eqbk-425.htm

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

☐ 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.

On July 19, 2021, Equity Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information in this Item 2.02, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

On July 19, 2021, Equity Bancshares, Inc. (the ”Company”) announced that Equity Bank (“Equity Bank”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, signed a definitive branch purchase and assumption agreement to acquire the assets and assume the deposits of three bank locations from Security Bank of Kansas City (“Security”), a subsidiary of Valley View Financial Co. (“Valley”) of Overland Park, Kansas. The Company anticipates closing the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2021.

The Company intends to hold an investor call and webcast to discuss its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time. The Company’s presentation to analysts and investors contains additional information about the Company’s financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 and is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.2, is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

The only information contained in this Form 8-K being filed for the purposes of Rule 425 of the Securities Act is the information relating solely to the previously announced proposed merger between the Company and American State Bancshares, Inc. contained in the press release furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

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.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. Second Quarter Results Include Strong Organic Loan Growth, Company to Acquire St. Joseph Bank Locations, Expanding Missouri Network

Company will acquire three Security Bank of KC branch locations in St. Joseph, Missouri

WICHITA, Kansas, July 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Equity Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: EQBK), (“Equity”, “the Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”), the Wichita-based holding company of Equity Bank, reported net income of $15.2 million and $1.03 per diluted share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

“Our Equity Bank team had an excellent quarter serving our customers, expanding our delivery channels and adding shareholder value. Exclusive of the Paycheck Protection Program, we organically grew gross loans by $81.8 million, an annualized rate of 14.75%, through the focused efforts of our sales and operational teams,” said Brad S. Elliott, Chairman and CEO of Equity. “A key component of our results is growth in our core deposit customer base, with new banking products contributing to a $1.1 million increase in service fee revenue, as well as the continued addition of trust and wealth management customer relationships.”

Equity customers successfully had $99.7 million of Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans forgiven during the quarter, resulting in the recognition of fee income totaling $5.7 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2021. At June 30, 2021, the total unrecognized fee income associated with PPP loans was $10.7 million. Through two rounds of PPP, Equity originated more than $610.0 million in PPP loans.

Further driving results this quarter was customer and relationship growth within Equity Trust and Wealth Management and Equity’s consumer deposit base, expansion of non-interest income with Equity’s debit card platform and increased transaction activity within our deposit customer base.

The Company has announced its expansion into St. Joseph, Missouri, with a definitive branch purchase and assumption agreement to acquire the assets and assume the deposits of three bank locations from Security Bank of Kansas City (“Security”), a subsidiary of Valley View Financial Co. (“Valley”) of Overland Park, Kansas. Equity anticipates closing the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2021.

“We are pleased with the opportunity to offer Equity Bank products and services to customers in Northwest Missouri, and St. Joseph is a great fit within our network,” said Mr. Elliott. “We have been able to grow loans, fee income and our core deposit base effectively in Western Missouri with a focus on local community banking and we believe this approach will serve customers well in our new St. Joseph region.”

“Our recent merger announcement with American State Bancshares, Inc. is a great cultural fit for us as well as an expansion of our Kansas market, and our teams have worked diligently alongside one another. We remain on target for a closing and conversion of data systems in early October,” said Mr. Elliott. “I thank everyone on both the Equity and American State Bancshares, Inc. teams for their collaboration and hard work to make sure we continue to deliver excellent customer service while increasing shareholder value.”

Equity will operate each of the three Security locations in St. Joseph as Equity Bank locations following completion of the acquisition, expected in December of 2021. Joshua J. Means, President of Western Missouri, will oversee the St. Joseph community bank locations. Equity will operate a total of 16 locations in Missouri, including the three Security locations, eight bank locations in legacy Western Missouri communities and five bank locations on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metropolitan area.

In Equity’s Western Missouri region, notable for communities like Warrensburg, Sedalia and Higginsville, deposits as of June 30, 2018, were $478.4 million, compared to $614.8 million as of June 30, 2021. Total loans in Equity’s Western Missouri region were $147.0 million as of June 30, 2018, compared to $218.3 million as of June 30, 2021, growing by 48.5% during the three-year period.

“Each of our Missouri locations delivers outstanding service to our consumer, mortgage and business customers and we expect St. Joseph to serve as a key market for us in Northwest Missouri. Josh Means and his regional leadership team have helped our local banks grow in loans, fee income and deposits, one relationship at a time,” said Mr. Elliott. “We are pleased to welcome talented community bankers to our Equity team and to offer St. Joseph-area consumers enhanced commercial and business banking solutions.”

Equity announced in May its merger with American State Bancshares, Inc. (“ASBI”), the holding company of American State Bank, a $779 million bank with headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, and 17 locations in its Kansas footprint. Equity expects to complete the merger with ASBI in October 2021. Pro forma Equity Bank, including ASBI and Security deposits and locations, will comprise more than 70 locations throughout our four-state footprint and hold more than $5 billion in assets.

Pursuant to the terms of the Branch Purchase and Assumption Agreement, between Equity Bank and Security, Equity will acquire certain loans and other branch-related assets and assume certain deposits and other liabilities associated with the Security branches.

Net income allocable to common stockholders was $15.2 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $15.1 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $91 thousand. This second quarter increase was attributable to a net interest income increase of $2.9 million and a non-interest income increase of $2.4 million, partially offset by a $4.1 million decrease in reversal of provision for credit losses, a $925 thousand increase in non-interest expense and a $144 thousand increase in provision for income taxes.

Net interest income was $34.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $31.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $2.9 million, or 9.0%. The increase in net interest income was primarily driven by a 15-basis point increase in the average yield earned on interest-earning assets, to 3.88% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, from 3.73% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. In addition, there was a 6-basis point decrease in average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities, to 0.52% for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, from 0.58% for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The cost of interest-bearing deposits declined by 5 basis points to 0.31% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 from 0.36% in the previous quarter primarily attributed to the reduction in the cost of time deposits, that slipped 19 basis points between the quarters.

During the three months ended June 30, 2021, there was a net release of $1.7 million in the allowance for credit losses recognized through the provision for credit losses as compared to a net release of $5.8 million provision for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2021. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we had net charge-offs of $567 thousand as compared to $65 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The release in the second quarter was driven primarily by improvement in assets individually evaluated for impairment as asset quality improved quarter over quarter.

Total non-interest income was $9.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, as compared to $6.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, or $8.4 million excluding the $663 thousand net gain on the purchase and assumption of Almena State Bank. Other non-interest income was $2.1 million, an increase of $774 thousand, or 60.0%, from the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The increase in other non-interest income was primarily due to income of $917 thousand related to the reversal of potential repurchase obligation on acquired assets as Equity was able to improve our position on those assets during the quarter.

During the quarter, service fee revenue, including deposit services, mortgage banking, trust and wealth management, credit cards and insurance increased to $6.4 million from $5.3 million during the first quarter. The growth was driven by increasing balances, transaction activity and relationship development within our trust and wealth management business line.

Total non-interest expense for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, was $25.8 million as compared to $24.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The $925 thousand change is primarily attributed to an increase of $811 thousand in data processing expense, as deposit accounts and activity have increased so too has the associated expense. The periodic increase also included $308 thousand in merger expense.

As of June 30, 2021, Equity’s allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.84%, as compared to 1.99% at March 31, 2021. Exclusive of PPP assets, the reserve to total loans was 2.04% as of June 30, 2021 as compared to 2.33% at March

31, 2021. Nonperforming assets were $66.7 million as of June 30, 2021, or 1.56% of total assets, compared to $70.1 million at March 31, 2021, or 1.67% of total assets. Total classified assets, including loans rated special mention or worse, other real estate owned and other repossessed assets were $103.1 million, or 23.11% of regulatory capital, down from $112.6 million, or 26.45% of regulatory capital as of March 31, 2021.

The Company’s ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 12.4%, the total capital to risk-weighted assets was 16.7% and the total leverage ratio was 8.9% at June 30, 2021. At December 31, 2020, the Company’s common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 12.8%, the total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 17.4% and the total leverage ratio was 9.3%. The Company’s subsidiary, Equity Bank, had a ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 14.4%, a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 15.6% and a total leverage ratio of 9.9% at June 30, 2021. At December 31, 2020, Equity Bank’s ratio of common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets was 14.5%, the ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets was 15.7% and the total leverage ratio was 10.1%.

In addition to evaluating the Company’s results of operations in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management periodically supplements this evaluation with an analysis of certain non-GAAP financial measures that are intended to provide the reader with additional perspectives on operating results, financial condition and performance trends, while facilitating comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. Non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures, rather, they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information.

The efficiency ratio is used as a common measure by banks as a comparable metric to understand the Company’s expense structure relative to its total revenue; in other words, for every dollar of total revenue recognized, how much of that dollar is expended. To improve the comparability of the ratio to our peers, non-core items are excluded. To improve transparency and acknowledging that banks are not consistent in their definition of the efficiency ratio, we include our calculation of this non-GAAP measure.

Return on average assets before income tax provision, provision for loan losses and goodwill impairment is a measure that the Company uses to understand fundamental operating performance before these expenses. Used as a ratio relative to average assets, we believe it demonstrates the “core” performance and can be viewed as an alternative measure of how efficiently the Company services its asset base. Used as a ratio relative to average equity, it can function as an alternative measure of the Company’s earnings performance in relationship to its equity.

Tangible common equity and related measures are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of intangible assets, net of deferred taxes, and their related amortization. These financial measures are useful for evaluating the performance of a business consistently, whether acquired or developed internally. Return on average tangible common equity is used by management and readers of our financial statements to understand how efficiently the Company is deploying its common equity. Companies that are able to demonstrate more efficient use of common equity are more likely to be viewed favorably by current and prospective investors.

The Company believes that disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures is both useful internally and is expected by our investors and analysts in order to understand the overall performance of the Company. Other companies may calculate and define their non-GAAP financial measures and supplemental data differently. A reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP measures and other performance ratios, as adjusted, are included in Table 8 in the following press release tables.

Equity Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brad Elliott, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Eric Newell, will hold a conference call and webcast to discuss the 2021 second quarter results on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. eastern time, 9:00 a.m. central time.

Investors, news media and other participants should register for the call or audio webcast at investor.equitybank.com. On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, participants may also dial into the call toll-free at (844) 534-7311 from anywhere in the U.S. or (574) 990-1419 internationally, using conference ID no. 9999830.

Participants are encouraged to dial into the call or access the webcast approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time. Presentation slides to pair with the call or webcast will be posted one hour prior to the call at investor.equitybank.com.

A replay of the call and webcast will be available two hours following the close of the call until July 27, 2021, accessible at (855) 859-2056 with conference ID no. 9999830 at investor.equitybank.com.

Equity Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for Equity Bank, offering a full range of financial solutions, including commercial loans, consumer banking, mortgage loans, trust and wealth management services and treasury management services, while delivering the high-quality, relationship-based customer service of a community bank. Equity’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “EQBK.” Learn more at www.equitybank.com.

The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval.

In connection with the proposed transaction, Equity filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Equity common stock to be issued to ASBI stockholders. The registration statement included a proxy statement/prospectus, which will be sent to the stockholders of ASBI seeking their approval of the proposed transaction.

WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EQUITY, ASB AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.

The documents filed by Equity with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at Equity’s investor relations website at investor.equitybank.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from Equity upon written request to Equity Bancshares, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 300, Wichita, Kansas 67207 or by calling (316) 612-6000.

Equity, ASBI and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from ASBI’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Equity is set forth in the proxy statement for Equity’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 18, 2021, and Equity’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 9, 2021. Free copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge as described in the preceding paragraph. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to sell, or the solicitation or an offer to buy any securities. There will be no sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be

unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirement of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Equity’s management with respect to, among other things, future events and Equity’s financial performance. 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,” “project,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words 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 Equity’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond Equity’s control. Accordingly, Equity cautions 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 Equity believes 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Equity’s expectations include COVID-19 related impacts; competition from other financial institutions and bank holding companies; the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the demand for loans; fluctuations in value of collateral and loan reserves; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; and acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; and similar variables. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Equity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2021, and any updates to those risk factors set forth in Equity’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Equity’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what Equity anticipates. 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 Equity does 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 risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, such as COVID-19, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, Equity cannot assess the impact of each factor on Equity’s 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. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Equity or persons acting on Equity’s behalf may issue.

	Three months ended June 30,					Six months ended June 30,
	2021			2020		2021			2020
Interest and dividend income
Loans, including fees	$	33,810		$	32,627	$	64,811		$	67,003
Securities, taxable		3,523			4,017		7,322			8,637
Securities, nontaxable		717			880		1,441			1,846
Federal funds sold and other		268			409		556			1,004
Total interest and dividend income		38,318			37,933		74,130			78,490
Interest expense
Deposits		2,025			3,899		4,435			10,763
Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		26			24		48			55
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		80			552		145			1,727
Federal Reserve Bank discount window		—			6		—			6
Bank stock loan		—			306		—			415
Subordinated debt		1,557			255		3,113			538
Total interest expense		3,688			5,042		7,741			13,504

Net interest income		34,630			32,891		66,389			64,986
Provision (reversal) for credit losses		(1,657	)		12,500		(7,413	)		22,440
Net interest income after provision (reversal) for credit losses		36,287			20,391		73,802			42,546
Non-interest income
Service charges and fees		2,169			1,365		3,765			3,391
Debit card income		2,679			2,201		5,029			4,244
Mortgage banking		848			831		1,783			1,421
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance		676			481		1,277			963
Net gain on acquisition		663			—		585			—
Net gains (losses) from securities transactions		—			4		17			12
Other		2,065			850		3,356			1,007
Total non-interest income		9,100			5,732		15,812			11,038
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		12,769			12,695		25,491			26,199
Net occupancy and equipment		2,327			2,119		4,695			4,354
Data processing		3,474			2,763		6,137			5,426
Professional fees		999			943		2,072			2,310
Advertising and business development		799			403		1,481			1,099
Telecommunications		512			390		1,092			877
FDIC insurance		425			414		840			931
Courier and postage		327			353		696			737
Free nationwide ATM cost		513			327		985			747
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		1,030			974		2,064			1,776
Loan expense		181			287		419			521
Other real estate owned		(468	)		269		(463	)		577
Merger expenses		460			—		612			—
Other		2,458			2,000		4,566			4,141
Total non-interest expense		25,806			23,937		50,687			49,695
Income (loss) before income tax		19,581			2,186		38,927			3,889
Provision for income taxes		4,415			497		8,686			942
Net income (loss) and net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	15,166		$	1,689	$	30,241		$	2,947
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.06		$	0.11	$	2.10		$	0.19
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	1.03		$	0.11	$	2.06		$	0.19
Weighted average common shares		14,356,958			15,209,483		14,410,328			15,298,590
Weighted average diluted common shares		14,674,838			15,304,009		14,704,240			15,449,517

	As of and for the three months ended
	June 30, 2021			March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			September 30, 2020			June 30, 2020
Interest and dividend income
Loans, including fees	$	33,810		$	31,001		$	35,383		$	32,278		$	32,627
Securities, taxable		3,523			3,799			3,408			3,476			4,017
Securities, nontaxable		717			724			913			923			880
Federal funds sold and other		268			288			285			405			409
Total interest and dividend income		38,318			35,812			39,989			37,082			37,933
Interest expense
Deposits		2,025			2,410			2,755			3,064			3,899
Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		26			22			25			25			24
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		80			65			94			471			552
Federal Reserve Bank discount window		—			—			—			—			6
Bank stock loan		—			—			—			—			306
Subordinated debt		1,557			1,556			1,556			1,415			255
Total interest expense		3,688			4,053			4,430			4,975			5,042

Net interest income		34,630			31,759			35,559			32,107			32,891
Provision (reversal) for credit losses		(1,657	)		(5,756	)		1,000			815			12,500
Net interest income after provision (reversal) for credit losses		36,287			37,515			34,559			31,292			20,391
Non-interest income
Service charges and fees		2,169			1,596			1,759			1,706			1,365
Debit card income		2,679			2,350			2,401			2,491			2,201
Mortgage banking		848			935			855			877			831
Increase in value of bank-owned life insurance		676			601			489			489			481
Net gain on acquisition		663			(78	)		2,145			—			—
Net gains (losses) from securities transactions		—			17			(1	)		—			4
Other		2,065			1,291			852			922			850
Total non-interest income		9,100			6,712			8,500			6,485			5,732
Non-interest expense
Salaries and employee benefits		12,769			12,722			14,053			13,877			12,695
Net occupancy and equipment		2,327			2,368			2,206			2,224			2,119
Data processing		3,474			2,663			2,748			2,817			2,763
Professional fees		999			1,073			1,095			877			943
Advertising and business development		799			682			801			598			403
Telecommunications		512			580			510			486			390
FDIC insurance		425			415			797			360			414
Courier and postage		327			369			338			366			353
Free nationwide ATM cost		513			472			423			439			327
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		1,030			1,034			1,044			1,030			974
Loan expense		181			238			161			107			287
Other real estate owned		(468	)		5			1,600			133			269
Merger expenses		460			152			299			—			—
Goodwill impairment		—			—			—			104,831			—
Other		2,458			2,108			2,385			2,690			2,000
Total non-interest expense		25,806			24,881			28,460			130,835			23,937
Income (loss) before income tax		19,581			19,346			14,599			(93,058	)		2,186
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		4,415			4,271			2,111			(2,653	)		497
Net income (loss) and net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	15,166		$	15,075		$	12,488		$	(90,405	)	$	1,689
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	1.06		$	1.04		$	0.85		$	(6.01	)	$	0.11

	June 30, 2021			March 31, 2021			December 31, 2020			September 30, 2020			June 30, 2020
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	138,869		$	136,190		$	280,150		$	65,534		$	178,045
Federal funds sold		452			498			548			305			245
Cash and cash equivalents		139,321			136,688			280,698			65,839			178,290
Interest-bearing time deposits in other banks		—			249			249			499			2,248
Available-for-sale securities		1,041,614			998,100			871,827			798,576			177,228
Held-to-maturity securities⁽¹⁾		—			—			—			—			662,522
Loans held for sale		6,183			8,609			12,394			9,053			4,802
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses⁽²⁾		2,763,227			2,740,215			2,557,987			2,691,626			2,772,256
Other real estate owned, net		10,861			10,559			11,733			8,727			7,374
Premises and equipment, net		90,876			90,322			89,412			86,087			87,055
Bank-owned life insurance		103,321			102,645			77,044			76,555			76,066
Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock		18,454			15,174			16,415			32,545			31,832
Interest receivable		15,064			16,655			15,831			18,110			19,598
Goodwill		31,601			31,601			31,601			31,601			136,432
Core deposit intangibles, net		13,993			15,023			16,057			17,101			18,131
Other		33,701			30,344			32,108			29,252			31,435
Total assets	$	4,268,216		$	4,196,184		$	4,013,356		$	3,865,571		$	4,205,269
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits
Demand	$	992,565		$	972,364		$	791,639		$	693,967		$	756,613
Total non-interest-bearing deposits		992,565			972,364			791,639			693,967			756,613
Savings, NOW and money market		2,035,496			2,074,261			2,029,097			1,816,307			1,800,132
Time		659,494			587,905			626,854			623,344			690,522
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,694,990			2,662,166			2,655,951			2,439,651			2,490,654
Total deposits		3,687,555			3,634,530			3,447,590			3,133,618			3,247,267
Federal funds purchased and retail repurchase agreements		47,184			40,339			36,029			46,295			51,557
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		9,208			9,926			10,144			167,862			344,900
Subordinated debt		87,908			87,788			87,684			87,537			55,575
Contractual obligations		4,469			4,856			5,189			5,478			5,571
Interest payable and other liabilities		18,897			20,930			19,071			22,609			20,633
Total liabilities		3,855,221			3,798,369			3,605,707			3,463,399			3,725,503
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock		176			175			174			174			174
Additional paid-in capital		389,394			387,939			386,820			386,017			384,955
Retained earnings		68,625			53,459			50,787			38,299			128,704
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax		13,450			12,019			19,781			21,074			3,390
Employee stock loans		—			—			(43	)		(43	)		(43	)
Treasury stock		(58,650	)		(55,777	)		(49,870	)		(43,349	)		(37,414	)
Total stockholders’ equity		412,995			397,815			407,649			402,172			479,766
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,268,216		$	4,196,184		$	4,013,356		$	3,865,571		$	4,205,269

⁽¹⁾ Fair market value of held-to-maturity securities	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	689,206
⁽²⁾ Allowance for credit losses		51,834			55,525			33,709			34,087			34,078

	As of and for the three months ended
	June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			June 30,
	2021			2021			2020			2020			2020
Loans Held-For-Investment by Type
Commercial real estate	$	1,261,214		$	1,218,537		$	1,188,696		$	1,188,329		$	1,191,336
Commercial and industrial		732,126			820,736			734,495			857,244			883,355
Residential real estate		503,110			438,503			381,958			402,242			442,486
Agricultural real estate		129,020			134,944			133,693			127,349			129,080
Agricultural		97,912			93,764			94,322			83,084			89,040
Consumer		91,679			89,256			58,532			67,465			71,037
Total loans held-for-investment		2,815,061			2,795,740			2,591,696			2,725,713			2,806,334
Allowance for credit losses		(51,834	)		(55,525	)		(33,709	)		(34,087	)		(34,078	)
Net loans held-for-investment	$	2,763,227		$	2,740,215		$	2,557,987		$	2,691,626		$	2,772,256


Asset Quality Ratios
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans		1.84	%		1.99	%		1.30	%		1.25	%		1.21	%
Past due or nonaccrual loans to total loans		2.09	%		2.30	%		1.99	%		2.12	%		1.88	%
Nonperforming assets to total assets		1.56	%		1.67	%		1.36	%		1.55	%		1.37	%
Nonperforming assets to total loans plus other real estate owned		2.36	%		2.50	%		2.10	%		2.19	%		2.05	%
Classified assets to bank total regulatory capital		23.11	%		26.45	%		25.50	%		18.35	%		20.81	%


Selected Average Balance Sheet Data (QTD Average)
Investment securities	$	986,986		$	947,453		$	814,114		$	802,525		$	877,308
Total gross loans receivable		2,853,145			2,736,918			2,692,223			2,758,680			2,806,865
Interest-earning assets		3,964,633			3,891,140			3,647,730			3,679,168			3,786,629
Total assets		4,231,439			4,143,752			3,910,628			4,041,187			4,159,336
Interest-bearing deposits		2,656,052			2,690,159			2,551,219			2,430,407			2,487,187
Borrowings		171,658			139,360			172,730			377,158			384,727
Total interest-bearing liabilities		2,827,710			2,829,519			2,723,949			2,807,565			2,871,914
Total deposits		3,624,950			3,577,625			2,960,791			3,145,810			3,257,631
Total liabilities		3,827,400			3,748,114			3,501,056			3,558,099			3,675,731
Total stockholders' equity		404,039			395,638			409,572			483,088			483,605
Tangible common equity^*		356,705			347,262			355,025			329,039			327,411


Performance ratios
Return on average assets (ROAA) annualized		1.44	%		1.48	%		1.27	%		(8.90	)%		0.16	%
Return on average assets before income tax, provision for loan losses and goodwill impairment*		1.70	%		1.33	%		1.59	%		1.24	%		1.42	%
Return on average equity (ROAE) annualized		15.06	%		15.45	%		12.13	%		(74.45	)%		1.40	%
Return on average equity before income tax, provision for loan losses and goodwill impairment*		17.79	%		13.93	%		15.15	%		10.37	%		12.21	%
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) annualized^*		17.98	%		18.57	%		14.93	%		(108.31	)%		3.03	%
Return on average tangible common equity adjusted for goodwill impairment*		17.98	%		18.57	%		14.93	%		12.01	%		3.03	%
Yield on loans annualized		4.75	%		4.59	%		5.23	%		4.65	%		4.68	%
Cost of interest-bearing deposits annualized		0.31	%		0.36	%		0.43	%		0.50	%		0.63	%
Cost of total deposits annualized		0.22	%		0.27	%		0.37	%		0.39	%		0.48	%
Net interest margin annualized		3.50	%		3.31	%		3.88	%		3.47	%		3.49	%
Efficiency ratio^*		58.85	%		64.18	%		67.19	%		67.38	%		61.98	%
Non-interest income / average assets		0.86	%		0.66	%		0.86	%		0.64	%		0.55	%
Non-interest expense / average assets		2.45	%		2.44	%		2.90	%		12.88	%		2.31	%

* The value noted is considered a Non-GAAP financial measure. For a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures, see Table 8. Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	For the six months ended							For the six months ended
	June 30, 2021							June 30, 2020
	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾
Interest-earning assets
Loans ⁽¹⁾
Commercial and industrial	$	814,895	$	20,962		5.19	%	$	712,115	$	16,258		4.59	%
Commercial real estate		981,482		22,873		4.70	%		923,625		25,134		5.47	%
Real estate construction		254,807		4,531		3.59	%		260,530		6,413		4.95	%
Residential real estate		430,123		9,093		4.26	%		481,716		10,156		4.24	%
Agricultural real estate		136,366		3,384		5.00	%		134,098		4,046		6.07	%
Agricultural		94,596		2,062		4.40	%		87,892		2,576		5.89	%
Consumer		83,083		1,906		4.63	%		66,128		2,420		7.36	%
Total loans		2,795,352		64,811		4.68	%		2,666,104		67,003		5.05	%
Securities
Taxable securities		863,801		7,322		1.71	%		763,992		8,637		2.27	%
Nontaxable securities		103,529		1,441		2.81	%		128,616		1,846		2.89	%
Total securities		967,330		8,763		1.83	%		892,608		10,483		2.36	%
Federal funds sold and other		165,408		556		0.68	%		94,234		1,004		2.14	%
Total interest-earning assets	$	3,928,090		74,130		3.81	%	$	3,652,946		78,490		4.32	%
Interest-bearing liabilities
Savings, NOW and money market deposits	$	2,073,658		1,865		0.18	%	$	1,739,527		4,048		0.47	%
Time deposits		599,353		2,570		0.86	%		769,820		6,715		1.75	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,673,011		4,435		0.33	%		2,509,347		10,763		0.86	%
FHLB advances		23,911		145		1.22	%		283,231		1,727		1.23	%
Other borrowings		131,687		3,161		4.84	%		86,784		1,014		2.35	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	2,828,609		7,741		0.55	%	$	2,879,362		13,504		0.94	%

Net interest income			$	66,389						$	64,986
Interest rate spread						3.26	%						3.38	%

Net interest margin ⁽²⁾						3.41	%						3.58	%

⁽¹⁾ Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.
⁽²⁾ Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earning assets for the period.
⁽³⁾ Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax-equivalent basis.
⁽⁴⁾ Actual unrounded values are used to calculate the reported yield or rate disclosed. Accordingly, recalculations using the amounts in thousands as disclosed in this report may not produce the same amounts.

	For the three months ended							For the three months ended
	June 30, 2021							June 30, 2020
	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾
Interest-earning assets
Loans ⁽¹⁾
Commercial and industrial	$	826,647	$	11,729		5.69	%	$	868,302	$	8,378		3.88	%
Commercial real estate		991,033		11,433		4.63	%		934,186		12,192		5.25	%
Real estate construction		253,947		2,352		3.71	%		253,672		2,837		4.50	%
Residential real estate		465,525		4,642		4.00	%		467,246		4,854		4.18	%
Agricultural real estate		131,906		1,687		5.13	%		130,533		1,955		6.02	%
Agricultural		94,407		1,024		4.35	%		87,830		1,266		5.80	%
Consumer		89,680		943		4.22	%		65,096		1,145		7.07	%
Total loans		2,853,145		33,810		4.75	%		2,806,865		32,627		4.68	%
Securities
Taxable securities		887,983		3,523		1.59	%		753,332		4,017		2.14	%
Nontaxable securities		99,003		717		2.90	%		123,976		880		2.86	%
Total securities		986,986		4,240		1.72	%		877,308		4,897		2.25	%
Federal funds sold and other		124,502		268		0.86	%		102,456		409		1.61	%
Total interest-earning assets	$	3,964,633		38,318		3.88	%	$	3,786,629		37,933		4.03	%
Interest-bearing liabilities
Savings, NOW and money market deposits	$	2,068,319		895		0.17	%	$	1,754,280		923		0.21	%
Time deposits		587,733		1,130		0.77	%		732,907		2,976		1.63	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,656,052		2,025		0.31	%		2,487,187		3,899		0.63	%
FHLB advances		37,656		80		0.86	%		270,785		552		0.82	%
Other borrowings		134,002		1,583		4.74	%		113,942		591		2.09	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	2,827,710		3,688		0.52	%	$	2,871,914		5,042		0.71	%

Net interest income			$	34,630						$	32,891
Interest rate spread						3.36	%						3.32	%

Net interest margin ⁽²⁾						3.50	%						3.49	%

⁽¹⁾ Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.
⁽²⁾ Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earning assets for the period.
⁽³⁾ Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax-equivalent basis.

	For the three months ended							For the three months ended
	June 30, 2021							March 31, 2021
	Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾			Average Outstanding Balance		Interest Income/ Expense		Average Yield/Rate⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾
Interest-earning assets
Loans ⁽¹⁾
Commercial and industrial	$	826,647	$	11,729		5.69	%	$	803,012	$	9,234		4.66	%
Commercial real estate		991,033		11,433		4.63	%		971,825		11,441		4.77	%
Real estate construction		253,947		2,352		3.71	%		255,677		2,178		3.45	%
Residential real estate		465,525		4,642		4.00	%		394,329		4,452		4.58	%
Agricultural real estate		131,906		1,687		5.13	%		140,875		1,696		4.88	%
Agricultural		94,407		1,024		4.35	%		94,787		1,037		4.44	%
Consumer		89,680		943		4.22	%		76,413		963		5.11	%
Total loans		2,853,145		33,810		4.75	%		2,736,918		31,001		4.59	%
Securities
Taxable securities		887,983		3,523		1.59	%		839,349		3,799		1.84	%
Nontaxable securities		99,003		717		2.90	%		108,104		724		2.72	%
Total securities		986,986		4,240		1.72	%		947,453		4,523		1.94	%
Federal funds sold and other		124,502		268		0.86	%		206,769		288		0.56	%
Total interest-earning assets	$	3,964,633		38,318		3.88	%	$	3,891,140		35,812		3.73	%
Interest-bearing liabilities
Savings, NOW and money market deposits	$	2,068,319		895		0.17	%	$	2,079,057		971		0.19	%
Time deposits		587,733		1,130		0.77	%		611,102		1,439		0.96	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		2,656,052		2,025		0.31	%		2,690,159		2,410		0.36	%
FHLB advances		37,656		80		0.86	%		10,013		65		2.63	%
Other borrowings		134,002		1,583		4.74	%		129,347		1,578		4.96	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	2,827,710		3,688		0.52	%	$	2,829,519		4,053		0.58	%

Net interest income			$	34,630						$	31,759
Interest rate spread						3.36	%						3.15	%

Net interest margin ⁽²⁾						3.50	%						3.31	%

⁽¹⁾ Average loan balances include nonaccrual loans.
⁽²⁾ Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by average interest-earning assets for the period.
⁽³⁾ Tax exempt income is not included in the above table on a tax-equivalent basis.

	As of and for the three months ended
	June 30,			March 31,			December 31,			September 30,			June 30,
	2021			2021			2020			2020			2020

Income before income taxes	$	19,581		$	19,346		$	14,599		$	(93,058	)	$	2,186
Add: goodwill impairment		—			—			—			104,831			—
Less: tax effect		4,415			4,271			2,111			2,652			497
Adjusted income	$	15,166		$	15,075		$	12,488		$	9,121		$	1,689
Weighted average common shares outstanding		14,356,958			14,464,291			14,760,810			15,040,407			15,209,483
Effect of weighted average dilutive shares assuming positive net income		317,880			269,792			173,248			82,804			94,526
Weighted average diluted shares		14,674,838			14,734,083			14,934,058			15,123,211			15,304,009
Diluted earnings per share adjusted for goodwill impairment	$	1.03		$	1.02		$	0.84		$	0.60		$	0.11

Total stockholders' equity	$	412,995		$	397,815		$	407,649		$	402,172		$	479,766
Less: goodwill		31,601			31,601			31,601			31,601			136,432
Less: core deposit intangibles, net		13,993			15,023			16,057			17,101			18,131
Less: mortgage servicing asset, net		—			—			—			1			2
Less: naming rights, net		1,109			1,119			1,130			1,141			1,152
Tangible common equity	$	366,292		$	350,072		$	358,861		$	352,328		$	324,049
Common shares issued at period end		14,360,172			14,383,913			14,540,556			14,853,487			15,218,301
Diluted common shares outstanding at period end		14,664,603			14,668,287			14,756,378			14,945,282			15,334,144
Book value per common share	$	28.76		$	27.66		$	28.04		$	27.08		$	31.53
Tangible book value per common share	$	25.51		$	24.34		$	24.68		$	23.72		$	21.29
Tangible book value per diluted common share	$	24.98		$	23.87		$	24.32		$	23.57		$	21.13

Total assets	$	4,268,216		$	4,196,184		$	4,013,356		$	3,865,571		$	4,205,269
Less: goodwill		31,601			31,601			31,601			31,601			136,432
Less: core deposit intangibles, net		13,993			15,023			16,057			17,101			18,131
Less: mortgage servicing asset, net		—			—			—			1			2
Less: naming rights, net		1,109			1,119			1,130			1,141			1,152
Tangible assets	$	4,221,513		$	4,148,441		$	3,964,568		$	3,815,727		$	4,049,552
Total stockholders' equity to total assets		9.68	%		9.48	%		10.16	%		10.40	%		11.41	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets		8.68	%		8.44	%		9.05	%		9.23	%		8.00	%

Total average stockholders' equity	$	404,039		$	395,638		$	409,572		$	483,088		$	483,605
Less: average intangible assets		47,334			48,376			54,547			154,049			156,194
Average tangible common equity	$	356,705		$	347,262		$	355,025		$	329,039		$	327,411
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	15,166		$	15,075		$	12,488		$	(90,405	)	$	1,689
Add: goodwill impairment		—			—			—			104,831			—
Less: tax effect of goodwill impairment		—			—			—			5,305			—
Adjusted net income (loss) plus goodwill impairment		15,166			15,075			12,488			9,121			1,689
Amortization of intangible assets		1,041			1,045			1,055			1,043			986
Less: tax effect of intangible assets amortization		219			219			222			234			207
Adjusted net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	15,988		$	15,901		$	13,321		$	9,930		$	2,468
Return on total average stockholders' equity (ROAE) annualized		15.06	%		15.45	%		12.13	%		(74.45	)%		1.40	%
Return on average tangible common equity (ROATCE) annualized		17.98	%		18.57	%		14.93	%		(108.31	)%		3.03	%
Adjusted return on average tangible common equity		17.98	%		18.57	%		14.93	%		12.01	%		3.03	%

Non-interest expense	$	25,806		$	24,881		$	28,460		$	130,835		$	23,937

Less: merger expense		460			152			299			—			—
Less: goodwill impairment		—			—			—			104,831			—
Non-interest expense, excluding merger expense and goodwill impairment	$	25,346		$	24,729		$	28,161		$	26,004		$	23,937
Net interest income	$	34,630		$	31,759		$	35,559		$	32,107		$	32,891
Non-interest income		9,100			6,712			8,500			6,485			5,732
Less: net gain on acquisition		663			(78	)		2,145			—			—
Less: net gains (losses) from securities transactions		—			17			(1	)		—			4
Non-interest income, excluding gains (losses) from securities transactions	$	8,437		$	6,773		$	6,356		$	6,485		$	5,728
Net interest income plus non-interest income, excluding net gain on acquisition and net gains (losses) from securities transactions	$	43,067		$	38,532		$	41,915		$	38,592		$	38,619
Non-interest expense less goodwill impairment to net interest income plus non-interest income		59.01	%		64.67	%		64.60	%		67.38	%		61.98	%
Efficiency ratio		58.85	%		64.18	%		67.19	%		67.38	%		61.98	%
Net income (loss) allocable to common stockholders	$	15,166		$	15,075		$	12,488		$	(90,405	)	$	1,689
Add: income tax provision		4,415			4,271			2,111			(2,653	)		497
Add: provision (reversal) of credit losses		(1,657	)		(5,756	)		1,000			815			12,500
Add: goodwill impairment		—			—			—			104,831			—
Adjusted net income	$	17,924		$	13,590		$	15,599		$	12,588		$	14,686
Total average assets	$	4,231,439		$	4,143,752		$	3,910,628		$	4,041,187		$	4,159,336
Total average stockholders' equity	$	404,039		$	395,638		$	409,572		$	483,088		$	483,605
Return on average assets (ROAA) annualized		1.44	%		1.48	%		1.27	%		(8.90	)%		0.16	%
Adjusted return on average assets		1.70	%		1.33	%		1.59	%		1.24	%		1.42	%
Adjusted return on average equity		17.79	%		13.93	%		15.15	%		10.37	%		12.21	%

Disclaimers Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements reflect the current views of Equity’s management with respect to, among other things, future events and Equity’s financial performance. 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,” “project,” “forecast,” “goal,” “target,” “would” and “outlook,” or the negative variations of those words or other comparable words 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 Equity’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond Equity’s control. Accordingly, Equity cautions 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 Equity believes 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. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Equity’s expectations include COVID-19 related impacts; competition from other financial institutions and bank holding companies; the effects of and changes in trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; changes in the demand for loans; fluctuations in value of collateral and loan reserves; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; and acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; and similar variables. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For discussion of these and other risks that may cause actual results to differ from expectations, please refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in Equity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2021, and any updates to those risk factors set forth in Equity’s subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Equity’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what Equity anticipates. 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 Equity does 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 risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, such as COVID-19, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, Equity cannot assess the impact of each factor on Equity’s 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. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Equity or persons acting on Equity’s behalf may issue. NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES This presentation contains certain non-GAAP financial measures intended to supplement, not substitute for, comparable GAAP measures. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures are provided at the end of this presentation. Numbers in the presentation may not sum due to rounding.

Disclaimers Important Additional Information The information contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, Equity intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of Equity common stock to be issued to ASB stockholders. The registration statement will include a proxy statement/prospectus, which will be sent to the stockholders of ASB seeking their approval of the proposed transaction. WE URGE INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT EQUITY, ASB AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. The documents filed by Equity with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at Equity’s investor relations website at investor.equitybank.com or at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge from Equity upon written request to Equity Bancshares, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 300, Wichita, Kansas 67207 or by calling (316) 612-6000. Participants in the Transaction Equity, ASB and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from ASB’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Equity is set forth in the proxy statement for Equity’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 18, 2021, and Equity’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on March 9, 2021. Free copies of these documents may be obtained free of charge as described in the preceding paragraph. Additional information regarding the interests of these participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed transaction when it becomes available.

Proforma Franchise Overview 4 Current Security Bank Location Current ASBI Location Equity Bank Location

Executive Leadership 6 Founded Equity Bank in 2002 2018 EY Entrepreneur of the Year National Finalist 2014 Most Influential CEO, Wichita Business Journal Served as Regional President of Sunflower Bank prior to forming Equity Bank Served as Director of Sales and Marketing for Koch Industries Brad Elliott Chairman & CEO Years at Equity: 19 | Years in Banking: 32 Greg Kossover EVP, COO & CFO Became COO in April 2020 Served as CFO from 2013 to 2020 EQBK Board of Directors, 2011-current Served as president of Physicians Development Group Served as CEO of Value Place, LLC, growing the franchise to more than 150 locations in 25 states Greg Kossover Chief Operating Officer Years at Equity: 8 | Years in Banking: 21 Eric Newell Chief Financial Officer Years at Equity 1 | Years in Banking: 19 Craig Anderson President Years at Equity: 3 | Years in Banking: 39 Became President in April 2020 Served as COO from 2018 to 2020 Joined Equity Bank in March 2018 Served as President of UMBF Commercial Banking More than 38 years of banking experience, concentrated in commercial lending roles Joined Equity Bank in April 2020 Served as CFO at United Bank in Hartford, CT ($7.3B assets) Served as CFO and head of Treasury at Rockville Bank, Glastonbury, Conn. Served as Analyst for AllianceBernstein and Fitch Began career as examiner with FDIC

Diverse Market Segments 7 Source: S&P Market Intelligence. Equity Bancshares, Inc. operating market reported above includes all bank locations and counties in which Equity Bank operates. Diverse market segments with economies based on transportation, manufacturing and healthcare Top employers in the region operate in a diverse array of industries including telecommunications, professional services, aircraft manufacturing, OEM manufacturing and transportation. Equity Bancshares ranks in the Top 10 for market share in 22 of the 27 counties served and ranks in the Top 5 in 19 of those counties.

Continue Building Value via Strategic Execution 8 2009 $8.8MM of TARP issued Opened 2 branches in Overland Park, KS 2014 Repurchased 1.3mm shares Refinanced TARP with Loan Close/Sell 3 branches and opened branch at Waterfront 2012 First Community Bancshares (FCB) merger $20.4M Capital Raise 2011 Repaid TARP with SBLF Purchase of 4 branches from Citizens Bancshares (Topeka) 2003-2004 Acquisition of National Bank of Andover Rebrand as Equity Bank 2005 Purchase of 2 Wichita branches from Hillcrest Bancshares 2006 Charter of FNB of Sarcoxie, MO acquisition Acquisition of Mortgage Centre, LLC Opened 2 branches in MO 2008 Ellis State Bank acquisition (Ellis/Hays) Branch opened in Lee’s Summit, MO 2010 $20.0M Capital Raise to fund growth 2013 Integrate FCB and double earnings CFO and CRO roles filled Implement repositioning initiatives 2007 Signature Bank KC acquisition Phase I Phase II Phase III Start-Up 2003 - 2007 Growth 2008 - 2011 Leverage Infrastructure Profitably 2012 - 2016 2015 First Independence (FFSL) merger IPO 2016 Community First (CFBI) merger Completed $35.4M private placement capital raise (PIPE) Phase IV Platform for Best in Class 2017-present 2017 Closed Prairie State, Patriot Bank, and Eastman Bank mergers $2.2B $610MM (1) (2) (3) $4.3B (4) 2018 Hired President: Craig Anderson Closed Kansas Bank Corporation, Adams Dairy Bank, and City Bank and Trust mergers. 2019 Hired Gaylyn McGregor and launched ETWM Implemented Q2 digital banking platform Closed acquisition of three branches in Guymon and Cordell, Oklahoma from Mid-First Bank (February) 2020 Hire of Eric Newell as CFO Consolidated three branches Closed Almena State Bank FDIC assisted transaction Note: Gray shading indicates capital activity. (1) Data as of 12/31/2007. (2) Data as of 12/31/2011. (3) Data as of 12/31/2016. (4) As reported for the quarter ended 6/30/2021. Completed $75MM subordinated debt issuance, bolstering capital in uncertain times while not diluting current shareholders 2021 Announced merger with American State Bancshares (expected to close in Q4) Announced purchase of three bank locations from Security Bank in St. Joseph, MO.

9 Proven Track Record of Executing on M&A Since July 2015, EQBK has closed and integrated 9 bank acquisitions Pricing Multiples Transaction Impact

10 Uniquely Positioned for Growth There are over 650 bank offices with deposits less than $750MM in our operating market.

11 Equity Bank Today Percentages are reflective of 2021 year-to-date growth Checking Accounts 85,279 Online Banking Users 70,491 Bill Pay Subscribers 19,958 $993M +25% NIB Deposits 11,816 +6% Business Checking 59.9% +9% Online Banking Adoption 13,417 +18% Mobile Deposit Active Users

Diversified Loan Portfolio(1, 2) 12 Year-to-Date Loan Yield(3) 4.51% 5.43% 5.74% 5.73% For financial statement reporting, management considers other factors in addition to purpose when assessing risk and identifying reporting classes. As such, the above is not intended to reconcile to the Company’s loan disclosures within the applicable financial statement. Composition excludes the impact of PPP loans as of each applicable date. For the Year-to-Date periods ended December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021, yield has been adjusted to exclude PPP loans, including these loans yield would be 5.00% and 4.68%, respectively. 5.19%

Credit Quality & Capital Ratios 13 Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation. (1) Capital Ratios Total Reserve Ratio Classified Assets

Asset Quality – Quarter-over-Quarter 14 Nonperforming Assets Net Charge-Offs (NCO)/ Average Loans Nonaccrual Detail Includes loans 90+ days past due and other repossessed assets which are not highlighted in the table. Excludes Bank owned branch assets, totaling $1.0M, classified as Other Real Estate Owned within the Statements of Condition. (1,2) Reduction in NPAs / Assets driven by a reduction in non-performing loans, including non-accrual and loans greater than 90 days past due, of $3.7 million. Net charge-offs include $480 thousand related to fully reserved PCD assets. Net charge-offs unrelated to CECL gross-ups were $90 thousand for the quarter. Reserve remains well positioned for any losses which materialize from the COVID pandemic and associated response. OREO remained materially consistent during the quarter and is primarily comprised of income producing CRE assets totaling $6.1 million. (2)

CECL Results 15 The company adopted ASC 326, Financials Instruments – Credit Losses ( “CECL”), on January 1, 2021. Dollars in thousands Impact of CECL adoption(1) and Subsequent Intra-Quarter Movement

Bank Liquidity & Dividend Capacity 16 Dividend Capacity from the Bank Liquidity Analysis Amortized Cost Carrying Value Unrealized Gain / (Loss) Description Portfolio Characteristics

Tangible Book Value Growth 17 Tangible Book Value per Share(1) and Tangible Common Equity (1) TBV CAGR 2017 – Q2 2021: 10.6% Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation.

Tangible Book Value 18 Tangible Book Value per Share(1) Intra-Quarter movement Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation.

Fully integrated digital banking platform with an adoption rate of 59.9% among core banking customers Continued emphasis on development of relationships to drive growth in non-interest bearing deposits. Year-to-date growth of more than $200 million. 19 Strong Core Deposit Franchise For the quarter ended June 30, 2021. Includes interest and non-interest bearing deposits. Core deposits excludes time deposits > $100K. Dollars in thousands. Cost of Deposits: 0.22%(1) Deposit Composition Core Deposits / Total Deposits (2) Total Deposits & Loan to Deposit Ratio

20 Core Deposit Growth Includes the impact of non-interest bearing deposits Dollars in millions Cost of Deposits(1) 0.22% 0.96% 1.30% 0.91% 0.52%

Robust Growth 21 Gross Loans ($Millions) Total Deposits ($Millions) Tangible Book Value per Share(1) Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Net Revenue ($Thousands)(2) Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation. Excludes merger expenses and gain on acquisition in all applicable periods, as well as the impact of the goodwill impairment charge taken during the third quarter 2020 of ($104.8M).

Net Interest Income & Net Interest Margin 22 ($) Thousands (1) (1) (1) Excludes the impact of PPP loans. Including these balances the second, third, fourth quarter 2020, first and second quarter 2021 results would be 3.49%, 3.47%, 3.88%, 3.31% and 3.50%, respectively, while YTD 2020 and 2021 results would be 3.63% and 3.41%, respectively. Annual Results

Interest Income & Net Interest Margin 23 Government Programs PPP fee income increased due to forgiveness received by borrowers during the quarter. However, due to current year originations, more than $10 million in deferred fee balances remain on the books at quarter end. Increasing average balances as a % of AEA drives down yield %. Non-Interest Bearing Deposits Non-interest bearing deposits are up more than $200M as of 6/30 from 12/31/20. Continued emphasis on growing these relationships provides liquidity and investable dollars without associated costs. Roll on Rates The current interest rate environment is driving yields on assets down. As the Bank continues to see paydowns on debt and investment assets, NII and NIM will be challenged. Rate Protection Proactive effort to book variable rate assets subject to floor levels. As of 6/30, approximately 67% of variable rate loans are subject to a floor, of which, 86% had reached their floor. Investment Portfolio Bond portfolio designed to be short and positioned to take advantage of rate rise opportunities. Deployment of Excess Cash With stimulus programs and continued effort to drive deposits, excess cash balances will be re-deployed in earning assets which we believe will drive up net interest income while driving down net interest margin. Adjusted Second Quarter NIM Net Interest Income Period over Period

Income Performance Metrics 24 Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation. Excludes impact of goodwill impairment recognized during the third quarter 2020. Return on Tangible Common Equity(1) Efficiency Ratio(1) 2H 2020, exclusive of goodwill impairment, shows continual improvement as compared to prior year. 1H 2021 continued positive results, partially impacted by provision for credit losses benefit. Commentary 2H 2020, maintained efficiency ratio, while keeping locations open to service customers through the COVID environment. 1H 2021, growing non-interest income lines, including credit card, debit card, and TWM as well as PPP fee income recognition provided benefit. (2) (2)

25 2021 Second Quarter Highlights Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation. Year-over-Year is a comparison to comparable quarter end in previous year. Quarter-over-Quarter is comparison to previous quarter. Diluted EPS $1.03 Revenue $47.4M ROAE 15.06% $34.6M Net Interest Income + $23M +10% Annualized NIB Deposits $1.6M Income from Almena State Bank asset improvement $250K +88% Trust and Wealth Management Income Quarter over Quarter(2) + $3.3M +59% Non-interest Income Year over Year(2)

Second Quarter Highlights - Continued 26 Favorable (unfavorable) comparison to previous period. Year-over-Year is a comparison to comparable quarter end in previous year. Quarter-over-Quarter is a comparison to prior quarter end. Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation for additional detail. Excludes merger expenses and gain on acquisition. Adjusted to exclude the impact of PPP loans. Excludes gain / (loss) on sale of securities.

27 Outlook on Key Business Drivers Average Deposits $3,400-3,700M $3,625M 3-8% growth Key Driver Q2’21 Results Q2’21 Outlook Average Loans(1) $2,400-$2,500M $2,461M 3-8% growth Net Interest Margin(1) 3.15-3.35% 3.13% Contraction Non-Interest Income(2) $6.5-7.0M $7.5M 10-20% growth Non-Interest Expense (3) $24-26M $25.3M 0-3% decline Tangible Book Value $350-370M $366M 5-10% growth Considerations & Expectations Continued uncertainty of the lasting impact of COVID-19 from 2020 as well as severity of impact in 2021 bring challenges for precision of outlook. Focus on continued balance sheet strength and security while continuing to pursue growth. FY’21 Outlook NOTE: Figures presented in this outlook represent forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions, and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Please see Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements. Excluding the impact of PPP loans. Excluding Net Gain on Acquisition and reversal of repurchase obligation on Almena assets ($917 thousand). Excluding Merger Expenses. Average Earning Assets(1) $3,500-$3,700M $3,572M 3-8% growth Annual Effective Tax Rate 23-25% 22.5% 23-25% Q3’21 Outlook $3,400-3,700M $2,400-$2,600M 2.90-3.10% $6.5-7.5M $24-$26M $370-380M $3,500-$3,700M 23-25%

28 Focus Variables for Outlook & Forecast Business activity creates opportunity for lending and deposit growth. Pandemic response and resolution will be significant driver. Directly related to credit quality as well as trust in our business. Stimulus efforts and associated effect may have significant impact. Impacts rates on our product offerings and applies pressure to earnings. Must be able to manage cost and profit yields effectively. Providing customers with rates and services that are competitive with our peers. Irrational operators may have short term impact on opportunities. Growth strategy must be flexible to the other variables that affect our investment options. U.S. politics affect banking regulations, international relationships, tax policies and more. Economic Environment Customer Needs Cost of Funding Competitive Market Investment Opportunities Political Environment Our outlook requires clarity around certain variables, including:

29 Adjusted Operating Performance Trends – Quarter-over-Quarter(1) Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (3) Efficiency Ratio(1,2) & Non-Interest Expense / Average Assets(3) Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation. Does not include gains on sales and settlement of securities, merger expenses, or gain on acquisition in any period presented, as applicable. Does not include merger expense or gain on acquisition in any period presented, as applicable. The third quarter 2020 does not include loss on impairment of goodwill. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of the presentation for additional detail on these balances. Adjusted Net Income(3) Pre-Tax, Pre-Provision Net Revenue(3)

30 Government Facilitated Lending Programs Equity was an active participant in the first round of PPP. Funding more than $375M in loans to protect jobs and businesses within our footprint. The management team has worked expeditiously to obtain forgiveness on behalf of our borrowers. Through the end of the second quarter, more than 94% of these loans have received a forgiveness payment. Equity was also an active participant in round 2 of the program, funding 4,311 loans totaling $278M in paycheck protection for our customers and communities. Commentary Dollars in thousands

Selected Balance Sheet Data 33 Demonstrating balance sheet strength Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Includes Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock. Includes loans held-for-sale.

Capitalization 34 (1) Non-GAAP financial measure. See the non-GAAP reconciliation at the end of this presentation. Maintaining a strong regulatory capital position

The subsequent tables present non-GAAP reconciliations of the following calculations: Tangible Common Equity (TCE) to Tangible Assets (TA) Ratio Tangible Book Value per Common Share Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROATCE) Efficiency Ratio 35

Kansas	001-37624	72-1532188
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

7701 East Kellogg Drive, Suite 300 Wichita, KS		67207
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

☒	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


	Equity Bancshares, Inc.

Date: July 19, 2021	By: /s/ Eric R. Newell
	Eric R. Newell
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Earnings Press Release, dated July 19, 2021
99.2		Equity Bancshares, Inc. Investor Presentation
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File

Capital Ratios
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio		8.88	%		8.73	%		9.30	%		8.76	%		8.52	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio		12.41	%		12.53	%		12.82	%		12.76	%		12.02	%
Tier 1 Risk Based Capital Ratio		12.93	%		13.08	%		13.37	%		13.32	%		12.57	%
Total Risk Based Capital Ratio		16.73	%		17.02	%		17.35	%		17.35	%		15.33	%
Total stockholders' equity to total assets		9.68	%		9.48	%		10.16	%		10.40	%		11.41	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets^*		8.68	%		8.44	%		9.05	%		9.23	%		8.00	%
Book value per common share	$	28.76		$	27.66		$	28.04		$	27.08		$	31.53
Tangible book value per common share^*	$	25.51		$	24.34		$	24.68		$	23.72		$	21.29
Tangible book value per diluted common share^*	$	24.98		$	23.87		$	24.32		$	23.57		$	21.13