grepcent / static financial knowledge base

SIMMONS FIRST NATIONAL CORP (SFNC)

CIK: 0000090498. SIC: 6021 National Commercial Banks. Latest 10-K as of: 2026-02-25.

SIC breadcrumb: Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate > Depository Institutions > SIC 6021 National Commercial Banks

SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=90498. Latest filing source: 0001628280-26-011618.

Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.

Business

Read SFNC's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.

Risk Factors

Read SFNC's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.

Selected Fundamentals

MetricValueUnitFYFiled
Revenue1,243,814,000USD20252026-02-25
Net income-397,553,000USD20252026-02-25
Assets24,540,877,000USD20252026-02-25

Financials

Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-25. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000090498.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.

Download these verified figures (annual + quarterly, with per-value filing provenance): JSON · CSV

Flow metrics use full-year FY periods from 10-K/10-K/A filings; balance-sheet metrics use FY-end instants. Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures. Missing metrics are omitted rather than fabricated.

Metric20132016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Revenue301,005,000395,004,000676,829,000783,123,000759,718,000671,061,000861,735,0001,210,161,0001,312,065,0001,243,814,000
Net income96,814,00092,940,000215,713,000238,167,000254,904,000271,156,000256,412,000175,057,000152,693,000-397,553,000
Diluted EPS1.561.332.322.412.312.462.061.381.21-2.95
Operating cash flow91,134,000114,563,000226,980,000256,078,000202,543,000277,780,000322,198,000540,979,000425,924,000449,503,000
Capital expenditures18,892,00034,216,00029,740,00067,831,00013,272,00047,861,00035,268,00033,086,00045,509,00038,141,000
Dividends paid28,743,00035,116,00055,646,00063,921,00074,593,00078,845,00094,096,000100,962,000105,439,000115,041,000
Share buybacks10,848,0000.000.0010,128,000113,327,000132,459,000111,133,00040,322,0000.000.00
Assets8,400,056,00015,000,000,00016,543,337,00021,259,143,00022,359,752,00024,724,759,00027,461,061,00027,345,674,00026,876,049,00024,540,877,000
Liabilities7,248,945,00012,971,242,00014,296,903,00018,270,219,00019,383,096,00021,475,918,00024,191,699,00023,919,186,00023,347,177,00021,121,637,000
Stockholders' equity1,151,111,0002,084,564,0002,246,434,0002,988,924,0002,976,656,0003,248,841,0003,269,362,0003,426,488,0003,528,872,0003,419,240,000
Free cash flow72,242,00080,347,000197,240,000188,247,000189,271,000229,919,000286,930,000507,893,000380,415,000411,362,000

Ratios

ROE and ROA use period-end equity/assets. Liabilities / equity uses total liabilities divided by stockholders' equity. Current ratio uses current assets divided by current liabilities when both are reported.

Metric20132016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Net margin32.16%23.53%31.87%30.41%33.55%40.41%29.76%14.47%11.64%-31.96%
Return on equity8.41%4.46%9.60%7.97%8.56%8.35%7.84%5.11%4.33%-11.63%
Return on assets1.15%0.62%1.30%1.12%1.14%1.10%0.93%0.64%0.57%-1.62%
Liabilities / equity6.306.226.366.116.516.617.406.986.626.18

Industry Peer Context

Each number-line places SFNC against the min, median, and max of latest reported values among companies in the same SIC industry when at least three peers report that ratio.

Net margin peer context

SFNC Net margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6021; peer count 76.SFNC Net margin versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6021; peer count 76.76 SIC peersMin -32.0%Median 22.9%Max 50.3%SFNC -32.0%

ROE peer context

SFNC ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6021; peer count 76.SFNC ROE versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6021; peer count 76.76 SIC peersMin -13.4%Median 9.9%Max 33.1%SFNC -11.6%

ROA peer context

SFNC ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6021; peer count 76.SFNC ROA versus SIC peer range. Source: grepcent computed from latest SEC companyfacts ratios for SIC industry 6021; peer count 76.76 SIC peersMin -1.6%Median 1.1%Max 2.6%SFNC -1.6%

Financial Bridges

Waterfall figures reconcile reported SEC companyfacts components. Missing bridges are omitted when required components are not present for the same fiscal year.

Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures

SFNC FY2025 free cash flow bridge from reported figures.SFNC FY2025 free cash flow bridge from reported figures.SFNC free cash flow bridgeFY2025: operating cash flow less capital expendituresSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Free cash flow bridgeReported amount$0.0B$250.0M$500.0M$449.5MOperating cash flow-$38.1MCapex$411.4MFree cash flow

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-011618; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001628280-26-011618; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-011618; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment

Financial Charts

SFNC revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC revenue, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC RevenueLatest point: FY2025 = $1.2BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearReported revenue$0.0B$1.0B$2.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.

SFNC net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC net income, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Net incomeLatest point: FY2025 = -$397.6MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearNet income-$500.0M$0.0B$500.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

SFNC diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC diluted eps, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Diluted EPSLatest point: FY2025 = -$2.95/shareSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearDiluted EPS (USD/share)-$4.00/share$0.00/share$4.00/shareFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

SFNC operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC operating cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Operating cash flowLatest point: FY2025 = $449.5MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearOperating cash flow$0.0B$375.0M$750.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.

SFNC capital expenditures, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC capital expenditures, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Capital expendituresLatest point: FY2025 = $38.1MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearCapital expenditures$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.

SFNC dividends paid, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC dividends paid, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Dividends paidLatest point: FY2025 = $115.0MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearDividends paid$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock.

SFNC share buybacks, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC share buybacks, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Share buybacksLatest point: FY2025 = $0.0BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearShare buybacks$0.0B$125.0M$250.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.

SFNC assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC assets, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC AssetsLatest point: FY2025 = $24.5BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearAssets$0.0B$15.0B$30.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.

SFNC liabilities, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC liabilities, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC LiabilitiesLatest point: FY2025 = $21.1BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearLiabilities$0.0B$15.0B$30.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.

SFNC stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC stockholders' equity, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Stockholders' equityLatest point: FY2025 = $3.4BSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearStockholders' equity$0.0B$2.0B$4.0BFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.

SFNC free cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC free cash flow, last 5 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts FY2025.SFNC Free cash flowLatest point: FY2025 = $411.4MSource: SEC companyfacts FY2025.Fiscal yearFree cash flow$0.0B$375.0M$750.0MFY2021FY2022FY2023FY2024FY2025

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001628280-26-011618; filed 2026-02-25. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.

Quarterly

Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000090498.json.

Flow metrics use discrete quarter-length periods from 10-Q/10-Q/A filings. Q4 revenue and net income are derived only when annual FY and nine-month YTD facts exist for the same fiscal year; derived Q4 values are labeled. EPS Q4 is not derived.

QuarterEnd DateRevenueNet IncomeDiluted EPSMethod
2022-Q22022-06-300.21reported discrete quarter
2022-Q32022-09-300.63reported discrete quarter
2023-Q12023-03-310.36reported discrete quarter
2023-Q22023-06-30297,220,00058,314,0000.46reported discrete quarter
2023-Q32023-09-30310,286,00047,247,0000.37reported discrete quarter
2023-Q42023-12-31323,518,00023,907,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2024-Q12024-03-31322,649,00038,871,0000.31reported discrete quarter
2024-Q22024-06-30329,145,00040,763,0000.32reported discrete quarter
2024-Q32024-09-30334,289,00024,740,0000.20reported discrete quarter
2024-Q42024-12-31325,982,00048,319,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2025-Q12025-03-31307,837,00032,388,0000.26reported discrete quarter
2025-Q22025-06-30315,023,00054,773,0000.43reported discrete quarter
2025-Q32025-09-30313,423,000-562,792,000-4.00reported discrete quarter
2025-Q42025-12-31307,531,00078,078,000derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD
2026-Q12026-03-31301,814,00068,544,0000.47reported discrete quarter

Quarterly Charts

SFNC quarterly revenue, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.SFNC quarterly revenue, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.SFNC Quarterly RevenueLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $301.8MSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Revenue$0.0B$250.0M$500.0M2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-031205; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating. Source concepts: us-gaap:InterestAndDividendIncomeOperating.

SFNC quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.SFNC quarterly net income, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.SFNC Quarterly Net incomeLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $68.5MSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Net income-$750.0M$0.0B$250.0M2023-Q22023-Q32023-Q42024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32024-Q42025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32025-Q42026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-031205; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.

SFNC quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.SFNC quarterly diluted eps, last 12 periods. Source: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.SFNC Quarterly Diluted EPSLatest point: 2026-Q1 = $0.47/shareSource: SEC companyfacts 2026-Q1.Fiscal quarterQuarterly Diluted EPS (USD/share)-$4.00/share$0.00/share$1.50/share2022-Q22022-Q32023-Q12023-Q22023-Q32024-Q12024-Q22024-Q32025-Q12025-Q22025-Q32026-Q1

Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-031205; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.

Macro Cross-References

Latest quarter (10-Q)

Latest 10-Q source: 0001628280-26-031205.

Extracted structurally from real Item 2 body heading to real Item 3/4 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-05-06. Report date: 2026-03-31.

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

As permitted by SEC rules, management presents a sequential quarterly analysis of the Company’s performance as we believe that comparing current quarter results to those of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is more useful in identifying current business trends and provides a more relevant analysis of our business results. Accordingly, we have compared our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 to our results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, as applicable, throughout this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW

Our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was $68.5 million, or $0.47 diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $78.1 million, or $0.54 diluted earnings per share, and $32.4 million, or $0.26 diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively. Included in the results were certain items related to our branch right sizing initiative, early retirement program costs (for the three months ended March 31, 2026), professional services (for the three months ended March 31, 2026), a FDIC special assessment (for the three months ended March 31, 2026), termination of vendor and software services (for the three months ended December 31, 2025) and loss on sale of an equipment finance business (for the three months ended December 31, 2025). Excluding these certain items and the tax effect, adjusted earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 were $68.6 million, or $0.47 adjusted diluted earnings per share, compared to $79.0 million, or $0.54 adjusted diluted earnings per share, and $33.1 million, or $0.26 adjusted diluted earnings per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and March 31, 2025, respectively.

We believe the asset quality in our portfolio remains sound and reflects our conservative credit culture, as well as our focus on maintaining disciplined pricing and conservative underwriting standards given the current economic environment. Total nonperforming loans as of March 31, 2026, December 31, 2025, and March 31, 2025 were $141.9 million, $112.7 million, and $152.4 million, respectively. Nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets were 0.63% at March 31, 2026, compared to 0.51% at December 31, 2025 and 0.61% at March 31, 2025.

As of March 31, 2026, stockholders’ equity was $3.44 billion, book value per share was $23.70 and tangible book value per share was $14.03.

Total loans were $17.93 billion at March 31, 2026, compared to $17.49 billion at December 31, 2025. Our unfunded commitments were $4.07 billion and $3.87 billion as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. Our commercial loan pipeline totaled $1.56 billion as of March 31, 2026, compared to $1.54 billion at December 31, 2025.

In our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation in this Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we provide certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). We believe the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which we believe will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Simmons First National Corporation is a Mid-South based financial holding company that, as of March 31, 2026, has approximately $24.7 billion in consolidated assets and, through its subsidiaries, conducts financial operations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

45

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Overview

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

We consider accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on our financial statements.

The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, (b) acquisition accounting and valuation of loans, (c) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets and (d) income taxes.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, quantitative factors, and other qualitative considerations. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for expected credit losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Our allowance for credit loss methodology includes reserve factors calculated to estimate current expected credit losses to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the portfolio, adjusted for prepayments, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326-20, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Accordingly, the methodology is based on our reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, historical loss experience and other qualitative adjustments. For further information see the section Allowance for Credit Losses below.

Our evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of credit losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for credit losses reported in the financial statements.

Acquisition Accounting, Loans

We account for our acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value for acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, the fair value adjustment is recorded as a premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Loans that have been identified as having experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans.

The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by our allowance for credit losses recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. The net premium or discount on loans that are not classified as PCD (“non-PCD”), that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. We then record the necessary allowance for credit losses on the non-PCD loans through provision for credit losses expense.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. We perform an annual goodwill impairment test, and more than annually if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, as amended by ASU 2011-08 – Testing Goodwill for Impairment and ASU 2017-04 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Our assessment depends on several assumptions which are dependent on market and economic conditions. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

46

To quantitatively test goodwill for impairment, a present value of discounted cash flows calculation is completed and relies on several assumptions that have a level of subjectivity and judgment. These assumptions are dependent on market and economic conditions. Key inputs to estimate terminal fair value of the Company include projected forecasts, noninterest expense savings and a pricing multiple based on a group of peer banks with similar characteristics. These inputs are discounted by the cost of equity, which includes assumptions involving our beta; equity risk, size and company premiums; and the 20-year treasury rate. Assumptions used in calculating the cost of equity are obtained from market and third-party data. Results are compared to book value; no impairment was indicated as of March 31, 2026. Judgment is inherent in assessing goodwill for impairment. The various assumptions used in assessing goodwill for impairment involve uncertainties that are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

Income Taxes

We are subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where we conduct business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s income tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.

NET INTEREST INCOME

Overview

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of nonperforming loans and the amount of noninterest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equiv

[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]

Latest 10-K MD&A

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2026-02-25. Report date: 2025-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis presents the more significant factors that affected our financial condition as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 and results of operations for each of the years then ended. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2025 (the “2024 Form 10-K”) for a discussion and analysis of the more significant factors that affected the 2023 period, which are incorporated herein by reference. Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report, as well as the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements and the risks discussed in Item 1A of Part I of this Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Overview

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

We consider accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on our financial statements.

The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, (b) acquisition accounting and valuation of loans, (c) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets and (d) income taxes.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, quantitative factors, and other qualitative considerations. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for expected credit losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Our allowance for credit loss methodology includes reserve factors calculated to estimate current expected credit losses to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the portfolio, adjusted for prepayments, in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326-20, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Accordingly, the methodology is based on our reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative adjustments. For further information see the section Allowance for Credit Losses below.

Our evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of credit losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for credit losses reported in the financial statements.

Acquisition Accounting, Loans

We account for our acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value for acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, the fair value adjustment is recorded as premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Loans that have been identified as having experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by our allowance for credit losses recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. The net premium or discount on loans that are not classified as PCD (“non-PCD”), that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. We then record the necessary allowance for credit losses on the non-PCD loans through provision for credit losses expense.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. We perform an annual goodwill impairment test, and more than annually if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, as amended by ASU 2011-08 – Testing Goodwill for Impairment and ASU 2017-04 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Our assessment depends on several assumptions which are dependent on market and economic conditions. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

To quantitatively test goodwill for impairment, a present value of discounted cash flows calculation is completed and relies on several assumptions that have a level of subjectivity and judgment. These assumptions are dependent on market and economic conditions. Key inputs to estimate terminal fair value of the Company include projected forecasts, noninterest expense savings and a pricing multiple based on a group of peer banks with similar characteristics. These inputs are discounted by the cost of equity, which includes assumptions involving our beta; equity risk, size and company premiums; and the 20-year treasury rate. Assumptions used in calculating the cost of equity are obtained from market and third-party data. Results are compared to book value; no impairment was indicated as of December 31, 2025. Judgment is inherent in assessing goodwill for impairment. The various assumptions used in assessing goodwill for impairment involve uncertainties that are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

Income Taxes

We are subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where we conduct business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s income tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.

2025 Overview

2025 was a transformative year for the Company. We successfully raised $326.9 million of equity capital to help reposition our balance sheet. We effectively addressed a negative arbitrage between long-term bond yields and shorter-term funding costs, which freed up capital for future growth. We reclassified approximately $3.59 billion in held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities to available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities and sold approximately $3.16 billion in amortized cost basis of AFS securities (including certain of those previously classified as HTM). The sale of investment securities resulted in a realized, after-tax loss of $625.6 million (based on actual tax rate of 21.946%). Proceeds from the sale of the investment securities were primarily used to help deleverage the balance sheet through the pay-down of higher rate, non-relationship wholesale and public fund deposits, as well as higher rate other borrowings primarily consisting of FHLB advances.

We followed the balance sheet repositioning by issuing $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (“2025 Notes”), which qualify as Tier 2 regulatory capital of the Company. The proceeds of this issuance were used to redeem $330.0 million of our 5.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (“2018 Notes”), which qualified as Tier 2 regulatory capital but were subject to amortizing regulatory capital treatment as they approached maturity. This redemption was effective October 1, 2025.

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Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $397.6 million, or $(2.95) diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $152.7 million, or $1.21 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2024. Included in 2025 results were $630.7 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to the loss on sale of securities, branch right sizing initiatives, loss on sale of an equipment finance business and early retirement program costs. Included in 2024 results were $25.2 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to the loss on sale of securities, a FDIC special assessment and branch right sizing initiatives. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted earnings for the year ended December 31, 2025 were $233.1 million, or $1.73 adjusted diluted earnings per share, compared to $177.9 million, or $1.41 adjusted diluted earnings per share, in 2024. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

While completing steps related to the balance sheet restructure during the year, we continued to focus on organic growth and building momentum in our current footprint. We are encouraged by our positive momentum, while maintaining solid capital and liquidity positions:

•Total deposits as of December 31, 2025 were $20.18 billion, compared to $21.89 billion as of December 31, 2024. Uninsured deposits (excluding collateralized deposits and intercompany deposits) as of December 31, 2025 were approximately $4.55 billion, or 23% of total deposits.

•Capital levels remained strong over the period, with all regulatory capital ratios remaining significantly above “well-capitalized” guidelines as of December 31, 2025 (see Table 18 in the Risk-Based Capital section below). As of December 31, 2025, our ratio of common equity to total assets was 13.93%, the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 8.71% and our Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.06%.

•Key credit quality metrics as of December 31, 2025 also remained solid, with our nonperforming loan coverage ratio at 199% and our allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans ratio was 1.28%.

•The loan to deposit ratio was 87% as of December 31, 2025, compared to 78% as of December 31, 2024. Additional liquidity sources available to us as of December 31, 2025 totaled $9.32 billion, and our uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio was 2.0x.

During the year, we increased the provision for credit losses on two specific credit relationships that we have been watching for some time due to unfavorable events that occurred for both credits. Subsequently, we charged off the uncollectible portion related to both credits during the year ended December 31, 2025. Other than with respect to these two specific credit relationships, we believe the asset quality in our portfolio remains sound and reflects our conservative credit culture, as well as our focus on maintaining disciplined pricing and conservative underwriting standards given the current economic environment. Total nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2025 were $112.7 million, as compared to $110.8 million at December 31, 2024. Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets were 0.51% and 0.45% at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2025 was $3.42 billion, book value per share was $23.62 and tangible book value per common share was $13.91.

Total loans were $17.49 billion at December 31, 2025, an increase of $486.2 million, or 2.9%, from the same time in 2024. Our unfunded commitments increased to $3.87 billion at December 31, 2025, as compared to $3.74 billion at December 31, 2024. Our commercial loan pipeline totaled $1.54 billion as of December 31, 2025, compared to $1.26 billion at December 31, 2024.

In our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation in this Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we provide certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with US GAAP. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which we believe will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas-based financial holding company that, as of December 31, 2025, has approximately $24.54 billion in consolidated assets and, through its subsidiaries, conducts financial operations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

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Net Interest Income

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of noninterest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 26.135%.

The FRB sets various benchmark interest rates which influence the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. During March 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the FRB substantially reduced interest rates in response to the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funds rate was cut to a range of 0% - 0.25%, where it remained throughout 2021 and into early 2022. During March 2022, the FOMC began a series of rate increases in an effort to curb rising inflation. From early 2022 through 2023, the federal funds rate range was increased on eleven occasions and ended 2023 with a range set at 5.25% - 5.50%. From 2024 through 2025, as inflation declined, the FOMC cut rates on six occasions to a period end range of 3.50% - 3.75%. To date in 2026, rates have held steady by the FOMC.

Our loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, also increased from 3.25% to 5.50% during the years 2015 through 2018. The prime interest rate remained flat until it began to decrease in July 2019 and was eventually reduced to 4.75% in October 2019. Similarly to the reduction in the federal funds rate, the prime rate was cut to 3.25% in mid-March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained unchanged throughout 2021 and into early 2022. Paralleling the federal funds rate, multiple increases by the Federal Reserve during 2022 and 2023 increased the prime rate to 8.50% as of the end of 2023 and a series of rate cuts during 2024 and 2025 decreased the prime rate to 6.75% at the end of 2025. To date in 2026, the prime interest rate has also held steady.

Our practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. In the last several years, on average, approximately 48% of our loan portfolio and approximately 94% of our time deposits have repriced in one year or less. As of December 31, 2025, our current interest rate sensitivity shows that approximately 60% of our loans and 96% of our time deposits will reprice in the next year.

For the year ended December 31, 2025, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $738.7 million, an increase of $84.5 million, or 12.9%, over the same period in 2024. The increase in net interest income was primarily the result of a $74.5 million decrease in interest income, more than offset by a $159.0 million decrease in interest expense.

Several factors contributed to the increase in net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis over the comparative period. During the third quarter of 2025, we completed a balance sheet repositioning that included the transfer of approximately $3.59 billion of investment securities classified as HTM to the AFS investment securities portfolio, with a subsequent sale of approximately $3.16 billion in amortized cost basis of low-yielding AFS securities (including certain of those previously classified as HTM). Proceeds from the sale of the investment securities were primarily used to deleverage the balance sheet through the pay-down of higher rate, non-relationship wholesale and public fund deposits, as well as higher rate other borrowings primarily consisting of FHLB advances. The pay-down of higher rate funding was completed throughout the third quarter of 2025.

The decrease in interest income primarily resulted from a $61.2 million decrease in our investment portfolio average balances which decreased by $1.67 billion, or 25.6%, related to the balance sheet repositioning previously discussed. The decrease was partially offset by an increase of $3.7 million in interest income on non-taxable investment securities due to a yield increase over the period of 14 basis points. Interest income on loans decreased by $19.9 million largely attributable to a 10 basis point decline in yield that resulted in a $17.0 million decrease in interest income, while the incremental decline in loan volume resulted in a decrease of $2.9 million in interest income. The loan yield for 2025 was 6.25%, compared to 6.35% in 2024.

Included in interest income is the additional yield accretion recognized as a result of updated estimates of the cash flows of our loans acquired. Each quarter, we estimate the cash flows expected to be collected from the loans acquired, and adjustments may or may not be required. The cash flows estimate may increase or decrease based on payment histories and loss expectations of the loans. The resulting adjustment to interest income is spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loans. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, interest income included $3.8 million, $6.1 million and $8.8 million, respectively, for the yield accretion recognized on loans acquired.

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The $159.0 million decrease in interest expense is mostly due to the decrease in our deposit account rates over the period. Interest expense decreased $85.8 million due to the decline in rates of 57 basis points on interest-bearing deposit accounts and decreased $42.1 million related to the decrease in time deposit volume over the period. Further, a decrease of $31.7 million in interest expense was related to reductions in the amounts outstanding under and rates on wholesale borrowings sources over the comparative period. The decline in wholesale borrowings volume, including brokered time deposits, is largely due to the balance sheet repositioning. We continually monitor and look for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis was 3.32% for the year ended December 31, 2025, up 58 basis points from 2024. The increase in the net interest margin was primarily due to the balance sheet repositioning during the period.

Over the course of 2026, we anticipate continued expansion on our margin primarily related to the full period benefit of the balance sheet repositioning previously discussed. We are cautiously optimistic regarding modest organic loan growth during 2026, subject to the underlying economy, with continued focus on soundness, profitability discipline and growth. We also expect noninterest income to be stable and incremental increases in noninterest expenses as we continue to focus on improvement initiatives and utilizing cost savings to partially fund targeted investments in technology and talent.

Tables 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the years 2025 versus 2024 and 2024 versus 2023.

Table 1: Analysis of Net Interest Margin

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202520242023
Interest income$1,243,814$1,312,065$1,210,161
FTE adjustment19,53725,82025,443
Interest income - FTE1,263,3511,337,8851,235,604
Interest expense524,611683,600560,035
Net interest income - FTE$738,740$654,285$675,569
Yield on earning assets - FTE5.68%5.61%5.09%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities3.01%3.63%2.99%
Net interest spread - FTE2.67%1.98%2.10%
Net interest margin - FTE3.32%2.74%2.78%

Table 2: Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin

(In thousands)2025 vs. 20242024 vs. 2023
Decrease due to change in earning assets$(59,048)$(2,912)
(Decrease) increase due to change in earning asset yields(15,486)105,193
Increase (decrease) due to change in interest bearing liabilities62,198(6,539)
Increase (decrease) due to change in interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities96,791(117,026)
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$84,455$(21,284)

Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2025. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

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Table 3: Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
202520242023
AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/
(In thousands)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)
ASSETS
Earning assets:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$315,500$14,1404.48$217,308$11,8085.43$320,261$13,4904.21
Investment securities - taxable3,062,838120,2353.933,913,498153,4133.924,698,742143,1783.05
Investment securities - non-taxable1,799,94161,2153.402,620,78785,3083.262,605,86885,8613.29
Mortgage loans held for sale12,7047996.2910,6347316.878,0645576.91
Assets held in trading accounts6,0092173.61
Loans - including fees17,060,4251,066,7456.2517,106,1931,086,6256.3516,647,570992,5185.96
Total interest earning assets22,257,4171,263,3515.6823,868,4201,337,8855.6124,280,5051,235,6045.09
Non-earning assets3,357,2833,346,2273,274,354
Total assets$25,614,700$27,214,647$27,554,859
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits$11,102,447$265,0652.39$10,974,529$308,4552.81$11,033,263$238,9822.17
Time deposits5,412,448210,8433.906,411,888291,7854.556,038,640233,9373.87
Total interest bearing deposits16,514,895475,9082.8817,386,417600,2403.4517,071,903472,9192.77
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase29,0973011.0350,9586021.18105,8021,1501.09
Other borrowings536,29623,4224.371,042,72655,1275.291,169,37460,5175.18
Subordinated debt and debentures364,92524,9806.85366,21827,6317.54366,06625,4496.95
Total interest bearing liabilities17,445,213524,6113.0118,846,319683,6003.6318,713,145560,0352.99
Noninterest bearing liabilities:
Noninterest bearing deposits4,379,0014,576,0225,201,384
Other liabilities318,955305,484281,018
Total liabilities22,143,16923,727,82524,195,547
Stockholders’ equity3,471,5313,486,8223,359,312
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$25,614,700$27,214,647$27,554,859
Net interest spread2.671.982.10
Net interest margin$738,7403.32$654,2852.74$675,5692.78

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Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the years 2025 versus 2024 and 2024 versus 2023. The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.

Table 4: Volume/Rate Analysis

Years Ended December 31,
2025 vs. 20242024 vs. 2023
Yield/Yield/
(In thousands, on a fully taxable equivalent basis)VolumeRateTotalVolumeRateTotal
Increase (decrease) in:
Interest income:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$4,662$(2,330)$2,332$(4,998)$3,316$(1,682)
Investment securities - taxable(33,394)216(33,178)(26,454)36,68910,235
Investment securities - non-taxable(27,767)3,674(24,093)490(1,043)(553)
Mortgage loans held for sale134(66)68177(3)174
Assets held in trading accounts217217
Loans - including fees(2,900)(16,980)(19,880)27,87366,23494,107
Total(59,048)(15,486)(74,534)(2,912)105,193102,281
Interest expense:
Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts3,556(46,946)(43,390)(1,279)70,75269,473
Time deposits(42,077)(38,865)(80,942)15,12042,72857,848
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase(233)(68)(301)(641)93(548)
Other borrowings(23,346)(8,359)(31,705)(6,672)1,282(5,390)
Subordinated notes and debentures(98)(2,553)(2,651)112,1712,182
Total(62,198)(96,791)(158,989)6,539117,026123,565
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$3,150$81,305$84,455$(9,451)$(11,833)$(21,284)

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses represents management’s determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period’s earnings in order to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated lifetime risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management’s judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, past due and non-performing loans and historical net credit loss experience. It is management’s practice to review the allowance on a monthly basis and, after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance.

During 2025, our provision for credit loss expense was $65.8 million, as compared to an expense of $46.8 million during 2024 and an expense of $42.0 million during 2023. The provision for credit loss expense during 2025 and 2024 reflected loan growth, as well as the impact of updated economic assumptions. Additionally, during 2025, a provision expense of $15.6 million was recorded related to two specific credit relationships which migrated to nonperforming during the year.

The provision for credit loss expense during 2023 was impacted by several factors throughout the year, including a $47.4 million expense related to loans and reflected loan growth, as well as the impact of updated economic assumptions, which was partially offset by a $16.3 million release from the reserve for unfunded commitments primarily due to a decline in unfunded commitments resulting from customers utilizing lines of credit during the year. Additionally, provision expense related to AFS and HTM securities recorded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $9.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily due to decreases in the value of select corporate bonds in the investment securities portfolio.

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Noninterest Income (Loss)

Noninterest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, wealth management fees and debit and credit card fees. Noninterest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance and gains (losses) from sales of securities.

We incurred a noninterest loss of $616.0 million in 2025, compared to noninterest income of $147.2 million in 2024. Included in both 2025 and 2024 results were $801.5 million and $28.4 million, respectively, of certain items related to the loss on the sale of securities during the periods. Additionally during 2025, we recognized a $570,000 loss on early extinguishment of debt. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased $10.5 million, or 6.0%, from the prior year. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

During 2025, we sold approximately $3.16 billion in amortized cost basis of low yielding investment securities as part of a balance sheet repositioning to deleverage the balance sheet through the pay-down of higher rate, non-relationship wholesale and public fund deposits, as well as higher rate other borrowings primarily consisting of FHLB advances. During 2024, we sold approximately $251.5 million of investment securities related to a strategic decision to sell low yield securities and use the proceeds to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings.

The increase in adjusted noninterest income (loss) during 2025 as compared to 2024, was primarily driven by $3.3 million in bank owned life insurance death benefits recognized during the period, which are included in other income in the table below. Further contributing to the increase were several incremental fee-based business increases during 2025.

Table 5 shows noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as well as changes in 2025 from 2024 and in 2024 from 2023.

Table 5: Noninterest Income (Loss)

Years Ended December 31,2025 Change from2024 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20252024202320242023
Service charges on deposit accounts$50,937$49,898$50,530$1,0392.1%$(632)(1.3)%
Debit and credit card fees34,15132,87531,4721,2763.91,4034.5
Wealth management fees39,39536,34132,7303,0548.43,61111.0
Mortgage lending income8,1918,0777,7331141.43444.5
Bank owned life insurance income15,86715,22711,7176404.23,51030.0
Other service charges and fees5,6315,6536,595(22)(0.4)(942)(14.3)
Loss on sale of securities, net(801,492)(28,393)(20,609)(773,099)*(7,784)37.8
Other income31,35027,49335,3983,85714.0(7,905)(22.3)
Total noninterest income$(615,970)$147,171$155,566$(763,141)(518.5)%$(8,395)(5.4)%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

Recurring fee income (total service charges, wealth management fees, debit and credit card fees) for 2025 was $130.1 million, an increase of $5.3 million, or 4.3%, when compared to the 2024 amounts and was primarily related to the incremental increases discussed above.

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Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for our operations. Management remains committed to controlling the level of noninterest expense through the continued use of expense control measures. We utilize an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all subsidiaries. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management monthly. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. We also regularly monitor staffing levels at each subsidiary to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Noninterest expense for 2025 was $565.1 million, as compared to noninterest expense for 2024 of $557.5 million, an increase of $7.5 million, or 1.3%, compared to the prior period. Adjusted noninterest expense, which excludes branch right sizing, early retirement program costs, termination of vendor and software services, loss on sale of an equipment finance business (for 2025 only) and an FDIC special assessment (for 2024 only), for the year ended December 31, 2025 increased $7.0 million, or 1.3%, from the prior year. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $13.7 million as compared to 2024. The increase in salaries and employee benefits expense reflects annual merit increases, in addition to incentive compensation accrual adjustments given the Company’s financial performance during the period.

Deposit insurance expense decreased by $3.7 million as compared to 2024. Excluding the FDIC special assessment of $1.8 million recorded during the year ended December 31, 2024, which was levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023, deposit insurance expense decreased by $1.9 million due to favorable changes in the mix of deposits, primarily related to the reduction of brokered deposits from the balance sheet restructuring during 2025.

Amortization of intangibles recorded for the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024 was $12.8 million and $15.4 million, respectively. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our intangibles.

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Table 6 below shows noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as well as changes in 2025 from 2024 and in 2024 from 2023.

Table 6: Noninterest Expense

Years Ended December 31,2025 Change from2024 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20252024202320242023
Salaries and employee benefits$297,859$284,124$286,117$13,7354.8%$(1,993)(0.7)%
Occupancy expense, net48,23748,21446,741231,4733.2
Furniture and equipment expense21,51822,04720,741(529)(2.4)1,3066.3
Other real estate and foreclosure expense1,04670089234649.4(192)(21.5)
Deposit insurance20,21923,93829,986(3,719)(15.5)(6,048)(20.2)
Merger related costs1,420(1,420)(100.0)
Other operating expenses:
Professional services21,80322,17919,612(376)(1.7)2,56713.1
Postage9,2558,7359,4585206.0(723)(7.6)
Telephone6,0566,3886,965(332)(5.2)(577)(8.3)
Credit card expenses12,53812,88613,243(348)(2.7)(357)(2.7)
Marketing28,04927,36924,0086802.53,36114.0
Software and technology41,74342,93942,530(1,196)(2.8)4091.0
Operating supplies2,6992,4822,5912178.7(109)(4.2)
Amortization of intangibles12,81915,40316,306(2,584)(16.8)(903)(5.5)
Branch right sizing expense3,2462,7465,46750018.2(2,721)(49.8)
Other expense37,97637,39336,9845831.64091.1
Total noninterest expense$565,063$557,543$563,061$7,5201.3%$(5,518)(1.0)%

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 2025 was a benefit of $130.1 million, compared to an expense of $18.6 million in 2024 and $25.5 million in 2023. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2025, 2024 and 2023 were 24.7%, 10.9% and 12.7%, respectively. The change in the provision for income taxes during 2025 as compared to the prior periods was primarily due to the $801.5 million gross realized loss from the sale of securities during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 related to the balance sheet repositioning during the year.

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Loan Portfolio

Our loan portfolio averaged $17.06 billion during 2025 and $17.11 billion during 2024. As of December 31, 2025, total loans were $17.49 billion, compared to $17.01 billion on December 31, 2024, an increase of $486.2 million, or 2.9%. The increase in the overall loan balance during 2025 was primarily due to widespread loan growth throughout our geographic markets during the year. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single family residential real estate loans).

We seek to manage our credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an appropriate allowance for credit losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose, industry and geographic region. We seek to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. We use the allowance for credit losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.

Consumer loans consist of credit card loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $291.2 million at December 31, 2025, or 1.7% of total loans, compared to $309.0 million, or 1.8% of total loans at December 31, 2024. The decrease in consumer loans was primarily due to loan payoffs and pay downs within both the credit card and other consumer portfolios during the year.

Real estate loans consist of construction and development (“C&D”) loans, single family residential loans and CRE loans. Real estate loans were $13.77 billion at December 31, 2025, or 78.7% of total loans, compared to $13.39 billion, or 78.7% of total loans at December 31, 2024, an increase of $379.7 million, or 2.8%. Our C&D loans increased by $84.6 million, or 3.0%, single family residential loans decreased by $82.5 million, or 3.1%, and CRE loans increased by $377.6 million, or 4.8%. The changes among our real estate portfolio reflected our focus on maintaining conservative underwriting standards and structure guidelines while emphasizing prudent pricing discipline during the period. We expect to continue to manage our C&D and CRE portfolio concentration by developing deeper relationships with our customers.

Commercial loans consist of non-real estate loans related to business and agricultural loans. Total commercial loans were $2.69 billion at December 31, 2025, or 15.4% of total loans, compared to $2.70 billion, or 15.8% of total loans at December 31, 2024, an incremental decrease of $6.7 million, or 0.2%. The decrease in non-real estate loans related to business of $51.8 million, or 2.1%, was partially offset by the increase in agricultural loans of $45.1 million, or 17.3%.

Other loans mainly consists of mortgage warehouse lending and municipal loans. Mortgage volume experienced an increase in demand during 2025 as compared to 2024, and was coupled with continued organic growth in our municipal loans during the period, leading to an increase of $131.0 million in other loans.

Our commercial loan pipeline consisting of all commercial loan opportunities was $1.54 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to $1.26 billion at December 31, 2024. The pipeline includes $773.4 million in loans approved and ready to close at the end of the year.

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The balances of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.

Table 7: Loan Portfolio

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)20252024202320222021
Consumer:
Credit cards$175,760$181,675$191,204$196,928$187,052
Other consumer115,472127,319127,462152,882168,318
Total consumer291,232308,994318,666349,810355,370
Real Estate:
Construction and development2,873,8072,789,2493,144,2202,566,6491,326,371
Single family residential2,607,4502,689,9462,641,5562,546,1152,101,975
Other commercial8,289,9687,912,3367,552,4107,468,4985,738,904
Total real estate13,771,22513,391,53113,338,18612,581,2629,167,250
Commercial:
Commercial2,382,3392,434,1752,490,1762,632,2901,992,043
Agricultural306,300261,154232,710205,623168,717
Total commercial2,688,6392,695,3292,722,8862,837,9132,160,760
Other741,083610,083465,932373,139329,123
Total loans before allowance for credit losses$17,492,179$17,005,937$16,845,670$16,142,124$12,012,503

Table 8 reflects the remaining loan maturities by interest rate type at December 31, 2025.

Table 8: Maturity Distribution of Loan Portfolio by Rate Type

1 yearOver 1 year throughOver 5 years throughOver
(In thousands)or less5 years15 years15 yearsTotal
Consumer$129,496$158,174$2,991$571$291,232
Real estate4,375,7127,258,6891,558,468578,35613,771,225
Commercial1,282,0271,301,56684,25720,7892,688,639
Other396,994114,744175,32154,024741,083
Total$6,184,229$8,833,173$1,821,037$653,740$17,492,179
Predetermined rate
Consumer$125,311$35,016$2,953$364$163,644
Real estate2,010,5763,313,156640,066132,4726,096,270
Commercial378,207508,83834,97618,370940,391
Other74,691114,391174,21153,938417,231
Total$2,588,785$3,971,401$852,206$205,144$7,617,536
Variable rate
Consumer$4,185$123,158$38$207$127,588
Real estate2,365,1363,945,533918,402445,8847,674,955
Commercial903,820792,72849,2812,4191,748,248
Other322,3033531,11086323,852
Total$3,595,444$4,861,772$968,831$448,596$9,874,643

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Asset Quality

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. Simmons Bank recognizes income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectibility of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for credit losses.

When credit card loans reach 90 days past due and there are attachable assets, the accounts are considered for litigation. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 150 days past due. The credit card recovery group pursues account holders until it is determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

Total non-performing assets increased $3.8 million from December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025. Nonaccrual loans increased by $1.6 million during 2025, in addition to an increase in foreclosed assets held for sale of $2.7 million. While nonaccrual loans were relatively flat over the comparative period, two specific credit relationships were placed on nonaccrual status during 2025. One relationship placed on nonaccrual status during 2025 totaled $26.7 million and was related to a downtown St. Louis hotel that was originated pre-pandemic and had been on our classified list since April of 2021. The other relationship totaled $22.6 million and was related to a fast-food operator and had been on our classified list since June of 2024 due to sector-related headwinds and global cash flow concerns with the borrower. Subsequent to being placed on nonaccrual status, both relationships were charged off in December 2025.

Total non-performing assets increased $31.0 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024. Nonaccrual loans increased by $26.8 million during 2024, in addition to an increase in foreclosed assets held for sale of $5.2 million. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily spread within our real estate and commercial loan portfolios. The increase in foreclosed assets held for sale was primarily related to the addition of two commercial properties with net book values totaling $7.4 million during the period.

Total non-performing assets increased by $27.8 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023. Nonaccrual loans increased by $24.9 million during 2023, in addition to an increase in foreclosed assets held for sale of $1.2 million. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an increase in nonaccrual loans within our commercial loan portfolio.

Total non-performing assets decreased by $13.8 million from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $9.8 million during 2022, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $3.1 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions from pandemic related stresses.

From time to time, certain borrowers experience declines in income and cash flow. As a result, these borrowers seek to reduce contractual cash outlays, the most prominent being debt payments. In an effort to preserve our net interest margin and earning assets, we are open to working with existing customers in order to maximize the collectibility of the debt.

We have internal loan modification programs for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. Modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness and/or term extensions. We primarily use interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.

The financial effects of the modified loans made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the single family residential real estate portfolio were not significant during the year ended December 31, 2025 and did not significantly impact the Company’s determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans during the year.

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We continue to maintain good asset quality compared to the industry, and strong asset quality remains a primary focus of our strategy. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.28% as of December 31, 2025. Non-performing loans equaled 0.64% of total loans. Non-performing assets were 0.51% of total assets, a 6 basis point increase from December 31, 2024. The allowance for credit losses was 199% of non-performing loans. Our annualized net charge-offs to total loans for 2025 was 0.47%, a 25 basis point increase from December 31, 2024, primarily due to the charge-offs of two specific credit relationships previously discussed. Excluding credit cards, the annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the same period was 0.49%. Annualized net credit card charge-offs to average total credit card loans were 2.95%, compared to 2.93% during 2024, and 97 basis points better than the most recently published industry average charge-off ratio as reported by the Federal Reserve for all banks.

We do not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets, and offer no mortgage loan products that target subprime borrowers.

Table 9 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans at amortized cost and foreclosed assets held for sale.

Table 9: Non-performing Assets

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20252024202320222021
Nonaccrual loans (1)$111,791$110,154$83,325$58,434$68,204
Loans past due 90 days or more (principal or interest payments)9486031,147507349
Total non-performing loans112,739110,75784,47258,94168,553
Other non-performing assets:
Foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned12,0099,2704,0732,8876,032
Other non-performing assets3231,2021,7266441,667
Total other non-performing assets12,33210,4725,7993,5317,699
Total non-performing assets$125,071$121,229$90,271$62,472$76,252
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans199%212%267%334%300%
Non-performing loans to total loans0.64%0.65%0.50%0.37%0.57%
Non-performing assets to total assets0.51%0.45%0.33%0.23%0.31%

_________________________

(1)    Includes nonaccrual financial difficulty modifications (formerly known as troubled debt restructurings) of approximately $853,000, $597,000, $282,000, $1.6 million and $2.7 million at December 31, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The interest income on nonaccrual loans is not considered material for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, quantitative factors, and other qualitative considerations.

Loans with similar risk characteristics such as loan type, collateral type, and internal risk ratings are aggregated for collective assessment. We use statistically-based models that leverage assumptions about current and future economic conditions throughout the contractual life of the loan. Expected credit losses are estimated by either lifetime loss rates or expected loss cash flows based on three key parameters: probability-of-default (“PD”), exposure-at-default (“EAD”), and loss-given-default (“LGD”). Future economic conditions are incorporated to the extent that they are reasonable and supportable. Beyond the reasonable and supportable periods, the economic variables revert to a historical equilibrium at a pace dependent on the state of the economy reflected within the economic scenarios. We also include qualitative adjustments to the allowance based on factors and considerations that have not otherwise been fully accounted for.

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Loans that have unique risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. These evaluations are typically performed on loans with a deteriorated internal risk rating. For a collateral-dependent loan, our evaluation process includes a valuation by appraisal or other collateral analysis adjusted for selling costs, when appropriate. This valuation is compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan. If a loss is determined to be probable, the loss is included in the allowance for credit losses as a specific allocation.

Additional information related to net charge-offs is shown in Table 10.

Table 10: Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans

(Dollars in thousands)Net Charge-offsAverage LoansRatio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans
2025
Credit cards$(5,221)$177,260(2.95)%
Other consumer(1,568)115,231(1.36)%
Real estate(32,669)13,357,960(0.24)%
Commercial(40,222)2,709,055(1.48)%
Other700,919%
Total$(79,680)$17,060,425(0.47)%
2024
Credit cards$(5,346)$182,334(2.93)%
Other consumer(915)124,697(0.73)%
Real estate(5,464)13,467,999(0.04)%
Commercial(25,272)2,739,110(0.92)%
Other592,053%
Total$(36,997)$17,106,193(0.22)%

Allowance for Credit Losses Allocation

As of December 31, 2025, the allowance for credit losses reflected a decrease of approximately $10.6 million from December 31, 2024, while loans increased $486.2 million over the same period. The allocation in each category within the allowance generally reflects the overall changes in the loan portfolio mix.

The decrease in the allowance for credit losses during 2025 was predominantly due to the utilization of specific reserves related to a deep dive analysis of our nonperforming loans and the sale of a run-off portfolio consisting of small ticket equipment finance loans during the year. Loan growth experienced during the year and refreshed economic forecasts partially offset these reductions. Our allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2025 was considered appropriate given the current economic environment and other related factors.

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The following table sets forth the sum of the amounts of the allowance for credit losses attributable to individual loans within each category, or loan categories in general. The table also reflects the percentage of loans in each category to the total loan portfolio for each of the periods indicated. The allowance for credit losses by loan category is determined by i) our estimated reserve factors by category including applicable qualitative adjustments and ii) any specific allowance allocations that are identified on individually evaluated loans. The amounts shown are not necessarily indicative of the actual future losses that may occur within individual categories.

Table 11: Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

December 31,
202520242023
(Dollars in thousands)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)
Credit cards$5,9911.0%$6,0071.1%$5,8681.1%
Other consumer and Other6,7114.9%5,4634.3%5,7163.5%
Real estate183,67778.7%181,96278.8%177,17779.2%
Commercial27,99815.4%41,58715.8%36,47016.2%
Total$224,377100.0%$235,019100.0%$225,231100.0%
Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans1.28%1.38%1.34%

_________________________

(1)    Percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

Investments and Securities

Our securities portfolio is the second largest component of earning assets and provides a significant source of revenue. Securities within the portfolio are classified as either held-to-maturity (“HTM”), available-for-sale (“AFS”) or trading.

HTM securities, which include any security for which we have the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the security’s estimated life. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

AFS securities, which include any security for which we have no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders’ equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the estimated life of the security. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

Assets held in trading accounts, comprised of U.S. Treasury securities, are purchased with the intent of selling in the near term. Trading securities are carried at fair value with gains and losses included in other income.

Our philosophy regarding investments is conservative based on investment type and maturity. Investments in the portfolio primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. Our general policy is not to invest in derivative type investments or high-risk securities, except for collateralized mortgage-backed securities for which collection of principal and interest is not subordinated to significant superior rights held by others.

AFS investment securities and assets held in trading accounts were $3.27 billion and $11.7 million at December 31, 2025, respectively, compared to the HTM amount of $3.64 billion and AFS amount of $2.53 billion at December 31, 2024. We will continue to look for opportunities to maximize the value of the investment portfolio.

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As of December 31, 2025, $58.9 million, or 1.8%, of our total portfolio was invested in obligations of U.S. government agencies and U.S. Treasury securities. Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2025 also included $812.3 million, or 24.8%, of tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions. A portion of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are rated bonds, primarily issued in states in which we are located, and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. There are no securities of any one state or political subdivision issuer exceeding ten percent of our stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2025.

We had approximately $2.20 billion, or 67.2%, of our total portfolio invested in mortgaged-backed securities at December 31, 2025. These mortgage-backed securities were issued by agencies of the U.S. government.

During the third quarter of 2025, we initiated and completed steps taken to reposition our consolidated balance sheet and reclassified approximately $3.59 billion in HTM investment securities to AFS investment securities. Subsequently, we sold approximately $3.16 billion in amortized cost basis of AFS securities (including certain of those previously classified as HTM). The sale of investment securities resulted in a realized, after-tax loss of $625.6 million (based on actual tax rate of 21.946%). As a result of the balance sheet repositioning, we did not hold any investment securities classified as HTM as of December 31, 2025.

During the quarters ended June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, we transferred, at fair value, $1.99 billion and $500.8 million, respectively, of securities from the AFS portfolio to the HTM portfolio. No gains or losses on these securities were recognized at the time of transfer. During the balance sheet repositioning that occurred during 2025, these securities were transferred out of the HTM portfolio to the AFS portfolio at fair value. The previous related remaining combined net unrealized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which losses were $99.4 million, were either recognized as part of the securities transfer and subsequent sale of certain securities or will be amortized into income over the remaining life of the security.

During the third quarter of 2021, we began utilizing interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the effect of changing interest rates on the fair values of $1.00 billion of fixed rate callable municipal securities held in the AFS portfolio. These swap agreements consist of a two year forward start date and involve the payment of fixed interest rates with a weighted average of 1.21% in exchange for variable interest rates based on federal funds rates, which became effective during the late third quarter of 2023. Securities within these swap agreements have maturity dates varying between 2028 and 2029. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the net amount included in interest income on investment securities in the consolidated statements of income related to these swap agreements was $31.3 million.

The adoption of ASU 2016-13 at the beginning of 2020 required us to replace the existing impairment models for financial assets, which includes investment securities. Under this model, an estimate of expected credit losses that represents all contractual cash flows that is deemed uncollectible over the contractual life of the financial asset must be recorded. An allowance for credit losses related to mortgage-backed securities and U.S. government agencies was not recorded as of December 31, 2025 due to those securities being 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.

We recaptured $3.2 million of the allowance for credit loss related to HTM securities during the year ended December 31, 2025 due to the balance sheet repositioning. There was no provision for credit losses related to the Company’s securities portfolios recorded for the year ended December 31, 2024. Based upon our analysis of the underlying risk characteristics of the AFS portfolio, including credit ratings and other qualitative factors, no allowance for credit losses related to AFS securities was deemed necessary at December 31, 2025 and 2024. See Note 3, Investment Securities, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our allowance for credit losses on investment securities held.

We had no gross realized gains and $801.5 million of gross realized losses from the sale of securities related to the balance sheet repositioning discussed above during the year ended December 31, 2025, compared to no gross realized gains and $28.4 million of gross realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2024. During 2024, we sold approximately $251.5 million of AFS investment securities as part of a strategic decision to sell low yielding securities to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings consisting of FHLB advances.

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As of December 31, 2025, we had the ability to hold the securities classified as AFS for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of amortized cost and we believed the accounting standard of “more likely than not” has not been met regarding whether we would be required to sell any of the AFS securities before recovery of amortized cost. As of December 31, 2025, the unrealized losses were largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2025, we believed the declines in fair value are temporary and we did not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost bases of the investments. We expect the cash flows from principal maturities of securities to provide flexibility to fund future loan growth or reduce wholesale funding.

Table 12 presents the amortized cost, fair value and allowance for credit losses on investment securities for each of the years indicated.

Table 12: Investment Securities

(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesNet Carrying AmountGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Held-to-maturity
December 31, 2024
U.S. Government agencies$455,869$$455,869$$(95,961)$359,908
Mortgage-backed securities1,070,0321,070,032212(133,746)936,498
State and political subdivisions1,857,373(196)1,857,17720(436,061)1,421,136
Other securities256,576(3,018)253,558(21,149)232,409
Total HTM$3,639,850$(3,214)$3,636,636$232$(686,917)$2,949,951
(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale
December 31, 2025
U.S. Government agencies$47,786$$6$(620)$47,172
Mortgage-backed securities2,385,6466,072(189,760)2,201,958
State and political subdivisions1,046,12142(187,092)859,071
Other securities163,256209(5,445)158,020
Total AFS$3,642,809$$6,329$(382,917)$3,266,221
December 31, 2024
U.S. Treasury$999$$$(3)$996
U.S. Government agencies55,5895(1,047)54,547
Mortgage-backed securities1,545,5394(152,784)1,392,759
State and political subdivisions1,015,619132(157,569)858,182
Other securities235,028166(12,252)222,942
Total AFS$2,852,774$$307$(323,655)$2,529,426

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Table 13 reflects the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2025, by contractual maturity and the weighted average yields (for tax-exempt obligations on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 26.135% tax rate) of such securities. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Table 13: Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities

December 31, 2025
OverOver
1 year5 yearsTotal
1 yearthroughthroughOverNo fixedAmortizedParFair
(In thousands)or less5 years10 years10 yearsmaturityCostValueValue
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Government agencies$50$28,084$2,799$16,853$$47,786$47,128$47,172
Mortgage-backed securities2,385,6462,385,6462,361,4052,201,958
State and political subdivisions4,27012,05023,1851,006,6161,046,1211,072,752859,071
Other securities6,00274,41782,634203163,256163,245158,020
Total$10,322$114,551$108,618$1,023,469$2,385,849$3,642,809$3,644,530$3,266,221
Percentage of total0.3%3.1%3.0%28.1%65.5%100.0%
Weighted average yield4.2%4.9%3.5%2.8%3.0%3.0%

Deposits

Deposits are our primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through our network of 222 financial centers as of December 31, 2025. We offer a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. Our core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of $250,000 or more and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2025, core deposits comprised 83.2% of our total deposits.

We continually monitor the funding requirements along with competitive interest rates in the markets we serve. Because of our community banking philosophy, our executives in the local markets, with oversight by the Chief Deposit Officer, Asset Liability Committee and the Bank’s Treasury Department, establish the interest rates offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet the funding requirements. We believe we are paying a competitive rate when compared with pricing in those markets.

We manage our interest expense through deposit pricing. We believe that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through deposit pricing if we experience increased loan demand or other liquidity needs. We can also utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs. We are continually monitoring and looking for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our total deposits as of December 31, 2025, were $20.18 billion, a decrease of $1.70 billion from December 31, 2024. Noninterest bearing transaction accounts, interest bearing transaction accounts and savings accounts totaled $15.47 billion at December 31, 2025, compared to $15.44 billion at December 31, 2024, a modest increase of $28.8 million. Total time deposits decreased $1.73 billion to $4.71 billion at December 31, 2025 as compared to $6.44 billion at December 31, 2024. We had $1.89 billion and $3.30 billion of brokered deposits at December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, respectively. The decrease in time deposits and brokered deposits over the comparative period is largely due to the balance sheet repositioning during the third quarter of 2025, including the pay-down of higher rate, non-relationship wholesale and public fund deposits. Our uninsured deposits as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $4.55 billion and $4.63 billion, respectively.

We are continuing to refine our product offerings to give customers flexibility of choice while maintaining the ability to adjust interest rates timely in the current interest rate environment.

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Table 14 reflects the classification of the average deposits and the average rate paid on each deposit category which is in excess of 10 percent of average total deposits for the three years ended December 31, 2025.

Table 14: Average Deposit Balances and Rates

December 31,
202520242023
(In thousands)Average AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate Paid
Noninterest bearing transaction accounts$4,379,001%$4,576,022%$5,201,384%
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits11,102,4472.39%10,974,5292.81%11,033,2632.17%
Time deposits5,412,4483.90%6,411,8884.55%6,038,6403.87%
Total$20,893,8962.28%$21,962,4392.73%$22,273,2872.12%

Our maturities of time deposits not covered by deposit insurance at December 31, 2025 are presented in Table 15.

Table 15: Maturities of Time Deposits Not Covered by Deposit Insurance

December 31, 2025
(In thousands)BalancePercent
Maturing
Three months or less$726,73372.8%
Over 3 months to 6 months126,66712.7%
Over 6 months to 12 months114,47511.5%
Over 12 months30,5793.1%
Total$998,454100.0%

Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $21.4 million at December 31, 2025, as compared to $37.1 million at December 31, 2024.

We have historically funded our growth in earning assets through the use of core deposits, large certificates of deposits from local markets, brokered deposits, FHLB borrowings and Federal funds purchased. Management anticipates that these sources will provide necessary funding in the foreseeable future.

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Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures

Our total debt was $620.0 million and $1.11 billion at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. The outstanding balance for December 31, 2025 includes $286.6 million in FHLB advances; $317.7 million in subordinated notes and unamortized debt issuance costs; and $15.7 million of other long-term debt. The decrease in total debt during 2025 was due to the pay down of higher cost wholesale funding, primarily FHLB advances, as part of the balance sheet repositioning during the year.

A summary of information related to our FHLB short-term advances is presented in Table 16.

Table 16: Short-Term Borrowings

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202520242023
Amount outstanding at year-end$285,000$725,000$950,000
Weighted-average interest rate at year-end3.64%4.42%5.40%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$1,120,000$1,400,000$1,350,000
Average amount outstanding during the year$519,741$1,024,426$1,149,387
Weighted-average interest rate for the year4.38%5.31%5.20%

In March 2018, we issued $330.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2018 Notes at a public offering price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Notes. We incurred $3.6 million in debt issuance costs related to the offering. The 2018 Notes were to mature on April 1, 2028; during the third quarter of 2025, we issued a notice of redemption to redeem the 2018 Notes, which were redeemed in full on October 1, 2025. The related remaining $565,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs were written off during the third quarter of 2025.

We assumed Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount, net of premium adjustments, of $37.4 million in connection with the Spirit acquisition in April 2022 (“Spirit Notes”). During the second quarter of 2025, we issued a notice of redemption to redeem the Spirit Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $37.0 million. The Spirit Notes were redeemed in full on July 31, 2025.

In September 2025, we issued $325.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes at a public offering price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes. The Company incurred $3.9 million in debt issuance costs related to the offering. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2025, the Company began utilizing interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the risk of changes in the fair value of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes due to changes in market interest rates. The 2025 Notes will mature on October 1, 2035 and are subordinated in right of payment to the payment of our other existing and future senior indebtedness, including all our general creditors. The 2025 Notes are obligations of the Company only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any of its subsidiaries.

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2025 are presented in Table 17.

Table 17: Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Annual Maturities
Year(In thousands)
2026$1,589
20271,649
20282,280
20299,689
2030
Thereafter319,760
Total$334,967

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Capital

Overview

At December 31, 2025, total capital was $3.42 billion. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At December 31, 2025, our common equity to asset ratio was 13.93% compared to 13.13% at year-end 2024.

Capital Stock

On February 27, 2009, at a special meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to establish 40,040,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to remove an $80.0 million cap on the aggregate liquidation preference associated with the preferred stock and increase the number of authorized shares of our Class A common stock from 175,000,000 to 350,000,000.

On October 29, 2019, we filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“October Amended Articles”) with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The October Amended Articles classified and designated Series D Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share (“Series D Preferred Stock”), out of our authorized preferred stock. On November 30, 2021, we redeemed all of the Series D Preferred Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends. On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to remove the classification and designation for the Series D Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2025, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

On May 17, 2024, we filed a shelf registration with the SEC. The shelf registration statement provides increased flexibility and more efficient access to raise capital from time to time through the sale of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts, subscription rights, units or a combination thereof, subject to market conditions. Specific terms and prices are determined at the time of any offering under a separate prospectus supplement that we are required to file with the SEC at the time of the specific offering.

On July 23, 2025, the Company closed a public offering of 18,653,000 shares of its Class A common stock, at a price to the public of $18.50 per share, which included 2,433,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock granted pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts. The net proceeds of $327.4 million from this public offering helped offset the one-time, realized after-tax loss of $625.6 million (based on an actual tax rate of 21.946%) incurred during the third quarter of 2025 from selling AFS securities discussed in the Investments and Securities section above.

Stock Repurchase Program

In January 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program (“2022 Program”) under which the Company could repurchase up to $175.0 million of its Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding. Because the 2022 Program was set to terminate on January 31, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program in January 2024 (“2024 Program”) under which the Company could repurchase up to $175.0 million of its Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding. The 2024 Program was executed in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and was terminated in January 2026. The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program in January 2026 (“2026 Program”) under which the Company may repurchase up to $175.0 million of its Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding. The 2026 Program will be executed in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is set to terminate on January 31, 2028 (unless terminated sooner).

Under the 2026 Program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, pricing, and amount of any repurchases under the 2026 Program will be determined by management at its discretion based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, trading volume and market price of our common stock, corporate considerations, our working capital and investment requirements, general market and economic conditions, and legal requirements. The 2026 Program does not obligate us to repurchase any common stock and may be modified, discontinued, or suspended at any time without prior notice. We anticipate funding for the 2026 Program to come from available sources of liquidity, including cash on hand and future cash flow.

No shares were repurchased during 2025 or 2024. Market conditions and the Company’s capital needs, among other things, will drive decisions regarding additional, future stock repurchases.

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Cash Dividends

We declared cash dividends on our common stock of $0.85 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, compared to $0.84 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, an increase of $0.01, or 1%. The timing and amount of future dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our consolidated earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the amount of cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and policies and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors anticipates that we will continue to pay quarterly dividends in amounts determined based on the factors discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock at the current levels or at all.

Parent Company Liquidity

The primary liquidity needs of Simmons First National Corporation (the Parent Company) are the payment of dividends to shareholders, the funding of debt obligations and cash needs for acquisitions. The primary sources for meeting these liquidity needs are the current cash on hand at the parent company and the future dividends received from Simmons Bank. Payment of dividends by Simmons Bank is subject to various regulatory limitations and, in certain instances, regulatory approval requirements. The Company continually assesses its capital and liquidity needs and the best way to meet them, including, without limitation, through capital raising in the market via stock or debt offerings. See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Risk-Based Capital

The Company and Simmons Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require us to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that, as of December 31, 2025, we met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, Simmons Bank was well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and Simmons Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the bank’s categories.

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Our risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2025 and 2024 are presented in Table 18 below:

Table 18: Risk-Based Capital

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20252024
Tier 1 capital:
Stockholders’ equity$3,419,240$3,528,872
CECL transition provision30,873
Goodwill and other intangible assets(1,374,839)(1,385,128)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes293,130360,910
Total Tier 1 capital2,337,5312,535,527
Tier 2 capital:
Subordinated notes and debentures317,714366,293
Subordinated debt phase out(132,000)
Qualifying allowance for credit losses and reserve for unfunded commitments250,006222,313
Total Tier 2 capital567,720456,606
Total risk-based capital$2,905,251$2,992,133
Risk weighted assets$20,106,493$20,473,960
Assets for leverage ratio$23,224,638$26,037,459
Ratios at end of year:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)11.63%12.38%
Tier 1 leverage ratio10.06%9.74%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio11.63%12.38%
Total risk-based capital ratio14.45%14.61%
Minimum guidelines:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)4.50%4.50%
Tier 1 leverage ratio4.00%4.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio6.00%6.00%
Total risk-based capital ratio8.00%8.00%

Regulatory Capital Changes

In December 2018, the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and FDIC (collectively, the “agencies”) issued a final rule revising regulatory capital rules in anticipation of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 that provided an option to phase in over a three year period on a straight line basis the day-one impact of the adoption on earnings and Tier 1 capital (the “CECL Transition Provision”).

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agencies issued a new regulatory capital rule revising the CECL Transition Provision to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of ASU 2016-13. The rule provides banking organizations that implement CECL before the end of 2020 the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (the “2020 CECL Transition Provision”). The Company elected to apply the 2020 CECL Transition Provision.

The Basel III Capital Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios with a more risk-sensitive approach. The Basel III Capital Rules established risk-weighting categories depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures.

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The final rules included a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The rules also raised the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%.

Qualifying subordinated debt of $317.7 million is included as Tier 2 and total capital of the Company as of December 31, 2025.

Liquidity

In the normal course of business we have entered into a number of contractual obligations and have made commitments to make future payments. Refer to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2025. Examples of these commitments include but are not limited to long-term debt financing (Note 11, Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures), operating lease obligations (Note, 5, Right-of-Use Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities), time deposits with stated maturity dates (Note 8, Time Deposits), and unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit (Note 18, Commitments and Credit Risk).

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The tables below present computations of adjusted earnings (net income excluding certain items {early retirement program costs, loss on early extinguishment of debt, loss on sale of equipment finance business, merger related costs, FDIC special assessment, loss on sale of securities, termination of vendor and software services, net branch right sizing costs and tax effect}) (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) as well as a computation of tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP), tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP), adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP), adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP), uninsured, non-collateralized deposits (non-GAAP) and the coverage ratio of uninsured, non-collateralized deposits (non-GAAP). Adjusted items are included in financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP). The Company has updated its calculation of certain non-GAAP financial measures to exclude the impact of gains or losses on the sale of AFS investment securities in light of the impact of the Company’s strategic AFS investment securities transactions during the fourth quarter of 2023 and has presented past periods on a comparable basis.

We believe the exclusion of these certain items in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures, including “adjusted earnings,” provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted earnings” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Preparation of the Company’s operating budgets

•   Monthly financial performance reporting

•   Monthly “flash” reporting of consolidated results (management only)

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

We believe the presentation of “adjusted earnings” on a diluted per share basis (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance on a per share basis. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted diluted earnings per share” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Calculation of annual performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

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We have $1.41 billion and $1.42 billion total goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Because our acquisition strategy has resulted in a high level of intangible assets, management believes useful calculations include tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) and tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP).

We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to assess the performance of the Company on the same basis that is applied by management and the Board of Directors.

Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. To mitigate these limitations, we have procedures in place to identify and approve each item that qualifies as adjusted to ensure that the Company’s “adjusted” results are properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of earnings that excludes certain items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to stockholders (i.e., certain items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity). Additionally, similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies may not be computed in the same or similar fashion.

During 2025, adjusted items primarily consisted of net branch right sizing costs of $3.2 million, mainly due to costs associated with branch closures across our footprint during the year and a $801.5 million loss on sale of securities due to the balance sheet repositioning during the year. We also recorded an additional $1.9 million in early retirement program costs and $1.1 million related the loss on sale of an equipment finance business during the year. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items on net income was $630.7 million, or a $4.68 impact on diluted earnings per share.

During 2024, adjusted items primarily consisted of net branch right sizing costs of $2.7 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year, and a $28.4 million loss on sale of securities due to the strategic sale of AFS securities during the year. We also recorded an additional $1.8 million related to a FDIC special assessment levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items on net income was $25.2 million, or a $0.20 impact on diluted earnings per share.

During 2023, adjusted items primarily consisted of net branch right sizing costs of $5.5 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year, $6.2 million in early retirement program costs related to our Better Bank Initiative, and a $20.6 million loss on sale of securities due to the strategic sale of AFS securities during the year. Additionally, we recorded $10.5 million related to a FDIC special assessment levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items on net income was $32.7 million, or a $0.26 impact on diluted earnings per share.

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See Table 19 below for the reconciliation of adjusted earnings, which exclude certain items for the periods presented.

Table 19: Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202520242023
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders$(397,553)$152,693$175,057
Certain items:
Termination of vendor and software services12602
Loss on early extinguishment of debt570
Loss on sale of equipment finance business1,118
FDIC special assessment1,83210,521
Merger related costs1,420
Early retirement program1,8995366,198
Loss on sale of securities801,49228,39320,609
Branch right sizing, net3,2462,7465,467
Tax effect (1)(177,686)(8,915)(11,556)
Certain items, net of tax630,65125,19432,659
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)$233,098$177,887$207,716
Diluted earnings per share$(2.95)$1.21$1.38
Certain items:
Termination of vendor and software services
Loss on early extinguishment of debt0.01
Loss on sale of equipment finance business0.01
FDIC special assessment0.020.08
Merger related costs0.01
Early retirement program0.010.05
Loss on sale of securities5.950.230.17
Branch right sizing, net0.020.020.04
Tax effect (1)(1.32)(0.07)(0.09)
Certain items, net of tax4.680.200.26
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)$1.73$1.41$1.64

_________________________

(1)    Actual tax rate of 21.946% on 2025 loss on sale of securities. Effective tax rate of 26.135% on all other items.

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See Table 20 below for the reconciliations of adjusted noninterest income and adjusted noninterest expense for the periods presented.

Table 20: Reconciliations of Adjusted Noninterest Income (non-GAAP) and Adjusted Noninterest Expense (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)202520242023
Noninterest income (loss)$(615,970)$147,171$155,566
Certain items:
Loss on early extinguishment of debt570
Loss on sale of securities801,49228,39320,609
Total certain items802,06228,39320,609
Adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP)$186,092$175,564$176,175
Noninterest expense$565,063$557,543$563,061
Certain items:
Termination of vendor and software services(12)(602)
Merger related costs(1,420)
Loss on sale of equipment finance business(1,118)
Early retirement program(1,899)(536)(6,198)
FDIC special assessment(1,832)(10,521)
Branch right sizing(3,246)(2,746)(5,467)
Total certain items(6,275)(5,716)(23,606)
Adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP)$558,788$551,827$539,455

See Table 21 below for the reconciliation of tangible book value per common share.

Table 21: Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value per Common Share (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202520242023
Total common stockholders’ equity$3,419,240$3,528,872$3,426,488
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,320,799)(1,320,799)
Other intangible assets(84,423)(97,242)(112,645)
Total intangibles(1,405,222)(1,418,041)(1,433,444)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$2,014,018$2,110,831$1,993,044
Shares of common stock outstanding144,762,817125,651,540125,184,119
Book value per common share$23.62$28.08$27.37
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)$13.91$16.80$15.92

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See Table 22 below for the calculation of tangible common equity and the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets.

Table 22: Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity and the Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202520242023
Total common stockholders’ equity$3,419,240$3,528,872$3,426,488
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,320,799)(1,320,799)
Other intangible assets(84,423)(97,242)(112,645)
Total intangibles(1,405,222)(1,418,041)(1,433,444)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$2,014,018$2,110,831$1,993,044
Total assets$24,540,877$26,876,049$27,345,674
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,320,799)(1,320,799)
Other intangible assets(84,423)(97,242)(112,645)
Total intangibles(1,405,222)(1,418,041)(1,433,444)
Tangible assets$23,135,655$25,458,008$25,912,230
Ratio of common equity to assets13.93%13.13%12.53%
Ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)8.71%8.29%7.69%

See Table 23 below for the reconciliation of uninsured, non-collateralized deposits and the calculation of uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio.

Table 23: Reconciliation of Uninsured, Non-Collateralized Deposits and the Calculation of Uninsured, Non-Collateralized Deposit Coverage Ratio (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)202520242023
Uninsured deposits at Simmons Bank$9,640,677$8,467,291$8,328,444
Less: Collateralized deposits (excluding portion that is FDIC insured)2,363,3272,790,3392,846,716
Less: Intercompany eliminations2,729,1911,045,734728,480
Total uninsured, non-collateralized deposits$4,548,159$4,631,218$4,753,248
FHLB borrowing availability$5,999,000$4,716,000$5,401,000
Unpledged securities1,480,0004,103,0003,817,000
Fed funds lines, Fed discount window and Bank Term Funding Program (1)1,836,0002,081,0001,998,000
Additional liquidity sources$9,315,000$10,900,000$11,216,000
Uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio2.0x2.4x2.4x

___________________________________

(1)The Bank Term Funding Program closed for new loans on March 11, 2024. At no time did the Company borrow funds under this program.

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MD&A history

Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.

FY 2024 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001628280-25-008639.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2025-02-27. Report date: 2024-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis presents the more significant factors that affected our financial condition as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and results of operations for each of the years then ended. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024 (the “2023 Form 10-K”) for a discussion and analysis of the more significant factors that affected the 2022 period, which are incorporated herein by reference. Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report, as well as the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements and the risks discussed in Item 1A of Part I of this Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Overview

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

We consider accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on our financial statements.

The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, (b) acquisition accounting and valuation of loans, (c) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets, (d) the valuation of stock-based compensation plans and (e) income taxes.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, quantitative factors, and other qualitative considerations. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for expected credit losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Our allowance for credit loss methodology includes reserve factors calculated to estimate current expected credit losses to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the portfolio, adjusted for prepayments, in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326-20, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Accordingly, the methodology is based on our reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative adjustments. For further information see the section Allowance for Credit Losses below.

Our evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of credit losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for credit losses reported in the financial statements.

Acquisition Accounting, Loans

We account for our acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value for acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, the fair value adjustment is recorded as premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Loans that have been identified as having experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by our allowance for credit losses recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. The net premium or discount on loans that are not classified as PCD (“non-PCD”), that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. We then record the necessary allowance for credit losses on the non-PCD loans through provision for credit losses expense.

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. We perform an annual goodwill impairment test, and more than annually if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, as amended by ASU 2011-08 – Testing Goodwill for Impairment and ASU 2017-04 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Our assessment depends on several assumptions which are dependent on market and economic conditions. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

To quantitatively test goodwill for impairment, a present value of discounted cash flows calculation is completed and relies on several assumptions that have a level of subjectivity and judgement. These assumptions are dependent on market and economic conditions. Key inputs to estimate terminal fair value of the Company include projected forecasts, noninterest expense savings and a pricing multiple based on a group of peer banks with similar characteristics. These inputs are discounted by the cost of equity, which includes assumptions involving our beta; equity risk, size and company premiums; and the 20-year treasury rate. Assumptions used in calculating the cost of equity are obtained from market and third-party data. Results are compared to book value; no impairment was indicated as of December 31, 2024. Judgement is inherent in assessing goodwill for impairment. The various assumptions used in assessing goodwill for impairment involve uncertainties that are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We have adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or awarding of restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance stock units granted to directors, officers and other key employees.

Income Taxes

We are subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where we conduct business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s income tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.

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2024 Overview

Our net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $152.7 million, or $1.21 diluted earnings per share, compared to $175.1 million, or $1.38 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2023. Included in 2024 results were $25.2 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to the loss on sale of securities, a FDIC special assessment and branch right sizing initiatives. Included in 2023 results were $32.7 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to early retirement program costs, loss on sale of securities, a FDIC special assessment and branch right sizing initiatives. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted earnings for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $177.9 million, or $1.41 adjusted diluted earnings per share, compared to $207.7 million, or $1.64 adjusted diluted earnings per share, in 2023. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Throughout 2024, we delivered solid results that clearly reflect our driving principles centered on a strong risk management culture, profitability and organic growth. While we continue to operate against a backdrop of uncertainty concerning the macroeconomic environment and the timing of lower interest rates, we are comforted by our strong capital and liquidity positions:

•Deposits were relatively stable over the year, which highlights the granularity of our deposit base, as well as the long-term relationships we have with many of our customers. Total deposits as of December 31, 2024 were $21.89 billion, compared to $22.24 billion as of December 31, 2023. Uninsured deposits (excluding collateralized deposits and intercompany deposits) as of December 31, 2024 were approximately $4.63 billion, or 21% of total deposits.

•Capital levels were steady during the year, with all regulatory capital ratios remaining significantly above “well-capitalized” guidelines as of December 31, 2024 (see Table 18 in the Risk-Based Capital section below). As of December 31, 2024, our ratio of common equity to total assets was 13.13%, the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 8.29% and our Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.74%.

•Key credit quality metrics as of December 31, 2024 also remained solid, with our nonperforming loan coverage ratio at 212% and our allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans ratio was 1.38%.

•We maintained a significant liquidity position with a loan to deposit ratio of 78% as of December 31, 2024, compared to 76% as of December 31, 2023. Additional liquidity sources available to us as of December 31, 2024 totaled $10.90 billion and our uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio was 2.4x.

In 2024, Simmons Bank was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the “2024-2025 Best Companies to Work For in the South” and by Forbes as one of “America’s Best-In-State Banks 2024 in Tennessee” and one of “America’s Best-In-State Employers 2024 in Missouri”.

We believe credit trends throughout the industry are beginning to normalize after an extended period at historically low levels. Our asset quality metrics remain strong and reflect our conservative credit culture, as well as our focus on maintaining disciplined pricing and conservative underwriting standards given the current economic environment. Total nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2024 were $110.8 million, as compared to $84.5 million at December 31, 2023. Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets were 0.45%, compared to 0.33% at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2024 was $3.53 billion, book value per share was $28.08 and tangible book value per common share was $16.80.

Total loans were $17.01 billion at December 31, 2024, an increase of $160.3 million, or 1.0%, from the same time in 2023. Our unfunded commitments decreased to $4.03 billion at December 31, 2024, as compared to $4.17 billion at December 31, 2023. Our commercial loan pipeline totaled $1.26 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to $948.2 million at December 31, 2023.

We are continually monitoring the impact of various global and national events on our results of operations and financial condition, including inflationary pressures, changes in market interest rates, deposit competition and liquidity strains and changes in political leadership. The timing and impact of such events on our results of operation and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain.

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In our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation in this Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we provide certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with US GAAP. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which we believe will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section below for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas-based financial holding company that, as of December 31, 2024, has approximately $26.88 billion in consolidated assets and, through its subsidiaries, conducts financial operations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of noninterest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 26.135%.

The FRB sets various benchmark interest rates which influence the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. Between December 2015 and December 2018, the FRB had been gradually raising benchmark interest rates. The FRB target for the federal funds rate, which is the cost to banks of immediately available overnight funds, increased gradually from 0% - 0.50% in December 2015 to 2.25% - 2.50% over a three year period. The federal funds rate was flat until the FRB began to lower the rate in August 2019 and ultimately reduced it to 1.50% - 1.75% in October 2019. During March 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the FRB substantially reduced interest rates in response to the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funds rate was cut to a range of 0% - 0.25%, where it remained throughout 2021 and into early 2022. During March 2022, the FOMC began a series of rate increases in an effort to curb rising inflation. From early 2022 through 2023, the federal funds rate range was increased on eleven occasions and ended 2023 with a range set at 5.25% - 5.50%. During 2024, as inflation declined, the FOMC cut rates on three occasions to a period end range of 4.25% - 4.50%. To date in 2025, rates have been held steady by the FOMC.

Our loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, also increased from 3.25% to 5.50% during the years 2015 through 2018. The prime interest rate remained flat until it began to decrease in July 2019 and was eventually reduced to 4.75% in October 2019. Similarly to the reduction in the federal funds rate, the prime rate was cut to 3.25% in mid-March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained unchanged throughout 2021 and into early 2022. Paralleling the federal funds rate, multiple increases by the Federal Reserve during 2022 and 2023 increased the prime rate to 8.50% as of the end of 2023 and a series of rate cuts during 2024 decreased the prime rate to 7.50% at the end of 2024. To date in 2025, the prime interest rate has also been held steady.

Our practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. In the last several years, on average, approximately 44% of our loan portfolio and approximately 92% of our time deposits have repriced in one year or less. Our current interest rate sensitivity shows that approximately 49% of our loans and 97% of our time deposits will reprice in the next year, largely contributing to our liability-sensitive position at December 31, 2024.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $654.3 million, a decrease of $21.3 million, or 3.2%, over the same period in 2023. The decrease in net interest income was primarily the result of a $102.3 million increase in interest income, more than offset by a $123.6 million increase in interest expense.

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The increase in interest income primarily resulted from a $94.1 million increase in interest income on loans, coupled with an increase of $9.7 million in interest income on investment securities. Regarding the increase in interest income on loans during 2024, the increase in loan volume resulted in an increase of $27.9 million in interest income, while a 39 basis point increase in yield due to higher market interest rates resulted in a $66.2 million increase in interest income during the year ended December 31, 2024. The loan yield for 2024 was 6.35%, compared to 5.96% for 2023. The increase in our loan volume during 2024 was due to solid organic loan growth over the comparative period. The increase in interest income on investment securities is primarily related to our taxable investment securities and reflects an increase of $36.7 million due to yield increases over the period of 87 basis points which were a result of higher market interest rates. The increase in interest income on taxable investment securities due to yield increases was mitigated by a $26.5 million decrease due to the decline in our taxable investment portfolio average balances which decreased by $785.2 million, or 16.7%, as our portfolio experienced pay downs, maturities and a strategic sale of $251.5 million of lower-yielding available-for-sale (“AFS”) securities to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings consisting of FHLB advances during the third quarter of 2024.

Included in interest income is the additional yield accretion recognized as a result of updated estimates of the cash flows of our loans acquired. Each quarter, we estimate the cash flows expected to be collected from the loans acquired, and adjustments may or may not be required. The cash flows estimate may increase or decrease based on payment histories and loss expectations of the loans. The resulting adjustment to interest income is spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loans. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, interest income included $6.1 million, $8.8 million and $23.9 million, respectively, for the yield accretion recognized on loans acquired.

The $123.6 million increase in interest expense is mostly due to the increase in our deposit account rates over the period, combined with the change in deposit mix as the market experiences a shift in consumer sentiment given the attractiveness of higher yielding time deposits in the current higher interest rate environment. Interest expense increased $113.5 million due to the increase in rates of 68 basis points on interest-bearing deposit accounts and increased $13.8 million due to the increase in deposit volume over the period. The increase in interest expense was partially offset by a decrease of $5.4 million related to a decreased reliance on other borrowings over the period. We continually monitor and look for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis was 2.74% for the year ended December 31, 2024, down 4 basis points from 2023. The marginal decrease in the net interest margin was primarily due to the rising deposit rate pressure from increased market competition and consumer migration toward higher rate deposits, mitigated by the increased yields on our earning assets average balances over the comparative periods.

Over the course of 2025, we anticipate moderating pressure on our margin due to several factors. We saw moderate organic loan growth during 2024 and we are cautiously optimistic regarding further modest organic loan growth during 2025, subject to the underlying economy and growth opportunities, with continued focus on maintaining prudent underwriting standards and profitability discipline. We sold $251.5 million of low yield AFS securities in the third quarter of 2024, and used sale proceeds to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to optimize our balance sheet based on changing market conditions. We also expect modest increases in noninterest income related to fee based services and noninterest expenses related to continuous improvement initiatives and utilizing cost savings to partially fund targeted investments in technology and talent. Additionally, while our balance sheet is in a favorable position for the repricing of assets and liabilities, there is still much uncertainty as to decisions that will be made by the FOMC and the risks present in the economy.

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Tables 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the years 2024 versus 2023 and 2023 versus 2022.

Table 1: Analysis of Net Interest Margin

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202420232022
Interest income$1,312,065$1,210,161$861,735
FTE adjustment25,82025,44324,671
Interest income - FTE1,337,8851,235,604886,406
Interest expense683,600560,035144,419
Net interest income - FTE$654,285$675,569$741,987
Yield on earning assets - FTE5.61%5.09%3.79%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities3.63%2.99%0.84%
Net interest spread - FTE1.98%2.10%2.95%
Net interest margin - FTE2.74%2.78%3.17%

Table 2: Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin

(In thousands)2024 vs. 20232023 vs. 2022
Increase (decrease) due to change in earning assets$(2,912)$93,320
Increase due to change in earning asset yields105,193255,878
Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities(6,539)(48,716)
Decrease due to change in interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities(117,026)(366,900)
Decrease in net interest income$(21,284)$(66,418)

Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2024. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

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Table 3: Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/
(In thousands)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)
ASSETS
Earning assets:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$217,308$11,8085.43$320,261$13,4904.21$793,836$5,5000.69
Investment securities - taxable3,913,498153,4133.924,698,742143,1783.055,462,42794,4371.73
Investment securities - non-taxable2,620,78785,3083.262,605,86885,8613.292,703,66286,5963.20
Mortgage loans held for sale10,6347316.878,0645576.9116,6097204.33
Other loans held for sale8,3223,12037.49
Loans - including fees17,106,1931,086,6256.3516,647,570992,5185.9614,419,763696,0334.83
Total interest earning assets23,868,4201,337,8855.6124,280,5051,235,6045.0923,404,619886,4063.79
Non-earning assets3,346,2273,274,3543,014,219
Total assets$27,214,647$27,554,859$26,418,838
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits$10,974,529$308,4552.81$11,033,263$238,9822.17$12,253,164$63,0330.51
Time deposits6,411,888291,7854.556,038,640233,9373.873,094,74736,0161.16
Total interest bearing deposits17,386,417600,2403.4517,071,903472,9192.7715,347,91199,0490.65
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase50,9586021.18105,8021,1501.09200,7449410.47
Other borrowings1,042,72655,1275.291,169,37460,5175.181,155,31024,9342.16
Subordinated debt and debentures366,21827,6317.54366,06625,4496.95394,87019,4954.94
Total interest bearing liabilities18,846,319683,6003.6318,713,145560,0352.9917,098,835144,4190.84
Noninterest bearing liabilities:
Noninterest bearing deposits4,576,0225,201,3845,827,160
Other liabilities305,484281,018233,179
Total liabilities23,727,82524,195,54723,159,174
Stockholders’ equity3,486,8223,359,3123,259,664
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$27,214,647$27,554,859$26,418,838
Net interest spread1.982.102.95
Net interest margin$654,2852.74$675,5692.78$741,9873.17

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Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the years 2024 versus 2023 and 2023 versus 2022. The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.

Table 4: Volume/Rate Analysis

Years Ended December 31,
2024 vs. 20232023 vs. 2022
Yield/Yield/
(In thousands, on a fully taxable equivalent basis)VolumeRateTotalVolumeRateTotal
Increase (decrease) in:
Interest income:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$(4,998)$3,316$(1,682)$(5,033)$13,023$7,990
Investment securities - taxable(26,454)36,68910,235(14,763)63,50448,741
Investment securities - non-taxable490(1,043)(553)(3,182)2,447(735)
Mortgage loans held for sale177(3)174(472)309(163)
Other loans held for sale(791)(2,329)(3,120)
Loans - including fees27,87366,23494,107117,561178,924296,485
Total(2,912)105,193102,28193,320255,878349,198
Interest expense:
Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts(1,279)70,75269,473(6,881)182,830175,949
Time deposits15,12042,72857,84857,399140,522197,921
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase(641)93(548)(600)809209
Other borrowings(6,672)1,282(5,390)30835,27535,583
Subordinated notes and debentures112,1712,182(1,510)7,4645,954
Total6,539117,026123,56548,716366,900415,616
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$(9,451)$(11,833)$(21,284)$44,604$(111,022)$(66,418)

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses represents management’s determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period’s earnings in order to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated lifetime risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management’s judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, past due and non-performing loans and historical net credit loss experience. It is management’s practice to review the allowance on a monthly basis and, after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance.

During 2024, our provision for credit loss expense was $46.8 million, as compared to an expense of $42.0 million during 2023 and an expense of $14.1 million during 2022. The provision for credit loss expense during 2024 was related to loans and reflected loan growth, as well as the impact of updated economic assumptions.

The provision for credit loss expense during 2023 was impacted by several factors throughout the year, including a $47.4 million expense related to loans and reflected loan growth, as well as the impact of updated economic assumptions, which was partially offset by a $16.3 million release from the reserve for unfunded commitments primarily due to a decline in unfunded commitments resulting from customers utilizing lines of credit during the year. Additionally, provision expense related to AFS and HTM securities recorded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $9.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily due to decreases in the value of select corporate bonds in the investment securities portfolio.

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The provision for credit loss expense during 2022 was impacted by several factors throughout the year, including a $33.8 million Day 2 provision expense required for loans and unfunded commitments related to the Spirit acquisition, and an expense of $16.0 million related to the overall increase in unfunded commitments during the year, primarily made up of commercial construction loans, which receive a higher reserve allocation than other loans. These expenses were partially offset by a release of $16.0 million, which was driven by a reduction to certain industry specific qualitative factors for the restaurant, hospitality, student housing and office space industries due to the improvement from pandemic related stresses. Further recapture during 2022 was driven by the planned exit of several large oil and gas relationships during the year, along with our improved asset credit quality metrics and improved Moody’s economic modeling scenarios.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, wealth management fees and debit and credit card fees. Noninterest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance and gains (losses) from sales of securities.

Total noninterest income was $147.2 million in 2024, compared to $155.6 million in 2023 and $170.1 million in 2022. Noninterest income for 2024 decreased $8.4 million, or 5.4%, from 2023. Included in both 2024 and 2023 results were $28.4 million and $20.6 million, respectively, of certain items related to the loss on the sale of securities during the period. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased $611,000, or 0.3%, from the prior year. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

During 2024, we sold approximately $251.5 million of investment securities resulting in a net loss of $28.4 million, while we realized a net loss of $20.6 million related to the sale of $247.9 million of investment securities during 2023. The sale of securities during both 2024 and 2023 was primarily related to strategic decisions to sell low yield securities and use the proceeds to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings.

The larger loss on sale of securities recognized during 2024, coupled with a $4.0 million legal reserve recapture associated with litigation recognized in 2023, were partially offset with increases in bank owned life insurance income and several fee-based businesses during 2024. These incremental increases as compared to the prior period were primarily made up of a $3.5 million increase related to bank owned life insurance due to a higher earnings credit rate as compared to the prior period, a $2.6 million increase related to wealth management fees due to market conditions and a $1.4 million increase in debit and credit card fees related to increased customer activity.

Table 5 shows noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as well as changes in 2024 from 2023 and in 2023 from 2022.

Table 5: Noninterest Income

Years Ended December 31,2024 Change from2023 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20242023202220232022
Service charges on deposit accounts$49,898$50,530$46,527$(632)(1.3)%$4,0038.6%
Debit and credit card fees32,87531,47231,2031,4034.52690.9
Wealth management fees32,80630,20331,8952,6038.6(1,692)(5.3)
Mortgage lending income8,0777,73310,5223444.5(2,789)(26.5)
Bank owned life insurance income15,22711,71711,1463,51030.05715.1
Other service charges and fees9,1889,1227,616660.71,50619.8
Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net(28,393)(20,609)(278)(7,784)37.8(20,331)*
Gain on insurance settlement4,074(4,074)*
Other income27,49335,39827,361(7,905)(22.3)8,03729.4
Total noninterest income$147,171$155,566$170,066$(8,395)(5.4)%$(14,500)(8.5)%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

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Recurring fee income (total service charges, wealth management fees, debit and credit card fees) for 2024 was $124.8 million, an increase of $3.4 million, or 2.8%, when compared to the 2023 amounts and was primarily related to the increases discussed above.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for our operations. Management remains committed to controlling the level of noninterest expense through the continued use of expense control measures. We utilize an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all subsidiaries. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management monthly. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. We also regularly monitor staffing levels at each subsidiary to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Noninterest expense for 2024 was $557.5 million, as compared to noninterest expense for 2023 of $563.1 million, a decrease of $5.5 million, or 1.0%, compared to the prior period. Adjusted noninterest expense, which excludes branch right sizing, FDIC special assessment, early retirement program costs, termination of vendor and software services (for 2024 only), and merger related costs (for 2023 only), for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $12.4 million, or 2.3%, from the prior year. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased by $2.0 million as compared to 2023, while adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense, which excludes early retirement program costs, increased by $3.7 million as compared to 2023. The increase in adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense reflects incentive compensation accrual adjustments during the periods, in addition to annual merit increases. Early retirement program costs during 2024 and 2023 were $536,000 and $6.2 million, respectively.

Deposit insurance expense decreased by $6.0 million as compared to 2023. Excluding the FDIC special assessment of $1.8 million recorded during the year ended December 31, 2024 and $10.5 million recorded during the year ended December 31, 2023, both of which were levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023, adjusted deposit insurance expense increased by $2.6 million primarily due to an increased base assessment rate related to changes in the mix of deposits.

Amortization of intangibles recorded for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 was $15.4 million and $16.3 million, respectively. See Note 7, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our intangibles.

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Table 6 below shows noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as well as changes in 2024 from 2023 and in 2023 from 2022.

Table 6: Noninterest Expense

Years Ended December 31,2024 Change from2023 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20242023202220232022
Salaries and employee benefits$283,588$279,919$286,982$3,6691.3%$(7,063)(2.5)%
Early retirement program5366,198(5,662)(91.4)6,198*
Occupancy expense, net48,21446,74144,3211,4733.22,4205.5
Furniture and equipment expense22,04720,74120,6651,3066.3760.4
Other real estate and foreclosure expense7008921,003(192)(21.5)(111)(11.1)
Deposit insurance23,93829,98611,608(6,048)(20.2)18,378*
Merger related costs1,42022,476(1,420)(100.0)(21,056)(93.7)
Other operating expenses:
Professional services22,17919,61219,1382,56713.14742.5
Postage8,7359,4588,955(723)(7.6)5035.6
Telephone6,3886,9656,394(577)(8.3)5718.9
Credit card expenses12,88613,24312,243(357)(2.7)1,0008.2
Marketing27,36924,00828,8703,36114.0(4,862)(16.8)
Software and technology42,93942,53040,9064091.01,6244.0
Operating supplies2,4822,5912,556(109)(4.2)351.4
Amortization of intangibles15,40316,30615,915(903)(5.5)3912.5
Branch right sizing expense2,7465,4673,475(2,721)(49.8)1,99257.3
Other expense37,39336,98441,2414091.1(4,257)(10.3)
Total noninterest expense$557,543$563,061$566,748$(5,518)(1.0)%$(3,687)(0.7)%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

Due to our Better Bank Initiative and continuous efficiency improvements, offset by expected increases related to merit-based compensation adjustments and targeted investments during the upcoming period, we expect marginal growth in noninterest expense during 2025.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 2024 was $18.6 million, compared to $25.5 million in 2023 and $50.1 million in 2022. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2024, 2023 and 2022 were 10.9%, 12.7% and 16.4%, respectively. The decrease in the provision for income taxes during 2024 as compared to 2023 and 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to tax exempt income having a larger favorable impact on the rate and lower state taxes during the periods, both driven by the one time charges to income from the loss on sale of securities during each respective period, in addition to the FDIC special assessment largely recognized during 2023.

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Loan Portfolio

Our loan portfolio averaged $17.11 billion during 2024 and $16.65 billion during 2023. As of December 31, 2024, total loans were $17.01 billion, compared to $16.85 billion on December 31, 2023, an increase of $160.3 million, or 1.0%. The increase in the overall loan balance during 2024 was primarily due to widespread loan growth throughout our geographic markets during the year. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single family residential real estate loans).

We seek to manage our credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an appropriate allowance for credit losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose, industry and geographic region. We seek to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. We use the allowance for credit losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.

Consumer loans consist of credit card loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $309.0 million at December 31, 2024, or 1.8% of total loans, compared to $318.7 million, or 1.9% of total loans at December 31, 2023. The decrease in consumer loans was primarily due to loan payoffs and pay downs within the credit card portfolio during the year.

Real estate loans consist of construction and development (“C&D”) loans, single family residential loans and other commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans. Real estate loans were $13.39 billion at December 31, 2024, or 78.7% of total loans, compared to $13.34 billion, or 79.2% of total loans at December 31, 2023, a modest increase of $53.3 million, or 0.4%. Our C&D loans decreased by $355.0 million, or 11.3%, single family residential loans increased by $48.4 million, or 1.8%, and CRE loans increased by $359.9 million, or 4.8%. The changes among our real estate portfolio reflected our focus on maintaining conservative underwriting standards and structure guidelines while emphasizing prudent pricing discipline during the period. We expect to continue to manage our C&D and CRE portfolio concentration by developing deeper relationships with our customers.

Commercial loans consist of non-real estate loans related to business and agricultural loans. Total commercial loans were $2.70 billion at December 31, 2024, or 15.8% of total loans, compared to $2.72 billion, or 16.2% of total loans at December 31, 2023, an incremental decrease of $27.6 million, or 1.0%. The decrease in non-real estate loans related to business of $56.0 million, or 2.2%, was partially offset by the increase in agricultural loans of $28.4 million, or 12.2%.

Other loans mainly consists of mortgage warehouse lending and municipal loans. Mortgage volume experienced an increase in demand during 2024 as compared to 2023, and was coupled with continued organic growth in our municipal loans during the period, leading to an increase of $144.2 million in other loans.

While loan growth was widespread throughout our geographic markets and was generally broad-based by loan type during the period, loan growth during the year reflected moderating demand and increased payoff activity, as we focus on maintaining disciplined pricing and conservative underwriting standards given the current uncertain economic environment. Our commercial loan pipeline consisting of all commercial loan opportunities was $1.26 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $948.2 million at December 31, 2023. The pipeline includes $551.8 million in loans approved and ready to close at the end of the year.

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The balances of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.

Table 7: Loan Portfolio

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)20242023202220212020
Consumer:
Credit cards$181,675$191,204$196,928$187,052$188,845
Other consumer127,319127,462152,882168,318202,379
Total consumer308,994318,666349,810355,370391,224
Real Estate:
Construction and development2,789,2493,144,2202,566,6491,326,3711,596,255
Single family residential2,689,9462,641,5562,546,1152,101,9751,880,673
Other commercial7,912,3367,552,4107,468,4985,738,9045,746,863
Total real estate13,391,53113,338,18612,581,2629,167,2509,223,791
Commercial:
Commercial2,434,1752,490,1762,632,2901,992,0432,574,386
Agricultural261,154232,710205,623168,717175,905
Total commercial2,695,3292,722,8862,837,9132,160,7602,750,291
Other610,083465,932373,139329,123535,591
Total loans before allowance for credit losses$17,005,937$16,845,670$16,142,124$12,012,503$12,900,897

Table 8 reflects the remaining loan maturities by interest rate type at December 31, 2024.

Table 8: Maturity Distribution of Loan Portfolio by Rate Type

1 yearOver 1 year throughOver 5 years throughOver
(In thousands)or less5 years15 years15 yearsTotal
Consumer$77,422$226,977$3,525$1,070$308,994
Real estate3,825,1057,422,0511,547,536596,83913,391,531
Commercial1,244,9701,347,42962,34140,5892,695,329
Other307,39172,477135,08695,129610,083
Total$5,454,888$9,068,934$1,748,488$733,627$17,005,937
Predetermined rate
Consumer$72,727$100,889$3,461$882$177,959
Real estate1,783,2074,276,302782,021130,6566,972,186
Commercial462,708630,79825,60338,1151,157,224
Other36,70372,023133,63394,896337,255
Total$2,355,345$5,080,012$944,718$264,549$8,644,624
Variable rate
Consumer$4,695$126,088$64$188$131,035
Real estate2,041,8983,145,749765,515466,1836,419,345
Commercial782,262716,63136,7382,4741,538,105
Other270,6884541,453233272,828
Total$3,099,543$3,988,922$803,770$469,078$8,361,313

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Asset Quality

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. Simmons Bank recognizes income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectibility of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for credit losses.

When credit card loans reach 90 days past due and there are attachable assets, the accounts are considered for litigation. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 150 days past due. The credit card recovery group pursues account holders until it is determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

Total non-performing assets increased $31.0 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024. Nonaccrual loans increased by $26.8 million during 2024, in addition to an increase in foreclosed assets held for sale of $5.2 million. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily spread within our real estate and commercial loan portfolios. The increase in foreclosed assets held for sale was primarily related to the addition of two commercial properties with net book values totaling $7.4 million during the period.

Total non-performing assets increased by $27.8 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023. Nonaccrual loans increased by $24.9 million during 2023, in addition to an increase in foreclosed assets held for sale of $1.2 million. The increase in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an increase in nonaccrual loans within our commercial loan portfolio.

Total non-performing assets decreased by $13.8 million from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $9.8 million during 2022, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $3.1 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions from pandemic related stresses.

Total non-performing assets decreased by $67.6 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $54.7 million during 2021, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $12.4 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions while the decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned is primarily the result of the disposition of one commercial building in the St. Louis area and the disposition of one piece of commercial land with net book values at the time of sale of $6.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

From time to time, certain borrowers experience declines in income and cash flow. As a result, these borrowers seek to reduce contractual cash outlays, the most prominent being debt payments. In an effort to preserve our net interest margin and earning assets, we are open to working with existing customers in order to maximize the collectibility of the debt.

We have internal loan modification programs for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. Modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness and/or term extensions. We primarily use interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.

The financial effects of the modified loans made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the single family residential real estate portfolio were not significant during the year ended December 31, 2024 and did not significantly impact the Company’s determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans during the year.

During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company modified one loan for a borrower experiencing financial difficulty related to the CRE portfolio, whereby the modification extended the term of the loan 1.5 years. As a result of the CRE loan modified during the year ended December 31, 2024 being collateral-dependent, the impact to the Company’s allowance for credit losses on loans was the difference between the fair value of the underlying collateral, adjusted for selling costs, and the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan.

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We continue to maintain good asset quality compared to the industry, and strong asset quality remains a primary focus of our strategy. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.38% as of December 31, 2024. Non-performing loans equaled 0.65% of total loans. Non-performing assets were 0.45% of total assets, a 12 basis point increase from December 31, 2023. The allowance for credit losses was 212% of non-performing loans. Our annualized net charge-offs to total loans for 2024 was 0.22%. Excluding credit cards, the annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the same period was 0.19%. Annualized net credit card charge-offs to average total credit card loans were 2.93%, compared to 2.20% during 2023, and 144 basis points better than the most recently published industry average charge-off ratio as reported by the Federal Reserve for all banks.

We do not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets, and offer no mortgage loan products that target subprime borrowers.

Table 9 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans at amortized cost and foreclosed assets held for sale.

Table 9: Non-performing Assets

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20242023202220212020
Nonaccrual loans (1)$110,154$83,325$58,434$68,204$122,879
Loans past due 90 days or more (principal or interest payments)6031,147507349578
Total non-performing loans110,75784,47258,94168,553123,457
Other non-performing assets:
Foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned9,2704,0732,8876,03218,393
Other non-performing assets1,2021,7266441,6672,016
Total other non-performing assets10,4725,7993,5317,69920,409
Total non-performing assets$121,229$90,271$62,472$76,252$143,866
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans212%267%334%300%193%
Non-performing loans to total loans0.65%0.50%0.37%0.57%0.96%
Non-performing assets to total assets0.45%0.33%0.23%0.31%0.64%

_________________________

(1)    Includes nonaccrual financial difficulty modifications (formerly known as troubled debt restructurings) of approximately $597,000, $282,000, $1.6 million, $2.7 million and $4.4 million at December 31, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The interest income on nonaccrual loans is not considered material for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, quantitative factors, and other qualitative considerations.

Loans with similar risk characteristics such as loan type, collateral type, and internal risk ratings are aggregated for collective assessment. We use statistically-based models that leverage assumptions about current and future economic conditions throughout the contractual life of the loan. Expected credit losses are estimated by either lifetime loss rates or expected loss cash flows based on three key parameters: probability-of-default (“PD”), exposure-at-default (“EAD”), and loss-given-default (“LGD”). Future economic conditions are incorporated to the extent that they are reasonable and supportable. Beyond the reasonable and supportable periods, the economic variables revert to a historical equilibrium at a pace dependent on the state of the economy reflected within the economic scenarios. We also include qualitative adjustments to the allowance based on factors and considerations that have not otherwise been fully accounted for.

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Loans that have unique risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. These evaluations are typically performed on loans with a deteriorated internal risk rating. For a collateral-dependent loan, our evaluation process includes a valuation by appraisal or other collateral analysis adjusted for selling costs, when appropriate. This valuation is compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan. If a loss is determined to be probable, the loss is included in the allowance for credit losses as a specific allocation.

Additional information related to net charge-offs is shown in Table 10.

Table 10: Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans

(Dollars in thousands)Net Charge-offsAverage LoansRatio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans
2024
Credit cards$(5,346)$182,334(2.93)%
Other consumer(915)124,697(0.73)%
Real estate(5,464)13,467,999(0.04)%
Commercial(25,272)2,739,110(0.92)%
Other592,053%
Total$(36,997)$17,106,193(0.22)%
2023
Credit cards$(4,295)$195,545(2.20)%
Other consumer(984)136,865(0.72)%
Real estate(9,999)13,050,414(0.08)%
Commercial(3,870)2,815,006(0.14)%
Other449,740%
Total$(19,148)$16,647,570(0.12)%

Allowance for Credit Losses Allocation

As of December 31, 2024, the allowance for credit losses reflected an increase of approximately $9.8 million from December 31, 2023, while loans increased $160.3 million over the same period. The allocation in each category within the allowance generally reflects the overall changes in the loan portfolio mix.

The increase in the allowance for credit losses during 2024 was predominantly due to the loan growth experienced during the year, as well as refreshed economic forecasts. Our allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2024 was considered appropriate given the current economic environment and other related factors.

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The following table sets forth the sum of the amounts of the allowance for credit losses attributable to individual loans within each category, or loan categories in general. The table also reflects the percentage of loans in each category to the total loan portfolio for each of the periods indicated. The allowance for credit losses by loan category is determined by i) our estimated reserve factors by category including applicable qualitative adjustments and ii) any specific allowance allocations that are identified on individually evaluated loans. The amounts shown are not necessarily indicative of the actual future losses that may occur within individual categories.

Table 11: Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

December 31,
202420232022
(Dollars in thousands)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)
Credit cards$6,0071.1%$5,8681.1%$5,1401.2%
Other consumer and Other5,4634.3%5,7163.5%6,6143.2%
Real estate181,96278.8%177,17779.2%150,79578.0%
Commercial41,58715.8%36,47016.2%34,40617.6%
Total$235,019100.0%$225,231100.0%$196,955100.0%
Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans1.38%1.34%1.22%

_________________________

(1)    Percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

Investments and Securities

Our securities portfolio is the second largest component of earning assets and provides a significant source of revenue. Securities within the portfolio are classified as either held-to-maturity (“HTM”) or available-for-sale (“AFS”).

HTM securities, which include any security for which we have the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the security’s estimated life. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

AFS securities, which include any security for which we have no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders’ equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the estimated life of the security. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

Our philosophy regarding investments is conservative based on investment type and maturity. Investments in the portfolio primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. Our general policy is not to invest in derivative type investments or high-risk securities, except for collateralized mortgage-backed securities for which collection of principal and interest is not subordinated to significant superior rights held by others.

HTM and AFS investment securities were $3.64 billion and $2.53 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2024, compared to the HTM amount of $3.73 billion and AFS amount of $3.15 billion at December 31, 2023. We will continue to look for opportunities to maximize the value of the investment portfolio.

As of December 31, 2024, $511.4 million, or 8.3%, of our total portfolio was invested in obligations of U.S. government agencies and U.S. Treasury securities. Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2024 also included $2.61 billion, or 42.2%, of tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions. A portion of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are rated bonds, primarily issued in states in which we are located, and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. There are no securities of any one state or political subdivision issuer exceeding ten percent of our stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2024.

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We had approximately $2.46 billion, or 39.9%, of our total portfolio invested in mortgaged-backed securities at December 31, 2024. These mortgage-backed securities were issued by agencies of the U.S. government.

During the quarters ended June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, we transferred, at fair value, $1.99 billion and $500.8 million, respectively, of securities from the AFS portfolio to the HTM portfolio. As of December 31, 2024, the related remaining combined net unrealized losses of $108.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities. No gains or losses on these securities were recognized at the time of transfer.

Additionally, during the third quarter of 2021, we began utilizing interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the effect of changing interest rates on the fair values of $1.00 billion of fixed rate callable municipal securities held in the AFS portfolio. These swap agreements consist of a two year forward start date and involve the payment of fixed interest rates with a weighted average of 1.21% in exchange for variable interest rates based on federal funds rates, which became effective during the late third quarter of 2023. Securities within these swap agreements have maturity dates varying between 2028 and 2029. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the net amount included in interest income on investment securities in the consolidated statements of income related to these swap agreements was $42.9 million.

The adoption of ASU 2016-13 at the beginning of 2020 required us to replace the existing impairment models for financial assets, which includes investment securities. Under this model, an estimate of expected credit losses that represents all contractual cash flows that is deemed uncollectible over the contractual life of the financial asset must be recorded. There was no provision for credit losses related to the Company’s securities portfolios recorded for the year ended December 31, 2024. We recorded a provision for credit losses related to AFS securities of $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 due to isolated corporate bonds within the portfolio. During the same period, the provision for credit loss expense on AFS securities was reduced by $3.7 million related to previously impaired securities. We also charged-off $7.0 million directly related to one corporate bond, which was deemed uncollectible in the period, while the remaining isolated bonds were sold or experienced price recovery on previous impairments prior to the end of the period. Based upon our analysis of the underlying risk characteristics of the AFS portfolio, including credit ratings and other qualitative factors, no allowance for credit losses related to AFS securities was deemed necessary at December 31, 2024 and 2023. Our allowance for credit losses related to HTM securities was $3.2 million for both periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

An allowance for credit losses related to mortgage-backed securities and U.S. government agencies was not recorded as of December 31, 2024 due to those securities being 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. See Note 3, Investment Securities, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our allowance for credit losses on investment securities held.

We had no gross realized gains and $28.4 million of gross realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to no gross realized gains and $20.6 million of gross realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2023. We sold approximately $251.5 million of AFS investment securities as part of a strategic decision to sell low yielding securities to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings consisting of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances during 2024, while we sold approximately $247.9 million of investment securities during 2023 related to a strategic decision to sell low yielding securities and use the proceeds to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings, including both brokered deposits and FHLB advances.

We have the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as HTM until they mature, at which time we expect to receive full value for the securities. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost bases of the investments. We expect the cash flows from principal maturities of securities to provide flexibility to fund future loan growth or reduce wholesale funding. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2024, we also have the ability to hold the securities classified as AFS for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of amortized cost, we do not have an immediate intent to sell the securities classified as AFS, and we believe the accounting standard of “more likely than not” has not been met regarding whether we would be required to sell any of the AFS securities before recovery of amortized cost. During 2025, we will continue to evaluate targeted sales of AFS securities based on prevailing market conditions and our funding and liquidity positions. The unrealized losses during 2024 are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2024, we believe the declines in fair value detailed in the table below are temporary and we do not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality.

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Table 12 presents the amortized cost, fair value and allowance for credit losses on investment securities for each of the years indicated.

Table 12: Investment Securities

(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesNet Carrying AmountGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Held-to-maturity
December 31, 2024
U.S. Government agencies$455,869$$455,869$$(95,961)$359,908
Mortgage-backed securities1,070,0321,070,032212(133,746)936,498
State and political subdivisions1,857,373(196)1,857,17720(436,061)1,421,136
Other securities256,576(3,018)253,558(21,149)232,409
Total HTM$3,639,850$(3,214)$3,636,636$232$(686,917)$2,949,951
December 31, 2023
U.S. Government agencies$453,121$$453,121$$(89,203)$363,918
Mortgage-backed securities1,161,6941,161,694354(107,834)1,054,214
State and political subdivisions1,858,680(2,006)1,856,674284(369,509)1,487,449
Other securities256,007(1,208)254,799(25,010)229,789
Total HTM$3,729,502$(3,214)$3,726,288$638$(591,556)$3,135,370
(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale
December 31, 2024
U.S. Treasury$999$$$(3)$996
U.S. Government agencies55,5895(1,047)54,547
Mortgage-backed securities1,545,5394(152,784)1,392,759
State and political subdivisions1,015,619132(157,569)858,182
Other securities235,028166(12,252)222,942
Total AFS$2,852,774$$307$(323,655)$2,529,426
December 31, 2023
U.S. Treasury$2,285$$$(31)$2,254
U.S. Government agencies74,46035(1,993)72,502
Mortgage-backed securities2,138,6528(198,353)1,940,307
State and political subdivisions1,035,147187(132,541)902,793
Other securities259,165(24,868)234,297
Total AFS$3,509,709$$230$(357,786)$3,152,153

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Table 13 reflects the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2024, by contractual maturity and the weighted average yields (for tax-exempt obligations on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 26.135% tax rate) of such securities. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Table 13: Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities

December 31, 2024
OverOver
1 year5 yearsTotal
1 yearthroughthroughOverNo fixedAmortizedParFair
(In thousands)or less5 years10 years10 yearsmaturityCostValueValue
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government agencies$$3,403$105,920$346,546$$455,869$480,246$359,908
Mortgage-backed securities1,070,0321,070,0321,115,755936,498
State and political subdivisions1,9064,82283,4681,767,1771,857,3731,865,7821,421,136
Other securities49,966204,0972,513256,576265,778232,409
Total$1,906$58,191$393,485$2,116,236$1,070,032$3,639,850$3,727,561$2,949,951
Percentage of total0.1%1.6%10.8%58.1%29.4%100.0%
Weighted average yield4.0%2.3%2.3%2.6%2.2%2.5%
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury$999$$$$$999$1,000$996
U.S. Government agencies15626,6425,46023,33155,58954,58754,547
Mortgage-backed securities1,545,5391,545,5391,516,4291,392,759
State and political subdivisions3,01514,52120,179977,9041,015,6191,078,708858,182
Other securities65,776169,026226235,028234,978222,942
Total$4,170$106,939$194,665$1,001,235$1,545,765$2,852,774$2,885,702$2,529,426
Percentage of total0.2%3.7%6.8%35.1%54.2%100.0%
Weighted average yield3.1%5.1%4.1%2.9%2.6%2.9%

Deposits

Deposits are our primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through our network of 222 financial centers as of December 31, 2024. We offer a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. Our core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of $250,000 or more and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2024, core deposits comprised 77.8% of our total deposits.

We continually monitor the funding requirements along with competitive interest rates in the markets we serve. Because of our community banking philosophy, our executives in the local markets, with oversight by the Chief Deposit Officer, Asset Liability Committee and the Bank’s Treasury Department, establish the interest rates offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet the funding requirements. We believe we are paying a competitive rate when compared with pricing in those markets.

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We manage our interest expense through deposit pricing. We believe that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through deposit pricing if we experience increased loan demand or other liquidity needs. We can also utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs. We are continually monitoring and looking for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our total deposits as of December 31, 2024, were $21.89 billion, a decrease of $359.2 million from December 31, 2023. Noninterest bearing transaction accounts, interest bearing transaction accounts and savings accounts totaled $15.44 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $15.80 billion at December 31, 2023, a decrease of $355.8 million. Total time deposits were relatively flat over the period and totaled $6.44 billion at December 31, 2024 as compared to $6.45 billion at December 31, 2023. We had $3.30 billion and $2.90 billion of brokered deposits at December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, respectively. Our uninsured deposits as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $4.63 billion and $4.75 billion, respectively.

We are continuing to refine our product offerings to give customers flexibility of choice while maintaining the ability to adjust interest rates timely in the current rate environment.

Table 14 reflects the classification of the average deposits and the average rate paid on each deposit category which is in excess of 10 percent of average total deposits for the three years ended December 31, 2024.

Table 14: Average Deposit Balances and Rates

December 31,
202420232022
(In thousands)Average AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate Paid
Noninterest bearing transaction accounts$4,576,022%$5,201,384%$5,827,160%
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits10,974,5292.81%11,033,2632.17%12,253,1640.51%
Time deposits6,411,8884.55%6,038,6403.87%3,094,7471.16%
Total$21,962,4392.73%$22,273,2872.12%$21,175,0710.47%

Our maturities of time deposits not covered by deposit insurance at December 31, 2024 are presented in Table 15.

Table 15: Maturities of Time Deposits Not Covered by Deposit Insurance

December 31, 2024
(In thousands)BalancePercent
Maturing
Three months or less$663,32466.7%
Over 3 months to 6 months181,62918.3%
Over 6 months to 12 months128,21012.9%
Over 12 months21,0632.1%
Total$994,226100.0%

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Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $37.1 million at December 31, 2024, as compared to $68.0 million at December 31, 2023.

We have historically funded our growth in earning assets through the use of core deposits, large certificates of deposits from local markets, brokered deposits, FHLB borrowings and Federal funds purchased. Management anticipates that these sources will provide necessary funding in the foreseeable future.

Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures

Our total debt was $1.11 billion and $1.34 billion at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The outstanding balance for December 31, 2024 includes $727.9 million in FHLB advances; $366.3 million in subordinated notes and unamortized debt issuance costs; and $17.4 million of other long-term debt. FHLB advances outstanding at December 31, 2024, which decreased as compared to December 31, 2023 due to a reduced reliance on wholesale funding, are primarily whole loan advances, which are due less than one year from origination and therefore are classified as short-term advances.

A summary of information related to our FHLB short-term advances, consisting of primarily whole loan advances, is presented in Table 16.

Table 16: Short-Term Borrowings

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202420232022
Amount outstanding at year-end$725,000$950,000$835,000
Weighted-average interest rate at year-end4.42%5.40%4.20%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$1,400,000$1,350,000$1,300,000
Average amount outstanding during the year$1,024,426$1,149,387$1,124,314
Weighted-average interest rate for the year5.31%5.20%2.08%

During the third quarter of 2022, we redeemed the five issuances of trust preferred securities which had an outstanding aggregate principal amount of $56.2 million. We recorded a loss of $365,000 related to the early retirement of debt, which represented the unamortized purchase discounts associated with the previously acquired trust preferred securities.

In March 2018, we issued $330.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) at a public offering price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We incurred $3.6 million in debt issuance costs related to the offering. The Notes will mature on April 1, 2028 and are subordinated in right of payment to the payment of our other existing and future senior indebtedness, including all our general creditors. The Notes are obligations of the Company only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any of its subsidiaries.

We assumed Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount, net of premium adjustments, of $37.4 million in connection with the Spirit acquisition in April 2022 (the “Spirit Notes”). The Spirit Notes will mature on July 31, 2030, and initially bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.00%, payable quarterly, in arrears, to, but excluding, July 31, 2025. From and including July 31, 2025, to, but excluding, the maturity date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an interest rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (provided, that in the event the benchmark rate is less than zero, the benchmark rate will be deemed to be zero) plus 592 basis points, payable quarterly, in arrears.

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Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2024 are presented in Table 17.

Table 17: Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Annual Maturities
Year(In thousands)
2025$1,822
20261,824
20271,919
2028332,792
202910,190
Thereafter38,118
Total$386,665

Capital

Overview

At December 31, 2024, total capital was $3.53 billion. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At December 31, 2024, our common equity to asset ratio was 13.13% compared to 12.53% at year-end 2023.

Capital Stock

On February 27, 2009, at a special meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to establish 40,040,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to remove an $80.0 million cap on the aggregate liquidation preference associated with the preferred stock and increase the number of authorized shares of our Class A common stock from 175,000,000 to 350,000,000.

On October 29, 2019, we filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“October Amended Articles”) with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The October Amended Articles classified and designated Series D Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share (“Series D Preferred Stock”), out of our authorized preferred stock. On November 30, 2021, we redeemed all of the Series D Preferred Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends. On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to remove the classification and designation for the Series D Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2024, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

On May 17, 2024, we filed a shelf registration with the SEC. The shelf registration statement provides increased flexibility and more efficient access to raise capital from time to time through the sale of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts, subscription rights, units or a combination thereof, subject to market conditions. Specific terms and prices are determined at the time of any offering under a separate prospectus supplement that we are required to file with the SEC at the time of the specific offering.

Stock Repurchase Program

In January 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program (“2022 Program”) under which the Company could repurchase up to $175.0 million of its Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding. Because the 2022 Program was set to terminate on January 31, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program in January 2024 (“2024 Program”) under which the Company may repurchase up to $175.0 million of its Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding. The 2024 Program will be executed in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will terminate on January 31, 2026 (unless terminated sooner).

During 2024, no shares were repurchased under the 2024 Program. During 2023, we repurchased 2,257,049 shares at an average price of $17.72 per share under the 2022 Program.

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Under the 2024 Program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, pricing, and amount of any repurchases under the 2024 Program will be determined by management at its discretion based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, trading volume and market price of our common stock, corporate considerations, our working capital and investment requirements, general market and economic conditions, and legal requirements. The 2024 Program does not obligate us to repurchase any common stock and may be modified, discontinued, or suspended at any time without prior notice. We anticipate funding for the 2024 Program to come from available sources of liquidity, including cash on hand and future cash flow.

Cash Dividends

We declared cash dividends on our common stock of $0.84 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, compared to $0.80 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, an increase of $0.04, or 5%. The timing and amount of future dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our consolidated earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the amount of cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and policies and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors anticipates that we will continue to pay quarterly dividends in amounts determined based on the factors discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock at the current levels or at all.

Parent Company Liquidity

The primary liquidity needs of Simmons First National Corporation (the Parent Company) are the payment of dividends to shareholders, the funding of debt obligations and cash needs for acquisitions. The primary sources for meeting these liquidity needs are the current cash on hand at the parent company and the future dividends received from Simmons Bank. Payment of dividends by Simmons Bank is subject to various regulatory limitations and, in certain instances, regulatory approval requirements. The Company continually assesses its capital and liquidity needs and the best way to meet them, including, without limitation, through capital raising in the market via stock or debt offerings. See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Risk-Based Capital

The Company and Simmons Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require us to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that, as of December 31, 2024, we met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, Simmons Bank was well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and Simmons Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the bank’s categories.

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Our risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2024 and 2023 are presented in Table 18 below:

Table 18: Risk-Based Capital

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20242023
Tier 1 capital:
Stockholders’ equity$3,528,872$3,426,488
CECL transition provision30,87361,746
Goodwill and other intangible assets(1,385,128)(1,398,810)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes360,910404,375
Total Tier 1 capital2,535,5272,493,799
Tier 2 capital:
Subordinated notes and debentures366,293366,141
Subordinated debt phase out(132,000)(66,000)
Qualifying allowance for credit losses and reserve for unfunded commitments222,313170,977
Total Tier 2 capital456,606471,118
Total risk-based capital$2,992,133$2,964,917
Risk weighted assets$20,473,960$20,599,238
Assets for leverage ratio$26,037,459$26,552,988
Ratios at end of year:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)12.38%12.11%
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.74%9.39%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio12.38%12.11%
Total risk-based capital ratio14.61%14.39%
Minimum guidelines:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)4.50%4.50%
Tier 1 leverage ratio4.00%4.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio6.00%6.00%
Total risk-based capital ratio8.00%8.00%

Regulatory Capital Changes

In December 2018, the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) (collectively, the “agencies”) issued a final rule revising regulatory capital rules in anticipation of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 that provided an option to phase in over a three year period on a straight line basis the day-one impact of the adoption on earnings and Tier 1 capital (the “CECL Transition Provision”).

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agencies issued a new regulatory capital rule revising the CECL Transition Provision to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of ASU 2016-13. The rule provides banking organizations that implement CECL before the end of 2020 the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (the “2020 CECL Transition Provision”). The Company elected to apply the 2020 CECL Transition Provision.

The Basel III Capital Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios with a more risk-sensitive approach. The Basel III Capital Rules established risk-weighting categories depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures.

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The final rules included a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The rules also raised the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%.

Prior to December 31, 2017, Tier 1 capital included common equity Tier 1 capital and certain additional Tier 1 items as provided under the Basel III Capital Rules. Qualifying subordinated debt of $234.3 million is included as Tier 2 and total capital of the Company as of December 31, 2024.

Liquidity

In the normal course of business we have entered into a number of contractual obligations and have made commitments to make future payments. Refer to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2024. Examples of these commitments include but are not limited to long-term debt financing (Note 11, Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures), operating lease obligations (Note, 5, Right-of-Use Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities), time deposits with stated maturity dates (Note 8, Time Deposits), and unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit (Note 18, Commitments and Credit Risk).

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The tables below present computations of adjusted earnings (net income excluding certain items {early retirement program costs, loss from early retirement of TruPS, gain on sale of intellectual property, gain on insurance settlement, donation to Simmons First Foundation, merger related costs, FDIC special assessment, loss on sale of securities, termination of vendor and software services, net branch right sizing costs, Day 2 CECL Provision and tax effect}) (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) as well as a computation of tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP), tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP), adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP), adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP), adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense (non-GAAP), adjusted deposit insurance expense (non-GAAP), uninsured, non-collateralized deposits (non-GAAP) and the coverage ratio of uninsured, non-collateralized deposits (non-GAAP). Adjusted items are included in financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP). The Company has updated its calculation of certain non-GAAP financial measures to exclude the impact of gains or losses on the sale of AFS investment securities in light of the impact of the Company’s strategic AFS investment securities transactions during the fourth quarter of 2023 and has presented past periods on a comparable basis.

We believe the exclusion of these certain items in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures, including “adjusted earnings,” provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted earnings” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Preparation of the Company’s operating budgets

•   Monthly financial performance reporting

•   Monthly “flash” reporting of consolidated results (management only)

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

We believe the presentation of “adjusted earnings” on a diluted per share basis (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance on a per share basis. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted diluted earnings per share” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Calculation of annual performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

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We have $1.42 billion and $1.43 billion total goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Because our acquisition strategy has resulted in a high level of intangible assets, management believes useful calculations include tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) and tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP).

We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to assess the performance of the Company on the same basis that is applied by management and the Board of Directors.

Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. To mitigate these limitations, we have procedures in place to identify and approve each item that qualifies as adjusted to ensure that the Company’s “adjusted” results are properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of earnings that excludes certain items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to stockholders (i.e., certain items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity). Additionally, similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies may not be computed in the same or similar fashion.

During 2024, adjusted items primarily consisted of net branch right sizing costs of $2.7 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year, and a $28.4 million loss on sale of securities due to the strategic sale of AFS securities during the year. We also recorded an additional $1.8 million related to a FDIC special assessment levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items on net income was $25.2 million, or a $0.20 impact on diluted earnings per share.

During 2023, adjusted items primarily consisted of net branch right sizing costs of $5.5 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year, $6.2 million in early retirement program costs related to our Better Bank Initiative, and a $20.6 million loss on sale of securities due to the strategic sale of AFS securities during the year. Additionally, we recorded $10.5 million related to a FDIC special assessment levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items on net income was $32.7 million, or a $0.26 impact on diluted earnings per share.

During 2022, adjusted items primarily consisted of $33.8 million of Day 2 provision expense required for loans and unfunded commitments related to the Spirit acquisition, merger-related costs of $22.5 million, primarily related to the Spirit acquisition, and net branch right sizing costs of $3.6 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year. Additionally, we had a gain on insurance settlement of $4.1 million related to a weather event that caused severe damage to one of our branch locations. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items was $42.4 million, or $0.34 per diluted earnings per share.

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See Table 19 below for the reconciliation of adjusted earnings, which exclude certain items for the periods presented.

Table 19: Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202420232022
Net income available to common stockholders$152,693$175,057$256,412
Certain items:
Termination of vendor and software services602
Loss from early retirement of TruPS365
Gain on sale of intellectual property(750)
Gain on insurance settlement(4,074)
FDIC special assessment1,83210,521
Donation to Simmons First Foundation1,738
Merger related costs1,42022,476
Early retirement program5366,198
Loss on sale of securities28,39320,609278
Branch right sizing, net2,7465,4673,628
Day 2 CECL Provision33,779
Tax effect (1)(8,915)(11,556)(15,012)
Certain items, net of tax25,19432,65942,428
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)$177,887$207,716$298,840
Diluted earnings per share$1.21$1.38$2.06
Certain items:
Termination of vendor and software services
Loss from early retirement of TruPS
Gain on sale of intellectual property(0.01)
Gain on insurance settlement(0.03)
FDIC special assessment0.020.08
Donation to Simmons First Foundation0.01
Merger related costs0.010.18
Early retirement program0.05
Loss on sale of securities0.230.17
Branch right sizing, net0.020.040.03
Day 2 CECL Provision0.28
Tax effect (1)(0.07)(0.09)(0.12)
Certain items, net of tax0.200.260.34
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)$1.41$1.64$2.40

_________________________

(1)    Effective tax rate of 26.135%.

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See Table 20 below for the reconciliations of adjusted noninterest income, adjusted noninterest expense, adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense and adjusted deposit insurance expense for the periods presented.

Table 20: Reconciliations of Adjusted Noninterest Income (non-GAAP), Adjusted Noninterest Expense (non-GAAP), Adjusted Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense (non-GAAP) and Adjusted Deposit Insurance Expense (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)202420232022
Noninterest income$147,171$155,566$170,066
Certain items:
Gain on insurance settlement(4,074)
Loss from early retirement of TruPS365
Gain on sale of intellectual property(750)
Loss on sale of securities28,39320,609278
Branch right sizing153
Total certain items28,39320,609(4,028)
Adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP)$175,564$176,175$166,038
Noninterest expense$557,543$563,061$566,748
Certain items:
Termination of vendor and software services(602)
Merger related costs(1,420)(22,476)
Donation to Simmons First Foundation(1,738)
Early retirement program(536)(6,198)
FDIC special assessment(1,832)(10,521)
Branch right sizing(2,746)(5,467)(3,475)
Total certain items(5,716)(23,606)(27,689)
Adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP)$551,827$539,455$539,059
Salaries and employee benefits expense$284,124$286,117$286,982
Early retirement program costs(536)(6,198)
Other2
Adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense (non-GAAP)$283,588$279,921$286,982
Deposit insurance expense$23,938$29,986$11,608
FDIC special assessment(1,832)(10,521)
Adjusted deposit insurance expense (non-GAAP)$22,106$19,465$11,608

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See Table 21 below for the reconciliation of tangible book value per common share.

Table 21: Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value per Common Share (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202420232022
Total common stockholders’ equity$3,528,872$3,426,488$3,269,362
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,320,799)(1,319,598)
Other intangible assets(97,242)(112,645)(128,951)
Total intangibles(1,418,041)(1,433,444)(1,448,549)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$2,110,831$1,993,044$1,820,813
Shares of common stock outstanding125,651,540125,184,119127,046,654
Book value per common share$28.08$27.37$25.73
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)$16.80$15.92$14.33

See Table 22 below for the calculation of tangible common equity and the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets.

Table 22: Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity and the Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202420232022
Total common stockholders’ equity$3,528,872$3,426,488$3,269,362
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,320,799)(1,319,598)
Other intangible assets(97,242)(112,645)(128,951)
Total intangibles(1,418,041)(1,433,444)(1,448,549)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$2,110,831$1,993,044$1,820,813
Total assets$26,876,049$27,345,674$27,461,061
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,320,799)(1,319,598)
Other intangible assets(97,242)(112,645)(128,951)
Total intangibles(1,418,041)(1,433,444)(1,448,549)
Tangible assets$25,458,008$25,912,230$26,012,512
Ratio of common equity to assets13.13%12.53%11.91%
Ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)8.29%7.69%7.00%

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See Table 23 below for the reconciliation of uninsured, non-collateralized deposits and the calculation of uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio.

Table 23: Reconciliation of Uninsured, Non-Collateralized Deposits and the Calculation of Uninsured, Non-Collateralized Deposit Coverage Ratio (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)202420232022
Uninsured deposits at Simmons Bank$8,467,291$8,328,444$8,913,990
Less: Collateralized deposits (excluding portion that is FDIC insured)2,790,3392,846,7162,759,248
Less: Intercompany eliminations1,045,734728,480529,042
Total uninsured, non-collateralized deposits$4,631,218$4,753,248$5,625,700
FHLB borrowing availability$4,716,000$5,401,000$5,442,000
Unpledged securities4,103,0003,817,0003,180,000
Fed funds lines, Fed discount window and Bank Term Funding Program (1)2,081,0001,998,0001,982,000
Additional liquidity sources$10,900,000$11,216,000$10,604,000
Uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio2.4x2.4x1.9x

___________________________________

(1)The Bank Term Funding Program closed for new loans on March 11, 2024. At no time did the Company borrow funds under this program.

FY 2023 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001628280-24-007263.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2024-02-27. Report date: 2023-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis presents the more significant factors that affected our financial condition as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and results of operations for each of the years then ended. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023 (the “2022 Form 10-K”) for a discussion and analysis of the more significant factors that affected the 2021 period, which are incorporated herein by reference. Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report, as well as the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements and the risks discussed in Item 1A of Part I of this Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Overview

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

We consider accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on our financial statements.

The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, (b) acquisition accounting and valuation of loans, (c) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets, (d) the valuation of stock-based compensation plans and (e) income taxes.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, quantitative factors, and other qualitative considerations. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for expected credit losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Our allowance for credit loss methodology includes reserve factors calculated to estimate current expected credit losses to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the portfolio, adjusted for prepayments, in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326-20, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Accordingly, the methodology is based on our reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative adjustments. For further information see the section Allowance for Credit Losses below.

Our evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of credit losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for credit losses reported in the financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2023, we refined the estimation process by improving systems, models, processes, methodology, and assumptions used within the calculation. After multiple parallel runs with the former process, it was determined that the changes did not and are not expected to result in material differences of results.

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Acquisition Accounting, Loans

We account for our acquisitions under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value for acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, the fair value adjustment is recorded as premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Loans that have been identified as having experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by our allowance for credit losses recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. The net premium or discount on loans that are not classified as PCD (“non-PCD”), that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. We then record the necessary allowance for credit losses on the non-PCD loans through provision for credit losses expense.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. We perform an annual goodwill impairment test, and more than annually if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, as amended by ASU 2011-08 – Testing Goodwill for Impairment and ASU 2017-04 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Our assessment depends on several assumptions which are dependent on market and economic conditions. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

To quantitatively test goodwill for impairment, a present value of discounted cash flows calculation is completed and relies on several assumptions that have a level of subjectivity and judgement. These assumptions are dependent on market and economic conditions. Key inputs to estimate terminal fair value of the Company include projected forecasts, noninterest expense savings and a pricing multiple based on a group of peer banks with similar characteristics. These inputs are discounted by the cost of equity, which includes assumptions involving our beta; equity risk, size and company premiums; and the 20-year treasury rate. Assumptions used in calculating the cost of equity are obtained from market and third-party data. Results are compared to book value and no impairment was indicated as of December 31, 2023. Judgement is inherent in assessing goodwill for impairment. The various assumptions used in assessing goodwill for impairment involve uncertainties that are beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We have adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or awarding of restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units or stock awards granted to directors, officers and other key employees.

Income Taxes

We are subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where we conduct business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s income tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.

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2023 Overview

Our net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $175.1 million, or $1.38 diluted earnings per share, compared to $256.4 million, or $2.06 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2022. Included in 2023 results were $32.7 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to early retirement program costs, loss on sale of securities, a FDIC special assessment and branch right sizing initiatives. Included in 2022 results were $42.4 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to our acquisitions, Day 2 accounting provision in connection with acquisitions, gain on an insurance settlement related to a weather event, merger related costs and branch right sizing initiatives. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted earnings for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $207.7 million, or $1.64 adjusted diluted earnings per share, compared to $298.8 million, or $2.40 adjusted diluted earnings per share, in 2022. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Throughout 2023, significant turmoil within the financial services industry, which was fueled by the failure of certain regional banks that utilized specialized business models as well as continued inflationary pressures and recessionary fears, resulted in industry concerns around the level of uninsured, non-collateralized deposits, liquidity, capital and operations. Despite these challenges, which have seemed to abate slightly in the latter half of the year, we remain resolute in serving our customers’ financial needs while diligently focusing on maintaining strong asset quality, capital and liquidity positions, and on strategies to improve our financial performance and maximize the value of our shareholders’ investment in the current rate environment. We believe that our liquidity is solid and that our capital is strong:

•Deposits were relatively stable over the year, which highlights the granularity of our deposit base, as well as the long-term relationships we have with many of our customers. Total deposits as of December 31, 2023 were $22.24 billion, compared to $22.55 billion as of December 31, 2022. Uninsured deposits (excluding collateralized deposits and intercompany deposits) as of December 31, 2023 were approximately $4.75 billion, or 21% of total deposits.

•Capital levels were steady during the year, with all regulatory capital ratios remaining significantly above “well-capitalized” guidelines as of December 31, 2023 (see Table 18 in the Risk Based Capital section below). As of December 31, 2023, our ratio of common equity to total assets was 12.53%, the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets was 7.69% and our Tier 1 leverage ratio was 9.39%.

•Key credit quality metrics as of December 31, 2023 also remained solid, with our nonperforming loan coverage ratio at 267% and our allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans ratio was 1.34%.

•Significant liquidity position with a loan to deposit ratio of 76% as of December 31, 2023, compared to 72% as of December 31, 2022. Additional liquidity sources available to us as of December 31, 2023 totaled $11.22 billion and our uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio was 2.4x.

Simmons Bank was named to Forbes magazine’s 2023 list of “World’s Best Banks” for the fourth consecutive year and recognized by Forbes’ as one of “America’s Best Midsize Employers” for 2023. We continue to work to expand our suite of digital solutions to provide an enhanced customer experience to “bank when you want, where you want.”

During 2023, we completed our Better Bank Initiative, which focused on programs designed to enhance operational processes and increase capacity to capitalize on organic growth opportunities, and achieved success across multiple fronts. We completed our early retirement program and extensive progress was completed on other identified opportunities related to process improvements and streamlining or upgrading systems. As a result, we were able to achieve $18 million of annualized cost savings, compared to the original $15 million of annual cost savings we previously estimated.

Asset quality metrics remain strong and reflect our conservative credit culture, as well as our focus on maintaining disciplined pricing and conservative underwriting standards given the current economic environment. Total nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2023 were $84.5 million, as compared to $58.9 million at December 31, 2022. Non-performing assets as a percent of total assets were 0.33%, compared to 0.23% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2023 was $3.43 billion, book value per share was $27.37 and tangible book value per common share was $15.92. Our ratio of common stockholders’ equity to total assets was 12.5% and the ratio of tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets was 7.7% at December 31, 2023. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures. We repurchased approximately 2.3 million shares of our common stock during 2023.

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Total loans were $16.85 billion at December 31, 2023, an increase of $703.5 million, or 4.4%, from the same time in 2022. The increase in total loans during the period primarily reflects diverse loan growth driven by increased activity throughout our geographic footprint. Our unfunded commitments decreased to $4.17 billion at December 31, 2023, as compared to $5.64 billion at December 31, 2022. While unfunded commitments are considered a key indicator of future loan growth, the rapid increase in interest rates, coupled with softer economic conditions, have resulted in lower activity in our commercial loan pipeline, which was $948.2 million as of December 31, 2023, compared to $1.12 billion at December 31, 2022.

In our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation in this Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we provide certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with US GAAP. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which we believe will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section below for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas-based financial holding company that, as of December 31, 2023, has approximately $27.35 billion in consolidated assets and, through its subsidiaries, conducts financial operations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of noninterest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 26.135%.

The FRB sets various benchmark interest rates which influence the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. Between December 2015 and December 2018, the FRB had been gradually raising benchmark interest rates. The FRB target for the federal funds rate, which is the cost to banks of immediately available overnight funds, increased gradually from 0% - 0.50% in December 2015 to 2.25% - 2.50% over a three year period. The federal funds rate was flat until the FRB began to lower the rate in August 2019 and ultimately reduced it to 1.50% - 1.75% in October 2019. During March 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the FRB substantially reduced interest rates in response to the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funds rate was cut to a range of 0% - 0.25%, where it remained throughout 2021 and into early 2022. During March 2022, the FOMC began a series of rate increases in an effort to curb rising inflation. From early 2022 through 2023, the federal funds rate range was increased on eleven occasions and ended 2023 with a range set at 5.25% - 5.50%. To date in 2024, rates have been held steady by the FOMC.

Our loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, also increased from 3.25% to 5.50% during the years 2015 through 2018. The prime interest rate remained flat until it began to decrease in July 2019 and was eventually reduced to 4.75% in October 2019. Similarly to the reduction in the federal funds rate, the prime rate was cut to 3.25% in mid-March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained unchanged throughout 2021 and into early 2022. Paralleling the federal funds rate, multiple increases by the Federal Reserve during 2022 and 2023 increased the prime rate to 8.50% as of the end of 2023. Markets anticipate potential rate cuts by the Federal Reserve during 2024.

Our practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. In the last several years, on average, approximately 41% of our loan portfolio and approximately 89% of our time deposits have repriced in one year or less. Our current interest rate sensitivity shows that approximately 42% of our loans and 94% of our time deposits will reprice in the next year, largely contributing to our liability-sensitive position at December 31, 2023.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $675.6 million, a decrease of $66.4 million, or 9.0%, over the same period in 2022. The decrease in net interest income was primarily the result of a $349.2 million increase in interest income, more than offset by a $415.6 million increase in interest expense.

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The increase in interest income primarily resulted from a $296.5 million increase in interest income on loans, coupled with an increase of $48.0 million in interest income on investment securities. Regarding the increase in interest income on loans during 2023, the increase in loan volume resulted in an increase of $117.6 million in interest income, while a 113 basis point increase in yield due to rising market rates resulted in a $178.9 million increase in interest income during the year ended December 31, 2023. The loan yield for 2023 was 5.96%, compared to 4.83% for 2022. The increase in our loan volume during 2023 was due to the Spirit acquisition in the second quarter of 2022, combined with solid organic loan growth over the comparative period. The increase in interest income on investment securities reflects an increase of $66.0 million due to yield increases over the period of 132 basis points and 9 basis points for our taxable and non-taxable investment security portfolios, respectively, which were a result of rising market interest rates. The increase in interest income on investment securities due to yield increases was mitigated by a $17.9 million decrease due to the decline in our investment portfolio average balances which decreased by $861.5 million or 10.5%, as our portfolio experienced pay downs and maturities over the period, which was reinvested into our loan portfolio. Also contributing to the decrease in the average portfolio balance was a targeted sale of $241.1 million of lower-yielding AFS securities late in the fourth quarter of 2023, the proceeds of which we used to pay off higher-rate wholesale fundings.

Included in interest income is the additional yield accretion recognized as a result of updated estimates of the cash flows of our loans acquired. Each quarter, we estimate the cash flows expected to be collected from the loans acquired, and adjustments may or may not be required. The cash flows estimate may increase or decrease based on payment histories and loss expectations of the loans. The resulting adjustment to interest income is spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loans. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, interest income included $8.8 million, $23.9 million and $22.1 million, respectively, for the yield accretion recognized on loans acquired.

The $415.6 million increase in interest expense is mostly due to the increase in our deposit account rates over the period, combined with the additional deposit base from the Spirit acquisition and change in deposit mix as the market experiences a shift in consumer sentiment given the attractiveness of higher yielding time deposits in the current higher interest rate environment. Interest expense increased $323.4 million due to the increase in rate of 212 basis points on interest-bearing deposit accounts and increased $50.5 million due to the increase in deposit volume over the period. Additionally, interest expense increased $35.3 million due to the increase in rate of 302 basis points on other borrowings. We continually monitor and look for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis was 2.78% for the year ended December 31, 2023, down 39 basis points from 2022. The decrease in the net interest margin was due to the rising deposit rate pressure and change in deposit mix previously discussed, mitigated by the overall increase in our earning assets average balances over the comparative periods which has improved interest income in the rising rate environment.

Over the course of 2024, we anticipate moderating pressure on our margin due to several factors. We saw moderate organic loan growth during 2023, but our loan pipeline experienced decreased volume throughout the year. We expect further modest organic loan growth during 2024, subject to macroeconomic uncertainties that may reduce or otherwise impact loan demand, with continued focus on maintaining prudent underwriting standards and pricing discipline given projects surrounding near term future economic growth. We sold $241.1 million of low yield AFS securities late in the fourth quarter of 2023, and used sale proceeds to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings and we will continue to evaluate opportunities to optimize our balance sheet based on changing market conditions. Further, we have $1.0 billion of fixed rate callable municipal securities held in the AFS portfolio under swap agreements, which involve the payment of fixed interest rates with a weighted average of 1.21% in exchange for variable interest rates based on federal funds rates that began in the third quarter of 2023. Additionally, while our most likely forecast embeds several rate cuts during 2024, there is still much uncertainty as to decisions that will be made by the FOMC and the risks present in the economy.

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Tables 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the years 2023 versus 2022 and 2022 versus 2021.

Table 1: Analysis of Net Interest Margin

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202320222021
Interest income$1,210,161$861,735$671,061
FTE adjustment25,44324,67119,231
Interest income - FTE1,235,604886,406690,292
Interest expense560,035144,41979,529
Net interest income - FTE$675,569$741,987$610,763
Yield on earning assets - FTE5.09%3.79%3.27%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities2.99%0.84%0.52%
Net interest spread - FTE2.10%2.95%2.75%
Net interest margin - FTE2.78%3.17%2.89%

Table 2: Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin

(In thousands)2023 vs. 20222022 vs. 2021
Increase due to change in earning assets$93,320$147,423
Increase due to change in earning asset yields255,87848,691
Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities(48,716)(3,274)
Decrease due to change in interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities(366,900)(61,616)
(Decrease) increase in net interest income$(66,418)$131,224

Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

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Table 3: Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
202320222021
AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/
(In thousands)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)
ASSETS
Earning assets:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$320,261$13,4904.21$793,836$5,5000.69$2,376,421$2,7950.12
Investment securities - taxable4,698,742143,1783.055,462,42794,4371.734,512,56458,9761.31
Investment securities - non-taxable2,605,86885,8613.292,703,66286,5963.202,343,11771,2073.04
Mortgage loans held for sale8,0645576.9116,6097204.3355,2041,5652.83
Other loans held for sale8,3223,12037.49
Loans - including fees16,647,570992,5185.9614,419,763696,0334.8311,810,480555,7494.71
Total interest earning assets24,280,5051,235,6045.0923,404,619886,4063.7921,097,786690,2923.27
Non-earning assets3,274,3543,014,2192,394,522
Total assets$27,554,859$26,418,838$23,492,308
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits$11,033,263$238,9822.17$12,253,164$63,0330.51$10,638,665$19,5680.18
Time deposits6,038,640233,9373.873,094,74736,0161.162,804,85121,6040.77
Total interest bearing deposits17,071,903472,9192.7715,347,91199,0490.6513,443,51641,1720.31
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase105,8021,1501.09200,7449410.47247,4485790.23
Other borrowings1,169,37460,5175.181,155,31024,9342.161,340,18519,4951.45
Subordinated debt and debentures366,06625,4496.95394,87019,4954.94383,18218,2834.77
Total interest bearing liabilities18,713,145560,0352.9917,098,835144,4190.8415,414,33179,5290.52
Noninterest bearing liabilities:
Noninterest bearing deposits5,201,3845,827,1604,836,839
Other liabilities281,018233,179169,140
Total liabilities24,195,54723,159,17420,420,310
Stockholders’ equity3,359,3123,259,6643,071,998
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$27,554,859$26,418,838$23,492,308
Net interest spread2.102.952.75
Net interest margin$675,5692.78$741,9873.17$610,7632.89

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Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the years 2023 versus 2022 and 2022 versus 2021. The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.

Table 4: Volume/Rate Analysis

Years Ended December 31,
2023 vs. 20222022 vs. 2021
Yield/Yield/
(In thousands, on a fully taxable equivalent basis)VolumeRateTotalVolumeRateTotal
Increase (decrease) in:
Interest income:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$(5,033)$13,023$7,990$(2,952)$5,657$2,705
Investment securities - taxable(14,763)63,50448,74113,99621,46535,461
Investment securities - non-taxable(3,182)2,447(735)11,3953,99415,389
Mortgage loans held for sale(472)309(163)(1,424)579(845)
Other loans held for sale(791)(2,329)(3,120)7912,3293,120
Loans - including fees117,561178,924296,485125,61714,667140,284
Total93,320255,878349,198147,42348,691196,114
Interest expense:
Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts(6,881)182,830175,9493,38640,07943,465
Time deposits57,399140,522197,9212,42511,98714,412
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase(600)809209(126)488362
Other borrowings30835,27535,583(2,978)8,4175,439
Subordinated notes and debentures(1,510)7,4645,9545676451,212
Total48,716366,900415,6163,27461,61664,890
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$44,604$(111,022)$(66,418)$144,149$(12,925)$131,224

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses represents management’s determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period’s earnings in order to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated lifetime risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management’s judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, past due and non-performing loans and historical net credit loss experience. It is management’s practice to review the allowance on a monthly basis and, after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance.

During 2023, our provision for credit loss expense was $42.0 million, as compared to an expense of $14.1 million during 2022 and a recapture of $32.7 million during 2021. The provision for credit loss expense during 2023 was impacted by several factors throughout the year, including a $47.4 million expense related to loans and reflected loan growth, as well as the impact of updated economic assumptions, which was partially offset by a $16.3 million release from the reserve for unfunded commitments primarily due to a decline in unfunded commitments resulting from customers utilizing lines of credit during the year. Additionally, provision expense related to AFS and HTM securities recorded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was $9.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, primarily due to decreases in the value of select corporate bonds in the investment securities portfolio.

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The provision for credit loss expense during 2022 was impacted by several factors throughout the year, including a $33.8 million Day 2 provision expense required for loans and unfunded commitments related to the Spirit acquisition, and an expense of $16.0 million related to the overall increase in unfunded commitments during the year, primarily made up of commercial construction loans, which receive a higher reserve allocation than other loans. These expenses were partially offset by a release of $16.0 million, which was driven by a reduction to certain industry specific qualitative factors for the restaurant, hospitality, student housing and office space industries due to the improvement from pandemic related stresses. Further recapture during 2022 was driven by the planned exit of several large oil and gas relationships during the year, along with our improved asset credit quality metrics and improved Moody’s economic modeling scenarios.

The recapture of credit losses during 2021 was driven by improved credit quality metrics, improved macroeconomic factors, and a maturing and amortizing loan portfolio. This recapture was partially offset by $22.7 million in provision for credit loss expense for estimated lifetime credit losses for non-purchase credit deteriorated loans acquired through the acquisitions of Landmark and Triumph during the fourth quarter.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, wealth management fees and debit and credit card fees. Noninterest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance and gains (losses) from sales of securities.

Total noninterest income was $155.6 million in 2023, compared to $170.1 million in 2022 and $191.8 million in 2021. Noninterest income for 2023 decreased $14.5 million, or 8.5%, from 2022. Included in 2023 results was $20.6 million of a certain item related to the loss on the sale of securities during the period. Included in 2022 results were $4.0 million of certain items, primarily made up of a $4.1 million gain on an insurance settlement related to a weather event that caused severe damage to one of our branch locations. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $10.1 million, or 6.1%, from the prior year. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

The majority of the decrease in noninterest income during 2023 was related to the loss on sale of securities as compared to 2022. During 2023, we sold approximately $247.9 million of investment securities resulting in a net loss of $20.6 million, while we realized a net loss of $278,000 related to the call of securities during 2022. The sale of securities during 2023 was primarily related to a strategic decision to sell low yield securities and use the proceeds to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings, including both brokered deposits and FHLB advances.

Mortgage lending income decreased $2.8 million during 2023 due to the rising interest rate environment and softening market conditions throughout the year, which continued to slow the demand for mortgage loans. We originated $428.0 million and $751.0 million in mortgage loans during 2023 and 2022, respectively.

These decreases in noninterest income during 2023 were partially offset by an increase of $4.0 million in service charges on deposit accounts primarily attributable to a full period including the customer base from the Spirit acquisition and additional transactions due to the changes in customer spending habits. Also included in 2023 results is a $4.0 million legal reserve recapture associated with litigation.

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Table 5 shows noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as well as changes in 2023 from 2022 and in 2022 from 2021.

Table 5: Noninterest Income

Years Ended December 31,2023 Change from2022 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20232022202120222021
Service charges on deposit accounts$50,530$46,527$43,231$4,0038.6%$3,2967.6%
Debit and credit card fees31,47231,20328,2452690.92,95810.5
Wealth management fees30,20331,89531,172(1,692)(5.3)7232.3
Mortgage lending income7,73310,52221,798(2,789)(26.5)(11,276)(51.7)
Bank owned life insurance income11,71711,1468,9025715.12,24425.2
Other service charges and fees9,1227,6167,6961,50619.8(80)(1.0)
Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net(20,609)(278)15,498(20,331)*(15,776)*
Gain on sale of branches5,316(5,316)*
Gain on insurance settlement4,074(4,074)*4,074*
Other income35,39827,36129,9578,03729.4(2,596)(8.7)
Total noninterest income$155,566$170,066$191,815$(14,500)(8.5)%$(21,749)(11.3)%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

Recurring fee income (total service charges, wealth management fees, debit and credit card fees) for 2023 was $121.3 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 3.5%, when compared to the 2022 amounts. The increase is primarily due to the increased consumer base provided by the Spirit acquisition. We expect service charges to continue to moderate in early 2024 due to the elimination of returned item fees for consumer deposit accounts with insufficient funds implemented during the third quarter of 2023. Overall, we expect flat to modest growth in noninterest income during 2024.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for our operations. Management remains committed to controlling the level of noninterest expense through the continued use of expense control measures. We utilize an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all subsidiaries. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management monthly. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. We also regularly monitor staffing levels at each subsidiary to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Noninterest expense for 2023 was $563.1 million, as compared to noninterest expense for 2022 of $566.7 million, a decrease of $3.7 million, or 0.7%, compared to the prior period. Adjusted noninterest expense, which excludes branch right sizing, merger related costs, FDIC special assessment (for 2023 only), donation to Simmons First Foundation (for 2022 only) and early retirement program costs (for 2023 only), for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $396,000, or 0.1%, from the prior year. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Merger related costs for 2023 and 2022 were $1.4 million and $22.5 million, respectively, and were primarily related to the Spirit acquisition.

Salaries and employee benefits expense decreased slightly by $865,000 as compared to 2022, while adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense decreased by $7.1 million as compared to 2022. The decrease in adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense reflects the successful execution of programs as part of our Better Bank Initiative. Early retirement program costs during 2023 were $6.2 million.

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Deposit insurance increased by $18.4 million as compared to 2022. Excluding the FDIC special assessment of $10.5 million levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023, deposit insurance increased by $7.9 million primarily due to an increased base rate related to changes in the mix of deposits, coupled with the increase in deposits from the Spirit acquisition.

Amortization of intangibles recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 was $16.3 million and $15.9 million, respectively. See Note 8, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our intangibles.

Table 6 below shows noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, as well as changes in 2023 from 2022 and in 2022 from 2021.

Table 6: Noninterest Expense

Years Ended December 31,2023 Change from2022 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20232022202120222021
Salaries and employee benefits$279,919$286,982$246,335$(7,063)(2.5)%$40,64716.5%
Early retirement program6,1986,198*
Occupancy expense, net46,74144,32138,7972,4205.55,52414.2
Furniture and equipment expense20,74120,66519,890760.47753.9
Other real estate and foreclosure expense8921,0032,121(111)(11.1)(1,118)(52.7)
Deposit insurance19,46511,6086,9737,85767.74,63566.5
FDIC special assessment10,52110,521*
Merger related costs1,42022,47615,911(21,056)(93.7)6,56541.3
Other operating expenses:
Professional services19,61219,13818,9214742.52171.2
Postage9,4588,9558,2765035.66798.2
Telephone6,9656,3946,2345718.91602.6
Credit card expenses13,24312,24311,1121,0008.21,13110.2
Marketing24,00828,87022,234(4,862)(16.8)6,63629.9
Software and technology42,53040,90640,6081,6244.02980.7
Operating supplies2,5912,5562,766351.4(210)(7.6)
Amortization of intangibles16,30615,91513,4943912.52,42117.9
Branch right sizing expense5,4673,475(537)1,99257.34,012*
Other expense36,98441,24130,454(4,257)(10.3)10,78735.4
Total noninterest expense$563,061$566,748$483,589$(3,687)(0.7)%$83,15917.2%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

Due to our Better Bank Initiative and continuous efficiency improvements, we expect marginal growth in noninterest expense during 2024.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 2023 was $25.5 million, compared to $50.1 million in 2022 and $61.3 million in 2021. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2023, 2022 and 2021 were 12.7%, 16.4% and 18.4%, respectively. The decrease in the provision for income taxes during 2023 was primarily due to tax exempt income having a larger favorable impact on the rate and lower state taxes in 2023, both driven by the one time charges to income from the loss on sale of securities and the FDIC special assessment.

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Loan Portfolio

Our loan portfolio averaged $16.65 billion during 2023 and $14.42 billion during 2022. As of December 31, 2023, total loans were $16.85 billion, compared to $16.14 billion on December 31, 2022, an increase of $703.5 million, or 4.4%. The increase in the overall loan balance during 2023 is primarily due to widespread loan growth throughout our geographic markets during the year. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate loans).

We seek to manage our credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an appropriate allowance for credit losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose, industry and geographic region. We seek to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. We use the allowance for credit losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.

Consumer loans consist of credit card loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $318.7 million at December 31, 2023, or 1.9% of total loans, compared to $349.8 million, or 2.2% of total loans at December 31, 2022. The decrease in consumer loans was primarily due to loan payoffs and pay downs within the other consumer portfolio during the year. Our credit card portfolio has remained a stable source of lending.

Real estate loans consist of construction and development (“C&D”) loans, single family residential loans and other commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans. Real estate loans were $13.34 billion at December 31, 2023, or 79.2% of total loans, compared to $12.58 billion, or 77.9% of total loans at December 31, 2022, an increase of $756.9 million, or 6.0%. Our C&D loans increased by $577.6 million, or 22.5%, single family residential loans increased by $95.4 million, or 3.7%, and CRE loans increased by $83.9 million, or 1.1%. The increases were due to diversified organic growth by type and geographic market during the period. We expect to continue to manage our C&D and CRE portfolio concentration by developing deeper relationships with our customers.

Commercial loans consist of non-real estate loans related to business and agricultural loans. Total commercial loans were $2.72 billion at December 31, 2023, or 16.2% of total loans, compared to $2.84 billion, or 17.6% of total loans at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $115.0 million, or 4.1%. The decrease in non-real estate loans related to business of $142.1 million, or 5.4%, was partially offset by the increase in agricultural loans of $27.1 million, or 13.2%.

Other loans mainly consists of mortgage warehouse lending and municipal loans. Mortgage volume experienced an increase in demand during 2023 as compared to 2022, and was coupled with continued organic growth in our municipal loans during the period, leading to an increase of $92.8 million in other loans.

While loan growth was widespread throughout our geographic markets and was generally broad-based by loan type during the period, loan growth during the latter half of 2023 reflected moderating demand and increased payoff activity, as we focus on maintaining disciplined pricing and conservative underwriting standards given the current uncertain economic environment. Our commercial loan pipeline consisting of all commercial loan opportunities was $948.2 million at December 31, 2023, compared to $1.12 billion at December 31, 2022. The pipeline includes $416.0 million in loans approved and ready to close at the end of the year.

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The balances of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.

Table 7: Loan Portfolio

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)20232022202120202019
Consumer:
Credit cards$191,204$196,928$187,052$188,845$204,802
Other consumer127,462152,882168,318202,379249,694
Total consumer318,666349,810355,370391,224454,496
Real Estate:
Construction and development3,144,2202,566,6491,326,3711,596,2552,236,861
Single family residential2,641,5562,546,1152,101,9751,880,6732,442,064
Other commercial7,552,4107,468,4985,738,9045,746,8636,205,599
Total real estate13,338,18612,581,2629,167,2509,223,79110,884,524
Commercial:
Commercial2,490,1762,632,2901,992,0432,574,3862,495,516
Agricultural232,710205,623168,717175,905315,454
Total commercial2,722,8862,837,9132,160,7602,750,2912,810,970
Other465,932373,139329,123535,591275,714
Total loans before allowance for credit losses$16,845,670$16,142,124$12,012,503$12,900,897$14,425,704

Table 8 reflects the remaining maturities and interest rate sensitivity of loans at December 31, 2023.

Table 8: Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans

1 yearOver 1 year throughOver 5 years throughOver
(In thousands)or less5 years15 years15 yearsTotal
Consumer$71,581$243,638$2,415$1,032$318,666
Real estate2,958,6768,461,1351,726,537191,83813,338,186
Commercial1,407,3541,218,96054,77041,8022,722,886
Other219,745110,673122,80412,710465,932
Total$4,657,356$10,034,406$1,906,526$247,382$16,845,670
Predetermined rate
Consumer$68,027$124,085$2,359$811$195,282
Real estate1,332,5085,107,185904,390112,1587,456,241
Commercial490,569798,54046,87441,7971,377,780
Other52,134109,097120,43612,317293,984
Total$1,943,238$6,138,907$1,074,059$167,083$9,323,287
Floating rate
Consumer$3,554$119,553$56$221$123,384
Real estate1,626,1683,353,950822,14779,6805,881,945
Commercial916,785420,4207,89651,345,106
Other167,6111,5762,368393171,948
Total$2,714,118$3,895,499$832,467$80,299$7,522,383

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Asset Quality

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. Simmons Bank recognizes income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectibility of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for credit losses.

When credit card loans reach 90 days past due and there are attachable assets, the accounts are considered for litigation. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 150 days past due. The credit card recovery group pursues account holders until it is determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

Total non-performing assets increased $27.8 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023. Nonaccrual loans increased by $24.9 million during 2023, in addition to an increase in foreclosed assets held for sale of $1.2 million. The increase in nonaccrual assets was primarily due to an increase in nonaccrual loans within our commercial loan portfolio.

Non-performing assets, including modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty (“FDMs”, formerly known as troubled debt restructurings, or TDRs) and acquired foreclosed assets, as a percent of total assets were 0.45% at December 31, 2023 compared to 0.23% at December 31, 2022.

Total non-performing assets decreased by $13.8 million from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $9.8 million during 2022, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $3.1 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions from pandemic related stresses.

Total non-performing assets decreased by $67.6 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $54.7 million during 2021, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $12.4 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions while the decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned is primarily the result of the disposition of one commercial building in the St. Louis area and the disposition of one piece of commercial land with net book values at the time of sale of $6.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

Total non-performing assets increased by $28.6 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Nonaccrual loans increased by $29.5 million during 2020, partially offset by a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $728,000. The increase in nonaccrual loans during 2020 is primarily related to one energy loan totaling $22.0 million which moved to nonaccrual during the fourth quarter of 2020. The remaining increase was related to various other CRE loans and commercial loan relationships.

From time to time, certain borrowers experience declines in income and cash flow. As a result, these borrowers seek to reduce contractual cash outlays, the most prominent being debt payments. In an effort to preserve our net interest margin and earning assets, we are open to working with existing customers in order to maximize the collectibility of the debt.

We have internal loan modification programs for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. Modifications to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties may include interest rate reductions, principal or interest forgiveness and/or term extensions. We primarily use interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.

The financial effects of the modified loans made to borrowers experiencing financial difficulty in the single family residential real estate and commercial portfolio were not significant during the year ended December 31, 2023 and did not significantly impact our determination of the allowance for credit losses on loans during the year.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we modified one loan related to the other CRE portfolio, whereby the borrower was experiencing financial difficulty at the time of modification. The modification allowed for two months of interest only payments with the remaining balance due at maturity. Upon modification, a charge-off of $9.6 million was recorded in relation to this modified loan during 2023. As a result of the other CRE loan modified during the year ended December 31, 2023 being collateral-dependent, the impact to our allowance for credit losses on loans was the difference between the fair value of the underlying collateral, adjusted for selling costs, and the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan.

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We continue to maintain good asset quality, compared to the industry, and strong asset quality remains a primary focus for us. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.34% as of December 31, 2023. Non-performing loans equaled 0.50% of total loans. Non-performing assets were 0.33% of total assets, a 10 basis point increase from December 31, 2022. The allowance for credit losses was 267% of non-performing loans. Our annualized net charge-offs to total loans for 2023 was 0.12%. Excluding credit cards, the annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the same period was 0.09%. Annualized net credit card charge-offs to average total credit card loans were 2.20%, compared to 1.49% during 2022, and 129 basis points better than the most recently published industry average charge-off ratio as reported by the Federal Reserve for all banks.

We do not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets, and offer no mortgage loan products that target subprime borrowers.

Table 9 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans at amortized cost and foreclosed assets held for sale.

Table 9: Non-performing Assets

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20232022202120202019
Nonaccrual loans (1)$83,325$58,434$68,204$122,879$93,330
Loans past due 90 days or more (principal or interest payments)1,147507349578856
Total non-performing loans84,47258,94168,553123,45794,186
Other non-performing assets:
Foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned4,0732,8876,03218,39319,121
Other non-performing assets1,7266441,6672,0161,964
Total other non-performing assets5,7993,5317,69920,40921,085
Total non-performing assets$90,271$62,472$76,252$143,866$115,271
Performing FDMs (formerly TDRs)$33,577$1,849$4,289$3,138$5,887
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans267%334%300%193%72%
Non-performing loans to total loans0.50%0.37%0.57%0.96%0.65%
Non-performing assets (including performing FDMs (formerly TDRs)) to total assets0.45%0.23%0.33%0.66%0.57%
Non-performing assets to total assets0.33%0.23%0.31%0.64%0.54%

_________________________

(1)    Includes nonaccrual FDMs (formerly known as TDRs) of approximately $282,000, $1.6 million, $2.7 million, $4.4 million and $1.6 million at December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

There was no interest income on nonaccrual loans recorded for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, quantitative factors, and other qualitative considerations.

Loans with similar risk characteristics such as loan type, collateral type, and internal risk ratings are aggregated for collective assessment. We use statistically-based models that leverage assumptions about current and future economic conditions throughout the contractual life of the loan. Expected credit losses are estimated by either lifetime loss rates or expected loss cash flows based on three key parameters: probability-of-default (“PD”), exposure-at-default (“EAD”), and loss-given-default (“LGD”). Future economic conditions are incorporated to the extent that they are reasonable and supportable. Beyond the reasonable and supportable periods, the economic variables revert to a historical equilibrium at a pace dependent on the state of the economy reflected within the economic scenarios. We also include qualitative adjustments to the allowance based on factors and considerations that have not otherwise been fully accounted for.

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Loans that have unique risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. These evaluations are typically performed on loans with a deteriorated internal risk rating. For a collateral-dependent loan, our evaluation process includes a valuation by appraisal or other collateral analysis adjusted for selling costs, when appropriate. This valuation is compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan. If a loss is determined to be probable, the loss is included in the allowance for credit losses as a specific allocation.

Additional information related to net charge-offs is shown in Table 10.

Table 10: Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans

(Dollars in thousands)Net Charge-offsAverage LoansRatio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans
2023
Credit cards$(4,295)$195,545(2.20)%
Other consumer(984)136,865(0.72)%
Real estate(9,999)13,050,414(0.08)%
Commercial(3,870)2,815,006(0.14)%
Other449,740%
Total$(19,148)$16,647,570(0.12)%
2022
Credit cards$(2,838)$190,119(1.49)%
Other consumer(679)177,420(0.38)%
Real estate2,79411,157,4990.03%
Commercial(11,897)2,557,060(0.47)%
Other337,665%
Total$(12,620)$14,419,763(0.09)%

Allowance for Credit Losses Allocation

As of December 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses reflected an increase of approximately $28.3 million from December 31, 2022, while loans increased $703.5 million over the same period. The allocation in each category within the allowance generally reflects the overall changes in the loan portfolio mix.

The increase in the allowance for credit losses during 2023 was predominantly due to the loan growth experienced during the year, as well as refreshed economic forecasts. Our allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2023 was considered appropriate given the current economic environment and other related factors.

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The following table sets forth the sum of the amounts of the allowance for credit losses attributable to individual loans within each category, or loan categories in general. The table also reflects the percentage of loans in each category to the total loan portfolio for each of the periods indicated. The allowance for credit losses by loan category is determined by i) our estimated reserve factors by category including applicable qualitative adjustments and ii) any specific allowance allocations that are identified on individually evaluated loans. The amounts shown are not necessarily indicative of the actual future losses that may occur within individual categories.

Table 11: Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans

December 31,
202320222021
(Dollars in thousands)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)
Credit cards$5,8681.1%$5,1401.2%$3,9871.6%
Other consumer5,7163.5%6,6143.2%4,6174.1%
Real estate177,17779.2%150,79578.0%179,27076.3%
Commercial36,47016.2%34,40617.6%17,45818.0%
Total$225,231100.0%$196,955100.0%$205,332100.0%
Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans1.34%1.22%1.71%

_________________________

(1)    Percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

Investments and Securities

Our securities portfolio is the second largest component of earning assets and provides a significant source of revenue. Securities within the portfolio are classified as either held-to-maturity (“HTM”) or available-for-sale (“AFS”).

HTM securities, which include any security for which we have the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the security’s estimated life. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

AFS securities, which include any security for which we have no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders’ equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the estimated life of the security. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

Our philosophy regarding investments is conservative based on investment type and maturity. Investments in the portfolio primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. Our general policy is not to invest in derivative type investments or high-risk securities, except for collateralized mortgage-backed securities for which collection of principal and interest is not subordinated to significant superior rights held by others.

HTM and AFS investment securities were $3.73 billion and $3.15 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2023, compared to the HTM amount of $3.76 billion and AFS amount of $3.85 billion at December 31, 2022. We will continue to look for opportunities to maximize the value of the investment portfolio.

As of December 31, 2023, $527.9 million, or 7.7%, of our total portfolio was invested in obligations of U.S. government agencies and U.S. Treasury securities. Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2023 also included $2.65 billion, or 38.5%, of tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions. A portion of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are rated bonds, primarily issued in states in which we are located, and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. There are no securities of any one state or political subdivision issuer exceeding ten percent of our stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2023.

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We had approximately $3.10 billion, or 45.1%, of our total portfolio invested in mortgaged-backed securities at December 31, 2023. These mortgage-backed securities were issued by agencies of the U.S. government.

During the quarters ended June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, we transferred, at fair value, $1.99 billion and $500.8 million, respectively, of securities from the AFS portfolio to the HTM portfolio. As of December 31, 2023, the related remaining combined net unrealized losses of $126.4 million in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities. No gains or losses on these securities were recognized at the time of transfer.

Additionally, during the third quarter of 2021, we began utilizing interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the effect of changing interest rates on the fair values of $1.0 billion of fixed rate callable municipal securities held in the AFS portfolio. These swap agreements consist of a two year forward start date and involve the payment of fixed interest rates with a weighted average of 1.21% in exchange for variable interest rates based on federal funds rates, which became effective during the late third quarter of 2023. Securities within these swap agreements have maturity dates varying between 2028 and 2029. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net amount included in interest income on investment securities in the consolidated statements of income related to these swap agreements was $11.9 million.

The adoption of ASU 2016-13 at the beginning of 2020 required us to replace the existing impairment models for financial assets, which includes investment securities. Under this model, an estimate of expected credit losses that represents all contractual cash flows that is deemed uncollectible over the contractual life of the financial asset must be recorded. During 2023, we recorded $9.1 million of provision for credit losses related to AFS securities due to isolated corporate bonds within the portfolio. We charged-off $7.0 million directly related to one corporate bond, which was deemed uncollectible in the period, while the remaining isolated bonds were sold or experienced price recovery on previous impairments prior to the end of the period. Based upon our analysis of the underlying risk characteristics of the AFS portfolio, including credit ratings and other qualitative factors, no allowance for credit losses related to AFS securities was deemed necessary at December 31, 2023 and 2022. Our allowance for credit losses related to HTM securities was $3.2 million and $1.4 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

An allowance for credit losses related to mortgage-backed securities and U.S. government agencies was not recorded as of December 31, 2023 due to those securities being 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. See Note 3, Investment Securities, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our allowance for credit losses on investment securities held.

We had no gross realized gains and $20.6 million of gross realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $46,000 of gross realized gains and $324,000 of gross realized losses from the call of securities during the year ended December 31, 2022. We sold approximately $247.9 million of investment securities during 2023, while no securities were sold during 2022. Securities sold during 2023 were in large part related to a strategic decision to sell low yield securities and use the proceeds to pay off higher rate wholesale fundings, including both brokered deposits and FHLB advances.

We have the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as HTM until they mature, at which time we expect to receive full value for the securities. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost bases of the investments. We expect the cash flows from principal maturities of securities to provide flexibility to fund future loan growth or reduce wholesale funding. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2023, we also have the ability to hold the securities classified as AFS for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of amortized cost, we do not have an immediate intent to sell the securities classified as AFS, and we believe the accounting standard of “more likely than not” has not been met regarding whether we would be required to sell any of the AFS securities before recovery of amortized cost. During 2024, we will continue to evaluate targeted sales of AFS securities based on prevailing market conditions and our funding and liquidity positions. The unrealized losses during 2023 are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2023, we believe the declines in fair value detailed in the table below are temporary and we do not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality.

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Table 12 presents the amortized cost, fair value and allowance for credit losses on investment securities for each of the years indicated.

Table 12: Investment Securities

(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesNet Carrying AmountGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Held-to-maturity
December 31, 2023
U.S. Government agencies$453,121$$453,121$$(89,203)$363,918
Mortgage-backed securities1,161,6941,161,694354(107,834)1,054,214
State and political subdivisions1,858,680(2,006)1,856,674284(369,509)1,487,449
Other securities256,007(1,208)254,799(25,010)229,789
Total HTM$3,729,502$(3,214)$3,726,288$638$(591,556)$3,135,370
December 31, 2022
U.S. Government agencies$448,012$$448,012$$(102,558)$345,454
Mortgage-backed securities1,190,7811,190,781227(118,960)1,072,048
State and political subdivisions1,861,102(110)1,860,99256(446,198)1,414,850
Other securities261,199(1,278)259,921(29,040)230,881
Total HTM$3,761,094$(1,388)$3,759,706$283$(696,756)$3,063,233
(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale
December 31, 2023
U.S. Treasury$2,285$$$(31)$2,254
U.S. Government agencies74,46035(1,993)72,502
Mortgage-backed securities2,138,6528(198,353)1,940,307
State and political subdivisions1,035,147187(132,541)902,793
Other securities259,165(24,868)234,297
Total AFS$3,509,709$$230$(357,786)$3,152,153
December 31, 2022
U.S. Treasury$2,257$$$(60)$2,197
U.S. Government agencies191,498103(7,322)184,279
Mortgage-backed securities2,809,31920(266,437)2,542,902
State and political subdivisions1,056,124250(185,300)871,074
Other securities272,215(19,813)252,402
Total AFS$4,331,413$$373$(478,932)$3,852,854

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Table 13 reflects the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2023, by contractual maturity and the weighted average yields (for tax-exempt obligations on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 26.135% tax rate) of such securities. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Table 13: Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities

December 31, 2023
OverOver
1 year5 yearsTotal
1 yearthroughthroughOverNo fixedAmortizedParFair
(In thousands)or less5 years10 years10 yearsmaturityCostValueValue
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government agencies$$3,345$91,481$358,295$$453,121$480,246$363,918
Mortgage-backed securities1,161,6941,161,6941,216,3121,054,214
State and political subdivisions3655,81444,0741,808,4271,858,6801,869,4331,487,449
Other securities1,108252,3842,515256,007266,878229,789
Total$1,473$9,159$387,939$2,169,237$1,161,694$3,729,502$3,832,869$3,135,370
Percentage of total0.1%0.2%10.4%58.2%31.1%100.0%
Weighted average yield4.2%2.7%2.3%2.6%2.2%2.5%
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury$1,292$993$$$$2,285$2,300$2,254
U.S. Government agencies63326,48113,93333,41374,46073,01672,502
Mortgage-backed securities2,138,6522,138,6522,095,1871,940,307
State and political subdivisions3,46117,04319,136995,5071,035,1471,091,938902,793
Other securities5,03270,870183,007256259,165267,134234,297
Total$10,418$115,387$216,076$1,028,920$2,138,908$3,509,709$3,529,575$3,152,153
Percentage of total0.3%3.3%6.2%29.3%60.9%100.0%
Weighted average yield3.9%5.6%4.0%2.9%2.7%3.0%

Deposits

Deposits are our primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through our network of 234 financial centers as of December 31, 2023. We offer a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. Our core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of $250,000 or more and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2023, core deposits comprised 79.2% of our total deposits.

We continually monitor the funding requirements along with competitive interest rates in the markets we serve. Because of our community banking philosophy, our executives in the local markets, with oversight by the Chief Deposit Officer, Asset Liability Committee and the Bank’s Treasury Department, establish the interest rates offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet the funding requirements. We believe we are paying a competitive rate when compared with pricing in those markets.

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We manage our interest expense through deposit pricing. We believe that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through deposit pricing if we experience increased loan demand or other liquidity needs. We can also utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs. We are continually monitoring and looking for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our total deposits as of December 31, 2023, were $22.24 billion, a decrease of $303.1 million from December 31, 2022. Noninterest bearing transaction accounts, interest bearing transaction accounts and savings accounts totaled $15.80 billion at December 31, 2023, compared to $17.78 billion at December 31, 2022, a decrease of $1.98 billion. Total time deposits increased $1.68 billion to $6.45 billion at December 31, 2023, from $4.77 billion at December 31, 2022. We had $2.90 billion and $2.75 billion of brokered deposits at December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively. Our uninsured deposits as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $4.75 billion and $5.63 billion, respectively.

The change in the mix of deposits at December 31, 2023 as compared to December 31, 2022 reflects increased market competition and consumer migration toward higher rate deposits, principally certificates of deposit, given the rapid increase in interest rates that has occurred over the past year. We are continuing to refine our product offerings to give customers flexibility of choice while maintaining the ability to adjust interest rates timely in the current rate environment.

Table 14 reflects the classification of the average deposits and the average rate paid on each deposit category which is in excess of 10 percent of average total deposits for the three years ended December 31, 2023.

Table 14: Average Deposit Balances and Rates

December 31,
202320222021
(In thousands)Average AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate Paid
Noninterest bearing transaction accounts$5,201,384%$5,827,160%$4,836,839%
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits11,033,2632.17%12,253,1640.51%10,638,6650.18%
Time deposits6,038,6403.87%3,094,7471.16%2,804,8510.77%
Total$22,273,2872.12%$21,175,0710.47%$18,280,3550.23%

Our maturities of time deposits not covered by deposit insurance at December 31, 2023 are presented in Table 15.

Table 15: Maturities of Time Deposits Not Covered by Deposit Insurance

December 31, 2023
(In thousands)BalancePercent
Maturing
Three months or less$678,97661.5%
Over 3 months to 6 months183,86816.7%
Over 6 months to 12 months189,65717.2%
Over 12 months50,6224.6%
Total$1,103,123100.0%

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Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $68.0 million at December 31, 2023, as compared to $160.4 million at December 31, 2022.

We have historically funded our growth in earning assets through the use of core deposits, large certificates of deposits from local markets, brokered deposits, FHLB borrowings and Federal funds purchased. Management anticipates that these sources will provide necessary funding in the foreseeable future.

Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures

Our total debt was $1.34 billion and $1.23 billion at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The outstanding balance for December 31, 2023 includes $953.2 million in FHLB advances; $366.1 million in subordinated notes and unamortized debt issuance costs; and $19.1 million of other long-term debt. FHLB advances outstanding at December 31, 2023, which increased as compared to December 31, 2022 due to a strategic decision to utilize short-term borrowings to elevate our liquidity position given the macroeconomic environment during the year, are primarily fixed rate, fixed term advances, which are due less than one year from origination and therefore are classified as short-term advances.

A summary of information related to our FHLB short-term advances, consisting of fixed rate, fixed term advances, is presented in Table 16.

Table 16: Short-Term Borrowings

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202320222021
Amount outstanding at year-end$950,000$835,000$
Weighted-average interest rate at year-end5.40%4.20%%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$1,350,000$1,300,000$
Average amount outstanding during the year$1,149,387$1,124,314$
Weighted-average interest rate for the year5.20%2.08%%

During the third quarter of 2022, we redeemed the five issuances of trust preferred securities which had an outstanding aggregate principal amount of $56.2 million. We recorded a loss of $365,000 related to the early retirement of debt, which represented the unamortized purchase discounts associated with the previously acquired trust preferred securities.

In March 2018, we issued $330.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) at a public offering price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We incurred $3.6 million in debt issuance costs related to the offering. The Notes will mature on April 1, 2028 and are subordinated in right of payment to the payment of our other existing and future senior indebtedness, including all our general creditors. The Notes are obligations of the Company only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any of its subsidiaries.

We assumed Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount, net of premium adjustments, of $37.4 million in connection with the Spirit acquisition in April 2022 (the “Spirit Notes”). The Spirit Notes will mature on July 31, 2030, and initially bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.00%, payable quarterly, in arrears, to, but excluding, July 31, 2025. From and including July 31, 2025, to, but excluding, the maturity date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an interest rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (provided, that in the event the benchmark rate is less than zero, the benchmark rate will be deemed to be zero) plus 592 basis points, payable quarterly, in arrears.

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Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2023 are presented in Table 17.

Table 17: Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Annual Maturities
Year(In thousands)
2024$1,822
20251,822
20261,824
20271,920
2028332,210
Thereafter48,909
Total$388,507

Capital

Overview

At December 31, 2023, total capital was $3.43 billion. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At December 31, 2023, our common equity to asset ratio was 12.53% compared to 11.91% at year-end 2022.

Capital Stock

On February 27, 2009, at a special meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to establish 40,040,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to remove an $80.0 million cap on the aggregate liquidation preference associated with the preferred stock and increase the number of authorized shares of our Class A common stock from 175,000,000 to 350,000,000.

On October 29, 2019, we filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“October Amended Articles”) with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The October Amended Articles classified and designated Series D Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share (“Series D Preferred Stock”), out of our authorized preferred stock. On November 30, 2021, we redeemed all of the Series D Preferred Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends. On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to remove the classification and designation for the Series D Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2023, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding.

On March 31, 2021, we filed a shelf registration with the SEC. The shelf registration statement provides increased flexibility and more efficient access to raise capital from time to time through the sale of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts, purchase units, subscription rights, units or a combination thereof, subject to market conditions. Specific terms and prices are determined at the time of any offering under a separate prospectus supplement that we are required to file with the SEC at the time of the specific offering.

Stock Repurchase Program

On October 22, 2019, we announced a stock repurchase program (the “2019 Program”) under which we could repurchase up to $60.0 million of our Class A Common Stock currently issued and outstanding. On March 5, 2020, we announced an amendment to the 2019 Program that increased the maximum amount that could be repurchased under the 2019 Program from $60.0 million to $180.0 million. Effective July 23, 2021, our Board of Directors approved another amendment to the 2019 Program that increased the amount of our Class A common stock that may be repurchased from a maximum of $180.0 million to a maximum of $276.5 million and extended the term of the 2019 Program from October 31, 2021, to October 31, 2022.

During January 2022, we substantially exhausted the repurchase capacity under the 2019 Program. As a result, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program in January 2022 (“2022 Program”) under which we may repurchase up to $175.0 million of our Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding. Because the 2022 Program was set to terminate on January 31, 2024, our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program in January 2024 (“2024 Program”) under which we may repurchase up to $175.0 million of our Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding.

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During 2023, we repurchased 2,257,049 shares at an average price of $17.72 per share under the 2022 Program. During 2022, we repurchased 513,725 shares at an average price of $31.25 per share under the 2019 Program and 3,919,037 shares at an average price of $24.26 per share under the 2022 Program, respectively. The 2022 Program repurchases were all completed during the second and third quarters of 2022.

Under the 2024 Program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, pricing, and amount of any repurchases under the 2024 Program will be determined by management at its discretion based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, trading volume and market price of our common stock, corporate considerations, our working capital and investment requirements, general market and economic conditions, and legal requirements. The 2024 Program does not obligate us to repurchase any common stock and may be modified, discontinued, or suspended at any time without prior notice. We anticipate funding for the 2024 Program to come from available sources of liquidity, including cash on hand and future cash flow.

Cash Dividends

We declared cash dividends on our common stock of $0.80 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, compared to $0.76 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $0.04, or 5%. The timing and amount of future dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our consolidated earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the amount of cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and policies and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors anticipates that we will continue to pay quarterly dividends in amounts determined based on the factors discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock at the current levels or at all.

Parent Company Liquidity

The primary liquidity needs of Simmons First National Corporation (the Parent Company) are the payment of dividends to shareholders, the funding of debt obligations and cash needs for acquisitions. The primary sources for meeting these liquidity needs are the current cash on hand at the parent company and the future dividends received from Simmons Bank. Payment of dividends by Simmons Bank is subject to various regulatory limitations. The Company continually assesses its capital and liquidity needs and the best way to meet them, including, without limitation, through capital raising in the market via stock or debt offerings. See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity, which is incorporated herein by reference. The redemption of our trust preferred securities during the third quarter of 2022 did not have a meaningful impact on the Parent Company’s liquidity.

Risk-Based Capital

The Company and Simmons Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require us to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that, as of December 31, 2023, we met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, Simmons Bank was well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and Simmons Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the bank’s categories.

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Our risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2023 and 2022 are presented in Table 18 below:

Table 18: Risk-Based Capital

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20232022
Tier 1 capital:
Stockholders’ equity$3,426,488$3,269,362
CECL transition provision61,74692,619
Goodwill and other intangible assets(1,398,810)(1,412,667)
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes404,375517,560
Total Tier 1 capital2,493,7992,466,874
Tier 2 capital:
Subordinated notes and debentures366,141365,989
Subordinated debt phase out(66,000)
Qualifying allowance for credit losses and reserve for unfunded commitments170,977115,627
Total Tier 2 capital471,118481,616
Total risk-based capital$2,964,917$2,948,490
Risk weighted assets$20,599,238$20,738,727
Assets for leverage ratio$26,552,988$26,407,061
Ratios at end of year:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)12.11%11.90%
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.39%9.34%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio12.11%11.90%
Total risk-based capital ratio14.39%14.22%
Minimum guidelines:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)4.50%4.50%
Tier 1 leverage ratio4.00%4.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio6.00%6.00%
Total risk-based capital ratio8.00%8.00%

Regulatory Capital Changes

In December 2018, the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) (collectively, the “agencies”) issued a final rule revising regulatory capital rules in anticipation of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 that provided an option to phase in over a three year period on a straight line basis the day-one impact of the adoption on earnings and Tier 1 capital (the “CECL Transition Provision”).

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agencies issued a new regulatory capital rule revising the CECL Transition Provision to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of ASU 2016-13. The rule provides banking organizations that implement CECL before the end of 2020 the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (the “2020 CECL Transition Provision”). The Company elected to apply the 2020 CECL Transition Provision.

The Basel III Capital Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios with a more risk-sensitive approach. The Basel III Capital Rules established risk-weighting categories depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures.

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The final rules included a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The rules also raised the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%.

Prior to December 31, 2017, Tier 1 capital included common equity Tier 1 capital and certain additional Tier 1 items as provided under the Basel III Capital Rules. The Tier 1 capital for the Company consisted of common equity Tier 1 capital and trust preferred securities. The Basel III Capital Rules include certain provisions that require trust preferred securities to be phased out of qualifying Tier 1 capital when assets surpass $15 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the Company exceeded $15 billion in total assets and the grandfather provisions applicable to its trust preferred securities no longer apply and trust preferred securities are no longer included as Tier 1 capital. All of the Company’s trust preferred securities were redeemed during the third quarter of 2022. Qualifying subordinated debt of $300.1 million is included as Tier 2 and total capital of the Company as of December 31, 2023.

Liquidity

In the normal course of business we have entered into a number of contractual obligations and have made commitments to make future payments. Refer to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2023. Examples of these commitments include but are not limited to long-term debt financing (Note 12, Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures), operating lease obligations (Note, 6, Right-of-Use Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities), time deposits with stated maturity dates (Note 9, Time Deposits), and unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit (Note 19, Commitments and Credit Risk).

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The tables below present computations of adjusted earnings (net income excluding certain items {gain on sale of branches, early retirement program costs, loss from early retirement of TruPS, gain on sale of intellectual property, gain on insurance settlement, donation to Simmons First Foundation, merger related costs, FDIC special assessment, loss (gain) on sale of securities, net branch right sizing costs, and the Day 2 CECL Provision}) (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) as well as a computation of tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP), tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP), adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP), adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP), adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense (non-GAAP) and the coverage ratio of uninsured, non-collateralized deposits (non-GAAP). Adjusted items are included in financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP). The Company has updated its calculation of certain non-GAAP financial measures to exclude the impact of gains or losses on the sale of AFS investment securities in light of the impact of the Company’s strategic AFS investment securities transactions during the fourth quarter of 2023 and has presented past periods on a comparable basis.

We believe the exclusion of these certain items in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures, including “adjusted earnings,” provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted earnings” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Preparation of the Company’s operating budgets

•   Monthly financial performance reporting

•   Monthly “flash” reporting of consolidated results (management only)

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

We believe the presentation of “adjusted earnings” on a diluted per share basis (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance on a per share basis. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted diluted earnings per share” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Calculation of annual performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

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We have $1.43 billion and $1.45 billion total goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Because our acquisition strategy has resulted in a high level of intangible assets, management believes useful calculations include tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) and tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP).

We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to assess the performance of the Company on the same basis as that is applied by management and the Board of Directors.

Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. To mitigate these limitations, we have procedures in place to identify and approve each item that qualifies as adjusted to ensure that the Company’s “adjusted” results are properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of earnings that excludes certain items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to stockholders (i.e., certain items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity). Additionally, similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies may not be computed in the same or similar fashion.

During 2023, adjusted items primarily consisted of net branch right sizing costs of $5.5 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year, $6.2 million in early retirement program costs related to our Better Bank Initiative, and a $20.6 million loss on sale of securities due to the strategic sale of AFS securities during the year. Additionally, we recorded $10.5 million related to a FDIC special assessment levied to support the Deposit Insurance Fund following the failure of certain banks in 2023. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items on net income was $32.7 million, or a $0.26 impact on diluted earnings per share.

During 2022, adjusted items primarily consisted of $33.8 million of Day 2 provision expense required for loans and unfunded commitments related to the Spirit acquisition, merger-related costs of $22.5 million, primarily related to the Spirit acquisition, and net branch right sizing costs of $3.6 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year. Additionally, we had a gain on insurance settlement of $4.1 million related to a weather event that caused severe damage to one of our branch locations. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items was $42.4 million, or $0.34 per diluted earnings per share.

During 2021, adjusted items primarily consisted of $22.7 million of Day 2 provision expense required for loans related to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions, $15.9 million of merger-related costs, related to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions and $15.5 million of gains related to the sale of securities. Additionally, we had total gains on sale of branches of $5.3 million due to the Illinois Branch Sale. The net after-tax impact of these items was $12.5 million, or $0.11 per diluted earnings per share.

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See Table 19 below for the reconciliation of adjusted earnings, which exclude certain items for the periods presented.

Table 19: Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202320222021
Net income available to common stockholders$175,057$256,412$271,109
Certain items:
Gain on sale of branches(5,316)
Loss from early retirement of TruPS365
Gain on sale of intellectual property(750)
Gain on insurance settlement(4,074)
FDIC special assessment10,521
Donation to Simmons First Foundation1,738
Merger related costs1,42022,47615,911
Early retirement program6,198
Loss (gain) on sale of securities20,609278(15,498)
Branch right sizing, net5,4673,628(906)
Day 2 CECL Provision33,77922,688
Tax effect (1)(11,556)(15,012)(4,413)
Certain items, net of tax32,65942,42812,466
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)$207,716$298,840$283,575
Diluted earnings per share$1.38$2.06$2.46
Certain items:
Gain on sale of branches(0.05)
Loss from early retirement of TruPS
Gain on sale of intellectual property(0.01)
Gain on insurance settlement(0.03)
FDIC special assessment0.08
Donation to Simmons First Foundation0.01
Merger related costs0.010.180.14
Early retirement program0.05
Loss (gain) on sale of securities0.17(0.14)
Branch right sizing, net0.040.03(0.01)
Day 2 CECL Provision0.280.21
Tax effect (1)(0.09)(0.12)(0.04)
Certain items, net of tax0.260.340.11
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)$1.64$2.40$2.57

_________________________

(1)    Effective tax rate of 26.135%.

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See Table 20 below for the reconciliation of adjusted noninterest income, adjusted noninterest expense and adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense for the periods presented.

Table 20: Reconciliation of Adjusted Noninterest Income (non-GAAP), Adjusted Noninterest Expense (non-GAAP) and Adjusted Salaries and Employee Benefits Expense (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)202320222021
Noninterest income$155,566$170,066$191,815
Certain items:
Gain on sale of branches(5,316)
Gain on insurance settlement(4,074)
Loss from early retirement of TruPS365
Gain on sale of intellectual property(750)
Loss (gain) on sale of securities20,609278(15,498)
Branch right sizing153(369)
Total certain items20,609(4,028)(21,183)
Adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP)$176,175$166,038$170,632
Noninterest expense$563,061$566,748$483,589
Certain items:
Merger related costs(1,420)(22,476)(15,911)
Donation to Simmons First Foundation(1,738)
Early retirement program(6,198)
FDIC special assessment(10,521)
Branch right sizing(5,467)(3,475)537
Total certain items(23,606)(27,689)(15,374)
Adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP)$539,455$539,059$468,215
Salaries and employee benefits expense$286,117$286,982$246,335
Early retirement program costs(6,198)
Other2(66)
Adjusted salaries and employee benefits expense (non-GAAP)$279,921$286,982$246,269

See Table 21 below for the reconciliation of tangible book value per common share.

Table 21: Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value per Common Share (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202320222021
Total common stockholders’ equity$3,426,488$3,269,362$3,248,841
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,319,598)(1,146,007)
Other intangible assets(112,645)(128,951)(106,235)
Total intangibles(1,433,444)(1,448,549)(1,252,242)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$1,993,044$1,820,813$1,996,599
Shares of common stock outstanding125,184,119127,046,654112,715,444
Book value per common share$27.37$25.73$28.82
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)$15.92$14.33$17.71

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See Table 22 below for the calculation of tangible common equity and the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets.

Table 22: Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity and the Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202320222021
Total common stockholders’ equity$3,426,488$3,269,362$3,248,841
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,319,598)(1,146,007)
Other intangible assets(112,645)(128,951)(106,235)
Total intangibles(1,433,444)(1,448,549)(1,252,242)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$1,993,044$1,820,813$1,996,599
Total assets$27,345,674$27,461,061$24,724,759
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,320,799)(1,319,598)(1,146,007)
Other intangible assets(112,645)(128,951)(106,235)
Total intangibles(1,433,444)(1,448,549)(1,252,242)
Tangible assets$25,912,230$26,012,512$23,472,517
Ratio of common equity to assets12.53%11.91%13.14%
Ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)7.69%7.00%8.51%

See Table 23 below for the calculation of uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio.

Table 23: Calculation of Uninsured, Non-Collateralized Deposit Coverage Ratio (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)20232022
Uninsured deposits at Simmons Bank$8,328,444$8,913,990
Less: Collateralized deposits (excluding portion that is FDIC insured)2,846,7162,759,248
Less: Intercompany eliminations728,480529,042
Total uninsured, non-collateralized deposits$4,753,248$5,625,700
FHLB borrowing availability$5,401,000$5,442,000
Unpledged securities3,817,0003,180,000
Fed funds lines, Fed discount window and Bank Term Funding Program1,998,0001,982,000
Additional liquidity sources$11,216,000$10,604,000
Uninsured, non-collateralized deposit coverage ratio2.4x1.9x

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FY 2022 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001628280-23-005228.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2023-02-27. Report date: 2022-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis presents the more significant factors that affected our financial condition as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 and results of operations for each of the years then ended. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2022 (the “2021 Form 10-K”) for a discussion and analysis of the more significant factors that affected periods prior to 2021, which are incorporated herein by reference. Certain reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report, as well as the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements and the risks discussed in Item 1A of Part I of this Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Overview

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

We consider accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on our financial statements.

The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, (b) acquisition accounting and valuation of loans, (c) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets, (d) the valuation of stock-based compensation plans and (e) income taxes.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative considerations. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for expected credit losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Our allowance for credit loss methodology includes reserve factors calculated to estimate current expected credit losses to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the portfolio, adjusted for prepayments, in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326-20, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Accordingly, the methodology is based on our reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative adjustments. For further information see the section Allowance for Credit Losses below.

Our evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of credit losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for credit losses reported in the financial statements. On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the new Current Expected Credit Losses, or “CECL”, methodology. See Note 20, New Accounting Standards, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Prior to the adoption of the CECL methodology in 2020, the allowance for credit losses was calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, (2) volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, (3) lending policies and procedures including those for credit losses, collections and recoveries, (4) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (5) external factors and pressure from competition, (6) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff, (7) seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and (8) other factors and trends that affected specific loans and categories of loans. We established general allocations for each major loan category. This category also included allocations to loans which were collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. General reserves were established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories. Allowances were accrued for probable losses on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeded the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral.

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Acquisition Accounting, Loans

We account for our acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value for acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, the fair value adjustment is recorded as premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Loans that have been identified as having experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by our allowance for credit losses recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. The net premium or discount on loans that are not classified as PCD (“non-PCD”), that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. We then record the necessary allowance for credit losses on the non-PCD loans through provision for credit losses expense.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. We perform an annual goodwill impairment test, and more than annually if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, as amended by ASU 2011-08 – Testing Goodwill for Impairment and ASU 2017-04 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Our assessment depends on several assumptions which are dependent on market and economic conditions. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We have adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or awarding of restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance stock units granted to directors, officers and other key employees.

In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, the fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. For additional information, see Note 15, Employee Benefit Plans, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

Income Taxes

We are subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where we conduct business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s income tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.

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2022 Overview

Our net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $256.4 million, or $2.06 diluted earnings per share, compared to $271.1 million, or $2.46 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2021. Included in 2022 results were $42.2 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to our acquisitions, Day 2 accounting provision in connection with acquisitions, gain on an insurance settlement related to a weather event, and branch right sizing initiatives. Included in 2021 results were $23.9 million of certain items, net of tax, that were primarily related to our acquisitions, Day 2 accounting provision in connection with acquisitions and gains associated with the sale of branches. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted earnings for the year ended December 31, 2022 were $298.6 million, or $2.40 adjusted diluted earnings per share, compared to $295.0 million, or $2.68 adjusted diluted earnings per share, in 2021. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Results during 2022 were strong and demonstrate our ability to navigate the current economic environment and volatile market conditions. Highlights for the year include an increase in revenue, well contained operating expense growth, improved asset quality, strong organic loan growth, expansion of the net interest margin, and excellent capital ratios.

On April 8, 2022 we completed our acquisition of Spirit, headquartered in Conroe, Texas, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Spirit Bank. We were able to obtain all necessary approvals, consummate the transaction and successfully complete the systems conversion less than five months after the announcement, which we believe speaks to the outstanding team we have developed. See Note 2, Acquisitions, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to this acquisition.

Simmons Bank was named to Forbes magazine’s list of “World’s Best Banks” for the third consecutive year and ranked among the top 45 banks in Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Banks” for 2022 and our Chief Digital Officer was recently recognized by American Banker as a 2022 Digital Banker of the Year. We continue our efforts in developing new and innovative products and services using digital channels to provide an enhanced customer experience to “bank when you want, where you want.”

Asset quality metrics remain at historically low levels and reflect our conservative credit culture, as well as the impact of our strategic decision in 2019 designed to de-risk certain elements of loan portfolios that were acquired in connection with our geographic diversification and expansion. As a result of this strategic decision, over the past two years we have prudently and systematically exited certain non-relationship credits and non-core industries while also significantly reducing our exposure to commercial real estate to more acceptable levels. Total nonperforming loans as of December 31, 2022 were $58.9 million, as compared to $68.6 million at December 31, 2021. Non-performing assets, including troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) and acquired foreclosed assets, as a percent of total assets were 0.23%, compared to 0.33% at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2022 was $3.3 billion, book value per share was $25.73 and tangible book value per common share was $14.33. Our ratio of common stockholders’ equity to total assets was 11.9% and the ratio of tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets was 7.0% at December 31, 2022. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures. The Company’s Tier I leverage ratio of 9.3%, as well as our other regulatory capital ratios, remain significantly above the “well capitalized” minimum requirements. See Table 18 – Risk-Based Capital for regulatory capital ratios. In January 2022, our Board of Directors authorized the 2022 Program under which we may repurchase up to $175.0 million of our Class A common stock currently issued and outstanding. The 2022 Program replaced the 2019 Program, which was substantially exhausted during the first quarter of 2022. In total, under the 2019 Program and the 2022 Program, we repurchased approximately 4.4 million shares of our common stock during 2022.

Total loans were $16.1 billion at December 31, 2022, an increase of $4.1 billion, or 34.4%, from the same time in 2021. The increase in total loans during the period primarily reflects the acquisition of Spirit during the second quarter of 2022, which provided $2.29 billion in total loans after purchase accounting adjustments, coupled with net loan growth driven by increased activity throughout our geographic footprint.

While activity in our commercial pipeline slowed to $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2022 due to, in large part, the impact of the rapidly rising interest rates and our emphasis on maintaining prudent underwriting standards and pricing discipline, our unfunded commitments increased to $5.6 billion at December 31, 2022, as compared to $3.4 billion at December 31, 2021. Our strategy of restructuring our loan portfolio over the past two years not only diversified the risk profile but also established capacity which should provide the foundation for additional loan and revenue growth, and which is evident in our loan pipeline and unfunded commitments. As of December 31, 2022, our liquidity is solid, and our capital is strong.

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In our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation in this Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we provide certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with US GAAP. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which we believe will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section below for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas-based financial holding company that, as of December 31, 2022, has approximately $27.5 billion in consolidated assets and, through its subsidiaries, conducts financial operations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of noninterest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 26.135%.

The FRB sets various benchmark interest rates which influence the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. Between December 2015 and December 2018, the FRB had been gradually raising benchmark interest rates. The FRB target for the federal funds rate, which is the cost to banks of immediately available overnight funds, increased gradually from 0% - 0.50% in December 2015 to 2.25% - 2.50% over a three year period. The federal funds rate was flat until the FRB began to lower the rate in August 2019 and ultimately reduced it to 1.50% - 1.75% in October 2019. During March 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the FRB substantially reduced interest rates in response to the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funds rate was cut to a range of 0% - 0.25%, where it remained throughout 2021 and into early 2022. During March 2022, the FOMC began a series of rate increases in an effort to curb rising inflation. Overall in 2022, the federal funds rate range was increased on seven occasions and ended 2022 with a range set at 4.25% - 4.50%. As of early 2023, the FOMC had made one more rate increase, although the 25 basis point increase represents a more gradual increase than seen throughout 2022.

Our loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, also increased from 3.25% to 5.50% during the years 2015 through 2018. The prime interest rate remained flat until it began to decrease in July 2019 and was eventually reduced to 4.75% in October 2019. Similarly to the reduction in the federal funds rate, the prime rate was cut to 3.25% in mid-March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained unchanged throughout 2021 and into early 2022. Paralleling the federal funds rate, multiple increases by the Federal Reserve during 2022 increased the prime rate to 7.50% as of the end of 2022. Markets continue to anticipate more gradual rate increases by the Federal Reserve during 2023.

Our practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. In the last several years, on average, approximately 42% of our loan portfolio and approximately 80% of our time deposits have repriced in one year or less. Our current interest rate sensitivity shows that approximately 40% of our loans and 87% of our time deposits will reprice in the next year.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $742.0 million, an increase of $131.2 million, or 21.5%, over the same period in 2021. The increase in net interest income was primarily the result of a $196.1 million increase in interest income, partially offset by a $64.9 million increase in interest expense.

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The increase in interest income primarily resulted from a $140.3 million increase in interest income on loans, coupled with an increase of $50.9 million in interest income on investment securities. Regarding the increase in interest income on loans during 2022, the increase in loan volume resulted in an increase of $125.6 million in interest income, while a 12 basis point increase in yield resulted in a $14.7 million increase in interest income during the year ended December 31, 2022. The loan yield for 2022 was 4.83%, compared to 4.71% for 2021. The increase in our loan volume during 2022 was primarily due to the Spirit acquisition in the second quarter of 2022, along with the acquisitions of Landmark Community Bank (“Landmark”) and Triumph Bancshares, Inc. (“Triumph”) in the fourth quarter of 2021, as well as organic loan growth which was widespread across our geographic markets. Forgiveness of PPP loans partially offset the additional loan volume provided by these acquisitions. The increase in interest income on investment securities was due to our investment portfolio average balances, which increased by $1.31 billion, or 19.1%, during 2022 as we re-invested excess liquidity in our investment security portfolio. Additionally, an aggregated increase of $25.5 million during 2022 in interest income on investment securities was due to yield increases over the period of 42 basis points and 16 basis points for our taxable and non-taxable investment security portfolios, respectively. The increase in both loan and investment yield was due to the rising rate environment and was also positively impacted by a significant decrease in the level of variable rate loans and securities at or below their interest rate floors during the year.

Included in interest income is the additional yield accretion recognized as a result of updated estimates of the cash flows of our loans acquired. Each quarter, we estimate the cash flows expected to be collected from the loans acquired, and adjustments may or may not be required. The cash flows estimate may increase or decrease based on payment histories and loss expectations of the loans. The resulting adjustment to interest income is spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loans. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, interest income included $23.9 million, $22.1 million and $41.5 million, respectively, for the yield accretion recognized on loans acquired.

The $64.9 million increase in interest expense is mostly due to the increase in our deposit account rates. Interest expense increased $52.1 million due to the increase in rate of 34 basis points on interest-bearing deposit accounts and increased $5.8 million due to the increase in deposit volume over the period. Additionally, interest expense increased $8.4 million due to the increase in rate of 71 basis points on other borrowings. Impacts to our balance sheet that affected interest expense during 2022 as compared to 2021 include the Spirit, Landmark and Triumph acquisitions noted above, as well as a rising interest rate environment throughout 2022, as the market experiences a shift in consumer sentiment given the attractiveness of higher yielding time deposits in the current higher interest rate environment. We continually monitor and look for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis was 3.17% for the year ended December 31, 2022, up 28 basis points from 2021. The increase in the net interest margin was primarily due to the rising rate environment and driven by increases in our loan and investment rates. Further, the overall increase in our earning assets average balances over the comparative period has improved interest income, coupled with the effective management of our interest bearing liabilities, as we continued our effort to improve the mix of deposits into lower cost deposits and manage rates effectively.

Over the course of 2023, we anticipate pressure on our margin due to several factors. We saw strong organic loan growth during 2022, but our loan pipeline experienced decreased volume throughout the year. We expect modest organic loan growth during 2023 in the higher interest rate environment. Additionally, while we increased reliance on wholesale funding towards the end of 2022, we plan to reinvest cash flows from our investment portfolio and other sources back into the loan portfolio to offset reliance on wholesale funding going forward. Further, we have $1.0 billion of fixed rate callable municipal securities held in the AFS portfolio under swap agreements. These swap agreements consist of a two year forward start date and involve the payment of fixed interest rates with a weighted average of 1.21% in exchange for variable interest rates based on federal funds rates beginning in the third quarter of 2023.

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Tables 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the years 2022 versus 2021 and 2021 versus 2020.

Table 1: Analysis of Net Interest Margin

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202220212020
Interest income$861,735$671,061$759,718
FTE adjustment24,67119,23111,001
Interest income - FTE886,406690,292770,719
Interest expense144,41979,529119,984
Net interest income - FTE$741,987$610,763$650,735
Yield on earning assets - FTE3.79%3.27%4.00%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities0.84%0.52%0.84%
Net interest spread - FTE2.95%2.75%3.16%
Net interest margin - FTE3.17%2.89%3.38%

Table 2: Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin

(In thousands)2022 vs. 20212021 vs. 2020
Increase (decrease) due to change in earning assets$147,423$(40,169)
Increase (decrease) due to change in earning asset yields48,691(40,258)
Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities(3,274)(2,191)
Increase (decrease) due to change in interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities(61,616)42,646
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$131,224$(39,972)

Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2022. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

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Table 3: Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
202220212020
AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/
(In thousands)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)
ASSETS
Earning assets:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$793,836$5,5000.69$2,376,421$2,7950.12$1,970,852$4,3830.22
Investment securities - taxable5,462,42794,4371.734,512,56458,9761.311,813,64035,0391.93
Investment securities - non-taxable2,703,66286,5963.202,343,11771,2073.041,113,85139,6663.56
Mortgage loans held for sale16,6097204.3355,2041,5652.83113,8543,0312.66
Other loans held for sale8,3223,12037.49
Loans - including fees14,419,763696,0334.8311,810,480555,7494.7114,260,689688,6004.83
Total interest earning assets23,404,619886,4063.7921,097,786690,2923.2719,272,886770,7194.00
Non-earning assets3,014,2192,394,5222,317,859
Total assets$26,418,838$23,492,308$21,590,745
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits$12,253,164$63,0330.51$10,638,665$19,5680.18$9,128,936$38,4620.42
Time deposits3,094,74736,0161.162,804,85121,6040.773,006,76841,3981.38
Total interest bearing deposits15,347,91199,0490.6513,443,51641,1720.3112,135,70479,8600.66
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase200,7449410.47247,4485790.23362,6291,7150.47
Other borrowings1,155,31024,9342.161,340,18519,4951.451,353,73819,6521.45
Subordinated debt and debentures394,87019,4954.94383,18218,2834.77385,29418,7574.87
Total interest bearing liabilities17,098,835144,4190.8415,414,33179,5290.5214,237,365119,9840.84
Noninterest bearing liabilities:
Noninterest bearing deposits5,827,1604,836,8394,225,618
Other liabilities233,179169,140205,956
Total liabilities23,159,17420,420,31018,668,939
Stockholders’ equity3,259,6643,071,9982,921,806
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$26,418,838$23,492,308$21,590,745
Net interest spread2.952.753.16
Net interest margin$741,9873.17$610,7632.89$650,7353.38

40

Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the years 2022 versus 2021 and 2021 versus 2020. The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.

Table 4: Volume/Rate Analysis

Years Ended December 31,
2022 vs. 20212021 vs. 2020
Yield/Yield/
(In thousands, on a fully taxable equivalent basis)VolumeRateTotalVolumeRateTotal
Increase (decrease) in:
Interest income:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$(2,952)$5,657$2,705$773$(2,361)$(1,588)
Investment securities - taxable13,99621,46535,46138,285(14,348)23,937
Investment securities - non-taxable11,3953,99415,38938,110(6,569)31,541
Mortgage loans held for sale(1,424)579(845)(1,651)185(1,466)
Other loans held for sale7912,3293,120
Loans - including fees125,61714,667140,284(115,686)(17,165)(132,851)
Total147,42348,691196,114(40,169)(40,258)(80,427)
Interest expense:
Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts3,38640,07943,4655,548(24,442)(18,894)
Time deposits2,42511,98714,412(2,618)(17,176)(19,794)
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase(126)488362(439)(697)(1,136)
Other borrowings(2,978)8,4175,439(197)40(157)
Subordinated notes and debentures5676451,212(103)(371)(474)
Total3,27461,61664,8902,191(42,646)(40,455)
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$144,149$(12,925)$131,224$(42,360)$2,388$(39,972)

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses represents management’s determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period’s earnings in order to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated lifetime risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management’s judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts, past due and non-performing loans and historical net credit loss experience. It is management’s practice to review the allowance on a monthly basis and, after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance.

Management updates credit loss forecasts using multiple Moody’s economic scenarios, the most recent of which were published in December 2022. The baseline economic forecast was weighted 62%, while the downside scenario of S-2 was weighted 30% and the upside scenario of S-1 was weighted 8%. The weighting of the forecasts is characterized by, among others, continual increase of CRE prices, increasing market rates, and declining national unemployment rates. The baseline economic forecast as of December 2021 was weighted 65%, while the downside scenario of S-2 was weighted 17% and the upside scenario of S-1 was weighted 18%. The weightings reflect management’s sentiment around the published forecasted scenarios by Moody’s at that specific time.

41

During 2022, our provision for credit loss expense was $14.1 million, as compared to a recapture of $32.7 million during 2021 and an expense of $75.0 million during 2020. The provision for credit loss expense during 2022 was impacted by several factors throughout the year, including a $33.8 million Day 2 provision expense required for loans and unfunded commitments related to the Spirit acquisition, and an expense of $16.0 million related to the overall increase in unfunded commitments during the year, primarily made up of commercial construction loans, which receive a higher reserve allocation than other loans. These expenses were partially offset by a release of $16.0 million, which was driven by a reduction to certain industry specific qualitative factors for the restaurant, hospitality, student housing and office space industries due to the improvement from pandemic related stresses. Further recapture during 2022 was driven by the planned exit of several large oil and gas relationships during the year, along with our improved asset credit quality metrics and improved Moody’s economic modeling scenarios.

The recapture of credit losses during 2021 was driven by improved credit quality metrics, improved macroeconomic factors, and a maturing and amortizing loan portfolio. This recapture was partially offset by $22.7 million in provision for credit loss expense for estimated lifetime credit losses for non-purchase credit deteriorated loans acquired through the acquisitions of Landmark and Triumph during the fourth quarter. The increase during 2020 was primarily driven by the adoption of CECL and the related change in methodology which is based on qualitative adjustments, intended to account for potential problem credits that have not materialized into any identifiable metrics or delinquencies. During 2020, certain industries were more adversely impacted by the current and expected economic scenarios, such as the restaurant, retail, and hotel industries. Also, 2020 included an additional provision related to problem energy credits, ultimately charged-off during the second quarter of 2020 for a total of $32.6 million, that experienced further deterioration beginning in first quarter of 2020 and were negatively impacted by the sharp decline in commodity pricing. The remainder of the increase was related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that is incorporated in our allowance for credit losses.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, wealth management fees and debit and credit card fees. Noninterest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance and gains (losses) from sales of securities.

Total noninterest income was $170.1 million in 2022, compared to $191.8 million in 2021 and $239.8 million in 2020. Noninterest income for 2022 decreased $21.7 million, or 11.3%, from 2021. Included in 2022 results were $4.3 million of certain items, primarily made up of a $4.1 million gain on an insurance settlement related to a weather event that caused severe damage to one of our branch locations. Included in 2021 results were $5.7 million of certain items, primarily related to a $5.3 million gain on sale related to the Illinois Branch Sale in 2021. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2022 decreased $20.4 million, or 10.9%, from the prior year. See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

The majority of the decrease during 2022 was related to the decline in the gains on sale of securities and mortgage lending income compared to 2021. During 2021, we sold approximately $342.6 million of investment securities resulting in a net gain of $15.5 million, while we realized a net loss of $278,000 related to the call of securities during 2022.

Mortgage lending income decreased $11.3 million during 2022 due to the rising interest rate environment and softening market conditions throughout the year, which slowed the demand for mortgage loans compared to the demand associated with the lower interest rate environment in 2021. We originated $751.0 million and $1.13 billion in mortgage loans during 2022 and 2021, respectively.

These decreases in noninterest income during 2022 were partially offset by an increase of $3.3 million in service charges on deposit accounts and an increase of $3.0 million in debit and credit fees as a result of additional transactions due to the incremental customer base from the Landmark, Triumph and Spirit acquisitions and additional transactions due to the changes in customer spending habits. Also included in 2022 results is the $4.1 million gain on an insurance settlement previously discussed and an increase of $2.2 million in bank owned life insurance income due to our increased investment in bank owned life insurance.

42

Table 5 shows noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as well as changes in 2022 from 2021 and in 2021 from 2020.

Table 5: Noninterest Income

Years Ended December 31,2022 Change from2021 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20222021202020212020
Service charges on deposit accounts$46,527$43,231$43,082$3,2967.6%$1490.4%
Debit and credit card fees31,20328,24524,7112,95810.53,53414.3
Wealth management fees31,89531,17230,3867232.37862.6
Mortgage lending income10,52221,79834,469(11,276)(51.7)(12,671)(36.8)
Bank owned life insurance income11,1468,9025,8152,24425.23,08753.1
Other service charges and fees7,6167,6966,624(80)(1.0)1,07216.2
Gain (loss) on sale of securities, net(278)15,49854,806(15,776)*(39,308)(71.7)
Gain on sale of branches5,3168,368(5,316)*(3,052)(36.5)
Gain on insurance settlement4,0744,074*
Other income27,36129,95731,508(2,596)(8.7)(1,551)(4.9)
Total noninterest income$170,066$191,815$239,769$(21,749)(11.3)%$(47,954)(20.0)%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

Recurring fee income (total service charges, wealth management fees, debit and credit card fees) for 2022 was $117.2 million, an increase of $6.9 million, or 6.3%, when compared to the 2021 amounts. The increases in the periods presented are primarily the result of changes in total service charges and debit and credit card fees as previously discussed.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for our operations. Management remains committed to controlling the level of noninterest expense through the continued use of expense control measures. We utilize an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all subsidiaries. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management monthly. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. We also regularly monitor staffing levels at each subsidiary to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Noninterest expense for 2022 was $566.7 million, an increase of $83.2 million, or 17.2%, from 2021. Included in 2022 were $27.7 million of certain items, primarily made up of $22.5 million of merger-related costs due to the Landmark, Triumph and Spirit acquisitions and $3.5 million from branch-right sizing costs. Included in 2021 were $15.4 million of certain items, made up of $15.9 million of merger-related costs due to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions and a $537,000 benefit from branch-right sizing costs. Adjusting for these certain items, adjusted noninterest expense for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased $70.8 million, or 15.1%, from the prior year. See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Salaries and employee benefits expense and occupancy expense increased by $40.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively, as compared to 2021, primarily due to impacts from the Landmark, Triumph and Spirit acquisitions. In addition, we have added associates in our lending, wealth and mortgage programs, as well as in other key functions.

Deposit insurance increased by $4.6 million as compared to 2021 due to assessment rate increases from FDIC insurance and the Arkansas State Bank Department.

Other expense increased by $10.8 million as compared to 2021, primarily due to the impacts from the Landmark, Triumph and Spirit acquisitions, in addition to $1.2 million of accelerated amortization of certain tax credits, the offset of which is recorded in provision for income taxes.

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Marketing expense increased by $6.6 million as compared to 2021 due to increased advertising and public relations expenses, including a multi-university corporate sponsorship program designed to support female student athletes and serve as a program for developing women leaders in the corporate world. Additionally, a nonrecurrent $1.6 million contribution was made during the year to the Simmons First Foundation Conservation Fund reflecting a portion of paper statement fees collected as part of a promotion to encourage customers to enroll in electronic statements.

Amortization of intangibles recorded for the years ended December 31, 2022, and 2021 was $15.9 million and $13.5 million, respectively. See Note 8, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our intangibles.

Table 6 below shows noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, as well as changes in 2022 from 2021 and in 2021 from 2020.

Table 6: Noninterest Expense

Years Ended December 31,2022 Change from2021 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20222021202020212020
Salaries and employee benefits$286,982$246,335$239,573$40,64716.5%$6,7622.8%
Early retirement program2,901(2,901)(100.0)
Occupancy expense, net44,32138,79737,5565,52414.21,2413.3
Furniture and equipment expense20,66519,89024,0387753.9(4,148)(17.3)
Other real estate and foreclosure expense1,0032,1211,752(1,118)(52.7)36921.1
Deposit insurance11,6086,9739,1844,63566.5(2,211)(24.1)
Merger related costs22,47615,9114,5316,56541.311,380251.2
Other operating expenses:
Professional services19,13818,92118,6882171.22331.3
Postage8,9558,2767,5386798.27389.8
Telephone6,3946,2348,8331602.6(2,599)(29.4)
Credit card expenses12,24311,11210,1991,13110.29139.0
Marketing28,87022,23419,3966,63629.92,83814.6
Software and technology40,90640,60839,7242980.78842.2
Operating supplies2,5562,7663,322(210)(7.6)(556)(16.7)
Amortization of intangibles15,91513,49413,4952,42117.9(1)
Branch right sizing expense3,475(537)14,0974,012*(14,634)(103.8)
Other expense41,24130,45429,90910,78735.45451.8
Total noninterest expense$566,748$483,589$484,736$83,15917.2%$(1,147)(0.2)%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 2022 was $50.1 million, compared to $61.3 million in 2021 and $64.9 million in 2020. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2022, 2021 and 2020 were 16.4%, 18.4% and 20.3%, respectively. The decrease in the provision for income taxes during 2022 was the result of benefits related to tax credits that were recorded during the fourth quarter.

44

Loan Portfolio

Our loan portfolio averaged $14.42 billion during 2022 and $11.81 billion during 2021. As of December 31, 2022, total loans were $16.14 billion, compared to $12.01 billion on December 31, 2021, an increase of $4.13 billion, or 34.4%. The increase in the overall loan balance during 2022 is primarily due to the acquisition of Spirit which provided $2.29 billion in total loans after purchase accounting discounts, coupled with widespread loan growth throughout our geographic markets during the year. The increase in total loans more than offset declines in PPP loans, mortgage warehouse lending and planned declines in our energy portfolio. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate loans).

We seek to manage our credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an appropriate allowance for credit losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose, industry and geographic region. We seek to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. We use the allowance for credit losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.

Consumer loans consist of credit card loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $349.8 million at December 31, 2022, or 2.2% of total loans, compared to $355.4 million, or 3.0% of total loans at December 31, 2021. The decrease in consumer loans was primarily due to loan payoffs and pay downs during the year. The decline in the overall consumer loan balance was partially offset by the $9.9 million increase in our credit card portfolio at December 31, 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021. Our credit card portfolio has remained a stable source of lending for several years.

Real estate loans consist of construction and development (“C&D”) loans, single family residential loans and other CRE loans. Real estate loans were $12.58 billion at December 31, 2022, or 77.9% of total loans, compared to $9.17 billion, or 76.3% of total loans at December 31, 2021, an increase of $3.41 billion, or 37.2%. Our C&D loans increased by $1.24 billion, or 93.5%, single family residential loans increased by $444.1 million, or 21.1%, and CRE loans increased by $1.73 billion, or 30.1%. The increases were largely due to the Spirit acquisition noted above, coupled with strong organic loan growth, particularly in the latter half of 2022. In the near term, we expect to continue to manage our C&D and CRE portfolio concentration by developing deeper relationships with our customers.

Commercial loans consist of non-real estate loans related to business and agricultural loans. Total commercial loans were $2.84 billion at December 31, 2022, or 17.6% of total loans, compared to $2.16 billion, or 18.0% of total loans at December 31, 2021, an increase of $677.2 million, or 31.3%, which was primarily due to the combined acquired and organic loan growth. The balance in our PPP loan portfolio was $8.9 million as of December 31, 2022, as compared to $116.7 million at December 31, 2021, with the decline due to the expected reimbursements from the SBA related to PPP loan forgiveness of both PPP Round 1 and Round 2 loans.

Other loans mainly consists of mortgage warehouse lending and municipal loans. Mortgage volume experienced a market driven decline throughout 2022 when compared to 2021, but was more than offset by the Spirit acquisition combined with organic growth, leading to an increase of $44.0 million in other loans.

Loan growth was widespread throughout our geographic markets and was generally broad-based by loan type and more than offset continued market-driven weakness in mortgage warehouse lending. We are seeing loan growth in our metro, community and corporate banking groups and continue to add new producers in these areas. Our loan pipeline consisting of all loan opportunities was $1.12 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $2.31 billion at December 31, 2021. The pipeline includes $270.5 million in loans approved and ready to close at the end of the year.

45

The balances of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.

Table 7: Loan Portfolio

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)20222021202020192018
Consumer:
Credit cards$196,928$187,052$188,845$204,802$204,173
Other consumer152,882168,318202,379249,694215,763
Total consumer349,810355,370391,224454,496419,936
Real Estate:
Construction and development2,566,6491,326,3711,596,2552,236,8611,736,817
Single family residential2,546,1152,101,9751,880,6732,442,0641,994,716
Other commercial7,468,4985,738,9045,746,8636,205,5995,073,994
Total real estate12,581,2629,167,2509,223,79110,884,5248,805,527
Commercial:
Commercial2,632,2901,992,0432,574,3862,495,5162,192,497
Agricultural205,623168,717175,905315,454166,225
Total commercial2,837,9132,160,7602,750,2912,810,9702,358,722
Other373,139329,123535,591275,714139,081
Total loans before allowance for credit losses$16,142,124$12,012,503$12,900,897$14,425,704$11,723,266

Table 8 reflects the remaining maturities and interest rate sensitivity of loans at December 31, 2022.

Table 8: Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans

1 yearOver 1 year throughOver 5 years throughOver
(In thousands)or less5 years15 years15 yearsTotal
Consumer$192,356$156,660$151$643$349,810
Real estate3,537,9187,429,8631,549,87063,61112,581,262
Commercial1,594,4621,197,44827,67818,3252,837,913
Other131,990105,167115,11020,872373,139
Total$5,456,726$8,889,138$1,692,809$103,451$16,142,124
Predetermined rate
Consumer$98,033$43,026$46$467$141,572
Real estate1,663,6054,856,742903,43441,5697,465,350
Commercial622,572729,41721,27518,3171,391,581
Other36,381103,107112,54420,492272,524
Total$2,420,591$5,732,292$1,037,299$80,845$9,271,027
Floating rate
Consumer$94,323$113,634$105$176$208,238
Real estate1,874,3132,573,121646,43622,0425,115,912
Commercial971,890468,0316,40381,446,332
Other95,6092,0602,566380100,615
Total$3,036,135$3,156,846$655,510$22,606$6,871,097

46

Asset Quality

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. Simmons Bank recognizes income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectibility of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for credit losses.

When credit card loans reach 90 days past due and there are attachable assets, the accounts are considered for litigation. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 150 days past due. The credit card recovery group pursues account holders until it is determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

Total non-performing assets decreased $13.8 million from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $9.8 million during 2022, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $3.1 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions from pandemic related stresses.

Non-performing assets, including troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) and acquired foreclosed assets, as a percent of total assets were 0.23% at December 31, 2022 compared to 0.33% at December 31, 2021.

Total non-performing assets decreased by $67.6 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $54.7 million during 2021, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $12.4 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions while the decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned is primarily the result of the disposition of one commercial building in the St. Louis area and the disposition of one piece of commercial land with net book values at the time of sale of $6.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

Total non-performing assets increased by $28.6 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Nonaccrual loans increased by $29.5 million during 2020, partially offset by a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $728,000. The increase in nonaccrual loans during 2020 is primarily related to one energy loan totaling $22.0 million which moved to nonaccrual during the fourth quarter of 2020. The remaining increase was related to various other CRE loans and commercial loan relationships.

Total non-performing assets increased by $33.1 million from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Nonaccrual loans increased by $37.5 million during 2019, primarily commercial loans, partially offset by a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $6.4 million.

From time to time, certain borrowers experience declines in income and cash flow. As a result, these borrowers seek to reduce contractual cash outlays, the most prominent being debt payments. In an effort to preserve our net interest margin and earning assets, we are open to working with existing customers in order to maximize the collectibility of the debt.

When we restructure a loan to a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty and grant a concession that we would not otherwise consider, a “troubled debt restructuring,” or “TDR,” results and we classify the loan as a TDR. We grant various types of concessions, primarily interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.

Once an obligation has been restructured because of such credit problems, it continues to be considered a TDR until paid in full; or, if an obligation yields a market interest rate and no longer has any concession regarding payment amount or amortization, then it is not considered a TDR at the beginning of the calendar year after the year in which the improvement takes place. Our TDR balance decreased to $3.5 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $6.9 million at December 31, 2021, and compared to $7.5 million at December 31, 2020.

TDRs are individually evaluated for expected credit losses. We assess the exposure for each modification, either by the fair value of the underlying collateral or the present value of expected cash flows, and determine if a specific allowance for credit losses is needed.

47

We return TDRs to accrual status only if (1) all contractual amounts due can reasonably be expected to be repaid within a prudent period, and (2) repayment has been in accordance with the contract for a sustained period, typically at least six months.

We continue to maintain good asset quality, compared to the industry, and strong asset quality remains a primary focus of our company. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.22% as of December 31, 2022. Non-performing loans equaled 0.37% of total loans. Non-performing assets were 0.23% of total assets, an 8 basis point decrease from December 31, 2021. The allowance for credit losses was 334% of non-performing loans. Our annualized net charge-offs to total loans for 2022 was 0.09%. Excluding credit cards, the annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the same period was 0.07%. Annualized net credit card charge-offs to average total credit card loans were 1.49%, compared to 1.42% during 2021, and 45 basis points better than the most recently published industry average charge-off ratio as reported by the Federal Reserve for all banks.

We do not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets, and offer no mortgage loan products that target subprime borrowers.

Table 9 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans at amortized cost and foreclosed assets held for sale.

Table 9: Non-performing Assets

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20222021202020192018
Nonaccrual loans (1)$58,434$68,204$122,879$93,330$55,841
Loans past due 90 days or more (principal or interest payments)507349578856226
Total non-performing loans58,94168,553123,45794,18656,067
Other non-performing assets:
Foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned2,8876,03218,39319,12125,565
Other non-performing assets6441,6672,0161,964553
Total other non-performing assets3,5317,69920,40921,08526,118
Total non-performing assets$62,472$76,252$143,866$115,271$82,185
Performing TDRs$1,849$4,289$3,138$5,887$7,436
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans334%300%193%72%101%
Non-performing loans to total loans0.37%0.57%0.96%0.65%0.48%
Non-performing assets (including performing TDRs) to total assets0.23%0.33%0.66%0.57%0.54%
Non-performing assets to total assets0.23%0.31%0.64%0.54%0.50%

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(1)    Includes nonaccrual TDRs of approximately $1.6 million, $2.7 million, $4.4 million, $1.6 million and $6.3 million at December 31, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

There was no interest income on nonaccrual loans recorded for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative considerations.

Loans with similar risk characteristics such as loan type, collateral type, and internal risk ratings are aggregated into homogeneous segments for assessment. Reserve factors are based on estimated probability of default and loss given default for each segment. The estimates are determined based on economic forecasts over the reasonable and supportable forecast period based on projected performance of economic variables that have a statistical correlation with the historical loss experience of the segments. For contractual periods that extend beyond the one-year forecast period, the estimates revert to average historical loss experiences over a one-year period on a straight-line basis.

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We also include qualitative adjustments to the allowance based on factors and considerations that have not otherwise been fully accounted for. Qualitative adjustments include, but are not limited to:

•Changes in asset quality - Adjustments related to trending credit quality metrics including delinquency, nonperforming loans, charge-offs, and risk ratings that may not be fully accounted for in the reserve factor.

•Changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio - Adjustments related to current changes in the loan portfolio that are not fully represented or accounted for in the reserve factors.

•Changes in lending and loan monitoring policies and procedures - Adjustments related to current changes in lending and loan monitoring procedures as well as review of specific internal policy compliance metrics.

•Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff - Adjustments to measure increasing or decreasing credit risk related to lending and loan monitoring management.

•Changes in the value of underlying collateral of collateralized loans - Adjustments related to improving or deterioration of the value of underlying collateral that are not fully captured in the reserve factors.

•Changes in and the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit - Adjustments related to credit risk of specific industries that are not fully captured in the reserve factors.

•Changes in regional and local economic and business conditions and developments - Adjustments related to expected and current economic conditions at a regional or local-level that are not fully captured within our reasonable and supportable forecast.

•Data imprecisions due to limited historical loss data - Adjustments related to limited historical loss data that is representative of the collective loan portfolio.

Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. These evaluations are typically performed on loans with a deteriorated internal risk rating or that are classified as a TDR. The allowance for credit loss is determined based on several methods including estimating the fair value of the underlying collateral or the present value of expected cash flows.

Additional information related to net charge-offs is shown in Table 10.

Table 10: Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans

(Dollars in thousands)Net Charge-offsAverage LoansRatio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans
2022
Credit cards$(2,838)$190,119(1.49)%
Other consumer(679)177,420(0.38)%
Real estate2,79411,157,4990.03%
Commercial(11,897)2,557,060(0.47)%
Other337,665%
Total$(12,620)$14,419,763(0.09)%
2021
Credit cards$(2,577)$180,975(1.42)%
Other consumer(649)181,573(0.36)%
Real estate(5,781)8,678,137(0.07)%
Commercial(5,953)2,363,701(0.25)%
Other406,094%
Total$(14,960)$11,810,480(0.13)%

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Allowance for Credit Losses Allocation

As of December 31, 2022, the allowance for credit losses reflected a decrease of approximately $8.4 million from December 31, 2021, while loans increased $4.13 billion over the same period. The allocation in each category within the allowance generally reflects the overall changes in the loan portfolio mix.

The decrease in the allowance for credit losses during 2022 was predominantly due to improved credit quality metrics and improved macroeconomic factors, coupled with the planned exit of several large oil and gas relationships during the year, which historically required higher allowance levels than most other categories of the loan portfolio. Additionally, there was a reduction of pandemic-era qualitative factors that were established based on unidentifiable risks with borrowers in at-risk industries. The decrease was partially offset due to the Spirit acquisition, which provided $2.29 billion in total loans after purchase accounting discounts. Our allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2022 was considered appropriate given the current economic environment and other related factors.

The following table sets forth the sum of the amounts of the allowance for credit losses attributable to individual loans within each category, or loan categories in general. The table also reflects the percentage of loans in each category to the total loan portfolio for each of the periods indicated. The allowance for credit losses by loan category is determined by i) our estimated reserve factors by category including applicable qualitative adjustments and ii) any specific allowance allocations that are identified on individually evaluated loans. The amounts shown are not necessarily indicative of the actual future losses that may occur within individual categories.

Table 11: Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses

December 31,
20222021202020192018
(Dollars in thousands)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)
Credit cards$5,1401.2%$3,9871.6%$7,4721.4%$4,0511.4%$3,9231.7%
Other consumer2,1870.9%2,6761.4%4,1001.6%1,9981.7%2,3801.9%
Real estate150,79578.0%179,27076.3%182,86871.5%39,16175.5%29,83875.1%
Commercial34,40617.6%17,45818.0%42,09321.3%22,86319.5%20,51420.1%
Other4,4272.3%1,9412.7%1,5174.2%1711.9%391.2%
Total$196,955100.0%$205,332100.0%$238,050100.0%$68,244100.0%$56,694100.0%
Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans1.22%1.71%1.85%0.47%0.48%

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(1)    Percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

Investments and Securities

Our securities portfolio is the second largest component of earning assets and provides a significant source of revenue. Securities within the portfolio are classified as either held-to-maturity (“HTM”) or available-for-sale (“AFS”).

HTM securities, which include any security for which we have the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the security’s estimated life. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

AFS securities, which include any security for which we have no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders’ equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield

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method over the estimated life of the security. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

Our philosophy regarding investments is conservative based on investment type and maturity. Investments in the portfolio primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. Our general policy is not to invest in derivative type investments or high-risk securities, except for collateralized mortgage-backed securities for which collection of principal and interest is not subordinated to significant superior rights held by others.

HTM and AFS investment securities were $3.76 billion and $3.85 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2022, compared to the HTM amount of $1.53 billion and AFS amount of $7.11 billion at December 31, 2021. We will continue to look for opportunities to maximize the value of the investment portfolio.

As of December 31, 2022, $634.5 million, or 8.3%, of our total portfolio was invested in obligations of U.S. government agencies and U.S. Treasury securities, 0.1% of which will mature in one year or less.

Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2022 also included $2.73 billion, or 35.9%, of tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions. A portion of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are rated bonds, primarily issued in states in which we are located, and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. In an effort to balance our interest risk profile, we have continued to increase our asset allocation in the tax-exempt securities portfolio due to the acceleration of pre-payment speeds for mortgage-backed securities. We continue to invest in high credit tax-exempt securities with a weighted average rating of AA. There are no securities of any one state or political subdivision issuer exceeding ten percent of our stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2022.

We had approximately $3.73 billion, or 49.0%, of our total portfolio invested in mortgaged-backed securities at December 31, 2022. These mortgage-backed securities were issued by agencies of the U.S. government.

During the quarters ended June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, we transferred, at fair value, $1.99 billion and $500.8 million, respectively, of securities from the available-for-sale portfolio to the held-to-maturity portfolio. As of December 31, 2022, the related remaining net unrealized losses of $147.0 million and net unrealized gains of $690,000, respectively, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities. No gains or losses on these securities were recognized at the time of transfer.

Additionally, during the third quarter of 2021, we began utilizing interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the effect of changing interest rates on the fair values of $1.0 billion of fixed rate callable municipal securities held in the AFS portfolio. These swap agreements consist of a two year forward start date and involve the payment of fixed interest rates with a weighted average of 1.21% in exchange for variable interest rates based on federal funds rates beginning in the third quarter of 2023. Securities within these swap agreements have maturity dates varying between 2028 and 2029.

The adoption of ASU 2016-13 at the beginning of 2020 required us to replace the existing impairment models for financial assets, which includes investment securities. Under this model, an estimate of expected credit losses that represents all contractual cash flows that is deemed uncollectible over the contractual life of the financial asset must be recorded. Based upon our analysis of the underlying risk characteristics of the AFS portfolio, including credit ratings and other qualitative factors, no allowance for credit losses related to AFS securities was deemed necessary at December 31, 2022 and 2021. Our allowance for credit losses related to HTM securities was $1.4 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

An allowance for credit losses related to mortgage-backed securities and U.S. government agencies was not recorded as of December 31, 2022 due to those securities being 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. See Note 3, Investment Securities, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our allowance for credit losses on investment securities held.

We had $46,000 of gross realized gains and $324,000 of gross realized losses from the call of securities during the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to $15.9 million of gross realized gains and $422,000 of gross realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021. No securities were sold during 2022, while we sold approximately $342.6 million of investment securities during 2021. Securities sold during 2021 were part of a strategic plan to realize gains on securities with projected calls within the short-term period. The decrease in net gains on the call of securities in 2022 as compared to 2021 reflects the rising interest rate environment experienced during the current year as compared to 2021.

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We have the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as HTM until they mature, at which time we expect to receive full value for the securities. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost bases of the investments. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2022, we also had the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as AFS for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. We do not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2022, we believe the declines in fair value detailed in the table below are temporary.

Table 12 presents the amortized cost, fair value and allowance for credit losses on investment securities for each of the years indicated.

Table 12: Investment Securities

(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesNet Carrying AmountGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Held-to-maturity
December 31, 2022
U.S. Government agencies$448,012$$448,012$$(102,558)$345,454
Mortgage-backed securities1,190,7811,190,781227(118,960)1,072,048
State and political subdivisions1,861,102(110)1,860,99256(446,198)1,414,850
Other securities261,199(1,278)259,921(29,040)230,881
Total HTM$3,761,094$(1,388)$3,759,706$283$(696,756)$3,063,233
December 31, 2021
U.S. Government agencies$232,609$$232,609$$(7,914)$224,695
Mortgage-backed securities70,34270,342232(1,425)69,149
State and political subdivisions1,210,248(1,197)1,209,0516,166(8,462)1,206,755
Other securities17,301(82)17,219(440)16,779
Total HTM$1,530,500$(1,279)$1,529,221$6,398$(18,241)$1,517,378
(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale
December 31, 2022
U.S. Treasury$2,257$$$(60)$2,197
U.S. Government agencies191,498103(7,322)184,279
Mortgage-backed securities2,809,31920(266,437)2,542,902
State and political subdivisions1,056,124250(185,300)871,074
Other securities272,215(19,813)252,402
Total AFS$4,331,413$$373$(478,932)$3,852,854
December 31, 2021
U.S. Treasury$300$$$$300
U.S. Government agencies374,754495(10,608)364,641
Mortgage-backed securities4,485,5486,307(43,239)4,448,616
State and political subdivisions1,791,09730,556(1,995)1,819,658
Other securities479,1626,647(5,479)480,330
Total AFS$7,130,861$$44,005$(61,321)$7,113,545

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Table 13 reflects the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2022, by contractual maturity and the weighted average yields (for tax-exempt obligations on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 26.135% tax rate) of such securities. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Table 13: Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities

December 31, 2022
OverOver
1 year5 yearsTotal
1 yearthroughthroughOverNo fixedAmortizedParFair
(In thousands)or less5 years10 years10 yearsmaturityCostValueValue
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government agencies$$$79,181$368,831$$448,012$480,246$345,454
Mortgage-backed securities1,190,7811,190,7811,254,6011,072,048
State and political subdivisions2,6395,70016,7111,836,0521,861,1021,873,5081,414,850
Other securities2,122256,5582,519261,199274,878230,881
Total$2,639$7,822$352,450$2,207,402$1,190,781$3,761,094$3,883,233$3,063,233
Percentage of total0.1%0.2%9.4%58.6%31.7%100.0%
Weighted average yield3.2%3.7%3.4%2.5%3.0%2.7%
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury$$2,257$$$$2,257$2,300$2,197
U.S. Government agencies9,62294,16840,59747,111191,498189,650184,279
Mortgage-backed securities2,809,3192,809,3192,753,3452,542,902
State and political subdivisions2,74614,49619,7021,019,1801,056,1241,107,594871,074
Other securities73,603198,152460272,215271,827252,402
Total$12,368$184,524$258,451$1,066,291$2,809,779$4,331,413$4,324,716$3,852,854
Percentage of total0.3%4.3%6.0%24.5%64.9%100.0%
Weighted average yield2.5%2.7%3.9%2.3%2.3%2.5%

Deposits

Deposits are our primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through our network of approximately 230 financial centers. We offer a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. Our core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of more than $250,000 and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2022, core deposits comprised 83.0% of our total deposits.

We continually monitor the funding requirements along with competitive interest rates in the markets we serve. Because of our community banking philosophy, our executives in the local markets, with oversight by the Chief Deposit Officer, Asset Liability Committee and the Bank’s Treasury Department, establish the interest rates offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet the funding requirements. We believe we are paying a competitive rate when compared with pricing in those markets.

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We manage our interest expense through deposit pricing. We believe that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through deposit pricing if we experience increased loan demand or other liquidity needs. We can also utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs. We are continually monitoring and looking for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our total deposits as of December 31, 2022, were $22.55 billion, an increase of $3.18 billion from December 31, 2021, primarily driven by the acquisition of Spirit, which contributed $2.72 billion, net of fair value adjustments, to this increase. Noninterest bearing transaction accounts, interest bearing transaction accounts and savings accounts totaled $17.78 billion at December 31, 2022, compared to $16.91 billion at December 31, 2021, an $865.4 million increase. Total time deposits increased $2.32 billion to $4.77 billion at December 31, 2022, from $2.45 billion at December 31, 2021. We had $2.75 billion and $466.0 million of brokered deposits at December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively. Our uninsured deposits as of December 31, 2022 and 2021 were $7.27 billion and $7.48 billion, respectively.

We made the strategic decision during the fourth quarter 2022 to extend the duration of select wholesale deposits to complement our core deposit base and, due to advantageous rates, added brokered certificates of deposit with maturities of 6-12 months. Additionally, we are continuing to hone our product offerings to give customers flexibility of choice while maintaining the ability to adjust interest rates timely in the current rate environment.

Table 14 reflects the classification of the average deposits and the average rate paid on each deposit category which is in excess of 10 percent of average total deposits for the three years ended December 31, 2022.

Table 14: Average Deposit Balances and Rates

December 31,
202220212020
(In thousands)Average AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate Paid
Noninterest bearing transaction accounts$5,827,160%$4,836,839%$4,225,618%
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits12,253,1640.51%10,638,6650.18%9,128,9360.42%
Time deposits3,094,7471.16%2,804,8510.77%3,006,7681.38%
Total$21,175,0710.47%$18,280,3550.23%$16,361,3220.49%

Our maturities of time deposits not covered by deposit insurance at December 31, 2022 are presented in Table 15.

Table 15: Maturities of Time Deposits Not Covered by Deposit Insurance

December 31, 2022
(In thousands)BalancePercent
Maturing
Three months or less$341,08148.0%
Over 3 months to 6 months139,56519.6%
Over 6 months to 12 months167,67023.6%
Over 12 months62,6338.8%
Total$710,949100.0%

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Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $160.4 million at December 31, 2022, as compared to $185.4 million at December 31, 2021.

We have historically funded our growth in earning assets through the use of core deposits, large certificates of deposits from local markets, reciprocal brokered deposits, FHLB borrowings and Federal funds purchased. Management anticipates that these sources will provide necessary funding in the foreseeable future.

Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures

Our total debt was $1.23 billion and $1.72 billion at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The outstanding balance for December 31, 2022 includes $835.0 million in FHLB short-term advances; $366.0 million in subordinated notes and unamortized debt issuance costs; and $20.8 million of other long-term debt.

All of the FHLB short-term advances outstanding at December 31, 2022 are FHLB Owns the Option (“FOTO”) advances which are a low cost, fixed-rate source of funding in return for granting to FHLB the flexibility to choose a termination date earlier than the maturity date.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, we reclassified the FOTO advances as long-term advances due to the low interest rate environment and the expectation that FHLB will not exercise the option to terminate the FOTO advances prior to the stated maturity date. We classified the FOTO advances as long-term throughout 2021, during the continued low interest rate environment. As interest rates increased during 2022, we began classifying the outstanding FOTO advances as short-term with the expectation that the FHLB could terminate the FOTO advances prior to maturity, as current market rates exceeded the outstanding FOTO advance rates.

We continually analyze the possibility of the FHLB exercising the options along with the market expected rate outcome. We also held typical FHLB short-term advances, with original maturities of less than one year, at various times during 2022, as well as in previous years. At December 31, 2022, we had $785.0 million of FHLB advances outstanding with original or expected maturities of one year or less.

A summary of information related to our FHLB short-term advances, including FOTO advances, is presented in Table 16.

Table 16: Short-Term Borrowings

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202220212020
Amount outstanding at year-end$835,000$$
Weighted-average interest rate at year-end4.20%%%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$1,300,000$$1,350,000
Average amount outstanding during the year$1,124,314$$1,094,808
Weighted-average interest rate for the year2.08%%1.69%

During the third quarter of 2022, we redeemed the five issuances of trust preferred securities which had an outstanding aggregate principal amount of $56.2 million. We recorded a loss of $365,000 related to the early retirement of debt, which represented the unamortized purchase discounts associated with the previously acquired trust preferred securities.

In March 2018, we issued $330.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) at a public offering price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We incurred $3.6 million in debt issuance costs related to the offering. The Notes will mature on April 1, 2028 and will be subordinated in right of payment to the payment of our other existing and future senior indebtedness, including all our general creditors. The Notes are obligations of the Company only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any of its subsidiaries.

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We assumed Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount, net of premium adjustments, of $37.4 million in connection with the Spirit acquisition in April 2022 (the “Spirit Notes”). The Spirit Notes will mature on July 31, 2030, and initially bear interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.00%, payable quarterly, in arrears, to, but excluding, July 31, 2025. From and including July 31, 2025, to, but excluding, the maturity date or earlier redemption date, the interest rate will reset quarterly to an interest rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate, which is expected to be the then-current three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (provided, that in the event the benchmark rate is less than zero, the benchmark rate will be deemed to be zero) plus 592 basis points, payable quarterly, in arrears.

Aggregate annual maturities of debt at December 31, 2022 are presented in Table 17.

Table 17: Maturities of Debt

Annual Maturities
Year(In thousands)
2023$1,768
20241,822
20251,822
20261,824
20271,920
Thereafter381,129
Total$390,285

Capital

Overview

At December 31, 2022, total capital was $3.27 billion. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At December 31, 2022, our common equity to asset ratio was 11.91% compared to 13.14% at year-end 2021.

Capital Stock

On February 27, 2009, at a special meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to establish 40,040,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an amendment to our Articles of Incorporation to remove an $80.0 million cap on the aggregate liquidation preference associated with the preferred stock.

On October 29, 2019, we filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“October Amended Articles”) with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The October Amended Articles classified and designated Series D Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share, out of our authorized preferred stock. On November 30, 2021, we redeemed all of the Series D Preferred Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends.

On March 31, 2021, we filed a shelf registration with the SEC. The shelf registration statement provides increased flexibility and more efficient access to raise capital from time to time through the sale of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts, purchase units, subscription rights, units or a combination thereof, subject to market conditions. Specific terms and prices are determined at the time of any offering under a separate prospectus supplement that we are required to file with the SEC at the time of the specific offering.

On April 27, 2022, our shareholders approved an increase in the number of authorized shares of our Class A common stock from 175,000,000 to 350,000,000.

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Stock Repurchase Program

On October 22, 2019, we announced a stock repurchase program (the “2019 Program”) under which we could repurchase up to $60.0 million of our Class A Common Stock currently issued and outstanding. On March 5, 2020, we announced an amendment to the 2019 Program that increased the maximum amount that could be repurchased under the 2019 Program from $60.0 million to $180.0 million. Effective July 23, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors approved another amendment to the 2019 Program that increased the amount of the Company’s Class A common stock that may be repurchased from a maximum of $180.0 million to a maximum of $276.5 million and extended the term of the 2019 Program from October 31, 2021, to October 31, 2022.

During January 2022, we substantially exhausted the remaining capacity under the 2019 Program, and our Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program (the “2022 Program”) under which we may repurchase up to $175.0 million of our Class A Common Stock currently issued and outstanding. The 2022 Program replaced the 2019 Program. The 2022 Program will terminate on January 31, 2024 (unless terminated sooner).

During 2022, we repurchased 513,725 shares at an average price of $31.25 per share under the 2019 Program and 3,919,037 shares at an average price of $24.26 per share under the 2022 Program, respectively. The 2022 Program repurchases were all completed during the second and third quarters of 2022. We repurchased 4,562,469 shares at an average price of $29.03 per share under the 2019 Program during 2021.

Under the 2022 Program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, pricing, and amount of any repurchases under the 2022 Program will be determined by management at its discretion based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, trading volume and market price of our common stock, corporate considerations, our working capital and investment requirements, general market and economic conditions, and legal requirements. The 2022 Program does not obligate us to repurchase any common stock and may be modified, discontinued, or suspended at any time without prior notice. We anticipate funding for the 2022 Program to come from available sources of liquidity, including cash on hand and future cash flow.

Cash Dividends

We declared cash dividends on our common stock of $0.76 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, compared to $0.72 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, an increase of $0.04, or 6%. The timing and amount of future dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our consolidated earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the amount of cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and policies and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors anticipates that we will continue to pay quarterly dividends in amounts determined based on the factors discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock at the current levels or at all.

Parent Company Liquidity

The primary liquidity needs of Simmons First National Corporation (the Parent Company) are the payment of dividends to shareholders, the funding of debt obligations and cash needs for acquisitions. The primary sources for meeting these liquidity needs are the current cash on hand at the parent company and the future dividends received from Simmons Bank. Payment of dividends by Simmons Bank is subject to various regulatory limitations. The Company continually assesses its capital and liquidity needs and the best way to meet them, including, without limitation, through capital raising in the market via stock or debt offerings. See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity, which is incorporated herein by reference. The redemption of our trust preferred securities during the third quarter of 2022 did not have a meaningful impact on the Parent Company’s liquidity.

Risk-Based Capital

The Company and Simmons Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

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Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require us to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that, as of December 31, 2022, we met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, Simmons Bank was well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and Simmons Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the bank’s categories.

Our risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are presented in Table 18 below:

Table 18: Risk-Based Capital

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20222021
Tier 1 capital:
Stockholders’ equity$3,269,362$3,248,841
CECL transition provision92,619114,458
Goodwill and other intangible assets(1,412,667)(1,226,686)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes517,56010,545
Total Tier 1 capital2,466,8742,147,158
Tier 2 capital:
Trust preferred securities and subordinated debt365,989384,131
Qualifying allowance for credit losses and reserve for unfunded commitments115,62771,853
Total Tier 2 capital481,616455,984
Total risk-based capital$2,948,490$2,603,142
Risk weighted assets$20,738,727$15,538,967
Assets for leverage ratio$26,407,061$23,647,901
Ratios at end of year:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)11.90%13.82%
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.34%9.08%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio11.90%13.82%
Total risk-based capital ratio14.22%16.75%
Minimum guidelines:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)4.50%4.50%
Tier 1 leverage ratio4.00%4.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio6.00%6.00%
Total risk-based capital ratio8.00%8.00%

Regulatory Capital Changes

In December 2018, the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) (collectively, the “agencies”) issued a final rule revising regulatory capital rules in anticipation of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 that provided an option to phase in over a three year period on a straight line basis the day-one impact of the adoption on earnings and Tier 1 capital (the “CECL Transition Provision”).

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In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agencies issued a new regulatory capital rule revising the CECL Transition Provision to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of ASU 2016-13. The rule provides banking organizations that implement CECL before the end of 2020 the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (the “2020 CECL Transition Provision”). The Company elected to apply the 2020 CECL Transition Provision.

The Basel III Capital Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios with a more risk-sensitive approach. The Basel III Capital Rules established risk-weighting categories depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures.

The final rules included a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The rules also raised the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%.

Prior to December 31, 2017, Tier 1 capital included common equity Tier 1 capital and certain additional Tier 1 items as provided under the Basel III Capital Rules. The Tier 1 capital for the Company consisted of common equity Tier 1 capital and trust preferred securities. The Basel III Capital Rules include certain provisions that require trust preferred securities to be phased out of qualifying Tier 1 capital when assets surpass $15 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the Company exceeded $15 billion in total assets and the grandfather provisions applicable to its trust preferred securities no longer apply and trust preferred securities are no longer included as Tier 1 capital. All of the Company’s trust preferred securities were redeemed during the third quarter of 2022. Qualifying subordinated debt of $366.0 million is included as Tier 2 and total capital as of December 31, 2022.

Liquidity

In the normal course of business we have entered into a number of contractual obligations and have made commitments to make future payments. Refer to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2022. Examples of these commitments include but are not limited to long-term debt financing (Note 12, Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures), operating lease obligations (Note, 6, Right-of-Use Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities), time deposits with stated maturity dates (Note 9, Time Deposits), and unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit (Note 19, Commitments and Credit Risk).

GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The tables below present computations of adjusted earnings (net income excluding certain items {gain on sale of branches, early retirement program costs, loss from early retirement of TruPS, gain on sale of intellectual property, gain on insurance settlement, donation to Simmons First Foundation, merger related costs, net branch right sizing costs, and the Day 2 CECL Provision}) (non-GAAP) and adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) as well as a computation of tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP), tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP), adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP), and adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP). Adjusted items are included in financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP).

We believe the exclusion of these certain items in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures, including “adjusted earnings,” provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted earnings” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Preparation of the Company’s operating budgets

•   Monthly financial performance reporting

•   Monthly “flash” reporting of consolidated results (management only)

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

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We believe the presentation of “adjusted earnings” on a diluted per share basis (non-GAAP) provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the adjusted financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these certain items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance on a per share basis. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “adjusted diluted earnings per share” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Calculation of annual performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

We have $1.45 billion and $1.25 billion total goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Because our acquisition strategy has resulted in a high level of intangible assets, management believes useful calculations include tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP) and tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP).

We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to assess the performance of the Company on the same basis as that is applied by management and the Board of Directors.

Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. To mitigate these limitations, we have procedures in place to identify and approve each item that qualifies as adjusted to ensure that the Company’s “adjusted” results are properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of earnings that excludes certain items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to stockholders (i.e., certain items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity). Additionally, similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies may not be computed in the same or similar fashion.

During 2022, adjusted items primarily consisted of $33.8 million of Day 2 provision expense required for loans and unfunded commitments related to the Spirit acquisition, merger-related costs of $22.5 million, primarily related to the Spirit acquisitions, and net branch right sizing costs of $3.6 million, mainly due to branch closures across our footprint during the year. Additionally, we had a gain on insurance settlement of $4.1 million related to a weather event that caused severe damage to one of our branch locations. The net after-tax impact of all adjusted items was $42.2 million, or $0.34 per diluted earnings per share.

During 2021, adjusted items consisted of $22.7 million of Day 2 provision expense required for loans related to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions, $15.9 million of merger-related costs, related to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions and net branch right sizing gains of $0.9 million, primarily due to branch closures across our footprint during the year. Additionally, we had total gains on sale of branches of $5.3 million due to the Illinois Branch Sale. The net after-tax impact of these items was $23.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted earnings per share.

During 2020, adjusted items consisted of $4.5 million of merger-related costs related to the Landrum and Reliance acquisitions, and $2.9 million in early retirement program expenses. We also had adjusted net branch right sizing costs of $13.7 million, primarily due to branch closures across our footprint during the year. Additionally, we had total gains on sale of branches of $8.4 million mostly due to the gains on sale from the Texas Branch Sale and Colorado Branch Sale. The net after-tax impact of these items was $9.4 million, or $0.09 per diluted earnings per share.

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See Table 19 below for the reconciliation of adjusted earnings, which exclude certain items for the periods presented.

Table 19: Reconciliation of Adjusted Earnings (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202220212020
Net income available to common stockholders$256,412$271,109$254,852
Certain items:
Gain on sale of branches(5,316)(8,368)
Loss from early retirement of TruPS365
Gain on sale of intellectual property(750)
Gain on insurance settlement(4,074)
Donation to Simmons First Foundation1,738
Merger related costs22,47615,9114,531
Early retirement program2,901
Branch right sizing, net3,628(906)13,727
Day 2 CECL Provision33,77922,688
Tax effect (1)(14,939)(8,462)(3,343)
Certain items, net of tax42,22323,9159,448
Adjusted earnings (non-GAAP)$298,635$295,024$264,300
Diluted earnings per share$2.06$2.46$2.31
Certain items:
Gain on sale of branches(0.05)(0.07)
Loss from early retirement of TruPS
Gain on sale of intellectual property(0.01)
Gain on insurance settlement(0.03)
Donation to Simmons First Foundation0.01
Merger related costs0.180.150.04
Early retirement program0.03
Branch right sizing, net0.03(0.01)0.12
Day 2 CECL Provision0.280.21
Tax effect (1)(0.12)(0.08)(0.03)
Certain items, net of tax0.340.220.09
Adjusted diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)$2.40$2.68$2.40

_________________________

(1)    Effective tax rate of 26.135%.

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See Table 20 below for the reconciliation of adjusted noninterest income and adjusted noninterest expense for the periods presented.

Table 20: Reconciliation of Adjusted Noninterest Income and Adjusted Noninterest Expense (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)202220212020
Noninterest income$170,066$191,815$239,769
Certain items:
Gain on sale of branches(5,316)(8,368)
Gain on insurance settlement(4,074)
Loss from early retirement of TruPS365
Gain on sale of intellectual property(750)
Branch right sizing153(369)(370)
Total certain items(4,306)(5,685)(8,738)
Adjusted noninterest income (non-GAAP)$165,760$186,130$231,031
Noninterest expense$566,748$483,589$484,736
Certain items:
Merger related costs(22,476)(15,911)(4,531)
Donation to Simmons First Foundation(1,738)
Early retirement program(2,901)
Branch right sizing(3,475)537(14,097)
Total certain items(27,689)(15,374)(21,529)
Adjusted noninterest expense (non-GAAP)$539,059$468,215$463,207

See Table 21 below for the reconciliation of tangible book value per common share.

Table 21: Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value per Common Share (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202220212020
Total equity$3,269,362$3,248,841$2,976,656
Preferred stock(767)
Total common equity3,269,3623,248,8412,975,889
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,319,598)(1,146,007)(1,075,305)
Other intangible assets(128,951)(106,235)(111,110)
Total intangibles(1,448,549)(1,252,242)(1,186,415)
Tangible common equity$1,820,813$1,996,599$1,789,474
Shares of common stock outstanding127,046,654112,715,444108,077,662
Book value per common share$25.73$28.82$27.53
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)$14.33$17.71$16.56

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See Table 22 below for the calculation of tangible common equity and the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets.

Table 22: Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity and the Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202220212020
Total common equity$3,269,362$3,248,841$2,975,889
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,319,598)(1,146,007)(1,075,305)
Other intangible assets(128,951)(106,235)(111,110)
Total intangibles(1,448,549)(1,252,242)(1,186,415)
Tangible common equity$1,820,813$1,996,599$1,789,474
Total assets$27,461,061$24,724,759$22,359,752
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,319,598)(1,146,007)(1,075,305)
Other intangible assets(128,951)(106,235)(111,110)
Total intangibles(1,448,549)(1,252,242)(1,186,415)
Tangible assets$26,012,512$23,472,517$21,173,337
Ratio of common equity to assets11.91%13.14%13.31%
Ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)7.00%8.51%8.45%

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FY 2021 10-K MD&A

SEC filing source: 0001628280-22-003933.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high. Filing date: 2022-02-25. Report date: 2021-12-31.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis presents the more significant factors that affected our financial condition as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and results of operations for each of the years then ended. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2021 (the “2020 Form 10-K”) for a discussion and analysis of the more significant factors that affected periods prior to 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference. Certain reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements, notes thereto and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report, as well as the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements and the risks discussed in Item 1A of Part I of this Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Overview

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

We consider accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on our financial statements.

The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, (b) acquisition accounting and valuation of loans, (c) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets, (d) the valuation of stock-based compensation plans and (e) income taxes.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative considerations. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for expected credit losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. Our allowance for credit loss methodology includes reserve factors calculated to estimate current expected credit losses to amortized cost balances over the remaining contractual life of the portfolio, adjusted for prepayments, in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326-20, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. Accordingly, the methodology is based on our reasonable and supportable economic forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative adjustments. For further information see the section Allowance for Credit Losses below.

Our evaluation of the allowance for credit losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of credit losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for credit losses reported in the financial statements. On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the new Current Expected Credit Losses, or “CECL”, methodology. See Note 20, New Accounting Standards, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Prior to the adoption of the CECL methodology in 2020, the allowance for credit losses was calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, (2) volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, (3) lending policies and procedures including those for credit losses, collections and recoveries, (4) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (5) external factors and pressure from competition, (6) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff, (7) seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and (8) other factors and trends that affected specific loans and categories of loans. We established general allocations for each major loan category. This category also included allocations to loans which were collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. General reserves were established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories. Allowances were accrued for probable losses on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeded the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral.

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Acquisition Accounting, Loans

We account for our acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. The fair value for acquired loans at the time of acquisition is based on a variety of factors including discounted expected cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments and credit losses. In accordance with ASC 326, the fair value adjustment is recorded as premium or discount to the unpaid principal balance of each acquired loan. Loans that have been identified as having experienced a more-than-insignificant deterioration in credit quality since origination are purchased credit deteriorated (“PCD”) loans. The net premium or discount on PCD loans is adjusted by our allowance for credit losses recorded at the time of acquisition. The remaining net premium or discount is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. The net premium or discount on loans that are not classified as PCD (“non-PCD”), that includes credit and non-credit components, is accreted or amortized into interest income over the remaining life of the loan using a constant yield method. We then record the necessary allowance for credit losses on the non-PCD loans through provision for credit losses expense.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. We perform an annual goodwill impairment test, and more than annually if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, as amended by ASU 2011-08 – Testing Goodwill for Impairment and ASU 2017-04 - Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Our assessment depends on several assumptions which are dependent on market and economic conditions. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We have adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or awarding of restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance stock units granted to directors, officers and other key employees. In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, the fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. For additional information, see Note 15, Employee Benefit Plans, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

Income Taxes

We are subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where we conduct business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s income tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.

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2021 Overview

Our net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $271.1 million, or $2.46 diluted earnings per share, compared to $254.9 million, or $2.31 diluted earnings per share, for the same period in 2020. Included in both 2021 and 2020 results were non-core items related to our acquisitions, gains associated with the sale of branches and branch right sizing initiatives, and with respect to our 2020 results only, early retirement program expenses. Excluding all non-core items, core earnings for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $278.3 million, or $2.53 core diluted earnings per share, compared to $264.3 million, or $2.40 core diluted earnings per share, in 2020. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures.

Simmons Bank was named to Forbes magazine’s list of “World’s Best Banks” for the second consecutive year and ranked among the top 30 banks in Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Banks” for 2021. We continue to introduce new and innovative products and services using digital channels to provide an enhanced customer experience to “bank when you want, where you want”.

On March 12, 2021, we completed the sale of four Simmons Bank locations in the Metro East area of Southern Illinois, near St. Louis. We recognized a gain of $5.3 million on the sale of the Illinois branches.

We completed the acquisitions of Landmark Community Bank (or “Landmark”) and Triumph Bancshares, Inc. (or “Triumph”), including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Triumph Bank, in October 2021, while simultaneously completing the systems conversion of both banks. We were able to obtain all necessary approvals, close and complete the systems conversions of the two banks within approximately four months of the announcement, which we believe speaks to the outstanding team we have developed. See Note 2, Acquisitions, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these acquisitions.

Additionally, on November 19, 2021, we announced the Company had entered into the Spirit Agreement with Spirit, headquartered in Conroe, Texas, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Spirit of Texas Bank SSB. See Note 2, Acquisitions, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to this acquisition.

During the fourth quarter of 2021, Simmons Bank announced a first-of-its-kind multi-university corporate sponsorship program designed to support female student athletes and serve as a program for developing women leaders in the corporate world, and we also donated $2.5 million to the Simmons First Foundation.

Continuing on the trends from 2020, in 2021 our digital banking transactions as a percentage of total transactions increased by an additional 23%, while mobile deposit transactions increased 30% and mobile deposit dollars increased 68% when compared to 2020. These increases were driven by new digital account products and enhanced digital only processes.

We continue to evaluate our branch network as part of our analysis of the profitability of our operations and the efficiency with which we deliver banking services to our markets, including, among other things, changes in customer traffic and preferences. During 2021, we closed 15 branches while opening 3 branches. In September 2021, we purchased a 90,000 square foot building in west Little Rock, Arkansas, that will afford us a great opportunity to strategically position certain teams in a centralized location as well as opening a full-service branch and drive-thru to better service our customers in that area.

Stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2021 was $3.2 billion, book value per share was $28.82 and tangible book value per common share was $17.71. Our ratio of common stockholders’ equity to total assets was 13.1% and the ratio of tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets was 8.5% at December 31, 2021. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures. The Company’s Tier I leverage ratio of 9.1%, as well as our other regulatory capital ratios, remain significantly above the “well capitalized” minimum requirements. See Table 18 – Risk-Based Capital for regulatory capital ratios.

Total interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold were $1.4 billion at December 31, 2021, a decrease of $1.8 billion from the same period in 2020. We had accumulated additional liquidity at December 31, 2020 as a result of the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including economic stimulus legislation, reduced credit card balances, tepid loan demand and fewer overdraft activities. We were able to reduce these interest bearing balances during 2021 through our redeployment of excess cash, mainly through purchases of investment securities and repurchases of our common stock.

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Total loans were $12.0 billion at December 31, 2021, a decrease of $888.4 million, or 6.9%, from the same period in 2020. During 2021, we originated $318.9 million in Round 2 PPP loans to our customers, compared to $975.6 Round 1 PPP loans originated during 2020.

Total
(Dollars in thousands)PPP Loans
Beginning balance, January 1, 2021$904,673
PPP loan originations318,919
Acquired PPP loans15,573
PPP loan forgiveness and repayments(1,122,506)
Ending balance, December 31, 2021$116,659

We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and expect to make future changes to respond as this situation continues to evolve. Further economic downturns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a delayed economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, or a delayed recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic due to difficulties with vaccine distribution or effectiveness or new variants of the novel coronavirus, could result in increased deterioration in credit quality, past due loans, loans charge offs and collateral value declines, which could cause our results of operations and financial condition to be negatively impacted.

At December 31, 2021, the allowance for credit losses on loans was $205.3 million, a decrease of $32.7 million from December 31, 2020. The decrease was predominately related to economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with improved credit quality metrics and improved macroeconomic factors that were considered as part of the Company’s CECL methodology.

In our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operation in this Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we provide certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with US GAAP. We believe the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which we believe will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. See the GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section below for additional discussion and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures.

Simmons First National Corporation is an Arkansas-based financial holding company that, as of December 31, 2021, has approximately $24.7 billion in consolidated assets and, through its subsidiaries, conducts financial operations in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of non-interest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 26.135%.

The FRB sets various benchmark interest rates which influence the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. Between December 2015 and December 2018, the FRB had been gradually raising benchmark interest rates. The FRB target for the federal funds rate, which is the cost to banks of immediately available overnight funds, increased from 0% - 0.50% in December 2015 and gradually increased to 2.25% - 2.50% over a three year period. The federal funds rate was flat until the FRB began to lower the rate in August 2019 and ultimately reduced it to 1.50% - 1.75% in October 2019. During March 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the FRB substantially reduced interest rates in response to the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funds rate was cut to a range of 0.00% - 0.25% and rates have continued to remain low through 2021.

Our loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, also increased from 3.25% to 5.50% during the years 2015 through 2018. The prime interest rate remained flat until it began to decrease in July 2019 and was eventually reduced to 4.75% in October 2019. Similarly to the reduction in the federal funds rate, the prime rate was cut to 3.25% in mid-March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19

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pandemic and remained unchanged through 2021, although in late 2021 and early 2022 markets have begun to anticipate multiple rate increases by the Federal Reserve during 2022.

Our practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in short-term repricing. In the last several years, on average, approximately 43% of our loan portfolio and approximately 78% of our time deposits have repriced in one year or less. Our current interest rate sensitivity shows that approximately 43% of our loans and 82% of our time deposits will reprice in the next year.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $610.8 million, a decrease of $40.0 million, or 6.1%, over the same period in 2020. The decrease in net interest income was primarily the result of an $80.4 million decrease in interest income, partially offset by a $40.5 million decrease in interest expense.

The reduction in interest income primarily resulted from a decrease of $132.9 million in interest income on loans partially offset by an increase of $55.5 million in interest income on investment securities. Regarding the decrease in interest income on loans during 2021, the decline in loan volume resulted in a decrease of $115.7 million in interest income, while a 12 basis point decline in yield resulted in a $17.2 million decrease in interest income during the year ended December 31, 2021. The loan yield for 2021 was 4.71% compared to 4.83% for 2020. The PPP loan yield was approximately 6.05% (including accretion of net fees), which increased the loan yield by 8 basis points. Excluding the PPP loans, loan yield for 2021 was 4.63%. The decrease in our loan volume during 2021 was primarily due to weak loan demand throughout 2020 and 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the decline in loan volume also reflects the substantial governmental stimulus to support the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, which we believe contributed to an increase in the level of loan paydowns and payoffs, including loan forgiveness in accordance with the PPP.

Included in interest income is the additional yield accretion recognized as a result of updated estimates of the cash flows of our loans acquired. Each quarter, we estimate the cash flows expected to be collected from the loans acquired, and adjustments may or may not be required. The cash flows estimate may increase or decrease based on payment histories and loss expectations of the loans. The resulting adjustment to interest income is spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loans. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 interest income included $22.1 million, $41.5 million and $41.2 million, respectively, for the yield accretion recognized on loans acquired.

The $40.5 million decrease in interest expense is mostly due to the decline in our deposit account rates. Interest expense decreased $41.6 million due to the decrease in rate of 35 basis points on interest-bearing deposit accounts, partially offset by an increase of $2.9 million related to approximately $1.31 billion in average deposit growth.

Our net interest margin on a fully tax equivalent basis was 2.89% for the year ended December 31, 2021, down 49 basis points from 2020. Normalized for all accretion, our core net interest margin (non-GAAP) at December 31, 2021 and 2020 was 2.79% and 3.16%, respectively. The decreases in the net interest margin and the core net interest margin were primarily due to the aforementioned decline in net interest income coupled with the lower interest rate environment and additional liquidity created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We purchased investment securities which added approximately $3.93 billion to our average investment securities portfolio during 2021. The impact of these items on net interest margin for the year 2021 was 9 basis points, bringing the net interest margin adjusted for PPP loans and additional liquidity (non-GAAP) to 2.80%. See GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures. We believe we are poised to opportunistically redeploy the excess liquidity in to higher earning assets during 2022, as market conditions permit.

During March 2020, the FOMC substantially reduced interest rates in response to the economic crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and rates remained at historically low levels throughout 2021. As such, our variable rate loan portfolio has repriced to a lower yield and, in response to offset the decline, we have worked to lower our cost of deposits. In addition, our decreased net interest margin is being driven by the decrease in our non-PPP loan portfolio as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the course of 2022, we expect a slight improvement in our net interest margin. Our non-PPP loan portfolio declined during 2021 as a result of continued impact related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but our loan pipeline continued rebuilding with increased volume in each quarter throughout 2021 and we expect modest organic loan growth during 2022. The increases we are seeing in our commercial pipeline are being driven by new business units as well as growth across all regions of our footprint.

Tables 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the years 2021 versus 2020 and 2020 versus 2019.

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Table 1: Analysis of Net Interest Margin

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)202120202019
Interest income$671,061$759,718$783,123
FTE adjustment19,23111,0017,322
Interest income - FTE690,292770,719790,445
Interest expense79,529119,984181,370
Net interest income - FTE$610,763$650,735$609,075
Yield on earning assets - FTE3.27%4.00%5.00%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities0.52%0.84%1.49%
Net interest spread - FTE2.75%3.16%3.51%
Net interest margin - FTE2.89%3.38%3.85%

Table 2: Changes in Fully Taxable Equivalent Net Interest Margin

(In thousands)2021 vs. 20202020 vs. 2019
Increase (decrease) due to change in earning assets$(40,169)$96,617
Decrease due to change in earning asset yields(40,258)(116,343)
Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities(2,191)(19,031)
Increase due to change in interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities42,64680,417
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$(39,972)$41,660

Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

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Table 3: Average Balance Sheets and Net Interest Income Analysis

(FTE = Fully Taxable Equivalent using an effective tax rate of 26.135%)

Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/AverageIncome/Yield/
(In thousands)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)BalanceExpenseRate (%)
ASSETS
Earning assets:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$2,376,421$2,7950.12$1,970,852$4,3830.22$451,946$7,4861.66
Investment securities - taxable4,512,56458,9761.311,813,64035,0391.931,717,56643,6182.54
Investment securities - non-taxable2,343,11771,2073.041,113,85139,6663.56681,23126,6753.92
Mortgage loans held for sale55,2041,5652.83113,8543,0312.6635,8151,3263.70
Loans11,810,480555,7494.7114,260,689688,6004.8312,938,013711,3405.50
Total interest earning assets21,097,786690,2923.2719,272,886770,7194.0015,824,571790,4455.00
Non-earning assets2,394,5222,317,8592,047,177
Total assets$23,492,308$21,590,745$17,871,748
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities:
Interest bearing liabilities:
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits$10,638,665$19,5680.18$9,128,936$38,4620.42$7,417,104$80,3141.08
Time deposits2,804,85121,6040.773,006,76841,3981.383,094,09458,6971.90
Total interest bearing deposits13,443,51641,1720.3112,135,70479,8600.6610,511,198139,0111.32
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase247,4485790.23362,6291,7150.47128,5471,0100.79
Other borrowings1,340,18519,4951.451,353,73819,6521.451,199,27423,0081.92
Subordinated debt and debentures383,18218,2834.77385,29418,7574.87359,80418,3415.10
Total interest bearing liabilities15,414,33179,5290.5214,237,365119,9840.8412,198,823181,3701.49
Non-interest bearing liabilities:
Non-interest bearing deposits4,836,8394,225,6183,021,917
Other liabilities169,140205,956251,631
Total liabilities20,420,31018,668,93915,472,371
Stockholders’ equity3,071,9982,921,8062,399,377
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$23,492,308$21,590,745$17,871,748
Net interest spread2.753.163.51
Net interest margin$610,7632.89$650,7353.38$609,0753.85

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Table 4 shows changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in volume and changes in interest rates for the years 2021 versus 2020 and 2020 versus 2019. The changes in interest rate and volume have been allocated to changes in average volume and changes in average rates in proportion to the relationship of absolute dollar amounts of the changes in rates and volume.

Table 4: Volume/Rate Analysis

Years Ended December 31,
2021 vs. 20202020 vs. 2019
Yield/Yield/
(In thousands, on a fully taxable equivalent basis)VolumeRateTotalVolumeRateTotal
Increase (decrease) in:
Interest income:
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold$773$(2,361)$(1,588)$7,840$(10,943)$(3,103)
Investment securities - taxable38,285(14,348)23,9372,329(10,908)(8,579)
Investment securities - non-taxable38,110(6,569)31,54115,597(2,606)12,991
Mortgage loans held for sale(1,651)185(1,466)2,170(465)1,705
Loans(115,686)(17,165)(132,851)68,681(91,421)(22,740)
Total(40,169)(40,258)(80,427)96,617(116,343)(19,726)
Interest expense:
Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts5,548(24,442)(18,894)15,431(57,283)(41,852)
Time deposits(2,618)(17,176)(19,794)(1,615)(15,684)(17,299)
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase(439)(697)(1,136)1,238(533)705
Other borrowings(197)40(157)2,713(6,069)(3,356)
Subordinated notes and debentures(103)(371)(474)1,264(848)416
Total2,191(42,646)(40,455)19,031(80,417)(61,386)
Increase (decrease) in net interest income$(42,360)$2,388$(39,972)$77,586$(35,926)$41,660

Provision for Credit Losses

The provision for credit losses represents management’s determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period’s earnings in order to maintain the allowance for credit losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated lifetime risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management’s judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and historical net credit loss experience. It is management’s practice to review the allowance on a monthly basis and, after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance.

Management updates credit loss forecasts using multiple Moody’s economic scenarios, the most recent of which were published in December 2021. The baseline economic forecast was weighted 65%, while the downside scenario of S-2 was weighted 17% and the upside scenario of S-1 was weighted 18%. The weighting of the forecasts is characterized by, among others, continual increase of CRE prices, increasing market rates, and declining national unemployment rates. The baseline economic forecast as of December 2020 was weighted 68%, while the downside scenario of S-2 was weighted 15% and the upside scenario of S-1 was weighted 17%. The weightings reflect management’s sentiment around the published forecasted scenarios by Moody’s at that specific time.

During 2021, the Company recaptured $32.7 million of its provision for credit losses, while the provision for credit loss expense during 2020 and 2019 was $75.0 million and $43.2 million, respectively. The recapture of credit losses during 2021 was driven by improved credit quality metrics, improved macroeconomic factors, and a maturing and amortizing loan portfolio. This recapture was partially offset by $22.7 million in provision for credit loss expense for estimated lifetime credit losses for non-purchase credit deteriorated loans acquired through the acquisitions of Landmark and Triumph during the fourth quarter. The increase

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during 2020 was primarily driven by the adoption of CECL and the related change in methodology which is based on qualitative adjustments, intended to account for potential problem credits that have not materialized into any identifiable metrics or delinquencies. During 2020, certain industries were more adversely impacted by the current and expected economic scenarios, such as the restaurant, retail, and hotel industries. Also, 2020 included an additional provision related to problem energy credits, ultimately charged-off during the second quarter of 2020 for a total of $32.6 million, that experienced further deterioration beginning in first quarter of 2020 and were negatively impacted by the sharp decline in commodity pricing. The remainder of the increase was related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that is incorporated in our allowance for credit losses. The increase in provision expense during 2019 was necessary to maintain an appropriate allowance for credit losses for the company’s growing portfolio. Significant loan growth in our markets required an allowance to be established for those loans through an increased provision.

Additionally, during 2019, a special provision was made related to White Star, in which we were a participant in a shared national credit. White Star became the subject of bankruptcy proceedings during 2019, and in September 2019, the bankruptcy court authorized the sale of White Star assets through a Section 363 proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Our portion of the shared national credit was $19.1 million. Based upon the anticipated net proceeds from the pending bankruptcy sale, our loss recorded in 2019 was $14.7 million. As a result, we recorded additional provision expense of $15 million to increase the allowance to an appropriate level. Additionally, a provision of $2.5 million was made during 2019 as a result of identifying certain loans specific to an acquired portfolio in our Dallas market which were poorly structured or were poorly managed post-funding.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, wealth management fees and debit and credit card fees. Non-interest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage loans, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance and gains (losses) from sales of securities.

Total non-interest income was $191.8 million in 2021, compared to $239.8 million in 2020 and $197.9 million in 2019. Non-interest income for 2021 decreased $48.0 million, or 20.0%, from 2020.

The majority of the decrease during 2021 was related to the decline in gain on sale of securities and mortgage lending income compared to 2020. We sold $342.6 million of investment securities resulting in a net gain of $15.5 million in 2021, compared to the sale of $1.72 billion of securities resulting in a net gain of $54.8 million in 2020. The majority of the investment securities sold in 2020 were sold in March 2020, in response to the unfolding events of the COVID-19 pandemic, as we focused on the creation of additional liquidity, strengthening our balance sheet, and funding PPP loans originated during 2020.

While we continued to see a low mortgage interest rate environment and strong housing markets during 2021, mortgage lending income decreased $12.7 million during 2021 due to decreases in the value of derivative contracts related to the mortgage banking operations and the slowing of the demand compared to 2020. We originated $1.13 billion and $1.31 billion in mortgage loans during 2021 and 2020, respectively.

We realized $5.3 million on the gain on sale of the Illinois Branch Sale in 2021, compared to the combined gains on sale from the Texas Branch Sale and Colorado Branch Sale of $8.1 million in 2020. The decrease of $3.1 million related to these non-core items contributed to the overall decrease in 2021.

These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $3.5 million in debit and credit fees as a result of additional transactions due to the changes in customer spending habits and an increase of $3.1 million in bank owned life insurance income due to our increased investment in bank owned life insurance during 2021.

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Table 5 shows non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as well as changes in 2021 from 2020 and in 2020 from 2019.

Table 5: Non-Interest Income

Years Ended December 31,2021 Change from2020 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20212020201920202019
Wealth management fees$31,172$30,386$27,353$7862.6%$3,03311.1%
Service charges on deposit accounts43,23143,08244,7821490.4(1,700)(3.8)
Other service charges and fees7,6966,6245,8241,07216.280013.7
Mortgage lending income21,79834,46915,017(12,671)(36.8)19,452129.5
Debit and credit card fees28,24524,71122,1373,53414.32,57411.6
Bank owned life insurance income8,9025,8154,7683,08753.11,04722.0
Gain on sale of securities, net15,49854,80613,314(39,308)(71.7)41,492*
Gain on sale of Visa Inc. class B common stock42,860(42,860)(100.0)
Gain on sale of branches5,3168,368(3,052)(36.5)8,368*
Other income29,95731,50821,824(1,551)(4.9)9,68444.4
Total non-interest income$191,815$239,769$197,879$(47,954)20.0%$41,89021.2%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

Recurring fee income (service charges, wealth management fees, debit and credit card fees and other fees) for 2021 was $110.3 million, an increase of $5.5 million, or 5.3%, when compared with the 2020 amounts, primarily the result of additional transactions due to the changes in customer spending habits.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for our operations. Management remains committed to controlling the level of non-interest expense through the continued use of expense control measures. We utilize an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all subsidiaries. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management monthly. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. We also regularly monitor staffing levels at each subsidiary to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Non-interest expense for 2021 was $483.6 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 0.2%, from 2020. Included in 2021 were $15.4 million of pre-tax non-core items: $15.9 million of merger-related costs due to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions and a $0.5 million benefit from net branch-right sizing costs. Normalizing for these non-core costs, along with non-core early retirement program expenses in 2020, core non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $5.0 million, or 1.1%, from the prior year. See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section for details of the non-core items.

The 2021 decrease in non-interest expense was primarily due to a $14.6 million decrease in branch right sizing expenses from 2020, partially offset by an $11.4 million increase in merger related costs related to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions. Additionally, salaries and employee benefits increased by $6.8 million due to associates being hired in lending, wealth and mortgage as we continue to actively recruit new producers. Furniture and equipment expense decreased by $4.1 million due to the realization of expected synergies from the continuous evaluation of our branch network and the branch sales and closures throughout 2021 and 2020. The decrease in deposit insurance during 2021 was due to lower assessment rates primarily driven by our improving asset quality metrics as well as balance sheet liquidity. Marketing costs include a $2.5 million donation to the Simmons First Foundation.

Non-interest expense for 2020 was $484.7 million, an increase of $30.8 million, or 6.8%, from 2019. Normalizing for the non-core costs, core non-interest expense for 2020 increased $52.2 million, or 12.7%, from the prior year. The increase during 2020 was largely due to additional operating costs related to the Landrum and Reliance acquisitions during 2019 and the Next Generation Banking (“NGB”) technology initiative. Incremental software and technology expenditures of $14.6 million were

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primarily related to this initiative. Marketing costs include a $3.0 million donation to the Simmons First Foundation for grants to support environmental conservation projects throughout the Simmons Bank footprint.

The increase in deposit insurance expense during 2020 was due to a credit assessment received from the FDIC during the third and fourth quarters of 2019 in the amount of $4.7 million. The FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund Reserve Ratio reached 1.35% as of September 30, 2018, and we were notified by the FDIC that Simmons Bank was entitled to $4.0 million in assessment credits. In addition, Landmark Bank had $745,000 in assessment credits at acquisition. We were able to utilize both the Simmons Bank and Landmark Bank credits during the last half of 2019.

Amortization of intangibles recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, was $13.5 million, $13.5 million and $11.8 million, respectively. See Note 8, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our intangibles.

Table 6 below shows non-interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as well as changes in 2021 from 2020 and in 2020 from 2019.

Table 6: Non-Interest Expense

Years Ended December 31,2021 Change from2020 Change from
(Dollars in thousands)20212020201920202019
Salaries and employee benefits$246,335$239,573$224,331$6,7622.8%$15,2426.8%
Early retirement program2,9013,464(2,901)(100.0)(563)(16.3)
Occupancy expense, net38,79737,55632,0081,2413.35,54817.3
Furniture and equipment expense19,89024,03818,220(4,148)(17.3)5,81831.9
Other real estate and foreclosure expense2,1211,7523,44236921.1(1,690)(49.1)
Deposit insurance6,9739,1844,416(2,211)(24.1)4,768108.0
Merger related costs15,9114,53136,37911,380251.2(31,848)(87.6)
Other operating expenses:
Professional services18,92118,68816,8972331.31,79110.6
Postage8,2767,5386,3637389.81,17518.5
Telephone6,2348,8337,685(2,599)(29.4)1,14814.9
Credit card expenses11,11210,1999,0119139.01,18813.2
Marketing22,23419,39616,4992,83814.62,89717.6
Software and technology40,60839,72425,1468842.214,57858.0
Operating supplies2,7663,3222,322(556)(16.7)1,00043.1
Amortization of intangibles13,49413,49511,805(1)1,69014.3
Branch right sizing expense(537)14,0973,129(14,634)(103.8)10,968*
Other expense30,45429,90932,8435451.8(2,934)(8.9)
Total non-interest expense$483,589$484,736$453,960$(1,147)(0.2)%$30,7766.8%

_________________________

*Not meaningful

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Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 2021 was $61.3 million, compared to $64.9 million in 2020 and $64.3 million in 2019. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2021, 2020 and 2019 were 18.4%, 20.3% and 21.2%, respectively.

Loan Portfolio

Our loan portfolio averaged $11.81 billion during 2021 and $14.26 billion during 2020. As of December 31, 2021, total loans were $12.01 billion, compared to $12.90 billion on December 31, 2020, a decrease of $888.4 million, or 6.9%. The decline in the overall loan balance during 2021 reflects the tepid loan demand as a result of the economic uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to payoffs of PPP loans during the year. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate loans).

The decline in the overall loan balance discussed above was partially offset by the 2021 acquisitions of Landmark and Triumph. Our acquisition of Landmark provided $789.3 million in total loans after purchase accounting discounts. Our acquisition of Triumph provided $700.4 million in total loans after purchase accounting discounts. See Note 2, Acquisitions, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to these acquisitions.

We seek to manage our credit risk by diversifying our loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an appropriate allowance for credit losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose, industry and geographic region. We seek to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. We use the allowance for credit losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectible amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.

Consumer loans consist of credit card loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $355.4 million at December 31, 2021, or 3.0% of total loans, compared to $391.2 million, or 3.0% of total loans at December 31, 2020. The decrease in consumer loans was primarily due to loan payoffs and pay downs due to additional customer liquidity driven by the government economic stimulus programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The credit card portfolio balance at December 31, 2021, decreased by $1.8 million when compared to the same period in 2020. Our credit card portfolio has remained a stable source of lending for several years.

Real estate loans consist of construction and development (“C&D”) loans, single family residential loans and other CRE loans. Real estate loans were $9.17 billion at December 31, 2021, or 76.3% of total loans, compared to $9.22 billion, or 71.5% of total loans at December 31, 2020, a decrease of $56.5 million, or 0.6%. Our C&D loans decreased by $269.9 million, or 16.9%, single family residential loans increased by $221.3 million, or 11.8%, and CRE loans decreased by $8.0 million, or 0.1%. The fluctuations in real estate loan balances were largely due to less activity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the acquired loans during 2021. In the near term, we expect to continue to manage our C&D and CRE portfolio concentration by developing deeper relationships with our customers.

Commercial loans consist of non-real estate loans related to business and agricultural loans. Total commercial loans were $2.16 billion at December 31, 2021, or 18.0% of total loans, compared to $2.75 billion, or 21.3% of total loans at December 31, 2020, a decrease of $589.5 million, or 21.4%. During 2021, we originated $318.9 million under the PPP Round 2 program. Our non-agricultural commercial loan portfolio decreased overall during 2021 due to the expected reimbursements from the SBA related to PPP loan forgiveness of both PPP Round 1 and Round 2 loans, totaling $1.12 billion in 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the balance in our PPP loan portfolio was $116.7 million.

Loan demand appears to be returning to more normalized levels. For the fifth consecutive quarter, we experienced an increase in commercial loan demand. Our loan pipeline consisting of all loan opportunities was $2.31 billion at December 31, 2021 compared to $673.7 million at December 31, 2020. The pipeline includes $619.6 million in loans approved and ready to close at the end of the year.

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Other loans mainly consists of mortgage warehouse lending. Mortgage volume, while still strong, declined during 2021 when compared to 2020, leading to a decrease of $206.5 million in other loans primarily from mortgage warehouse lines of credit.

The balances of loans outstanding at the indicated dates are reflected in Table 7, according to type of loan.

Table 7: Loan Portfolio

Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands)20212020201920182017
Consumer:
Credit cards$187,052$188,845$204,802$204,173$185,422
Other consumer168,318202,379249,694215,763336,393
Total consumer355,370391,224454,496419,936521,815
Real Estate:
Construction and development1,326,3711,596,2552,236,8611,736,8171,296,698
Single family residential2,101,9751,880,6732,442,0641,994,7161,934,167
Other commercial5,738,9045,746,8636,205,5995,073,9944,881,415
Total real estate9,167,2509,223,79110,884,5248,805,5278,112,280
Commercial:
Commercial1,992,0432,574,3862,495,5162,192,4971,809,374
Agricultural168,717175,905315,454166,225156,244
Total commercial2,160,7602,750,2912,810,9702,358,7221,965,618
Other329,123535,591275,714139,081180,390
Total loans before allowance for credit losses$12,012,503$12,900,897$14,425,704$11,723,266$10,780,103

Table 8 reflects the remaining maturities and interest rate sensitivity of loans at December 31, 2021.

Table 8: Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity of Loans

1 yearOver 1 year throughOver 5 years throughOver
(In thousands)or less5 years15 years15 yearsTotal
Consumer$197,763$142,041$96$15,470$355,370
Real estate3,722,1854,931,856459,45353,7569,167,250
Commercial1,291,316798,76848,11522,5612,160,760
Other329,123329,123
Total$5,540,387$5,872,665$507,664$91,787$12,012,503
Predetermined rate
Consumer$110,600$37,701$11$15,470$163,782
Real estate2,056,8892,922,518208,01049,9275,237,344
Commercial613,045356,82523,3683,499996,737
Other99,21799,217
Total$2,879,751$3,317,044$231,389$68,896$6,497,080
Floating rate
Consumer$87,163$104,340$85$$191,588
Real estate1,665,2962,009,338251,4433,8293,929,906
Commercial678,271441,94324,74719,0621,164,023
Other229,906229,906
Total$2,660,636$2,555,621$276,275$22,891$5,515,423

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Asset Quality

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. The subsidiary bank recognizes income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectibility of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for credit losses.

When credit card loans reach 90 days past due and there are attachable assets, the accounts are considered for litigation. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest or principal exceeds 150 days past due. The credit card recovery group pursues account holders until it is determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

Total non-performing assets decreased $67.6 million from December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $54.7 million during 2021, in addition to a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $12.4 million. The decrease in nonaccrual loans was primarily due to an overall improvement in economic conditions while the decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned is primarily the result of the disposition of one commercial building in the St. Louis area and the disposition of one piece of commercial land with net book values at the time of sale of $6.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively.

Non-performing assets, including troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) and acquired foreclosed assets, as a percent of total assets were 0.33% at December 31, 2021 compared to 0.66% at December 31, 2020.

Total non-performing assets increased by $28.6 million from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2020. Nonaccrual loans increased by $29.5 million during 2020, partially offset by a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale of $728,000. The increase in nonaccrual loans during 2020 is primarily related to one energy loan totaling $22.0 million which moved to nonaccrual during the fourth quarter of 2020. The remaining increase was related to various other CRE loans and commercial loan relationships.

Total non-performing assets increased by $33.1 million from December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Nonaccrual loans increased by $37.5 million during 2019, primarily commercial loans, partially offset by a decrease in foreclosed assets held for sale decreased by $6.4 million.

Total non-performing assets decreased by $23.2 million from December 31, 2017, to December 31, 2018. Nonaccrual loans decreased by $13.3 million during 2018, primarily commercial loans. Foreclosed assets held for sale decreased by $6.6 million.

During 2018, we sold approximately $32 million of substandard rated loans that consisted of both legacy and acquired loans. The loans had adequate reserves, thus no provision expense was required. However, the sale increased net charge-offs by approximately $4.6 million.

From time to time, including in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, certain borrowers are experiencing declines in income and cash flow. As a result, these borrowers are seeking to reduce contractual cash outlays, the most prominent being debt payments. In an effort to preserve our net interest margin and earning assets, we are open to working with existing customers in order to maximize the collectibility of the debt.

When we restructure a loan to a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty and grant a concession that we would not otherwise consider, a “troubled debt restructuring,” or “TDR,” results and the Company classifies the loan as a TDR. The Company grants various types of concessions, primarily interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.

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Once an obligation has been restructured because of such credit problems, it continues to be considered a TDR until paid in full; or, if an obligation yields a market interest rate and no longer has any concession regarding payment amount or amortization, then it is not considered a TDR at the beginning of the calendar year after the year in which the improvement takes place. Our TDR balance decreased to $6.9 million at December 31, 2021 compared to $7.5 million at December 31, 2020, and increased slightly when compared to $7.4 million at December 31, 2019.

TDRs are individually evaluated for expected credit losses. We assess the exposure for each modification, either by the fair value of the underlying collateral or the present value of expected cash flows, and determine if a specific allowance for credit losses is needed.

We return TDRs to accrual status only if (1) all contractual amounts due can reasonably be expected to be repaid within a prudent period, and (2) repayment has been in accordance with the contract for a sustained period, typically at least six months.

The provisions in the CARES Act included an election to not apply the guidance on accounting for TDRs to loan modifications, such as extensions or deferrals, related to COVID-19 made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of (i) December 31, 2020 or (ii) 60 days after the President terminates the COVID-19 national emergency declaration. The relief can only be applied to modifications for borrowers that were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. The Company elected to adopt these provisions of the CARES Act and is following the Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus (Revised) issued by regulatory agencies. In response to the concerns related to the expiration of the applicable period for which the election to not apply the guidance on accounting for TDRs to loan modifications, the CARES Act was amended in late fourth quarter of 2020 to extend COVID-19 relief related to loan modifications from the earlier of (i) January 1, 2022 or (ii) 60 days after the President terminates the COVID-19 national emergency declaration. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had 51 COVID-19 loan modifications outstanding with an aggregate principal amount of $8.6 million.

We continue to maintain good asset quality, compared to the industry. Strong asset quality remains a primary focus of our company. The allowance for credit losses as a percent of total loans was 1.71% as of December 31, 2021. Non-performing loans equaled 0.57% of total loans. Non-performing assets were 0.31% of total assets, a 33 basis point increase from December 31, 2020. The allowance for credit losses was 300% of non-performing loans. Our annualized net charge-offs to total loans for 2021 was 0.13%. Excluding credit cards, the annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the same period was 0.11%. Annualized net credit card charge-offs to total credit card loans were 1.40%, compared to 1.60% during 2020, and 27 basis points better than the most recently published industry average charge-off ratio as reported by the Federal Reserve for all banks.

We do not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets, and offer no mortgage loan products that target subprime borrowers.

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Table 9 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual loans at amortized cost and foreclosed assets held for sale.

Table 9: Non-performing Assets

Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020201920182017
Nonaccrual loans (1)$68,204$122,879$93,330$55,841$69,127
Loans past due 90 days or more (principal or interest payments)3495788562263,488
Total non-performing loans68,553123,45794,18656,06772,615
Other non-performing assets:
Foreclosed assets held for sale and other real estate owned6,03218,39319,12125,56532,118
Other non-performing assets1,6672,0161,964553675
Total other non-performing assets7,69920,40921,08526,11832,793
Total non-performing assets$76,252$143,866$115,271$82,185$105,408
Performing TDRs$4,289$3,138$5,887$7,436$7,925
Allowance for credit losses to non-performing loans300%193%72%101%58%
Non-performing loans to total loans0.57%0.96%0.65%0.48%0.67%
Non-performing assets (including performing TDRs) to total assets0.33%0.66%0.57%0.54%0.75%
Non-performing assets to total assets0.31%0.64%0.54%0.50%0.70%

_________________________

(1)    Includes nonaccrual TDRs of approximately $2.7 million, $4.4 million, $1.6 million, $6.3 million and $3.4 million at December 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

There was no interest income on nonaccrual loans recorded for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Allowance for Credit Losses

The allowance for credit losses is a reserve established through a provision for credit losses charged to expense which represents management’s best estimate of lifetime expected losses based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, historical loss experience, and other qualitative considerations.

Loans with similar risk characteristics such as loan type, collateral type, and internal risk ratings are aggregated into homogeneous segments for assessment. Reserve factors are based on estimated probability of default and loss given default for each segment. The estimates are determined based on economic forecasts over the reasonable and supportable forecast period based on projected performance of economic variables that have a statistical correlation with the historical loss experience of the segments. For contractual periods that extend beyond the one-year forecast period, the estimates revert to average historical loss experiences over a one-year period on a straight-line basis.

We also include qualitative adjustments to the allowance based on factors and considerations that have not otherwise been fully accounted for. Qualitative adjustments include, but are not limited to:

•Changes in asset quality - Adjustments related to trending credit quality metrics including delinquency, nonperforming loans, charge-offs, and risk ratings that may not be fully accounted for in the reserve factor.

•Changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio - Adjustments related to current changes in the loan portfolio that are not fully represented or accounted for in the reserve factors.

•Changes in lending and loan monitoring policies and procedures - Adjustments related to current changes in lending and loan monitoring procedures as well as review of specific internal policy compliance metrics.

•Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff - Adjustments to measure increasing or decreasing credit risk related to lending and loan monitoring management.

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•Changes in the value of underlying collateral of collateralized loans - Adjustments related to improving or deterioration of the value of underlying collateral that are not fully captured in the reserve factors.

•Changes in and the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit - Adjustments related to credit risk of specific industries that are not fully captured in the reserve factors.

•Changes in regional and local economic and business conditions and developments - Adjustments related to expected and current economic conditions at a regional or local-level that are not fully captured within our reasonable and supportable forecast.

•Data imprecisions due to limited historical loss data - Adjustments related to limited historical loss data that is representative of the collective loan portfolio.

Loans that do not share similar risk characteristics are evaluated on an individual basis. These evaluations are typically performed on loans with a deteriorated internal risk rating or that are classified as a TDR. The allowance for credit loss is determined based on several methods including estimating the fair value of the underlying collateral or the present value of expected cash flows.

Additional information related to net charge-offs is shown in Table 10.

Table 10: Ratio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans

(Dollars in thousands)Net Charge-offsAverage LoansRatio of Net Charge-offs to Average Loans
2021
Credit cards$(2,577)$180,975(1.42)%
Other consumer(649)181,573(0.36)%
Real estate(5,781)8,678,137(0.07)%
Commercial(5,953)2,363,701(0.25)%
Other406,094%
Total$(14,960)$11,810,480(0.13)%
2020
Credit cards$(3,099)$189,488(1.64)%
Other consumer(2,557)223,347(1.14)%
Real estate(12,883)10,487,469(0.12)%
Commercial(45,520)2,894,537(1.57)%
Other465,848%
Total$(64,059)$14,260,689(0.45)%

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Allowance for Credit Losses Allocation

As of December 31, 2021, the allowance for credit losses reflected a decrease of approximately $32.7 million from December 31, 2020 while loans decreased $888.4 million over the same period. The allocation in each category within the allowance generally reflects the overall changes in the loan portfolio mix. During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded an additional allowance for credit losses for loans of approximately $151.4 million due to the adoption of CECL.

The significant impact to the allowance for credit losses at the date of CECL’s adoption was driven by the substantial amount of loans acquired held by the Company. We had approximately one third of total loans categorized as acquired at the adoption date with very little reserve allocated to them due to the previous incurred loss impairment methodology. As such, the amount of the CECL adoption impact was greater on the Company when compared to a non-acquisitive bank.

The decrease in the allowance for credit losses during 2021 was predominately related to economic recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in our loan portfolio. While the economic conditions appear to be improving, certain industries continue to be more adversely impacted than others by this pandemic, such as the restaurant, retail and hotel industries, and there remains uncertainty regarding how borrowers in these industries will recover. Our allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2021 was considered appropriate given the considerable amount of uncertainty as to the structure and timing of potential economic recovery, the impact of new COVID-19 variants, future of government assistance related to COVID-19 recovery efforts and other related factors.

The following table sets forth the sum of the amounts of the allowance for credit losses attributable to individual loans within each category, or loan categories in general. The table also reflects the percentage of loans in each category to the total loan portfolio for each of the periods indicated. The allowance for credit losses by loan category is determined by i) our estimated reserve factors by category including applicable qualitative adjustments and ii) any specific allowance allocations that are identified on individually evaluated loans. The amounts shown are not necessarily indicative of the actual future losses that may occur within individual categories.

Table 11: Allocation of Allowance for Credit Losses

December 31,
20212020201920182017
(Dollars in thousands)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)Allowance Amount% of loans (1)
Credit cards$3,9871.6%$7,4721.4%$4,0511.4%$3,9231.7%$3,7841.7%
Other consumer2,6761.4%4,1001.6%1,9981.7%2,3801.9%3,4893.1%
Real estate179,27076.3%182,86871.5%39,16175.5%29,83875.1%27,69975.3%
Commercial17,45818.0%42,09321.3%22,86319.5%20,51420.1%7,00718.2%
Other1,9412.7%1,5174.2%1711.9%391.2%1071.7%
Total$205,332100.0%$238,050100.0%$68,244100.0%$56,694100.0%$42,086100.0%
Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans1.71%1.85%0.47%0.48%0.39%

_________________________

(1)    Percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

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Investments and Securities

Our securities portfolio is the second largest component of earning assets and provides a significant source of revenue. Securities within the portfolio are classified as either held-to-maturity (“HTM”), available-for-sale (“AFS”) or trading.

HTM securities, which include any security for which we have the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the security’s estimated life. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

AFS securities, which include any security for which the Company has no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders’ equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant effective yield method over the estimated life of the security. Prepayments are anticipated for mortgage-backed and SBA securities. Premiums on callable securities are amortized to their earliest call date.

Our philosophy regarding investments is conservative based on investment type and maturity. Investments in the portfolio primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. Our general policy is not to invest in derivative type investments or high-risk securities, except for collateralized mortgage-backed securities for which collection of principal and interest is not subordinated to significant superior rights held by others.

HTM and AFS investment securities were $1.53 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2021, compared to the HTM amount of $333.0 million and AFS amount of $3.47 billion at December 31, 2020.

As of December 31, 2021, $597.3 million, or 6.9%, of our total portfolio was invested in obligations of U.S. government agencies, 0.2% of which will mature in one year or less.

Our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2021 also included $3.03 billion, or 35.1%, of tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions. A portion of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are rated bonds, primarily issued in states in which we are located, and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. During 2020 in an effort to balance our interest risk profile, we decided to increase our asset allocation in the tax-exempt securities portfolio due to the acceleration of pre-payment speeds for mortgage-backed securities. We continue to invest in high credit tax-exempt securities with a weighted average rating of AA. There are no securities of any one state or political subdivision issuer exceeding ten percent of our stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2021.

We had approximately $4.52 billion, or 52.3%, of our total portfolio invested in mortgaged-backed securities at December 31, 2021. These mortgage-backed securities were issued by agencies of the U.S. government.

As anticipated, our security portfolio increased during 2021 as we reinvested PPP loan repayments and utilized additional liquidity held in cash and cash equivalents. During 2021, we purchased $5.27 billion of investment securities. We will continue to look for opportunities to maximize the value of the investment portfolio.

During the third quarter of 2021, we began utilizing interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to mitigate the effect of changing interest rates on the fair values of $1.0 billion of fixed rate callable municipal securities held in the AFS portfolio. These swap agreements involve the payment of fixed interest rates with a weighted average of 1.21% in exchange for variable interest rates based on federal funds rates and consist of a two year forward start date and maturity dates varying between 2028 and 2029.

Additionally, during the third quarter of 2021, we transferred, at fair value, $500.8 million of securities from the AFS portfolio to the HTM portfolio. The related net unrealized gains of $1.0 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2021 and will be amortized over the remaining life of the securities. No gains or losses on these securities were recognized at the time of transfer.

The adoption of ASU 2016-13 at the beginning of 2020 required us to replace the existing impairment models for financial assets, which includes investment securities. Under this model, an estimate of expected credit losses that represents all contractual cash flows that is deemed uncollectible over the contractual life of the financial asset must be recorded. Based upon our analysis of the underlying risk characteristics of the AFS portfolio, including credit ratings and other qualitative factors, no allowance for credit losses related to AFS securities was deemed necessary at December 31, 2021. Our allowance for credit losses related to HTM

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securities was $1.3 million at December 31, 2021. Our allowance for credit losses related to HTM and AFS securities was $2.9 million and $312,000, respectively, at December 31, 2020.

An allowance for credit losses related to mortgage-backed securities and U.S. government agencies was not recorded as of December 31, 2021 due to those securities being 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. See Note 3, Investment Securities, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to our allowance for credit losses on investment securities held.

We had $15.9 million of gross realized gains and $422,000 of gross realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to $54.8 million of gross realized gains and $15,000 of gross realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2020.

We have the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as HTM until they mature, at which time we expect to receive full value for the securities. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost bases of the investments. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2021, we also had the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as AFS for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. We do not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2021, we believe the declines in fair value detailed in the table below are temporary.

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Table 12 presents the amortized cost, fair value and allowance for credit losses on investment securities for each of the years indicated.

Table 12: Investment Securities

(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesNet Carrying AmountGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Held-to-maturity
December 31, 2021
U.S. Government agencies$232,609$$232,609$$(7,914)$224,695
Mortgage-backed securities70,34270,342232(1,425)69,149
State and political subdivisions1,210,248(1,197)1,209,0516,166(8,462)1,206,755
Other securities17,301(82)17,219(440)16,779
Total HTM$1,530,500$(1,279)$1,529,221$6,398$(18,241)$1,517,378
December 31, 2020
Mortgage-backed securities$22,354$$22,354$683$$23,037
State and political subdivisions312,416(2,307)310,1098,148(30)318,227
Other securities1,176(608)56893661
Total HTM$335,946$(2,915)$333,031$8,924$(30)$341,925
(In thousands)Amortized CostAllowance for Credit LossesGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized (Losses)Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale
December 31, 2021
U.S. Treasury$300$$$$300
U.S. Government agencies374,754495(10,608)364,641
Mortgage-backed securities4,485,5486,307(43,239)4,448,616
State and political subdivisions1,791,09730,556(1,995)1,819,658
Other securities479,1626,647(5,479)480,330
Total AFS$7,130,861$$44,005$(61,321)$7,113,545
December 31, 2020
U.S. Government agencies$477,693$$844$(1,300)$477,237
Mortgage-backed securities1,374,76921,261(1,094)1,394,936
State and political subdivisions1,416,136(217)55,111(307)1,470,723
Other securities128,445(95)2,447(95)130,702
Total AFS$3,397,043$(312)$79,663$(2,796)$3,473,598

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Table 13 reflects the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2021, by contractual maturity and the weighted average yields (for tax-exempt obligations on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 26.135% tax rate) of such securities. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Table 13: Maturity Distribution of Investment Securities

December 31, 2021
OverOver
1 year5 yearsTotal
1 yearthroughthroughOverNo fixedAmortizedParFair
(In thousands)or less5 years10 years10 yearsmaturityCostValueValue
Held-to-Maturity
U.S. Government agencies$$$$232,609$$232,609$236,350$224,695
Mortgage-backed securities70,34270,34268,73069,149
State and political subdivisions5,3334,8019,7801,190,3341,210,2481,199,3621,206,755
Other securities17,30117,30116,95816,779
Total$5,333$4,801$27,081$1,422,943$70,342$1,530,500$1,521,400$1,517,378
Percentage of total0.4%0.3%1.8%92.9%4.6%100.0%
Weighted average yield2.7%3.1%2.5%2.0%1.7%2.0%
Available-for-Sale
U.S. Treasury$300$$$$$300$300$300
U.S. Government agencies12,431105,787256,536374,754372,018364,641
Mortgage-backed securities4,485,5484,485,5484,370,6134,448,616
State and political subdivisions7,52117,22923,2821,743,0651,791,0971,704,7881,819,658
Other securities31,796403,01643,725625479,162470,867480,330
Total$7,821$61,456$532,085$2,043,326$4,486,173$7,130,861$6,918,586$7,113,545
Percentage of total0.1%0.9%7.5%28.6%62.9%100.0%
Weighted average yield1.9%1.5%2.6%2.1%1.0%1.4%

Deposits

Deposits are our primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through our network of approximately 199 financial centers. We offer a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. Our core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of more than $250,000 and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2021, core deposits comprised 93.5% of our total deposits.

We continually monitor the funding requirements along with competitive interest rates in the markets we serve. Because of our community banking philosophy, our executives in the local markets, with oversight by the Asset Liability Committee and the Bank’s Treasury Department, establish the interest rates offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet the funding requirements. We believe we are paying a competitive rate when compared with pricing in those markets.

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We manage our interest expense through deposit pricing. We believe that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through deposit pricing if we experience increased loan demand or other liquidity needs. We can also utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs. We are continually monitoring and looking for opportunities to fairly reprice our deposits while remaining competitive in this current challenging rate environment.

Our total deposits as of December 31, 2021, were $19.37 billion, an increase of $2.38 billion from December 31, 2020. The 2021 acquisitions of Landmark and Triumph contributed $1.52 billion to this increase. Non-interest bearing transaction accounts, interest bearing transaction accounts and savings accounts totaled $16.91 billion at December 31, 2021, compared to $14.15 billion at December 31, 2020, a $2.76 billion increase. Total time deposits decreased $379.9 million to $2.45 billion at December 31, 2021, from $2.83 billion at December 31, 2020. We had $466.0 million and $512.3 million of brokered deposits at December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2020, respectively. Our uninsured deposits as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were $7.48 billion and $5.98 billion, respectively.

Both consumer and commercial deposit balances have grown since the COVID-19 related the various economic stimulus legislation packages. We are managing our balance sheet and our net interest margin by continuing to eliminate several high-cost deposits related to public funds and brokered deposits as well as hone our product offerings to give customers flexibility of choice while maintaining the ability to adjust interest rates timely in the current rate environment.

Table 14 reflects the classification of the average deposits and the average rate paid on each deposit category which is in excess of 10 percent of average total deposits for the three years ended December 31, 2021.

Table 14: Average Deposit Balances and Rates

December 31,
202120202019
(In thousands)Average AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate PaidAverage AmountAverage Rate Paid
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts$4,836,839%$4,225,618%$3,021,917%
Interest bearing transaction and savings deposits10,638,6650.18%9,128,9360.42%7,417,1041.08%
Time deposits2,804,8510.77%3,006,7681.38%3,094,0941.90%
Total$18,280,3550.23%$16,361,3220.49%$13,533,1151.03%

The Company’s maturities of time deposits not covered by deposit insurance at December 31, 2021 are presented in Table 15.

Table 15: Maturities of Time Deposits Not Covered by Deposit Insurance

December 31, 2021
(In thousands)BalancePercent
Maturing
Three months or less$196,89739.6%
Over 3 months to 6 months101,37420.4%
Over 6 months to 12 months111,88122.5%
Over 12 months87,47217.6%
Total$497,624100.0%

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Federal Funds Purchased and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $185.4 million at December 31, 2021, as compared to $299.1 million at December 31, 2020.

We have historically funded our growth in earning assets through the use of core deposits, large certificates of deposits from local markets, reciprocal brokered deposits, FHLB borrowings and Federal funds purchased. Management anticipates that these sources will provide necessary funding in the foreseeable future.

Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures

Our total debt was $1.72 billion at December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. The outstanding balance for December 31, 2021 includes $1.31 billion in FHLB long-term advances; $330.0 million in subordinated notes; $54.1 million of trust preferred securities and unamortized debt issuance costs; and $31.8 million of other long-term debt.

The FHLB long-term advances outstanding at the end of 2021 included $1.30 billion of FHLB Owns the Option (“FOTO”) advances that are a low cost, fixed-rate source of funding in return for granting to FHLB the flexibility to choose a termination date earlier than the maturity date. Our FOTO advances outstanding at the end of the year had original maturity dates of 10 years to 15 years with lockout periods that have expired. During the fourth quarter of 2020, we reclassified the FOTO advances as long-term advances due to the current low interest rate environment and the expectation that FHLB will not exercise the option to terminate the FOTO advances prior to its stated maturity date. We continually analyze the possibility of the FHLB exercising the options along with the market expected rate outcome. We also held typical FHLB short-term advances, with original maturities of less than one year, at various times during 2021, as well as in previous years. At December 31, 2021, the Company had $98,000 of FHLB advances outstanding with original or expected maturities of one year or less.

A summary of information related to our FHLB short-term advances, including FOTO advances in 2020 and 2019, is presented in Table 16.

Table 16: Short-Term Borrowings

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)202120202019
Amount outstanding at year-end$$$1,250,000
Weighted-average interest rate at year-end%%1.44%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year$$1,350,000$1,435,000
Average amount outstanding during the year$$1,094,808$1,183,873
Weighted-average interest rate for the year%1.69%1.89%

We assumed trust preferred securities and other subordinated debt in an aggregate principal amount, net of discounts, of $33.9 million related to the Landrum acquisition during 2019. During 2020, we repaid $5.9 million of other subordinated debt acquired from Landrum.

In March 2018, we issued $330.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (“Notes”) at a public offering price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We incurred $3.6 million in debt issuance costs related to the offering. The Notes will mature on April 1, 2028 and will be subordinated in right of payment to the payment of our other existing and future senior indebtedness, including all our general creditors. The Notes are obligations of the Company only and are not obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, any of its subsidiaries.

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Aggregate annual maturities of debt at December 31, 2021 are presented in Table 17.

Table 17: Maturities of Debt

Annual Maturities
Year(In thousands)
2022$1,833
20231,789
20242,425
20254,956
20261,881
Thereafter1,709,220
Total$1,722,104

Capital

Overview

At December 31, 2021, total capital was $3.25 billion. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At December 31, 2021, our common equity to asset ratio was 13.14% compared to 13.31% at year-end 2020.

Capital Stock

On February 27, 2009, at a special meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to establish 40,040,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. The aggregate liquidation preference of all shares of preferred stock cannot exceed $80.0 million.

On October 29, 2019, we filed Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (“October Amended Articles”) with the Arkansas Secretary of State. The October Amended Articles classified and designated Series D Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01 Per Share, out of our authorized preferred stock. On November 30, 2021, we redeemed all of the Series D Preferred Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends.

On March 31, 2021, we filed a shelf registration with the SEC. The shelf registration statement provides increased flexibility and more efficient access to raise capital from time to time through the sale of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depository shares, warrants, purchase contracts, purchase units, subscription rights, units or a combination thereof, subject to market conditions. Specific terms and prices are determined at the time of any offering under a separate prospectus supplement that we are required to file with the SEC at the time of the specific offering.

On April 19, 2018, shareholders of the Company approved an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 120,000,000 to 175,000,000.

Stock Repurchase

On October 22, 2019, we announced a stock repurchase program (the “2019 Program”) under which we could repurchase up to $60.0 million of our Class A Common Stock currently issued and outstanding. On March 5, 2020, we announced an amendment to the 2019 Program that increased the maximum amount that could be repurchased under the 2019 Program from $60.0 million to $180.0 million. Effective July 23, 2021, a second amendment was approved that increased the maximum amount that could be repurchased to $276.5 million.

During 2021, we repurchased 4,562,469 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $29.03 per share under the 2019 Program. We repurchased 5,956,700 shares at an average price of $19.03 per share under the 2019 Program during 2020.

During January 2022, we substantially exhausted the remaining capacity under the 2019 Program and authorized a new stock repurchase program (the “2022 Program”) under which we may repurchase up to $175.0 million of our Class A Common Stock currently issued and outstanding. The 2022 Program replaced the 2019 Program.

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Under the 2022 Program, we may repurchase shares of our common stock through open market and privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, pricing, and amount of any repurchases under the 2022 Program will be determined by management at its discretion based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, trading volume and market price of our common stock, corporate considerations, our working capital and investment requirements, general market and economic conditions, and legal requirements. The 2022 Program does not obligate us to repurchase any common stock and may be modified, discontinued, or suspended at any time without prior notice. We anticipate funding for the 2022 Program to come from available sources of liquidity, including cash on hand and future cash flow.

Cash Dividends

We declared cash dividends on our common stock of $0.72 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to $0.68 per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $0.04, or 6%. The timing and amount of future dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our consolidated earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the amount of cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and policies and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors anticipates that we will continue to pay quarterly dividends in amounts determined based on the factors discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock at the current levels or at all.

Parent Company Liquidity

The primary liquidity needs of the Parent Company are the payment of dividends to shareholders, the funding of debt obligations and cash needs for acquisitions. The primary sources for meeting these liquidity needs are the current cash on hand at the parent company and the future dividends received from Simmons Bank. Payment of dividends by Simmons Bank is subject to various regulatory limitations. The Company continually assesses its capital and liquidity needs and the best way to meet them, including, without limitation, through capital raising in the market via stock or debt offerings. See Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Risk-Based Capital

The Company and Simmons Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require us to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that, as of December 31, 2021, we met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, Simmons Bank was well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and Simmons Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the bank’s categories.

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Our risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2021 and 2020 are presented in Table 18 below:

Table 18: Risk-Based Capital

December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Tier 1 capital:
Stockholders’ equity$3,248,841$2,976,656
CECL transition provision114,458131,430
Goodwill and other intangible assets(1,226,686)(1,163,797)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes10,545(59,726)
Total Tier 1 capital2,147,1581,884,563
Tier 2 capital:
Trust preferred securities and subordinated debt384,131382,874
Qualifying allowance for credit losses and reserve for unfunded commitments71,85389,546
Total Tier 2 capital455,984472,420
Total risk-based capital$2,603,142$2,356,983
Risk weighted assets$15,538,967$14,048,608
Assets for leverage ratio$23,647,901$20,765,127
Ratios at end of year:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)13.82%13.41%
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.08%9.08%
Tier 1 leverage ratio, excluding average PPP loans (non-GAAP) (1)9.15%9.50%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio13.82%13.41%
Total risk-based capital ratio16.75%16.78%
Minimum guidelines:
Common equity Tier 1 ratio (CET1)4.50%4.50%
Tier 1 leverage ratio4.00%4.00%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio6.00%6.00%
Total risk-based capital ratio8.00%8.00%

_________________________

(1)    PPP loans are 100% federally guaranteed and have a zero percent risk-weight for regulatory capital ratios. Tier 1 leverage ratio, excluding average PPP loans is a non-GAAP measurement.

Regulatory Capital Changes

In December 2018, the Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) (collectively, the “agencies”) issued a final rule revising regulatory capital rules in anticipation of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 that provided an option to phase in over a three year period on a straight line basis the day-one impact of the adoption on earnings and Tier 1 capital (the “CECL Transition Provision”).

In March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agencies issued a new regulatory capital rule revising the CECL Transition Provision to delay the estimated impact on regulatory capital stemming from the implementation of ASU 2016-13. The rule provides banking organizations that implement CECL before the end of 2020 the option to delay for two years an estimate of CECL’s effect on regulatory capital, followed by a three-year transition period (the “2020 CECL Transition Provision”). The Company elected to apply the 2020 CECL Transition Provision.

The Basel III Capital Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios with a more risk-sensitive approach. The Basel III Capital Rules established risk-weighting

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categories depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures.

The final rules included a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The rules also set the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%.

Prior to December 31, 2017, Tier 1 capital included common equity Tier 1 capital and certain additional Tier 1 items as provided under the Basel III Capital Rules. The Tier 1 capital for the Company consisted of common equity Tier 1 capital and trust preferred securities. The Basel III Capital Rules include certain provisions that require trust preferred securities to be phased out of qualifying Tier 1 capital when assets surpass $15 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the Company exceeded $15 billion in total assets and the grandfather provisions applicable to its trust preferred securities no longer apply and trust preferred securities are no longer included as Tier 1 capital. Trust preferred securities and qualifying subordinated debt of $384.1 million is included as Tier 2 and total capital as of December 31, 2021.

Liquidity

In the normal course of business we have entered into a number of contractual obligations and have made commitments to make future payments. Refer to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this report for the expected timing of such payments as of December 31, 2021. Examples of these commitments include but are not limited to long-term debt financing (Note 12, Other Borrowings and Subordinated Debentures), operating lease obligations (Note, 6, Right-of-Use Lease Assets and Lease Liabilities), time deposits with stated maturity dates (Note 9, Time Deposits), and unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit (Note 19, Commitments and Credit Risk).

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GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The tables below present computations of core earnings (net income excluding non-core items {merger-related costs, early retirement program costs, net branch right sizing costs, gain on sale of branches}) (non-GAAP) and core diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP) as well as a computation of tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP), tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP), core net interest margin (non-GAAP), core other income (non-GAAP), core non-interest expense (non-GAAP), core return on average assets (non-GAAP), return on tangible common equity (non-GAAP), core return on average common equity (non-GAAP), core return on tangible common equity (non-GAAP), and efficiency ratio (non-GAAP). The tables below also present computations of certain figures that are exclusive of the impact of PPP loans: the ratios of Tier 1 leverage ratio excluding average PPP loans (non-GAAP), net interest income and net interest margin, each adjusted for PPP loans and additional liquidity (each non-GAAP), and loan yield excluding PPP loans (non-GAAP). Non-core items are included in financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

We believe the exclusion of these non-core items in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures, including “core earnings,” provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business because management does not consider these non-core items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “core earnings” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Preparation of the Company’s operating budgets

•   Monthly financial performance reporting

•   Monthly “flash” reporting of consolidated results (management only)

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

We believe the presentation of “core earnings” on a diluted per share basis, “core diluted earnings per share” (non-GAAP) and core net interest margin (non-GAAP), provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these non-core items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance on a per share basis. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “core diluted earnings per share” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

•   Calculation of annual performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives

•   Investor presentations of Company performance

We have $1.25 billion and $1.19 billion total goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Because our acquisition strategy has resulted in a high level of intangible assets, management believes useful calculations include tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP), tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) and return on tangible equity (non-GAAP).

We believe the exclusion of PPP loans or their impact, as applicable, in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures provides a meaningful basis for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons because PPP loans are 100% federally guaranteed and have very low interest rates. The Company’s non-GAAP financial measures that exclude PPP loans or their impact include the ratios of “Tier 1 leverage ratio excluding average PPP loans” (non-GAAP), “core net interest income” and “net interest margin,” each adjusted for PPP loans and additional liquidity (each non-GAAP), and “loan yield excluding PPP loans” (non-GAAP). Additional liquidity is defined as average interest bearing balances due from banks greater than normal liquidity levels. Management believes these non-GAAP presentations will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company, including the performance of the Company’s loan portfolio and the Company’s regulatory capital position, and predicting future performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize these non-GAAP financial measures for financial performance reporting and investor presentations of Company performance.

We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to assess the performance of the Company on the same basis as that is applied by management and the Board of Directors.

Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. To mitigate these limitations, we have procedures in place to identify and approve each item that qualifies as non-core to ensure that the

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Company’s “core” results are properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of earnings that excludes non-core items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to stockholders (i.e., non-core items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity). Additionally, similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies may not be computed in the same or similar fashion.

All per share data has been restated to reflect the retroactive effect of the two-for-one stock split which occurred during February 2018.

During 2021, non-core items consisted of $15.9 million of merger-related costs, related to the Landmark and Triumph acquisitions and net branch right sizing gains of $0.9 million, primarily due to branch closures across our footprint during the year. Additionally, we had total gains on sale of branches of $5.3 million due to the Illinois Branch Sale. The net after-tax impact of these items was $7.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted earnings per share.

During 2020, non-core items consisted of $4.5 million of merger-related costs, related to the Landrum and Reliance acquisitions, and $2.9 million in early retirement program expenses. We also had non-core net branch right sizing costs of $13.7 million, primarily due to branch closures across our footprint during the year. Additionally, we had total gains on sale of branches of $8.4 million mostly due to the gains on sale from the Texas Branch Sale and Colorado Branch Sale. The net after-tax impact of these items was $9.4 million, or $0.09 per diluted earnings per share.

During 2019, non-core items consisted of $36.4 million of merger-related costs, related to the Landrum and Reliance acquisitions, and $3.5 million in early retirement program expenses. In addition, we had non-core branch right sizing costs of $3.1 million, primarily related to the relocation of the Little Rock, Arkansas corporate offices. The net after-tax impact of these items was $31.7 million, or $0.32 per diluted earnings per share.

See Table 19 below for the reconciliation of core earnings, which exclude non-core items for the periods presented.

Table 19: Reconciliation of Core Earnings (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202120202019
Twelve months ended
Net income available to common stockholders$271,109$254,852$237,828
Non-core items:
Gain on sale of branches(5,316)(8,368)
Merger related costs15,9114,53136,379
Early retirement program2,9013,464
Branch right sizing, net(906)13,7273,129
Tax effect (1)(2,532)(3,343)(11,234)
Net non-core items7,1579,44831,738
Core earnings (non-GAAP)$278,266$264,300$269,566
Diluted earnings per share$2.46$2.31$2.41
Non-core items:
Gain on sale of branches(0.05)(0.07)
Merger related costs0.150.040.37
Early retirement program0.030.03
Branch right sizing, net(0.01)0.120.03
Tax effect (1)(0.02)(0.03)(0.11)
Net non-core items0.070.090.32
Core diluted earnings per share (non-GAAP)$2.53$2.40$2.73

_________________________

(1)    Effective tax rate of 26.135%.

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See Table 20 below for the reconciliation of core other income and core non-interest expense for the periods presented.

Table 20: Reconciliation of Core Other Income and Core Non-Interest Expense (non-GAAP)

(In thousands)202120202019
Other income$35,273$39,876$64,684
Gain on sale of branches(5,316)(8,368)
Branch right sizing(369)(370)
Core other income (non-GAAP)$29,588$31,138$64,684
Non-interest expense$483,589$484,736$453,960
Non-core items:
Merger related costs(15,911)(4,531)(36,379)
Early retirement program(2,901)(3,464)
Branch right sizing537(14,097)(3,129)
Total non-core items(15,374)(21,529)(42,972)
Core non-interest expense (non-GAAP)$468,215$463,207$410,988

See Table 21 below for the reconciliation of tangible book value per common share.

Table 21: Reconciliation of Tangible Book Value per Common Share (non-GAAP)

(In thousands, except per share data)202120202019
Total stockholders’ equity$3,248,841$2,976,656$2,988,924
Preferred stock(767)(767)
Total common stockholders’ equity3,248,8412,975,8892,988,157
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,146,007)(1,075,305)(1,055,520)
Other intangible assets(106,235)(111,110)(127,340)
Total intangibles(1,252,242)(1,186,415)(1,182,860)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$1,996,599$1,789,474$1,805,297
Shares of common stock outstanding112,715,444108,077,662113,628,601
Book value per common share$28.82$27.53$26.30
Tangible book value per common share (non-GAAP)$17.71$16.56$15.89

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See Table 22 below for the calculation of tangible common equity and the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets.

Table 22: Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity and the Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202120202019
Total common stockholders’ equity$3,248,841$2,975,889$2,988,157
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,146,007)(1,075,305)(1,055,520)
Other intangible assets(106,235)(111,110)(127,340)
Total intangibles(1,252,242)(1,186,415)(1,182,860)
Tangible common stockholders’ equity$1,996,599$1,789,474$1,805,297
Total assets$24,724,759$22,359,752$21,259,143
Intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,146,007)(1,075,305)(1,055,520)
Other intangible assets(106,235)(111,110)(127,340)
Total intangibles(1,252,242)(1,186,415)(1,182,860)
Tangible assets$23,472,517$21,173,337$20,076,283
PPP loans(116,659)(904,673)
Total assets excluding PPP loans$24,608,100$21,455,079
Tangible assets excluding PPP loans$23,355,858$20,268,664
Ratio of common equity to assets13.14%13.31%14.06%
Ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP)8.51%8.45%8.99%

See Table 23 below for the calculation of Tier 1 leverage ratio excluding average PPP loans for the period presented.

Table 23: Reconciliation of Tier 1 Leverage Ratio Excluding Average PPP Loans (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Total Tier 1 capital$2,147,158$1,884,563
Adjusted average assets for leverage ratio$23,647,901$20,765,127
Average PPP loans(172,130)(937,544)
Adjusted average assets excluding average PPP loans$23,475,771$19,827,583
Tier 1 leverage ratio9.08%9.08%
Tier 1 leverage ratio excluding average PPP loans (non-GAAP)9.15%9.50%

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See Table 24 below for the calculation of core return on average assets.

Table 24: Calculation of Core Return on Average Assets (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202120202019
Twelve months ended
Net income available to common stockholders$271,109$254,852$237,828
Net non-core items, net of taxes, adjustment7,1579,44831,738
Core earnings$278,266$264,300$269,566
Average total assets$23,492,308$21,590,745$17,871,748
Return on average assets1.15%1.18%1.33%
Core return on average assets (non-GAAP)1.18%1.22%1.51%

See Table 25 below for the calculation of return on tangible common equity.

Table 25: Calculation of Core Return on Tangible Common Equity (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202120202019
Twelve months ended
Net income available to common stockholders$271,109$254,852$237,828
Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes9,9679,9688,720
Total income available to common stockholders$281,076$264,820$246,548
Net non-core items, net of taxes7,1579,44831,738
Core earnings278,266264,300269,566
Amortization of intangibles, net of taxes9,9679,9688,720
Total core income available to common stockholders$288,233$274,268$278,286
Average common stockholders’ equity$3,071,313$2,921,039$2,396,024
Average intangible assets:
Goodwill(1,090,967)(1,065,190)(921,635)
Other intangible assets(105,820)(118,812)(104,000)
Total average intangibles(1,196,787)(1,184,002)(1,025,635)
Average tangible common stockholders’ equity$1,874,526$1,737,037$1,370,389
Return on average common equity8.83%8.72%9.93%
Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)14.99%15.25%17.99%
Core return on average common equity (non-GAAP)9.06%9.05%11.25%
Core return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP)15.38%15.79%20.31%

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See Table 26 below for the calculation of core net interest margin for the periods presented.

Table 26: Reconciliation of Core Net Interest Margin (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202120202019
Twelve months ended
Net interest income$591,532$639,734$601,753
FTE adjustment19,23111,0017,322
Fully tax equivalent net interest income610,763650,735609,075
Total accretable yield(22,129)(41,507)(41,244)
Core net interest income$588,634$609,228$567,831
PPP loan and additional liquidity interest income(36,011)(18,539)
Net interest income adjusted for PPP loans and additional liquidity$574,752$632,196
Average earning assets$21,097,786$19,272,886$15,824,571
Average PPP loan balance and additional liquidity(595,222)(1,854,016)
Average earnings assets adjusted for PPP loans and additional liquidity$20,502,564$17,418,870
Net interest margin2.89%3.38%3.85%
Core net interest margin (non-GAAP)2.79%3.16%3.59%
Net interest margin adjusted for PPP loans and additional liquidity (non-GAAP)2.80%3.63%

See Table 27 below for the calculation of the efficiency ratio for the periods presented.

Table 27: Calculation of Efficiency Ratio (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)202120202019
Twelve months ended
Non-interest expense$483,589$484,736$453,960
Non-core non-interest expense adjustment(15,374)(21,529)(42,972)
Other real estate and foreclosure expense adjustment(2,121)(1,706)(3,282)
Amortization of intangibles adjustment(13,494)(13,495)(11,805)
Efficiency ratio numerator$452,600$448,006$395,901
Net-interest income$591,532$639,734$601,753
Non-interest income191,815239,769197,879
Non-core non-interest income adjustment(5,685)(8,738)
Fully tax-equivalent adjustment19,23111,0017,322
Gain on sale of securities(15,498)(54,806)(13,314)
Efficiency ratio denominator$781,395$826,960$793,640
Efficiency ratio (non-GAAP)57.92%54.18%49.88%

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See Table 28 below for the calculation of loan yield excluding PPP loans for the period presented.

Table 28: Reconciliation of Loan Yield Excluding PPP Loans (non-GAAP)

(Dollars in thousands)20212020
Loan interest income - FTE$555,749$688,600
PPP loan interest income(36,011)(15,861)
Loan interest income excluding PPP loans$519,738$672,739
Average loan balance$11,810,480$14,260,689
Average PPP loan balance(595,222)(637,006)
Average loan balance excluding PPP loans$11,215,258$13,623,683
Loan yield - FTE4.71%4.83%
Loan yield excluding PPP loans (non-GAAP) - FTE4.63%4.94%

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