(1)Organization, Operations and Basis of Presentation

Guaranty Bancorp is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and headquartered in Colorado.

The Company’s principal business is to serve as a holding company for its bank subsidiary, Guaranty Bank and Trust Company, referred to as the “Bank”.

References to “Company,” “us,” “we,” and “our” refer to Guaranty Bancorp on a consolidated basis. References to “Guaranty Bancorp” or to the “holding company” refer to the parent company on a stand-alone basis. References to the “Bank” refer to Guaranty Bank and Trust Company, the Company’s wholly owned bank subsidiary.

The Bank is a full-service community bank offering an array of banking products and services to the communities it serves along the Front Range of Colorado, including accepting time and demand deposits and originating commercial loans (including energy loans), real estate loans (including jumbo mortgages), Small Business Administration (“SBA”) guaranteed loans and consumer loans. The Bank and its wholly owned subsidiary, Private Capital Management, LLC (“PCM”) provide wealth management services, including private banking, investment management and trust services. Substantially all of the Bank’s loans are secured by specific items of collateral, including business assets, commercial and residential real estate, which include land or improved land and consumer assets. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flow from the operations of businesses that have taken out the loans. There are no significant concentrations of loans to any one industry or customer. The ability of customers to repay their loans is generally dependent on the real estate market and general economic conditions prevailing in Colorado, among other factors.

(a)Basis of Presentation

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and prevailing practices within the financial services industry. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position and results of operations for the periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of financial statements issuance.

Certain information and note disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The interim operating results presented in these financial statements are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2013.

(b)Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets and income and expense for the periods presented. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant changes include the assessment for impairment of certain investment securities, the allowance for loan losses and other real estate owned (“OREO”). Assumptions and factors used in these estimates are evaluated on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the previous assumptions and factors have changed. The results of such an evaluation could result in material adjustments to the Company’s estimates.

(c)Loans and Loan Commitments

The Company extends commercial, real estate, agricultural and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio consists of commercial and real estate loans throughout the Front Range of Colorado. The ability of the Company’s borrowers to honor their contracts is generally dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions prevailing in Colorado, among other factors.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, adjusted for charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs. Accounting for loans is performed consistently across all portfolio segments and classes.

A portfolio segment is defined in accounting guidance as the level at which an entity develops and documents a systematic methodology to determine its allowance for loan losses. A class is defined in accounting guidance as a group of loans having similar initial measurement attributes, risk characteristics and methods for monitoring and assessing risk.

Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance of the Company’s loans. Loan origination fees, net of direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to the related loan yield using the effective interest method without anticipating prepayments.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued (and the loan is put on nonaccrual status) at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. The time at which a loan enters past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off prior to the date on which they would otherwise enter past due status if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. The interest on a nonaccrual loan is accounted for using the cash-basis method until the loan qualifies for a return to the accrual basis method, and any payments received on a nonaccrual loan are applied first to the principal balance of the loan. A loan is returned to accrual status after the delinquent borrower’s financial condition has improved, when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and when the likelihood of the borrower making future timely payments are reasonably assured.

Financial instruments include off‑balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount of each item represents our total exposure to loss with respect to the item, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

(d)Allowance for Loan Losses and Allowance for Unfunded Commitments

The allowance for loan losses or “the allowance” is a valuation allowance for probable incurred loan losses and is reported as a reduction of outstanding loan balances.

Management evaluates the amount of the allowance on a regular basis based upon its periodic review of the collectability of the Company’s loans. Factors affecting the collectability of the loans include historical loss experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect borrowers’ ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. Management maintains the allowance at a level that it deems appropriate to adequately provide for known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio and other extensions of credit. The Company’s methodology for estimating the allowance is consistent across all portfolio segments and classes of loans.

Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged off and deducted from the allowance. The Company’s loan portfolio primarily consists of non-homogeneous commercial and real estate loans where charge-offs are considered on a loan-by-loan basis based on the facts and circumstances, including management’s evaluation of collateral values in comparison to book values on real estate-dependent loans. Charge-offs on smaller balance unsecured homogenous type loans such as overdrafts and ready reserves are recognized by the time

the loan in question is 90 days past due. The provision for loan losses and recoveries on loans previously charged-off are added to the allowance.

The allowance consists of both specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. All loans are subject to individual impairment evaluation should the pertinent facts and circumstances suggest that such an evaluation is necessary. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include the loan’s payment status and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when they become due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the original underlying loan agreement. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. If a loan is impaired, a portion, if any, of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s original contractual rate or at the fair value of collateral, less estimated selling costs, if repayment is expected solely from collateral.

The general component of the allowance covers all other loans not specifically identified as impaired and is determined by calculating losses recognized by portfolio segment during the current credit cycle and adjusted based on management’s evaluation of various qualitative factors. In performing this calculation, loans are aggregated into one of three portfolio segments: Real Estate, Consumer and Commercial & Other. An assessment of risks impacting loans in each of these portfolio segments is performed and qualitative adjustment factors, which adjust the historical loss rate, are estimated. These qualitative adjustment factors consider current conditions relative to conditions present throughout the current credit cycle in the following areas: credit quality, loan class concentration levels, economic conditions, loan growth dynamics and organizational conditions. The historical loss experience is adjusted for management’s estimate of the impact of these factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment.

The Company recognizes a liability in relation to unfunded commitments that is intended to represent the estimated future losses on the commitments. In calculating the amount of this liability, management considers the amount of the Company’s off-balance sheet commitments, estimated utilization factors and loan specific risk factors. The Company’s liability for unfunded commitments is calculated quarterly and is included under “other liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet.

(e)Other Real Estate Owned and Foreclosed Assets

Assets acquired through or in lieu of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. If the asset’s fair value declines subsequent to the assets’ acquisition, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating revenues and expenses of these assets and reductions in the fair value of the assets are included in noninterest expense. Gains and losses on their disposition are also included in noninterest expense.

(f)Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are amortized over their estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and evaluated for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that such an evaluation is necessary.

Core deposit intangible assets (“CDI assets”) are recognized at the time of their acquisition based on valuations prepared by independent third parties or other estimates of fair value. In preparing such valuations, management considers variables such as deposit servicing costs, attrition rates, and market discount rates. CDI assets are amortized to expense over their useful lives, ranging from seven years to 15 years.

Customer relationship intangible assets are recognized at the time of their acquisition based upon management’s estimate of their fair value. In preparing such valuations, management considers variables such as growth in existing customer base, attrition rates and market discount rates. The customer relationship

intangible asset is amortized to expense over its useful life, which has been estimated at ten years and was initially recognized as a result of the acquisition of PCM on July 31, 2012.

(g) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as premises and equipment, and finite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying value of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, less costs to sell.

Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. In 2012, the Company recorded an impairment related to two bank buildings that were later transferred to assets held for sale. At March 31, 2014, one of these properties remained held for sale and is included in “other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet.

(h) Derivative Instruments

The Company records all derivatives on its consolidated balance sheets at fair value. At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as one of three types based on the Company’s intentions and belief as to the derivative’s likely effectiveness as a hedge. These three types are (1) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair value hedge”), (2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”), or (3) an instrument with no hedging designation (“stand-alone derivative”). To date, the Company has entered into cash flow hedges and stand-alone derivative agreements but has not entered into any fair value hedges. For a cash flow hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any portion of the cash flow hedge not deemed highly effective in hedging the changes in expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are reported currently in earnings, as noninterest income.

The Company formally documents the relationship between derivatives and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking hedge transactions, at the inception of the derivative contract. This documentation includes linking cash flow hedges to specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or to specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedge is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items.

(i)Stock Incentive Plan

The Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) provides for the grant of stock options, stock awards, stock units awards, performance stock awards, stock appreciation rights, and other equity-based awards representing up to a total of 1,700,000 shares of voting common stock to key employees, nonemployee directors, consultants and prospective employees. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had only granted stock awards. The Company recognizes stock compensation expense for services received in a share-based payment transaction over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The compensation cost of employee and director services received in exchange for stock awards is based on the grant date fair value of the award, as determined by quoted market prices. Stock compensation expense recognized considers estimated forfeitures and is adjusted as necessary to reflect actual forfeitures. The Company has issued stock awards that vest based on the passage of time over service periods of one to five years (in some cases vesting in annual installments, in other cases cliff vesting at the end of the service period), and other stock awards that vest contingent upon the satisfaction of certain performance conditions. The last date on which outstanding performance stock awards may vest is

December 31, 2018. At March 31, 2014, certain performance stock awards were expected to vest prior to their expiration, while 70,571 shares were not expected to vest prior to their expiration, based on current projections in comparison to performance conditions. Should these expectations change, additional expense could be recorded or reversed in future periods.

(j) Stock Repurchase Plan

On April 3, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of its voting common stock, par value $0.001 per share. Repurchases under the program may commence immediately and continue through April 2, 2015.

(k) Income Taxes

Income tax expense is the total of the current year’s income tax payable or refundable and the increase or decrease in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of the enactment date.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize some portion of, or the entire deferred tax asset. In assessing the Company’s likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets, management evaluates both positive and negative evidence, including the existence of any cumulative losses in the current year and the prior two years, the amount of taxes paid in available carry-back years, forecasts of future income, taking into account applicable tax planning strategies, and assessments of current and future economic and business conditions. Management performs this analysis quarterly and adjusts as necessary. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had a net deferred tax asset of $13,364,000 and $16,681,000, respectively, which includes the deferred tax asset associated with the unrealized loss on securities. After analyzing the composition of and changes in the deferred tax assets and liabilities and considering the Company’s forecasted future taxable income and various tax planning strategies, including the intent to hold the securities available for sale that were in a loss position until maturity, management determined that as of March 31, 2014 it was “more likely than not” that the net deferred tax asset would be fully realized. As a result, there was no valuation allowance with respect to the Company’s deferred tax asset as of March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions for which a tax benefit was disallowed under current accounting guidance. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

The Company and the Bank are subject to U.S. federal income tax and State of Colorado income tax. The Company is no longer subject to examination by Federal or State taxing authorities for years before 2010 except to the extent of the amount of the 2010 carryback claim for a refund filed in 2011 with respect to 2008. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not expect the amount of any unrecognized tax benefits to materially change in the next 12 months. The Company recognizes interest related to income tax matters as interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as other noninterest expense. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any amounts accrued for interest or penalties.

(l)Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share represents the earnings allocable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. When there is a loss, generally there is no difference between basic and diluted loss per common shares as any potential additional common shares are typically anti-dilutive as they decrease the loss per common share. Dilutive common shares that may be issued by the Company represent unvested stock awards subject to a service or performance condition.

Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following calculation of weighted average shares outstanding:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014	2013

Average common shares outstanding (1)	20,936,295	20,844,384
Effect of dilutive unvested stock grants (1)(2)	92,427	73,309
Average shares outstanding for calculated diluted
earnings per common share	21,028,722	20,917,693
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(1)Share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the Company's 1-for-5 reverse stock split on May 20, 2013.

(2)The impact of unvested stock grants representing 745,406 shares at March 31, 2014 had a dilutive impact of 92,427 shares in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impact of unvested stock grants representing 527,684 shares at March 31, 2013 had a dilutive impact of 73,309 shares in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

(m) Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Adoption of New Accounting Standards:

In July of 2013 the FASB issued an accounting standards update to reduce the diversity in the accounting practice with respect to the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when net operating loss or credit carryforwards are present. The provisions of this update require the separate presentation of unrecognized tax benefits related to net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards apart from other deferred tax assets. For the Company, the amendments of the update became effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning subsequent to December 15, 2013. At March 31, 2014, the impact of this update on the Company’s disclosures was not material.

(n) Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of prior year balances have been made to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or net change in cash and cash equivalents. Share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the Company’s 1-for-5 reverse stock split on May 20, 2013.