UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

⌧ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             .

Commission File Number: 001-38087

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas	75-1656431
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)	identification no.)
16475 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600
Addison, Texas	75001
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

(888) 572 - 9881

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  ⌧  No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes  ⌧  No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”  “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ☐  No  ⌧

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes  ☐  No  ⌧

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share	GNTY	NASDAQ Global Select Market

As of May 3, 2019, there were 11,705,079 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

	PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION	Page
Item 1.	Financial Statements – (Unaudited)	3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018	3
	Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	5
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	6
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018	7
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	9
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	37
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	61
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	61
	PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	62
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	62
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	62
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	62
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	62
Item 5.	Other Information	62
Item 6.	Exhibits	63
SIGNATURES		64

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

	(Unaudited)			(Audited)
	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	40,915		$	44,471
Federal funds sold		58,000			20,275
Interest-bearing deposits		9,389			6,764
Total cash and cash equivalents		108,304			71,510
Securities available for sale		236,979			232,975
Securities held to maturity		160,980			163,164
Loans held for sale		1,222			1,795
Loans, net		1,640,979			1,645,444
Accrued interest receivable		8,245			9,292
Premises and equipment, net		52,378			52,227
Other real estate owned		632			751
Cash surrender value of life insurance		26,458			26,301
Deferred tax asset		2,167			3,209
Core deposit intangible, net		4,493			4,706
Goodwill		32,160			32,160
Other assets		33,994			23,436
Total assets	$	2,308,991		$	2,266,970
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	490,206		$	489,789
Interest-bearing		1,472,095			1,381,691
Total deposits		1,962,301			1,871,480
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		11,542			12,228
Accrued interest and other liabilities		22,397			10,733
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		50,131			115,136
Subordinated debentures		12,310			12,810
Total liabilities		2,058,681			2,022,387
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, $5.00 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued		—			—
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 12,885,162 and 12,835,486 shares issued, and 11,803,786 and 11,829,868 shares outstanding, respectively		12,885			12,835
Additional paid-in capital		185,742			185,174
Retained earnings		83,417			80,088
Treasury stock, 1,081,372 and 1,005,618 shares at cost		(26,567	)		(24,352	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(5,167	)		(9,162	)
Total shareholders' equity		250,310			244,583
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,308,991		$	2,266,970

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Interest income
Loans, including fees	$	22,244	$	16,256
Securities
Taxable		1,599		1,589
Nontaxable		959		914
Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits		505		279
Total interest income		25,307		19,038
Interest expense
Deposits		5,673		3,274
FHLB advances and federal funds purchased		447		214
Subordinated debentures		169		167
Other borrowed money		11		11
Total interest expense		6,300		3,666
Net interest income		19,007		15,372
Provision for loan losses		575		600
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		18,432		14,772
Noninterest income
Service charges		826		888
Net realized gain on sale of loans		477		556
Other income		2,259		2,221
Total noninterest income		3,562		3,665
Noninterest expense
Employee compensation and benefits		8,986		7,778
Occupancy expenses		2,451		1,853
Other expenses		4,033		3,503
Total noninterest expense		15,470		13,134
Income before income taxes		6,524		5,303
Income tax provision		1,187		944
Net earnings	$	5,337	$	4,359
Basic earnings per share	$	0.45	$	0.39
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.45	$	0.39

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
Net earnings	$	5,337		$	4,359
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period		5,159			(3,863	)
Amortization of net unrealized gains on held to maturity securities		5			18
Tax effect		(1,086	)		810
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax		4,078			(3,035	)
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period on interest rate swaps		(83	)		136
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		3,995			(2,899	)
Comprehensive income	$	9,332		$	974

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Preferred Stock		Common Stock		Additional Paid-in Capital			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total Shareholders’ Equity
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	—	$	11,921	$	155,601		$	66,037		$	(20,087	)	$	(6,127	)	$	207,345
Net earnings		—		—		—			4,359			—			—			4,359
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			—			(2,899	)		(2,899	)
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		—		—		—			486			—			(486	)		—
Stock based compensation		—		—		117			—			—			—			117
Dividends:
Common - $0.14 per share		—		—		—			(1,548	)		—			—			(1,548	)
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	—	$	11,921	$	155,718		$	69,334		$	(20,087	)	$	(9,512	)	$	207,374
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	—	$	12,835	$	185,174		$	80,088		$	(24,352	)	$	(9,162	)	$	244,583
Net earnings		—		—		—			5,337			—			—			5,337
Other comprehensive income		—		—		—			—			—			3,995			3,995
Exercise of stock options		—		19		462			—			—			—			481
Purchase of treasury stock		—		—		—			—			(2,215	)		—			(2,215	)
Restricted stock grants		—		31		(31	)		—			—			—			—
Stock based compensation		—		—		137			—			—			—			137
Dividends:
Common - $0.17 per share		—		—		—			(2,008	)		—			—			(2,008	)
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	—		12,885	$	185,742		$	83,417		$	(26,567	)	$	(5,167	)	$	250,310

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$	5,337		$	4,359
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation		1,003			780
Amortization		348			257
Deferred taxes		(43	)		—
Premium amortization, net of discount accretion		943			1,065
Gain on sale of loans		(477	)		(556	)
Provision for loan losses		575			600
Origination of loans held for sale		(13,560	)		(16,412	)
Proceeds from loans held for sale		14,610			17,387
Write-down of other real estate and repossessed assets		10			—
Net loss on sale of premises, equipment, other real estate owned and other assets		(34	)		(7	)
Stock based compensation		137			117
Net change in accrued interest receivable and other assets		(9,826	)		685
Net change in accrued interest payable and other liabilities		11,302			593
Net cash provided by operating activities		10,325			8,868
Cash flows from investing activities
Securities available for sale:
Purchases		(5,120	)		(13,156	)
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments		5,855			6,098
Securities held to maturity:
Proceeds from maturities and principal repayments		1,666			3,721
Net purchases of premises and equipment		(1,154	)		(2,059	)
Net proceeds from sale of premises, equipment, other real estate owned and other assets		296			407
Net repayments (originations) of loans		3,760			(41,922	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		5,303			(46,911	)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7.

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in deposits		90,821			15,262
Net change in securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(686	)		(484	)
Proceeds from FHLB advances		56,000			20,000
Repayment of FHLB advances		(121,005	)		(4	)
Repayments of debentures		(500	)		—
Purchase of treasury stock		(1,932	)		—
Exercise of stock options		481			—
Cash dividends		(2,013	)		(1,548	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		21,166			33,226
Net change in cash and cash equivalents		36,794			(4,817	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		71,510			91,428
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	108,304		$	86,611
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Interest paid	$	6,174		$	3,539
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities
Purchase of treasury stock accrued		283			—
Cash dividends accrued		2,008			1,548
Transfer loans to other real estate owned and repossessed assets		130			188

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

8.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations: Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (“Guaranty”) is a bank holding company headquartered in Mount Pleasant, Texas that provides, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Guaranty Bank & Trust, N.A. (the “Bank”), a broad array of financial products and services to individuals and corporate customers, primarily in its markets of East Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Houston and Central Texas.  The terms “the Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean Guaranty and its subsidiaries, when appropriate.  The Company’s main sources of income are derived from granting loans throughout its markets and investing in securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. government agencies and state and political subdivisions. The Company’s primary lending products are real estate, commercial and consumer loans.  Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of its debtors’ abilities to honor contracts is dependent on the economy of the State of Texas and primarily the economies of East Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Houston and Central Texas.  The Company primarily funds its lending activities with deposit operations.  The Company’s primary deposit products are checking accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit.

Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) include the accounts of Guaranty, the Bank, and their respective other direct and indirect subsidiaries and any other entities in which Guaranty has a controlling interest.  The Bank has six wholly-owned non-bank subsidiaries, Guaranty Company, Inc., G B COM, INC., 2800 South Texas Avenue LLC, Pin Oak Realty Holdings, Inc., Pin Oak Energy Holdings, LLC and White Oak Aviation, LLC.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The accounting and financial reporting policies followed by the Company conform, in all material respects, to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and to general practices within the financial services industry.

The consolidated financial statements in this Report have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations. All such adjustments were of a normal and recurring nature. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in Guaranty’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.  Operating results for the interim periods disclosed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year or any future period.

All dollar amounts referenced and discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in this Report are presented in thousands, unless noted otherwise.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions may also affect disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from these estimates.

(Continued)

9.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2018-02 was issued to address the income tax accounting treatment of the stranded tax effects within other comprehensive income due to the prohibition of backward tracing due to an income tax rate change that was initially recorded in other comprehensive income. This issue came about from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017 that changed the Company’s income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The ASU changed current accounting whereby an entity may elect to reclassify the stranded tax effect from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The ASU is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018 although early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of 2018 and reclassified its stranded tax effect of $486 within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings at March 31, 2018.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  This ASU simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment for all entities by requiring impairment changes to be based on the first step in today’s two-step impairment test, thus eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test.  In addition, the amendment eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform step two of the goodwill impairment test. For pubic companies, ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.  The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of this pronouncement, which is not expected to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which sets forth a "current expected credit loss" ("CECL") model requiring the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable supportable forecasts.  This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and applies to some off-balance sheet credit exposures.  For public companies, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company has assembled a transition team for the adoption of this ASU, has developed a project plan regarding implementation and is in process of evaluating segmentation of pools and impacts of the various acceptable methodologies for calculating the expected losses.  

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The FASB issued this ASU to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under current U.S. GAAP and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018.  We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019, at which time we recorded a lease liability and a related right of use asset of $12.0 million.  These are included in other assets and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2019, and required disclosures are included in Note 9.

NOTE 2 - ACQUISITIONS

On close of business June 1, 2018, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Westbound Bank, a Texas banking association (“Westbound”), in exchange for a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock amounting to total consideration of $35,991.  Under the terms of the acquisition, the Company issued 899,816 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for 2,311,952 shares of Westbound, representing 100% of the outstanding shares of common and preferred stock of Westbound.  With the acquisition, the Company has expanded its market into the Houston metropolitan region.  Results of operations of the acquired company were included in the Company’s results beginning June 2, 2018.  The fair value of the common shares issued as part of the consideration paid for Westbound was determined based upon the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the acquisition date.

Goodwill of $13,418 arising from the acquisition of Westbound consisted largely of synergies and the cost savings resulting from the combining of the operations of the companies.  None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.  The following table summarizes the consideration paid for Westbound:

(Continued)

10.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Consideration:

	Westbound
Cash	$	6,423
Equity instruments		29,568
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	35,991

Cash consideration includes contingent consideration related to an escrow agreement in which $1,750 was retained from amounts paid to Westbound shareholders for payment to Guaranty in the event that certain defined loan relationships experienced actual losses during the three year period following the close of the transaction on June 1, 2018.   If the loans defined in the escrow agreement do experience losses, funds from the escrow account will be remitted to Guaranty.   If the loans payoff or do not experience losses, funds from the escrow account will be remitted to Westbound shareholders according to terms set forth in the escrow agreement.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition, June 1, 2018.

	Westbound
Cash and due from banks	$	24,927
Investment securities available for sale		15,264
Loans, net of discount		154,687
Accrued interest receivable		651
Premises and equipment		8,625
Nonmarketable equity securities		—
Core deposit intangible		2,700
Other assets		9,205
Total assets acquired		216,059
Non-interest bearing deposits		40,595
Interest bearing deposits		140,826
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		10,500
Accrued interest and other liabilities		1,565
Total liabilities assumed		193,486
Net assets acquired		22,573
Total consideration paid		35,991
Goodwill	$	13,418

The fair value of net assets acquired includes fair value adjustments to certain receivables that were not considered impaired as of the acquisition date (“acquired performing loans”).  The fair value adjustments were determined using discounted contractual cash flows.  However, the Company believes that all contractual cash flows related to these financial instruments will be collected.  As such, these receivables were not considered impaired at the acquisition date and were not subject to the guidance relating to purchased credit impaired loans, which have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination.  Acquired performing loans had fair value and gross contractual amounts receivable of $154,687.

(Continued)

11.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 3 - MARKETABLE SECURITIES

The following tables summarize the amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 and the corresponding amounts of gross unrealized gains and losses:

March 31, 2019	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Available for sale:
Corporate bonds	$	19,724	$	47	$	27	$	19,744
Municipal securities		15,742		201		61		15,882
Mortgage-backed securities		95,322		269		1,845		93,746
Collateralized mortgage obligations		108,002		184		579		107,607
Total available for sale	$	238,790	$	701	$	2,512	$	236,979
Held to maturity:
Municipal securities	$	140,712	$	2,525	$	254	$	142,983
Mortgage-backed securities		16,521		93		313		16,301
Collateralized mortgage obligations		3,747		90		11		3,826
Total held to maturity	$	160,980	$	2,708	$	578	$	163,110

December 31, 2018	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value
Available for sale:
Corporate bonds	$	19,743	$	—	$	789	$	18,954
Municipal securities		15,778		75		260		15,593
Mortgage-backed securities		93,083		52		3,676		89,459
Collateralized mortgage obligations		111,341		—		2,372		108,969
Total available for sale	$	239,945	$	127	$	7,097	$	232,975
Held to maturity:
Municipal securities	$	141,942	$	1,156	$	1,094	$	142,004
Mortgage-backed securities		17,163		54		500		16,717
Collateralized mortgage obligations		4,059		48		28		4,079
Total held to maturity	$	163,164	$	1,258	$	1,622	$	162,800

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.  Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  The Company did not record any OTTI losses on any of its securities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or for the year ended December 31, 2018.

(Continued)

12.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position is detailed in the following tables:

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
March 31, 2019	Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Available for sale:
Corporate bonds	$	—		$	—	$	(27	)	$	5,013	$	(27	)	$	5,013
Municipal securities		(1	)		382		(60	)		7,567		(61	)		7,949
Mortgage-backed securities		(24	)		2,538		(1,821	)		72,062		(1,845	)		74,600
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—			—		(579	)		72,116		(579	)		72,116
Total available for sale	$	(25	)	$	2,920	$	(2,487	)	$	156,758	$	(2,512	)	$	159,678
Held to maturity:
Municipal securities	$	(4	)	$	1,550	$	(250	)	$	22,613	$	(254	)	$	24,163
Mortgage-backed securities		—			—		(313	)		12,062		(313	)		12,062
Collateralized mortgage obligations		—			—		(11	)		2,026		(11	)		2,026
Total held to maturity	$	(4	)	$	1,550	$	(574	)	$	36,701	$	(578	)	$	38,251

	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or Longer					Total
December 31, 2018	Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value
Available for sale:
Corporate bonds	$	(453	)	$	11,236	$	(336	)	$	7,718	$	(789	)	$	18,954
Municipal securities		(17	)		2,219		(243	)		7,407		(260	)		9,626
Mortgage-backed securities		(89	)		7,173		(3,587	)		76,717		(3,676	)		83,890
Collateralized mortgage obligations		(79	)		9,232		(2,293	)		99,390		(2,372	)		108,622
Total available for sale	$	(638	)	$	29,860	$	(6,459	)	$	191,232	$	(7,097	)	$	221,092
Held to maturity:
Municipal securities	$	(512	)	$	55,793	$	(582	)	$	26,511	$	(1,094	)	$	82,304
Mortgage-backed securities		(21	)		1,478		(479	)		12,317		(500	)		13,795
Collateralized mortgage obligations		(28	)		2,171		—			—		(28	)		2,171
Total held to maturity	$	(561	)	$	59,442	$	(1,061	)	$	38,828	$	(1,622	)	$	98,270

The number of investment positions in an unrealized loss position totaled 96 at March 31, 2019.  The securities in a loss position were composed of tax-exempt municipal bonds, corporate bonds, collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage backed securities.  Management believes the unrealized loss on the remaining securities is a function of the movement of interest rates since the time of purchase.  Based on evaluation of available evidence, including recent changes in interest rates, credit rating information and information obtained from regulatory filings, management believes the declines in fair value for these securities are temporary.  Should the impairment of any of these securities become other-than-temporary, the cost basis of the investment would be reduced and the resulting loss recognized in net income in the period the OTTI is identified.  The Company does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The Company does not consider these securities to be OTTI at March 31, 2019.

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are backed by pools of mortgages that are insured or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Government National Mortgage Association.

(Continued)

13.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

As of March 31, 2019, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders’ equity.

Securities with fair values of approximately $278,137 and $259,557 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, were pledged to secure public fund deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.

There were no securities sold during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018.

The contractual maturities at March 31, 2019 of available for sale and held to maturity securities at carrying value and estimated fair value are shown below.  The Company invests in mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations that have expected maturities that differ from their contractual maturities.  These differences arise because borrowers and/or issuers may have the right to call or prepay their obligation with or without call or prepayment penalties.

	Available for Sale				Held to Maturity
March 31, 2019	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
Due within one year	$	—	$	—	$	990	$	996
Due after one year through five years		12,110		12,150		28,477		29,093
Due after five years through ten years		15,729		15,909		34,557		35,627
Due after ten years		7,627		7,567		76,688		77,267
Mortgage-backed securities		95,322		93,746		16,521		16,301
Collateralized mortgage obligations		108,002		107,607		3,747		3,826
Total Securities		238,790		236,979		160,980		163,110

NOTE 4 - LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following table summarizes the Company’s loan portfolio by type of loan as of:

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Commercial and industrial	$	246,176		$	261,779
Real estate:
Construction and development		250,852			237,503
Commercial real estate		581,926			582,519
Farmland		72,274			67,845
1-4 family residential		390,618			393,067
Multi-family residential		37,430			38,386
Consumer		56,158			54,777
Agricultural		19,994			23,277
Overdrafts		275			382
Total loans		1,655,703			1,659,535
Net of:
Deferred loan costs		466			560
Allowance for loan losses		(15,190	)		(14,651	)
Total net loans	$	1,640,979		$	1,645,444

(Continued)

14.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method for the three months ended March 31, 2019, for the year ended December 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	Commercial and industrial			Construction and development		Commercial real estate		Farmland		1-4 family residential			Multi-family residential			Consumer			Agricultural			Overdrafts			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	1,751		$	1,920	$	6,025	$	643	$	2,868		$	631		$	565		$	238		$	10		$	14,651
Provision for loan losses		213			81		269		16		7			(56	)		46			(35	)		34			575
Loans charged-off		(6	)		—		—		—		(6	)		—			(17	)		—			(49	)		(78	)
Recoveries		5			—		—		—		1			—			23			—			13			42
Ending balance	$	1,963		$	2,001	$	6,294	$	659	$	2,870		$	575		$	617		$	203		$	8		$	15,190
Allowance ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	57		$	—	$	746	$	74	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	877
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,906			2,001		5,548		585		2,870			575			617			203			8			14,313
Ending balance	$	1,963		$	2,001	$	6,294	$	659	$	2,870		$	575		$	617		$	203		$	8		$	15,190
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	483		$	1,250	$	5,453	$	139	$	1,450		$	—		$	—		$	233		$	—		$	9,008
Collectively evaluated for impairment		245,693		$	249,602		576,473		72,135		389,168			37,430			56,158			19,761			275			1,646,695
Ending balance	$	246,176		$	250,852	$	581,926	$	72,274	$	390,618		$	37,430		$	56,158		$	19,994		$	275		$	1,655,703

For the Year Ended December 31, 2018	Commercial and industrial			Construction and development		Commercial real estate			Farmland		1-4 family residential			Multi-family residential		Consumer			Agricultural			Overdrafts			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	1,581		$	1,724	$	4,585		$	523	$	3,022		$	629	$	602		$	187		$	6		$	12,859
Provision for loan losses		426			196		1,472			120		(196	)		2		127			(12	)		115			2,250
Loans charged-off		(367	)		—		(33	)		—		(93	)		—		(254	)		(2	)		(169	)		(918	)
Recoveries		111			—		1			—		135			—		90			65			58			460
Ending balance	$	1,751		$	1,920	$	6,025		$	643	$	2,868		$	631	$	565		$	238		$	10		$	14,651
Allowance ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	64		$	4	$	341		$	78	$	6		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	493
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,687			1,916		5,684			565		2,862			631		565			238			10			14,158
Ending balance	$	1,751		$	1,920	$	6,025		$	643	$	2,868		$	631	$	565		$	238		$	10		$	14,651
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	1,022		$	1,250	$	7,153		$	140	$	1,383		$	—	$	—		$	408		$	—		$	11,356
Collectively evaluated for impairment		260,757		$	236,253		575,366			67,705		391,684			38,386		54,777			22,869			382			1,648,179
Ending balance	$	261,779		$	237,503	$	582,519		$	67,845	$	393,067		$	38,386	$	54,777		$	23,277		$	382		$	1,659,535

(Continued)

15.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018	Commercial and industrial			Construction and development			Commercial real estate			Farmland		1-4 family residential			Multi-family residential		Consumer			Agricultural		Overdrafts			Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	1,581		$	1,724		$	4,585		$	523	$	3,022		$	629	$	602		$	187	$	6		$	12,859
Provision for loan losses		164			(24	)		439			83		(147	)		18		—			46		21			600
Loans charged-off		(10	)		—			(33	)		—		(13	)		—		(28	)		—		(32	)		(116	)
Recoveries		2			—			—			—		5			—		11			—		14			32
Ending balance	$	1,737		$	1,700		$	4,991		$	606	$	2,867		$	647	$	585		$	233	$	9		$	13,375
Allowance ending balance:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	12		$	—		$	69		$	80	$	3		$	—	$	—		$	11	$	—		$	175
Collectively evaluated for impairment		1,725			1,700			4,922			526		2,864			647		585			222		9			13,200
Ending balance	$	1,737		$	1,700		$	4,991		$	606	$	2,867		$	647	$	585		$	233	$	9		$	13,375
Loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	816		$	—		$	4,918		$	230	$	800		$	212	$	—		$	653	$	—		$	7,629
Collectively evaluated for impairment		205,492		$	193,909			445,158			63,741		376,478			37,780		48,982			21,892		273			1,393,705
Ending balance	$	206,308		$	193,909		$	450,076		$	63,971	$	377,278		$	37,992	$	48,982		$	22,545	$	273		$	1,401,334

Credit Quality

The Company closely monitors economic conditions and loan performance trends to manage and evaluate the exposure to credit risk.  Key factors tracked by the Company and utilized in evaluating the credit quality of the loan portfolio include trends in delinquency ratios, the level of nonperforming assets, borrower’s repayment capacity, and collateral coverage.

Assets are graded “pass” when the relationship exhibits acceptable credit risk and indicates repayment ability, tolerable collateral coverage and reasonable performance history.  Lending relationships exhibiting potentially significant credit risk and marginal repayment ability and/or asset protection are graded “special mention.”  Assets classified as “substandard” are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness that jeopardizes the liquidation of the debt.  Substandard graded loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Assets graded “doubtful” are substandard graded loans that have added characteristics that make collection or liquidation in full improbable.  The Company typically measures impairment based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, or based on the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent.

The following tables summarize the credit exposure in the Company’s consumer and commercial loan portfolios as of:

March 31, 2019	Commercial and industrial		Construction and development		Commercial real estate		Farmland		1-4 family residential		Multi-family residential		Consumer and Overdrafts		Agricultural		Total
Grade:
Pass	$	245,829	$	249,602	$	572,655	$	71,977	$	389,448	$	37,430	$	56,375	$	19,651	$	1,642,967
Special mention		—		—		3,772		47		308		—		20		114		4,261
Substandard		347		1,250		5,499		250		862		—		38		229		8,475
Total	$	246,176	$	250,852	$	581,926	$	72,274	$	390,618	$	37,430	$	56,433	$	19,994	$	1,655,703

December 31, 2018	Commercial and industrial		Construction and development		Commercial real estate		Farmland		1-4 family residential		Multi-family residential		Consumer and Overdrafts		Agricultural		Total
Grade:
Pass	$	260,863	$	236,253	$	569,648	$	67,541	$	391,956	$	38,386	$	55,055	$	22,713	$	1,642,415
Special mention		224	—			5,691		49		514	—			48		115		6,641
Substandard		692		1,250		7,180		255		597	—			56		449		10,479
Total	$	261,779	$	237,503	$	582,519	$	67,845	$	393,067	$	38,386	$	55,159	$	23,277	$	1,659,535

(Continued)

16.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The following tables summarize the payment status of loans in the Company’s total loan portfolio, including an aging of delinquent loans, loans 90 days or more past due continuing to accrue interest and loans classified as nonperforming as of:

March 31, 2019	30 to 59 Days Past Due		60 to 89 Days Past Due		90 Days and Greater Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Commercial and industrial	$	173	$	18	$	69	$	260	$	245,916	$	246,176	$	—
Real estate:
Construction and development		648		—		—		648		250,204		250,852		—
Commercial real estate		2,867		1,403		449		4,719		577,207		581,926		—
Farmland		328		—		—		328		71,946		72,274		—
1-4 family residential		3,067		263		908		4,238		386,380		390,618		—
Multi-family residential		—		—		—		—		37,430		37,430		—
Consumer		482		20		38		540		55,618		56,158		—
Agricultural		98		—		—		98		19,896		19,994		—
Overdrafts		—		—		—		—		275		275		—
Total	$	7,663	$	1,704	$	1,464	$	10,831	$	1,644,872	$	1,655,703	$	—

December 31, 2018	30 to 59 Days Past Due		60 to 89 Days Past Due		90 Days and Greater Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Commercial and industrial	$	209	$	493	$	266	$	968	$	260,811	$	261,779	$	—
Real estate:
Construction and development		735		2,816		—		3,551		233,952		237,503		—
Commercial real estate		1,803		3		3,227		5,033		577,486		582,519		—
Farmland		485		—		—		485		67,360		67,845		—
1-4 family residential		2,849		666		596		4,111		388,956		393,067		—
Multi-family residential		—		—		—		—		38,386		38,386		—
Consumer		526		51		56		633		54,144		54,777		—
Agricultural		105		59		41		205		23,072		23,277		—
Overdrafts		—		—		—		—		382		382		—
Total	$	6,712	$	4,088	$	4,186	$	14,986	$	1,644,549	$	1,659,535	$	—

The following table presents information regarding nonaccrual loans as of:

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Commercial and industrial	$	213	$	366
Real estate:
Construction and development		—		—
Commercial real estate		913		3,700
Farmland		139		140
1-4 family residential		2,194		1,567
Multi-family residential		—		—
Consumer		109		66
Agricultural		56		52
Total	$	3,624	$	5,891

(Continued)

17.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Impaired Loans and Troubled Debt Restructurings

A troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) is a restructuring in which a bank, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.  A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with original contractual terms of the loan.  Loans with insignificant delays or insignificant short falls in the amount of payments expected to be collected are not considered to be impaired.  Loans defined as individually impaired, based on applicable accounting guidance, include larger balance nonperforming loans and TDRs.

The outstanding balances of TDRs are shown below:

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Nonaccrual TDRs	$	487	$	335
Performing TDRs		671		861
Total	$	1,158	$	1,196
Specific reserves on TDRs	$	—	$	—

The following tables present loans by class, modified as TDRs, that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2019, the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and the three months ended March 31, 2018:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	Number of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
1-4 family residential		—	$	—	$	—
Farmland		—		—		—
Total		—	$	—	$	—

There were no TDRs that subsequently defaulted through March 31, 2019.    

Year Ended December 31, 2018	Number of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
Commercial and industrial		3	$	504	$	504
1-4 family residential		1		78		78
Total		4	$	582	$	582

There was one TDR that subsequently defaulted, therefore remained on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2018. The TDRs described above did not increase the allowance for loan losses and resulted in no charge-offs during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018	Number of Contracts		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings:
Commercial and industrial		1	$	15	$	15
1-4 family residential		1		78		78
Total		2	$	93	$	93

(Continued)

18.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

There were no TDRs that subsequently defaulted through March 31, 2018.  The TDRs described above did not increase the allowance for loan losses and resulted in no charge-offs during the three months ended March 31, 2018.

The following table presents information about the Company’s impaired loans as of:

March 31, 2019	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial	$	326	$	326	$	—	$	83
Real estate:
Construction and development		1,250		1,250		—		312
Commercial real estate		2,700		2,700		—		1,107
Farmland		—		—		—		—
1-4 family residential		1,450		1,450		—		294
Multi-family residential		—		—		—		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—
Agricultural		233		233		—		73
Subtotal		5,959		5,959		—		1,869
With allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial		157		157		57		41
Real estate:
Construction and development		—		—		—		—
Commercial real estate		2,753		2,753		746		764
Farmland		139		139		74		35
1-4 family residential		—		—		—		55
Multi-family residential		—		—		—		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		—
Subtotal		3,049		3,049		877		895
Total	$	9,008	$	9,008	$	877	$	2,764

(Continued)

19.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The following table presents information about the Company’s impaired loans as of:

December 31, 2018	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Recorded Investment
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial	$	837	$	837	$	—	$	842
Real estate:
Construction and development		720		720		—		518
Commercial real estate		5,168		5,168		—		5,138
Farmland		—		—		—		62
1-4 family residential		1,223		1,223		—		1,132
Multi-family residential		—		—		—		54
Consumer		—		—		—		—
Agricultural		408		408		—		456
Subtotal		8,356		8,356		—		8,202
With allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial		185		185		64		300
Real estate:
Construction and development		530		530		4		44
Commercial real estate		1,985		1,985		341		677
Farmland		140		140		78		147
1-4 family residential		160		160		6		128
Multi-family residential		—		—		—		—
Consumer		—		—		—		—
Agricultural		—		—		—		52
Subtotal		3,000		3,000		493		1,348
Total	$	11,356	$	11,356	$	493	$	9,550

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, total interest income and cash-based interest income recognized on impaired loans was minimal.

NOTE 5 - SECURITIES SOLD UNDER AGREEMENTS TO REPURCHASE AND OTHER DEBT

At March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $11,542 and $12,228, respectively.

The Company has a $25,000 revolving line of credit, which had no outstanding balance at quarter end, bears interest at the prime rate, with interest payable quarterly, and matures in March 2020.

(Continued)

20.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances, as of March 31, 2019, were as follows:

Fixed rate advances, with monthly interest payments, principal due in:

Year	Current Weighted Average Rate			Principal Due
2019		2.43	%	$	34,500
2020		2.09	%		6,500
2021		1.87	%		1,500
2022		1.99	%		1,500
2023		—	%		—
2024		1.76	%		6,000
					50,000

Fixed rate advances, with monthly principal and interest payments, principal due in:

Year	Current Weighted Average Rate
2021		1.38	%		131
				$	50,131

NOTE 6 - SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

Subordinated debentures are made up of the following as of:

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Trust II Debentures	$	3,093	$	3,093
Trust III Debentures		2,062		2,062
DCB Trust I Debentures		5,155		5,155
Other debentures		2,000		2,500
	$	12,310	$	12,810

The Company has three trusts, Guaranty (TX) Capital Trust II (“Trust II”), Guaranty (TX) Capital Trust III (“Trust III”), and DCB Financial Trust I (“DCB Trust I”) (“Trust II”, “Trust III” and together with “DCB Trust I,” the “Trusts”). Upon formation, the Trusts issued pass-through securities (“TruPS”) with a liquidation value of $1,000 per share to third parties in private placements. Concurrently with the issuance of the TruPS, the Trusts issued common securities to the Company. The Trusts invested the proceeds of the sales of securities to the Company (“Debentures”). The Debentures mature approximately 30 years after the formation date, which may be shortened if certain conditions are met (including the Company having received prior approval of the Federal Reserve and any other required regulatory approvals).

	Trust II		Trust III		DCB Trust I
Formation date	October 30, 2002		July 25, 2006		March 29, 2007
Capital trust pass-through securities
Number of shares		3,000		2,000		5,000
Original liquidation value	$	3,000	$	2,000	$	5,000
Common securities liquidation value		93		62		155

(Continued)

21.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The securities held by the Trusts qualify as Tier 1 capital for the Company under Federal Reserve Board guidelines.  The Federal Reserve’s guidelines restrict core capital elements (including trust preferred securities and qualifying perpetual preferred stock) to 25% of all core capital elements, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability.  Because the Company’s aggregate amount of trust preferred securities is less than the limit of 25% of Tier 1 capital, net of goodwill, the full amount is includable in Tier 1 capital at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  Additionally, the terms provide that trust preferred securities would no longer qualify for Tier 1 capital within five years of their maturity, but would be included as Tier 2 capital.  However, the trust preferred securities would be amortized out of Tier 2 capital by one-fifth each year and excluded from Tier 2 capital completely during the year prior to maturity of the junior subordinated debentures.

With certain exceptions, the amount of the principal and any accrued and unpaid interest on the Debentures are subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness of the Company.  Interest on the Debentures is payable quarterly.  The interest is deferrable on a cumulative basis for up to five consecutive years following a suspension of dividend payments on all other capital stock.  No principal payments are due until maturity for each of the Debentures.

	Trust II Debentures		Trust III Debentures		DCB Trust I Debentures
Original amount	$	3,093	$	2,062	$	5,155
Maturity date	October 30, 2032		October 1, 2036		June 15, 2037
Interest due	Quarterly		Quarterly		Quarterly

In accordance with ASC 810, "Consolidation," the junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company to the subsidiary trusts are shown as liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and interest expense associated with the junior subordinated debentures is shown in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Trust II Debentures

Interest is payable at a variable rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3 month LIBOR plus 3.35%.

On any interest payment date on or after October 30, 2012 and prior to maturity date, the debentures are redeemable for cash at the option of the Company, on at least 30, but not more than 60 days’ notice, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.

Trust III Debentures

Interest is payable at a variable rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3 month LIBOR plus 1.67%.

On any interest payment date on or after October 1, 2016 and prior to maturity date, the debentures are redeemable for cash at the option of the Company, on at least 30, but not more than 60 days’ notice, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.

DCB Trust I Debentures

Interest is payable at a variable rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3 month LIBOR plus 1.80%.

On any interest payment date on or after June 15, 2012 and prior to maturity date, the debentures are redeemable for cash at the option of the Company, on at least 30, but not more than 60 days’ notice, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.

Other debentures

In July 2015, the Company issued $4,000 in debentures, of which $3,000 were issued to directors and other related parties.  The $3,000 of debentures to related parties were repaid in May 2017 and a $500 par value debenture, which carried a rate of 2.5%, matured and was repaid in July 2017.  The remaining $500 debenture had a rate of 4.00% and matured on January 1, 2019.     

In December 2015, the Company issued $5,000 in debentures, of which $2,500 were issued to directors and other related parties.  In May 2017, $2,000 of the related party debentures were repaid with a portion of the proceeds of Guaranty’s initial public offering.  A further $1,000 of other debentures matured and were paid off in full in July of 2018. The remaining $2,000 of debentures were issued at par value of $500 each with rates ranging from 3.50% to 5.00% and maturity dates from July 1, 2019 to July 1, 2020.  At the Company’s option, and with 30 days advanced notice to the holder, the entire principal amount and all accrued interest may be paid to the holder on or before the due date of any debenture.  The redemption price is equal to 100% of the face amount of the debenture redeemed, plus all accrued interest.

(Continued)

22.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 7 - STOCK OPTIONS

The Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) which was adopted by the Company and approved by its shareholders in April 2015, amended and restated the Company’s 2014 Stock Option Plan.  The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to stock-based awards under the Plan equals 1,000,000 shares, all of which may be subject to incentive stock option treatment.  Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant.  Currently outstanding option awards have vesting periods ranging from 5 to 10 years and have 10-year contractual terms.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a closed form option valuation (Black-Scholes) model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below.  Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock and similar peer group averages.  The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and post-vesting termination behavior.  The expected term of options granted is based on historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, which takes in to account that the options are not transferable.  The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.

A summary of activity in the Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		537,872		$	26.49		6.96	$	2,088
Granted		19,000			29.80		9.90		—
Exercised		(19,172	)		25.08		6.14		79
Forfeited		(16,400	)		28.90		8.49		27
Balance, March 31, 2019		521,300		$	26.59		6.79	$	1,745
Exercisable at end of period		194,140		$	24.52		5.41	$	938

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		469,044	$	25.11		7.32	$	2,623
Granted		15,000		31.84		9.88		26
Exercised		—		—		—		—
Forfeited		—		—		—		—
Balance, March 31, 2018		484,044	$	25.32		7.16	$	3,872
Exercisable at end of period		140,644	$	23.61		5.71	$	1,364

(Continued)

23.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

A summary of nonvested activity in the Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		331,560		$	27.74		7.77	$	975
Granted		19,000			29.80		9.90		—
Vested		(7,000	)		27.13		7.81		22
Forfeited		(16,400	)		28.90		8.49		27
Balance, March 31, 2019		327,160		$	27.81		7.61	$	807

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018	Number of Shares			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		334,400		$	25.72		7.91	$	1,673
Granted		15,000			31.84		9.88		26
Vested		(6,000	)		23.90		8.15		56
Forfeited		—			—		—		—
Balance, March 31, 2018		343,400		$	26.02		7.75	$	2,508

Information related to the Plan is as follows for the three months ended:

	March 31, 2019		March 31, 2018
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$	79	$	—
Cash received from options exercised		481		—
Weighted average fair value of options granted		20.64		5.44

As of March 31, 2019, there was $2,579 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options granted under the Plan.  The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.80 years.

The Company granted options under the Plan during the first three months of 2019 and 2018.  Expense of $137 and $117 was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Restricted Stock Awards and Units

A summary of activity in the Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		2,398	$	31.57
Granted		30,500		30.25
Exercised		—		—
Forfeited		—		—
Balance, March 31, 2019		32,898	$	29.43
Exercisable at end of period		959	$	31.57

(Continued)

24.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		2,398	$	31.57
Granted		—		—
Exercised		—		—
Forfeited		—		—
Balance, March 31, 2019		2,398	$	31.57
Exercisable at end of period		—	$	31.57

A summary of nonvested activity in the Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 follows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		1,439	$	31.57
Granted		30,500		30.25
Vested		—		—
Forfeited		—		—
Balance, March 31, 2019		31,939	$	30.31

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018	Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at beginning of year		2,398	$	31.57
Granted		—		—
Vested		—		—
Forfeited		—		—
Balance, March 31, 2018		2,398	$	31.57

Restricted stock granted to employees typically vests over five years, but vesting periods may vary. Compensation expense for these grants will be recognized over the vesting period of the awards based on the fair value of the stock at the issue date.

NOTE 8 - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

KSOP

The Company maintains an Employee Stock Ownership Plan containing Section 401(k) provisions covering substantially all employees (“KSOP”). The plan provides for a matching contribution of up to 5% of a participant’s qualified compensation starting January 1, 2016. Guaranty’s total contributions accrued or paid during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $343 and $301, respectively.

Upon separation from service or other distributable event, a participant’s account under the KSOP may be distributed in kind in the form of the GNTY common shares allocated to his or her account (with the balance payable in cash), or the entire account can be liquidated and distributed in cash.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the number of shares held by the KSOP were 1,322,530 and 1,333,504, respectively.  There were no unallocated shares to plan participants as of March 31, 2019 or as of December 31, 2018.  All shares held by the KSOP were treated as outstanding at each of the respective period ends.

(Continued)

25.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Executive Incentive Retirement Plan

The Company established a non-qualified, non-contributory executive incentive retirement plan covering a selected group of key personnel to provide benefits equal to amounts computed under an “award criteria” at various targeted salary levels as adjusted for annual earnings performance of the Company.  The plan is non-funded.

In connection with the Executive Incentive Retirement Plan, the Company has purchased life insurance policies on the respective officers.  The cash surrender value of life insurance policies held by the Company totaled $26,458 and $26,301 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Expense related to these plans totaled $285 and $275 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is included in employee compensation and benefits on the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings.  The recorded liability totaled approximately $3,893 and $3,667 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively and is included in accrued interest and other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Bonus Plan

The Company has a bonus plan that rewards officers and employees based on performance of individual business units of the Company.  Earnings and growth performance goals for each business unit and for the Company as a whole are established at the beginning of the calendar year and approved annually by Guaranty’s board of directors.  The Bonus Plan provides for a predetermined bonus amount to be contributed to the employee bonus pool based on (i) earnings target and growth for individual business units and (ii) achieving certain pre-tax return on average equity and pre-tax return on average asset levels for the Company as a whole.  These bonus amounts are established annually by Guaranty’s board of directors. The bonus expense under this plan for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $715 and $819, respectively and is included in employee compensation and benefits on the consolidated statements of earnings.

NOTE 9 – LEASES

The Company has operating leases for bank locations, ATMs, corporate offices, and certain other arrangements, which have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 26 years. Some of the Company’s operating leases include options to extend the leases for up to 9 years.

Operating leases in which we are the lessee must be recorded as right-of-use assets with corresponding lease liabilities.  The right-of-use asset represents our right to utilize the underlying asset during the lease term, while the lease liability represents the obligation of the Company to make periodic lease payments over the life of the lease. The associated operating lease costs are comprised of the amortization of the right-of-use asset and the implicit interest accreted on the lease liability, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.  As of March 31, 2019, operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities were both $11.6 million.

Operating lease expense for operating leases accounted for under ASC 842 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was approximately $418, and is included as a component of occupancy expenses within the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.

The table below summarizes other information related to our operating leases:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term
Operating leases	16 years
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases		2.75	%

The Company leases some of its banking facilities under non-cancelable operating leases expiring in various years through 2024 and thereafter.  Minimum future lease payments under these non-cancelable operating leases in excess of one year as of March 31, 2019, are as follows:

(Continued)

26.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

2019	$	1,294
2020		1,473
2021		1,264
2022		1,150
2023		1,150
Thereafter		17,156
Total lease payments		23,487
Less: interest		(11,877	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	11,610

As of March 31, 2019, the Company has $6.9 million in an additional operating lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets for office space that commenced during the beginning of the second quarter of 2019.

NOTE 10 - INCOME TAXES

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. Among other things, the new law (i) establishes a new, flat corporate federal statutory income tax rate of 21%, (ii) eliminates the corporate alternative minimum tax and allows the use of any such carryforwards to offset regular tax liability for any taxable year, (iii) limits the deduction for net interest expense incurred by U.S. corporations, (iv) allows businesses to immediately expense, for tax purposes, the cost of new investments in certain qualified depreciable assets, (v) eliminates or reduces certain deductions related to meals and entertainment expenses, (vi) modifies the limitation on excessive employee remuneration to eliminate the exception for performance-based compensation and clarifies the definition of a covered employee and (vii) limits the deductibility of deposit insurance premiums. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act also significantly changes U.S. tax law related to foreign operations; however, such changes do not currently impact us.

As stated above, as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017, we remeasured our deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the newly enacted U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21%, which is the tax rate at which these assets and liabilities are expected to reverse in the future. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are still analyzing certain aspects of the new law and refining our calculations, which could affect the measurement of these assets and liabilities or give rise to new deferred tax amounts.

Income tax expense was as follows for:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
Income tax expense for the period	$	1,187		$	944
Effective tax rate		18.19	%		17.80	%

The effective tax rates differ from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, largely due to tax exempt interest income earned on certain investment securities and loans and the nontaxable earnings on bank owned life insurance.

NOTE 11 - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company utilizes certain derivative financial instruments.  Stand-alone derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, are used to economically hedge interest rate risk related to the Company’s liabilities.  These derivative instruments involve both credit and market risk.  The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments, and the value of the derivative are based.  Notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures.  Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any.  Such difference, which represents the fair value of the derivative instruments, is reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in other liabilities.

(Continued)

27.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The Company is exposed to credit related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to those agreements.  The Company controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and does not expect any counterparties to fail to perform their respective obligations.

The Company entered into interest rate swaps to receive payments at a fixed rate in exchange for paying a floating rate on the debentures discussed in Note 6.  Management believes that entering into the interest rate swaps exposed the Company to variability in their fair value due to changes in the level of interest rates.  It is the Company’s objective to hedge the change in fair value of floating rate debentures at coverage levels that are appropriate, given anticipated or existing interest rate levels and other market considerations, as well as the relationship of change in this liability to other liabilities of the Company.  To meet this objective, the Company utilizes interest rate swaps as an asset/liability management strategy to hedge the change in value of the cash flows due to changes in expected interest rate assumptions.

Interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $5,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, were designated as cash flow hedges of the debentures and were determined to be fully effective during all periods presented.  As such, no amount of ineffectiveness has been included in net income.

Therefore, the aggregate fair value of the swaps is recorded in accrued interest and other liabilities within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded in other comprehensive income.  The amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income would be reclassified to current earnings should the hedges no longer be considered effective.  The Company expects the hedges to remain fully effective during the remaining terms of the swaps.

The information pertaining to outstanding interest rate swap agreements used to hedge floating rate debentures was as follows as of:

March 31, 2019
Notional Amount		Pay Rate			Receive Rate	Effective Date	Maturity in Years		Unrealized Losses
$	2,000		5.979	%	3 month LIBOR plus 1.67%	10/1/2016		7.00	$	268
$	3,000		7.505	%	3 month LIBOR plus 3.35%	10/30/2012		3.58	$	208

December 31, 2018
Notional Amount		Pay Rate			Receive Rate	Effective Date	Maturity in Years		Unrealized Losses
$	2,000		5.979	%	3 month LIBOR plus 1.67%	10/1/2016		7.25	$	220
$	3,000		7.505	%	3 month LIBOR plus 3.35%	10/30/2012		3.83	$	173

Interest expense recorded on these swap transactions totaled $169 and $167 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is reported as a component of interest expense on the debentures.  At March 31, 2019, the Company expected none of the unrealized loss to be reclassified as a reduction of interest expense during the remainder of 2019.

NOTE 12 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various transactions, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in its consolidated balance sheets.  These transactions are referred to as “off-balance sheet commitments.”  The Company enters into these transactions to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These transactions include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit, which involve elements of credit risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.  The Company minimizes its exposure to loss under these commitments by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures.

The Company enters into contractual commitments to extend credit, normally with fixed expiration dates or termination clauses, at specified rates and for specific purposes.  Customers use credit commitments to ensure that funds will be available for working capital purposes, for capital expenditures and to ensure access to funds at specified terms and conditions.  Substantially all of the Company’s commitments to extend credit are contingent upon customers maintaining

(Continued)

28.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

specific credit standards at the time of loan funding.  Management assesses the credit risk associated with certain commitments to extend credit in determining the level of the allowance for credit losses.

Letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  The Company’s policies generally require that letters of credit arrangements contain security and debt covenants similar to those contained in loan agreements.  In the event the customer does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, the Company would be required to fund the commitment.  The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount shown in the table below.  If the commitment were funded, the Company would be entitled to seek recovery from the customer.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, no amounts have been recorded as liabilities for the Bank’s potential obligations under these guarantees.

Commitments and letters of credit outstanding were as follows as of:

	Contract or Notional Amount
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Commitments to extend credit	$	368,523	$	342,523
Letters of credit		11,857		11,675

Litigation

The Company is involved in certain claims and lawsuits occurring in the normal course of business.  Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe that the outcome of these actions, if determined adversely, would have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

FHLB Letters of Credit

At March 31, 2019, the Company had letters of credit of $2,000 pledged to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements, and for other purposes required or permitted by law.

NOTE 13 - REGULATORY MATTERS

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

The Basel III Capital Rules, a comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banking organizations, became effective for the Company and Bank on January 1, 2015, with certain transition provisions that were fully phased in on January 1, 2019.  Quantitative measures established by the Basel III Capital Rules to ensure capital adequacy require the maintenance of minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of Common Equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and Total capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and or Tier 1 capital to adjusted quarterly average assets (as defined).  Management believes, as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 that the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.

The Basel III Capital Rules, among other things, have (i) introduced a new capital measure called “Common Equity Tier I” (“CETI”), (ii) specified that Tier I capital consist of CETI and “Additional Tier I Capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) defined CETI narrowly by requiring that most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CETI and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expanded the scope of the deductions/adjustments as compared to existing regulations.

Starting in January 2016, the implementation of the capital conservation buffer was effective for the Company starting at the 0.625% level and increasing 0.625% each year thereafter, until it reached 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital

(Continued)

29.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress and effectively increases the minimum required risk-weighted capital ratios.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company’s capital ratios exceeded those levels necessary to be categorized as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well capitalized”, the Company must maintain minimum total risk-based, CETI, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier I leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since March 31, 2019 that management believes have changed the Company’s category.

The Federal Reserve’s guidelines regarding the capital treatment of trust preferred securities limits restricted core capital elements (including trust preferred securities and qualifying perpetual preferred stock) to 25% of all core capital elements, net of goodwill less any associated deferred tax liability. Because the Company’s aggregate amount of trust preferred securities is less than the limit of 25% of Tier I capital, net of goodwill, the rules permit the inclusion of $10,310 of trust preferred securities in Tier I capital at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Additionally, the rules provide that trust preferred securities would no longer qualify for Tier I capital within five years of their maturity, but would be included as Tier 2 capital. However, the trust preferred securities would be amortized out of Tier 2 capital by one-fifth each year and excluded from Tier 2 capital completely during the year prior to maturity of the subordinated debentures.

A comparison of the Company’s and Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios to required capital amounts and ratios are presented in the following tables as of:

	Actual					Minimum Required For Capital Adequacy Purposes					Minimum Required Under Basel III Fully Phased-In					To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
March 31, 2019
Total capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated	$	244,274		13.26	%	$	147,383		8.00	%	$	193,441		10.50	%			n/a
Bank		242,668		13.17	%		147,383		8.00	%		193,441		10.50	%	$	184,229		10.00	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		229,084		12.43	%		110,537		6.00	%		156,595		8.50	%			n/a
Bank		227,478		12.35	%		110,537		6.00	%		156,595		8.50	%		147,383		8.00	%
Tier 1 capital to average assets:(1)
Consolidated		229,084		10.14	%		90,386		4.00	%		90,386		4.00	%			n/a
Bank		227,478		10.07	%		90,387		4.00	%		90,387		4.00	%		112,984		5.00	%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		218,774		11.88	%		82,903		4.50	%		128,960		7.00	%			n/a
Bank		227,478		12.35	%		82,903		4.50	%		128,960		7.00	%		119,749		6.50	%
(1) The Tier 1 capital ratio (to average assets) is not impacted by the Basel III Capital Rules; however, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC may require the Consolidated Company and the Bank, respectively, to maintain a Tier 1 capital ratio (to average assets) above the required minimum.

(Continued)

30.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Actual					Minimum Required For Capital Adequacy Purposes					Minimum Required Under Basel III Fully Phased-In					To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2018
Total capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated	$	241,791		13.25	%	$	146,020		8.00	%	$	191,651		10.50	%			n/a
Bank		242,142		13.27	%		146,015		8.00	%		191,645		10.50	%	$	182,519		10.00	%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		227,140		12.44	%		109,515		6.00	%		155,146		8.50	%			n/a
Bank		227,491		12.46	%		109,511		6.00	%		155,141		8.50	%		146,015		8.00	%
Tier 1 capital to average assets:
Consolidated		227,140		10.16	%		89,422		4.00	%		89,422		4.00	%			n/a
Bank		227,491		10.18	%		89,414		4.00	%		89,414		4.00	%		111,768		5.00	%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		216,830		11.88	%		82,136		4.50	%		127,768		7.00	%			n/a
Bank		227,491		12.46	%		82,134		4.50	%		127,763		7.00	%		118,637		6.50	%

Dividends paid by Guaranty are mainly provided by dividends from its subsidiaries.  However, certain regulatory restrictions exist regarding the ability of its bank subsidiary to transfer funds to Guaranty in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances.  The amount of dividends that a subsidiary bank organized as a national banking association, such as the Bank, may declare in a calendar year is the subsidiary bank’s net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits for the preceding two years.

NOTE 14 - FAIR VALUE

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

Level 2 - Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

The Company used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value:

Marketable Securities:  The fair values for marketable securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2). For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3).

Loans Held For Sale:  Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, which is evaluated on a pool-level basis.  The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted prices for similar assets, adjusted for specific attributes of that loan or other observable market data, such as outstanding commitments from third party investors (Level 2).

(Continued)

31.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Derivative Instruments:  The fair values of derivatives are based on valuation models using observable market data as of the measurement date (Level 2).

Impaired Loans:  The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is generally based on the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan's existing rate or, if repayment is expected solely from the collateral, the fair value of collateral, less costs to sell.  The fair value of real estate collateral is determined using recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant (Level 3).  Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business (Level 3).  Impaired loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.

Other Real Estate Owned:  Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis.  These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals which are updated no less frequently than annually. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Real estate owned properties are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly (Level 3).

The following tables summarize quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurements for each category of financial assets (liabilities) carried at fair value:

As of March 31, 2019	Fair Value			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets (liabilities) at fair value on a recurring basis:
Available for sale securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	93,746		$	—	$	93,746		$	—
Collateralized mortgage obligations		107,607			—		107,607			—
Municipal securities		15,882			—		15,882			—
Corporate bonds		19,744			—		19,744			—
Loans held for sale		1,222			—		—			1,222
Cash surrender value of life insurance		26,458			—		26,458			—
SBA servicing assets		844			—		—			844
Derivative instrument assets		476			—		476			—
Derivative instrument liabilities		(476	)		—		(476	)		—
Assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:
Impaired loans		8,131			—		—			8,131
Other real estate owned		632			—		—			632

(Continued)

32.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

As of December 31, 2018	Fair Value			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Other Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets (liabilities) at fair value on a recurring basis:
Available for sale securities:
Mortgage-backed securities	$	89,459		$	—	$	89,459		$	—
Collateralized mortgage obligations		108,969			—		108,969			—
Municipal securities		15,593			—		15,593			—
Corporate bonds		18,954			—		18,954			—
Derivative instruments		(392	)		—		(392	)		—
Assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:
Impaired loans		10,863			—		—			10,863
Other real estate owned		751			—		—			751

There were no transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Nonfinancial Assets and Nonfinancial Liabilities

Nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 include certain foreclosed assets which, upon initial recognition, were remeasured and reported at fair value through a charge-off to the allowance for loan losses and certain foreclosed assets which, subsequent to their initial recognition, were remeasured at fair value through a write-down included in current earnings. The fair value of a foreclosed asset is estimated using Level 2 inputs based on observable market data or Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria.

The following table presents foreclosed assets that were remeasured and recorded at fair value as of:

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018			March 31, 2018
Other real estate owned remeasured at initial recognition:
Carrying value of other real estate owned prior to remeasurement	$	130		$	542		$	41
Charge-offs recognized in the allowance for loan losses		(6	)		(25	)		(14	)
Fair value of other real estate owned remeasured at initial recognition	$	124		$	517		$	27
Other real estate owned remeasured subsequent to initial recognition:
Carrying value of other real estate owned prior to remeasurement	$	—		$	599		$	—
Write-downs included in collection and other real estate owned expense		—			(56	)		—
Fair value of other real estate owned remeasured subsequent to initial recognition	$	—		$	543		$	—

(Continued)

33.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

The following tables present quantitative information about nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements as of:

	Fair Value		Valuation Technique(s)	Unobservable Input(s)	Range (Weighted Average)
March 31, 2019
Impaired loans	$	8,131	Fair value of collateral - sales comparison approach	Selling costs or other normal adjustments:    Real estate    Equipment	10%-20% (16%) 10%-20% (12%)
Other real estate owned	$	632	Appraisal value of collateral	Selling costs or other normal adjustments	10%-20% (16%)

.	Fair Value		Valuation Technique(s)	Unobservable Input(s)	Range (Weighted Average)
December 31, 2018
Impaired loans	$	10,863	Fair value of collateral - sales comparison approach	Selling costs or other normal adjustments:    Real estate    Equipment	10%-20% (16%) 10%-20% (19%)
Other real estate owned	$	751	Appraisal value of collateral	Selling costs or other normal adjustments	10%-20% (16%)

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments not previously discussed in this note, as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, are as follows:

	Fair value measurements as of March 31, 2019 using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash, due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits	$	108,304	$	108,304	$	—	$	—	$	108,304
Marketable securities held to maturity		160,980		—		163,110		—		163,110
Loans, net		1,640,979		—		—		1,630,728		1,630,728
Accrued interest receivable		8,245		—		8,245		—		8,245
Nonmarketable equity securities		14,909		—		14,909		—		14,909
Cash surrender value of life insurance		26,458		—		26,458		—		26,458
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,962,301	$	1,449,423	$	514,644	$	—	$	1,964,067
Securities sold under repurchase agreements		11,542		—		11,542		—		11,542
Accrued interest payable		1,777		—		1,777		—		1,777
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		50,131		—		49,338		—		49,338
Subordinated debentures		12,310		—		10,114		—		10,114

(Continued)

34.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	Fair value measurements as of December 31, 2018 using:
	Carrying Amount		Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs		Total Fair Value
Financial assets:
Cash, due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits	$	71,510	$	71,510	$	—	$	—	$	71,510
Marketable securities held to maturity		163,164		—		162,800		—		162,800
Loans, net		1,645,444		—		—		1,630,600		1,630,600
Accrued interest receivable		9,292		—		9,292		—		9,292
Nonmarketable equity securities		14,937		—		14,937		—		14,937
Cash surrender value of life insurance		26,301		—		26,301		—		26,301
Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	1,871,480	$	1,435,985	$	434,647	$	—	$	1,870,632
Securities sold under repurchase agreements		12,228		—		12,228		—		12,228
Accrued interest payable		1,651		—		1,651		—		1,651
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		115,136		—		114,934		—		114,934
Subordinated debentures		12,810		—		10,724		—		10,724

The methods and assumptions, not previously presented, used to estimate fair values are described as follows:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values (Level 1).

Loans, net

The fair value of fixed-rate loans and variable-rate loans that reprice on an infrequent basis is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality (Level 3).

Cash Surrender Value of Life Insurance

The carrying amounts of bank-owned life insurance approximate their fair value.

Nonmarketable Equity Securities

It is not practical to determine the fair value of Independent Bankers Financial Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Reserve Bank and other stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.

Deposits and Securities Sold Under Repurchase Agreements

The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and non-interest checking, passbook savings, and certain types of money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amount) (Level 1). The fair values of deposit liabilities with defined maturities are estimated by discounting future cash flows using interest rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities (Level 2).

Other Borrowings

The fair value of borrowings, consisting of lines of credit, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and Subordinated debentures is estimated by discounting future cash flows using currently available rates for similar financing (Level 2).

Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair values (Level 2).

Off-balance Sheet Instruments

Fair values for off-balance sheet, credit-related financial instruments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing. The fair value of commitments is not material.

(Continued)

35.

GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 15 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the maximum potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock and would then share in the net earnings of the Company. Dilutive share equivalents include stock-based awards issued to employees.

Stock options granted by the Company are treated as potential shares in computing earnings per share. Diluted shares outstanding include the dilutive effect of in-the-money awards which is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount that the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of tax impact that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the award becomes deductible are assumed to be used to repurchase shares.

The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the Company were as follows for the:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Numerator:
Net earnings  (basic)	$	5,337	$	4,359
Net earnings (diluted)	$	5,337	$	4,359
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic)		11,815,966		11,058,956
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalent shares from stock options		43,492		118,623
Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)		11,859,458		11,177,579
Net earnings per share
Basic	$	0.45	$	0.39
Diluted	$	0.45	$	0.39

(Continued)

36.

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

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto appearing in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, other risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in our reports and documents filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Unless the context indicates otherwise, references in this Report to “we,” “our,” “us,” and the “Company” refer to Guaranty Bancshares, Inc., a Texas corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.  References in this Report to “Guaranty Bank & Trust” and the “Bank” refer to Guaranty Bank & Trust, N.A., a national banking association and our wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary.

General

We were incorporated in 1990 to serve as the holding company for Guaranty Bank & Trust.  Since our founding, we have built a reputation based on financial stability and community leadership.  In May 2017, we consummated an initial public offering of our common stock, which is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GNTY.”

We currently operate 30 banking locations in the East Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth, Central Texas and Greater Houston regions of the state.  Our principal executive office is located at 16475 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600, Addison, Texas, 75001 and our telephone number is (888) 572-9881.  Our website address is www.gnty.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this Report and is not incorporated by reference into this filing or any other report.

As a bank holding company that operates through one segment, we generate most of our revenue from interest on loans and investments, customer service and loan fees, fees related to the sale of mortgage loans, and trust and wealth management services.  We incur interest expense on deposits and other borrowed funds, as well as noninterest expense, such as salaries and employee benefits and occupancy expenses.  We analyze our ability to maximize income generated from interest earning assets and control the interest expenses of our liabilities, measured as net interest income, through our net interest margin and net interest spread.  Net interest income is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings, which are used to fund those assets.  Net interest margin is a ratio calculated as net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.  Net interest spread is the difference between rates earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

Changes in market interest rates and the interest rates we earn on interest-earning assets or pay on interest-bearing liabilities, as well as in the volume and types of interest-earning assets, interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing liabilities and shareholders’ equity, are usually the largest drivers of periodic changes in net interest spread, net interest margin and net interest income.  Fluctuations in market interest rates are driven by many factors, including governmental monetary policies, inflation, deflation, macroeconomic developments, changes in unemployment, the money supply, political and international conditions and conditions in domestic and foreign financial markets.  Periodic changes in the volume and types of loans in our loan portfolio are affected by, among other factors, economic and competitive conditions in Texas, as well as developments affecting the real estate, technology, financial services, insurance, transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors within our target markets and throughout the State of Texas.

Certain Events Affecting Year-over-Year Comparability

Acquisition of Westbound Bank.  The Company completed the acquisition of Westbound Bank (Westbound), a Texas banking association, on June 1, 2018.  This acquisition increased total assets by $216.1 million, loans by $154.7 million (net of discount) and deposits by $181.4 million.  The comparability of the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 are affected by this acquisition.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and with general practices within the financial services industry.  Application of these principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under current circumstances.  These assumptions form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from independent, objective sources.  We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis.  Use of alternative assumptions may have resulted in significantly different estimates.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.

(Continued)

37.

We have identified the following accounting policies and estimates that, due to the difficult, subjective or complex judgments and assumptions inherent in those policies and estimates, and the potential sensitivity of our consolidated financial statements to those judgments and assumptions, is critical to an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations.  We believe that the judgments, estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements are appropriate.

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

Loans are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned income and an allowance for loan losses.  Interest on loans is recognized using the simple-interest method on the daily balances of the principal amounts outstanding.  Fees associated with the origination of loans and certain direct loan origination costs are netted and the net amount is deferred and recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment of yield.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when there is a clear indication that the borrower’s cash flow may not be sufficient to meet payments as they become due, which is generally when a loan is 90 days past due.  A loan may continue to accrue interest, even if it is more than 90 days past due, if the loan is both well collateralized and it is in the process of collection.  When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all previously accrued and unpaid interest is reversed.  Interest income is subsequently recognized on a cash basis as long as the remaining book balance of the asset is deemed to be collectible.  If collectability is questionable, then cash payments are applied to principal.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement.

The allowance for loan losses is an estimated amount management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses on existing loans that may be uncollectible based upon review and evaluation of our loan portfolio.  Management’s periodic evaluation of the allowance is based on general economic conditions, the financial condition of borrowers, the value and liquidity of collateral, delinquency, prior loan loss experience and the results of periodic reviews of the portfolio.

The allowance for loan losses is comprised of two components.  The first component, the general reserve, is determined in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance that considers historical loss rates for the last five years adjusted for qualitative factors based upon general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to us.  Such qualitative factors include current local economic conditions and trends including unemployment, changes in lending staff, policies and procedures, changes in credit concentrations, changes in the trends and severity of problem loans and changes in trends in volume and terms of loans.  These qualitative factors serve to compensate for additional areas of uncertainty inherent in the portfolio that are not reflected in our historic loss factors.  For purposes of determining the general reserve, the loan portfolio, less cash secured loans, government guaranteed loans and impaired loans, is multiplied by our adjusted historical loss rate.  The second component of the allowance for loan losses, the specific reserve, is determined in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance based on probable and incurred losses on specific classified loans.

The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income and decreased by charge-offs (net of recoveries).

In general, the loans in our portfolio have low historical credit losses.  The credit quality of loans in our portfolio is impacted by delinquency status and debt service coverage generated by our borrowers’ businesses and fluctuations in the value of real estate collateral.  Management considers delinquency status to be the most meaningful indicator of the credit quality of one-to-four single family residential, home equity loans and lines of credit and other consumer loans.  In general, loans do not begin to show signs of credit deterioration or default until they have been outstanding for some period of time, a process we refer to as “seasoning.”  As a result, a portfolio of older loans will usually behave more predictably than a portfolio of newer loans.  We consider the majority of our loans to be “seasoned” and that the credit quality and current level of delinquencies and defaults represents the level of reserve needed in the allowance for loan losses.  If delinquencies and defaults were to increase, we may be required to increase our provision for loan losses, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Delinquency statistics are updated at least monthly.  Internal risk ratings are considered the most meaningful indicator of credit quality for new commercial and industrial, construction, and commercial real estate loans.  Internal risk ratings are a key factor in identifying loans that are individually evaluated for impairment and impact management’s estimates of loss factors used in determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses.  Internal risk ratings are updated on a continuous basis.

Loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the original contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled principal and interest payments.  If a loan is impaired, a specific valuation allowance is allocated, if necessary.  Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case interest is recognized on a cash basis.  Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible.

(Continued)

38.

Our policy requires measurement of the allowance for an impaired collateral dependent loan based on the fair value of the collateral.  Other loan impairments are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows or the loan’s observable market price.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, all significant impaired loans had been determined to be collateral dependent and the allowance for loss had been measured utilizing the estimated fair value of the collateral.

From time to time, we modify our loan agreement with a borrower.  A modified loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring when two conditions are met: (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and (ii) concessions are made by us that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower with similar credit risk characteristics.  Modifications to loan terms may include a lower interest rate, a reduction of principal, or a longer term to maturity.  We review each troubled debt restructured loan and determine on a case by case basis if the loan is subject to impairment and the need for a specific allowance for loan loss allocation.  An allowance for loan loss allocation is based on either the present value of estimated future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral.

We have certain lending policies and procedures in place that are designed to maximize loan income with an acceptable level of risk.  Management reviews and approves these policies and procedures on a regular basis and makes changes as appropriate.  Management receives frequent reports related to loan originations, quality, concentrations, delinquencies, non-performing and potential problem loans.  Diversification in the loan portfolio is a means of managing risk associated with fluctuations in economic conditions, both by type of loan and geography.

Commercial and industrial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to operate profitably and effectively.  Underwriting standards are designed to determine whether the borrower possesses sound business ethics and practices and to evaluate current and projected cash flows to determine the ability of the borrower to repay their obligations as agreed.  Commercial and industrial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and, secondarily, on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower.  Most commercial and industrial loans are secured by the assets being financed or other business assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory, and include personal guarantees.

Real estate loans are also subject to underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans.  These loans are underwritten primarily based on projected cash flows and, secondarily, as loans secured by real estate collateral.  The repayment of real estate loans is generally largely dependent on the successful operation of the property securing the loans or the business conducted on the property securing the loan.  Real estate loans may be more adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or in the general economy.  The properties securing our real estate portfolio are generally diverse in terms of type and geographic location throughout the State of Texas.  This diversity helps us reduce the exposure to adverse economic events that affect any single market or industry.

We utilize methodical credit standards and analysis to supplement our policies and procedures in underwriting consumer loans.  Our loan policy addresses types of consumer loans that may be originated as well as the underlying collateral, if secured, which must be perfected.  The relatively small individual dollar amounts of consumer loans that are spread over numerous individual borrowers also minimizes risk.

Marketable Securities

Securities are classified as held to maturity and carried at amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity.  Securities are classified as available for sale when they might be sold before maturity.  Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income.  Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase.  Interest income includes amortization and accretion of purchase premiums and discounts.  Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation.  For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer.  Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings.  For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: (1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and (2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income.  The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis.

(Continued)

39.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions.  Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items.  Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.  The fair value estimates of existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments do not include the value of anticipated future business or the value of assets and liabilities not considered financial instruments.

Emerging Growth Company

The JOBS Act permits an “emerging growth company” to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies.  However, we have “opted out” of this provision.  As a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards to the same extent that compliance is required for non-emerging growth companies.  Our decision to opt out of the extended transition period under the JOBS Act is irrevocable.

Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations compares our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 with the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2019.

Net earnings were $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The following table presents key earnings data for the periods indicated:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net earnings	$	5,337		$	4,359
Net earnings per common share
-basic		0.45			0.39
-diluted		0.45			0.39
Net interest margin(1)		3.64	%		3.41	%
Net interest rate spread(2)		3.21	%		3.12	%
Return on average assets		0.94	%		0.89	%
Return on average equity		9.11	%		8.35	%
Average equity to average total assets		10.37	%		10.67	%
Dividend payout ratio		37.78	%		35.52	%

(1) Net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(2) Net interest rate spread is the average yield on interest-earning assets minus the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

Net Interest Income

Our operating results depend primarily on our net interest income.  Fluctuations in market interest rates impact the yield and rates paid on interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, respectively.  Changes in the amount and type of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities also impact our net interest income.  To evaluate net interest income, we measure and monitor (1) yields on our loans and other interest-earning assets, (2) the costs of our deposits and other funding sources, (3) our net interest spread and (4) our net interest margin.  Because noninterest-bearing sources of funds, such as noninterest-bearing deposits and shareholders’ equity also fund interest-earning assets, net interest margin includes the benefit of these noninterest-bearing sources.

Net interest income, before the provision for loan losses, was $19.0 million compared to $15.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively, an increase of $3.6 million, or 23.7%.  The increase in net interest income was comprised of a $6.3 million, or 32.9%, increase in interest income offset by a $2.6 million, or 71.9%, increase in interest expense.  The growth in interest income was primarily attributable to a $286.9 million, or 21.0%, increase in average loans outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the three months

(Continued)

40.

ended March 31, 2018, further improved by a 0.63% increase in the average yield on total loans.  The increase in average loans outstanding was primarily due to organic growth in all of our markets, continuing maturity of de novo and acquired locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and Central Texas markets and the acquisition of Westbound on June 1, 2018.  The $2.6 million increase in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily related to a $202.3 million, or 16.1%, increase in average interest-bearing deposits, which also had an average rate increase of 0.52%, and a $14.7 million, or 24.5%, increase in Federal Home Loan Bank advances, which had an average rate increase of 0.98%, over the same period in 2018.  The majority of the average deposit balance increase was due to the acquisition of Westbound, and organic growth, primarily in time deposit and money market accounts, driven in part by favorable rates that were offered in our Central Texas, Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex markets.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019, net interest margin and net interest spread were 3.64% and 3.21%, respectively, compared to 3.41% and 3.12% for the same period in 2018, which reflects the increases in interest income discussed above relative to the increases in interest expense.

Average Balance Sheet Amounts, Interest Earned and Yield Analysis

The following table presents an analysis of net interest income and net interest spread for the periods indicated, including average outstanding balances for each major category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the interest earned or paid on such amounts, and the average rate earned or paid on such assets or liabilities, respectively.  The table also sets forth the net interest margin on average total interest-earning assets for the same periods.  Interest earned on loans that are classified as nonaccrual is not recognized in income; however, the balances are reflected in average outstanding balances for the period.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the amount of interest income not recognized on nonaccrual loans was not material.  Any nonaccrual loans have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield.

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019								2018
	Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate			Average Outstanding Balance			Interest Earned/ Interest Paid		Average Yield/ Rate
ASSETS
Interest-earnings assets:
Total loans(1)	$	1,651,608		$	22,244		5.46	%	$	1,364,724		$	16,256		4.83	%
Securities available for sale		233,625			1,530		2.66			238,233			1,442		2.45
Securities held to maturity		162,121			1,028		2.57			172,679			1,061		2.49
Nonmarketable equity securities		12,128			170		5.68			7,508			89		4.81
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		57,240			335		2.37			43,547			190		1.77
Total interest-earning assets		2,116,722			25,307		4.85			1,826,691			19,038		4.23
Allowance for loan losses		(14,906	)							(12,989	)
Noninterest-earning assets		188,917								142,343
Total assets	$	2,290,733							$	1,956,045
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	1,458,261		$	5,673		1.58	%	$	1,255,975		$	3,274		1.06	%
Advances from FHLB and fed funds purchased		74,700			447		2.43			59,979			214		1.45
Subordinated debentures		10,310			169		6.65			13,810			167		4.90
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		11,065			11		0.40			11,621			11		0.38
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,554,336			6,300		1.64			1,341,385			3,666		1.11
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
Noninterest-bearing deposits		475,890								400,347
Accrued interest and other liabilities		22,893								5,589
Total noninterest-bearing liabilities		498,783								405,936
Shareholders’ equity		237,614								208,724
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,290,733							$	1,956,045
Net interest rate spread(2)							3.21	%							3.12	%
Net interest income				$	19,007							$	15,372
Net interest margin(3)							3.64	%							3.41	%

(1) Includes average outstanding balances of loans held for sale of $1.3 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(2) Net interest rate spread is the average yield on interest-earning assets minus the average rate on interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Net interest margin is equal to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

(Continued)

41.

The following table presents the change in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated for each major component of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and distinguishes between the changes attributable to changes in volume and interest rates. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume that cannot be segregated have been allocated to rate.

	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 vs. 2018
	Increase (Decrease)
	Due to Change in						Total Increase
	Volume			Rate			(Decrease)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Total loans	$	3,916		$	2,072		$	5,988
Securities available for sale		(3,064	)		3,152			88
Securities held to maturity		(6,784	)		6,751			(33	)
Nonmarketable equity securities		6,560			(6,479	)		81
Interest-earning deposits in other banks		8,113			(7,968	)		145
Total increase (decrease) in interest income	$	8,742		$	(2,473	)	$	6,269
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing deposits	$	799		$	1,600		$	2,399
Advances from FHLB and fed funds purchased		8,943			(8,710	)		233
Subordinated debentures		(2,089	)		2,091			2
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(56	)		56			—
Total (decrease) increase in interest expense		7,598			(4,964	)		2,634
Increase (decrease) in net interest income	$	1,144		$	2,491		$	3,635

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is a charge to income in order to bring our allowance for loan losses to a level deemed appropriate by management based on factors such as historical loss experience, trends in classified and past due loans, volume and growth in the loan portfolio, current economic conditions in our markets and value of the underlying collateral.  Loans are charged off against the allowance for loan losses when determined appropriate.  Although management believes it uses the best information available to make determinations with respect to the provision for loan losses, future adjustments may be necessary if economic conditions differ from the assumptions used in making the determination.

The provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $575,000 compared to $600,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  The decrease in the provision expense resulted from a lower level of charge-offs during the period and relatively stable risk ratings and qualitative factors that contributed to the calculated reserve needed during the period.   Net charge offs were $36,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $84,000 for the same period in 2018.

Noninterest Income

Our primary sources of recurring noninterest income are service charges on deposit accounts, merchant and debit card fees, fiduciary income, gains on the sale of loans, and income from bank-owned life insurance.  Noninterest income does not include loan origination fees to the extent they exceed the direct loan origination costs, which are generally recognized over the life of the related loan as an adjustment to yield using the interest method.

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42.

The following table presents components of noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 and the period-over-period variations in the categories of noninterest income:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				Increase (Decrease)
	2019		2018		2019 vs. 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts	$	826	$	888	$	(62	)
Merchant and debit card fees		959		829		130
Fiduciary income		425		398		27
Gain on sales of loans		477		556		(79	)
Bank-owned life insurance income		158		126		32
Loan processing fee income		128		145		(17	)
Other noninterest income		589		723		(134	)
Total noninterest income	$	3,562	$	3,665	$	(103	)

Total noninterest income decreased $103,000 or 2.8%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.  Material changes in the components of noninterest income are discussed below.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts. We earn fees from our customers for deposit related services, and these fees constitute a significant and generally predictable component of our non-interest income.   Service fee income was $826,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to $888,000 for the same period in 2018, a decrease of $62,000, or 7.0%.   The decrease, despite an increase in deposit accounts, was primarily due to lower insufficient fund income in the current year, which resulted from increased usage of online banking and debit cards by customers, which limits the ability for deposit accounts to go into an overdrawn status.

Merchant and Debit Card Fees.  We earn interchange income related to the activity of our customers’ merchant debit card usage.  Debit card interchange income was $959,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $829,000 for the same period in 2018, an increase of $130,000, or 15.7%.  The increase was primarily due to growth in the number of demand deposit accounts and debit card usage volume during 2019.

Gain on Sales of Loans.  We originate long-term fixed-rate mortgage loans for resale into the secondary market.  We sold 75 loans for $14.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to 81 loans for $16.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  Gain on sale of loans was $477,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019, a decrease of $79,000, or 14.2%, compared to $556,000 for the same period in 2018, which reflects the decrease in mortgage volume and the number of loans sold.

Other.  This category includes a variety of other income producing activities, including mortgage loan origination fees, wire transfer fees, loan administration fees, and other fee income.  Other noninterest income decreased $134,000, or 18.5%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 due primarily to a write down in the value of the SBA servicing asset in the first quarter of 2019 of $263,000, offset by an increase in SBA servicing revenue of $107,000. Other categories of noninterest income increased with the continued growth of the bank.

Noninterest Expense

Generally, noninterest expense is composed of all employee expenses and costs associated with operating our facilities, obtaining and retaining customer relationships and providing bank services.  The largest component of noninterest expense is salaries and employee benefits.  Noninterest expense also includes operational expenses, such as occupancy expenses, depreciation and amortization of our facilities and our furniture, fixtures and office equipment, professional and regulatory fees, including FDIC assessments, data processing expenses, and advertising and promotion expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, noninterest expense totaled $15.5 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 17.8%, compared to $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.   The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the major categories of noninterest expense:

(Continued)

43.

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,				Increase (Decrease)
	2019		2018		2019 vs. 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Employee compensation and benefits	$	8,986	$	7,778	$	1,208
Non-staff expenses:
Occupancy expenses		2,451		1,853		598
Amortization		349		257		92
Software and technology		782		556		226
FDIC insurance assessment fees		33		156		(123	)
Legal and professional fees		626		568		58
Advertising and promotions		385		279		106
Telecommunication expense		174		152		22
ATM and debit card expense		278		309		(31	)
Director and committee fees		239		279		(40	)
Other noninterest expense		1,167		947		220
Total noninterest expense	$	15,470	$	13,134	$	2,336

Material changes in the components of noninterest expense are discussed below.

Employee Compensation and Benefits.  Salaries and employee benefits are the largest component of noninterest expense and include payroll expense, the cost of incentive compensation, benefit plans, health insurance and payroll taxes.  Salaries and employee benefits were $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $1.2 million, or 15.5%, compared to $7.8 million for the same period in 2018.  The increase resulted from the addition of 44 full time equivalent employees, from 419 as of March 31, 2018 to 463 as of March 31, 2019, of which 28 new employees were related to the Westbound acquisition, 11 were from our de novo locations in Austin and Fort Worth, Texas that were opened in the fourth quarter of 2017, and other employees that were added to support operational growth.

Occupancy Expenses.  Occupancy expenses were $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2018, an increase of $598,000, or 32.3%. This category includes building, leasehold, furniture, fixtures and equipment depreciation totaling $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, up from $780,000 in the prior period. The increase in occupancy expenses was due primarily to an increase in depreciation expense, ad valorum taxes and building maintenance, a combined increase of $310,000, resulting mainly from the Westbound acquisition and new Austin and Fort Worth locations.   Other increases are due to commencement of leases in Austin and Fort Worth during the period and adoption of the new Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases.  

Amortization. Amortization expenses increased $92,000, or 35.8%, from $257,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $349,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase is due to the amortization of deposit premiums associated with the Westbound acquisition on June 1, 2018.

Software and Technology.  Software and technology expenses increased $226,000, or 40.6%, from $556,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $782,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.  The increase is attributable primarily to additional core processing licensing related to the acquisition of Westbound, additional licensing related to growth of our remote deposit capture products and fees associated with a core system operational review that is completed periodically.  Other increases resulted from incremental processing fees resulting from growth in volume of our loan and deposit accounts.

FDIC Insurance Assessment Fees.  FDIC insurance assessment fees decreased $123,000, or 78.8%, from $156,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 to $33,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019.  The decrease resulted from an FDIC assessment credit of $534,000 that was received in January 2019 and will be prorated through the third quarter of 2019, reducing our expense.  

(Continued)

44.

Legal and Professional Fees. Legal and professional fees, which include audit, loan review and regulatory assessments, were $626,000 and $568,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, an increase of $58,000, or 10.2%.  The increase was due primarily to increased professional fees of $219,000 resulting from fees paid to recruiters to locate production employees in our newer growth markets, and were offset by a decrease in legal expense of $153,000 due to legal costs associated with the acquisition of Westbound in the prior period.  

Advertising and Promotions.  Advertising and promotion related expenses were $385,000 and $279,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  The increase of $106,000, or 38.0%, was primarily due to increases in advertising expense in our growth markets, especially Dallas/Fort Worth, Central Texas and Houston.

ATM and Debit Card Expenses. We pay processing fees related to the activity of our customers’ ATM and debit card usage.  ATM and debit card expenses were $278,000 and $309,000, for the three months ending March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  The expenses decreased $31,000, or 10.0%, as a result of one time Westbound acquisition related expenses in the first quarter of 2018 that were not recurring.

Other. This category includes operating and administrative expenses, such as stock option expense, expenses and losses related to repossession of assets, small hardware and software purchases, expense of the value of stock appreciation rights, losses incurred on problem assets, OREO related expenses, gains or losses on the sale of OREO, business development expenses (e.g., travel and entertainment, charitable contributions and club memberships), insurance and security expenses.  Other noninterest expense increased to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to $947,000 for the same period in 2018, an increase of $253,000, or 21.1%.  The increase was primarily due to increases in loan and filing expenses of $131,000, computer supplies of $25,000 and other real estate owned expenses of $25,000.  Other increases resulted from escalations in dues and subscriptions, stock option expense and new DDA incentives period-over-period, partially offset by decreases in expenses incurred for training and education, postage, insurance and loan processing period-over-period.

Income Tax Expense

The amount of income tax expense we incur is influenced by the amounts of our pre-tax income, tax-exempt income and other nondeductible expenses.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected at current income tax rates in effect for the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.  As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes.  Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, income tax expense totaled $1.2 million and $944,000, respectively.  Our effective tax rates for the three months ended 2019 and 2018 were 18.2% and 17.8%, respectively.  

Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2019

Assets

Our total assets increased $42.0 million, or 2.34%, from $2.27 billion as of December 31, 2018 to $2.31 billion as of March 31, 2019.  Our asset growth was primarily due to increases in cash and cash equivalents of $36.8 million and an increase in other assets of $10.6 million, which resulted primarily from the recording of a $12.0 million right of use lease asset upon adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019.  

Loan Portfolio

Our primary source of income is derived through interest earned on loans to small- to medium-sized businesses, commercial companies, professionals and individuals located in our primary market areas.  A substantial portion of our loan portfolio consists of commercial and industrial loans and real estate loans secured by commercial real estate properties located in our primary market areas.  Our loan portfolio represents the highest yielding component of our earning asset base.

Our loan portfolio is the largest category of our earning assets.  As of March 31, 2019, total loans were $1.66 billion, a decrease of $3.8 million, or 0.2%, from the December 31, 2018 balance of $1.66 billion.  In addition to these amounts, $1.2 million and $1.8 million in loans were classified as held for sale as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

(Continued)

45.

Total loans, excluding those held for sale, as a percentage of deposits, were 84.4% and 88.7% as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.  Total loans, excluding those held for sale, as a percentage of total assets, were 71.7% and 73.2% as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The following table summarizes our loan portfolio by type of loan and dollar change and percentage change from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019:

	As of March 31, 2019		As of December 31, 2018		Dollar Change			Percent Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	246,176	$	261,779	$	(15,603	)		(5.96	)%
Real estate:
Construction and development		250,852		237,503		13,349			5.62	%
Commercial real estate		581,926		582,519		(593	)		(0.10	)%
Farmland		72,274		67,845		4,429			6.53	%
1-4 family residential		390,618		393,067		(2,449	)		(0.62	)%
Multi-family residential		37,430		38,386		(956	)		(2.49	)%
Consumer and overdrafts		56,433		55,159		1,274			2.31	%
Agricultural		19,994		23,277		(3,283	)		(14.10	)%
Total loans held for investment	$	1,655,703	$	1,659,535	$	(3,832	)		(0.23	)%
Total loans held for sale	$	1,222	$	1,795	$	(573	)		(31.92	)%

Nonperforming Assets

Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due.  Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions.  Loans may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due.  In general, we place loans on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days past due.  We also place loans on nonaccrual status if they are less than 90 days past due if the collection of principal or interest is in doubt.  When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed from income.  Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are, in management’s opinion, reasonably assured.

We believe our conservative lending approach and focused management of nonperforming assets has resulted in sound asset quality and timely resolution of problem assets.  We have several procedures in place to assist us in maintaining the overall quality of our loan portfolio.  We have established underwriting guidelines to be followed by our bankers, and we also monitor our delinquency levels for any negative or adverse trends.  There can be no assurance, however, that our loan portfolio will not become subject to increasing pressures from deteriorating borrower credit due to general economic conditions.

We had $5.2 million in nonperforming assets as of March 31, 2019, compared to $7.6 million as of December 31, 2018.  We had $3.6 million in nonperforming loans as of March 31, 2019, compared to $5.9 million as of December 31, 2018.  The $2.3 million, or 38.5%, decrease in our nonperforming loans from December 31, 2018 to March 31, 2019 relates primarily to the payoff of nonaccrual commercial real estate loans from one borrower with outstanding loan balances of $3.3 million, offset by a general increase in our nonaccrual 1-4 family residential real estate portfolio.

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46.

The following table presents information regarding nonperforming assets and loans as of:

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	3,624		$	5,891
Accruing loans 90 or more days past due		—			—
Total nonperforming loans		3,624			5,891
Other real estate owned:
Commercial real estate, construction and development, and farmland		—			34
Residential real estate		632			717
Total other real estate owned		632			751
Repossessed assets owned		948			971
Total other assets owned		1,580			1,722
Total nonperforming assets	$	5,204		$	7,613
Restructured loans-nonaccrual	$	487		$	335
Restructured loans-accruing	$	671		$	861
Ratio of nonperforming loans to total loans(1)(2)		0.22	%		0.35	%
Ratio of nonperforming assets to total assets		0.23	%		0.34	%

(1) Excludes loans held for sale of $1.2 and $1.8 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

(2) Restructured loans-nonaccrual are included in nonaccrual loans which are a component of nonperforming loans.

The following table presents nonaccrual loans by category as of:

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Commercial and industrial	$	213	$	366
Real estate:
Construction and development		—		—
Commercial real estate		913		3,700
Farmland		139		140
1-4 family residential		2,194		1,567
Multi-family residential		—		—
Consumer		109		66
Agricultural		56		52
Total	$	3,624	$	5,891

Potential Problem Loans

From a credit risk standpoint, we classify loans in one of five categories: pass, special mention, substandard, doubtful or loss.  Within the pass category, we classify loans into one of the following four subcategories based on perceived credit risk, including repayment capacity and collateral security: superior, excellent, good and acceptable.  The classifications of loans reflect a judgment about the risks of default and loss associated with the loan.  We review the ratings on credits monthly.  Ratings are adjusted to reflect the degree of risk and loss that is believed to be inherent in each credit as of each monthly reporting period.  Our methodology is structured so that specific reserve allocations are increased in accordance with deterioration in credit quality (and a corresponding increase in risk and loss) or decreased in accordance with improvement in credit quality (and a corresponding decrease in risk and loss).

Credits rated special mention show clear signs of financial weaknesses or deterioration in creditworthiness; however, such concerns are not so pronounced that we generally expect to experience significant loss within the short-term.  Such credits typically maintain the ability to perform within standard credit terms and credit exposure is not as prominent as credits with a lower rating.

Credits rated substandard are those in which the normal repayment of principal and interest may be, or has been, jeopardized by reason of adverse trends or developments of a financial, managerial, economic or political nature, or important weaknesses which exist in collateral.  A protracted workout on these credits is a distinct possibility.  Prompt corrective action is therefore required to reduce exposure and to assure that adequate remedial measures are taken by the borrower.  Credit exposure becomes more likely in such credits and a serious evaluation of the secondary support to the credit is performed.

(Continued)

47.

Credits rated as doubtful have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full questionable and there is a high probability of loss based on currently existing facts, conditions and values.

Credits rated as loss are charged-off.  We have no expectation of the recovery of any payments in respect of credits rated as loss.

The following tables summarize the internal ratings of our loans as of:

	March 31, 2019
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Loss		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	245,829	$	—	$	347	$	—	$	—	$	246,176
Real estate:
Construction and development		249,602		—		1,250		—		—		250,852
Commercial real estate		572,655		3,772		5,499		—		—		581,926
Farmland		71,977		47		250		—		—		72,274
1-4 family residential		389,448		308		862		—		—		390,618
Multi-family residential		37,430		—		—		—		—		37,430
Consumer		56,375		20		38		—		—		56,433
Agricultural		19,651		114		229		—		—		19,994
Total	$	1,642,967	$	4,261	$	8,475	$	—	$	—	$	1,655,703

	December 31, 2018
	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Loss		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	260,863	$	224	$	692	$	—	$	—	$	261,779
Real estate:
Construction and development		236,253	—			1,250		—		—		237,503
Commercial real estate		569,648		5,691		7,180		—		—		582,519
Farmland		67,541		49		255		—		—		67,845
1-4 family residential		391,956		514		597		—		—		393,067
Multi-family residential		38,386	—		—			—		—		38,386
Consumer		55,055		48		56		—		—		55,159
Agricultural		22,713		115		449		—		—		23,277
Total	$	1,642,415	$	6,641	$	10,479	$	—	$	—	$	1,659,535

Allowance for Loan Losses

We maintain an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s best estimate of the loan losses and risks inherent in our loan portfolio.  The amount of the allowance for loan losses should not be interpreted as an indication that charge-offs in future periods will necessarily occur in those amounts, or at all.  In determining the allowance for loan losses, we estimate losses on specific loans, or groups of loans, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably determined.  The balance of the allowance for loan losses is based on internally assigned risk classifications of loans, historical loan loss rates, changes in the nature of our loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, current economic factors and the estimated impact of current economic conditions on certain historical loan loss rates.  Please see “Critical Accounting Policies-Allowance for Loan Losses.”

In connection with the review of our loan portfolio, we consider risk elements attributable to particular loan types or categories in assessing the quality of individual loans.  Some of the risk elements we consider include:

• for commercial and industrial loans, the debt service coverage ratio (income from the business in excess of operating expenses compared to loan repayment requirements), the operating results of the commercial, industrial or professional enterprise, the borrower’s business, professional and financial ability and expertise, the specific risks and volatility of income and operating results typical for businesses in that category and the value, nature and marketability of collateral;

(Continued)

48.

• for commercial mortgage loans and multifamily residential loans, the debt service coverage ratio, operating results of the owner in the case of owner occupied properties, the loan to value ratio, the age and condition of the collateral and the volatility of income, property value and future operating results typical of properties of that type;

• for 1-4 family residential mortgage loans, the borrower’s ability to repay the loan, including a consideration of the debt to income ratio and employment and income stability, the loan-to-value ratio, and the age, condition and marketability of the collateral; and

• for construction and development loans, the perceived feasibility of the project including the ability to sell developed lots or improvements constructed for resale or the ability to lease property constructed for lease, the quality and nature of contracts for presale or prelease, if any, experience and ability of the developer and loan to value ratio.

As of March 31, 2019, the allowance for loan losses totaled $15.2 million, or 0.92%, of total loans, excluding those held for sale.  As of December 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses totaled $14.7 million, or 0.88%, of total loans, excluding those held for sale.  The increase in allowance is due to general reserves for organic loan growth, specific allocations on impaired assets and slightly higher qualitative factors in general allocation in recognition of certain macroeconomic trends in commercial and industrial and commercial real estate lending.  

The following table presents, as of and for the periods indicated, an analysis of the allowance for loan losses and other related data:

	As Of and For the Three Months Ended March 31,						As Of and For the Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Average loans outstanding(1)	$	1,651,608		$	1,364,724		$	1,524,792
Gross loans outstanding at end of period(2)		1,655,703			1,401,334			1,659,535
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of the period		14,651			12,859			12,859
Provision for loan losses		575			600			2,250
Charge offs:
Commercial and industrial		6			10			367
Real estate:
Commercial real estate		—			33			33
1-4 family residential		6			13			93
Consumer		17			28			254
Agriculture		—			—			2
Overdrafts		49			32			169
Total charge-offs		78			116			918
Recoveries:
Commercial and industrial		5			2			111
Real estate:
Commercial real estate		—			—			1
1-4 family residential		1			5			135
Consumer		23			11			90
Agriculture		—			—			65
Overdrafts		13			14			58
Total recoveries		42			32			460
Net charge-offs		36			84			458
Allowance for loan losses at end of period	$	15,190		$	13,375		$	14,651
Ratio of allowance to end of period loans(2)		0.92	%		0.95	%		0.88	%
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans(1)		0.00	%		0.01	%		0.03	%

(1) Includes average outstanding balances of loans held for sale of $1.3 million, $1.7 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively.

(2) Excludes loans held for sale of $1.2 million, $1.5 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 and for the year ended December 31, 2018, respectively.

(Continued)

49.

The ratio of allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans increased from 248.7% at December 31, 2018 to 419.2% at March 31, 2019.  Non-performing loans decreased to $3.63 million at March 31, 2019, compared to $5.9 million at December 31, 2018, which is attributable primarily to the payoff on one loan relationship with an outstanding balance of $3.3 million, and offset by general increases in nonaccrual loans in our 1-4 family residential real estate portfolio.

Although we believe that we have established our allowance for loan losses in accordance with GAAP and that the allowance for loan losses was adequate to provide for known and inherent losses in the portfolio at all times shown above, future provisions for loan losses will be subject to ongoing evaluations of the risks in our loan portfolio.  If our primary market areas experience economic declines, if asset quality deteriorates or if we are successful in growing the size of our loan portfolio, our allowance could become inadequate and material additional provisions for loan losses could be required.

The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among loan categories and certain other information as of the dates indicated.  The allocation of the allowance for loan losses as shown in the table should neither be interpreted as an indication of future charge-offs, nor as an indication that charge-offs in future periods will necessarily occur in these amounts or in the indicated proportions.  The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any loan category.

	As of March 31, 2019					As of December 31, 2018
	Amount		Percent to Total Loans			Amount		Percent to Total Loans
	(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial and industrial	$	1,963		12.92	%	$	1,751		11.96	%
Real estate:
Construction and development		2,001		13.17	%		1,920		13.10	%
Commercial real estate		6,294		41.44	%		6,025		41.12	%
Farmland		659		4.34	%		643		4.39	%
1-4 family residential		2,870		18.89	%		2,868		19.58	%
Multi-family residential		575		3.79	%		631		4.31	%
Total real estate		12,399		81.63	%		12,087		82.50	%
Consumer		625		4.11	%		575		3.92	%
Agricultural		203		1.34	%		238		1.62	%
Total allowance for loan losses	$	15,190		100.00	%	$	14,651		100.00	%

Securities

We use our securities portfolio to provide a source of liquidity, provide an appropriate return on funds invested, manage interest rate risk, meet collateral requirements and meet regulatory capital requirements.  As of March 31, 2019, the carrying amount of our investment securities totaled $398.0 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 0.5%, compared to $396.1 million as of December 31, 2018. Investment securities represented 17.2% and 17.5% of total assets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Our investment portfolio consists of securities classified as available for sale and held to maturity.  As of March 31, 2019, securities available for sale and securities held to maturity totaled $237.0 million and $161.0 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2018, securities available for sale and securities held to maturity totaled $233.0 million and $163.2 million, respectively.  Held to maturity percentages represented 40.5% of our investment portfolio as of March 31, 2019 and 41.2% as of December 31, 2018.   We generally seek to maintain 50.0% or less of our portfolio in held to maturity securities. We have the intent and ability to hold our held to maturity securities until maturity or call and any policy exceptions will be approved by our board of directors.  The carrying values of our investment securities classified as available for sale are adjusted for unrealized gain or loss, and any gain or loss is reported on an after-tax basis as a component of other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

(Continued)

50.

The following tables summarize the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our investment securities:

	As of March 31, 2019
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate bonds	$	19,724	$	47	$	27	$	19,744
Municipal securities		156,454		2,726		315		158,865
Mortgage-backed securities		111,843		362		2,158		110,047
Collateralized mortgage obligations		111,749		274		590		111,433
Total	$	399,770	$	3,409	$	3,090	$	400,089

	As of December 31, 2018
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate bonds	$	19,743	$	—	$	789	$	18,954
Municipal securities		157,720		1,231		1,354		157,597
Mortgage-backed securities		110,246		106		4,176		106,176
Collateralized mortgage obligations		115,400		48		2,400		113,048
Total	$	403,109	$	1,385	$	8,719	$	395,775

We do not hold any Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac preferred stock, collateralized debt obligations, structured investment vehicles or second lien elements in our investment portfolio.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, our investment portfolio did not contain any securities that are directly backed by subprime or Alt-A mortgages, non-U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities or corporate collateralized mortgage obligations.

Our management evaluates securities for OTTI at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation.  As of March 31, 2019, no OTTI was recorded.

The following tables sets forth the amortized cost of held to maturity securities and the fair value of available for sale securities, maturities and approximated weighted average yield based on estimated annual income divided by the average amortized cost of our securities portfolio as of the dates indicated.  The contractual maturity of a mortgage-backed security is the date at which the last underlying mortgage matures.

	As of March 31, 2019
	Within One Year					After One Year but Within Five Years					After Five Years but Within Ten Years					After Ten Years					Total
	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Total		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate bonds	$	—		—		$	11,222		2.77	%	$	8,522		3.43	%	$	—		—		$	19,744		3.05	%
Municipal securities		990		2.93	%		29,405		2.98	%		41,944		3.34	%		84,255		3.04	%		156,594		3.11	%
Mortgage-backed securities		—		—			24,749		2.66	%		85,518		2.74	%		—		—			110,267		2.72	%
Collateralized mortgage obligations		229		3.87	%		111,125		2.68	%		—		—			—		—			111,354		2.68	%
Total	$	1,219		3.11	%	$	176,501		2.73	%	$	135,984		2.97	%	$	84,255		3.04	%	$	397,959		2.88	%

	As of December 31, 2018
	Within One Year					After One Year but Within Five Years					After Five Years but Within Ten Years					After Ten Years					Total
	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Total		Yield
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate bonds	$	—		—		$	10,852		2.77	%	$	8,102		3.43	%	$	—		—		$	18,954		3.05	%
Municipal securities		762		1.73	%		19,062		2.93	%		51,246		3.28	%		86,465		3.01	%		157,535		3.08	%
Mortgage-backed securities		—		—			54,429		2.49	%		52,193		2.66	%		—		—			106,622		2.57	%
Collateralized mortgage obligations		352		3.88	%		100,882		2.66	%		11,794		2.88	%		—		—			113,028		2.68	%
Total	$	1,114		2.41	%	$	185,225		2.64	%	$	123,335		2.99	%	$	86,465		3.01	%	$	396,139		2.83	%

(Continued)

51.

The contractual maturity of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations is not a reliable indicator of their expected life because borrowers have the right to prepay their obligations at any time.  Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are typically issued with stated principal amounts and are backed by pools of mortgage loans and other loans with varying maturities.  The term of the underlying mortgages and loans may vary significantly due to the ability of a borrower to prepay.  Monthly pay downs on mortgage-backed securities typically cause the average life of the securities to be much different than the stated contractual maturity.  During a period of increasing interest rates, fixed rate mortgage-backed securities do not tend to experience heavy prepayments of principal, and, consequently, the average life of this security is typically lengthened.  If interest rates begin to fall, prepayments may increase, thereby shortening the estimated life of this security.  The weighted average life of our investment portfolio was 6.91 years with an estimated effective duration of 4.24 years as of March 31, 2019.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, we did not own securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. government and its agencies, for which aggregate adjusted cost exceeded 10.0% of the consolidated shareholders’ equity.

The average yield of our securities portfolio was 2.88% as of March 31, 2019, up from 2.83% as of December 31, 2018.  The improvement in average yields resulted primarily from an increase in municipal securities yields from 3.08% as of December 31, 2018 to 3.11% as of March 31, 2019.  Additionally, the average yield on mortgage backed securities increased from 2.57% to 2.72% during the same period.  As of March 31, 2019, municipal securities and mortgage backed securities comprised 39.3% and 27.7% of the portfolio, respectively.  As of December 31, 2018, municipal securities and mortgage backed securities comprised 39.8% and 26.9% of the portfolio, respectively.

Deposits

We offer a variety of deposit products, which have a wide range of interest rates and terms, including demand, savings, money market and time accounts.  We rely primarily on competitive pricing policies, convenient locations and personalized service to attract and retain these deposits.

Total deposits as of March 31, 2019 were $1.96 billion, an increase of $90.8 million, or 4.9%, compared to $1.87 billion as of December 31, 2018.  

The following table presents the average balances on deposits for the periods indicated:

	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019		For the Year Ended December 31, 2018		Dollar Change			Percent Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
NOW and interest-bearing demand accounts	$	289,424	$	256,726	$	32,698			12.74	%
Savings accounts		68,544		67,917		627			0.92	%
Money market accounts		615,436		646,115		(30,679	)		(4.75	%)
Certificates and other time deposits		484,857		353,986		130,871			36.97	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,458,261		1,324,744		133,517			10.08	%
Noninterest-bearing demand accounts		475,890		446,560		62,511			14.00	%
Total deposits	$	1,934,151	$	1,771,304	$	196,028			11.07	%

The aggregate amount of time deposits in denominations of $100,000 or more as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $376.3 million and $304.1 million, respectively.

(Continued)

52.

The scheduled maturities of time deposits greater than $100,000 were as follows:

	As of March 31, 2019
	Amount		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Under 3 months	$	47,774		1.86	%
3 to 6 months		74,913		1.96	%
6 to 12 months		124,701		2.24	%
12 to 24 months		92,763		2.66	%
24 to 36 months		20,105		2.14	%
36 to 48 months		9,498		2.03	%
Over 48 months		6,572		2.56	%
Total	$	376,326		1.95	%

Borrowings

We utilize short-term and long-term borrowings to supplement deposits to fund our lending and investment activities, each of which is discussed below.

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Advances.  The FHLB allows us to borrow on a blanket floating lien status collateralized by certain securities and loans.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, total borrowing capacity of $565.5 million and $563.8 million, respectively, was available under this arrangement.  Our outstanding FHLB advances mature within 5 years.  As of March 31, 2019, approximately $1.32 billion in real estate loans were pledged as collateral for our FHLB borrowings.  We utilize these borrowings to meet liquidity needs and to fund certain fixed rate loans in our portfolio.  The following table presents our FHLB borrowings by maturity and weighted average rate as of March 31, 2019:

	Balance		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(Dollars in thousands)
Less than 90 days	$	29,500		2.39	%
90 days to less than one year		10,000		2.41	%
One to three years		3,131		1.79	%
After three to five years		7,500		1.81	%
After five years		—		—
Total	$	50,131		2.27	%

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.  The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has an available borrower in custody arrangement, which allows us to borrow on a collateralized basis.  Certain commercial and industrial and consumer loans are pledged under this arrangement.  We maintain this borrowing arrangement to meet liquidity needs pursuant to our contingency funding plan.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, $178.1 million and $193.9 million, respectively, were available under this arrangement.  As of March 31, 2019, approximately $226.3 million in consumer and commercial and industrial loans were pledged as collateral.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding under this arrangement.

Trust Preferred Securities and Other Debentures. We have issued subordinated debentures relating to the issuance of trust preferred securities.  In October 2002, we formed Guaranty (TX) Capital Trust II, which issued $3.0 million in trust preferred securities to a third party in a private placement.  Concurrent with the issuance of the trust preferred securities, the trust issued common securities to the Company in the aggregate liquidation value of $93,000.  The trust invested the total proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities and the common securities in $3.1 million of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures, which will mature on October 30, 2032.  In July 2006, we formed Guaranty (TX) Capital Trust III, which issued $2.0 million in trust preferred securities to a third party in a private placement.  Concurrent with the issuance of the trust preferred securities, the trust issued common securities to the Company in the aggregate liquidation value of $62,000.  The trust invested the total proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities and the common securities in $2.1 million of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures, which will mature on October 1, 2036.  In March 2015, we acquired DCB Trust I, which issued $5.0 million in trust preferred securities to a third party in a private placement.  Concurrent with the issuance of the trust preferred securities, the trust issued common securities to the Company in the aggregate liquidation value of $155,000.  The trust invested the total proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities and the common securities in $5.2 million of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures, which will mature on June 15, 2037.

(Continued)

53.

With certain exceptions, the amount of the principal and any accrued and unpaid interest on the debentures are subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness.  The terms of the debentures are such that they qualify as Tier 1 capital under the Federal Reserve’s regulatory capital guidelines applicable to bank holding companies.  Interest on Trust II Debentures is payable at a variable rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR plus 3.35%, thereafter.  Interest on the Trust III Debentures was payable at a fixed rate per annum equal to 7.43% until October 1, 2016 and is a variable rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR plus 1.67%, thereafter.  Interest on the DCB Trust I Debentures is payable at a variable rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR plus 1.80%.  The interest is deferrable on a cumulative basis for up to five consecutive years following a suspension of dividend payments on all other capital stock.  No principal payments are due until maturity for each of the debentures.

On any interest payment date on or after (1) June 15, 2012 for the DCB Trust I Debentures, (2) October 30, 2012 for the Trust II Debentures and (3) October 1, 2016 for the Trust III Debentures, and before their respective maturity dates, the debentures are redeemable, in whole or in part, for cash at our option on at least 30, but not more than 60, days’ notice at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued interest to the date of redemption.

In July 2015, we issued subordinated debentures that pay interest semi-annually and are redeemable before their maturity date at our option, with 30 days’ notice to the holder, for a cash amount equal to the principal amount and all accrued interest.  In July 2015, we issued $4.0 million in debentures, of which $3.0 million were issued to directors and other related parties.  The $3.0 million of debentures to related parties were repaid in May 2017 with a portion of the proceeds of our initial public offering and a $500,000 par value debenture, which carried a rate of 2.5%, matured and was repaid in July 2017.  The remaining $500,000 debenture had a rate of 4.0% and matured in January 2019.  In December 2015, we issued $5.0 million in debentures, of which $2.5 million were issued to directors and other related parties.  In May 2017, $2.0 million of the $2.5 million of debentures issued to related parties were repaid with a portion of the proceeds of our initial public offering. A further $1.0 million of other debentures matured and were repaid in July 2018.  The remaining $2.0 million in debentures were issued in the principal amount of $500,000 each with rates ranging from 3.50% to 5.00% and have maturity dates that range from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020.

Other Borrowings.  We have historically used a line of credit with a correspondent bank as a source of funding for working capital needs, the payment of dividends when there is a temporary timing difference in cash flows, and repurchases of equity securities.  In March 2017, we entered into an unsecured revolving line of credit for $25.0 million, and in March 2019, we renewed that line of credit.  The line of credit bears interest at the prime rate, with quarterly interest payments, and matures in March 2020.  As of March 31, 2019, there was no outstanding balance on the line of credit.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Liquidity involves our ability to raise funds to support asset growth and acquisitions or reduce assets to meet deposit withdrawals and other payment obligations, to maintain reserve requirements and otherwise to operate on an ongoing basis and manage unexpected events.  For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and the year ended December 31, 2018, liquidity needs were primarily met by core deposits, security and loan maturities and amortizing investment and loan portfolios.  Although access to purchased funds from correspondent banks and overnight advances from the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas are available and have been utilized on occasion to take advantage of investment opportunities, we do not generally rely on these external funding sources.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we maintained three federal funds lines of credit with commercial banks that provide for the availability to borrow up to an aggregate $55.0 million in federal funds.  There were no funds under these lines of credit outstanding as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.  In addition to these federal funds lines of credit, our $25.0 million revolving line of credit discussed above provides an additional source of liquidity.

(Continued)

54.

The following table illustrates, during the periods presented, the composition of our funding sources and the average assets in which those funds are invested as a percentage of average total assets for the period indicated.  Average assets were $2.29 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $2.13 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018.

	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019			For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Sources of Funds:
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		20.77	%		20.98	%
Interest-bearing		63.66	%		62.24	%
Advances from FHLB		3.26	%		4.43	%
Other debt		0.00	%		—
Subordinated debentures		0.45	%		0.63	%
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		0.48	%		0.60	%
Accrued interest and other liabilities		1.00	%		0.41	%
Shareholders’ equity		10.37	%		10.71	%
Total		100.00	%		100.00	%
Uses of Funds:
Loans		71.45	%		70.99	%
Securities available for sale		10.20	%		11.12	%
Securities held to maturity		7.08	%		7.89	%
Nonmarketable equity securities		0.53	%		0.45	%
Federal funds sold		1.90	%		1.39	%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks		2.50	%		0.28	%
Other noninterest-earning assets		6.35	%		7.88	%
Total		100.00	%		100.00	%
Average noninterest-bearing deposits to average deposits		32.63	%		25.21	%
Average loans to average deposits		85.39	%		86.08	%

Our primary source of funds is deposits, and our primary use of funds is loans.  We do not expect a change in the primary source or use of our funds in the foreseeable future.  Our average loans, including average loans held for sale, increased $286.9 million, or 21.0%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.  We predominantly invest excess deposits in overnight deposits with our correspondent banks, federal funds sold, securities, interest-bearing deposits at other banks or other short-term liquid investments until needed to fund loan growth.

As of March 31, 2019, we had $368.5 million in outstanding commitments to extend credit and $11.9 million in commitments associated with outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit.  As of December 31, 2018, we had $342.5 million in outstanding commitments to extend credit and $11.7 million in commitments associated with outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit.  Since commitments associated with letters of credit and commitments to extend credit may expire unused, the total outstanding may not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements.

As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had no exposure to future cash requirements associated with known uncertainties or capital expenditures of a material nature.  As of March 31, 2019, we had cash and cash equivalents of $108.3 million, compared to $71.5 million as of December 31, 2018.  The increase was primarily due to an increase in federal funds sold of $30.0 million.  

Capital Resources

Total shareholders’ equity increased to $250.3 million as of March 31, 2019, compared to $244.6 million as of December 31, 2018, an increase of $5.7 million, or 2.34%.  The increase from December 31, 2018 was primarily the result of $5.3 million in net earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and a change in accumulated other comprehensive income of $4.0 million, related primarily to the decrease in the unrealized losses on securities held for sale.  The increases were offset by repurchases of shares of our common stock for $2.2 million and by the payment of dividends of $2.0 million.  

(Continued)

55.

Capital management consists of providing equity and other instruments that qualify as regulatory capital to support current and future operations.  Banking regulators view capital levels as important indicators of an institution’s financial soundness.  As a general matter, FDIC-insured depository institutions and their holding companies are required to maintain minimum capital relative to the amount and types of assets they hold.  We are subject to certain regulatory capital requirements at the bank holding company and bank levels.  As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all applicable regulatory capital requirements at the bank and bank holding company levels, and the Bank was classified as “well capitalized,” for purposes of the prompt corrective action regulations.  As we deploy our capital and continue to grow our operations, our regulatory capital levels may decrease depending on our level of earnings.  However, we expect to monitor and control our growth in order to remain in compliance with all regulatory capital standards applicable to us.

The following table presents our regulatory capital ratios as of:

	March 31, 2019					December 31, 2018
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
	(Dollars in thousands)
Guaranty Bancshares, Inc.
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	244,274		13.26	%	$	241,791		13.25	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)		229,084		12.43	%		227,140		12.44	%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)		229,084		10.14	%		227,140		10.16	%
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital		218,774		11.88	%		216,830		11.88	%
Guaranty Bank & Trust, N.A.
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	242,668		13.17	%	$	242,142		13.27	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)		227,478		12.35	%		227,491		12.46	%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)		227,478		10.07	%		227,491		10.18	%
Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital		227,478		12.35	%		227,491		12.46	%

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes contractual obligations and other commitments to make future payments as of March 31, 2019 (other than non-time deposit obligations), which consist of future cash payments associated with our contractual obligations.

	As of March 31, 2019
	1 year or less		More than 1 year but less than 3 years		3 years or more but less than 5 years		5 years or more		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Time deposits	$	348,040	$	139,591	$	25,225	$	—	$	512,856
Advances from FHLB		39,500		3,131		7,500		—		50,131
Subordinated debentures		1,500		500		—		10,310		12,310
Total	$	389,040	$	143,222	$	32,725	$	10,310	$	575,297

Off-Balance Sheet Items

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions, which, in accordance with GAAP, are not included in our consolidated balance sheets.  We enter into these transactions to meet the financing needs of our customers.  These transactions include commitments to extend credit and standby and commercial letters of credit, which involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in our consolidated balance sheets.

(Continued)

56.

Our commitments associated with outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit and commitments to extend credit expiring by period as of March 31, 2019 are summarized below.  Since commitments associated with letters of credit and commitments to extend credit may expire unused, the amounts shown do not necessarily reflect the actual future cash funding requirements.

	As of March 31, 2019
	1 year or less		More than 1 year but less than 3 years		3 years or more but less than 5 years		5 years or more		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Standby and commercial letters of credit	$	7,178	$	942	$	—	$	3,736	$	11,856
Commitments to extend credit		233,590		33,351		53,789		47,793		368,523
Total	$	240,768	$	34,293	$	53,789	$	51,529	$	380,379

Standby and commercial letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  In the event of nonperformance by the customer, we have rights to the underlying collateral, which can include commercial real estate, physical plant and property, inventory, receivables, cash and/or marketable securities.  Our credit risk associated with issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as the risk involved in extending loan facilities to our customers.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being fully drawn upon, the total commitment amounts disclosed above do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  We evaluate each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if considered necessary by us, upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer.

Interest Rate Sensitivity and Market Risk

As a financial institution, our primary component of market risk is interest rate volatility.  Our asset liability and funds management policy provides management with the guidelines for effective funds management, and we have established a measurement system for monitoring our net interest rate sensitivity position.  We have historically managed our sensitivity position within our established guidelines.

Fluctuations in interest rates will ultimately impact both the level of income and expense recorded on most of our assets and liabilities, and the market value of all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, other than those which have a short term to maturity.  Interest rate risk is the potential of economic losses due to future interest rate changes.  These economic losses can be reflected as a loss of future net interest income and/or a loss of current fair market values.  The objective is to measure the effect on net interest income and to adjust the balance sheet to minimize the inherent risk while at the same time maximizing income.

We manage our exposure to interest rates by structuring our balance sheet in the ordinary course of business.  We do not enter into instruments such as leveraged derivatives, financial options, financial future contracts or forward delivery contracts for the purpose of reducing interest rate risk.  Based upon the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign exchange or commodity price risk.  We do not own any trading assets.

Our exposure to interest rate risk is managed by the asset-liability committee of the Bank, in accordance with policies approved by its board of directors.  The committee formulates strategies based on appropriate levels of interest rate risk.  In determining the appropriate level of interest rate risk, the committee considers the impact on earnings and capital on the current outlook on interest rates, potential changes in interest rates, regional economies, liquidity, business strategies and other factors.  The committee meets regularly to review, among other things, the sensitivity of assets and liabilities to interest rate changes, the book and market values of assets and liabilities, unrealized gains and losses, purchase and sale activities, commitments to originate loans and the maturities of investments and borrowings.  Additionally, the committee reviews liquidity, cash flow flexibility, maturities of deposits and consumer and commercial deposit activity.  Management employs methodologies to manage interest rate risk, which include an analysis of relationships between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and an interest rate shock simulation model.

(Continued)

57.

We use interest rate risk simulation models and shock analyses to test the interest rate sensitivity of net interest income and fair value of equity, and the impact of changes in interest rates on other financial metrics.  Contractual maturities and re-pricing opportunities of loans are incorporated in the model as are prepayment assumptions, maturity data and call options within the investment portfolio.  Average life of non-maturity deposit accounts are based on standard regulatory decay assumptions and are incorporated into the model.  The assumptions used are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income.  Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various management strategies.

On a quarterly basis, we run two simulation models including a static balance sheet and dynamic growth balance sheet.  These models test the impact on net interest income and fair value of equity from changes in market interest rates under various scenarios.  Under the static and dynamic growth models, rates are shocked instantaneously and ramped rate changes over a twelve-month horizon based upon parallel and non-parallel yield curve shifts.  Parallel shock scenarios assume instantaneous parallel movements in the yield curve compared to a flat yield curve scenario.  Non-parallel simulation involves analysis of interest income and expense under various changes in the shape of the yield curve.  Our internal policy regarding internal rate risk simulations currently specifies that for instantaneous parallel shifts of the yield curve, estimated net income at risk for the subsequent one-year period should not decline by more than 15.0% for a 100 basis point shift, 20.0% for a 200 basis point shift and 30.0% for a 300 basis point shift.

The following table summarizes the simulated change in net interest income and fair value of equity over a 12-month horizon as of:

	March 31, 2019						December 31, 2018
Change in Interest Rates (Basis Points)	Percent Change in Net Interest Income			Percent Change in Fair Value of Equity			Percent Change in Net Interest Income			Percent Change in Fair Value of Equity
+300		3.46	%		(13.09	)%		2.40	%		(15.33	)%
+200		2.92	%		(6.38	)%		2.31	%		(8.02	)%
+100		2.20	%		(2.01	)%		2.02	%		(3.03	)%
Base		—			—			—			—
-100		1.10	%		(0.26	)%		1.36	%		(0.46	)%

The results are primarily due to behavior of demand, money market and savings deposits during such rate fluctuations.  We have found that, historically, interest rates on these deposits change more slowly than changes in the discount and federal funds rates.  This assumption is incorporated into the simulation model and is generally not fully reflected in a gap analysis.  The assumptions incorporated into the model are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely measure future net interest income or precisely predict the impact of fluctuations in market interest rates on net interest income.  Actual results will differ from the model’s simulated results due to timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes as well as changes in market conditions and the application and timing of various strategies.

Impact of Inflation

Our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Report have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.  GAAP requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative value of money over time due to inflation or deflation.

Unlike many industrial companies, substantially all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on our performance than the effects of general levels of inflation.  Interest rates may not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services.  However, other operating expenses do reflect general levels of inflation.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our accounting and reporting policies conform to GAAP and the prevailing practices in the banking industry.  However, we also evaluate our performance based on certain additional financial measures discussed in this Report as being non-GAAP financial measures.  We classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows.  Non-GAAP financial measures do not include operating and other statistical measures or ratios or statistical measures calculated using exclusively either financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, operating measures or other measures that are not non-GAAP financial measures or both.

(Continued)

58.

The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Report should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.  Moreover, the manner in which we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Report may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names.  It is important to understand how other banking organizations calculate their financial measures with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures we have discussed in this Report when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

Tangible Book Value Per Common Share.  Tangible book value per common share is a non-GAAP measure generally used by investors, financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions.  We calculate (1) tangible common equity as total shareholders’ equity, less goodwill, core deposit intangibles and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, and (2) tangible book value per common share as tangible common equity divided by shares of common stock outstanding.  The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for tangible book value per common share is book value per common share.

We believe that the tangible book value per common share measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in changes from period to period in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets.  Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing our tangible book value.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total shareholders’ equity to tangible common equity and presents tangible book value per common share compared to book value per common share:

	As of March 31,						As of December 31,
	2019			2018			2018
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Tangible Common Equity
Total shareholders’ equity	$	250,310		$	207,374		$	244,583
Adjustments:
Goodwill		(32,160	)		(18,742	)		(32,160	)
Core deposit intangible		(4,493	)		(2,578	)		(4,706	)
Total tangible common equity	$	213,657		$	186,054		$	207,717
Common shares outstanding(1)		11,803,786			11,058,956			11,829,868
Book value per common share	$	21.21		$	18.75		$	20.68
Tangible book value per common share	$	18.10		$	16.82		$	17.56

(1) Excludes the dilutive effect, if any, of 43,492, 90,940 and 118,623 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options as of March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.

Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets.  Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-GAAP measure generally used by investors, financial analysts and investment bankers to evaluate financial institutions.  We calculate tangible common equity, as described above, and tangible assets as total assets less goodwill, core deposit intangibles and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization.  The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for tangible common equity to tangible assets is total common shareholders’ equity to total assets.

We believe that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in the relative changes from period to period of tangible common equity to tangible assets, each exclusive of changes in intangible assets.  Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing both total shareholders’ equity and assets while not increasing our tangible common equity or tangible assets.

(Continued)

59.

The following table reconciles, as of the dates set forth below, total shareholders’ equity to tangible common equity and total assets to tangible assets:

	As of March 31, 2019			As of December 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tangible Common Equity
Total shareholders’ equity	$	250,310		$	244,583
Adjustments:
Goodwill		(32,160	)		(32,160	)
Core deposit intangible		(4,493	)		(4,706	)
Total tangible common equity	$	213,657		$	207,717
Tangible Assets
Total assets	$	2,308,991		$	2,266,970
Adjustments:
Goodwill		(32,160	)		(32,160	)
Core deposit intangible		(4,493	)		(4,706	)
Total tangible assets	$	2,522,648		$	2,474,687
Total Shareholders' Equity to Total Assets		10.84	%		10.79	%
Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets		8.47	%		8.39	%

Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Report, our other filings with the SEC, and other press releases, documents, reports and announcements that we make, issue or publish may contain statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act and section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and our financial performance, including our future revenues, income, expenses, provision for taxes, effective tax rate, earnings per share and cash flows, our future capital expenditures and dividends, our future financial condition and changes therein, including changes in our loan portfolio and allowance for loan losses, our future capital structure or changes therein, the plan and objectives of management for future operations, our future or proposed acquisitions, the future or expected effect of acquisitions on our operations, results of the operations and financial condition, our future economic performance and the statements of the assumptions underlying any such statement.  These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “predict,” “potential,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “expect,” “continue,” “will,” “anticipate,” “seek,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “projection,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative version of those words or other comparable words or phrases of a future or forward-looking nature. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

There are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the following:

• our ability to prudently manage our growth and execute our strategy;

• risks associated with our acquisition and de novo branching strategy;

• business and economic conditions generally and in the financial services industry, nationally and within our primary Texas markets;

• concentration of our business within our geographic areas of operation in Texas;

• deterioration of our asset quality and higher loan charge-offs;

• changes in the value of collateral securing our loans;

• inaccuracies in the assumptions and estimate we make in establishing the allowance for loan losses reserve and other estimates;

• changes in management personnel and our ability to attract, motivate and retain qualified personnel;

• liquidity risks associated with our business;

• interest rate risk associated with our business that could decrease net interest income;

• our ability to maintain important deposit customer relationships and our reputation;

• operational risks associated with our business;

(Continued)

60.

• volatility and direction of market interest rates;

• change in regulatory requirements to maintain minimum capital levels;

• increased competition in the financial services industry, particularly from regional and national institutions;

• institution and outcome of litigation and other legal proceeding against us or to which we become subject;

• changes in the laws, rules, regulations, interpretations or policies relating to financial institution, accounting, tax, trade, monetary and fiscal matters;

• further government intervention in the U.S. financial system;

• changes in the scope and cost of FDIC insurance and other coverage;

• natural disasters and adverse weather, acts of terrorism (including cyberattacks), an outbreak of hostilities or other international or domestic calamities, catastrophic events including storms, droughts, tornados and flooding, and other matters beyond our control;  

• risks that the financial institutions we may acquire or de novo branches we may open will not be integrated successfully, or the integrations may be more time consuming or costly than expected;

• technology related changes are difficult to make or are more expensive than expected; and

• the other factors that are described or referenced in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 under the caption “Risk Factors”.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this Report. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company manages market risk, which, as a financial institution is primarily interest rate volatility, through the Asset-Liability Committee of the Bank, in accordance with policies approved by its board of directors. The Company uses an interest rate risk simulation model and shock analysis to test the interest rate sensitivity of net interest income and fair value of equity, and the impact of changes in interest rates on other financial metrics. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Interest Rate Sensitivity and Market Risk” herein for a discussion of how we manage market risk.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures:

As of the end of the period covered by this Report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management was required to apply judgment in evaluating its controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting:

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(Continued)

61.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is from time to time subject to claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. These claims and litigation may include, among other things, allegations of violation of banking and other applicable regulations, competition law, labor laws and consumer protection laws, as well as claims or litigation relating to intellectual property, securities, breach of contract and tort. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously against any pending or future claims and litigation.

At this time, in the opinion of management, the likelihood is remote that the impact of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s combined results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, one or more unfavorable outcomes in any claim or litigation against the Company could have a material adverse effect for the period in which they are resolved. In addition, regardless of their merits or their ultimate outcomes, such matters are costly, divert management’s attention and may materially adversely affect the Company’s reputation, even if resolved in the Company’s favor.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In evaluating an investment in the Company’s common stock, investors should consider carefully, among other things, the risk factors previously disclosed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, and other risks included in the Company’s filings with the SEC.  The Company’s business could be harmed by any of these risks.   The trading price of the Company’s common stock could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)		Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)
January 1 - 31, 2019		22,314	$	29.75		22,314		334,410
February 1 - 28, 2019		9,324	$	29.94		9,324		325,086
March 1 - 31, 2019		44,116	$	29.12		44,116		280,970
Total		75,754				75,754

(1) Under a stock repurchase plan announced on June 18, 2018, we were authorized to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of our outstanding common stock in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or by other means.  The stock repurchase program will be effective for a 24-month period, unless shortened or extended by the board of directors.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

(Continued)

62.

Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed May 1, 2017 (File No. 333-217176)).
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed April 6, 2017 (File No. 333-217176)).
4.1	Specimen common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on April 6, 2017, file number 333-217176).
	The other instruments defining the rights of the long-term debt securities of Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. and its subsidiaries are omitted pursuant to section (b)(4)(iii)(A) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K. Guaranty Bancshares, Inc. hereby agrees to furnish copies of these instruments to the SEC upon request.
31.1*	Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

______________________________

* Filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

** Furnished with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

(Continued)

63.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	GUARANTY BANCSHARES, INC.
	(Registrant)
Date: May 10, 2019	/s/ Tyson T. Abston
	Tyson T. Abston
	Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 10, 2019	/s/ Clifton A. Payne
	Clifton A. Payne
	Chief Financial Officer & Director

64.