlying collateral.
Originations, Purchases, Sales and Servicing of Loans
The Bank originates loans through internal loan production personnel located in the Bank’s main and branch offices, as well as loan production offices. Walk-in customers and referrals from existing customers of the Company are also important sources of loan originations.
Great Southern may also purchase whole loans and participation interests in loans (generally without recourse, except in cases of breach of representation, warranty or covenant) from other banks, thrift institutions and life insurance companies (originators). The purchase transaction is governed by a participation agreement entered into by the participant (Great Southern) and the originator containing guidelines as to ownership, control and servicing rights, among others. The originator may retain all rights with respect to enforcement, collection and administration of the loan. This may limit Great Southern’s ability to control its credit risk when it purchases participations in these loans. Although the terms of participation agreements vary, generally Great Southern does not have direct access to the borrower, and the institution administering the loan has some discretion in the administration of performing loans and the collection of non-performing loans.
Over the years, a number of banks, both locally and regionally, have sought to diversify the risk in their portfolios. In order to take advantage of this situation, Great Southern purchases participations in commercial real estate, commercial construction and other commercial loans. Great Southern subjects these loans to its normal underwriting standards used for originated loans and rejects any credits that do not meet those guidelines. The originating bank generally retains the servicing of these loans. The Bank purchased $-0- and $26.3 million of these loans in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. These balances represent the total loan amount, including the unfunded portion of loans purchased. At the time of purchase, none of these loans had outstanding funded balances.
Lending activity declined significantly in late 2022 and throughout 2023. As interest rates and inflation rapidly increased, many potential borrowers put projects on hold while waiting to see how the economy and real estate values would perform. In addition, the banking industry generally experienced liquidity competition, with some banks experiencing liquidity crises leading to a few bank failures. Commercial real estate lending (including multi-family real estate) generally increased across the banking industry in 2024 and 2025, but competition for loans remained significant and lenders and borrowers both proceeded cautiously with new projects.
From time to time, Great Southern also sells non-residential loan participations generally without recourse to private investors, such as other banks, thrift institutions and life insurance companies (participants). The sales transaction is governed by a participation agreement entered into by the originator (Great Southern) and participant containing guidelines as to ownership, control and servicing rights, among others. Great Southern generally retains servicing rights for these participations sold.
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Great Southern also sells whole residential real estate loans without recourse to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae as well as to private investors, such as other banks, thrift institutions, mortgage companies and life insurance companies. Whole real estate loans are sold with a provision for repurchase upon breach of representation, warranty or covenant. These representations, warranties and covenants include those regarding the compliance of loan originations with all applicable legal requirements, mortgage title insurance policies when applicable, enforceable liens on collateral, collateral type, borrower creditworthiness, private mortgage insurance when required and compliance with all applicable federal regulations. A minimal number of repurchase requests have been received to date based on a breach of representations, warranties or covenants as outlined in the investor contracts. These loans are generally sold for cash in amounts equal to the unpaid principal amount of the loans adjusted for current market yields to the buyer. The sale amounts generally produce gains to the Bank and allow a margin for servicing income on loans when the servicing is retained by the Bank. However, residential real estate loans sold in recent years have primarily been with Great Southern releasing control of the servicing of the loans.
The Bank sold one- to four-family whole real estate loans, SBA-guaranteed loans and loan participations in aggregate amounts of $149.5 million, $171.0 million and $154.9 million during fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Bank typically sells long-term fixed rate mortgages. Sales of whole real estate loans and participations in real estate loans can be beneficial to the Bank since these sales generally generate income at the time of sale, produce future servicing income on loans where servicing is retained, provide funds for additional lending and other investments, and increase liquidity.
Gains, losses and transfer fees on sales of loans and loan participations are recognized at the time of the sale. When real estate loans and loan participations sold have an average contractual interest rate that differs from the agreed upon yield to the purchaser (less the agreed upon servicing fee), resulting gains or losses are recognized in an amount equal to the present value of the differential over the estimated remaining life of the loans. Any resulting discount or premium is accreted or amortized over the same estimated life using a method approximating the level yield interest method. When real estate loans and loan participations are sold with servicing released, as the Bank primarily does, an additional fee is received for the servicing rights. Net gains and transfer fees on sales of loans for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 were $3.3 million, $3.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively. These gains were primarily from the sale of fixed-rate residential loans.
The Bank serviced loans owned by others totaling approximately $282.2 million and $397.0 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Of the total loans serviced for others at December 31, 2025, $196.3 million related to commercial real estate, commercial business and construction loans, portions of which were sold to other parties. The remaining $85.9 million of loans serviced for others related to one- to four-family real estate loans which the Bank had originated and sold, but retained the obligation to service, or had acquired the servicing rights through various FDIC-assisted transactions. The servicing of these loans generated fees (net of amortization of the servicing rights) to the Bank for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, of $232,000, $228,000 and $202,000, respectively.
In addition to interest earned on loans and loan origination fees, the Bank receives fees for loan commitments, letters of credit, prepayments, modifications, late payments, transfers of loans due to changes of property ownership and other miscellaneous services. The fees vary from time to time, generally depending on the supply of funds and other competitive conditions in the market. Fees from prepayments, commitments, letters of credit and late payments totaled $1.3 million, $614,000 and $898,000 for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Loan origination fees, net of related costs, are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. Loan fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred, and the net fee or cost is recognized in interest income using the level-yield method over the contractual life of the loan. For further discussion of this matter, see Note 1 to the accompanying audited financial statements, included in Item 8 of this Report.
Loan Delinquencies and Defaults
When a borrower fails to make a required payment on a loan, the Bank attempts to cause the delinquency to be cured by contacting the borrower. In the case of loans secured by residential real estate, a late notice is sent 15 days after the due date. If the delinquency is not cured by the 30th day, a delinquent notice is sent to the borrower.
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Additional written contacts are made with the borrower 45 and 60 days after the due date. If the delinquency continues for a period of 120 days, the Bank usually institutes appropriate action to foreclose on the collateral. The actual time it takes to foreclose on the collateral varies depending on the circumstances and the applicable governing law. If foreclosed upon, the property is sold at public auction and may be purchased by the Bank. Delinquent consumer loans are handled in a generally similar manner, except that initial contacts are made when the payment is five days past due and appropriate action may be taken to collect any loan payment that is delinquent for more than 15 days. The Bank’s procedures for repossession and sale of consumer collateral are subject to various requirements under the applicable consumer protection laws as well as other applicable laws and the determination by the Bank that it would be beneficial from a cost basis.
Delinquent commercial business loans and loans secured by commercial real estate are initially handled by the loan officer in charge of the loan, who is responsible for contacting the borrower. Senior management also works with the commercial loan officers to see that necessary steps are taken to collect delinquent loans and may reassign the loan relationship to the special assets group. In addition, the Bank has a Problem Loan Committee which meets at least quarterly and reviews all classified assets, as well as other loans which management feels present possible collection problems. If an acceptable workout of a delinquent commercial loan cannot be agreed upon, the Bank may initiate foreclosure proceedings on any collateral securing the loan. However, in all cases, whether a commercial or other loan, the prevailing circumstances may be such that management may determine it is in the best interest of the Bank not to foreclose on the collateral.
The following tables set forth our loans by aging as of the dates indicated. The increase in other residential (multi-family) loans 30-59 days past due was a result of one loan relationship that was 30 days past due at December 31, 2025. This relationship was downgraded from “Watch” to “Special Mention” in December 2025. For additional information, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations and Comparison for the Years Ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 – Non-Performing Assets.”
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total | |
| | | 30-59 Days | | 60-89 Days | | Over 90 Days | | | | | | | | | | Loans | ||||||||||
| | | Past Due | | Past Due | | Past Due | | Total Past Due | | Current | | Receivable | ||||||||||||||
| | | # | | Amount | | # | | Amount | | # | | Amount | | # | | Amount | | Amount | | Amount | ||||||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| One- to four-family residential construction | — | | $ | — | — | | $ | — | — | | $ | — | — | | $ | — | | $ | 30,258 | | $ | 30,258 | ||||
| Subdivision construction | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | | 32,160 | | 32,160 | ||||||||||
| Land development | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | | 37,519 | | 37,519 | ||||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | | 249,224 | | 249,224 | ||||||||||
| Owner occupied one- to four-family residential | 8 | | 830 | 6 | | 521 | 4 | | 631 | 18 | | 1,982 | | 654,717 | | 656,699 | ||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential | — | | — | — | | — | 2 | | 1,435 | 2 | | 1,435 | | 123,863 | | 125,298 | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | 1 | | 70 | — | | — | — | | — | 1 | | 70 | | 1,556,078 | | 1,556,148 | ||||||||||
| Other residential | 1 | | 24,762 | — | | — | — | | — | 1 | | 24,762 | | 1,362,648 | | 1,387,410 | ||||||||||
| Commercial business | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | | 178,514 | | 178,514 | ||||||||||
| Consumer auto | 7 | | 27 | 7 | | 12 | — | | — | 14 | | 39 | | 24,130 | | 24,169 | ||||||||||
| Consumer other | 7 | | 128 | 4 | | 30 | 2 | | 10 | 13 | | 168 | | 22,081 | | 22,249 | ||||||||||
| Home equity lines of credit | 3 | | 74 | — | | — | 1 | | 18 | 4 | | 92 | | 127,938 | | 128,030 | ||||||||||
| Total | 27 | | $ | 25,891 | 17 | | $ | 563 | 9 | | $ | 2,094 | 53 | | $ | 28,548 | | $ | 4,399,130 | | $ | 4,427,678 |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total | |
| | | 30-59 Days | | 60-89 Days | | Over 90 Days | | | | | | | | | | Loans | ||||||||||
| | | Past Due | | Past Due | | Past Due | | Total Past Due | | Current | | Receivable | ||||||||||||||
| | | # | | Amount | | # | | Amount | | # | | Amount | | # | | Amount | | Amount | | Amount | ||||||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| One- to four-family residential construction | 1 | | $ | 12 | — | | $ | — | — | | $ | — | 1 | | $ | 12 | | $ | 30,521 | | $ | 30,533 | ||||
| Subdivision construction | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | | 19,861 | | 19,861 | ||||||||||
| Land development | — | | — | — | | — | 1 | | 464 | 1 | | 464 | | 42,040 | | 42,504 | ||||||||||
| Commercial construction | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | | 352,793 | | 352,793 | ||||||||||
| Owner occupied one- to four-family residential | 13 | | 1,704 | 4 | | 816 | 4 | | 950 | 21 | | 3,470 | | 706,976 | | 710,446 | ||||||||||
| Non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential | 1 | | 642 | — | | — | 3 | | 1,681 | 4 | | 2,323 | | 120,578 | | 122,901 | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | — | | — | — | | — | 4 | | 77 | 4 | | 77 | | 1,543,665 | | 1,543,742 | ||||||||||
| Other residential | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | — | | 1,549,249 | | 1,549,249 | ||||||||||
| Commercial business | — | | — | — | | — | 2 | | 384 | 2 | | 384 | | 219,907 | | 220,291 | ||||||||||
| Consumer auto | 8 | | 39 | 1 | | 1 | — | | — | 9 | | 40 | | 25,747 | | 25,787 | ||||||||||
| Consumer other | 9 | | 145 | 2 | | 4 | 2 | | 17 | 13 | | 166 | | 27,739 | | 27,905 | ||||||||||
| Home equity lines of credit | 2 | | 63 | 3 | | 56 | — | | — | 5 | | 119 | | 115,717 | | 115,836 | ||||||||||
| Total | 34 | | $ | 2,605 | 10 | | $ | 877 | 16 | | $ | 3,573 | 60 | | $ | 7,055 | | $ | 4,754,793 | | $ | 4,761,848 |
Classified Assets
Federal regulations provide for the classification of loans and other assets such as debt and equity securities considered to be of lesser quality as “substandard,” “doubtful” or “loss” assets. The regulations require insured institutions to classify their own assets and to establish prudent specific allocations for losses from assets classified “substandard” or “doubtful.” “Substandard” assets include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Assets classified as “doubtful,” have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as “substandard” with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. For the portion of assets classified as “loss,” an institution is required to either establish specific allowances of 100% of the amount classified or charge such amount off its books. Assets that do not currently expose the insured institution to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories but possess a potential weakness (referred to as “Special Mention” assets), are required to be listed on the Bank’s watch list and monitored for further deterioration or improvement.
Following are the total classified assets at December 31, 2025 and 2024, per the Bank’s internal asset classification list. The allowances for credit losses reflected below are the portions of the Bank’s total allowances for credit losses relating to these classified loans. There were no significant off-balance sheet items classified at December 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | Total | | Allowance | ||
| Asset Category | | Substandard | | Doubtful | | Loss | | Classified | | for Losses | |||||
| | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
| Loans | | 3,484 | | — | | — | | 3,484 | | — | |||||
| Foreclosed assets and repossessions | | 6,036 | | — | | — | | 6,036 | | — | |||||
| Total | | $ | 9,520 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 9,520 | | $ | — |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | Total | | Allowance | ||
| Asset Category | | Substandard | | Doubtful | | Loss | | Classified | | for Losses | |||||
| | | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investment securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
| Loans | | 10,125 | | 510 | | — | | 10,635 | | 518 | |||||
| Foreclosed assets and repossessions | | 5,993 | | — | | — | | 5,993 | | — | |||||
| Total | | $ | 16,118 | | $ | 510 | | $ | — | | $ | 16,628 | | $ | 518 |
Loans classified as “Substandard” were $3.5 million and $10.1 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. At December 31, 2025, the largest substandard loan relationship totaled $821,000. This relationship was added to non-performing loans in 2024 and is collateralized by multiple low-income single-family residential properties in New Orleans, La. The $6.6 million decrease in substandard loans from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025 was primarily the result of one loan relationship totaling $5.1 million being upgraded to “Special Mention” and $1.8 million in loans being paid off, partially offset by $2.0 million in loans being added to the “Substandard” category. Loans classified as “Doubtful” were $-0- and $510,000 at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
In addition to the classified loans in the table above, the Company has loans categorized as “Watch” and “Special Mention.” While loans classified as “Special Mention” are not considered to be adversely classified, they are deserving of management’s close attention to ensure repayment prospects and that the credit position of the assets does not deteriorate and expose the institution to elevated risk which might warrant adverse classification at a future date. Loans rated as “Special Mention” were $34.8 million and $1.5 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024. In the year ended December 31, 2025, two loan relationships totaling $29.5 million were downgraded from “Watch” and one loan relationship of $5.2 million was upgraded from “Substandard.” The largest relationship totaled $24.8 million at December 31, 2025, and is secured by an apartment project in the Denver, Colorado area.
Loans classified as “Watch” are being monitored due to indications of potential weaknesses or deficiencies that may require future reclassification as “Special Mention” or “Substandard.” Loans classified as “Watch” at December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $20.5 million and $15.9 million, respectively. This increase was primarily due to the addition of four loans totaling $11.1 million, partially offset by one loan relationship totaling $4.8 million which was downgraded to “Special Mention.” The largest of the relationships added to the “Watch” status consisted of one commercial real estate loan relationship totaling $10.5 million at December 31, 2025, which is secured by a nursing care facility located in southwest Florida.
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Non-Performing Assets
The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of gross non-performing assets (classified loans which are not performing under regulatory guidelines and all foreclosed assets, including assets acquired in settlement of loans) in the Bank’s loan portfolio as of the dates indicated. Loans generally are placed on nonaccrual status when the loan becomes 90 days delinquent or when the collection of principal, interest, or both, otherwise becomes doubtful.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | | |||||||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | | |||||
| | | (In Thousands) | | |||||||||||||
| Nonaccruing loans: | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| One- to four-family residential | | $ | 2,066 | | $ | 2,631 | | $ | 722 | | $ | 722 | | $ | 2,216 | |
| One- to four-family construction | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Land development | | — | | 464 | | 384 | | 384 | | 468 | | |||||
| Other residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Commercial real estate | | — | | 77 | | 10,552 | (2) | 1,579 | (3) | 2,006 | (3) | |||||
| Other commercial | | — | | 384 | | 31 | | 586 | | — | | |||||
| Commercial construction and land development | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Consumer | | | 28 | | | 17 | | | 59 | | | 399 | | | 733 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Total gross nonaccruing loans | | | 2,094 | | | 3,573 | | | 11,748 | | | 3,670 | | | 5,423 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Loans over 90 days delinquent still accruing interest: | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| One- to four-family residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Commercial real estate | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Other commercial | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Commercial construction and land development | | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | ||||
| Consumer | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Total loans over 90 days delinquent still accruing interest | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total gross non-performing loans | | 2,094 | | 3,573 | | 11,748 | | 3,670 | | 5,423 | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreclosed assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| One- to four-family residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 183 | | |||||
| One- to four-family construction | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 315 | | |||||
| Other residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Commercial real estate | | 6,025 | (1) | 5,960 | (1) | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Commercial construction and land development | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Other commercial | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total foreclosed assets | | 6,025 | | 5,960 | | — | | — | | 498 | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Repossessions | | 11 | | 33 | | 23 | | 50 | | 90 | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total gross non-performing assets | | $ | 8,130 | | $ | 9,566 | | $ | 11,771 | | $ | 3,720 | | $ | 6,011 | |
| Total gross non-performing assets as a percentage of average total assets | | 0.14 | % | 0.16 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.11 | % |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | One relationship was $6.0 million of this total at December 31, 2025 and 2024. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (2) | Two relationships were $10.3 million of this total at December 31, 2023. |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (3) | One relationship was $1.3 million and $1.7 million of this total at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
See Item 7. ”Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Non-performing Assets” for further information.
Gross collateral-dependent loans totaled $2.6 million and $9.8 million at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. See Note 3 to the accompanying audited financial statements included in Item 8 for additional information, including further detail of nonaccruing and collateral-dependent loans and details of modified loans. See also Note 14 of the accompanying audited financial statements included in Item 8 for additional information, including further detail of the fair value of collateral-dependent loans.
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For the year ended December 31, 2025, gross interest income which would have been recorded had the nonaccruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted to $288,000. No interest income was included on these loans for the year ended December 31, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2024, gross interest income which would have been recorded had the nonaccruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted to $681,000. No interest income was included on these loans for the year ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2023, gross interest income which would have been recorded had the nonaccruing loans been current in accordance with their original terms amounted to $509,000. No interest income was included on these loans for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Modified Loans
Loan modifications are reported if concessions have been granted to borrowers that are experiencing financial difficulty.
The estimate of lifetime expected losses utilized in the allowance for credit losses model is developed using average historical loss on loans with similar risk characteristics, which includes losses from modifications of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty. As a result, a charge to the allowance for credit losses is generally not recorded upon modification. For modifications to loans made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that are adversely classified, the Company determines the allowance for credit losses on an individual basis, using the same process that it utilizes for other adversely classified loans. If collection efforts have begun and the modified loan is subsequently deemed collateral-dependent, the loan is placed on nonaccrual status and the allowance for credit losses is determined based on an individual evaluation. If necessary, the loan is charged down to fair market value less estimated sales costs.
The following tables show, as of the date indicated, the composition of loan modifications made to loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, by the loan class and type of concessions granted. Each of the types of concessions granted comprised 2% or less of their respective classes of loans at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2025, principal forgiveness totaling $19,000 was completed on consumer loans, compared to principal forgiveness totaling $295,000 that was completed on consumer loans and a land development loan during the year ended December 31, 2024.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Amortized Cost Basis at December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
| | | Interest Rate | | Term | | | | Total | ||||
| | | Reduction | | Extension | | Combination | | Modifications | ||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
| One- to four-family residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Other residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Commercial real estate | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Commercial business | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Consumer | | 5 | | — | | — | | 5 | ||||
| | | $ | 5 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Amortized Cost Basis at December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| | | Interest Rate | | Term | | | | | Total | |||
| | | Reduction | | Extension | | Combination | | Modifications | ||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
| One- to four-family residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Other residential | | — | | 2,709 | | — | | 2,709 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | | — | | 70 | | — | | 70 | ||||
| Commercial business | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Consumer | | — | | 31 | | — | | 31 | ||||
| | | $ | — | | $ | 2,810 | | $ | — | | $ | 2,810 |
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The Company closely monitors the performance of loans to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty that are modified to understand the effectiveness of its modification efforts. The following tables depict the performance of loans (under modified terms) at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | 30-89 Days | | Over 90 Days | | | | ||
| | | Current | | Past Due | | Past Due | | Total | ||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
| One- to four-family residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Other residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Commercial real estate | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Commercial business | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Consumer | | 5 | | — | | — | | 5 | ||||
| | | $ | 5 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 5 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| | | | | 30-89 Days | | Over 90 Days | | | | |||
| | | Current | | Past Due | | Past Due | | Total | ||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
| Construction and land development | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — |
| One- to four-family residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Other residential | | 2,709 | | — | | — | | 2,709 | ||||
| Commercial real estate | | 70 | | — | | — | | 70 | ||||
| Commercial business | | — | | — | | — | | — | ||||
| Consumer | | 31 | | — | | — | | 31 | ||||
| | | $ | 2,810 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 2,810 |
Allowance for Credit Losses
On January 1, 2021, the Company adopted the revised accounting standard related to the allowance for credit losses. This standard eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. See Note 3 to the accompanying financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report for additional information.
The Company believes that the determination of the allowance for credit losses involves a higher degree of judgment and complexity than its other significant accounting policies. The allowance for credit losses is calculated with the objective of maintaining an allowance level believed by management to be sufficient to absorb estimated credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is measured using an average historical loss model that incorporates relevant information about past events (including historical credit loss experience on loans with similar risk characteristics), current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the remaining cash flows over the contractual term of the loans. The allowance for credit losses is measured on a collective (pool) basis. Loans are generally aggregated into pools based on similar risk characteristics, including borrower type, collateral and repayment types and expected credit loss patterns. Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics, primarily classified loans with a balance of $100,000 or more, are evaluated on an individual basis.
For loans evaluated for credit losses on a collective basis, average historical loss rates are calculated for each pool using the Company’s historical net charge-offs (combined charge-offs and recoveries by observable historical reporting period) and outstanding loan balances during a lookback period. Lookback periods can be different based on the individual pool and represent management’s credit expectations for the pool of loans over the remaining contractual life. In certain loan pools, if the Company’s own historical loss rate is not reflective of the loss expectations, the historical loss rate is augmented by industry and peer data. The calculated average net charge-off rate is then adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. These adjustments increase or decrease the average historical loss rate to reflect expectations of future losses given economic forecasts of key macroeconomic variables including, but not limited to, unemployment rate, GDP, commercial real estate price index, consumer sentiment and construction spending. The adjustments are based on results from various regression models projecting the impact of the macroeconomic variables to loss rates. The forecast is used for a reasonable and supportable period before reverting to historical
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averages using a straight-line method. The forecast-adjusted loss rate is applied to the principal balance over the remaining contractual lives, adjusted for expected prepayments. The contractual term excludes expected extensions, renewals and modifications. Additionally, the allowance for credit losses considers other qualitative factors not included in historical loss rates or macroeconomic forecasts such as changes in portfolio composition, underwriting practices, or significant unique events or conditions.
See Note 3 “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” to the accompanying financial statements contained in Item 8 of this Report for additional information regarding the allowance for credit losses. Inherent in this process is the evaluation and risk assessment of individual credit relationships. From time to time, certain credit relationships may deteriorate due to changes in payment performance, cash flow of the borrower, value of collateral, or other factors. Due to these changing circumstances, management may revise its loss estimates and assumptions for these specific credits. In some cases, losses may be realized; in other instances, the factors that led to the deterioration may improve or the credit may be refinanced elsewhere and allocated allowances may be released from the particular credit.
At December 31, 2025, Great Southern had an allowance for credit losses of $64.8 million, none of which had been allocated to specific loans. At December 31, 2024, Great Southern had an allowance for credit losses of $64.8 million, of which $518,000 had been allocated to specific loans. All loans with specific allowances were considered to be collateral-dependent loans. The allowance and the activity within the allowance during 2025, 2024 and 2023 are discussed further in Note 3 “Loans and Allowance for Credit Losses” of the accompanying audited financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in Item 8 and Item 7 of this Report, respectively.
The allocation of the allowance for losses on loans at the dates indicated is summarized as follows.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | % of | | | | | % of | | | | | % of | | | | | % of | | | | | % of | |
| | | | | | Loans to | | | | | Loans to | | | | | Loans to | | | | | Loans to | | | | | Loans to | |
| | | | | | Total | | | | | Total | | | | | Total | | | | | Total | | | | | Total | |
| | | Amount | | Loans | | Amount | | Loans | | Amount | | Loans | | Amount | | Loans | | Amount | | Loans | ||||||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One- to four-family residential and construction | | $ | 7,483 | 19.3 | % | $ | 9,224 | 19.0 | % | $ | 9,820 | 20.5 | % | $ | 11,171 | 21.6 | % | $ | 9,364 | 18.4 | % | |||||
| Other residential and construction | | 18,476 | 34.7 | | 15,594 | 36.9 | | 13,370 | 32.2 | | 12,110 | 28.3 | | 10,502 | 28.9 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial real estate | | 29,223 | 35.3 | | 28,802 | 32.6 | | 28,171 | 32.9 | | 27,096 | 33.7 | | 28,604 | 36.5 | | ||||||||||
| Commercial construction | | 2,396 | 3.0 | | 2,735 | 3.5 | | 2,844 | 3.9 | | 2,865 | 5.8 | | 2,797 | 4.3 | | ||||||||||
| Other commercial | | 3,911 | 3.8 | | 4,656 | 4.4 | | 6,935 | 6.8 | | 5,822 | 6.4 | | 4,142 | 6.9 | | ||||||||||
| Consumer and overdrafts | | 3,282 | 3.9 | | 3,749 | 3.6 | | 3,530 | 3.7 | | 4,416 | 4.2 | | 5,345 | 5.0 | | ||||||||||
| Total | | $ | 64,771 | 100.0 | % | $ | 64,760 | 100.0 | % | $ | 64,670 | 100.0 | % | $ | 63,480 | 100.0 | % | $ | 60,754 | 100.0 | % |
The following table sets forth credit ratios as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
| | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | |||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | |||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | |||||
| | | | | | | | |
| Allowance for Credit Losses | | $ | 64,771 | | $ | 64,760 | |
| Total Loans | | 4,427,678 | | 4,761,848 | | ||
| Ratio of Allowance for Credit Losses to Total Loans | | 1.46 | % | 1.36 | % | ||
| | | | | | | | |
| Non-performing Loans | | $ | 2,094 | | $ | 3,573 | |
| Total Loans | | 4,427,678 | | 4,761,848 | | ||
| Ratio of Non-performing Loans to Total Loans | | 0.05 | % | 0.07 | % | ||
| | | | | | | | |
| Ratio of Allowance for Credit Losses to Non-performing Loans | | 3,093.15 | % | 1,812.48 | % |
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The following table sets forth an analysis of activity in the Bank’s allowance for credit losses showing the details of the activity by types of loans.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | 2021 | ||||||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at beginning of period | | $ | 64,760 | | $ | 64,670 | | $ | 63,480 | | $ | 60,754 | | $ | 55,743 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| CECL adoption adjustment: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| One- to four-family residential | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 4,533 | |
| Other residential | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,832 | |
| Commercial real estate | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (2,531) | |
| Construction | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,165) | |
| Other commercial | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,499 | |
| Consumer, overdrafts and other loans | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 3,427 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total CECL adoption adjustment | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 11,595 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Charge-offs: | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| One- to four-family residential | | 46 | | 64 | | 31 | | 40 | | 190 | | |||||
| Other residential | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | |||||
| Commercial real estate | | 8 | | 1,300 | | — | | 44 | | 142 | | |||||
| Construction | | — | | 101 | | — | | 84 | | 154 | | |||||
| Other commercial | | 179 | | 243 | | 1,037 | | 51 | | 81 | | |||||
| Consumer, overdrafts and other loans | | 1,073 | | 1,492 | | 1,754 | | 1,950 | | 2,054 | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total charge-offs | | 1,306 | | 3,200 | | 2,822 | | 2,169 | | 2,621 | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Recoveries: | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| One- to four-family residential | | 33 | | 38 | | 70 | | 195 | | 485 | | |||||
| Other residential | | — | | — | | — | | 110 | | 92 | | |||||
| Commercial real estate | | — | | — | | 145 | | 1 | | 48 | | |||||
| Construction | | 321 | | 194 | | 6 | | — | | 20 | | |||||
| Other commercial | | 366 | | 490 | | 241 | | 240 | | 334 | | |||||
| Consumer, overdrafts and other loans | | 597 | | 868 | | 1,300 | | 1,349 | | 1,758 | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total recoveries | | 1,317 | | 1,590 | | 1,762 | | 1,895 | | 2,737 | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net charge-offs (recoveries) | | (11) | | 1,610 | | 1,060 | | 274 | | (116) | | |||||
| Provision (credit) for losses on loans | | — | | 1,700 | | 2,250 | | 3,000 | | (6,700) | | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at end of period | | $ | 64,771 | | $ | 64,760 | | $ | 64,670 | | $ | 63,480 | | $ | 60,754 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding by loan category | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| One- to four-family residential | | | — | % | | — | % | | — | % | | — | % | | (0.01) | % |
| Other residential | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Commercial real estate | | | — | | | 0.1 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Construction | | | (0.2) | | | (0.1) | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| Other commercial | | | (0.1) | | | (0.1) | | | 0.3 | | | — | | | (0.01) | |
| Consumer, overdrafts and other loans | | | 0.3 | | | 0.4 | | | 0.3 | | | 0.01 | | | 0.01 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding | | — | % | 0.03 | % | 0.02 | % | 0.01 | % | — | % |
Investment Activities
Excluding securities issued by the United States Government, or its agencies, there were no investment securities in excess of 10% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2025, 2024 or 2023. Agencies, for this purpose, primarily include Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, Small Business Administration and FHLBank.
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As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company held approximately $523.8 million and $533.4 million, respectively, in fair value of investment securities which the Company classified as available-for-sale. In addition, as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company held approximately $179.2 million and $187.4 million, respectively, in principal amount of investment securities which the Company classified as held-to-maturity. See Notes 1 and 2 to the accompanying audited financial statements included in Item 8 of this Report.
The amortized cost and fair values of, and gross unrealized gains and losses on, investment securities at the dates indicated are summarized as follows.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | Gross | | Gross | | | | ||
| | | Amortized | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | ||||
| | | Cost | | Gains | | Losses | | Value | ||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 325,618 | | $ | 805 | | $ | 25,174 | | $ | 301,249 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | 120,465 | | 933 | | 6,065 | | 115,333 | ||||
| States and political subdivisions securities | | 53,347 | | 89 | | 2,038 | | 51,398 | ||||
| Small Business Administration securities | | 61,000 | | 14 | | 5,163 | | 55,851 | ||||
| | | $ | 560,430 | | $ | 1,841 | | $ | 38,440 | | $ | 523,831 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | Amortized | | Gross | | Gross | | | | |||
| | | Amortized | | Fair Value | | Carrying | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | ||||||
| | | Cost | | Adjustment | | Value | | Gains | | Losses | | Value | ||||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 69,713 | | $ | 1,313 | | $ | 71,026 | | $ | — | | $ | 5,694 | | $ | 65,332 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | 103,918 | | | (1,857) | | | 102,061 | | | — | | | 10,424 | | | 91,637 | |
| States and political subdivisions | | 6,086 | | | 27 | | | 6,113 | | | — | | | 453 | | | 5,660 | |
| | | $ | 179,717 | | $ | (517) | | $ | 179,200 | | $ | — | | $ | 16,571 | | $ | 162,629 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | Gross | | Gross | | | | ||
| | | Amortized | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | ||||
| | | Cost | | Gains | | Losses | | Value | ||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 346,712 | | $ | 69 | | $ | 40,874 | | $ | 305,907 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | 123,395 | | — | | 9,771 | | 113,624 | ||||
| States and political subdivisions securities | | 58,608 | | 69 | | 2,729 | | 55,948 | ||||
| Small Business Administration securities | | 65,849 | | — | | 7,955 | | 57,894 | ||||
| | | $ | 594,564 | | $ | 138 | | $ | 61,329 | | $ | 533,373 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | Amortized | | Gross | | Gross | | | | |||
| | | Amortized | | Fair Value | | Carrying | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | ||||||
| | | Cost | | Adjustment | | Value | | Gains | | Losses | | Value | ||||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 71,065 | | $ | 1,864 | | $ | 72,929 | | $ | — | | $ | 8,523 | | $ | 64,406 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | 110,493 | | (2,140) | | 108,353 | | — | | 15,495 | | 92,858 | ||||||
| States and political subdivisions | | 6,137 | | 14 | | 6,151 | | — | | 650 | | 5,501 | ||||||
| | | $ | 187,695 | | $ | (262) | | $ | 187,433 | | $ | — | | $ | 24,668 | | $ | 162,765 |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | Gross | | Gross | | | | ||
| | | Amortized | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | ||||
| | | Cost | | Gains | | Losses | | Value | ||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 316,114 | | $ | 7 | | $ | 35,890 | | $ | 280,231 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | 85,989 | | — | | 10,043 | | 75,946 | ||||
| States and political subdivisions securities | | 59,141 | | 527 | | 1,531 | | 58,137 | ||||
| Small Business Administration securities | | | 70,648 | | | — | | | 6,755 | | | 63,893 |
| | | $ | 531,892 | | $ | 534 | | $ | 54,219 | | $ | 478,207 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | Amortized | | Gross | | Gross | | | ||||
| | | Amortized | | Fair Value | | Carrying | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | ||||||
| | | Cost | | Adjustment | | Value | | Gains | | Losses | | Value | ||||||
| | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||||||
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 72,495 | | $ | 2,436 | | $ | 74,931 | | $ | — | | $ | 8,686 | | $ | 66,245 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | 116,405 | | (2,502) | | 113,903 | | — | | 14,662 | | 99,241 | ||||||
| States and political subdivisions | | 6,188 | | 1 | | 6,189 | | — | | 482 | | 5,707 | ||||||
| | | $ | 195,088 | | $ | (65) | | $ | 195,023 | | $ | — | | $ | 23,830 | | $ | 171,193 |
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s available-for-sale agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio consisted of FNMA securities totaling $197.5 million, FHLMC securities totaling $101.3 million and GNMA securities totaling $2.5 million. At December 31, 2024, the available-for-sale agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio consisted of FNMA securities totaling $205.6 million, FHLMC securities totaling $98.5 million and GNMA securities totaling $1.8 million. At December 31, 2023, the available-for-sale agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio consisted of FNMA securities totaling $190.9 million, FHLMC securities totaling $86.4 million and GNMA securities totaling $2.9 million. At December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, all of the Company’s agency mortgage-backed securities had fixed rates of interest.
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s available-for-sale agency collateralized mortgage-backed obligations portfolio consisted of FNMA securities totaling $48.9 million, FHLMC securities totaling $62.4 million and GNMA securities totaling $4.1 million. At December 31, 2024, the Company’s available-for-sale agency collateralized mortgage-backed obligations portfolio consisted of FNMA securities totaling $46.0 million, FHLMC securities totaling $63.0 million and GNMA securities totaling $4.6 million. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s available-for-sale agency collateralized mortgage-backed obligations portfolio consisted of FNMA securities totaling $4.1 million, FHLMC securities totaling $66.5 million and GNMA securities totaling $5.3 million. At December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, all of the Company’s agency collateralized mortgage-backed obligations had fixed rates of interest.
The following tables present the contractual maturities and weighted average tax-equivalent yields of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at December 31, 2025. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Amortized | | Tax-Equivalent | | | ||
| | | Cost | | Amortized Yield | | Fair Value | ||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES | | | | | | | | |
| One year or less | | $ | — | | — | | $ | — |
| After one through five years | | 1,020 | 4.39 | % | 1,030 | |||
| After five through ten years | | — | — | | — | |||
| After ten years | | 52,327 | 3.47 | % | 50,368 | |||
| Securities not due on a single maturity date | | 507,083 | 3.05 | % | 472,433 | |||
| Total | | $ | 560,430 | 3.09 | % | $ | 523,831 |
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| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Amortized | | Tax-Equivalent | | | | |
| | | Carrying Value | | Amortized Yield | | Fair Value | ||
| | | (Dollars In Thousands) | ||||||
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES | | | | | | | | |
| One year or less | | $ | — | — | | $ | — | |
| After one through five years | | — | — | | — | |||
| After five through ten years | | 1,058 | 5.90 | % | 1,000 | |||
| After ten years | | 5,055 | 1.36 | % | 4,660 | |||
| Securities not due on a single maturity date | | 173,087 | 2.65 | % | 156,969 | |||
| Total | | $ | 179,200 | 2.63 | % | $ | 162,629 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Securities | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Not Due | | | | |
| | | | | | After One | | After Five | | After | | on a Single | | | | ||||
| | | One Year | | Through | | Through | | Ten | | Maturity | | | | |||||
| | | or Less | | Five Years | | Ten Years | | Years | | Date | | Total | ||||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 301,249 | | $ | 301,249 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 115,333 | | 115,333 | ||||||
| Small business administration securities | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 55,851 | | 55,851 | ||||||
| States and political subdivisions securities | | — | | 1,030 | | — | | 50,368 | | — | | 51,398 | ||||||
| | | $ | — | | $ | 1,030 | | $ | — | | $ | 50,368 | | $ | 472,433 | | $ | 523,831 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 71,026 | | $ | 71,026 |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 102,061 | | | 102,061 |
| States and political subdivisions securities | | | — | | | — | | | 1,058 | | | 5,055 | | | — | | | 6,113 |
| | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 1,058 | | $ | 5,055 | | $ | 173,087 | | $ | 179,200 |
The following tables show our investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair values, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Less than 12 Months | | 12 Months or More | | Total | ||||||||||||
| | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | ||||||
| Description of Securities | | Value | | Losses | | Value | | Losses | | Value | | Losses | ||||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 241,503 | | $ | (25,174) | | $ | 241,503 | | $ | (25,174) |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | — | | | — | | | 70,774 | | | (6,065) | | | 70,774 | | | (6,065) | |
| Small Business Administration securities | | — | | | — | | | 48,807 | | | (5,163) | | | 48,807 | | | (5,163) | |
| States and political subdivisions securities | | 4,409 | | | (109) | | | 43,528 | | | (1,929) | | | 47,937 | | | (2,038) | |
| | | $ | 4,409 | | $ | (109) | | $ | 404,612 | | $ | (38,331) | | $ | 409,021 | | $ | (38,440) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 65,332 | | $ | (5,694) | | $ | 65,332 | | $ | (5,694) |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | | — | | | — | | | 91,637 | | | (10,424) | | | 91,637 | | | (10,424) |
| States and political subdivisions securities | | | — | | | — | | | 5,660 | | | (453) | | | 5,660 | | | (453) |
| | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 162,629 | | $ | (16,571) | | $ | 162,629 | | $ | (16,571) |
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Less than 12 Months | | 12 Months or More | | Total | ||||||||||||
| | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | ||||||
| Description of Securities | | Value | | Losses | | Value | | Losses | | Value | | Losses | ||||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 45,977 | | $ | (1,008) | | $ | 253,971 | | $ | (39,866) | | $ | 299,948 | | $ | (40,874) |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | 50,720 | | | (890) | | | 62,903 | | | (8,881) | | | 113,623 | | | (9,771) | |
| Small Business Administration securities | | | 7,229 | | | (270) | | | 50,665 | | | (7,685) | | | 57,894 | | | (7,955) |
| States and political subdivisions securities | | 14,523 | | | (343) | | | 37,945 | | | (2,386) | | | 52,468 | | | (2,729) | |
| | | $ | 118,449 | | $ | (2,511) | | $ | 405,484 | | $ | (58,818) | | $ | 523,933 | | $ | (61,329) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 64,406 | | $ | (8,523) | | $ | 64,406 | | $ | (8,523) |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | | — | | | — | | | 92,858 | | | (15,495) | | | 92,858 | | | (15,495) |
| States and political subdivisions securities | | — | | | — | | | 5,501 | | | (650) | | | 5,501 | | | (650) | |
| | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 162,765 | | $ | (24,668) | | $ | 162,765 | | $ | (24,668) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
| | | Less than 12 Months | | 12 Months or More | | Total | ||||||||||||
| | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | | Fair | | Unrealized | ||||||
| Description of Securities | | Value | | Losses | | Value | | Losses | | Value | | Losses | ||||||
| | | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | 4,318 | | $ | (9) | | $ | 274,801 | | $ | (35,881) | | $ | 279,119 | | $ | (35,890) |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | | 9,080 | | | (216) | | | 66,866 | | | (9,827) | | | 75,946 | | | (10,043) |
| Small Business Administration securities | | | 7,782 | | | (133) | | | 56,111 | | | (6,622) | | | 63,893 | | | (6,755) |
| States and political subdivisions securities | | — | | | — | | | 37,969 | | | (1,531) | | | 37,969 | | | (1,531) | |
| | | $ | 21,180 | | $ | (358) | | $ | 435,747 | | $ | (53,861) | | $ | 456,927 | | $ | (54,219) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Agency mortgage-backed securities | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 66,245 | | $ | (8,686) | | $ | 66,245 | | $ | (8,686) |
| Agency collateralized mortgage obligations | | | — | | | — | | | 99,241 | | | (14,662) | | | 99,241 | | | (14,662) |
| States and political subdivisions securities | | | — | | | — | | | 5,707 | | | (482) | | | 5,707 | | | (482) |
| | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 171,193 | | $ | (23,830) | | $ | 171,193 | | $ | (23,830) |
Allowance for Credit Losses The Company evaluates all securities quarterly to determine if any securities in a loss position require a provision for credit losses in accordance with ASC 326, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. All of the mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage, and SBA securities held by the Company are issued by U.S. government-sponsored entities and agencies. These securities are either explicitly or implicitly guaranteed by the U.S. government, are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. Likewise, the Company has not experienced historical losses on these types of securities. Accordingly, no allowance for credit losses has been recorded for these securities.
Regarding securities issued by state and political subdivisions, management considers the following when evaluating these securities: (i) current issuer bond ratings, (ii) historical loss rates for given bond ratings, (iii) whether issuers continue to make timely principal and interest payments under the contractual terms of the securities, (iv) updated financial information of the issuer, (v) internal forecasts and (vi) whether such securities provide insurance or other credit enhancement or are pre-refunded by the issuers. These securities are highly rated by major rating agencies and have a long history of no credit losses. Likewise, the Company historically has not experienced losses on these types of securities. Accordingly, no allowance for credit losses has been recorded for these securities.
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Sources of Funds
General. Deposit accounts have traditionally been the principal source of the Bank’s funds for use in lending and for other general business purposes. In addition to deposits, the Bank obtains funds through advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (“FHLBank”), the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window and other borrowings, loan repayments, loan sales, and cash flows generated from operations. Scheduled loan payments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows and the related costs of such funds have varied widely. Borrowings such as FHLBank advances may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for seasonal reductions in deposits or deposit inflows at less than projected levels and may be used on a longer-term basis to support expanded lending activities. The availability of funds from loan sales is influenced generally by the level of interest rates, which in turn may impact the volume of originations.
Deposits. The Bank attracts both short-term and long-term deposits from the general public by offering a wide variety of accounts and rates and purchases various forms of brokered deposits from time to time. The Bank offers regular savings accounts, checking accounts, various money market accounts, fixed-interest rate certificates with varying maturities, certificates of deposit in minimum amounts of $250,000 (“Jumbo” accounts), brokered certificates and individual retirement accounts. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, non-interest-bearing demand deposits increased $225 million in 2021, while interest-bearing demand and savings deposits increased $240 million. During 2021, the Bank also decreased its total time deposits by approximately $430 million. Also during 2021, time deposits originated through the Bank’s internet channel decreased by $200 million and brokered deposits, including IntraFi purchased funds, decreased $91 million. The brokered deposits and deposits originated through the Bank’s internet channel were allowed to mature without replacement as other deposit categories increased in 2021. In the latter half of 2022, some of the interest-bearing demand and savings deposits and non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased as some of the COVID-19 pandemic “surge deposits” flowed out of both retail and business customer accounts. Total balances in these categories did not return to pre-pandemic levels, but they declined from peak balance levels in 2021 and early 2022. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $146 million in 2022 and interest-bearing demand and savings deposits, excluding brokered deposits, decreased $193 million. During 2022, in response to customer demand in a rising interest rate environment, the Bank increased its total time deposits by approximately $322 million. Time deposits originated through the Bank’s internet channel decreased by $152 million and brokered time deposits, including IntraFi purchased funds, increased $194 million. The Bank’s retail time deposits originated through its banking center and corporate services network increased $309 million. In 2023, non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $168 million and interest-bearing demand and savings deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased $28 million. During 2023, time deposits originated through the Bank’s internet channel decreased by $35 million and brokered time deposits increased $100 million. The Bank’s retail time deposits originated through its banking center and corporate services network decreased $35 million in 2023, while other brokered deposits increased $150 million. In 2024, non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $53 million and interest-bearing demand and savings deposits, excluding brokered deposits, decreased $2 million. During 2024, the Bank’s retail time deposits originated through its banking center and corporate services network decreased $162 million. Brokered deposits increased $111 million in 2024. In 2025, non-interest-bearing demand deposits decreased $1 million and interest-bearing demand and savings deposits, excluding brokered deposits, increased $75 million. Interest-bearing demand deposit balances fluctuate, but in 2025 the Bank experienced a migration into higher-yielding money market account products. During 2025, the Bank’s retail time deposits originated through its banking center and corporate services network decreased $87 million, and its brokered deposits decreased $109 million. Retail time deposits decreased due to migration to money market account products and to other external competing investment products. The Bank chose to not pay above-market rates to retain some of these time deposits, and chose to allow some of these time deposits and brokered deposits to mature without replacement as net loan growth was negative in 2025.
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The following table sets forth the dollar amount of deposits, by interest rate range, in the various types of deposit programs offered by the Bank at the dates indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | Percent of | | | | | Percent of | | | | | Percent of | |
| | | Amount | | Total | | Amount | | Total | | Amount | | Total | | |||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | ||||||||||||||
| Time deposits: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 0.00% - 0.99% | | $ | 31,380 | | 0.70 | % | $ | 52,720 | | 1.14 | % | $ | 86,831 | | 1.84 | % |
| 1.00% - 1.99% | | 94,864 | 2.12 | | 75,938 | 1.65 | | 22,485 | 0.48 | | ||||||
| 2.00% - 2.99% | | 22,720 | 0.51 | | 8,244 | 0.18 | | 44,354 | 0.94 | | ||||||
| 3.00% - 3.99% | | 537,043 | 11.98 | | 89,967 | 1.95 | | 46,304 | 0.98 | | ||||||
| 4.00% - 4.99% | | 2,432 | 0.05 | | 548,903 | 11.92 | | 739,645 | 15.66 | | ||||||
| 5.00% and above | | — | — | | — | — | | 8,583 | 0.18 | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total time deposits | | 688,439 | 15.36 | | 775,772 | 16.84 | | 948,202 | 20.08 | | ||||||
| Non-interest-bearing demand deposits | | 841,515 | 18.77 | | 842,931 | 18.30 | | 895,496 | 18.97 | | ||||||
| Interest-bearing demand and savings deposits (1.20% - 1.39% - 1.67%) | | 2,289,393 | 51.07 | | 2,214,732 | 48.09 | | 2,216,482 | 46.94 | | ||||||
| Brokered deposits (3.80% - 4.61% - 5.20%) | | | 663,427 | | 14.80 | | | 772,114 | | 16.77 | | | 661,528 | | 14.01 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total Deposits | | $ | 4,482,774 | 100.00 | % | $ | 4,605,549 | 100.00 | % | $ | 4,721,708 | 100.00 | % |
A table showing maturity information for the Bank’s time deposits as of December 31, 2025, is presented in Note 7 of the accompanying audited financial statements, which are included in Item 8 of this Report.
The variety of deposit accounts offered by the Bank has allowed it to be competitive in obtaining funds and respond with flexibility to changes in consumer demand. The Bank has become more susceptible to short-term fluctuations in deposit flows, as customers have become more interest rate conscious and the Bank’s deposit mix may vary. The Bank manages the pricing of its deposits in keeping with its asset/liability management, liquidity and profitability objectives. Based on its experience, management believes that the Bank’s checking accounts and certificate accounts are relatively stable sources of deposits. However, more recently, the Bank has experienced a decrease in its retail time deposits as rates paid on those deposits have declined. The Bank’s ability to attract and retain deposits, and the rates paid on these deposits, has been and will continue to be significantly affected by money market conditions.
The following table sets forth the time remaining until maturity of the Bank’s time deposits as of December 31, 2025. The table is based on information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Maturity | |||||||||||||
| | | 3 Months | | Over 3 to 6 | | Over 6 to 12 | | Over | | | | ||||
| | | Or Less | | Months | | Months | | 12 Months | | Total | |||||
| | (In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Time deposits: | | | | | | | | | | | |||||
| Less than $250,000 | | $ | 316,443 | | $ | 213,528 | | $ | 33,734 | | $ | 9,039 | | $ | 572,744 |
| $250,000 or more | | 59,076 | | 41,212 | | 4,600 | | — | | 104,888 | |||||
| Brokered | | 363,427 | | 50,000 | | 50,000 | | 200,000 | | 663,427 | |||||
| Public funds(1) | | 2,313 | | 8,133 | | 361 | | — | | 10,807 | |||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 741,259 | | $ | 312,873 | | $ | 88,695 | | $ | 209,039 | | $ | 1,351,866 |
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|---|---|
| (1) | Deposits from governmental and other public entities. |
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The following tables set forth the time remaining until maturity of the Bank’s uninsured time deposits as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024. The table is based on information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Maturities as of December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||
| | | 3 Months | | Over 3 to 6 | | Over 6 to 12 | | Over | | | | ||||
| | | Or Less | | Months | | Months | | 12 Months | | Total | |||||
| | | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Uninsured Time Deposits | $ | 45,343 | $ | 56,450 | $ | 6,405 | $ | 442 | $ | 108,640 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Maturities as of December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
| | | 3 Months | | Over 3 to 6 | | Over 6 to 12 | | Over | | | | ||||
| | | Or Less | | Months | | Months | | 12 Months | | Total | |||||
| | | (In Thousands) | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Uninsured Time Deposits | $ | 64,596 | $ | 52,092 | $ | 12,217 | $ | 844 | $ | 129,749 |
In addition to the uninsured time deposits noted above, the Bank’s uninsured deposits with no maturity date were $1.61 billion and $1.51 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, for total uninsured deposits at those dates of $1.72 billion and $1.64 billion, respectively. These totals include deposit accounts of consolidated subsidiaries of the Company (which are eliminated from total deposits shown in the consolidated financial statements of the Company) and collateralized deposits of unaffiliated entities, as required by FDIC guidance. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the total uninsured deposits reported here included $1.0 billion and $974.1 million, respectively, of deposit accounts of consolidated subsidiaries of the Company.
Non-brokered deposits also include IntraFi Network Deposit accounts, which are accounts that are just like any other deposit account on the Company’s books, except that the account total exceeds the FDIC deposit insurance maximum (but the subaccount amounts for the benefit of individual customers is within FDIC insurance limits, as explained below). When a customer places a large deposit with an IntraFi Network bank, that bank uses IntraFi to place the funds into deposit accounts issued by other banks in the IntraFi Network. This occurs in increments of less than the standard FDIC insurance maximum, so that both principal and interest are eligible for complete FDIC protection. Other Network members do the same thing with their customers’ funds. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Bank had approximately $11.7 million and $5.0 million in non-brokered IntraFi Network Deposits, respectively.
Brokered deposits. Brokered deposits are marketed through national brokerage firms to their customers in $1,000 increments. The Bank maintains only one account for the total deposit amount while the detailed records of owners are maintained by the Depository Trust Company under the name of CEDE & Co. The deposits are transferable just like a stock or bond investment and the customer can open the account with a phone call or an online request. This provides a large deposit for the Bank at a lower operating cost since the Bank only has one account to maintain versus several accounts with multiple interest and maturity dates. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Bank had approximately $663.4 million and $772.1 million in brokered deposits, respectively.
Included in the brokered deposits totals at December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $450.0 million and $300.0 million, respectively, in IntraFi Funding accounts. IntraFi Funding transactions represent a cost-effective source of funding without collateralization or credit limits for the Company. These transactions help the Company obtain large blocks of funding while providing control over pricing and diversity of wholesale funding options. At December 31, 2025 and 2024, all of these IntraFi deposits were at floating rates indexed to the effective fed funds rate.
Unlike non-brokered certificates of deposit, which can be withdrawn (with a penalty) prior to maturity for any reason, including increasing interest rates, a brokered deposit (excluding IntraFi Network Deposits) can only be withdrawn prior to maturity in the event of the death, or court declared mental incompetence, of the depositor. This allows the Bank to better manage the maturity of its deposits. Additionally, the Bank may issue brokered deposits which are callable at the Bank’s discretion prior to their stated maturity date. Currently, the rates offered by the Bank for brokered deposits are generally higher than those offered for retail certificates of deposit of similar maturity. The rates offered for brokered deposits are comparable to the rates the Bank pays for borrowings from the FHLBank and the FRB. The Bank maintained increased liquidity during and after the economic recession that began in 2008. After 2009, we had gradually reduced the amount of brokered deposits (excluding IntraFi Network Deposits) utilized as we added deposits from FDIC-assisted acquisitions. As loan demand began to increase starting in 2013, we gradually increased our usage of brokered deposits again from time to time. During 2021, we decreased our usage of brokered deposits as we experienced growth in a variety of
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non-time deposits that year. Since 2022, at times when loan demand has trended upward and as other deposit sources have declined, we again have utilized brokered deposits to obtain additional funding.
The Company may use interest rate swaps from time to time to manage its interest rate risks from recorded financial liabilities. In the past, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements with the objective of economically hedging against the effects of changes in the fair value of its liabilities for fixed rate brokered certificates of deposit caused by changes in market interest rates. These interest rate swaps have allowed the Company to create funding of varying maturities at a variable rate that in the past has approximated three-month SOFR. In February 2023, the Company entered into five new interest rate swap transactions. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $95.0 million in interest rate swaps on brokered deposits, which were accounted for as fair value hedges. In January 2024, the Company elected to terminate these swaps prior to their contractual termination date in 2025. The Company received a net settlement payment from the swap counterparty totaling $26,500 upon termination. The Company has not utilized these types of interest rate swaps on brokered deposits since then.
Borrowings. Great Southern’s other sources of funds include advances and overnight borrowings from the FHLBank, a Qualified Loan Review (“QLR”) arrangement with the FRB, customer repurchase agreements and other borrowings.
As a member of the FHLBank, the Bank is required to own capital stock in the FHLBank and is authorized to apply for advances from the FHLBank. Each FHLBank credit program has its own interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, and range of maturities. The FHLBank may prescribe the acceptable uses for these advances, as well as other risks on availability, limitations on the size of the advances and repayment provisions. At both December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Bank had no FHLBank term advances outstanding. The Bank had outstanding overnight borrowings of $330.0 and $333.0 million from the FHLBank at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Because they are overnight borrowings, any outstanding balances are included in short-term borrowings in the Company’s financial statements. The Bank has in the past utilized, and may again utilize, FHLBank advances from time to time to fund loan growth.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (“FRBSTL”) has a QLR program whereby the Bank can borrow on a temporary basis using commercial loans pledged to the FRBSTL. Under the QLR program, the Bank can borrow any amount up to a calculated collateral value of the commercial loans pledged, for virtually any reason that creates a temporary cash need. Examples of this could be: (1) the need to fund for late outgoing wires or cash letter settlements, (2) the need to disburse one or more loans but the permanent source of funds will not be available for a few days; (3) a temporary spike in interest rates on other funding sources that are being used; or (4) the need to purchase a security for collateral pledging purposes a few days prior to the funds becoming available on an existing security that is maturing. The Bank had commercial, consumer and other loans pledged to the FRBSTL at December 31, 2025 that would have allowed approximately $305.7 million to be borrowed under the QLR program. There were no outstanding borrowings under the QLR program at December 31, 2025 or 2024. The Bank borrowed and repaid $200 million under this arrangement during the year ended December 31, 2025; the facility was not used during 2024.
The FRBSTL also has a Bank Term Funding Program (“BTFP”), which was created in March 2023 to support American businesses and households by making additional funding available to eligible depository institutions to help ensure banks have the ability to meet the needs of all their depositors. The BTFP offered loans of up to one year to depository institutions pledging any collateral eligible for purchase by the Federal Reserve Banks in open market operations, such as U.S. Treasuries, U.S. agency securities, and U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities. In January 2024, the Bank borrowed $180.0 million under the BTFP program. The BTFP borrowing, which matured and was repaid in January 2025, had a fixed interest rate of 4.83%. The line was secured primarily by the Bank’s held-to-maturity investment securities, with assets pledged totaling approximately $187.7 million at December 31, 2024. The proceeds from these borrowings were primarily used to repay a portion of the Bank’s overnight borrowings from the FHLBank. Once the BTFP borrowing was repaid, the securities pledged were released by the FRBSTL and most of these securities have now been pledged as additional collateral for the FHLBank borrowing line.
The Bank enters into sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (reverse repurchase agreements). Reverse repurchase agreements are treated as financings, and the obligations to repurchase securities sold are reflected as a liability in the statements of financial condition. The dollar amount of securities underlying the agreements remains in the asset accounts. Securities underlying the agreements are held by the Bank during the agreement period. The agreements generally are written on a term of one-month or less.
In November 2006, Great Southern Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), a statutory trust formed by the Company for the purpose of issuing the securities, issued $25.0 million aggregate liquidation amount of floating rate cumulative trust preferred securities. The Trust II securities bear a floating distribution rate equal to 90-day LIBOR plus 1.60%. The Trust II securities became redeemable at the
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Company’s option in February 2012, and if not sooner redeemed, mature on February 1, 2037. The Trust II securities were sold in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The gross proceeds of the offering were used to purchase Junior Subordinated Debentures from the Company totaling $25.8 million and bearing an interest rate identical to the distribution rate on the Trust II securities. The initial interest rate on the Trust II debentures was 6.98%. The interest rate was 5.72% and 6.43% at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
On June 10, 2020, the Company completed the public offering and sale of $75.0 million of its subordinated notes. The notes were due June 15, 2030, and had a fixed interest rate of 5.50% until June 15, 2025, at which time the rate was to begin floating at a rate expected to be equal to three-month term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 5.325%. The notes were sold at par, resulting in net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions, legal, accounting and other professional fees, of approximately $73.5 million. Total debt issuance costs of approximately $1.5 million were deferred and amortized over the expected life of the notes, which was five years.
On June 15, 2025, in accordance with the terms of the notes, the Company redeemed all $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of the subordinated notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Amortization of the debt issuance costs during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, totaled $124,000, $297,000 and $297,000, respectively, and is included in interest expense on subordinated notes in the consolidated statements of income.
The following tables set forth the maximum month-end balances, average daily balances and weighted average interest rates of other borrowings during the years indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, 2025 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | Maximum | | Average | | Average | |||
| | | Balance | | Balance | | Interest Rate | | ||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | |||||||
| Other Borrowings: | | | | | | | |||
| Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements | | $ | 82,362 | | $ | 61,664 | | 1.88 | % |
| Overnight borrowings – FHLBank | | 425,000 | | 309,137 | 4.54 | | |||
| Short-term borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank | | — | | 14,959 | 4.09 | | |||
| Other | | 1,247 | | 965 | — | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | | | | $ | 386,725 | 4.09 | % | |
| Total maximum month-end balance | | 468,581 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, 2024 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | Maximum | | Average | | Average | |||
| | | Balance | | Balance | | Interest Rate | |||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | |||||||
| Other Borrowings: | | | | | | | |||
| Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements | | $ | 78,777 | | $ | 75,575 | | 1.86 | % |
| Overnight borrowings – FHLBank | | 333,000 | | 181,287 | 5.36 | | |||
| Short-term borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank | | 180,000 | | 175,628 | 4.85 | | |||
| Other | | 1,610 | | 1,347 | — | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | | | | $ | 433,837 | 4.52 | % | |
| Total maximum month-end balance | | 578,691 | | | | | |
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| | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | Maximum | | Average | | Average | |||
| | | Balance | | Balance | | Interest Rate | |||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | |||||||
| Other Borrowings: | | | | | | | | | |
| Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements | | $ | 181,476 | | $ | 82,218 | 1.47 | % | |
| Overnight borrowings – FHLBank | | 251,000 | | 141,474 | 5.25 | | |||
| Other | | 1,610 | | 1,392 | — | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | | | | $ | 225,084 | 3.87 | % | |
| Total maximum month-end balance | | 410,573 | | | | | |
The following table sets forth year-end balances and weighted average interest rates of the Company’s other borrowings at the dates indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | Weighted | | | | | Weighted | | | | | Weighted | |
| | | | | | Average | | | | | Average | | | | | Average | |
| | | | | | Interest | | | | | Interest | | | | | Interest | |
| | | Balance | | Rate | | Balance | | Rate | | Balance | | Rate | | |||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | ||||||||||||||
| Other borrowings: | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||
| Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements | | $ | 48,467 | 0.88 | % | $ | 64,444 | 1.38 | % | $ | 70,843 | 1.66 | % | |||
| Overnight borrowings – FHLBank | | 330,000 | 3.98 | | 333,000 | 4.62 | | 251,500 | 5.64 | | ||||||
| Short-term borrowings from Federal Reserve Bank | | | — | | — | | | 180,000 | | 4.83 | | | — | | — | |
| Collateral held for interest rate swap | | — | — | | — | — | | — | — | | ||||||
| Other | | 928 | — | | 1,247 | — | | 1,610 | — | | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total | | $ | 379,395 | 3.76 | % | $ | 578,691 | 4.32 | % | $ | 323,453 | 4.76 | % |
The following table sets forth the maximum month-end balances, average daily balances and weighted average interest rates of subordinated debentures issued to a capital trust during the years indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | ||||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | ||||||||
| Subordinated debentures: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Maximum balance | | $ | 25,774 | | $ | 25,774 | | $ | 25,774 | |
| Average balance | | 25,774 | | 25,774 | | 25,774 | | |||
| Weighted average interest rate | | 6.00 | % | 6.98 | % | 6.74 | % |
The following table sets forth certain information as to the Company’s subordinated debentures issued to a capital trust at the dates indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | ||||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subordinated debentures | | $ | 25,774 | | $ | 25,774 | | $ | 25,774 | |
| Weighted average interest rate of subordinated debentures | | 5.72 | % | 6.43 | % | 7.24 | % |
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The following table sets forth the maximum month-end balances, average daily balances and weighted average interest rates of subordinated notes during the years indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | ||||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | ||||||||
| Subordinated notes: | | | | | | | | |||
| Maximum balance | | $ | 75,000 | | $ | 74,876 | | $ | 74,579 | |
| Average balance | | 34,088 | | 74,734 | | 74,430 | | |||
| Weighted average interest rate | | 5.91 | % | 5.92 | % | 5.94 | % |
The following table sets forth certain information as to the Company’s subordinated notes at the dates indicated.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | December 31, | ||||||||
| | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | ||||
| | (Dollars In Thousands) | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Subordinated notes | | $ | — | | $ | 74,876 | | $ | 74,579 | |
| Weighted average interest rate of subordinated debentures | | — | % | 5.90 | % | 5.92 | % |
Subsidiaries
Great Southern. As a Missouri-chartered trust company, Great Southern may invest up to 3%, which was equal to $168.0 million at December 31, 2025, of its assets in service corporations. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in Great Southern Real Estate Development Corporation (“Real Estate Development”) was $2.7 million. Real Estate Development was incorporated and organized in 2003 under the laws of the State of Missouri. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in Great Southern Community Development Company, L.L.C. (“CDC”) and its subsidiary Great Southern CDE, L.L.C. (“CDE”) was $713,000. CDC and CDE were formed in 2010 under the laws of the State of Missouri. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in GS, L.L.C. (“GSLLC”) was $43.8 million. GSLLC was formed in 2005 under the laws of the State of Missouri. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in GSSC, L.L.C. (“GSSCLLC”) was $21.0 million. GSSCLLC was formed in 2009 under the laws of the State of Missouri. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in GSRE Holding, L.L.C. (“GSRE Holding”) was $12.3 million. GSRE Holding was formed in 2009 under the laws of the State of Missouri. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in GSRE Holding II, L.L.C. (“GSRE Holding II”) was $958,000. GSRE Holding II was formed in 2009 under the laws of the State of Missouri. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in GSRE Holding III, L.L.C. (“GSRE Holding III”) was $-0-. GSRE Holding III was formed in 2012 under the laws of the State of Missouri. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in GSTC Investments, L.L.C. (“GSTCLLC”) was $59.4 million. GSTCLLC was formed in 2016 under the laws of the State of Missouri. These subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the activities described below. In addition, Great Southern has two other subsidiary companies that are not considered service corporations, GSB One, L.L.C. and GSB Two, L.L.C. These companies are also described below.
Great Southern Real Estate Development Corporation. Generally, the purpose of Real Estate Development is to hold real estate assets which have been obtained through foreclosure by the Bank and which require ongoing operation of a business or completion of construction. During 2025 and 2024, Real Estate Development did not hold any real estate assets related to foreclosed property. Real Estate Development had net income of $-0- in each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Great Southern Community Development Company, L.L.C. and Great Southern CDE, L.L.C. Generally, the purpose of CDC is to invest in community development projects that have a public benefit and are permissible under Missouri and Kansas law. These include activities such as investing in real estate and investing in other community development entities. CDC also serves as parent to subsidiary CDE which invests in limited liability entities for the purpose of acquiring federal tax credits to be utilized by Great Southern. CDC had consolidated net loss of $1,000 in each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
GS, L.L.C. GSLLC was organized in 2005. GSLLC is a limited liability company that invests in multiple limited liability entities for the purpose of acquiring state and federal tax credits which are utilized by Great Southern. GSLLC had net income of $1.1 million and a net loss of $1,000 in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which primarily resulted from the tax credits utilized by Great Southern and income recognized upon exits from tax credit partnerships.
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GSSC, L.L.C. GSSCLLC was organized in 2009. GSSCLLC is a limited liability company that invests in multiple limited liability entities for the purpose of acquiring state tax credits which are utilized by Great Southern or sold to third parties. GSSCLLC had net losses of $108,000 and $2,000 in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, which primarily resulted from the tax credits utilized by Great Southern.
GSRE Holding, L.L.C. Generally, the purpose of GSRE Holding is to hold real estate assets which have been obtained through foreclosure by the Bank and which require ongoing operation of a business or completion of construction. At December 31, 2025, GSRE Holding held cash of $6.3 million and real estate assets of $6.0 million. GSRE Holding had net income of $457,000 and $330,000 in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
GSRE Holding II, L.L.C. Generally, the purpose of GSRE Holding II is to hold real estate assets which have been obtained through foreclosure by the Bank and which require ongoing operation of a business or completion of construction. In 2025 and 2024, GSRE Holding II did not hold any significant real estate assets. GSRE Holding II had net losses of $2,000 in each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
GSRE Holding III, L.L.C. Generally, the purpose of GSRE Holding III is to hold real estate assets which have been obtained through foreclosure by the Bank and which require ongoing operation of a business or completion of construction. In 2025 and 2024, GSRE Holding III did not hold any significant real estate assets. GSRE Holding III had net income of $-0- in each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
GSTC Investments, L.L.C. GSTCLLC was organized in 2016. GSTCLLC is a limited liability company that invests in multiple limited liability entities for the purpose of acquiring state and federal tax credits which are utilized by Great Southern. GSTCLLC had net income of $-0- in each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
GSB One, L.L.C. At December 31, 2025, the Bank’s total investment in GSB One, L.L.C. (“GSB One”) and GSB Two, L.L.C. (“GSB Two”) was $2.41 billion. The capital contribution was made by transferring participations in loans to GSB Two. GSB One is a Missouri limited liability company that was formed in 1998. Currently, the only activity of this company is the ownership of GSB Two.
GSB Two, L.L.C. This is a Missouri limited liability company that was formed in 1998. GSB Two is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”). It holds interests in real estate mortgages transferred from the Bank. The Bank continues to service the loans in return for a management and servicing fee from GSB Two. GSB Two had net income of $80.6 million and $77.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Competition
The banking industry in the Company’s market areas is highly competitive. In addition to competing with other commercial and savings banks, the Company competes with credit unions, finance companies, leasing companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking firms, financial technology “fintech” companies, and many other financial service firms. Competition is based on a number of factors including, among others, customer service, quality and range of products and services offered, price, reputation, interest rates on loans and deposits, lending limits, and customer convenience. Our ability to continue to compete effectively also depends in large part on our ability to attract new employees and retain and motivate our existing employees, while managing compensation and other costs.
A substantial number of the commercial banks operating in most of the Company’s market areas are branches or subsidiaries of large organizations affiliated with statewide, regional or national banking companies and as a result they may have greater resources with which to compete. Additionally, the Company faces competition from a large number of community banks, many of which have senior management who were previously with other local banks or investor groups with strong local business and community ties.
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The Company encounters strong competition in attracting deposits throughout its six-state retail footprint. The Company attracts a significant amount of deposits through its branch offices primarily from the communities in which those branch offices are located. Of our total branch offices at the end of 2025, approximately 75.8% of our deposit franchise dollars were located in Missouri, where our total market share at June 30, 2025, was 1.3%, or tenth in the state (based on FDIC market share deposits). The financial institutions with the top three market share positions in Missouri at June 30, 2025, were UMB Bank, U.S. Bank, and Bank of America, which had a combined market share of 30.2% (based on FDIC market share deposits). We also have branch offices in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Arkansas and Nebraska, which made up approximately 14.5%, 6.2%, 2.5%, less than 1%, and less than 1% of our total deposit franchise dollars, respectively (based on FDIC market share deposits of June 30, 2025). The Company’s market share in its primary metropolitan statistical areas was as follows at June 30, 2025:
| | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Number of | | Percentage of Total | | | | |
| Metropolitan Statistical Area | | Branch Offices | | Market Share | | Rank | | Institution with Leading Market Share Position |
| Springfield, MO | 17 | 13.4% | | 1 | Great Southern Bank | |||
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 6 | 6.8% | | 4 | Security National Bank of Sioux City | |||
| Davenport/Moline/Rock Island, IA-IL | 3 | 1.0% | | 21 | Quad City Bank and Trust Co. | |||
| Des Moines/West Des Moines, IA | 5 | 0.6% | | 26 | Principal Bank | |||
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 17 | 0.4% | | 41 | U.S. Bank | |||
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 8 | 0.3% | | 42 | UMB Bank | |||
| Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers, AR-MO | 1 | 0.2% | | 32 | Arvest Bank | |||
| Minneapolis/St. Paul/Bloomington, MN-WI | 4 | 0.1% | | 86 | U.S. Bank |
Our most direct competition for deposits has historically come from other commercial banks, savings institutions and credit unions located in our market areas. The Bank competes for these deposits by offering a variety of deposit accounts at competitive rates, convenient business hours, and accessible branch, online, mobile and ATM services. In addition, large national brokerage companies offer money market, savings and other investment products which compete with our deposit offerings. Some competitors located outside of our market areas conduct business primarily over the Internet, which may enable them to realize certain savings and offer certain deposit products and services at lower costs or at higher rates and with greater convenience to certain customers. Our ability to attract and retain customer deposits depends on our ability to generally provide a rate of return, liquidity and risk comparable to that offered by competing investment opportunities.
Competition in originating real estate loans comes primarily from other commercial banks, savings institutions and mortgage bankers making loans secured by real estate located in the Bank’s market area. The specific institutions are similar to those discussed above in regards to deposit market share. Commercial banks and finance companies provide vigorous competition in commercial and consumer lending. The Bank competes for real estate and other loans principally on the basis of the interest rates and loan fees it charges, the types of loans it originates, the quality of services it provides to borrowers and the locations of our branch office network and loan production offices.
Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources, name recognition and market presence, which benefit them in attracting business. In addition, larger competitors (including nationwide banks that have a significant presence in our market areas) may be able to price loans and deposits more aggressively than we do because of their greater economies of scale. Smaller and newer competitors may also be more aggressive than we are in terms of pricing loan and deposit products in order to obtain a larger share of the market. In addition, some competitors located outside of our market areas conduct business primarily over the Internet, which may enable them to realize certain savings and offer products and services at more favorable rates and with greater convenience to certain customers.
We also depend, from time to time, on outside funding sources, including brokered deposits, where we experience nationwide competition, and Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Some of the financial institutions and financial services organizations with which we compete are not subject to the same degree of regulation as is imposed on insured depositary institutions and their holding companies. As a result, these non-bank competitors have certain advantages over us in accessing funding and in providing various services. From mid-2022 to mid-2024, the Company increased the interest rates it paid on many deposit products. In the second half of 2024 and in 2025, the Company began selectively lowering interest rates paid on deposit products. The Company has also utilized both fixed-rate and floating-rate brokered deposits of varying terms, as well as overnight FHLBank borrowings.
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Despite the highly competitive environment and the challenges it presents to us, management believes the Company will continue to be competitive because of its strong commitment to quality customer service, competitive products and pricing, convenient local branches, online and mobile capabilities, and active community involvement.
Employees and Human Capital Resources
At December 31, 2025, the Company and its affiliates had a total of 1,075 employees, including 218 part-time employees, equating to 974 full-time equivalents. None of the Company’s employees are represented by any collective bargaining agreement. Management considers its employee relations to be good.
Our human capital objectives include attracting, training, motivating, rewarding and retaining our employees. We encourage and support the growth and development of our employees and, wherever possible, seek to fill positions by promotion and transfer from within the organization. Continual learning and career development are advanced through annual performance and development conversations with employees, internally developed training programs, customized corporate training engagements and seminars, conferences, and other training events employees are encouraged to attend in connection with their job duties.
Great Southern remains committed and focused on the health and safety of our associates, customers, and communities, especially as COVID-19, influenza and other viruses remain a threat. Company management continues to monitor information related to various impactful viruses, using federal and state guidelines for public safety to manage the threat. The Company also remains focused on the overall wellbeing of its associates and their family members with a comprehensive no cost benefit offered through the Company’s employee assistance program.
Great Southern associates actively share their talents in their communities through leadership roles and volunteer activities in education, economic development, human and health services, and community reinvestment. Our Community Matters program allows each associate to be paid up to 32 hours per year, with supervisory approval, to volunteer for activities in their community during normal work hours. During 2025, Great Southern associates found creative and meaningful ways to give back to their communities, donating over 6,200 hours in support of more than 300 organizations. Each year, the Bill and Ann Turner Distinguished Community Service Award is presented to a Great Southern associate who demonstrates excellence in volunteer service to their community. Every year, all associates are encouraged to nominate coworkers for this award. An external panel of community leaders reviews the nominees and determines the award winner. In addition to volunteerism, Great Southern associates generously supported their communities in 2025 through monetary donations totaling nearly $56,000.
Government Supervision and Regulation
General
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to supervision and examination by applicable federal and state banking agencies. The earnings of the Company’s subsidiaries, and therefore the earnings of the Company, are affected by general economic conditions, management policies, federal and state legislation, and actions of various regulatory authorities, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, often referred to as the Federal Reserve Board (the “FRB”), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and the Missouri Division of Finance (the “MDF”). The following is a brief summary of certain aspects of the regulation of the Company and the Bank and does not purport to fully discuss such regulation. Such regulation is intended primarily for the protection of depositors and the DIF, and not for the protection of stockholders.
Significant Legislation Impacting the Financial Services Industry
Dodd-Frank Act. In 2010, sweeping financial regulatory reform legislation entitled the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act implemented far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape. Certain aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act have been affected by the more recently enacted Economic Growth Act, as defined and discussed below under “-Economic Growth Act.”
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Economic Growth Act. In May 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the “Economic Growth Act”), was enacted to modify or eliminate certain financial reform rules and regulations, including some implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act. While the Economic Growth Act maintains most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amends certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion and for large banks with assets of more than $50 billion. Many of these amendments could result in meaningful regulatory changes.
The Economic Growth Act, among other matters, expands the definition of qualified mortgages which may be held by a financial institution and simplifies the regulatory capital rules for financial institutions and their holding companies with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion by instructing the federal banking regulators to establish a single “Community Bank Leverage Ratio” (“CBLR”) of between 8 and 10 percent. Any qualifying depository institution or its holding company that exceeds the CBLR will be considered to have met generally applicable leverage and risk-based regulatory capital requirements and any qualifying depository institution that exceeds the new ratio will be considered “well-capitalized” under the prompt corrective action rules. Currently, the CBLR is 9.0%. On November 25, 2025, the federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, proposed to lower the CBLR to 8%. Institutions and holding companies that fail to meet the qualifying criteria after opting into the CBLR framework would have four reporting periods to meet the qualifying criteria again, provided they maintain a leverage ratio above 7% and have not used the grace period for more than eight of the prior 20 quarters. The federal banking agencies also proposed removing the provisions under the CBLR framework that provided temporary relief for qualifying community banks during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company and the Bank have chosen to not utilize the CBLR due to the Company’s size and complexity, including its commercial real estate and construction lending concentrations and significant off-balance sheet funding commitments.
In addition, the Economic Growth Act includes regulatory relief in the areas of examination cycles, call reports, mortgage disclosures and risk weights for certain high-risk commercial real estate loans.
Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Legislation. A major focus of governmental policy on financial institutions in recent years has been aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “USA Patriot Act”) substantially broadened the scope of United States anti-money laundering laws and regulations by imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, creating new crimes and penalties and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The United States Treasury Department has issued, and in some cases proposed, a number of regulations that apply various requirements of the USA Patriot Act to financial institutions. These regulations impose obligations on financial institutions to maintain appropriate policies, procedures and controls to detect, prevent and report money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of their customers. The regulations also impose specific due diligence requirements on financial institutions that maintain correspondent or private banking relationships with non-U.S. financial institutions or persons. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious financial, legal and reputational consequences for the institution and could block or substantially delay a merger or other acquisition transaction.
The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (“AMLA”), which amends the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (“BSA”), was enacted in January 2021. The AMLA is intended to be a comprehensive reform and modernization to U.S. bank secrecy and anti-money laundering laws. Among other things, it codifies a risk-based approach to anti-money laundering compliance for financial institutions; requires the U.S. Department of the Treasury to promulgate priorities for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism policy; requires the development of standards for evaluating technology and internal processes for BSA compliance; expands enforcement- and investigation-related authority, including increasing available sanctions for certain BSA violations and expands BSA whistleblower incentives and protections. Many of the statutory provisions in the AMLA will require additional rulemakings, reports and other measures, and the impact of the AMLA will depend on, among other things, rulemaking and implementation guidance. In June 2021, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, issued the priorities for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism policy required under the AMLA. The priorities, which were subsequently updated by FinCEN in May 2024, include corruption, cybercrime, terrorist financing, fraud, transnational crime, drug trafficking, human trafficking and proliferation financing.
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Privacy Standards and Cybersecurity. Federal banking agencies, including the FDIC, have adopted guidelines for establishing information security standards and cybersecurity programs for implementing safeguards under the supervision of the board of directors. These guidelines, along with related regulatory materials, increasingly focus on risk management and processes related to information technology and the use of third parties in the provision of financial services. These regulations require the Bank to disclose its privacy policy, including informing consumers of its information sharing practices and informing consumers of their rights to opt out of certain practices. In addition, the federal banking agencies have adopted a final rule providing for new notification requirements for banking organizations and their service providers for significant cybersecurity incidents. Specifically, the rule requires a banking organization to notify its primary federal regulator as soon as possible, and no later than 36 hours after, the banking organization determines that a “computer-security incident” rising to the level of a “notification incident” has occurred. Notification is required for incidents that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the viability of a banking organization’s operations, its ability to deliver banking products and services, or the stability of the financial sector. Service providers are required under the rule to notify affected banking organization customers as soon as possible when the provider determines that it has experienced a computer-security incident that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the banking organization’s customers for four or more hours. Non-compliance with federal or similar state privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations could lead to substantial regulatory fines and penalties, damages from private causes of action and/or reputational harm.
Bank Holding Company Regulation
The Company is a bank holding company that has elected to be treated as a financial holding company by the FRB. Financial holding companies are subject to comprehensive regulation by the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act and the regulations of the FRB. The Company is required to file reports with the FRB and such additional information as the FRB may require, and is subject to regular examinations by the FRB. The FRB also has extensive enforcement authority over financial holding companies, including, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist or removal orders and to require that a holding company divest subsidiaries (including its bank subsidiaries). In general, enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of law and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices.
Under FRB policy and the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank holding company must serve as a source of financial and managerial strength for its subsidiary banks. Accordingly, the FRB may require, and has required in the past, that a bank holding company contribute additional capital to an undercapitalized subsidiary bank.
Under the Bank Holding Company Act, a financial holding company must obtain FRB approval before: (i) acquiring, directly or indirectly, ownership or control of any voting shares of another bank or bank holding company that is not a subsidiary if, after such acquisition, it would own or control more than 5% of such shares; (ii) acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank or financial holding company; or (iii) merging or consolidating with another bank or financial holding company.
The Bank Holding Company Act also prohibits a financial holding company generally from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those involving banking, activities closely related to banking that are permitted for a bank holding company, and certain securities, insurance and merchant banking activities. Certain investments greater than 5% in companies engaged in activities not permitted for a bank holding company are prohibited.
Volcker Rule
The federal banking agencies have adopted regulations to implement the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act known as the Volcker Rule. Under the regulations, FDIC-insured depository institutions, their holding companies, subsidiaries and affiliates are generally prohibited, subject to certain exemptions, from proprietary trading of securities and other financial instruments and from acquiring or retaining an ownership interest in a “covered fund.” Effective July 22, 2019, a bank and its holding company are exempt from the Volcker Rule if the bank and every company that controls it have consolidated assets of $10 billion or less and have total consolidated trading assets and liabilities of 5% or less of its consolidated assets.
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Interstate Banking and Branching
Federal law allows the FRB to approve an application of a bank holding company to acquire control of, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, a bank located in a state other than such holding company’s home state, without regard to whether the transaction is prohibited by the laws of any state. The FRB may not approve the acquisition of a bank that has not been in existence for the minimum time period (not exceeding five years) specified by the statutory law of the host state. Federal law also prohibits the FRB from approving such an application if the applicant (and its depository institution affiliates) controls or would control more than 10% of the insured deposits in the United States or if the applicant would control 30% or more of the deposits in any state in which the target bank maintains a branch and in which the applicant or any of its depository institution affiliates controls a depository institution or branch immediately prior to the acquisition of the target bank. Federal law does not affect the authority of states to limit the percentage of total insured deposits in the state which may be held or controlled by a bank or bank holding company to the extent such limitation does not discriminate against out-of-state banks or bank holding companies. Individual states may also waive the 30% state-wide concentration limit. Missouri law prohibits a bank holding company from acquiring a depository institution if total deposits would exceed 13% of statewide deposits excluding bank certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more, deposits from sources outside the United States and deposits of banks other than banks controlled by the bank holding company.
The federal banking agencies are generally authorized to approve interstate bank merger transactions and de novo branching without regard to whether such transactions are prohibited by the law of any state. Interstate acquisitions of branches are generally permitted only if the law of the state in which the branch is located permits such acquisitions.
As required by federal law, federal regulations prohibit any out-of-state bank from using the interstate branching authority primarily for the purpose of deposit production, including guidelines to ensure that interstate branches operated by an out-of-state bank in a host state reasonably help to meet the credit needs of the communities they serve.
Certain Transactions with Affiliates and Other Persons
Transactions involving the Bank and its affiliates are subject to sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, and regulations thereunder, which impose certain quantitative limits and collateral requirements on such transactions, and require all such transactions to be on terms at least as favorable to the Bank as are available in transactions with non-affiliates.
All loans by the Bank to the principal stockholders, directors and executive officers of the Bank or any affiliate are subject to regulations restricting loans and other transactions with insiders of the Bank and its affiliates. Transactions involving such persons must be on terms and conditions as favorable to the bank as those that apply in similar transactions with non-insiders. A bank may allow favorable rate loans to insiders pursuant to an employee benefit program available to bank employees generally. The Bank has such a program.
Dividends
The FRB has issued a policy statement on the payment of cash dividends by bank holding companies, which expresses the FRB’s view that a bank holding company should pay cash dividends only to the extent that its net income for the past year is sufficient to cover both the cash dividends and a rate of earnings retention that is consistent with the holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition. The FRB also indicated that it would be inappropriate for a company experiencing serious financial problems to borrow funds to pay dividends. Furthermore, a bank holding company may be prohibited from paying any dividends if the holding company’s bank subsidiary is not adequately capitalized, and dividends payable by a bank holding company and its depository institutions subsidiaries can be restricted if the capital conservation buffer requirement is not met. See “Capital” below.
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A bank holding company is required to give the FRB prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the company’s consolidated net worth. The FRB may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice or would violate any law, regulation, FRB order, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the FRB. This notification requirement does not apply to any company that meets the well-capitalized standard for bank holding companies, is well-managed, and is not subject to any unresolved supervisory issues. Under Missouri law, the Bank may pay dividends from certain undivided profits and may not pay dividends if its capital is impaired. Dividends of the Company and the Bank may also be restricted under the capital conservation buffer rules, as discussed below under “—Capital.”
Capital
The Company and the Bank are subject to capital regulations adopted by the FRB and the FDIC, which established minimum required ratios for common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) capital, Tier 1 capital and total capital and the minimum leverage ratio; set forth the risk-weightings of assets and certain off-balance sheet items for purposes of the risk-based capital ratios; require an additional capital conservation buffer over the required risk-based capital ratios, and define what qualifies as capital for purposes of meeting the capital requirements.
Under the capital regulations, the minimum capital ratios are: (1) a CET1 capital ratio of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets; (2) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% of risk-weighted assets; (3) a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% of risk-weighted assets; and (4) a leverage ratio (the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total adjusted assets) of 4.0%. CET1 generally consists of common stock; retained earnings; accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) unless an institution has elected to exclude AOCI from regulatory capital; and certain minority interests; all subject to applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions. Tier 1 capital generally consists of CET1 and noncumulative perpetual preferred stock. Tier 2 capital generally consists of other preferred stock and subordinated debt meeting certain conditions plus an amount of the allowance for loan and lease losses up to 1.25% of assets. Total capital is the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.
Mortgage servicing and deferred tax assets over designated percentages of CET1 are deducted from capital. In addition, Tier 1 capital includes AOCI, which includes all unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt and equity securities. However, because of our asset size, we were eligible to elect to permanently opt out of the inclusion of unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale debt and equity securities in our capital calculations. We elected this option.
For purposes of determining risk-based capital, assets and certain off-balance sheet items are risk-weighted from 0% to 1,250%, depending on the risk characteristics of the asset or item. The risk weights include, for example, a 150% risk weight for certain high volatility commercial real estate acquisition, development and construction loans and for non-residential mortgage loans that are 90 days past due or otherwise in nonaccrual status; a 20% credit conversion factor for the unused portion of a commitment with an original maturity of one year or less that is not unconditionally cancellable; and a 250% risk weight for mortgage servicing and deferred tax assets that are not deducted from capital.
In addition to the minimum CET1, Tier 1 and total capital ratios, the Company and the Bank must maintain a capital conservation buffer consisting of additional CET1 capital greater than 2.5% of risk-weighted assets above the required minimum levels in order to avoid limitations on paying dividends, repurchasing shares, and paying discretionary bonuses.
Under the FDIC’s prompt corrective action standards, in order to be considered well-capitalized, the Bank must have a ratio of CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.5%, a ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 8%, a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 10%, and a leverage ratio of 5%; and must not be subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. In order to be considered adequately capitalized, an institution must have the minimum capital ratios described above. As of December 31, 2025, the Bank was “well-capitalized.” An institution that is not well-capitalized is subject to certain restrictions on brokered deposits and interest rates on deposits.
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The federal banking regulators are required to take prompt corrective action if an institution fails to satisfy the requirements to qualify as adequately capitalized. All institutions, regardless of their capital levels, are restricted from making any capital distribution or paying any management fees that would cause the institution to fail to satisfy the requirements to qualify as adequately capitalized. An institution that is not at least adequately capitalized is: (i) subject to increased monitoring by the appropriate federal banking regulator; (ii) required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan (including certain guarantees by any company controlling the institution) within 45 days; (iii) subject to asset growth limits; and (iv) required to obtain prior regulatory approval for acquisitions, branching and new lines of business. Additional restrictions and appointment of a receiver or conservator, can apply, depending on the institution’s capital level. The FDIC has jurisdiction over the Bank for purposes of prompt corrective action. When the FDIC as receiver liquidates an institution, the claims of depositors and the FDIC as their successor (for deposits covered by FDIC insurance) have priority over other unsecured claims against the institution, including claims of stockholders.
To be considered “well-capitalized,” a bank holding company must have, on a consolidated basis, a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater and a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater and must not be subject to an individual order, directive or agreement under which the FRB requires it to maintain a specific capital level. As of December 31, 2025, the Company was “well-capitalized.”
The federal banking agencies consider concentrations of credit risk and risks from non-traditional activities, as well as an institution’s ability to manage those risks, when determining the adequacy of an institution’s capital. This evaluation is generally made as part of the institution’s regular safety and soundness examination. Under their regulations, the federal banking agencies also consider interest rate risk (when the interest rate sensitivity of an institution’s assets does not match the sensitivity of its liabilities or its off-balance-sheet position) in the evaluation of a bank’s capital adequacy. The banking agencies have issued guidance on evaluating interest rate risk.
Although we continue to evaluate the impact that the capital rules have on the Company and the Bank, we anticipate that the Company and the Bank will remain well-capitalized, and will continue to meet the capital conservation buffer requirement.
Insurance of Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC
Great Southern is a member of the DIF, which is administered by the FDIC. Deposits are insured up to the applicable limits by the FDIC, backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. The general deposit insurance limit is $250,000 per deposit relationship.
The FDIC assesses deposit insurance premiums on all FDIC-insured institutions quarterly based on annualized rates. These premiums are assessed on an institution’s total assets minus its tangible equity. Under these rules, assessment rates for an institution with total assets of less than $10 billion are determined by weighted average CAMELS composite ratings and certain financial ratios, and range from 5.0 to 32.0 basis points, subject to certain adjustments. In an emergency, the FDIC may also impose a special assessment. A significant increase in insurance assessments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
The FDIC is authorized to conduct examinations of and to require reporting by FDIC-insured institutions, and is the primary federal banking regulator of state banks that are not members of the Federal Reserve, such as the Bank. The FDIC examines the Bank regularly. The FDIC may prohibit any insured institution from engaging in any activity the FDIC determines by regulation or order to pose a serious threat to the DIF. The FDIC also has the authority to take enforcement actions against banks and savings associations.
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Guidance on Commercial Real Estate Concentrations
The federal banking agencies have issued guidance on sound risk management practices for concentrations in commercial real estate lending. The particular focus is on exposure to commercial real estate loans that are dependent on the cash flow from the real estate held as collateral and that are likely to be sensitive to conditions in the commercial real estate market (as opposed to real estate collateral held as a secondary source of repayment or as an abundance of caution). The purpose of the guidance is not to limit a bank’s commercial real estate lending but to guide banks in developing risk management practices and maintaining capital levels commensurate with the level and nature of real estate concentrations. A bank that has experienced rapid growth in commercial real estate lending, has notable exposure to a specific type of commercial real estate loan, or is approaching or exceeding the following supervisory criteria may be identified for further supervisory analysis with respect to real estate concentration risk: total loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% or more of the bank’s total capital; or total commercial real estate loans (as defined in the guidance) greater than 300% of the Bank’s total capital and an increase in the bank’s commercial real estate portfolio of 50% or more during the prior 36 months. At December 31, 2025 the total outstanding balance of loans for construction, land development, and other land represented 55% of the Bank’s total capital, the total outstanding balance of commercial real estate loans (including multi-family loans) represented 439% of the Bank’s total capital and the commercial real estate portfolio (including multi-family loans) increased 4% during the prior 36 months.
Federal Reserve System
Banks are authorized to borrow from the FRB “discount window” for short periods of time. See “Sources of Funds” above.
Federal Home Loan Bank System
The Bank is a member of the FHLBank of Des Moines, which is one of 11 regional FHLBanks.
As a member, Great Southern is required to purchase and maintain stock in the FHLBank of Des Moines in an amount equal to the greater of 1% of its outstanding home loans or 5% of its outstanding FHLBank advances. At December 31, 2025, Great Southern had $18.4 million in FHLBank of Des Moines stock, which was in compliance with this requirement. In past years, the Bank has received dividends on its FHLBank stock. Over the past five years, such dividends have averaged 7.91% annually and were 9.75% for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Legislative and Regulatory Proposals
Any changes in the extensive regulatory scheme to which the Company or the Bank is and will be subject, whether by any of the federal banking agencies or Congress, or the Missouri legislature or MDF, could have a material effect on the Company or the Bank, and the Company and the Bank cannot predict what, if any, future actions may be taken by legislative or regulatory authorities or what impact such actions may have.
Federal and State Taxation
General
The following discussion contains a summary of certain federal and state income tax provisions applicable to the Company and the Bank. It is not a comprehensive description of the federal or state income tax laws that may affect the Company and the Bank. The following discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and Treasury and judicial interpretations thereof.
The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return using the accrual method of accounting, with the exception of GSB Two which files a separate return as a REIT. All corporations joining in the consolidated federal income tax return are jointly and severally liable for taxes due and payable by the consolidated group. The following discussion primarily focuses upon the taxation of the Bank, since the federal income tax law contains certain special provisions with respect to banks.
Financial institutions, such as the Bank, are subject, with certain exceptions, to the provisions of the Code generally applicable to corporations.
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Bad Debt Deduction
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, retained earnings included approximately $17.5 million for which no deferred income tax liability had been recognized. This amount represents an allocation of income to bad debt deductions for tax purposes only for tax years prior to 1988. If the Bank were to liquidate, the entire amount would have to be recaptured and would create income for tax purposes only, which would be subject to the then-current corporate income tax rate. The unrecorded deferred income tax liability on the above amount was approximately $4.3 million at both December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.
The Bank is required to follow the specific charge-off method which only allows a bad debt deduction equal to actual charge-offs, net of recoveries, experienced during the fiscal year of the deduction. In a year where recoveries exceed charge-offs, the Bank would be required to include the net recoveries in taxable income.
Interest Deduction
In the case of a financial institution, such as the Bank, no deduction is allowed for the pro rata portion of its interest expense which is allocable to tax-exempt interest on obligations acquired after August 7, 1986. A limited class of tax-exempt obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 will not be subject to this complete disallowance rule. For certain tax-exempt obligations issued in 2009 and 2010, an amount of tax-exempt obligations that are not generally considered part of the “limited class of tax-exempt obligations” noted above may be treated as part of the “limited class of tax-exempt obligations” to the extent of two percent of a financial institution’s total assets. For tax-exempt obligations acquired after December 31, 1982 and before August 8, 1986 and for obligations acquired after August 7, 1986 that are not subject to the complete disallowance rule, 80% of interest incurred to purchase or carry such obligations will be deductible. No portion of the interest expense allocable to tax-exempt obligations acquired by a financial institution before January 1, 1983, which is otherwise deductible, will be disallowed. The interest expense disallowance rules cited above have not significantly impacted the Bank.
State Taxation
Missouri-based banks, such as the Bank, are subject to a franchise tax which is imposed on the bank’s taxable income at the rate of 4.48% of the taxable income (determined without regard for any net operating losses) - income-based calculation. Missouri-based banks are entitled to a credit against the income-based franchise tax for all other state or local taxes on banks, except taxes on real estate, unemployment taxes, bank tax, and taxes on tangible personal property owned by the Bank and held for lease or rental to others.
The Company and all subsidiaries are subject to a Missouri income tax that is imposed on the corporation’s taxable income at the rate of 4.00%. The return is filed on a consolidated basis by all members of the consolidated group, including the Bank but excluding GSB Two. As a REIT, GSB Two files a separate Missouri income tax return.
The Bank also has full-service offices in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska and Arkansas, and has commercial loan production offices in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas. As a result, the Bank and/or the Company is subject to franchise and income taxes that are imposed on the corporation’s taxable income attributable to those states. In addition, due to lending activity, the Bank and/or the Company is subject to income taxes in additional jurisdictions.
As a Maryland corporation, the Company is required to file an annual report with and pay an annual fee to the State of Maryland.
Tax Credits and Related Investments
The Company has invested in certain limited partnerships that were formed to develop and operate apartments and single-family houses designed as high-quality affordable housing for lower income tenants, to develop and operate business and real estate projects located in low-income communities or to complete certain federal historic rehabilitation projects. Through these partnerships, the Company receives allocations of federal tax credits which are used to partially offset annual federal tax liabilities and reduce income tax expense by the difference of the tax credits utilized less the amortization of the investment cost.
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Examinations
The Company and its consolidated subsidiaries have not been audited recently by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As a result, federal tax years through December 31, 2021 are now closed.
No state examinations are in progress at this time. As a result, state tax years through December 31, 2021, with few exceptions, are now closed.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”) was enacted on July 4, 2025. Among other things, the new law makes permanent certain expiring business tax provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”). These include provisions which allow businesses to immediately expense, for tax purposes, the cost of new investments in certain qualified depreciable assets and the cost of qualified domestic research and development. The OBBBA also imposes a floor on tax deductions taken on charitable contributions. None of these items have significantly impacted our operations or financial statements. The OBBBA also significantly changes U.S. tax law related to foreign operations and certain tax credits; however, such changes do not currently affect us.