Nicolet Bankshares Earnings 2018-12-31
NCBS 10K Annual Report
| Balance Sheet | Income Statement | Cash Flow |
|---|---|---|
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from…………to………….
Commission file number 001-37700
NICOLET BANKSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
WISCONSIN | 47-0871001 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
111 North Washington Street
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301
(920) 430-1400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC | |
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of June 30, 2018, (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) the aggregate market value of the common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $440.9 million based on the closing sale price of $55.11 per share as reported on Nasdaq on June 30, 2018.
As of February 28, 2019 9,462,138 shares of common stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III of Form 10-K – Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Nicolet Bankshares, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities law. Statements in this report that are not strictly historical are forward-looking and based upon current expectations that may differ materially from actual results. These forward-looking statements, identified by words such as “will”, “expect”, “believe” and “prospects”, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic trends and changes in interest rates, increased competition, regulatory or legislative developments affecting the financial industry generally or Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. specifically, the interpretations and impact of recently enacted tax legislation, changes in consumer demand for financial services, the possibility of unforeseen events affecting the industry generally or Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. specifically, the uncertainties associated with newly developed or acquired operations and market disruptions. Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements publicly to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unforeseen events, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (individually referred to herein as the “Parent Company” and together with all its subsidiaries collectively referred to herein as “Nicolet,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and under the bank holding company laws of the State of Wisconsin. At December 31, 2018, Nicolet had total assets of $3.1 billion, loans of $2.2 billion, deposits of $2.6 billion and total stockholders’ equity of $387 million. For the year ended December 31, 2018, Nicolet earned net income of $41.0 million, or $4.12 per diluted common share. For 2018, Nicolet’s return on average assets was 1.38%.
The Parent Company is a Wisconsin corporation, originally incorporated on April 5, 2000 as Green Bay Financial Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation, to serve as the holding company for and the sole shareholder of Nicolet National Bank. The Parent Company amended and restated its articles of incorporation and changed its name to Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. on March 14, 2002. It subsequently became the holding company for Nicolet National Bank upon the completion of the bank’s reorganization into a holding company structure on June 6, 2002. Nicolet elected to become a financial holding company in 2008.
Nicolet conducts its primary operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, Nicolet National Bank, a commercial bank which was organized in 2000 as a national bank under the laws of the United States and opened for business, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on November 1, 2000 (referred to herein as the “Bank”). Structurally, the Parent Company also wholly owns a registered investment advisory firm, Brookfield Investment Partners, LLC (“Brookfield”), that principally provides investment strategy and transactional services to select community banks, wholly owns a registered investment advisory firm, Nicolet Advisory Services, LLC (“Nicolet Advisory”), that conducts brokerage and financial advisory services primarily to individual consumers, and entered into a joint venture that provides for 50% ownership of the building in which Nicolet is headquartered. Structurally, the Bank wholly owns an investment subsidiary based in Nevada, a subsidiary in Green Bay that provides a web-based investment management platform for financial advisor trades and related activity, and the Bank owns 99.2% of United Financial Services, Inc, which in turn owns 50.2% of UFS, LLC, a data processing services company located in Grafton, Wisconsin (collectively referred to herein as “UFS”). Other than the Bank, these subsidiaries are closely related to or incidental to the business of banking and none are individually or collectively significant to Nicolet’s financial position or results as of December 31, 2018.
Nicolet’s profitability is significantly dependent upon net interest income (interest income earned on loans and other interest-earning assets such as investments, net of interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds), and noninterest income sources (including but not limited to service charges on deposits, trust and brokerage fees, and mortgage income from sales of residential mortgages into the secondary market), offset by the level of the provision for loan losses, noninterest expenses (largely employee compensation and overhead expenses tied to processing and operating the Bank’s business), and income taxes.
Since its opening in late 2000, Nicolet has supplemented its organic growth with branch purchase and acquisition transactions. For information on recent transactions, see Note 2, “Acquisitions,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8.
Products and Services Overview
Nicolet’s principal business is banking, consisting of lending and deposit gathering, as well as ancillary banking-related products and services, to businesses and individuals of the communities it serves, and the operational support to deliver, fund and manage such banking products and services. Additionally, through the Bank and Nicolet Advisory, trust, brokerage and other investment management services for individuals and retirement plan services for business customers are offered. Nicolet delivers its products
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and services principally through 38 bank branch locations, on-line banking, mobile banking and an interactive website. Nicolet’s call center also services customers.
Nicolet offers a variety of loans, deposits and related services to business customers (especially small and medium-sized businesses and professional concerns), including but not limited to: business checking and other business deposit products and cash management services, international banking services, business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction loans, agricultural real estate or production loans, and letters of credit, as well as retirement plan services. Similarly, Nicolet offers a variety of banking products and services to consumers, including but not limited to: residential mortgage loans and mortgage refinancing, home equity loans and lines of credit, residential construction loans, personal loans, checking, savings and money market accounts, various certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts, safe deposit boxes, and personal brokerage, trust and fiduciary services. Nicolet also provides on-line services including commercial, retail and trust on-line banking, automated bill payment, mobile banking deposits and account access, remote deposit capture, and telephone banking, and other services such as wire transfers, debit cards, credit cards, pre-paid gift cards, direct deposit, and official bank checks.
Lending is critical to Nicolet’s balance sheet and earnings potential. Nicolet seeks creditworthy borrowers principally within the geographic area of its branch locations. As a community bank with experienced commercial lenders and residential mortgage lenders, the primary lending function is to make loans in the following categories:
•commercial-related loans, consisting of:
◦commercial, industrial, and business loans and lines of credit;
◦owner-occupied commercial real estate (“owner-occupied CRE”);
◦agricultural (“AG”) production and AG real estate;
◦commercial real estate investment loans (“CRE investment”);
◦construction and land development loans;
•residential real estate loans, consisting of:
◦residential first lien mortgages;
◦residential junior lien mortgages;
◦home equity loans and lines of credit;
◦residential construction loans; and
•other loans (mainly consumer in nature).
Lending involves credit risk. Nicolet has and follows extensive loan policies and procedures to standardize processes, meet compliance requirements and prudently manage underwriting, credit and other risks. Credit risk is further controlled and monitored through active asset quality management including the use of lending standards, thorough review of current and potential borrowers through Nicolet’s underwriting process, close relationships with and regular check-ins with borrowers, and active asset quality administration. For further discussion of the loan portfolio composition and credit risk management, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation,” under Part II, Item 7.
Employees
At December 31, 2018, Nicolet had approximately 550 full-time equivalent employees. None of our employees are represented by unions.
Market Area and Competition
The Bank is a full-service community bank, providing a full range of traditional commercial, wealth and retail banking products and services throughout northeastern and central Wisconsin and in Menominee, Michigan. Nicolet markets its services to owner-managed companies, the individual owners of these businesses, and other residents of its market area, which at December 31, 2018 is through 38 branches located principally in its trade area of northeastern and central Wisconsin, and in Menominee, Michigan. Based on deposit market share data published by the FDIC as of June 30, 2018, the Bank ranks in the top three of market share for Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Taylor and Clark counties and in the top five for Menominee and Marinette counties.
The financial services industry is highly competitive. Nicolet competes for loans, deposits and wealth management or financial services in all its principal markets. Nicolet competes directly with other bank and nonbank institutions located within our markets (some that may have an established customer base or name recognition), internet-based banks, out-of-market banks that advertise or otherwise serve its markets, money market and other mutual funds, brokerage houses, mortgage companies, insurance companies or other commercial entities that offer financial services products. Competition involves efforts to retain current or procure new customers, obtain new loans and deposits, increase the scope and type of products or services offered, and offer competitive interest rates paid on deposits or earned on loans, as well as to deliver other aspects of banking competitively. Many of Nicolet’s competitors may enjoy competitive advantages, including greater financial resources, broader geographic presence, more accessible branches or more advanced technologic delivery of products or services, more favorable pricing alternatives and lower origination or operating costs.
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We believe our competitive pricing, personalized service and community engagement enable us to effectively compete in our markets. Nicolet employs seasoned banking and wealth management professionals with experience in its market areas and who are active in their communities. Nicolet’s emphasis on meeting customer needs in a relationship-focused manner, combined with local decision making on extensions of credit, distinguishes Nicolet from its competitors, particularly in the case of large financial institutions. Nicolet believes it further distinguishes itself by providing a range of products and services characteristic of a large financial institution while providing the personalized service, real conversation, and convenience characteristic of a local, community bank.
Supervision and Regulation
Set forth below is an explanation of the major pieces of legislation and regulation affecting the banking industry and how that legislation and regulation affects Nicolet’s business. The following summary is qualified by reference to the statutory and regulatory provisions discussed. Changes in applicable laws or regulations may have a material effect on the business and prospects of Nicolet or the Bank, and legislative changes and the policies of various regulatory authorities may significantly affect their operations. We cannot predict the effect that fiscal or monetary policies, or new federal or state legislation or regulation may have on the future business and earnings of Nicolet or the Bank.
Both the scope of the laws and regulations and intensity of supervision to which Nicolet's business is subject have increased over the past decade in response to the financial crisis as well as other factors such as technological and market changes. Many of these changes have occurred as a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and its implementing regulations, most of which are now in place. In 2018, with the passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act ("EGRRCPA"), as described below, there has been some recalibration of the post-financial crisis framework; however, Nicolet's business remains subject to extensive regulation and supervision.
EGRRCPA was enacted to modify or remove certain financial reform rules and regulations, including some of those implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act. While the EGRRCPA maintains most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amends certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion, which could result in meaningful regulatory relief for community banks such as the Bank. Several of the reforms implemented by EGRRCPA are discussed below. In addition, the EGRRCPA includes regulatory relief for community banks regarding regulatory examination cycles, call reports, the Volcker Rule (proprietary trading prohibitions), mortgage disclosures and risk weights for certain high-risk commercial real estate loans. It is difficult at this time to predict when or how any new standards under the EGRRCPA will ultimately be applied to us or what specific impact the EGRRCPA and the yet-to-be-written implementing rules and regulations will have on community banks.
Regulation of Nicolet
Because Nicolet owns all of the capital stock of the Bank, it is a bank holding company under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”). As a result, Nicolet is primarily subject to the supervision, examination, and reporting requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act and the regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). As a bank holding company located in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (the “WDFI”) also regulates and monitors all significant aspects of its operations.
Acquisitions of Banks. The Bank Holding Company Act requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before:
• | acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting shares of any bank if, after the acquisition, the bank holding company will directly or indirectly own or control more than 5% of the bank’s voting shares; |
• | acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of any bank; or |
• | merging or consolidating with any other bank holding company. |
Additionally, the Bank Holding Company Act provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these transactions if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly, substantially lessen competition, or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks involved in the transaction and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve’s consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below.
Change in Bank Control. Subject to various exceptions, the Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with related regulations, require Federal Reserve approval prior to any person or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company. Control is conclusively presumed to exist if an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. Control is rebuttably presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 10% or
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more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities of the bank holding company. The regulations provide a procedure for challenging rebuttable presumptions of control.
Permitted Activities. The Bank Holding Company Act has generally prohibited a bank holding company from engaging in activities other than banking or managing or controlling banks or other permissible subsidiaries and from acquiring or retaining direct or indirect control of any company engaged in any activities other than those determined by the Federal Reserve to be closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act have expanded the permissible activities of a bank holding company that qualifies as a financial holding company to engage in activities that are financial in nature or incidental or complementary to financial activities. Those activities include, among other activities, certain insurance, advisory and security activities.
Nicolet meets the qualification standards applicable to financial holding companies, and elected to become a financial holding company in 2008. In order to remain a financial holding company, Nicolet must continue to be considered well managed and well capitalized by the Federal Reserve, and the Bank must continue to be considered well managed and well capitalized by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and have at least a “satisfactory” rating under the Community Reinvestment Act.
Support of Subsidiary Institutions. Under Federal Reserve policy and the Dodd-Frank Act, Nicolet is expected to act as a source of financial strength for the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank. This support may be required at times when, without this Federal Reserve policy or the related rules, Nicolet might not be inclined to provide it.
In addition, any capital loans made by Nicolet to the Bank will be repaid only after the Bank’s deposits and various other obligations are repaid in full.
Capital Adequacy. Nicolet is subject to capital requirements applied on a consolidated basis, which are substantially similar to those required of the Bank, which are summarized under “Regulation of the Bank” below.
Dividend Restrictions. Under Federal Reserve policies, bank holding companies may pay cash dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization's expected future needs and financial condition and if the organization is not in danger of not meeting its minimum regulatory capital requirements. Federal Reserve policy also provides that bank holding companies should not maintain a level of cash dividends that undermines the bank holding company's ability to serve as a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries.
Regulation of the Bank
Because the Bank is chartered as a national bank, it is primarily subject to the supervision, examination, and reporting requirements of the National Bank Act and the regulations of the OCC. The OCC regularly examines the Bank’s operations and has the authority to approve or disapprove mergers, the establishment of branches and similar corporate actions. The OCC also has the power to prevent the continuance or development of unsafe or unsound banking practices or other violations of law. Because the Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent provided by law, it is also subject to certain FDIC regulations and the FDIC also has examination authority and back-up enforcement power over the Bank. The Bank is also subject to numerous state and federal statutes and regulations that affect Nicolet, its business, activities, and operations.
Branching. National banks are required by the National Bank Act to adhere to branching laws applicable to state banks in the states in which they are located. Under Wisconsin law and the Dodd-Frank Act, and with the prior approval of the OCC, the Bank may open branch offices within or outside of Wisconsin, provided that a state bank chartered by the state in which the branch is to be located would also be permitted to establish a branch. In addition, with prior regulatory approval, the Bank may acquire branches of existing banks located in Wisconsin or other states.
Capital Adequacy. Banks and bank holding companies, as regulated institutions, are required to maintain minimum levels of capital. The Federal Reserve and the OCC have adopted minimum risk-based capital requirements (Tier 1 capital, common equity Tier 1 capital (“CET1”) and total capital) and leverage capital requirements, as well as guidelines that define components of the calculation of capital and the level of risk associated with various types of assets. Financial institutions are expected to maintain a level of capital commensurate with the risk profile assigned to their assets in accordance with the guidelines.
In addition to the minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, banking organizations must maintain a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of CET1 in an amount equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets in order to avoid restrictions on their ability to make capital distributions and to pay certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. In order to avoid those restrictions, the capital conservation buffer effectively increases the minimum CET1 capital, Tier 1 capital, and total capital ratios for U.S. banking organizations to 7.0%, 8.5%, and 10.5%, respectively. Banking organizations with capital levels that fall within the buffer will be required to limit dividends, share repurchases or redemptions (unless replaced within the same calendar quarter by capital instruments of equal or higher quality), and discretionary bonus payments. The capital conservation buffer was fully phased in on January 1, 2019. The following table presents the risk-based and leverage capital requirements applicable to the Bank:
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Adequately Capitalized Requirement | Well-Capitalized Requirement | Well-Capitalized with Buffer | ||||||
Leverage | 4.0 | % | 5.0 | % | 5.0 | % | ||
CET1 | 4.5 | % | 6.5 | % | 7.0 | % | ||
Tier 1 | 6.0 | % | 8.0 | % | 8.5 | % | ||
Total Capital | 8.0 | % | 10.0 | % | 10.5 | % | ||
Although capital instruments such as trust preferred securities and cumulative preferred shares are excluded from Tier 1 capital for certain larger banking organizations, Nicolet’s trust preferred securities are permanently grandfathered as Tier 1 capital (provided they do not exceed 25% of Tier 1 capital) as a result of Nicolet qualifying as a smaller entity.
The capital rules require that goodwill and other intangible assets (other than mortgage servicing assets), net of associated deferred tax liabilities (“DTLs”), be deducted from CET1 capital. Additionally, deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) that arise from net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, net of associated DTLs and valuation allowances, are fully deducted from CET1 capital. However, DTAs arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks, along with mortgage servicing assets and “significant” (defined as greater than 10% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the unconsolidated financial institution) investments in the common stock of unconsolidated “financial institutions” are partially includible in CET1 capital, subject to deductions defined in the rules.
The OCC also considers interest rate risk (arising when the interest rate sensitivity of the Bank’s assets does not match the sensitivity of its liabilities or its off-balance sheet position) in the evaluation of the bank’s capital adequacy. Banks with excessive interest rate risk exposure are required to hold additional amounts of capital against their exposure to losses resulting from that risk. Through the risk-weighting of assets, the regulators also require banks to incorporate market risk components into their risk-based capital. Under these market risk requirements, capital is allocated to support the amount of market risk related to a bank’s lending and trading activities.
The Bank’s capital categories are determined solely for the purpose of applying the “prompt corrective action” rules described below and they are not necessarily an accurate representation of its overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes. Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank or bank holding company to a variety of enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on accepting brokered deposits, and certain other restrictions on its business. See “Prompt Corrective Action” below.
Prompt Corrective Action. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”) establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized financial institutions. Under this system, the federal banking regulators have established five capital categories: well-capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, in which all institutions are placed. The federal banking agencies have also specified by regulation the relevant capital levels for each category.
A “well-capitalized” bank is one that is not required to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure pursuant to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive, and has a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, a CET1 capital ratio of at least 6.5%, and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%. Generally, a classification as well-capitalized will place a bank outside of the regulatory zone for purposes of prompt corrective action. However, a well-capitalized bank may be reclassified as “adequately capitalized” based on criteria other than capital, if the federal regulator determines that a bank is in an unsafe or unsound condition, or is engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, which requires certain remedial action.
As of December 31, 2018, the Bank satisfied the requirements of “well-capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. See Note 17, “Regulatory Capital Requirements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8, for Nicolet and the Bank regulatory capital ratios.
Section 201 of EGRRCPA requires the Federal banking agencies to promulgate a rule establishing a new “Community Bank Leverage Ratio” of 8%-10% for depository institutions and depository institution holding companies, including banks and bank holding companies, with less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets. If such a depository institution or holding company maintains tangible equity in excess of this leverage ratio, it would be deemed to be in compliance with (1) the leverage and risk-based capital requirements promulgated by the Federal banking agencies; (2) in the case of a depository institution, the capital ratio requirements to be considered “well-capitalized” under the Federal banking agencies’ “prompt corrective action” regime; and (3) “any other capital or leverage requirements” to which the depository institution or holding company is subject, in each case unless the appropriate Federal banking agency determines otherwise based on the particular institution’s risk profile. The EGRRCPA also expands the category of holding companies that may rely on the “Small Bank Holding Company and Savings and
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Loan Holding Company Policy Statement” by raising the maximum amount of assets a qualifying holding company may have from $1 billion to $3 billion. This expansion also excludes such holding companies from the minimum capital requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act.
As a bank’s capital position deteriorates, federal banking regulators are required to take various mandatory supervisory actions and are authorized to take other discretionary actions with respect to institutions in the three undercapitalized categories: undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized. The severity of the action depends upon the capital category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow exception, the banking regulator must appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is critically undercapitalized.
FDIC Insurance Assessments. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC up to $250,000, the maximum amount permitted by law. The FDIC uses the Deposit Insurance Fund to protect against the loss of insured deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. The Bank is thus subject to FDIC deposit premium assessments. The cost of premium assessments are impacted by, among other things, a bank’s capital category under the prompt corrective action system.
Commercial Real Estate Lending. The federal banking regulators have issued the following guidance to help identify institutions that are potentially exposed to significant commercial real estate lending risk and may warrant greater supervisory scrutiny:
• | total reported loans for construction, land development and other land represent 100% or more of the institution’s total capital, or |
• | total commercial real estate loans represent 300% or more of the institution’s total capital, and the outstanding balance of the institution’s commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more. |
At December 31, 2018 the Bank’s commercial real estate lending levels are below the guidance levels noted above.
Enforcement Powers. The Financial Institution Reform Recovery and Enforcement Act (“FIRREA”) expanded and increased civil and criminal penalties available for use by the federal regulatory agencies against depository institutions and certain “institution-affiliated parties.” Institution-affiliated parties primarily include management, employees, and agents of a financial institution, as well as independent contractors and consultants such as attorneys and accountants and others who participate in the conduct of the financial institution’s affairs. These practices can include the failure of an institution to timely file required reports or the filing of false or misleading information or the submission of inaccurate reports. Civil penalties may be as high as $1,963,870 per day for such violations. Criminal penalties for some financial institution crimes have been increased to 20 years.
Community Reinvestment Act. The Community Reinvestment Act requires that, in connection with examinations of financial institutions within their respective jurisdictions, the federal banking agencies evaluate the record of each financial institution in meeting the credit needs of its local community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. These facts are also considered in evaluating mergers, acquisitions, and applications to open a branch or facility. Failure to adequately meet these criteria could impose additional requirements and limitations on the Bank. Additionally, the Bank must publicly disclose the terms of various Community Reinvestment Act-related agreements.
Payment of Dividends. Statutory and regulatory limitations apply to the Bank’s payment of dividends to the Parent Company. If, in the opinion of the OCC, the Bank were engaged in or about to engage in an unsafe or unsound practice, the OCC could require that the Bank stop or refrain from engaging in the practice. The federal banking agencies have indicated that paying dividends that deplete a depository institution’s capital base to an inadequate level would be an unsafe and unsound banking practice.
The Bank is required by federal law to obtain prior approval of the OCC for payments of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any year will exceed (1) the total of the Bank’s net profits for that year, plus (2) the Bank’s retained net profits of the preceding two years. The payment of dividends may also be affected by other factors, such as the requirement to maintain adequate capital above regulatory guidelines or any conditions or restrictions that may be imposed by regulatory authorities.
Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders. The Bank is subject to the provisions of Regulation W promulgated by the Federal Reserve, which implements Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. Regulation W places limits and conditions on the amount of loans or extensions of credit to, investments in, or certain other transactions with, affiliates and on the amount of advances to third parties collateralized by the securities or obligations of affiliates. Regulation W also prohibits, among other things, an institution from engaging in certain transactions with certain affiliates unless the transactions are on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to such institution or its subsidiaries, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated companies. Federal law also places restrictions on the Bank’s ability to extend credit to its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders and their related interests. These extensions of credit must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated third parties; and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.
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USA PATRIOT Act. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the "USA PATRIOT Act") requires each financial institution to: (i) establish an anti-money laundering program; and (ii) establish due diligence policies, procedures and controls with respect to its private and correspondent banking accounts involving foreign individuals and certain foreign banks. In addition, the USA PATRIOT Act encourages cooperation among financial institutions, regulatory authorities and law enforcement authorities with respect to individuals, entities and organizations engaged in, or reasonably suspected of engaging in, terrorist acts or money laundering activities.
Customer Protection. The Bank is also subject to consumer laws and regulations intended to protect consumers in transactions with depository institutions, as well as other laws or regulations affecting customers of financial institutions generally. While the list set forth herein is not exhaustive, these laws and regulations include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, among others. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits or making loans to such customers.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Act centralized responsibility for consumer financial protection including implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”). Depository institutions with less than $10 billion in assets, such as the Bank, are subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB but will continue to be examined and supervised by federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes.
UDAP and UDAAP. Bank regulatory agencies have increasingly used a general consumer protection statute to address "unethical" or otherwise "bad" business practices that may not necessarily fall directly under the purview of a specific banking or consumer finance law. The law of choice for enforcement against such business practices has been Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act—the primary federal law that prohibits "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" and unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce ("UDAP" or "FTC Act"). "Unjustified consumer injury" is the principal focus of the FTC Act. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, there was little formal guidance to provide insight to the parameters for compliance with the UDAP law. However, the UDAP provisions have been expanded under the Dodd-Frank Act to apply to "unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices" ("UDAAP"). The CFPB has brought a variety of enforcement actions for violations of UDAAP provisions and CFPB guidance continues to evolve.
Mortgage Reform. The CFPB has adopted final rules implementing minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages, including standards regarding a customer's ability to repay, restricting variable-rate lending by requiring that the ability to repay variable-rate loans be determined by using the maximum rate that will apply during the first five years of a variable-rate loan term, and making more loans subject to provisions for higher cost loans, new disclosures, and certain other revisions. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act allows borrowers to raise certain defenses to foreclosure if they receive any loan other than a “qualified mortgage” as defined by the CFPB. EGRRCPA, among other matters, expands the definition of qualified mortgages which may be held by a financial institution.
Available Information
Nicolet became a public reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) on March 26, 2013, when Nicolet’s registration statement related to its acquisition of Mid-Wisconsin Financial Services, Inc. (Registration Statement on Form S-4, Regis. No. 333-186401) became effective. Nicolet registered its common stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on February 24, 2016 in connection with listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nicolet files annual, quarterly, and current reports, and other information with the SEC. These filings are available to the public on the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Nicolet’s internet address is www.nicoletbank.com. We make available free of charge on or through our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
An investment in our common stock involves risks. If any of the following risks, or other risks which have not been identified or which we may believe are immaterial or unlikely, actually occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed. In such a case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks discussed below also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.
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Risks Relating to Nicolet’s Business
Nicolet may not be able to sustain its historical rate of growth, or may encounter issues associated with its growth, either of which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, and share price.
We have grown over the past several years and intend to continue to pursue a significant growth strategy for our business. Our prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties frequently encountered by companies in significant growth stages of development. We may not be able to further expand our market presence in existing markets or to enter new markets successfully, nor can we guarantee that any such expansion would not adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to manage growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on the business, future prospects, financial condition or results of our operations, and could adversely affect our ability to successfully implement business strategies. Also, if such growth occurs more slowly than anticipated or declines, our operating results could be materially adversely affected.
Our ability to grow successfully will depend on a variety of factors including the continued availability of desirable business opportunities, the competitive responses from other financial institutions in our market areas and the ability to manage our growth. While we believe we have the management resources and internal systems in place to manage future growth successfully, there can be no assurance that growth opportunities will be available or that any growth will be managed successfully. In addition, our recent growth may distort some of our historical financial ratios and statistics.
As part of our growth strategy, we regularly evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions and financial services companies. As a result, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt, or equity securities may occur at any time. We seek merger or acquisition partners that are culturally similar, have experienced management, and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale, or expanded services.
Acquiring other banks, businesses, or branches involves potential adverse impact to our financial results and various other risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things, difficulty in estimating the value of the target company, payment of a premium over book and market values that may dilute our tangible book value and earnings per share in the short and long term, potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company, exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company, potential volatility in reported income as goodwill impairment losses could occur irregularly and in varying amounts, difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company, inability to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and / or other projected benefits, potential disruption to our business, potential diversion of our management’s time and attention, and the possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company.
As a community bank, Nicolet’s success depends upon local and regional economic conditions and has different lending risks than larger banks.
We provide services to our local communities. Our ability to diversify economic risks is limited by our own local markets and economies. We lend primarily to individuals and small- to medium-sized businesses, which may expose us to greater lending risks than those of banks lending to larger, better-capitalized businesses with longer operating histories.
We manage our credit exposure through careful monitoring of loan applicants and loan concentrations in particular industries, and through loan approval and review procedures. We have established an evaluation process designed to determine the appropriateness of our allowance for loan losses. While this evaluation process uses historical and other objective information, the classification of loans and the establishment of loan losses is an estimate based on experience, judgment and expectations regarding borrowers and economic conditions, as well as regulator judgments. We can make no assurance that our loan loss reserves will be sufficient to absorb future loan losses or prevent a material adverse effect on our business, profitability or financial condition.
The core industries in our market area are manufacturing, wholesaling, paper, packaging, food production and processing, agriculture, forest products, retail, service, and businesses supporting the general building industry. The area has a broad range of diversified equipment manufacturing services related to these core industries and others. The residential and commercial real estate markets throughout these areas depend primarily on the strength of these core industries. A material decline in any of these sectors will affect the communities we serve and could negatively impact our financial results and have a negative impact on profitability.
If the communities in which we operate do not grow or if the prevailing economic conditions locally or nationally are less favorable than we have assumed, our ability to maintain our low volume of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned and implement our business strategies may be adversely affected and our actual financial performance may be materially different from our projections.
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Nicolet may experience increased delinquencies and credit losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, results of operations, and share price.
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the quality of our assets, particularly loans. In originating loans, there is a substantial likelihood that we will experience credit losses. The risk of loss will vary with, among other things, general economic conditions, the type of loan, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan, and, in the case of a collateralized loan, the quality of the collateral for the loan.
Our loan customers may not repay their loans according to the terms of these loans, and the collateral securing the payment of these loans may be insufficient to assure repayment. As a result, we may experience significant loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Management makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio, including the creditworthiness of our borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of many of our loans. We maintain an allowance for loan losses in an attempt to cover any loan losses that may occur. In determining the size of the allowance, we rely on an analysis of our loan portfolio based on historical loss experience, volume and types of loans, trends in classification, volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, national and local economic conditions, and other pertinent information.
If management’s assumptions are wrong, our current allowance may not be sufficient to cover future loan losses, and we may need to make adjustments to allow for different economic conditions or adverse developments in our loan portfolio. Material additions to our allowance would materially decrease net income. We expect our allowance to continue to fluctuate; however, given current and future market conditions, we can make no assurance that our allowance will be appropriate to cover future loan losses.
In addition, the market value of the real estate securing our loans as collateral could be adversely affected by the economy and unfavorable changes in economic conditions in our market areas. As of December 31, 2018, approximately 40% of our loans were secured by commercial-based real estate, 2% of loans were secured by agriculture-based real estate, and 23% of our loans were secured by residential real estate. Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures, or losses caused by adverse market and economic conditions, including another downturn in the real estate market, in our markets could adversely affect the value of our assets, results of operations, and financial condition.
Nicolet is subject to extensive regulation that could limit or restrict our activities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or share price.
We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to examination, supervision, and comprehensive regulation by various regulatory agencies. Our compliance with these regulations, including compliance with regulatory commitments, is costly and restricts certain of our activities, including the declaration and payment of cash dividends to stockholders, mergers and acquisitions, investments, loans and interest rates charged, interest rates paid on deposits, and locations of offices. We are also subject to capitalization guidelines established by our regulators, which require us to maintain adequate capital to support our growth and operations.
The laws and regulations applicable to the banking industry have recently changed and may continue to change, and we cannot predict the effects of these changes on our business and profitability. Some or all of the changes, including the rulemaking authority granted to the CFPB, may result in greater reporting requirements, assessment fees, operational restrictions, capital requirements, and other regulatory burdens for us, and many of our competitors that are not banks or bank holding companies may remain free from such limitations. This could affect our ability to attract and retain depositors, to offer competitive products and services, and to expand our business. Because government regulation greatly affects the business and financial results of all commercial banks and bank holding companies, the cost of compliance could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.
Congress may consider additional proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system and to expand or contract the powers of banking institutions, bank holding companies and financial holding companies. Such legislation may change existing banking statutes and regulations, as well as the current operating environment significantly. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. We cannot predict whether new legislation will be enacted and, if enacted, the effect that it, or any regulations, would have on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Nicolet’s profitability is sensitive to changes in the interest rate environment.
As a financial institution, our earnings significantly depend on net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income that we earn on interest-earning assets, such as investment securities and loans, and the interest expense that we pay on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Therefore, any change in general market interest rates, including changes in federal fiscal and monetary policies, affects us more than non-financial institutions and can have a significant effect on our net interest income and total income. Our assets and liabilities may react differently to changes in overall market rates or
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conditions because there may be mismatches between the repricing or maturity characteristics of the assets and liabilities. As a result, an increase or decrease in market interest rates could have material adverse effects on our net interest margin and results of operations.
In addition, we cannot predict whether interest rates will continue to remain at present levels, or the timing of any anticipated changes. Changes in interest rates may cause significant changes, up or down, in our net interest income. If the interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings increase at a faster rate than the interest rates received on loans and investment securities, our net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected. Earnings also could be adversely affected if the interest rates received on loans and investment securities fall more quickly than the interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings. In addition, if there is a substantial increase in interest rates, our investment portfolio is at risk of experiencing price declines that may negatively impact our total capital position through changes in other comprehensive income. Any significant increase in prevailing interest rates could also adversely affect our mortgage banking business because higher interest rates could cause customers to request fewer refinancing and purchase money mortgage originations.
Nicolet faces significant operational risk, including risk of loss related to cybersecurity breaches, due to the financial services industry’s increased reliance on technology.
We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business, and we rely on third party vendors to provide key components of these systems, including our core application processing. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan functionality and the effective operation of other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of a failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We do not control the actions of the third party vendors we have selected to provide key components of our business infrastructure. Any problems caused by these third parties, including as a result of their not providing us their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, or any failure, interruption or breach in security of the services they provide, could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers and otherwise to conduct our business. Replacing these third party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense.
Our business may be adversely affected by an increasing prevalence of fraud and other financial crimes.
As a financial institution, we are also susceptible to fraudulent activity that may be committed against us, our third party venders, or our clients, which may result in financial losses or increased costs to us or our clients, disclosure or misuse of our information or our clients' information, misappropriation of assets, privacy breaches against our clients, litigation, or damage to our reputation. These risks may increase in the future as we continue to increase our mobile-payment and other internet-based product offerings and expand our internal usage of web-based products and applications.
Negative publicity could damage our reputation.
Reputation risk, or the risk to our earnings and capital from negative public opinion, is inherent in our business. Negative public opinion could adversely affect our ability to keep and attract customers and expose us to adverse legal and regulatory consequences. Negative public opinion could result from our actual or alleged conduct in any number of activities, including lending or foreclosure practices, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, and disclosure, sharing or inadequate protection of customer information, and from actions taken by government regulators and community organizations in response to that conduct.
Competition in the banking industry is intense and Nicolet faces strong competition from larger, more established competitors.
The banking business is highly competitive, and we experience strong competition from many other financial institutions. We compete with commercial banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market funds, and other financial institutions that operate in our primary market areas and elsewhere.
We compete with these institutions both in attracting deposits and in making loans. In addition, we have to attract our customer base from other existing financial institutions and from new residents. Many of our competitors are well-established, much larger financial institutions. While we believe we can and do successfully compete with these other financial institutions, we may face a competitive disadvantage as compared to large national or regional banks as a result of our smaller size and relative lack of geographic diversification.
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Although we compete by concentrating our marketing efforts in our primary market area with local advertisements, personal contacts, and greater flexibility in working with local customers, we can give no assurance that this strategy will be successful.
Nicolet continually encounters technological change, we may have fewer resources than our competition to continue to invest in technological improvements.
The banking and financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that enhance customer convenience, as well as create additional efficiencies in operations. Many of our competitors have greater resources to invest in technological improvements, and we may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services, which could reduce our ability to effectively compete.
Risks Related to Ownership of Nicolet’s Common Stock
Our stock price can be volatile.
Stock price volatility may make it more difficult for you to sell your common stock when you want and at prices you find attractive. Our stock price can fluctuate widely in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:
•actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations or financial condition;
•operating results and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;
•news reports relating to trends, concerns, and other issues in the financial services industry;
•perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and / or our competitors;
•new technology used or services offered by competitors;
• | significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors; |
•failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions;
•changes in government regulations;
•geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts;
•available supply and demand of investors interested in trading our common stock;
•our own participation in the market through our buyback program; and
•recommendations by securities analysts.
General market fluctuations, industry factors, and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes, or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of our operating results.
Nicolet has not historically paid dividends to our common shareholders, and we cannot guarantee that it will pay dividends to such shareholders in the future.
The holders of our common stock receive dividends if and when declared by the Nicolet board of directors out of legally available funds. Nicolet’s board of directors has not declared a dividend on the common stock since our inception in 2000. Any future determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of Nicolet’s board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including the company’s future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, future prospects, regulatory restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant.
Our principal business operations are conducted through the Bank. Cash available to pay dividends to our shareholders is derived primarily, if not entirely, from dividends paid by the Bank. The ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us, as well as our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders, is subject to and limited by certain legal and regulatory restrictions, as well as contractual restrictions related to our junior subordinated debentures. Further, any lenders making loans to us may impose financial covenants that may be more restrictive than regulatory requirements with respect to the payment of dividends by us. There can be no assurance of whether or when we may pay dividends in the future.
Nicolet may need to raise additional capital in the future but that capital may not be available when it is needed or may be dilutive to our shareholders.
We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate capital levels to support our operations. In order to support our growth and operations and to comply with regulatory standards, we may need to raise capital in the future. Our ability to raise additional capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, on favorable terms. The capital and credit markets have experienced significant volatility in recent years. In some cases, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying
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financial strength. If current levels of volatility worsen, our ability to raise additional capital may be disrupted. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected, and our banking regulators may subject us to regulatory enforcement action, including receivership. In addition, the issuance of additional shares of our equity securities will dilute the economic ownership interest of our common shareholders.
Nicolet’s directors and executive officers own a significant portion of our common stock and can influence shareholder decisions.
Our directors and executive officers, as a group, beneficially owned approximately 17% of our fully diluted issued and outstanding common stock as of December 31, 2018. As a result of their ownership, our directors and executive officers have the ability, if they voted their shares in concert, to influence the outcome of matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, including the election of directors.
Holders of Nicolet’s subordinated debentures have rights that are senior to those of its common shareholders.
We have supported our continued growth by issuing trust preferred securities and accompanying junior subordinated debentures and by assuming the trust preferred securities and accompanying junior subordinated debentures issued by companies we have acquired. As of December 31, 2018, we had outstanding trust preferred securities and associated junior subordinated debentures with an aggregate par principal amount of approximately $37.1 million and $38.2 million, respectively.
We have unconditionally guaranteed the payment of principal and interest on our trust preferred securities. Also, the junior debentures issued to the special purpose trusts that relate to those trust preferred securities are senior to our common stock. As a result, we must make payments on the junior subordinated debentures before we can pay any dividends on our common stock, and in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, holders of our junior subordinated debentures must be satisfied before any distributions can be made on our common stock. We do have the right to defer distributions on our junior subordinated debentures (and related trust preferred securities) for up to five years, but during that time would not be able to pay dividends on our common stock.
Because Nicolet is a regulated bank holding company, your ability to obtain “control” or to act in concert with others to obtain control over Nicolet without the prior consent of the Federal Reserve or other applicable bank regulatory authorities is limited and may subject you to regulatory oversight.
Nicolet is a bank holding company and, as such, is subject to significant regulation of its business and operations. In addition, under the provisions of the Bank Holding Company Act and the Change in Bank Control Act, certain regulatory provisions may become applicable to individuals or groups who are deemed by the regulatory authorities to “control” Nicolet or our subsidiary bank. The Federal Reserve and other bank regulatory authorities have very broad interpretive discretion in this regard and it is possible that the Federal Reserve or some other bank regulatory authority may, whether through a merger or through subsequent acquisition of Nicolet’s shares, deem one or more of Nicolet’s shareholders to control or to be acting in concert for purposes of gaining or exerting control over Nicolet. Such a determination may require a shareholder or group of shareholders, among other things, to make voluminous regulatory filings under the Change in Bank Control Act, including disclosure to the regulatory authorities of significant amounts of confidential personal or corporate financial information. In addition, certain groups or entities may also be required to either register as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act, becoming themselves subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve under that Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which may include requirements to materially limit other operations or divest other business concerns, or to divest immediately their investments in Nicolet.
In addition, these limitations on the acquisition of our stock may generally serve to reduce the potential acquirers of our stock or to reduce the volume of our stock that any potential acquirer may be able to acquire. These restrictions may serve to generally limit the liquidity of our stock and, consequently, may adversely affect its value.
Nicolet’s securities are not FDIC insured.
Our securities are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of the Bank, and are not insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund, or any other agency or private entity and are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of some or all of the value of your investment.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The corporate headquarters of both the Parent Company and the Bank are located at 111 North Washington Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin. At year-end 2018, including the main office, the Bank operated 38 bank branch locations, 29 of which are owned and nine that are leased. In addition, Nicolet owns or leases other real property that, when considered in aggregate, is not significant to its financial position. Most of the offices are free-standing, newer buildings that provide adequate access, customer parking,
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and drive-through and/or ATM services. The properties are in good condition and considered adequate for present and near term requirements. None of the owned properties are subject to a mortgage or similar encumbrance.
Three of the leased locations involve directors, executive officers, or direct relatives of a director or executive officer, each with lease terms that management considers arms-length. For additional disclosure, see Note 15, “Related Party Transactions,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We and our subsidiaries may be involved from time to time in various routine legal proceedings incidental to our respective businesses. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries are currently engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Nicolet registered its common stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act on February 24, 2016, in connection with listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and trades under the symbol “NCBS”. As of February 28, 2019, Nicolet had approximately 2,115 shareholders of record.
Nicolet has not paid dividends on its common stock since its inception in 2000. Any cash dividends paid by Nicolet on its common stock must comply with applicable Federal Reserve policies described further in “Business—Regulation of Nicolet—Dividend Restrictions.” The Bank is also subject to regulatory restrictions on the amount of dividends it is permitted to pay to Nicolet as further described in “Business—Regulation of the Bank – Payment of Dividends” and in Note 17, “Regulatory Capital Requirements,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8.
Following are Nicolet’s monthly common stock purchases during the fourth quarter of 2018.
Period: | Total Number of Shares Purchased (#) (a) (b) | Average Price Paid per Share ($) | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (#) (b) | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (#) (a) (b) | ||||||||
October 1 – October 31, 2018 | 57,106 | $ | 53.46 | 57,083 | 378,000 | |||||||
November 1– November 30, 2018 | 16,412 | $ | 52.23 | 14,595 | 363,000 | |||||||
December 1 – December 31, 2018 | 32,528 | $ | 49.94 | 28,567 | 335,000 | |||||||
Total | 106,046 | $ | 52.19 | 100,245 | 335,000 | |||||||
(a) During fourth quarter 2018, the Company repurchased 2,333 shares for minimum tax withholding settlements on restricted stock and repurchased 3,468 shares to satisfy the exercise price and/or tax withholding requirements of stock options, respectively. These purchases do not count against the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the board of directors’ authorization.
(b) During 2014 the board of directors approved a common stock repurchase program which authorized, with subsequent modifications, the use of up to $54 million to repurchase up to 1,450,000 shares of outstanding common stock. The common stock repurchase program has no expiration date. During fourth quarter 2018, Nicolet spent $5.2 million to repurchase and cancel 100,245 shares at a weighted average price of $52.21 per share, bringing the life-to-date cumulative totals to $46.3 million to repurchase and cancel 1.1 million shares at a weighted average price of $41.52 per share. At December 31, 2018, approximately $7.7 million remained available to repurchase common shares.
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Performance Graph
The following graph shows the cumulative stockholder return on our common stock compared with the KBW NASDAQ Bank Index and the S&P 500 Index for the period of December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2018. The graph assumes the value of the investment in the Company's common stock and in each index was $100 on December 31, 2013. Historical stock price performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of the future price performance.
Period Ending | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Index | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||
Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. | $ | 100.00 | $ | 151.15 | $ | 192.20 | $ | 288.33 | $ | 330.96 | $ | 295.04 | ||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 100.00 | 113.69 | 115.26 | 129.05 | 157.22 | 150.33 | ||||||||||||||||||
KBW Nasdaq Bank Index | 100.00 | 109.37 | 109.91 | 141.24 | 167.50 | 137.83 | ||||||||||||||||||
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data presented as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018 is derived from the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The selected consolidated financial data for all other periods shown is derived from audited consolidated financial statements that are not required to be included in this report.
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EARNINGS SUMMARY AND SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
At and for the years ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands, except per share data) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||
Results of operations: | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | $ | 125,537 | $ | 109,253 | $ | 75,467 | $ | 48,597 | $ | 48,949 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 18,889 | 10,511 | 7,334 | 7,213 | 7,067 | ||||||||||||||
Net interest income | 106,648 | 98,742 | 68,133 | 41,384 | 41,882 | ||||||||||||||
Provision for loan losses | 1,600 | 2,325 | 1,800 | 1,800 | 2,700 | ||||||||||||||
Net interest income after provision for loan losses | 105,048 | 96,417 | 66,333 | 39,584 | 39,182 | ||||||||||||||
Noninterest income | 39,509 | 34,639 | 26,674 | 17,708 | 14,185 | ||||||||||||||
Noninterest expense | 89,758 | 81,356 | 64,942 | 39,648 | 38,709 | ||||||||||||||
Income before income tax expense | 54,799 | 49,700 | 28,065 | 17,644 | 14,658 | ||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 13,446 | 16,267 | 9,371 | 6,089 | 4,607 | ||||||||||||||
Net income | 41,353 | 33,433 | 18,694 | 11,555 | 10,051 | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 317 | 283 | 232 | 127 | 102 | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. | 41,036 | 33,150 | 18,462 | 11,428 | 9,949 | ||||||||||||||
Preferred stock dividends | — | — | 633 | 212 | 244 | ||||||||||||||
Net income available to common shareholders | $ | 41,036 | $ | 33,150 | $ | 17,829 | $ | 11,216 | $ | 9,705 | |||||||||
Earnings per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 4.26 | $ | 3.51 | $ | 2.49 | $ | 2.80 | $ | 2.33 | |||||||||
Diluted | $ | 4.12 | $ | 3.33 | $ | 2.37 | $ | 2.57 | $ | 2.25 | |||||||||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 9,640 | 9,440 | 7,158 | 4,004 | 4,165 | ||||||||||||||
Diluted | 9,956 | 9,958 | 7,514 | 4,362 | 4,311 | ||||||||||||||
Year-End Balances: | |||||||||||||||||||
Loans | $ | 2,166,181 | $ | 2,087,925 | $ | 1,568,907 | $ | 877,061 | $ | 883,341 | |||||||||
Allowance for loan losses ("ALLL") | 13,153 | 12,653 | 11,820 | 10,307 | 9,288 | ||||||||||||||
Securities available for sale, at fair value | 400,144 | 405,153 | 365,287 | 172,596 | 168,475 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill and other intangibles, net | 124,307 | 128,406 | 87,938 | 3,793 | 4,820 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 3,096,535 | 2,932,433 | 2,300,879 | 1,214,439 | 1,215,285 | ||||||||||||||
Deposits | 2,614,138 | 2,471,064 | 1,969,986 | 1,056,417 | 1,059,903 | ||||||||||||||
Short-term and long-term borrowings | 77,305 | 78,046 | 37,617 | 39,788 | 33,503 | ||||||||||||||
Common equity | 386,609 | 364,178 | 275,947 | 97,301 | 86,608 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | 386,609 | 364,178 | 275,947 | 109,501 | 111,008 | ||||||||||||||
Book value per common share | $ | 40.72 | $ | 37.09 | $ | 32.26 | $ | 23.42 | $ | 21.34 | |||||||||
Tangible book value per common share * | $ | 27.62 | $ | 24.01 | $ | 21.98 | $ | 22.51 | $ | 20.15 | |||||||||
Average Balances: | |||||||||||||||||||
Loans | $ | 2,127,470 | $ | 1,899,225 | $ | 1,346,304 | $ | 883,904 | $ | 859,256 | |||||||||
Interest-earning assets | 2,671,560 | 2,351,451 | 1,723,600 | 1,083,967 | 1,084,408 | ||||||||||||||
Goodwill and other intangibles, net | 126,284 | 115,447 | 61,588 | 4,287 | 5,389 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 2,977,457 | 2,648,754 | 1,934,770 | 1,185,921 | 1,191,348 | ||||||||||||||
Deposits | 2,508,952 | 2,228,408 | 1,641,894 | 1,021,155 | 1,028,336 | ||||||||||||||
Interest-bearing liabilities | 1,951,846 | 1,750,099 | 1,307,471 | 851,957 | 892,872 | ||||||||||||||
Common equity | 371,635 | 332,897 | 217,432 | 90,787 | 84,033 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | 371,635 | 332,897 | 226,265 | 112,012 | 108,433 | ||||||||||||||
Financial Ratios: | |||||||||||||||||||
Return on average assets | 1.38 | % | 1.25 | % | 0.95 | % | 0.96 | % | 0.84 | % | |||||||||
Return on average equity | 11.04 | 9.96 | 8.16 | 10.20 | 9.18 | ||||||||||||||
Return on average common equity | 11.04 | 9.96 | 8.20 | 12.35 | 11.55 | ||||||||||||||
Return on average tangible common equity * | 16.73 | 15.24 | 11.44 | 12.97 | 12.34 | ||||||||||||||
Average equity to average assets | 12.48 | 12.57 | 11.69 | 9.45 | 9.10 | ||||||||||||||
Net interest margin | 4.04 | 4.30 | 4.01 | 3.88 | 3.89 | ||||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity to assets | 12.49 | 12.42 | 11.99 | 9.02 | 9.13 | ||||||||||||||
Tangible common equity to tangible assets * | 8.83 | 8.41 | 8.50 | 7.72 | 6.76 | ||||||||||||||
Net loan charge-offs to average loans | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.31 | ||||||||||||||
Nonperforming loans to total loans | 0.25 | 0.63 | 1.29 | 0.40 | 0.61 | ||||||||||||||
Nonperforming assets to total assets | 0.19 | 0.49 | 0.97 | 0.32 | 0.61 | ||||||||||||||
* The ratios of tangible book value per common share, return on average tangible common equity, and tangible common equity to tangible assets exclude goodwill and other intangibles, net. These financial ratios have been included as they are considered to be critical metrics with which to analyze and evaluate financial condition and capital strength.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion is management’s analysis to assist in the understanding and evaluation of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Nicolet. It should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes and the selected financial data presented elsewhere in this report.
The detailed financial discussion that follows focuses on 2018 results compared to 2017. See “2017 Compared to 2016” for the summary comparing 2017 and 2016 results. Some tabular information is shown for trends of three years or for five years as required under SEC regulations.
Evaluation of financial performance and average balances between 2018 and 2017 was generally impacted, though to a modest degree, from the timing and size of Nicolet’s 2017 acquisition. The inclusion of the First Menasha Bancshares, Inc. (“First Menasha”) balance sheet (at about 20% of Nicolet’s then pre-merger asset size) and operational results for 12 months in 2018 and 8 months in 2017, analytically explains a portion of the increase in certain average balances and income statement line items between 2018 and 2017, and there was approximately $0.5 million of non-recurring direct merger expense in 2017 noninterest expense. At consummation in April 2017, First Menasha added $480 million in assets, loans of $351 million, deposits of $375 million, core deposit intangible of $4 million and goodwill of $41 million, for a total purchase price that included $62 million of common equity (or 1.3 million shares) and $19 million of cash. Additionally, the tax expense comparison between 2018 and 2017 was impacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed on December 22, 2017, with 2018 tax expense favorably affected by the lower corporate tax rate (from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018), and 2017 tax expense unfavorably affected by $0.9 million related to write-downs associated with the impact of the new tax law on deferred tax assets and investment securities.
Overview
Nicolet provides a diversified range of traditional commercial and retail banking services, as well as wealth management services, to individuals, business owners, and businesses in its market area primarily through, as of year-end 2018, the 38 bank branch offices of its banking subsidiary, located in northeast and central Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan.
In 2018, Nicolet delivered on organic growth, asset quality, capital management and profitability. At December 31, 2018, Nicolet had total assets of $3.1 billion, loans of $2.2 billion, deposits of $2.6 billion and stockholders’ equity of $387 million, representing increases over December 31, 2017 of 6%, 4%, 6% and 6%, in assets, loans, deposits and total equity, respectively. While Nicolet has used acquisitions as part of its growth strategy over the past few years and has successfully integrated and realized cost efficiencies related to scale quickly after each acquisition, the growth between year-end 2018 and 2017 was fully organic. Asset quality improved from an already strong level, with net charge-offs to average loans of 0.05% for 2018 (0.08% for 2017) and nonperforming assets to assets of 0.19% at December 31, 2018 (down from 0.49% at year-end 2017). Nicolet repurchased nearly 408,100 shares of common stock for $22.2 million in 2018 under Nicolet’s common stock repurchase program. At December 31, 2018 there remained $7.7 million authorized under the repurchase program which Nicolet may from time to time repurchase shares in the open market or through block transactions as market conditions warrant or in private transactions as an alternative use of capital. With total stockholders’ equity to assets of 12.49% at year-end 2018 (largely from earnings exceeding stock repurchases for the year), Nicolet has capacity to act on targets of interest in relevant markets that provide a path to or support our position as the lead-local community bank.
For 2018, net income attributable to Nicolet was $41.0 million (24% higher than 2017), and return on average assets was 1.38% (compared to 1.25% for 2017). Diluted earnings per common share for 2018 was $4.12 ($0.79 or 24% higher than 2017), with increased earnings and flat diluted average shares, aided by common stock repurchases in 2018 offsetting the acquisition shares issued in mid-2017.
Net income before taxes was $54.8 million (10% higher than 2017), on overall stronger revenues, lower provision for loan losses and controlled expenses. Net interest income increased $7.9 million or 8% over 2017, as we exercised discipline in the consistently rising rate environment of 2018. Interest income grew $16.3 million (overcoming $4.2 million lower aggregate discount income on purchased loans), aided by a 14% increase in average interest-earning assets and the elevated rate environment particularly on new, renewed and variable rate loans. Interest expense increased $8.4 million, primarily due to rising rates on a larger average deposit base, up 13% over 2017. Noninterest income, excluding net asset gains, increased $5.7 million (18% over 2017), most notably in trust and brokerage fees combined (up $1.8 million or 15%), card interchange income (up $1.0 million or 22%), and net mortgage income (up $1.0 million or 18%) benefiting from increased business, and BOLI income (up $0.6 million, largely due to a death benefit in third quarter 2018). Noninterest expense increased $8.4 million or 10%, on the larger operating base and given continued investment in people and improvements. Personnel expense increased (up $5.0 million or 11% over 2017), partly due to the full period contribution of the expanded workforce (with average full-time equivalent employees up 6% between the years), as well as merit increases, additional competitive market-based wage increases made after tax reform passed, higher cash and equity incentives, and higher health costs. Non-personnel expenses also increased on a combined basis (up $3.4 million or 9%), mostly due to the larger operating base, but also from $0.6 million higher charitable giving, $0.6 million accelerated
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depreciation given branch facility upgrades, and a $0.5 million fraud contingency loss in fourth quarter 2018. Tax expense declined (down $2.8 million or 17% versus 2017), despite 10% higher pre-tax earnings. The 2018 effective tax rate was 24.5%, due mostly to the lower corporate tax rate, compared to 32.7% for 2017, which carried a higher corporate tax rate, an unfavorable $0.9 million adjustment (related to write-downs associated with the impact of the new tax law on deferred tax assets and investment securities), and a favorable $1.9 million benefit (the tax impact of large option exercises, particularly in the fourth quarter).
For 2019, Nicolet’s focus will remain on achieving strong organic growth in loans, deposits, wealth management services and other revenue lines within all our markets, in a cost-effective, profitable manner to sustain a healthy return on average assets. Acquisition growth remains a key goal, and we are well-positioned to capitalize on the opportunities in bank consolidations. That said, when evaluating transactions, quantitative and qualitative factors need to make sense in combination with each other, including but not limited to the economics of the transaction, cultural and strategic fit, geographic and business line relevance, and current or potential talent. Additional resources are planned for innovation preparedness efforts, personnel expenses (in support of growing talent and leadership), and for capital investment related to two existing branch locations in 2019. Nicolet believes delivering strong earnings, return on assets, and disciplined capital management in 2019 will provide upward pressure on our common stock performance throughout the year.
INCOME STATEMENT ANALYSIS
Net Interest Income
Net interest income in the consolidated statements of income (which excludes any tax-equivalent adjustment) was $106.6 million in 2018, up $7.9 million or 8% compared to $98.7 million in 2017, aided partly by the timing of the 2017 acquisition and overcoming $4.2 million lower aggregate discount accretion between the years. Tax-equivalent adjustments (adjustments to bring tax-exempt interest to a level that would yield the same after-tax income had that been subject to a 21% tax rate in 2018 and a 35% rate in 2017) were $1.2 million for 2018 and $2.4 million for 2017, resulting in tax-equivalent net interest income of $107.8 million for 2018 and $101.1 million for 2017. Had both years been subject to the 21% tax rate, the tax-equivalent adjustment would have been down $0.1 million or 6%, led mostly by the 7% decline in average tax-exempt investment securities.
Tax-equivalent net interest income is a non-GAAP measure, but is a preferred industry measurement of net interest income (and its use in calculating a net interest margin) as it enhances the comparability of net interest income arising from taxable and tax-exempt sources.
Net interest income is the primary source of Nicolet’s revenue, and is the difference between interest income on earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and other borrowings. Net interest income is directly impacted by the sensitivity of the balance sheet to changes in interest rates and by the amount, mix and composition of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, including characteristics such as the fixed or variable nature of the financial instruments, contractual maturities, and repricing frequencies.
Tables 1, 2, and 3 present information to facilitate the review and discussion of selected average balance sheet items, tax-equivalent net interest income, interest rate spread, and net interest margin.
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Table 1: Average Balance Sheet and Net Interest Income Analysis - Tax-Equivalent Basis
Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average Balance | Interest | Average Yield/Rate | Average Balance | Interest | Average Yield/Rate | Average Balance | Interest | Average Yield/Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest-earning assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans, including loan fees (1)(2) | $ | 2,127,470 | $ | 114,140 | 5.37 | % | $ | 1,899,225 | $ | 100,905 | 5.31 | % | $ | 1,346,304 | $ | 69,687 | 5.11 | % | ||||||||||||||
Investment securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxable | 261,107 | 6,068 | 2.32 | % | 238,433 | 4,728 | 1.98 | % | 159,421 | 3,029 | 1.90 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt (2) | 149,900 | 3,259 | 2.17 | % | 160,328 | 4,365 | 2.72 | % | 131,250 | 3,292 | 2.51 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other interest-earning assets | 133,083 | 3,220 | 2.42 | % | 53,465 | 1,624 | 3.04 | % | 86,625 | 1,327 | 1.53 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-loan earning assets | 544,090 | 12,547 | 2.31 | % | 452,226 | 10,717 | 2.37 | % | 377,296 | 7,648 | 2.03 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-earning assets | 2,671,560 | $ | 126,687 | 4.74 | % | 2,351,451 | $ | 111,622 | 4.75 | % | 1,723,600 | $ | 77,335 | 4.44 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Other assets, net | 305,897 | 297,303 | 211,170 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 2,977,457 | $ | 2,648,754 | $ | 1,934,770 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest-bearing liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Savings | $ | 285,777 | $ | 1,181 | 0.41 | % | $ | 254,961 | $ | 405 | 0.16 | % | $ | 193,933 | $ | 221 | 0.11 | % | ||||||||||||||
Interest-bearing demand | 524,924 | 4,530 | 0.86 | % | 432,513 | 2,408 | 0.56 | % | 325,383 | 1,786 | 0.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Money market accounts (“MMA”) | 634,947 | 3,926 | 0.62 | % | 583,708 | 1,781 | 0.31 | % | 451,373 | 599 | 0.13 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Core time deposits | 337,100 | 5,266 | 1.56 | % | 292,084 | 2,323 | 0.80 | % | 259,730 | 2,220 | 0.85 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Brokered deposits | 91,379 | 517 | 0.57 | % | 119,234 | 769 | 0.65 | % | 28,329 | 318 | 1.12 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing deposits | 1,874,127 | 15,420 | 0.82 | % | 1,682,500 | 7,686 | 0.46 | % | 1,258,748 | 5,144 | 0.41 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other interest-bearing liabilities | 77,719 | 3,469 | 4.46 | % | 67,599 | 2,825 | 4.18 | % | 48,723 | 2,190 | 4.44 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing liabilities | 1,951,846 | 18,889 | 0.97 | % | 1,750,099 | 10,511 | 0.60 | % | 1,307,471 | 7,334 | 0.56 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing demand | 634,825 | 545,908 | 383,146 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | 19,151 | 19,850 | 17,888 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity | 371,635 | 332,897 | 226,265 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 2,977,457 | $ | 2,648,754 | $ | 1,934,770 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-equivalent net interest income and rate spread | $ | 107,798 | 3.77 | % | $ | 101,111 | 4.15 | % | $ | 70,001 | 3.88 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-equivalent adjustment and net free funds | 1,150 | 0.27 | % | 2,369 | 0.15 | % | 1,868 | 0.13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest income and net interest margin | $ | 106,648 | 4.04 | % | $ | 98,742 | 4.30 | % | $ | 68,133 | 4.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the daily average loan balances outstanding. |
(2) | The yield on tax-exempt loans and tax-exempt investment securities is computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016, and adjusted for the disallowance of interest expense. |
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Table 2: Volume/Rate Variance - Tax-Equivalent Basis
(in thousands) | 2018 Compared to 2017 Increase (Decrease) Due to Changes in | 2017 Compared to 2016 Increase (Decrease) Due to Changes in | |||||||||||||||||||||
Volume | Rate | Net (1) | Volume | Rate | Net (1) | ||||||||||||||||||
Interest-earning assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans (2) (3) | $ | 12,551 | $ | 684 | $ | 13,235 | $ | 28,599 | $ | 2,619 | $ | 31,218 | |||||||||||
Investment securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxable | 991 | 349 | 1,340 | 1,773 | (74 | ) | 1,699 | ||||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt (3) | (272 | ) | (834 | ) | (1,106 | ) | 774 | 299 | 1,073 | ||||||||||||||
Other interest-earning assets | 1,480 | 116 | 1,596 | (400 | ) | 697 | 297 | ||||||||||||||||
Total non-loan earning assets | 2,199 | (369 | ) | 1,830 | 2,147 | 922 | 3,069 | ||||||||||||||||
Total interest-earning assets | $ | 14,750 | $ | 315 | $ | 15,065 | $ | 30,746 | $ | 3,541 | $ | 34,287 | |||||||||||
Interest-bearing liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Savings | $ | 54 | $ | 722 | $ | 776 | $ | 82 | $ | 102 | $ | 184 | |||||||||||
Interest-bearing demand | 594 | 1,528 | 2,122 | 596 | 26 | 622 | |||||||||||||||||
MMA | 168 | 1,977 | 2,145 | 218 | 964 | 1,182 | |||||||||||||||||
Core time deposits | 406 | 2,537 | 2,943 | 264 | (161 | ) | 103 | ||||||||||||||||
Brokered deposits | (165 | ) | (87 | ) | (252 | ) | 637 | (186 | ) | 451 | |||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing deposits | 1,057 | 6,677 | 7,734 | 1,797 | 745 | 2,542 | |||||||||||||||||
Other interest-bearing liabilities | 298 | 346 | 644 | 656 | (21 | ) | 635 | ||||||||||||||||
Total interest-bearing liabilities | 1,355 | 7,023 | 8,378 | 2,453 | 724 | 3,177 | |||||||||||||||||
Net interest income | $ | 13,395 | $ | (6,708 | ) | $ | 6,687 | $ | 28,293 | $ | 2,817 | $ | 31,110 | ||||||||||
(1) | The change in interest due to both rate and volume has been allocated in proportion to the relationship of dollar amounts of change in each. |
(2) | Nonaccrual loans and loans held for sale are included in the daily average loan balances outstanding. |
(3) | The yield on tax-exempt loans and tax-exempt investment securities is computed on a tax-equivalent basis using a federal tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 35% for 2017 and 2016, and adjusted for the disallowance of interest expense. |
Table 3: Interest Rate Spread, Margin and Average Balance Mix - Tax-Equivalent Basis
Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2018 Average | 2017 Average | 2016 Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance | % of Earning Assets | Yield/Rate | Balance | % of Earning Assets | Yield/Rate | Balance | % of Earning Assets | Yield/Rate | |||||||||||||||||||||
Loans | $ | 2,127,470 | 80 | % | 5.37 | % | $ | 1,899,225 | 81 | % | 5.31 | % | $ | 1,346,304 | 78 | % | 5.11 | % | |||||||||||
Non-loan earning assets | 544,090 | 20 | % | 2.31 | % | 452,226 | 19 | % | 2.37 | % | 377,296 | 22 | % | 2.03 | % | ||||||||||||||
Total interest-earning assets | $ | 2,671,560 | 100 | % | 4.74 | % | $ | 2,351,451 | 100 | % | 4.75 | % | $ | 1,723,600 | 100 | % | 4.44 | % | |||||||||||
Interest-bearing liabilities | $ | 1,951,846 | 73 | % | 0.97 | % | $ | 1,750,099 | 74 | % | 0.60 | % | $ | 1,307,471 | 76 | % | 0.56 | % | |||||||||||
Noninterest-bearing funds, net | 719,714 | 27 | % | 601,352 | 26 | % | 416,129 | 24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total funds sources | $ | 2,671,560 | 100 | % | 0.73 | % | $ | 2,351,451 | 100 | % | 0.47 | % | $ | 1,723,600 | 100 | % | 0.41 | % | |||||||||||
Interest rate spread | 3.77 | % | 4.15 | % | 3.88 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Contribution from net free funds | 0.27 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest margin | 4.04 | % | 4.30 | % | 4.01 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Comparison of 2018 versus 2017
Tax-equivalent net interest income was $107.8 million for 2018, up $6.7 million or 7%, compared to 2017, overcoming $4.2 million lower aggregate discount accretion income and $1.2 million lower tax-equivalent adjustment between the years, both impacting the rate variance on interest-earning assets. The $6.7 million increase consisted of $13.4 million from net favorable volume and mix variances, partially offset by $6.7 million from net unfavorable rate variances from a flat earning asset yield and higher overall cost of funds between the periods. Tax-equivalent interest income on earning assets increased $15.1 million between the years, with $13.2 million more interest from loans ($12.6 million from greater volume and $0.6 million from rates, despite $4.2 million lower aggregate discount accretion income), $0.2 million more interest from total investments (despite the lower tax-equivalent adjustment), and $1.6 million more interest from other earning assets (mostly volume-based with higher cash balances carried throughout the year). Interest expense increased $8.4 million, led by $7.0 million higher interest from net unfavorable rate variances due to a rising cost of funds, and $1.4 million higher interest on interest-bearing liabilities due to volume and mix variances. All rate variances were impacted by the general rising interest rate environment.
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Since December 1, 2016, the Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates by 200 bps to 2.50% as of December 31, 2018 (increases of 25 bps in each of the nine preceding quarters except third quarter 2017). These increases impacted the rate earned on short-term assets and pressured the cost of shorter-term borrowings, but have not proportionately influenced rates further out on the yield curve.
The net interest margin was 4.04% for 2018, down 26 bps versus 2017. The interest rate spread decreased 38 bps between the periods, with an unfavorable decrease in the earning asset yield (down 1 bp to 4.74% for 2018) and an increase in the cost of funds (up 37 bps to 0.97% for 2018). The contribution from net free funds increased 12 bps due to the 16% increase in average noninterest-bearing demand deposits and the higher cost of funds. While both years experienced favorable income from discount accretion on purchased loans, such favorable interest flow diminished in 2018.
The earning asset yield was influenced largely by the mix of underlying earning assets, particularly carrying a higher proportion of low-earning cash partly offset by loans and taxable investments (each at higher yields in 2018 than 2017). Loans, investments and other interest earning assets (mostly low-earning cash) represented 80%, 15% and 5% of average earning assets, respectively, for 2018, and 81%, 17%, and 2%, respectively, for 2017. Loans yielded 5.37% and 5.31%, respectively, for 2018 and 2017. The 6 bps increase in loan yield between the years resulted from new, renewed, and variable rate loans repricing in the higher interest rate environment, which more than offset the 22 bps of downward pressure from $4.2 million lower aggregate discount accretion on purchased loans between periods. Total non-loan earning assets yielded 2.31% for 2018 and 2.37% for 2017, down 6 bps. However, had both years been subject to the 21% tax rate, the non-loan earning asset yield showed an increase of 15 bps, benefiting from new purchases in the higher rate environment and a larger mix of higher-yielding corporate debt securities, offset partially by the higher cash balances carried in 2018.
Average interest-earning assets were $2.7 billion for 2018, $320 million or 14% higher than 2017, attributable partly to the timing of the 2017 acquisition, strong organic loan growth, and higher cash levels as a result of strong core deposit growth. The change consisted primarily of a $228 million increase in average loans (up 12% to $2.1 billion) and an $80 million increase in other interest-earning assets, predominantly lower earning cash.
Nicolet’s cost of funds increased 37 bps to 0.97% for 2018 compared to 2017, driven by the average cost of interest-bearing deposits, of 0.82% for 2018, up 36 bps from 2017. The cost of funds was largely influenced by general rate pressures of the 100 bps increase in the federal funds rate since January 1, 2018. The cost of savings, interest-bearing demand and money market accounts increased over 2017 by 25 bps, 30 bps, and 31 bps, respectively, as product rate changes lagged the incremental rise in the rate environment. Time deposits cost 76 bps more in 2018 over 2017, commensurate with paying more for a customer’s commitment of term in the rising rate environment.
Average interest-bearing liabilities were $2.0 billion for 2018, up $202 million or 12% from 2017, attributable partly to the timing of the 2017 acquisition and organic deposit growth. Average interest-bearing deposits (which represented 96% of average interest-bearing liabilities for both 2018 and 2017) grew $192 million or 11% from 2017. The mix of average interest-bearing deposits moved modestly, mostly from brokered deposits to core customer deposits. Average brokered deposits were $91 million for 2018, down $28 million from 2017 (largely due to decreases in brokered deposits assumed in the 2017 acquisition), with average rates declining from 0.65% to 0.57%, as a larger proportion of brokered deposits were lower-costing transaction-based deposits versus time deposits.
Provision for Loan Losses
The provision for loan losses in 2018 was $1.6 million, exceeding $1.1 million of net charge-offs. Comparatively, 2017 provision for loan losses and net charge-offs were $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The higher provision for loan losses in 2017 was largely attributable to a $1.0 million commercial loan charge-off. At December 31, 2018, the ALLL was $13.2 million or 0.61% of loans compared to $12.7 million or 0.61% of loans at December 31, 2017.
The provision for loan losses is predominantly a function of Nicolet’s methodology and judgment as to qualitative and quantitative factors used to determine the appropriateness of the ALLL. The appropriateness of the ALLL is affected by changes in the size and character of the loan portfolio, changes in levels of impaired and other nonperforming loans, historical losses and delinquencies in each portfolio segment, the risk inherent in specific loans, concentrations of loans to specific borrowers or industries, existing economic conditions, the fair value of underlying collateral, and other factors which could affect potential credit losses. For additional information regarding asset quality and the ALLL, see “Balance Sheet Analysis — Loans,” and “— Allowance for Loan Losses” and “—Nonperforming Assets.”
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Noninterest Income
Table 4: Noninterest Income
(in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | Change From Prior Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | $ Change 2018 | % Change 2018 | $ Change 2017 | % Change 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Trust services fee income | $ | 6,498 | $ | 6,031 | $ | 5,435 | $ | 467 | 8 | % | $ | 596 | 11 | % | |||||||||||
Brokerage fee income | 7,042 | 5,736 | 3,624 | 1,306 | 23 | % | 2,112 | 58 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Mortgage income, net | 6,344 | 5,361 | 5,494 | 983 | 18 | % | (133 | ) | (2 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Service charges on deposit accounts | 4,845 | 4,604 | 3,571 | 241 | 5 | % | 1,033 | 29 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Card interchange income | 5,665 | 4,646 | 3,167 | 1,019 | 22 | % | 1,479 | 47 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income | 2,418 | 1,778 | 1,284 | 640 | 36 | % | 494 | 38 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Other income | 5,528 | 4,454 | 4,045 | 1,074 | 24 | % | 409 | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Noninterest income without net gains | 38,340 | 32,610 | 26,620 | 5,730 | 18 | % | 5,990 | 23 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Asset gains (losses), net | 1,169 | 2,029 | 54 | (860 | ) | (42 | )% | 1,975 | N/M | ||||||||||||||||
Total noninterest income | $ | 39,509 | $ | 34,639 | $ | 26,674 | $ | 4,870 | 14 | % | $ | 7,965 | 30 | % | |||||||||||
N/M means not meaningful. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comparison of 2018 versus 2017
Noninterest income grew $4.9 million or 14% over 2017, with all categories increasing except net asset gains. Removing net asset gains from both periods, noninterest income increased $5.7 million or 18%. Notable contributions to the change in noninterest income were:
• | Trust service fees were $6.5 million for 2018, up $0.5 million or 8% over 2017, due to higher average assets under management. Brokerage fee income was $7.0 million for 2018, up $1.3 million or 23% over 2017, attributable to growth within the financial advisor business. |
• | Mortgage income represents net gains received from the sale of residential real estate loans service-released and service-retained into the secondary market, capitalized gains on mortgage servicing rights (“MSRs”), servicing fees, offsetting MSR amortization, valuation changes if any, and to a smaller degree some related income. Net mortgage income was $6.3 million for 2018, up $1.0 million or 18% over 2017, commensurate with higher sales volume, favorable changes to MSR capitalization assumptions in mid-2018, and to a lesser degree increased net servicing fees on the growing portfolio of mortgage loans serviced for others. |
• | Service charges on deposit accounts for 2018 were $4.8 million, up $0.2 million or 5% over 2017, resulting from an increased number of accounts and an increase to the fee charged on overdrafts implemented during mid-2017. |
• | Card interchange income grew $1.0 million or 22% in 2018 due to higher volume and activity. |
• | BOLI income was $2.4 million, up $0.6 million or 36% over 2017, fully attributable to a BOLI death benefit. |
• | Other income was $5.5 million, up $1.1 million or 24% over 2017, mostly attributable to an increase of $0.5 million in income from the equity interest in UFS and $0.3 million of annual card contract incentives. |
• | The $1.2 million net asset gains in 2018 were primarily attributable to net gains on the sale of OREO and other assets. Net asset gains in 2017 were $2.0 million, and consisted largely of a $1.2 million gain to record the fair value of Nicolet's pre-acquisition interest in First Menasha and a $0.7 million gain on the sale of assets. Additional information on the net gains is also included in Note 16, “Asset Gains (Losses), Net,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8. |
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Noninterest Expense
Table 5: Noninterest Expense
($ in thousands) | Years Ended December 31, | Change From Prior Year | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | Change 2018 | % Change 2018 | Change 2017 | % Change 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Personnel | $ | 49,476 | $ | 44,458 | $ | 34,030 | $ | 5,018 | 11 | % | $ | 10,428 | 31 | % | |||||||||||
Occupancy, equipment and office | 14,574 | 13,308 | 10,276 | 1,266 | 10 | % | 3,032 | 30 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Business development and marketing | 5,324 | 4,700 | 3,488 | 624 | 13 | % | 1,212 | 35 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Data processing | 9,514 | 8,715 | 6,370 | 799 | 9 | % | 2,345 | 37 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Intangibles amortization | 4,389 | 4,695 | 3,458 | (306 | ) | (7 | )% | 1,237 | 36 | % | |||||||||||||||
Other expense | 6,481 | 5,480 | 7,320 | 1,001 | 18 | % | (1,840 | ) | (25 | )% | |||||||||||||||
Total noninterest expense | $ | 89,758 | $ | 81,356 | $ | 64,942 | $ | 8,402 | 10 | % | $ | 16,414 | 25 | % | |||||||||||
Non-personnel expenses | $ | 40,282 | $ | 36,898 | $ | 30,912 | $ | 3,384 | 9 | % | $ | 5,986 | 19 | % | |||||||||||
Average full-time equivalent employees | 553 | 522 | 415 | 31 | 6 | % | 107 | 26 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Comparison of 2018 versus 2017
Noninterest expense increased $8.4 million or 10% over 2017, mostly due to the expanded workforce and larger operating base. Notable contributions to the change in noninterest expense were:
• | Personnel expense (including salaries, brokerage variable pay, overtime, cash and equity incentives, and employee benefit and payroll-related expenses) was $49.5 million for 2018, up $5.0 million or 11% over 2017, partly due to the expanded workforce, with average full-time equivalent employees up 6%. Also contributing to the increase were merit increases between the years, additional competitive market-based wage increases made more broadly across staff positions after tax reform was passed, cash and equity incentives (with expense related to equity awards up $1.6 million, mostly attributable to the sizable option grants made to a broad group in second quarter 2017 aligning incentives with future strategic goals), and higher health and other benefit costs. |
• | Occupancy, equipment and office expense was $14.6 million for 2018, up $1.3 million or 10% from 2017, and included $0.6 million of accelerated depreciation for branch facility upgrades. The larger operating base and investments in software and technology solutions to drive operational efficiency and product or service enhancements also contributed to the higher expense. |
• | Business development and marketing expense was $5.3 million for 2018, up $0.6 million or 13%, largely due to $0.6 million higher charitable giving, as well as the timing and extent of marketing campaigns, promotions, and media. |
• | Data processing expenses, which are primarily volume-based, were $9.5 million for 2018, up $0.8 million or 9% over 2017, in line with the higher volume of accounts and activity. |
• | Intangible amortization decreased $0.3 million as higher expense from intangibles added in recent acquisitions was more than offset by declining amortization on the aging intangibles of previous acquistions. |
• | Other expense was $6.5 million for 2018, up $1.0 million or 18%, due primarily to a $0.5 million fraud contingency loss and $0.2 million of director expense for a restricted stock grant with immediate vesting to directors. |
Income Taxes
Income tax expense was $13.4 million (effective tax rate of 24.5%) for 2018 and $16.3 million (effective tax rate of 32.7%) for 2017. The underlying federal corporate tax rate for 2018 declined to 21% from 35% for 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December 2017, impacting the effective tax rates between the years and resulting in $0.9 million of additional tax expense in 2017 for the write-down associated with the tax impact of the new law on deferred tax assets and investment securities. Additionally, the BOLI death benefit recognized in 2018 was not taxable, and a tax benefit of $0.2 million and $1.9 million was recorded against income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to the tax impact of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock.
The accounting for income taxes requires deferred income taxes to be analyzed to determine if a valuation allowance is required. A valuation allowance is required if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. This analysis involves the use of estimates, assumptions, interpretation, and judgment concerning accounting pronouncements and federal and state tax codes; therefore, income taxes are considered a critical accounting policy. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, no valuation allowance was determined to be necessary. Additional information on the subjectivity of income taxes is discussed further under “Critical Accounting Policies-Income Taxes.” The Company’s accounting policy for income taxes are described in Note 1, “Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies,” and additional disclosures relative to income taxes are included in Note 13, “Income Taxes” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8.
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BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS
Loans
Nicolet services a diverse customer base throughout northeastern and central Wisconsin and in Menominee, Michigan including the following industries: manufacturing, wholesaling, paper, packaging, food production and processing, agriculture, forest products, retail, service, and businesses supporting the general building industry. The Company concentrates on originating loans in its local markets and assisting current loan customers. Nicolet actively utilizes government loan programs such as those provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration to help customers with current economic conditions and positioning their businesses for the future. In addition to the discussion that follows, accounting policies behind loans are described in Note 1, “Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies,” and additional disclosures are included in Note 4, “Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses, and Credit Quality,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, under Part II, Item 8.
Table 6: Period End Loan Composition
December 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | December 31, 2016 | December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | Amount | % of Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial & industrial | $ | 684,920 | 32 | % | $ | 637,337 | 30 | % | $ | 428,270 | 28 | % | $ | 294,419 | 33 | % | $ | 289,379 | 33 | % | ||||||||||||||
Owner-occupied CRE | 441,353 | 20 | % | 430,043 | 21 | % | 360,227 | 23 | % | 185,285 | 21 | % | 182,574 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
AG production | 35,625 | 2 | % | 35,455 | 2 | % | 34,767 | 2 | % | 15,018 | 2 | % | 14,617 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Commercial | 1,161,898 | 54 | % | 1,102,835 | 53 | % | 823,264 | 53 | % | 494,722 | 56 | % | 486,570 | 55 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
AG real estate | 53,444 | 2 | % | 51,778 | 3 | % | 45,234 | 3 | % | 43,272 | 5 | % | 42,754 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
CRE investment | 343,652 | 16 | % | 314,463 | 15 | % | 195,879 | 12 | % | 78,711 | 9 | % | 81,873 | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Construction & land development | 80,599 | 4 | % | 89,660 | 4 | % | 74,988 | 5 | % | 36,775 | 4 | % | 44,114 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Commercial real estate | 477,695 | 22 | % | 455,901 | 22 | % | 316,101 | 20 | % | 158,758 | 18 | % | 168,741 | 19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Commercial-based loans | 1,639,593 | 76 | % | 1,558,736 | 75 | % | 1,139,365 | 73 | % | 653,480 | 74 | % | 655,311 | |||||||||||||||||||||