EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

BancShares sponsors noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for its qualifying employees (BancShares Plan) and former First Citizens Bancorporation, Inc. employees (Bancorporation Plan). Net periodic benefit cost is a component of employee benefits expense.

BancShares Plan

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



	Three months ended June 30						Six months ended June 30
(Dollars in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost	$	2,934		$	3,090		$	6,310		$	6,310
Interest cost	7,069			7,269			14,449			14,450
Expected return on assets	(10,307		)	(9,167		)	(21,005		)	(18,326		)
Amortization of prior service cost	53			52			105			104
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,193			1,830			4,427			3,430
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,942		$	3,074		$	4,286		$	5,968

Bancorporation Plan

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:



	Three months ended June 30						Six months ended June 30
(Dollars in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost	$	670		$	633		$	1,341		$	1,283
Interest cost	1,682			1,713			3,365			3,388
Expected return on assets	(2,796		)	(2,771		)	(5,592		)	(5,550		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	214			—			428			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(230	)	$	(425	)	$	(458	)	$	(879	)

No contributions were made during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 to the BancShares or Bancorporation pension plans. BancShares expects to contribute $50.0 million to the BancShares Plan during 2017. No contribution is expected to be made to the Bancorporation Plan in 2017.