• Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. Reports Preliminary Third Quarter Earnings of $1.33 Per Diluted Common Share

    المصدر: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 18 أكتوبر 2023 16:30:01   America/New_York

    Preliminary Financial Results and Other Matters for the Quarter and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023:

    • Significant Expense Item: During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded expenses in Legal and Professional Fees totaling $904,000 related to training and implementation costs for its upcoming core systems conversion and professional fees to consultants engaged to support the Company in its transition of core and ancillary software and information technology systems.
    • Liquidity: The Company had secured borrowing line availability at the FHLBank and Federal Reserve Bank of $1.1 billion and $440 million, respectively, at September 30, 2023. In addition, at September 30, 2023, the Company had unpledged securities with a market value totaling $555 million, which could be pledged as collateral for additional borrowing capacity at either the FHLBank or Federal Reserve Bank, if needed or desired. At September 30, 2023, the Company estimated that its uninsured deposits, excluding deposit accounts of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries, were approximately $774 million (16% of total deposits). The Company believes it has ample sources of liquidity.
    • Capital: The Company’s capital position remained strong as of September 30, 2023, significantly exceeding the thresholds established by regulators. On a preliminary basis, as of September 30, 2023, the Company’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 11.0%, Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 11.5%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.0%, and Total Capital Ratio was 14.7%. Total stockholders’ equity decreased $1.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and the Company’s tangible common equity ratio was 9.1% at September 30, 2023. See “Capital” section for additional information regarding the decrease in total stockholders’ equity.
    • Net Interest Income: Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $6.2 million (or approximately 11.6%) to $46.7 million compared to $52.9 million for the third quarter of 2022. Net interest margin was 3.43% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared to 3.96% for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. Net interest income and net interest margin in the second quarter of 2023 were $48.1 million and 3.56%, respectively. Competition for deposits and higher market interest rates, along with a shift in the funding mix, resulted in increased funding costs in the third quarter of 2023.
    • Total Loans: Total outstanding loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, increased $57.7 million, or 1.3%, from $4.51 billion at December 31, 2022 to $4.56 billion at September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily in other residential (multi-family) loans and commercial business loans, with a decrease in commercial real estate loans. As construction projects are completed, the loans either pay off or move to their respective loan categories, primarily multi-family or commercial real estate.
    • Asset Quality: Non-performing assets and potential problem loans totaled $11.2 million at September 30, 2023, an increase of $5.9 million from $5.3 million at December 31, 2022. At September 30, 2023, non-performing assets were $10.9 million (0.19% of total assets), an increase of $7.2 million from $3.7 million (0.07% of total assets) at December 31, 2022. The increase in non-performing assets was mainly in the commercial real estate loan category. A single loan relationship collateralized by an office building in Missouri, which totaled $8.6 million, was added to non-performing loans during the second quarter of 2023. The Company experienced net charge offs of $227,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Oct. 18, 2023 (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, 2023, were $1.33 per diluted common share ($15.9 million net income) compared to $1.46 per diluted common share ($18.1 million net income) for the three months ended September 30, 2022.

    Preliminary earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, were $4.52 per diluted common share ($54.7 million net income) compared to $4.20 per diluted common share ($53.3 million net income) for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, annualized return on average common equity was 11.47%, annualized return on average assets was 1.11%, and annualized net interest margin was 3.43%, compared to 13.01%, 1.30% and 3.96%, respectively, for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, annualized return on average common equity was 13.15%, annualized return on average assets was 1.28%, and annualized net interest margin was 3.66%, compared to 12.26%, 1.30% and 3.73%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

    Great Southern President and CEO Joseph W. Turner said, “Our third quarter performance was solid, but down a bit, as we continued to navigate through a challenging operating environment. Thanks to the hard work of the Great Southern team, we earned $1.33 per diluted common share ($15.9 million) for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $1.46 per diluted common share ($18.1 million) for the third quarter of 2022. Earnings performance ratios in the third quarter of 2023 were again good, with an annualized return on average assets of 1.11% and annualized return on average equity of 11.47%.

    “Like many banks, we experienced much higher deposit costs during the second quarter of 2023, reflective of increasing market interest rates and significant competition for deposits. Deposit costs again moved higher in the third quarter of 2023, but the pace of increases moderated compared to the second quarter. Higher deposit costs drove a decrease in net interest income – approximately $6.2 million lower in the third quarter 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, and about $1.4 million lower compared to the second quarter of 2023. Net interest income for this cycle peaked in the third and fourth quarters of 2022. Higher funding costs were partially caused by a moderate amount of time deposits maturing at relatively low rates. These time deposits either renewed at higher rates or left the Company, in turn requiring their replacement with other funding sources at then-current market rates. Higher funding costs also were realized on interest-bearing demand and savings accounts as certain rates increased and the mix shifted from non-interest-bearing accounts to these deposit products. Besides the higher funding costs of deposits, net interest income was also negatively affected by the Company’s interest rate swaps (two of which began net settlements in May 2023). These two interest rate swaps reduced interest income by a total of $2.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively, during the third and second quarters of 2023. These swaps had no impact in quarters prior to the second quarter of 2023.”

    Turner added, “The Company’s liquidity and capital positions continue to be strong. Our borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank remained above $1 billion at September 30, 2023. At the end of September 2023, we had available secured funding lines through the FHLBank and Federal Reserve Bank and on-balance sheet liquidity totaling approximately $2.2 billion. Total stockholders’ equity decreased by $1.4 million from the end of 2022, and decreased more substantially ($14.6 million) from June 30, 2023 as a result of increased unrealized AOCI losses due to market rate increases in the third quarter of 2023. The retained earnings component of our stockholders’ equity increased $20.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Our capital remains substantially above regulatory well-capitalized thresholds, and our tangible common equity ratio was 9.1% at September 30, 2023. As we noted previously, our deposit base is diverse by customer type and geography and has a low level of uninsured deposits (approximately 16% of total deposits, excluding internal subsidiary accounts). Non-interest-bearing checking balances declined about $38 million from June 30, 2023 to September 30, 2023, and have decreased $121 million in 2023 through September 30.

    “As expected, total outstanding loan balances modestly grew by $58 million since the end of 2022. Growth primarily came from the multi-family loan segment (much of this from projects completed and moved from the construction category to multi-family) and commercial business loans, partially offset by a reduction in the commercial real estate category. At the end of September 2023, the pipeline of loan commitments and unfunded lines declined to $1.4 billion, including $922 million in the unfunded portion of construction loans. At the beginning of 2023, loan commitments and unfunded lines totaled $2.1 billion, with $1.4 billion in unfunded construction lines. Overall credit quality metrics remained very strong during the quarter. Non-performing assets to total assets were 0.19% at September 30, 2023. Delinquencies in our loan portfolio continued to be at historically low levels.”

    Selected Financial Data:

    (In thousands, except per share data)Three Months Ended
    September 30,    		 Nine Months Ended
    September 30,    		 
      2023   2022  2023   2022 
    Net interest income$46,738  $52,898 $148,068  $144,994 
    Provision (credit) for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments (1,195)  3,315  (2,140)  5,345 
    Non-interest income 7,852   7,984  23,510   26,480 
    Non-interest expense 35,557   34,758  104,738   99,030 
    Provision for income taxes 4,349   4,676  14,325   13,755 
    Net income and net income available to common shareholders$15,879  $18,133 $54,655  $53,344 
                 
    Earnings per diluted common share$1.33  $1.46 $4.52  $4.20 

    NET INTEREST INCOME

    Net interest income for the third quarter of 2023 decreased $6.2 million to $46.7 million, compared to $52.9 million for the third quarter of 2022. Net interest margin was 3.43% in the third quarter of 2023, compared to 3.96% in the same period of 2022, a decrease of 53 basis points. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, net interest margin decreased 13 basis points compared to net interest margin of 3.56% in the three months ended June 30, 2023. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, net interest income decreased $1.4 million compared to net interest income of $48.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2023. In comparing the 2023 and 2022 third quarter periods, the average yield on loans increased 113 basis points while the average rate paid on interest-bearing deposits increased 203 basis points. The margin contraction primarily resulted from increasing interest rates on all deposit types during the third quarter. The average rate on interest-bearing demand and savings deposits increased 123 basis points The average interest rate spread was 2.79% for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 3.76% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2.96% for the three months ended June 30, 2023.

    Compared to the second quarter of 2023, interest expense increased $1.2 million on interest-bearing demand and savings accounts, increased $1.4 million on time deposits and increased $815,000 on brokered deposits. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher market rates. The weighted average interest rate on interest-bearing demand and savings accounts increased 20 basis points, while the weighted average interest rate on time deposits increased 51 basis points. The weighted average interest rate on brokered deposits increased 19 basis points. Interest income on loans increased $1.4 million compared to the second quarter of 2023, but was reduced by $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to a reduction of $1.7 million during the second quarter of 2023, due to the two interest rate swaps described below, which began net settlements in the second quarter of 2023.

    Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased $3.1 million to $148.1 million, compared to $145.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Net interest margin was 3.66% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 3.73% in the same period of 2022, a decrease of seven basis points. The net interest income increase primarily resulted from increasing market interest rates and a higher balance of interest-earning assets, with average loans increasing $308 million. The average interest rate spread was 3.09% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 3.58% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

    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, 2023 and the three months ended September 30, 2022. The Company recorded $6.1 million of interest income related to the swap in both the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and the nine months ended September 30, 2022. 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. 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 $2.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $428,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2022. The Company recorded a reduction of loan interest income related to this swap transaction of $7.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. 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 additional 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 receives a fixed rate of interest of 2.628% and pays 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 receives a fixed rate of interest of 5.725% and pays a floating rate of interest equal to one-month USD-Prime. In each case, the floating rate resets monthly and net settlements of interest due to/from the counterparty 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. The Company recorded a reduction of loan interest income related to these swap transactions of $2.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. At September 30, 2023, the USD-Prime rate was 8.50% and the one-month USD-SOFR OIS rate was 5.31663%.

    The Company’s net interest income was negatively impacted in the third quarter of 2023 by the high level of competition for deposits due to asset growth across the industry and the liquidity events at a few banks in March 2023. The Company also had a substantial amount of time deposits maturing at relatively low rates in the second quarter of 2023, and these time deposits either renewed at higher rates or left the Company, in turn requiring their replacement with other funding sources at then-current higher market rates. In addition, in the first quarter of 2023 the Company experienced a higher-than-normal reduction in balances of non-interest-bearing deposits. The outflow of non-interest-bearing deposits moderated in the second and third quarter of 2023. Customer balances in both non-interest-bearing checking and interest-bearing checking accounts have fluctuated in the first nine months of 2023. As market interest rates for certain checking account types and time deposit accounts have increased, some customers have chosen to reallocate funds into higher-rate accounts. The Company has significantly more low-rate time deposits maturing in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to those that matured in the third quarter of 2023. However, the difference in the rate being paid on those time deposits currently versus the expected rate that will be paid upon renewal of those maturing time deposits is not as great as it was in previous periods in 2023. Subsequent to September 30, 2023, time deposit maturities over the next 12 months are as follows: within three months -- $354 million with a weighted-average rate of 3.16%; within three to six months -- $352 million with a weighted-average rate of 3.88%; and within six to twelve months -- $350 million with a weighted-average rate of 3.93%.Based on time deposit market rates in October 2023, replacement rates for these maturing time deposits are likely to be approximately 4.25-4.75%.

    If market interest rates remain near their current levels, the Company’s interest rate swaps will continue to have a negative impact on net interest income. Based on the interest rates on these swaps at September 30, 2023, the negative impact of all the interest rate swaps combined in the fourth quarter of 2023 is expected to be approximately $3.7 million. The negative impact of all the interest rate swaps combined in the third quarter of 2023 was approximately $3.5 million. As noted above, one of these interest rate swaps will terminate March 1, 2024. This interest rate swap had a negative impact to net interest income of $2.8 million in the third quarter of 2023. It is expected to have a negative impact to net interest income of $2.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2024, then no impact in subsequent periods.

    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, 2023, non-interest income decreased $132,000 to $7.9 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022. None of the components of non-interest income experienced increases or decreases exceeding $200,000 in comparing the two periods.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, non-interest income decreased $3.0 million to $23.5 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily as a result of the following items:

    • Other income: Other income decreased $845,000 compared to the prior year period. In the 2022 period, a gain of $1.1 million was recognized on sales of fixed assets, with no similar transactions occurring in the current year period.
    • Point-of-sale and ATM fees: Point-of-sale and ATM fees decreased $738,000 compared to the prior year period. This decrease was primarily due to a portion of these transactions now being routed through channels with lower fees to us, which we expect will continue in future periods.
    • Gain (loss) on derivative interest rate products: In the 2023 period, the Company recognized a loss of $234,000 on the change in fair value of its back-to-back interest rate swaps related to commercial loans and the change in fair value on interest rate swaps related to brokered time deposits. In the 2022 period, the Company recognized a gain of $385,000 on the change in fair value of its back-to-back interest rate swaps related to commercial loans.

    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

    For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, non-interest expense increased $799,000 to $35.6 million when compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2022, primarily as a result of the following items:

    • Salaries and employee benefits: Salaries and employee benefits increased $697,000 from the prior year quarter. A portion of this increase related to normal annual merit increases in various lending and operations areas. In 2023, some of these increases were larger than in previous years due to the current employment environment. In addition, compensation costs related to originated loans that are deferred under accounting rules decreased by $233,000 in the 2023 period compared to the 2022 period (resulting in higher expense in the 2023 period), as the volume of loans originated in the third quarter of 2023 decreased substantially compared to the third quarter of 2022.
    • Net occupancy expenses: Net occupancy expenses increased $531,000 from the prior year period. Various components of computer license and support expenses increased by $333,000 in the 2023 period compared to the 2022 period. In addition, various repairs and maintenance expenses increased by $106,000 in the 2023 period compared to the 2022 period.
    • Insurance: Insurance expense increased $498,000 from the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to previously announced increases in deposit insurance rates for the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund.
    • Legal, Audit and Other Professional Fees: Legal, audit and other professional fees decreased $390,000 from the prior year quarter, to $1.8 million. In the 2022 period, the Company expensed $372,000 in fees related to the interest rate swaps initiated in July 2022, which was not repeated in the 2023 period.

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, non-interest expense increased $5.7 million to $104.7 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily as a result of the following items:

    • Salaries and employee benefits: Salaries and employee benefits increased $2.1 million from the prior year period. A portion of this increase related to normal annual merit increases in various lending and operations areas. In 2023, some of these increases were larger than in previous years due to the current employment environment. In addition, compensation costs related to originated loans that are deferred under accounting rules decreased by $1.2 million in the 2023 period compared to the 2022 period (resulting in higher expense in the 2023 period), as the volume of loans originated in the first nine months of 2023 decreased substantially compared to the same period in 2022.
    • Net occupancy expenses: Net occupancy expenses increased $2.0 million from the prior year period. Various components of computer license and support expenses increased by $986,000 in the 2023 period compared to the 2022 period. In addition, various repairs and maintenance expenses increased by $224,000 in the 2023 period compared to the 2022 period.
    • Legal, Audit and Other Professional Fees: Legal, audit and other professional fees increased $1.2 million from the prior year period, to $5.5 million. In the 2023 period, the Company expensed a total of $3.1 million, compared to $1.7 expensed in the 2022 period, primarily 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.
    • Insurance: Insurance expense increased $795,000 from the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to previously announced increases in deposit insurance rates for the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund.

    The Company’s efficiency ratio for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, was 65.13% compared to 57.09% for the same quarter in 2022. The Company’s efficiency ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was 61.04% compared to 57.75% for the same period in 2022. The Company’s ratio of non-interest expense to average assets was 2.49% and 2.45% for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, compared to 2.49% and 2.42% for the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Average assets for the three months ended September 30, 2023, increased $124.5 million, or 2.2%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to an increase in net loans receivable and interest-bearing cash equivalents, partially offset by a decrease in investment securities. Average assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, increased $255.6 million, or 4.7%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to an increase in net loans receivable and investment securities, partially offset by a decrease in interest-bearing cash equivalents.

    INCOME TAXES

    For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company's effective tax rate was 21.5% and 20.5%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company's effective tax rate was 20.8% and 20.5%, respectively. These effective rates were near 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 are 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 22.0% in future periods.

    CAPITAL

    As of September 30, 2023, total stockholders’ equity and common stockholders’ equity were each $531.7 million (9.3% of total assets), equivalent to a book value of $44.81 per common share. Total stockholders’ equity and common stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2022, were each $533.1 million (9.4% of total assets), equivalent to a book value of $43.58 per common share. At September 30, 2023, the Company’s tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 9.1%, compared to 9.2% at December 31, 2022. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were unrealized losses (net of taxes) on the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities totaling $63.5 million and $47.2 million, respectively. This change in net unrealized loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily resulted from decreasing intermediate-term market interest rates (which generally increased the fair value of investment securities) during the first three months of 2023, followed by increasing intermediate-term market interest rates (which generally decreased the fair value of investment securities) during the period from March 31, 2023 through September 30, 2023.

    In addition, included in stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2023, were realized gains (net of taxes) on the Company’s terminated cash flow hedge (interest rate swap), totaling $12.7 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, 2023, the remaining pre-tax amount to be recorded in interest income was $16.4 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, 2023, was an unrealized loss (net of taxes) on the Company’s three outstanding cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps) totaling $25.9 million. Significant increases in market interest rates since the inception of these hedges have caused their fair values to decrease.

    As noted above, total stockholders' equity decreased $1.4 million, from $533.1 million at December 31, 2022 to $531.7 million at September 30, 2023. Stockholders’ equity decreased due to repurchases of the Company’s common stock totaling $19.5 million and dividends declared on common stock of $14.4 million. Accumulated other comprehensive loss increased $23.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to declines in the market value of available-for-sale securities and decreases in the fair value of cash flow hedges. Partially offsetting these decreases were net income of $54.7 million in the nine-month period and a $1.3 million increase in stockholders’ equity due to stock option exercises.

    The Company also had unrealized losses on its portfolio of held-to-maturity investment securities, which totaled $30.6 million at September 30, 2023, that were not included in its total capital balance. If these held-to-maturity unrealized losses were included in capital (net of taxes) it would have decreased total stockholder’s equity by $23.1 million at September 30, 2023. This amount was equal to 4.3% of total stockholders’ equity of $531.7 million.

    On a preliminary basis, as of September 30, 2023, the Company’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 11.0%, Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 11.5%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.0%, and Total Capital Ratio was 14.7%.

    On September 30, 2023, and on a preliminary basis, the Bank’s Tier 1 Leverage Ratio was 11.7%, Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.7%, Tier 1 Capital Ratio was 12.7%, and Total Capital Ratio was 14.0%.

    In December 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the purchase of one million shares of the Company’s common stock. As of September 30, 2023, a total of approximately 801,000 shares were available in our stock repurchase authorization.

    During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 106,801 shares of its common stock at an average price of $50.52 and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per common share, which, combined, reduced stockholders’ equity by $10.1 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 376,122 shares of its common stock at an average price of $51.97 and declared regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.20 per common share, which, combined, reduced stockholders’ equity by $33.9 million.

    LIQUIDITY AND DEPOSITS

    Liquidity is a measure of the Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash to meet present and future financial obligations in a timely manner. Liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits with financial institutions and certain investment securities and loans. As a result of the Company’s management of the ability to generate liquidity primarily through liability funding, management believes that the Company maintains overall liquidity sufficient to satisfy its depositors’ requirements and meet its borrowers’ credit needs.

    The Company’s primary sources of funds are customer deposits, FHLBank advances, other borrowings, loan repayments, unpledged securities, proceeds from sales of loans and available-for-sale securities and funds provided from operations. The Company utilizes particular sources of funds based on the comparative costs and availability at the time. The Company has from time to time chosen not to pay rates on deposits as high as the rates paid by certain of its competitors and, when believed to be appropriate, supplements deposits with less expensive alternative sources of funds.

    At September 30, 2023, the Company had the following available secured lines and on-balance sheet liquidity:

       
     September 30, 2023
    Federal Home Loan Bank line$1,053.1 million
    Federal Reserve Bank line$439.8 million
    Cash and cash equivalents$182.3 million
    Unpledged securities – Available-for-sale$361.6 million
    Unpledged securities – Held-to-maturity$193.4 million

    During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company’s total deposits increased $27 million. Total brokered deposits decreased less than $1 million. Time deposits generated through the Company’s banking center and corporate services networks increased $21 million and time deposits generated through internet channels decreased $5 million. Interest-bearing checking balances increased $49 million (about 2.3%) and non-interest-bearing checking balances decreased $38 million (about 3.9%).

    During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company’s total deposits increased $167 million. Brokered deposits increased $258 million through a variety of sources. Time deposits generated through the Company’s banking center and corporate services networks increased $9 million and time deposits generated through internet channels decreased $32 million. Interest-bearing checking balances increased $55 million (about 2.5%) and non-interest-bearing checking balances decreased $121 million (about 11.4%).

    LOANS

    Total net loans, excluding mortgage loans held for sale, increased $57.7 million, or 1.3%, from $4.51 billion at December 31, 2022 to $4.56 billion at September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily in other residential (multi-family) loans ($64 million increase) and commercial business loans ($50 million increase), partially offset by a decrease in commercial real estate loans ($27 million decrease). The pipeline of loan commitments declined further in the third quarter of 2023. The unfunded portion of construction loans remained significant, but also declined, in the third quarter of 2023. 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, 2023    		 June 30,
    2023    		 March 31,
    2023    		 December
    31, 2022    		 December
    31, 2021    		 December
    31, 2020
    Closed non-construction loans with unused available lines            
    Secured by real estate (one- to four-family)$205,935$207,597$205,517$199,182$175,682$164,480
    Secured by real estate (not one- to four-family) — — — — 23,752 22,273
    Not secured by real estate - commercial business 103,434 109,135 113,186 104,452 91,786 77,411
                 
    Closed construction loans with unused available lines            
    Secured by real estate (one-to four-family) 104,666 111,491 104,045 100,669 74,501 42,162
    Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family) 921,632 1,123,860 1,333,596 1,444,450 1,092,029 823,106
                 
    Loan commitments            
    Secured by real estate (one-to four-family) 22,123 25,571 33,221 16,819 53,529 85,917
    Secured by real estate (not one-to four-family) 56,159 50,071 78,384 157,645 146,826 45,860
    Not secured by real estate - commercial business 16,971 21,835 37,477 50,145 12,920 699
                 
     $1,430,920$1,649,560$1,905,426$2,073,362$1,671,025$1,261,908

    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, including but not limited to; 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.

    Challenging or worsening economic conditions from higher inflation or interest rates, COVID-19 and subsequent variant outbreaks or similar events, global unrest 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, ongoing correspondence with borrowers and problem loan workouts. 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, 2023, the Company did not record a provision expense on its portfolio of outstanding loans, compared to a $2.0 million provision during the quarter ended September 30, 2022. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, the Company recorded provision expense of $1.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively, on its portfolio of outstanding loans. Total net charge-offs were $99,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to $297,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2022. Total net charge-offs were $227,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to net recoveries of $7,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a negative provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $1.2 million, compared to provision expense of $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a negative provision for losses on unfunded commitments of $3.6 million, compared to provision expense of $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. 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 1.40%, 1.39% and 1.41% at September 30, 2023, December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, respectively. Management considers the allowance for credit losses adequate to cover losses inherent in the Bank’s loan portfolio at September 30, 2023, based on recent reviews of the Bank’s loan portfolio and current economic conditions. If challenging economic conditions were to last longer than anticipated or deteriorate further or management’s assessment of the loan portfolio were to change, additional credit loss provisions could be required, thereby adversely affecting the Company’s future results of operations and financial condition.

    ASSET QUALITY

    At September 30, 2023, non-performing assets were $10.9 million, an increase of $7.2 million from $3.7 million at December 31, 2022. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets were 0.19% at September 30, 2023, compared to 0.07% at December 31, 2022. Non-performing assets were $11.2 million at June 30, 2023. One significant loan relationship was added to non-performing assets in the three months ended June 30, 2023. 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, 2022, non-performing loans increased $7.2 million to $10.8 million at September 30, 2023. The majority of this increase was in the non-performing commercial real estate loans category, which increased $8.6 million from December 31, 2022, primarily due to one loan relationship being added to the category in the second quarter of 2023. Compared to June 30, 2023, non-performing loans decreased $318,000.

    Activity in the non-performing loans categories during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, 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 384 — — —  — —  —  384
    Commercial construction — — — —  — —  —  —
    One- to four-family residential 359 — — —  — —  (118) 241
    Other residential — — — —  — —  —  —
    Commercial real estate 10,192 30 — —  — —  (90) 10,132
    Commercial business 16 — — —  — —  (16) —
    Consumer 198 9 — —  — (87) (46) 74
    Total non-performing loans$11,149$39$—$— $—$(87)$(270)$10,831
                      
    FDIC-assisted acquired loans included above$101$—$—$— $—$— $(10)$91

    At September 30, 2023, the non-performing commercial real estate category included four loans, none of which were added during the current quarter. The largest relationship in the category, which totaled $8.5 million, or 84.3% of the total category, was added to non-performing loans during the second quarter of 2023 and is collateralized by an office building in Missouri. The non-performing one- to four-family residential category included three loans, none of which were added during the current quarter. The largest relationship in the category totaled $150,000, or 62.3% of the category, and was added in a previous period. The primary decrease in the non-performing one- to four-family residential category was due to one loan being paid off during the three months ended September 30, 2023, totaling $118,000. The non-performing land development category consisted of one loan added during the first quarter of 2021, which totaled $384,000 and is collateralized by unimproved zoned vacant ground in southern Illinois. The non-performing consumer category included 7 loans, one of which was added during the current quarter.

    Compared to December 31, 2022, potential problem loans decreased $1.2 million, to $337,000 at September 30, 2023. The decrease during the period was primarily due to multiple loans, totaling $1.0 million, that were upgraded to a satisfactory risk rating. Compared to June 30, 2023, potential problem loans decreased $154,000, to $337,000 at September 30, 2023. The decrease during the quarter was primarily due to one loan, which totaled $143,000, being paid off during the quarter.

    Activity in the potential problem loans category during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, 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 — — — —  — —  —  —
    Land development — — — —  — —  —  —
    Commercial construction — — — —  — —  —  —
    One- to four-family residential 382 — — —  — —  (146) 236
    Other residential — — — —  — —  —  —
    Commercial real estate — — — —  — —  —  —
    Commercial business — — — —  — —  —  —
    Consumer 109 6 — (3) — —  (11) 101
    Total potential problem loans$491$6$—$(3)$—$— $(157)$337
                      
    FDIC-assisted acquired loans included above$178$—$—$— $—$— $(1)$177

    At September 30, 2023, the one- to four-family residential category of potential problem loans included three loans, none of which were added during the current quarter. The largest relationship in this category totaled $99,000, or 42.0% of the total category. The consumer category of potential problem loans included 10 loans, one of which was added during the current quarter.

    Activity in foreclosed assets and repossessions during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 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 21 — (21) — — —
    Other residential — — —  — — —
    Commercial real estate — — —  — — —
    Commercial business — — —  — — —
    Consumer 14 35 (11) — — 38
    Total foreclosed assets and repossessions$35$35$(32)$—$—$38
                 
    FDIC-assisted acquired loans included above$21$—$(21)$—$—$—

    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

    Since early 2022, Great Southern has been preparing to convert to a new core banking platform (New System) to be delivered by a third-party vendor. As previously disclosed, the migration to the New System, originally scheduled for the third quarter of 2023, has been delayed to mid-2024. Certain contractual disputes have arisen between Great Southern and the third-party vendor.  While discussions are ongoing between the parties, there is no assurance that a resolution will be achieved.  In the meantime, Great Southern expects to continue operations with its current core banking provider, which will allow Great Southern to offer its full array of products and services. 

    In September 2023, in Springfield, Missouri, the Company opened Great Southern Express, a modern four-lane drive-through center using only interactive teller machine (ITM) technology to serve customers. ITMs, also known as video remote tellers, offer an ATM-like interface, but with the enhancement of a video screen that allows customers to speak directly to a service representative in real time and in a highly personal manner during extended business hours seven days a week. Nearly any teller transaction that can be performed in the traditional drive-thru can be performed at an ITM, including cashing a check to the penny. ITMs provide convenience and enhanced access for customers, while creating greater operational efficiencies for the Bank.

    Also in the Springfield market, a banking center is slated to be consolidated into a nearby banking center at the close of business on January 12, 2024. After a thorough evaluation, the banking center at 600 West Republic Road will be consolidated into the Great Southern banking center located at 2945 W. Republic Road, a short distance away. After the West Republic Road location closes, an on-site ITM will be available there indefinitely for customers’ convenience.

    The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time to discuss third quarter 2023 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 at https://register.vevent.com/register/BIdab4697736124b7795f0adfcf27a948a.

    Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Great Southern offers a broad range of banking services to customers. The Company operates 90 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 other documents filed or furnished by Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in the Company’s 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.

    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) the remaining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on general economic and financial market conditions and on public health; (iv) fluctuations in interest rates, the effects of inflation or a potential recession, whether caused by Federal Reserve actions or otherwise; (v) the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; (vi) slower economic growth caused by changes in energy prices, supply chain disruptions or other factors; (vii) 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; (viii) the possibility of realized or unrealized losses on securities held in the Company’s investment portfolio; (ix) the Company’s ability to access cost-effective funding and maintain sufficient liquidity; (x) fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; (xi) the ability to adapt successfully to technological changes to meet customers’ needs and developments in the marketplace; (xii) 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; (xiii) legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect the Company’s business; (xiv) changes in accounting policies and practices or accounting standards; (xv) 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; (xvi) costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; (xvii) competition; (xviii) the transition from LIBOR to new interest rate benchmarks; and (xix) 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 in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including, without limitation, those described under “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed or furnished from time to time by the Company with the SEC (which are available on our website at www.greatsouthernbank.com and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov), could affect the Company’s financial performance and 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, 2023 and 2022, and the three months ended June 30, 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations which may be expected for any future period.

      September 30,  December 31,
      2023  2022
    Selected Financial Condition Data:(In thousands)
          
    Total assets$5,748,078 $5,680,702
    Loans receivable, gross 4,637,241  4,581,381
    Allowance for credit losses on loans 64,753  63,480
    Other real estate owned, net 38  233
    Available-for-sale securities, at fair value 447,948  490,592
    Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost 196,716  202,495
    Deposits 4,851,548  4,684,910
    Total borrowings 242,560  366,481
    Total stockholders’ equity 531,697  533,087
    Non-performing assets 10,869  3,720


      Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended  Three Months
    Ended
      September 30,  September 30,  June 30,
      2023   2022  2023   2022  2023 
       
      (In thousands)
    Selected Operating Data:              
    Interest income$75,272  $59,657 $220,353  $159,028 $73,618 
    Interest expense 28,534   6,759  72,285   14,034  25,480 
    Net interest income 46,738   52,898  148,068   144,994  48,138 
    Provision (credit) for credit losses on loans and unfunded commitments (1,195)  3,315  (2,140)  5,345  (1,619)
    Non-interest income 7,852   7,984  23,510   26,480  7,769 
    Non-interest expense 35,557   34,758  104,738   99,030  34,718 
    Provision for income taxes 4,349   4,676  14,325   13,755  4,488 
    Net income$15,879  $18,133 $54,655  $53,344 $18,320 
                   


     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,
      2023  2022   2023  2022   2023 
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
    Per Common Share:       
    Net income (fully diluted)$1.33 $1.46  $4.52 $4.20  $1.52 
    Book value$44.81 $41.75  $44.81 $41.75  $45.64 
                      
    Earnings Performance Ratios:                 
    Annualized return on average assets 1.11% 1.30%  1.28% 1.30%  1.28%
    Annualized return on average common stockholders’ equity 11.47% 13.01%  13.15% 12.26%  13.11%
    Net interest margin 3.43% 3.96%  3.66% 3.73%  3.56%
    Average interest rate spread 2.79% 3.76%  3.09% 3.58%  2.96%
    Efficiency ratio 65.13% 57.09%  61.04% 57.75%  62.10%
    Non-interest expense to average total assets 2.49% 2.49%  2.45% 2.42%  2.43%
            
    Asset Quality Ratios:       
    Allowance for credit losses to period-end loans 1.40% 1.38%  1.40% 1.38%  1.41%
    Non-performing assets to period-end assets 0.19% 0.06%  0.19% 0.06%  0.20%
    Non-performing loans to period-end loans 0.23% 0.07%  0.23% 0.07%  0.24%
    Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans 0.01% 0.03%  0.01% 0.00%  0.01%
            


    Great Southern Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
    (In thousands, except number of shares)
     
      September 30,
    2023    		 December 31,
    2022    		 June 30,
    2023
           
    Assets      
    Cash$92,579 $105,262 $105,859 
    Interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions 89,736  63,258  98,080 
    Cash and cash equivalents 182,315  168,520  203,939 
           
    Available-for-sale securities 447,948  490,592  476,911 
    Held-to-maturity securities 196,716  202,495  198,387 
    Mortgage loans held for sale 5,678  4,811  10,442 
    Loans receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $64,753 – September 2023; $63,480 – December 2022; $64,852 – June 2023 4,564,567  4,506,836  4,516,613 
    Interest receivable 19,366  19,107  17,178 
    Prepaid expenses and other assets 103,441  69,461  76,194 
    Other real estate owned and repossessions (1), net 38  233  35 
    Premises and equipment, net 139,893  141,070  140,556 
    Goodwill and other intangible assets 10,585  10,813  10,644 
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other interest-earning assets 36,038  30,814  32,758 
    Current and deferred income taxes 41,493  35,950  35,973 
           
    Total Assets$5,748,078 $5,680,702 $5,719,630 
           
    Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity      
    Liabilities      
    Deposits$4,851,548 $4,684,910 $4,824,571 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements with customers 58,172  176,843  59,257 
    Short-term borrowings 84,110  89,583  72,110 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust 25,774  25,774  25,774 
    Subordinated notes 74,504  74,281  74,430 
    Accrued interest payable 6,619  3,010  5,026 
    Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance 10,227  6,590  9,342 
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses 96,251  73,808  92,420 
    Liability for unfunded commitments 9,176  12,816  10,371 
    Total Liabilities 5,216,381  5,147,615  5,173,301 
           
    Stockholders’ Equity      
    Capital stock      
    Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 1,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding September 2023, December 2022 and June 2023 -0- shares —  —  — 
    Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding September 2023 – 11,864,363 shares; December 2022 – 12,231,290 shares; June 2023 – 11,969,524 shares 119  122  120 
    Additional paid-in capital 43,701  42,445  43,292 
    Retained earnings 564,658  543,875  558,927 
    Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) (76,781) (53,355) (56,010)
    Total Stockholders’ Equity 531,697  533,087  546,329 
           
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity$5,748,078 $5,680,702 $5,719,630 

    (1)   At September 30, 2023, December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2023, includes $0, $183,000 and $0, 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,
      2023   2022  2023   2022  2023 
    Interest Income              
    Loans$68,878  $54,077 $201,758  $143,906 $67,442 
    Investment securities and other 6,394   5,580  18,595   15,122  6,176 
      75,272   59,657  220,353   159,028  73,618 
    Interest Expense              
    Deposits 25,233   4,984  61,668   9,516  21,785 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements 308   45  871   62  221 
    Short-term borrowings, overnight FHLBank borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities 1,433   377  5,156   614  1,943 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust 454   248  1,273   525  426 
    Subordinated notes 1,106   1,105  3,317   3,317  1,105 
      28,534   6,759  72,285   14,034  25,480 
                   
    Net Interest Income 46,738   52,898  148,068   144,994  48,138 
    Provision for Credit Losses on Loans —   2,000  1,500   2,000  — 
    Provision (Credit) for Unfunded Commitments (1,195)  1,315  (3,640)  3,345  (1,619)
    Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses and Provision (Credit) for Unfunded Commitments 47,933   49,583  150,208   139,649  49,757 
                   
    Noninterest Income              
    Commissions 232   226  887   912  228 
    Overdraft and Insufficient funds fees 2,017   2,077  5,902   5,830  1,989 
    POS and ATM fee income and service charges 3,724   3,874  11,204   11,942  3,779 
    Net gains on loan sales 784   601  1,882   2,234  709 
    Net realized gain (loss) on sale of available-for-sale securities —   31  —   38  — 
    Late charges and fees on loans 149   206  454   879  125 
    Gain (loss) on derivative interest rate products 55   88  (234)  385  2 
    Other income 891   881  3,415   4,260  937 
      7,852   7,984  23,510   26,480  7,769 
                   
    Noninterest Expense              
    Salaries and employee benefits 19,673   18,976  58,554   56,488  19,678 
    Net occupancy and equipment expense 7,729   7,198  22,858   20,884  7,409 
    Postage 844   860  2,586   2,491  914 
    Insurance 1,301   803  3,178   2,383  1,010 
    Advertising 950   953  2,500   2,383  903 
    Office supplies and printing 294   236  820   662  258 
    Telephone 657   832  2,048   2,513  688 
    Legal, audit and other professional fees 1,849   2,239  5,477   4,240  1,647 
    Expense on other real estate and repossessions 62   84  263   313  47 
    Acquired intangible asset amortization 59   216  228   552  58 
    Other operating expenses 2,139   2,361  6,226   6,121  2,106 
      35,557   34,758  104,738   99,030  34,718 
                   
    Income Before Income Taxes 20,228   22,809  68,980   67,099  22,808 
    Provision for Income Taxes 4,349   4,676  14,325   13,755  4,488 
                   
    Net Income $15,879  $18,133 $54,655  $53,344 $18,320 
                   
    Earnings Per Common Share              
    Basic$1.33  $1.47 $4.53  $4.23 $1.52 
    Diluted$1.33  $1.46 $4.52  $4.20 $1.52 
                   
    Dividends Declared Per Common Share$0.40  $0.40 $1.20  $1.16 $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 $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net fees included in interest income were $4.4 million and $4.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Tax-exempt income was not calculated on a tax equivalent basis. The table does not reflect any effect of income taxes.

     September
    30, 2023    		   Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2023
    		  Three Months Ended
    September 30, 2022
    		 
         Average    Yield/   Average    Yield/ 
     Yield/Rate   Balance  Interest Rate   Balance  Interest Rate 
     (Dollars in thousands) 
    Interest-earning assets:                    
    Loans receivable:                    
    One- to four-family residential3.79% $903,147 $8,594 3.78% $872,243 $7,532 3.43%
    Other residential7.07   829,520  14,702 7.03   885,883  11,836 5.30 
    Commercial real estate6.01   1,466,739  21,730 5.88   1,584,249  19,368 4.85 
    Construction7.89   911,731  16,691 7.26   635,811  9,116 5.69 
    Commercial business6.36   313,909  4,812 6.08   293,529  3,734 5.05 
    Other loans6.45   178,030  2,128 4.74   197,070  2,309 4.65 
    Industrial revenue bonds6.01   12,322  221 7.11   13,100  182 5.52 
                         
    Total loans receivable6.16   4,615,398  68,878 5.92   4,481,885  54,077 4.79 
                         
    Investment securities2.72   678,564  5,018 2.93   734,518  5,129 2.77 
    Other interest-earning assets5.33   104,546  1,376 5.22   84,797  451 2.11 
                         
    Total interest-earning assets5.77   5,398,508  75,272 5.53   5,301,200  59,657 4.46 
    Non-interest-earning assets:                    
    Cash and cash equivalents    91,860        101,307      
    Other non-earning assets    213,411        176,768      
    Total assets   $5,703,779       $5,579,275      
                         
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Interest-bearing demand and savings1.54  $2,195,848  8,064 1.46  $2,303,579  1,320 0.23 
    Time deposits3.53   996,220  8,450 3.37   872,269  1,811 0.82 
    Brokered deposits5.06   669,829  8,719 5.16   324,183  1,853 2.27 
    Total deposits2.65   3,861,897  25,233 2.59   3,500,031  4,984 0.56 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements2.42   56,152  308 2.18   134,917  45 0.13 
    Short-term borrowings, overnight FHLBank borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities5.57   103,828  1,433 5.47   69,956  377 2.14 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust7.23   25,774  454 7.00   25,774  248 3.82 
    Subordinated notes5.93   74,462  1,106 5.89   74,165  1,105 5.91 
                         
    Total interest-bearing liabilities2.79   4,122,113  28,534 2.74   3,804,843  6,759 0.70 
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Demand deposits    938,076        1,146,542      
    Other liabilities    89,970        70,566      
    Total liabilities    5,150,159        5,021,951      
    Stockholders’ equity    553,620        557,324      
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $5,703,779       $5,579,275      
                         
    Net interest income:      $46,738       $52,898   
    Interest rate spread2.98%       2.79%       3.76%
    Net interest margin*         3.43%       3.96%
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities    131.0%       139.3%     

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

     September
    30, 2023    		   Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2023
    		  Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2022
    		 
         Average    Yield/   Average    Yield/ 
     Yield/Rate   Balance  Interest Rate   Balance  Interest Rate 
     (Dollars in thousands) 
    Interest-earning assets:                    
    Loans receivable:                    
    One- to four-family residential3.79% $907,990 $25,124 3.70% $782,592 $20,107 3.44%
    Other residential7.07   824,453  41,767 6.77   832,641  29,890 4.80 
    Commercial real estate6.01   1,495,186  65,508 5.86   1,550,445  51,834 4.47 
    Construction7.89   899,026  48,544 7.22   642,264  24,367 5.07 
    Commercial business6.36   296,605  13,153 5.93   290,420  10,431 4.80 
    Other loans6.45   183,679  7,001 5.10   200,014  6,770 4.53 
    Industrial revenue bonds6.01   12,493  661 7.08   13,472  507 5.03 
                         
    Total loans receivable6.16   4,619,432  201,758 5.84   4,311,848  143,906 4.46 
                         
    Investment securities2.72   694,727  15,005 2.89   670,700  14,260 2.84 
    Other interest-earning assets5.33   97,829  3,590 4.91   218,263  862 0.53 
                         
    Total interest-earning assets5.77   5,411,988  220,353 5.44   5,200,811  159,028 4.09 
    Non-interest-earning assets:                    
    Cash and cash equivalents    91,515        95,943      
    Other non-earning assets    205,415        156,577      
    Total assets   $5,708,918       $5,453,331      
                         
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Interest-bearing demand and savings1.54  $2,191,827  19,281 1.18  $2,355,937  2,927 0.17 
    Time deposits3.53   999,856  20,658 2.76   839,286  3,375 0.54 
    Brokered deposits5.06   588,862  21,729 4.93   175,717  3,214 2.45 
    Total deposits2.65   3,780,545  61,668 2.18   3,370,940  9,516 0.38 
    Securities sold under reverse repurchase agreements2.42   85,811  871 1.36   132,930  62 0.06 
    Short-term borrowings, overnight FHLBank borrowings and other interest-bearing liabilities5.57   134,595  5,156 5.12   49,217  614 1.67 
    Subordinated debentures issued to capital trust7.23   25,774  1,273 6.61   25,774  525 2.72 
    Subordinated notes5.93   74,392  3,317 5.96   74,094  3,317 5.99 
                         
    Total interest-bearing liabilities2.79   4,101,117  72,285 2.36   3,652,955  14,034 0.51 
    Non-interest-bearing liabilities:                    
    Demand deposits    965,403        1,165,125      
    Other liabilities    88,309        55,287      
    Total liabilities    5,154,829        4,873,367      
    Stockholders’ equity    554,089        579,964      
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $5,708,918       $5,453,331      
                         
    Net interest income:      $148,068       $144,994   
    Interest rate spread2.98%       3.09%       3.58%
    Net interest margin*         3.66%       3.73%
    Average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities    132.0%       142.4%     

    *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”), specifically, 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, 
      2023   2022 
        
      (Dollars in thousands) 
        
    Common equity at period end$531,697  $533,087 
    Less: Intangible assets at period end 10,585   10,813 
    Tangible common equity at period end (a)$521,112  $522,274 
            
    Total assets at period end$5,748,078  $5,680,702 
    Less: Intangible assets at period end 10,585   10,813 
    Tangible assets at period end (b)$5,737,493  $5,669,889 
            
    Tangible common equity to tangible assets (a) / (b) 9.08%  9.21%

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


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