• Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. Reports Preliminary Third Quarter Earnings of $1.46 Per Diluted Common Share

    المصدر: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 19 أكتوبر 2022 18:30:01   America/New_York

    Preliminary Financial Results and Other Matters for the Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022:

    • Significant Income and Expense Items: During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded the following significant and non-recurring items:
      (1) The Company recorded an expense in Legal and Professional Fees totaling $1.1 million related to training and implementation costs for the upcoming core systems conversion and professional fees to consultants that were engaged to support the Company in its transition of core and ancillary software and information technology systems. Expenses of this type are expected to total approximately $1.0-1.2 million per quarter and will continue to be incurred through the systems conversion date, which is scheduled for the third quarter of 2023.
      (2) The Company recorded an expense in Legal and Professional Fees totaling $372,000 in one-time fees related to interest rate swaps initiated in July 2022.
    • Provision (Credit) for Losses on Loans and Unfunded Commitments: Provision (credit) for losses on loans and unfunded commitments were significantly different in the three months ended September 30, 2022 versus the three months ended September 30, 2021. The Company recorded a total provision expense of $3.3 million in the 2022 period versus a total credit (negative expense) of $2.4 million in the 2021 period. This was the most significant contributor to lower pre-tax income and net income in the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period. The Company’s pre-tax, pre-provision net income was $26.1 million in the 2022 period versus $23.4 million in the 2021 period. The increased provision in the 2022 period served to build credit loss reserves as net charge-offs remained very low.
    • Total Loans:   Total outstanding loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, increased $489.6 million, or 12.2%, from $4.01 billion at December 31, 2021 to $4.50 billion at September 30, 2022. This increase was primarily in other residential (multi-family) loans, one- to four-family residential loans and commercial real estate loans, partially offset by a decrease in construction loans.
    • Asset Quality: Non-performing assets and potential problem loans totaled $5.2 million at September 30, 2022, a decrease of $2.8 million from $8.0 million at December 31, 2021. At September 30, 2022, non-performing assets were $3.4 million (0.06% of total assets), a decrease of $2.6 million from $6.0 million (0.11% of total assets) at December 31, 2021.
    • Net Interest Income: Net interest income for the third quarter of 2022 increased $8.0 million (or approximately 17.8%) to $52.9 million compared to $44.9 million for the third quarter of 2021. Net interest margin was 3.96% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, compared to 3.36% for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. Net interest income and net interest margin in the second quarter of 2022 were $48.8 million and 3.78%, respectively.
    • Capital:   The capital position of the Company continues to be strong, significantly exceeding the thresholds established by regulators. On a preliminary basis, as of September 30, 2022, the Company’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 10.6%, Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.4%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.8%, and Total Capital Ratio was 13.4%.   In January 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to one million shares of the Company’s common stock. As of September 30, 2022, approximately 222,000 shares remained available in our stock repurchase authorization.

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Oct. 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:GSBC), the holding company for Great Southern Bank, today reported that preliminary earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2022, were $1.46 per diluted common share ($18.1 million net income) compared to $1.49 per diluted common share ($20.4 million net income) for the three months ended September 30, 2021.

    Preliminary earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, were $4.20 per diluted common share ($53.3 million net income) compared to $4.32 per diluted common share ($59.3 million net income) for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, annualized return on average common equity was 13.01%, annualized return on average assets was 1.30%, and annualized net interest margin was 3.96%, compared to 12.82%, 1.47% and 3.36%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, annualized return on average common equity was 12.26%, annualized return on average assets was 1.30%, and annualized net interest margin was 3.73%, compared to 12.61%, 1.43% and 3.37%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

    Great Southern President and CEO Joseph W. Turner commented, “Third quarter earnings remained strong. The current economic and geopolitical landscape has created a great deal of uncertainty. We are focused on ensuring that the Company is properly positioned for this, especially in the wake of the changing interest rate environment caused by continued inflationary pressures and other factors. As always, we remain steadfast in adhering to our core tenets of providing world-class customer service with a long-view mindset.

    “In the third quarter of 2022, we earned $18.1 million ($1.46 per diluted common share), compared to $20.4 million ($1.49 per diluted common share) for the same period in 2021. Earnings in the third quarter of 2022 versus the third quarter of 2021 included much lower profits on loan sales, as increasing interest rates reduced the volume of mortgage loans originated and sold in the secondary market. Because of continued strong commercial loan growth, we recorded a total provision for credit losses of $3.3 million for the third quarter of 2022 ($2.0 million related to our outstanding loan portfolio and $1.3 million related to unfunded loan commitments), compared to a total negative provision of $2.4 million for the same period in 2021 ($3.0 million negative provision related to our outstanding loan portfolio and $643,000 provision expense related to unfunded loan commitments). Increasing market interest rates and growth in outstanding loan and investment balances contributed to increased net interest income in 2022 compared to 2021. Operating expenses were generally in line with the prior year quarter except for employee compensation and other professional fees, which were elevated during the third quarter 2022. These expense items are discussed further in this release.”

    Turner added, “Earnings performance ratios in the quarter were strong, with an annualized return on average assets of 1.30% and annualized return on average equity of 13.01%. Our net interest margin improved to 3.96%, from 3.36% and 3.78% during the third quarter of 2021 and second quarter of 2022, respectively. The Federal Reserve continues to signal additional increases in interest rates in 2022, which should positively impact our net interest income. However, we do expect positive impacts to be limited by increases in funding costs, which we anticipate will ramp up in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 more rapidly than we have experienced in the first nine months of 2022.

    “During the third quarter, loan production and activity in our markets remained positive. Since the end of 2021, total net loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, increased $489.6 million, or 12.2%. Increases in the other residential (multi-family), commercial real estate and one-to four-family residential loan categories primarily drove this growth. Our pipeline of loan commitments and the unfunded portion of loans grew by about $413 million from the end of 2021, and we continue to see strong loan production from all of our lending offices. Credit quality metrics remained excellent during the third quarter. At September 30, 2022, non-performing assets were $3.4 million, a decrease of $2.6 million from the end of 2021. Non-performing assets to period-end assets were 0.06% at the end of the third quarter, compared to 0.11% at the end of 2021. At September 30, 2022, loan delinquencies in our portfolio remained at historically low levels.”

    Turner continued, “We began 2022 in an extremely strong capital position. While our total stockholders’ equity level has declined in 2022 as a result of decreases in market values of our investment portfolio and cash flow hedges and stock repurchases, we remain substantially above regulatory well-capitalized thresholds and our tangible common equity ratio was 8.8% at September 30, 2022.

    “In the third quarter of 2022, the Company declared a $0.40 per common share dividend, and through the first nine months of 2022 has declared dividends totaling $1.16 per common share. In addition, in our effort to enhance long-term stockholder value, the Company continued to repurchase shares of our common stock during the third quarter. Approximately one million shares at an average price of $59.28 were repurchased in the first nine months of 2022. At September 30, 2022, about 222,000 shares remained available in our stock repurchase authorization. We will continue to judiciously manage our capital levels in light of changing operating and economic circumstances.”

    Selected Financial Data:

    (In thousands, except per share data)Three Months Ended
    September 30,    		 Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
      2022
    		  2021  2022
    		  2021
    Net interest income$52,898  $44,923  $144,994  $133,695 
    Provision (credit) for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments 3,315   (2,357)  5,345   (4,038)
    Non-interest income 7,984   9,798   26,480   29,120 
    Non-interest expense 34,758   31,339   99,030   91,852 
    Provision for income taxes 4,676   5,375   13,755   15,655 
    Net income$18,133  $20,364  $53,344  $59,346 
                  
    Earnings per diluted common share$1.46  $1.49  $4.20  $4.32 
                    

    NET INTEREST INCOME

    Net interest income for the third quarter of 2022 increased $8.0 million to $52.9 million, compared to $44.9 million for the third quarter of 2021.   Net interest margin was 3.96% in the third quarter of 2022, compared to 3.36% in the same period of 2021, an increase of 60 basis points. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, net interest margin increased 18 basis points compared to net interest margin of 3.78% in the three months ended June 30, 2022. In comparing the 2022 and 2021 third quarter periods, the average yield on loans increased 44 basis points while the average rate on interest-bearing deposits increased 23 basis points. The margin expansion primarily resulted from increasing market interest rates and changes in the asset mix, with average cash equivalents decreasing $519 million, average loans increasing $240 million and average investment securities increasing $281 million. The yield on total interest-earning assets increased from 3.72% in the three months ended September 30, 2021, to 4.46% in the three months ended September 30, 2022. The average interest rate spread was 3.76% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 3.22% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 3.65% for the three months ended June 30, 2022.

    Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 increased $11.3 million to $145.0 million, compared to $133.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Net interest margin was 3.73% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 3.37% in the same period of 2021, an increase of 36 basis points. The increase in margin comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to the nine months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to the same factors as discussed above for the comparison of the current year third quarter margin to the prior year third quarter margin. The margin expansion primarily resulted from changes in the asset mix, with average cash equivalents decreasing $295 million, average investment securities increasing $228 million and average loans decreasing $31 million. The yield on total interest-earning assets increased from 3.80% in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, to 4.09% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The margin expansion was also a result of the overall rate on interest-bearing liabilities decreasing from 0.60% in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, to 0.51% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The average interest rate spread was 3.58% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 3.20% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

    Additionally, the Company’s net interest income in the 2021 period included significantly more accretion of net deferred fees related to PPP loans originated in 2020 and 2021. Net deferred fees recognized in interest income were $28,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $1.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021. Net deferred fees recognized in interest income were $497,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $3.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2021.

    In October 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction as part of its ongoing interest rate management strategies to hedge the risk of its floating rate loans. The notional amount of the swap was $400 million with a contractual termination date in October 2025. As previously disclosed by the Company, on March 2, 2020, the Company and its swap counterparty mutually agreed to terminate this swap, effective immediately. The Company was paid $45.9 million, including accrued but unpaid interest, from its swap counterparty as a result of this termination. This $45.9 million, less the accrued to date interest portion and net of deferred income taxes, is reflected in the Company’s stockholders’ equity as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and is being accreted to interest income on loans monthly through the original contractual termination date of October 6, 2025. The Company recorded $2.0 million of interest income related to the swap in both the three months ended September 30, 2022 and the three months ended September 30, 2021. The Company recorded $6.1 million of interest income related to the swap in both the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The Company currently expects to have a sufficient amount of eligible variable rate loans to continue to accrete this interest income ratably in future periods. If this expectation changes and the amount of eligible variable rate loans decreases significantly, the Company may be required to recognize this interest income more rapidly.

    In March 2022, the Company entered into another interest rate swap transaction as part of its ongoing interest rate management strategies to hedge the risk of its floating rate loans. The notional amount of the swap is $300 million, with a contractual termination date of March 1, 2024. Under the terms of the swap, the Company receives a fixed rate of interest of 1.6725% and pays a floating rate of interest equal to one-month USD-LIBOR (or the equivalent replacement rate if USD-LIBOR rate is not available).  The floating rate resets monthly and net settlements of interest due to/from the counterparty also occur monthly.  The initial floating rate of interest was set at 0.2414%, with monthly adjustments to the floating rate occurring after that time.  To the extent that the fixed rate exceeds one-month USD-LIBOR, the Company will receive net interest settlements, which will be recorded as loan interest income.  If one-month USD-LIBOR exceeds the fixed rate of interest, the Company will be required to pay net settlements to the counterparty and will record those net payments as a reduction of interest income on loans.  The Company recorded a reduction of loan interest income related to this swap transaction of $428,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2022. The Company recorded loan interest income related to this swap transaction of $610,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

    In July 2022, the Company entered into two interest rate swap transactions as part of its ongoing interest rate management strategies to hedge the risk of its floating rate loans. The notional amount of each swap is $200 million with an effective date of May 1, 2023 and a termination date of May 1, 2028. Under the terms of one swap, beginning in May 2023, the Company will receive a fixed rate of interest of 2.628% and will pay a floating rate of interest equal to one-month USD-SOFR OIS. Under the terms of the other swap, beginning in May 2023, the Company will receive a fixed rate of interest of 5.725% and will pay a floating rate of interest equal to one-month USD-Prime. In each case, the floating rate will be reset monthly and net settlements of interest due to/from the counterparty will also occur monthly. To the extent the fixed rate of interest exceeds the floating rate of interest, the Company will receive net interest settlements, which will be recorded as loan interest income. If the floating rate of interest exceeds the fixed rate of interest, the Company will be required to pay net settlements to the counterparty and will record those net payments as a reduction of interest income on loans. At September 30, 2022, the USD-Prime rate was 6.25% and the one-month USD-SOFR OIS rate was 2.49208%.

    For additional information on net interest income components, see the “Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields” tables in this release.

    NON-INTEREST INCOME

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, non-interest income decreased $1.8 million to $8.0 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2021, primarily as a result of the following item:

    • Net gains on loan sales: Net gains on loan sales decreased $1.7 million compared to the prior year quarter. The decrease was due to a decrease in originations of fixed-rate single-family mortgage loans during the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period. Fixed rate single-family mortgage loans originated are generally subsequently sold in the secondary market. These loan originations increased substantially when market interest rates decreased to historically low levels in 2020 and 2021. As a result of the significant volume of refinance activity in 2020 and 2021, and as market interest rates moved higher beginning in the second quarter of 2022, mortgage refinance volume has decreased and fixed rate loan originations and related gains on sales of these loans have decreased substantially. The lower level of originations is expected to continue as long as market rates remain elevated.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, non-interest income decreased $2.6 million to $26.5 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily as a result of the following items:

    • Net gains on loan sales: Net gains on loan sales decreased $5.4 million compared to the prior year period. The decrease was due to a decrease in originations of fixed-rate single-family mortgage loans during the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period for the same reasons noted above.

    • Point-of-sale and ATM fees: Point-of-sale and ATM fees increased $899,000 compared to the prior year period. This increase was mainly due to increased customer debit card transactions in the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period. In the latter half of 2021 and through the first three quarters of 2022, debit card usage by customers rebounded and was back to historical levels, and in many cases, increased levels of activity.

    • Overdraft and Insufficient funds fees: Overdraft and Insufficient funds fees increased $1.0 million compared to the prior year period. It appears that consumers have continued to spend significantly in 2022, but some may have lower account balances as prices for goods and services have increased and government stimulus payments received by consumers in 2020 and 2021 have been exhausted now.

    • Other income: Other income increased $1.1 million compared to the prior year period. In the 2022 period, a gain of $1.1 million was recognized on sales of fixed assets. Also in the 2022 period, the Company recorded a one-time bonus of $500,000 from its card processor for achieving certain benchmarks related to debit card activity.

    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2022, non-interest expense increased $3.5 million to $34.8 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2021, primarily as a result of the following items:

    • Salaries and employee benefits: Salaries and employee benefits increased $1.1 million from the prior year quarter. A portion of this increase related to normal annual merit increases in various lending and operations areas. In 2022, many of these increases were larger than in previous years due to the current employment environment. In addition, the Phoenix loan office was opened in the first quarter of 2022 and the Charlotte, North Carolina loan office was opened in the second quarter of 2022. The operation of these offices added approximately $200,000 of expense in the 2022 quarter.

    • Legal, Audit and Other Professional Fees: Legal, audit and other professional fees increased $1.6 million from the prior year quarter, to $2.2 million. In the 2022 period, the Company expensed a total of $1.1 million related to training and implementation costs for the upcoming core systems conversion and professional fees to consultants engaged to support the Company’s transition of core and ancillary software and information technology systems. Also in the 2022 period, the Company expensed $372,000 in fees related to the interest rate swaps initiated in July 2022.

    • Other operating expenses: Other operating expenses increased $576,000 from the prior year quarter, to $2.4 million. Of this increase, $142,000 related to business development, $152,000 related to deposit account fraud losses and $90,000 related to charitable contributions.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, non-interest expense increased $7.1 million to $99.0 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily as a result of the following items:

    • Salaries and employee benefits: Salaries and employee benefits increased $3.6 million from the prior year period, for the same reasons noted above. Also, in the second quarter of 2022, the Company paid a special cash bonus to all employees totaling $1.1 million in response to the rapid and significant increases in prices for many goods and services.

    • Legal, Audit and Other Professional Fees: Legal, audit and other professional fees increased $2.4 million from the prior year period, to $4.2 million, with $1.6 million related to training and implementation costs for the upcoming core systems conversion and professional fees to consultants engaged to support the Company’s transition of core and ancillary software and information technology systems. Also in the 2022 period, the Company expensed $492,000 in fees related to the interest rate swaps initiated at various times in 2022.

    • Other operating expenses: Other operating expenses increased $1.3 million from the prior year period, to $6.1 million. Of this increase, $353,000 related to business development, $278,000 related to deposit account fraud losses and $188,000 related to charitable contributions.

    The Company’s efficiency ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, was 57.09% compared to 57.27% for the same quarter in 2021. The efficiency ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was 57.75% compared to 56.42% for the same period in 2021. In the three-month period ended September 30, 2022, the slight improvement in the efficiency ratio was primarily due to an increase in net interest income, due to an increase in loan and investment balances and increased market interest rates compared to the three-month period ended September 30, 2021, partially offset by increased non-interest expense. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2022, the higher efficiency ratio was primarily due to an increase in non-interest expense, for the reasons noted above. The Company’s ratio of non-interest expense to average assets was 2.49% and 2.42% for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to 2.27% and 2.22% for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2021. Average assets for the three months ended September 30, 2022, decreased $50.0 million, or 0.9%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to a decrease in interest bearing cash equivalents, partially offset by an increase in net loans receivable and investment securities. Average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, decreased $74.4 million, or 1.3%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to a decrease in interest bearing cash equivalents and net loans receivable, partially offset by an increase in investment securities.

    INCOME TAXES

    For the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company's effective tax rate was 20.5% and 20.9%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company's effective tax rate was 20.5% and 20.9%, respectively. These effective rates were at or below the statutory federal tax rate of 21%, due primarily to the utilization of certain investment tax credits and the Company’s tax-exempt investments and tax-exempt loans, which reduced the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s effective tax rate may fluctuate in future periods as it is impacted by the level and timing of the Company’s utilization of tax credits, the level of tax-exempt investments and loans, the amount of taxable income in various state jurisdictions and the overall level of pre-tax income. State tax expense estimates continually evolve as taxable income and apportionment between states is analyzed. The Company's effective income tax rate is currently generally expected to remain near the statutory federal tax rate due primarily to the factors noted above. The Company currently expects its effective tax rate (combined federal and state) will be approximately 20.5% to 21.5% in future periods.

    CAPITAL

    As of September 30, 2022, total stockholders’ equity and common stockholders’ equity were each $511.3 million (9.0% of total assets), equivalent to a book value of $41.75 per common share. Total stockholders’ equity and common stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2021, were each $616.8 million (11.3% of total assets), equivalent to a book value of $46.98 per common share. At September 30, 2022, the Company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 8.8%, compared to 11.2% at December 31, 2021. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, were unrealized gains (losses) (net of taxes) on the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities totaling $(51.7 million) and $9.1 million, respectively. This change from a net unrealized gain to a net unrealized loss during 2022 primarily resulted from increasing market interest rates throughout 2022, which decreased the fair value of investment securities. Also included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2022, were unrealized gains (net of taxes) totaling $30,000 on the Company’s investment securities that were transferred to the held-to-maturity category. Approximately $227 million of investment securities previously included in available-for-sale were transferred to held-to-maturity during the first quarter of 2022.

    In addition, included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2022, were realized gains (net of taxes) on the Company’s terminated cash flow hedge (interest rate swap), totaling $18.9 million. This amount, plus associated deferred taxes, is expected to be accreted to interest income over the remaining term of the original interest rate swap contract, which was to end in October 2025. At September 30, 2022, the remaining pre-tax amount to be recorded in interest income was $24.5 million. The net effect on total stockholders’ equity over time will be no impact as the reduction of this realized gain will be offset by an increase in retained earnings (as the interest income flows through pre-tax income).

    Also included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2022, was an unrealized loss (net of taxes) on the Company’s three outstanding cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps) totaling $25.6 million. Anticipated higher market interest rates have caused the fair value of these interest rate swaps to decrease.

    As noted above, total stockholders' equity decreased $105.5 million, from $616.8 million at December 31, 2021 to $511.3 million at September 30, 2022. Accumulated other comprehensive income decreased $91.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to decreases in the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities and the fair value of cash flow hedges. Stockholders’ equity also decreased due to repurchases of the Company’s common stock totaling $59.2 million and dividends declared on common stock of $14.5 million. The Company recorded net income of $53.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. In addition, stockholders’ equity increased $6.0 million due to stock option exercises.

    On a preliminary basis, as of September 30, 2022, the Company’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 10.6%, Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.4%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 10.8%, and Total Capital Ratio was 13.4%. On September 30, 2022, and on a preliminary basis, the Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 11.5%, Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 11.8%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 11.8%, and Total Capital Ratio was 13.0%.

    In January 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to one million shares of the Company’s common stock. As of September 30, 2022, a total of approximately 222,000 shares were available in our stock repurchase authorization.

    During the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased 150,271 shares of its common stock at an average price of $59.06 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per common share, which, combined, reduced stockholders’ equity by $13.8 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company repurchased 999,586 shares of its common stock at an average price of $59.28 and declared regular quarterly cash dividends totaling $1.16 per common share, which, combined, reduced stockholders’ equity by $73.7 million.

    LOANS

    Total net loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, increased $489.6 million, or 12.2%, from $4.01 billion at December 31, 2021 to $4.50 billion at September 30, 2022. This increase was primarily in other residential (multi-family) loans ($217 million increase), one- to four- family residential real estate loans ($202 million increase) and commercial real estate loans ($100 million increase). These increases were partially offset by a decrease in construction loans ($29 million decrease). The pipeline of loan commitments and the unfunded portion of construction loans remained strong in the third quarter of 2022. As construction projects were completed, the related loans were either paid off or moved from the construction category to the appropriate permanent loan categories.

    For further information about the Company’s loan portfolio, please see the quarterly loan portfolio presentation available on the Company’s Investor Relations website under “Presentations.”

    Loan commitments and the unfunded portion of loans at the dates indicated were as follows (in thousands):

      September
    30, 2022
    		 June 30,
    2022
    		 March 31,
    2022
    		 December
    31, 2021
    		 December
    31, 2020
    		 December
    31, 2019
    Closed non-construction loans with unused available lines                  
    Secured by real estate (one- to four-family)$198,762 $190,637 $185,101 $175,682 $164,480 $155,831 
    Secured by real estate (not one- to four-family) —  —  —  23,752  22,273  19,512 
    Not secured by real estate - commercial business 96,328  87,556  89,252  91,786  77,411  83,782 
                       
    Closed construction loans with unusedavailable lines                  
    Secured by real estate (one-to four-family) 118,429  93,892  75,214  74,501  42,162  48,213 
    Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family) 1,455,081  1,331,986  1,089,844  1,092,029  823,106  798,810 
                       
    Loan commitments not closed                  
    Secured by real estate (one-to four-family) 36,493  88,153  109,472  53,529  85,917  69,295 
    Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family) 132,770  134,600  212,264  146,826  45,860  92,434 
    Not secured by real estate - commercial business 45,902  14,335  8,223  12,920  699  — 
                       
     $2,083,765 $1,941,159 $1,769,370 $1,671,025 $1,261,908 $1,267,877 
                       

    DEPLOYMENT OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the mix of the Company’s assets shifted somewhat, with net increases in outstanding loan balances and investment securities. The Company used excess funds that were previously held on account at the Federal Reserve Bank to fund the increases in loans and investments. Outstanding loans increased $489.6 million and investment securities increased $188.3 million, while cash and cash equivalents decreased $528.3 million.

    PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES

    The Company adopted ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, effective January 1, 2021. The CECL methodology replaced the incurred loss methodology with a lifetime “expected credit loss” measurement objective for loans, held-to-maturity debt securities and other receivables measured at amortized cost at the time the financial asset is originated or acquired. This standard requires the consideration of historical loss experience and current conditions adjusted for reasonable and supportable economic forecasts.

    Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for differences in current loan-specific risk characteristics such as differences in underwriting standards, portfolio mix, delinquency level, or term as well as for changes in economic conditions, such as changes in the national unemployment rate, commercial real estate price index, housing price index, commercial real estate price index, consumer sentiment, gross domestic product (GDP) and construction spending.

    Worsening economic conditions from COVID-19 and subsequent variant outbreaks or similar events, higher inflation or interest rates, or other factors may lead to increased losses in the portfolio and/or requirements for an increase in provision expense. Management maintains various controls in an attempt to identify and limit future losses, such as a watch list of problem loans and potential problem loans, documented loan administration policies and loan review staff to review the quality and anticipated collectability of the portfolio. Additional procedures provide for frequent management review of the loan portfolio based on loan size, loan type, delinquencies, financial analysis, on-going correspondence with borrowers and problem loan work-outs. Management determines which loans are collateral-dependent, evaluates risk of loss and makes additional provisions to expense, if necessary, to maintain the allowance at a satisfactory level.

    During the quarter ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded provision expense of $2.0 million on its portfolio of outstanding loans, compared to a negative provision expense of $3.0 million recorded for the quarter ended September 30, 2021. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded provision expense of $2.0 million on its portfolio of outstanding loans, compared to a negative provision of $3.7 million recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. Total net charge-offs were $297,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to net recoveries of $27,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2021. Total net recoveries were $7,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to net charge-offs of $9,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $1.3 million, compared to a provision of $643,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2021. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $3.3 million, compared to a negative provision of $338,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. General market conditions and unique circumstances related to specific industries and individual projects contribute to the level of provisions and charge-offs.

    The Bank’s allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans was 1.38%, 1.49% and 1.38% at September 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022, respectively. Management considers the allowance for credit losses adequate to cover losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio at September 30, 2022, based on recent reviews of the Bank’s loan portfolio and current economic conditions. If challenging economic conditions were to continue or deteriorate, or if management’s assessment of the loan portfolio were to change, additional loan loss provisions could be required, thereby adversely affecting the Company’s future results of operations and financial condition.

    ASSET QUALITY

    At September 30, 2022, non-performing assets were $3.4 million, a decrease of $2.6 million from $6.0 million at December 31, 2021, and a decrease of $885,000 from $4.3 million at June 30, 2022. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.06% at September 30, 2022, compared to 0.11% at December 31, 2021 and 0.08% at June 30, 2022. As a result of changes in balances and composition of the loan portfolio, changes in economic and market conditions and other factors specific to a borrower’s circumstances, the level of non-performing assets will fluctuate.

    Compared to December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022, non-performing loans decreased $2.1 million and $927,000, respectively, to $3.3 million at September 30, 2022, and foreclosed and repossessed assets decreased $502,000 and increased $42,000, respectively, to $86,000 at September 30, 2022. Non-performing commercial real estate loans comprised $1.6 million, or 49.2%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2022, a decrease of $214,000 from June 30, 2022. Non-performing one- to four-family residential loans comprised $821,000, or 24.9%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2022, a decrease of $681,000 from June 30, 2022. Non-performing construction and land development loans comprised $468,000, or 14.2%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2022, unchanged from June 30, 2022. Non-performing consumer loans comprised $386,000, or 11.7%, of the total non-performing loans at September 30, 2022, a decrease of $32,000 from June 30, 2022.

    Activity in the non-performing loans categories during the quarter ended September 30, 2022, was as follows:

      Beginning
    Balance,
    July 1
    		 Additions
    to Non-
    Performing
    		 Removed
    from Non-
    Performing    		 Transfers
    to Potential
    Problem
    Loans    		 Transfers to
    Foreclosed
    Assets and
    Repossessions
    		 Charge-
    Offs    		 Payments Ending
    Balance,
    September 30
      (In thousands)
                         
    One- to four-family construction$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
    Subdivision construction —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Land development 468  —  —  —  —  —  —  468 
    Commercial construction —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    One- to four-family residential 1,502  238  (90) —  —  —  (829) 821 
    Other residential —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Commercial real estate 1,832  —  —  —  —  —  (214) 1,618 
    Commercial business —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Consumer 418  22  —  (2) —  (37) (15) 386 
    Total non-performing loans$4,220 $260 $(90)$(2)$— $(37)$(1,058)$3,293 
                         
    FDIC-assisted acquired loans included above$1,162 $204 $— $— $— $— $(765)$601 
                             

    At September 30, 2022, the non-performing commercial real estate category included three loans, none of which were added during the current quarter. The largest relationship in the category, which totaled $1.4 million, or 83.6% of the total category, was transferred from potential problems during the fourth quarter of 2021, and is collateralized by a mixed-use commercial retail building. The non-performing one- to four-family residential category included 24 loans, three of which were added during the current quarter. The largest relationship in the category totaled $204,000, or 24.8% of the category. The non-performing one- to four-family residential category experienced $829,000 in repayments during the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily related to a note sale of six non-performing loans totaling $752,000. The non-performing land development category consisted of one loan added during the first quarter of 2021, which totaled $468,000 and is collateralized by unimproved zoned vacant ground in southern Illinois. The non-performing consumer category included 25 loans, seven of which were added during the current quarter.

    Compared to December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022, potential problem loans decreased $155,000 and $327,000, respectively, to $1.8 million at September 30, 2022. The decrease during the quarter was primarily due to $333,000 in loans upgraded to performing and $25,000 in loan payments, partially offset by $31,000 in loans added to potential problem loans.

    Activity in the potential problem loans category during the quarter ended September 30, 2022, was as follows:

      Beginning
    Balance,
    July 1
    		 Additions to
    Potential
    Problem
    		 Removed
    from
    Potential
    Problem    		 Transfers
    to Non-
    Performing
    		 Transfers to
    Foreclosed
    Assets and
    Repossessions
    		 Charge-
    Offs
    		 Loan
    Advances
    (Payments)    		 Ending
    Balance,
    September 30
      (In thousands)
                           
    One- to four-family construction$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
    Subdivision construction 10  —  —  —  —  —  (10) — 
    Land development —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Commercial construction —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    One- to four-family residential 1,625  —  (275) —  —  —  20  1,370 
    Other residential —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Commercial real estate 200  —  —  —  —  —  (4) 196 
    Commercial business —  —  —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Consumer 317  31  (58) —  —  —  (31) 259 
    Total potential problem loans$2,152 $31 $(333)$— $— $— $(25)$1,825 
                           
    FDIC-assisted acquired loans included above$968 $— $— $— $— $— $(19)$949 
                             

    At September 30, 2022, the one- to four-family residential category of potential problem loans included 22 loans, none of which were added during the current quarter. The largest relationship in this category totaled $161,000, or 11.8% of the total category. The commercial real estate category of potential problem loans included one loan, which was added in a previous period. The consumer category of potential problem loans included 28 loans, five of which were added during the current quarter.    
    Activity in foreclosed assets and repossessions during the quarter ended September 30, 2022, excluding $183,000 in properties which were not acquired through foreclosure, was as follows:

      Beginning
    Balance,
    July 1
    		 Additions
    		 ORE and
    Repossession
    Sales
    		 Capitalized
    Costs
    		 ORE and
    Repossession
    Write-Downs    		 Ending
    Balance,
    September 30
      (In thousands)
                      
    One-to four-family construction$— $— $— $— $— $— 
    Subdivision construction —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Land development —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Commercial construction —  —  —  —  —  — 
    One- to four-family residential —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Other residential —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Commercial real estate —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Commercial business —  —  —  —  —  — 
    Consumer 44  69  —  —  (27) 86 
    Total foreclosed assets and repossessions$44 $69 $— $— $(27)$86 
                      
    FDIC-assisted acquired assets included above$— $— $— $— $— $— 
                       

    The additions and sales in the consumer category were due to the volume of repossessions of automobiles, which generally are subject to a shorter repossession process.  

    BUSINESS INITIATIVES

    On October 17, 2022, the new banking center in Kimberling City, Missouri, opened for business. The newly-constructed building replaces the former facility located on the same property at 14309 Highway 13. Customers were served from a temporary building on the property during the demolition and construction period. Including this office, the Company operates three banking centers in the Branson Tri-Lakes area of southwest Missouri. 

    In the first quarter of 2023, a high-transaction-volume banking center located at 1615 West Sunshine Street in Springfield, Missouri, is expected to be razed to make way for an Express Banking facility, utilizing only interactive teller machine (ITM) technology to serve customers. The modern four-lane drive-up center will be the first-of-its-kind in the Springfield market. ITMs, also known as video remote tellers, offer an ATM-like interface, but with the enhancement of a video screen that allows customers to speak directly to a service representative in real time and in a highly personal manner. Nearly any teller transaction that can be performed in the traditional drive-thru can be performed at an ITM, including cashing a check to the penny. ITMs provide convenience and enhanced access for customers, while creating greater operational efficiencies for the Bank.

    The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to discuss third quarter 2022 preliminary earnings. The call will be available live or in a recorded version at the Company’s Investor Relations website, http://investors.greatsouthernbank.com. Participants may register for the call here.  

    Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Great Southern offers a broad range of banking services to customers. The Company operates 92 retail banking centers in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Arkansas and Nebraska and commercial lending offices in Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Omaha, Nebraska; Phoenix and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The common stock of Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "GSBC."

    www.GreatSouthernBank.com

    Forward-Looking Statements

    When used in this press release and in documents filed or furnished by Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in the Company's other press releases or other public or stockholder communications, and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “may,” “might,” “could,” “should,” "will likely result," "are expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," “believe,” "estimate," "project," "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of announced transactions, known trends and statements about future performance, operations, products and services of the Company. The Company’s ability to predict results or the actual effects of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain, and the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, pandemic has adversely affected the Company, its customers, counterparties, employees, and third-party service providers, and the ultimate extent of the impacts on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations, liquidity, and prospects is uncertain. While general business and economic conditions have improved, increases in unemployment rates, labor shortages, or turbulence in domestic or global financial markets could adversely affect the Company’s revenues and the values of its assets and liabilities, reduce the availability of funding, lead to a tightening of credit, and further increase stock price volatility. In addition, changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies or practices as a result of, or in response to, COVID-19, could affect the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways.

    Other factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expected revenues, cost savings, earnings accretion, synergies and other benefits from the Company's merger and acquisition activities might not be realized within the anticipated time frames or at all, and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters, including but not limited to customer and employee retention, might be greater than expected; (ii) changes in economic conditions, either nationally or in the Company's market areas; (iii) fluctuations in interest rates and the effects of inflation or a potential recession; (iv) the risks of lending and investing activities, including changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; (v) the possibility of realized or unrealized losses on securities held in the Company's investment portfolio; (vi) the Company's ability to access cost-effective funding; (vii) fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; (viii) the ability to adapt successfully to technological changes to meet customers' needs and developments in the marketplace; (ix) the possibility that security measures implemented might not be sufficient to mitigate the risk of a cyber-attack or cyber theft, and that such security measures might not protect against systems failures or interruptions; (x) legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect the Company's business; (xi) changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards; (xii) results of examinations of the Company and Great Southern Bank by their regulators, including the possibility that the regulators may, among other things, require the Company to limit its business activities, change its business mix, increase its allowance for credit losses, write-down assets or increase its capital levels, or affect its ability to borrow funds or maintain or increase deposits, which could adversely affect its liquidity and earnings; (xiv) costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; (xv) competition; (xvi) uncertainty regarding the future of LIBOR and potential replacement indexes; and (xvii) natural disasters, war, terrorist activities or civil unrest and their effects on economic and business environments in which the Company operates. The Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed above and other risks described from time to time in documents filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC could affect the Company's financial performance and could cause the Company's actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed with respect to future periods in any current statements.

    The Company does not undertake-and specifically declines any obligation- to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

    The following tables set forth selected consolidated financial information of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated. Financial data at all dates and for all periods is unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which consist only of normal recurring accrual adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results at and for such unaudited dates and periods have been included. The results of operations and other data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and the three months ended June 30, 2022, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations which may be expected for any future period.

            
      September 30,  December 31,
      2022  2021
    Selected Financial Condition Data:(In thousands)
            
    Total assets$5,676,249  $5,449,944 
    Loans receivable, gross 4,571,099   4,077,553 
    Allowance for credit losses 62,761   60,754 
    Other real estate owned, net 269   2,087 
    Available-for-sale securities, at fair value 482,807   501,032 
    Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost 206,485   — 
    Deposits 4,739,118   4,552,101 
    Total borrowings 323,287   238,713 
    Total stockholders’ equity 511,275   616,752 
    Non-performing assets 3,379   6,011 
            


      Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended  Three Months
    Ended
      September 30,  September 30,  June 30,
      2022
    		  2021  2022
    		  2021  2022
     (In thousands)
    Selected Operating Data:                 
    Interest income$59,657  $49,640  $159,028  $150,725  $52,698 
    Interest expense 6,759   4,717   14,034   17,030   3,867 
    Net interest income 52,898   44,923   144,994   133,695   48,831 
    Provision (credit) for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments 3,315   (2,357)  5,345   (4,038)  2,223 
    Non-interest income 7,984   9,798   26,480   29,120   9,319 
    Non-interest expense 34,758   31,339   99,030   91,852   33,004 
    Provision for income taxes 4,676   5,375   13,755   15,655   4,699 
    Net income$18,133  $20,364  $53,344  $59,346  $18,224 
                      


          
     At or For the Three
    Months Ended    		 At or For the Nine
    Months Ended    		 At or For the Three
    Months Ended
     September 30, September 30, June 30,
     2022 2021 2022 2021 2022
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Per Common Share:       
    Net income (fully diluted)$1.46  $1.49  $4.20  $4.32  $1.44 
    Book value$41.75  $46.73  $41.75  $46.73  $44.53 
            
    Earnings Performance Ratios:       
    Annualized return on average assets 1.30%  1.47%  1.30%  1.43%  1.34%
    Annualized return on average common stockholders’ equity 13.01%  12.82%  12.26%  12.61%  12.72%
    Net interest margin 3.96%  3.36%  3.73%  3.37%  3.78%
    Average interest rate spread 3.76%  3.22%  3.58%  3.20%  3.65%
    Efficiency ratio 57.09%  57.27%  57.75%  56.42%  56.76%
    Non-interest expense to average total assets 2.49%  2.27%  2.42%  2.22%  2.43%
            
    Asset Quality Ratios:       
    Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans 1.38%  1.56%  1.38%  1.56%  1.38%
    Non-performing assets to period-end assets 0.06%  0.15%  0.06%  0.15%  0.08%
    Non-performing loans to period-end loans 0.07%  0.17%  0.07%  0.17%  0.10%
    Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans 0.03%  0.00%  0.00%  0.00%  (0.01)%
            


     
    Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
    (In thousands, except number of shares)
            
      September 30,
    2022    		 December 31,
    2021
    		 June 30,
    2022
            
    Assets       
    Cash$107,617 $90,008 $99,403 
    Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions 81,389  627,259  96,305 
    Cash and cash equivalents 189,006  717,267  195,708 
            
    Available-for-sale securities 482,807  501,032  519,472 
    Held-to-maturity securities 206,485  —  215,354 
    Mortgage loans held for sale 4,097  8,735  2,782 
    Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $62,761 – September 2022; $60,754 – December 2021; $61,058 – June 2022 4,497,109  4,007,500  4,361,559 
    Interest receivable 13,787  10,705  13,558 
    Prepaid expenses and other assets 64,383  45,176  59,468 
    Other real estate owned and repossessions (1), net 269  2,087  329 
    Premises and equipment, net 139,410  132,733  136,147 
    Goodwill and other intangible assets 11,029  6,081  11,246 
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other interest-earning assets 31,254  6,655  13,364 
    Current and deferred income taxes 36,613  11,973  23,009 
            
    Total Assets$5,676,249 $5,449,944 $5,551,996 
            
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity       
    Liabilities       
    Deposits$4,739,118 $4,552,101 $4,516,205 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers 124,187  137,116  145,838 
    Short-term borrowings 99,119  1,839  171,889 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust 25,774  25,774  25,774 
    Subordinated notes 74,207  73,984  74,133 
    Accrued interest payable 2,632  646  791 
    Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance 10,134  6,147  8,874 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses 76,829  25,956  47,189 
    Liability for unfunded commitments 12,974  9,629  11,659 
    Total Liabilities 5,164,974  4,833,192  5,002,352 
            
    Stockholders’ Equity       
    Capital stock       
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding September 2022, December 2021 and June 2022 -0- shares —  —  — 
    Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding September 2022 – 12,245,593 shares; December 2021 – 13,128,493 shares; June 2022 – 12,343,449 shares 123  131  123 
    Additional paid-in capital 41,515  38,314  40,565 
    Retained earnings 527,963  545,548  522,255 
    Accumulated other comprehensive gain (58,326) 32,759  (13,299)
    Total Stockholders’ Equity 511,275  616,752  549,644 
            
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity$5,676,249 $5,449,944 $5,551,996 


    (1)   At September 30, 2022, December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2022, includes $183,000, $1.5 million and $285,000, respectively, of properties which were not acquired through foreclosure, but are held for sale.

     
    Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Income
    (In thousands, except per share data)
            
      Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended  Three Months Ended
      September 30,  September 30,  June 30,
      2022
    		  2021  2022
    		  2021  2022
    Interest Income                
    Loans$54,077  $46,536  $143,906  $141,605  $46,764 
    Investment securities and other 5,580   3,104   15,122   9,120   5,934 
      59,657   49,640   159,028   150,725   52,698 
    Interest Expense                
    Deposits 4,984   2,925   9,516   10,604   2,358 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements 45   10   62   29   8 
    Short-term borrowings, overnight FHLBank borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities 377   —   614   —   236 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust 248   111   525   337   159 
    Subordinated notes 1,105   1,671   3,317   6,060   1,106 
      6,759   4,717   14,034   17,030   3,867 
                     
    Net Interest Income 52,898   44,923   144,994   133,695   48,831 
    Provision (Credit) for Credit Losses on Loans 2,000   (3,000)  2,000   (3,700)  — 
    Provision (Credit) for Unfunded Commitments 1,315   643   3,345   (338)  2,223 
    Net Interest Income After Provision (Credit) for Credit Losses and Provision (Credit) for Unfunded Commitments 49,583   47,280   139,649   137,733   46,608 
                     
    Noninterest Income                
    Commissions 226   325   912   977   389 
    Overdraft and Insufficient funds fees 2,077   1,845   5,830   4,817   1,888 
    POS and ATM fee income and service charges 3,874   3,714   11,942   11,043   4,104 
    Net gains on loan sales 601   2,341   2,234   7,643   498 
    Net realized gain on sale of available-for-sale securities 31   —   38   —   — 
    Late charges and fees on loans 206   481   879   1,141   360 
    Gain on derivative interest rate products 88   45   385   340   145 
    Other income 881   1,047   4,260   3,159   1,935 
      7,984   9,798   26,480   29,120   9,319 
                     
    Noninterest Expense                
    Salaries and employee benefits 18,976   17,834   56,488   52,887   19,432 
    Net occupancy and equipment expense 7,198   7,244   20,884   21,013   6,808 
    Postage 860   759   2,491   2,387   844 
    Insurance 803   775   2,383   2,294   787 
    Advertising 953   997   2,383   2,187   875 
    Office supplies and printing 236   200   662   639   208 
    Telephone 832   848   2,513   2,597   832 
    Legal, audit and other professional fees 2,239   636   4,240   1,814   1,196 
    Expense on other real estate and repossessions 84   103   313   473   65 
    Acquired intangible asset amortization 216   158   552   705   177 
    Other operating expenses 2,361   1,785   6,121   4,856   1,780 
      34,758   31,339   99,030   91,852   33,004 
    Income Before Income Taxes 22,809   25,739   67,099   75,001   22,923 
    Provision for Income Taxes 4,676   5,375   13,755   15,655   4,699 
                     
    Net Income$18,133  $20,364  $53,344  $59,346  $18,224 
                     
    Earnings Per Common Share                
    Basic$1.47  $1.50  $4.23  $4.35  $1.45 
    Diluted$1.46  $1.49  $4.20  $4.32  $1.44 
                     
    Dividends Declared Per Common Share$0.40  $0.36  $1.16  $1.04  $0.40 
                     

    Average Balances, Interest Rates and Yields

    The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the total dollar amounts of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resulting yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates, and the net interest margin. Average balances of loans receivable include the average balances of non-accrual loans for each period. Interest income on loans includes interest received on non-accrual loans on a cash basis. Interest income on loans includes the amortization of net loan fees, which were deferred in accordance with accounting standards. Net fees included in interest income were $1.6 million and $2.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Net fees included in interest income were $4.7 million and $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Tax-exempt income was not calculated on a tax equivalent basis. The table does not reflect any effect of income taxes.

     September
    30, 2022    		   Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2022    		 Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2021    		 
         Average    Yield/   Average    Yield/ 
     Yield/Rate   Balance  Interest Rate   Balance  Interest Rate 
     (Dollars in thousands) 
    Interest-earning assets:                    
    Loans receivable:                    
    One- to four-family residential3.34% $872,243 $7,532 3.43% $687,899 $6,333 3.65%
    Other residential5.37   885,883  11,836 5.30   934,727  10,456 4.44 
    Commercial real estate4.90   1,584,249  19,368 4.85   1,537,874  16,477 4.25 
    Construction5.34   635,811  9,116 5.69   596,747  6,686 4.44 
    Commercial business5.06   293,529  3,734 5.05   257,324  3,932 6.06 
    Other loans5.15   197,070  2,309 4.65   212,828  2,484 4.63 
    Industrial revenue bonds5.14   13,100  182 5.52   14,402  168 4.63 
                         
    Total loans receivable4.92   4,481,885  54,077 4.79   4,241,801  46,536 4.35 
                         
    Investment securities2.70   734,518  5,129 2.77   453,304  2,877 2.52 
    Other interest-earning assets3.08   84,797  451 2.11   603,956  227 0.15 
                         
    Total interest-earning assets4.63   5,301,200  59,657 4.46   5,299,061  49,640 3.72 
    Non-interest-earning assets:                    
    Cash and cash equivalents    101,307        101,818      
    Other non-earning assets    176,768        128,448      
    Total assets   $5,579,275       $5,529,327      
                         
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Interest-bearing demand and savings0.39  $2,303,579  1,320 0.23  $2,360,755  922 0.15 
    Time deposits1.54   1,196,452  3,664 1.22   1,114,995  2,003 0.71 
    Total deposits0.83   3,500,031  4,984 0.56   3,475,750  2,925 0.33 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements0.69   134,917  45 0.13   150,054  10 0.02 
    Short-term borrowings, overnight FHLBank borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities3.29   69,956  377 2.14   1,206  — — 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust4.38   25,774  248 3.82   25,774  111 1.71 
    Subordinated notes5.96   74,165  1,105 5.91   108,913  1,671 6.09 
                         
    Total interest-bearing liabilities1.00   3,804,843  6,759 0.70   3,761,697  4,717 0.50 
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Demand deposits    1,146,542        1,085,781      
    Other liabilities    70,566        46,319      
    Total liabilities    5,021,951        4,893,797      
    Stockholders’ equity    557,324        635,530      
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $5,579,275       $5,529,327      
                         
    Net interest income:                    
    Interest rate spread3.63%    $52,898 3.76%    $44,923 3.22%
    Net interest margin*         3.96%       3.36%
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities    139.3%       140.9%     


    *Defined as the Company’s net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

     September
    30, 2022    		   Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2022    		 Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2021    		 
         Average    Yield/   Average    Yield/ 
     Yield/Rate   Balance  Interest Rate   Balance  Interest Rate 
     (Dollars in thousands) 
    Interest-earning assets:                    
    Loans receivable:                    
    One- to four-family residential3.34% $782,592 $20,107 3.44% $676,093 $19,211 3.80%
    Other residential5.37   832,641  29,890 4.80   983,564  32,599 4.43 
    Commercial real estate4.90   1,550,445  51,834 4.47   1,560,208  49,917 4.28 
    Construction5.34   642,264  24,367 5.07   593,774  19,946 4.49 
    Commercial business5.06   290,420  10,431 4.80   290,643  11,365 5.23 
    Other loans5.15   200,014  6,770 4.53   224,020  8,019 4.79 
    Industrial revenue bonds5.14   13,472  507 5.03   14,610  548 5.02 
                         
    Total loans receivable4.92   4,311,848  143,906 4.46   4,342,912  141,605 4.36 
                         
    Investment securities2.70   670,700  14,260 2.84   442,794  8,655 2.61 
    Other interest-earning assets3.08   218,263  862 0.53   513,364  465 0.12 
                         
    Total interest-earning assets4.63   5,200,811  159,028 4.09   5,299,070  150,725 3.80 
    Non-interest-earning assets:                    
    Cash and cash equivalents    95,943        98,482      
    Other non-earning assets    156,577        130,179      
    Total assets   $5,453,331       $5,527,731      
                         
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Interest-bearing demand and savings0.39  $2,355,937  2,927 0.17  $2,287,969  3,154 0.18 
    Time deposits1.54   1,015,003  6,589 0.87   1,212,605  7,450 0.82 
    Total deposits0.83   3,370,940  9,516 0.38   3,500,574  10,604 0.41 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements0.69   132,930  62 0.06   145,525  29 0.03 
    Short-term borrowings, overnight FHLBank borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities3.29   49,217  614 1.67   1,487  — — 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust4.38   25,774  525 2.72   25,774  337 1.75 
    Subordinated notes5.96   74,094  3,317 5.99   135,223  6,060 5.99 
                         
    Total interest-bearing liabilities1.00   3,652,955  14,034 0.51   3,808,583  17,030 0.60 
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Demand deposits    1,165,125        1,047,157      
    Other liabilities    55,287        44,545      
    Total liabilities    4,873,367        4,900,285      
    Stockholders’ equity    579,964        627,446      
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $5,453,331       $5,527,731      
                         
    Net interest income:                    
    Interest rate spread3.63%    $144,994 3.58%    $133,695 3.20%
    Net interest margin*         3.73%       3.37%
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities    142.4%       139.1%     


    *Defined as the Company’s net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

    NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

    This document contains certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). This non-GAAP financial information includes the tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio.

    In calculating the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, we subtract period-end intangible assets from common equity and from total assets. Management believes that the presentation of this measure excluding the impact of intangible assets provides useful supplemental information that is helpful in understanding our financial condition and results of operations, as it provides a method to assess management’s success in utilizing our tangible capital as well as our capital strength. Management also believes that providing a measure that excludes balances of intangible assets, which are subjective components of valuation, facilitates the comparison of our performance with the performance of our peers. In addition, management believes that this is a standard financial measure used in the banking industry to evaluate performance.

    This non-GAAP financial measurement is supplemental and is not a substitute for any analysis based on GAAP financial measures. Because not all companies use the same calculation of non-GAAP measures, this presentation may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures as calculated by other companies.

    Non-GAAP Reconciliation: Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets        

      September 30,   December 31, 
      2022   2021 
      (Dollars in thousands) 
        
    Common equity at period end$511,275  $616,752 
    Less: Intangible assets at period end 11,029   6,081 
    Tangible common equity at period end (a)$500,246  $610,671 
            
    Total assets at period end$5,676,249  $5,449,944 
    Less: Intangible assets at period end 11,029   6,081 
    Tangible assets at period end (b)$5,665,220  $5,443,863 
            
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (a) / (b) 8.83%  11.22%
            

    CONTACT: Kelly Polonus, Great Southern, (417) 895-5242
kpolonus@greatsouthernbank.com

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