Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, are as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
($ in thousands)	2023		2022		2021
Current:
Federal	$	40,471	$	42,718	$	29,835
State and local	9,616		11,505		5,198
Total current	50,087		54,223		35,033
Deferred:
Federal	283		1,853		870
State and local	2,097		341		(325)
Total deferred	2,380		2,194		545
Total income tax expense	$	52,467	$	56,417	$	35,578

A reconciliation of expected income tax expense, computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income is as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
($ in thousands)	2023		2022		2021
Income tax expense at statutory rate	$	51,770	$	54,487	$	35,413
Increase (reduction) in income tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income, net	(4,942)		(4,351)		(3,198)
State and local income taxes, net	9,445		9,767		4,936
Bank-owned life insurance	(888)		(545)		(713)
Non-deductible expenses	2,059		926		1,090
Tax benefit of low-income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") investments, net	(56)		(195)		(132)
Excess tax benefits	(251)		(68)		146
Federal tax credits	(4,364)		(3,661)		(1,136)
Non-taxable donation to charitable foundation	—		—		(263)
Other, net	(306)		57		(565)
Total income tax expense	$	52,467	$	56,417	$	35,578

The net amount recognized as a component of tax expense for tax credits, other tax benefits, and amortization from LIHTC investments recognized per the table above was immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2023, and $0.2 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying value of the investments related to low-income housing tax credits was $17.2 million and $7.3 million, respectively. No impairment losses have been recognized from forfeiture or ineligibility of tax credits or other circumstances during the life of any of the investments.

A net deferred income tax asset of $76.7 million and $89.0 million is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The tax effect of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities is as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
($ in thousands)	2023		2022
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$	33,423	$	34,507
Loans held-for-sale	4,463		5,917
Other real estate	—		179
Deferred compensation	4,746		3,527
Accrued compensation	6,047		6,294
Unrealized losses on securities, net	33,687		44,094
Net operating losses and tax credits	5,544		5,829
Lease liability accrual	7,101		4,545
Other investments	5,341		4,293
Research and experimental expenses	1,944		—
Fixed assets	2,341		2,867
Other deferred tax assets	4,823		3,596
Total deferred tax assets	109,460		115,648
Deferred tax liabilities:
Acquired loans	2,388		2,212
Intangible assets	8,576		8,676
Right of use asset	6,301		4,374
Other investments	11,834		7,530
Other deferred tax liabilities	841		1,065
Total deferred tax liabilities	29,940		23,857
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance	79,520		91,791
Less: valuation allowance	2,812		2,830
Net deferred tax asset	$	76,708	$	88,961

As part of an acquisition in 2019, the company acquired net operating loss, tax credit, and capital loss deferred tax assets. Net operating losses originated in the years 2012, 2014-2017, and 2019 and will expire in the years between 2032-2037. Tax credit carryforwards originated in years 2010-2015 and will expire in the years between 2030-2035.

A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion of the assets will not be realized. The company determined it was more likely than not that some of the acquired net operating loss and tax credit assets would not be realized and has recognized a valuation allowance of $2.8 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the federal jurisdiction and in thirty-two states. The Company is no longer subject to federal, state or local income tax audits by tax authorities for years before 2018, with the exception of 2016 and 2017 being open years by state taxing authorities. Net operating losses generated prior to 2016 that are utilized going forward would still be subject to examination.

As of December 31, 2023, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $3.1 million and the total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $2.4 million compared to $2.2 million and $2.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company believes it is reasonably possible the gross amount of unrecognized benefits will be reduced by approximately $0.4 million as a

result of a lapse of statute of limitations in the next 12 months. The Company is under audit by the state of Missouri, and while the Company has concluded it has adequately provided for uncertain tax positions, the outcome of such audits are always uncertain and could result in additional tax expense, though immaterial.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense and classifies such interest and penalties in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The amount accrued for interest and penalties was $1.0 million for 2023, $0.6 million as of 2022, and $0.5 million for 2021.

The activity in the gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits was as follows:

($ in thousands)	2023		2022		2021
Balance at beginning of year	$	2,724	$	2,697	$	3,157
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	727		683		563
Additions for tax positions of prior years	24		47		436
Settlements for tax positions of prior years	—		(82)		(1,289)
Settlements or lapse of statute of limitations	(398)		(621)		(170)
Balance at end of year	$	3,077	$	2,724	$	2,697