ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The following tables present a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment:



Year ended December 31, 2016	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	52,296		$	5,144		$	18,775		$	602		$	—	$	76,817
Provision charged (credited) to operating expense	(21,714		)	8,393			21,950			1,362			—		9,991
Less loans charged-off	(5,215		)	(8,607		)	(5,838		)	(183		)	—		(19,843		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	3,258			2,781			3,205			5			—		9,249
Ending balance	$	28,625		$	7,711		$	38,092		$	1,786		$	—	$	76,214

Individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,588		$	—		$	9,254		$	112		$	—	$	13,954
Collectively evaluated for impairment	24,037			7,711			28,838			1,674			—		62,260
Ending balance	$	28,625		$	7,711		$	38,092		$	1,786		$	—	$	76,214

Total loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	68,632		$	—		$	32,397		$	3,662		$	—	$	104,691
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,445,451			970,266			765,545			129,196			1,601		5,312,059
Total loans held for investment	$	3,514,083		$	970,266		$	797,942		$	132,858		$	1,601	$	5,416,750



Year ended December 31, 2015	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	53,884		$	5,035		$	14,307		$	974		$	—	$	74,200
Provision charged (credited) to operating expense	(645		)	3,243			4,376			(152		)	—		6,822
Less loans charged-off	(4,076		)	(5,683		)	(1,657		)	(221		)	—		(11,637		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	3,133			2,549			1,749			1			—		7,432
Ending balance	$	52,296		$	5,144		$	18,775		$	602		$	—	$	76,817

Individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,794		$	—		$	6,487		$	294		$	—	$	11,575
Collectively evaluated for impairment	47,502			5,144			12,288			308			—		65,242
Ending balance	$	52,296		$	5,144		$	18,775		$	602		$	—	$	76,817

Total loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	66,516		$	—		$	24,471		$	978		$	—	$	91,965
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,346,546			844,353			767,945			141,173			1,339		5,101,356
Total loans held for investment	$	3,413,062		$	844,353		$	792,416		$	142,151		$	1,339	$	5,193,321



Year ended December 31, 2014	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	63,923		$	6,193		$	14,747		$	476		$	—	$	85,339
Provision charged (credited) to operating expense	(10,348		)	1,382			1,809			535			—		(6,622		)
Less loans charged-off	(3,014		)	(4,887		)	(6,030		)	(64		)	—		(13,995		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	3,323			2,347			3,781			27			—		9,478
Ending balance	$	53,884		$	5,035		$	14,307		$	974		$	—	$	74,200

Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,961		$	—		$	1,190		$	641		$	—	$	5,792
Collectively evaluated for impairment	49,923			5,035			13,117			333			—		68,408
Ending balance	$	53,884		$	5,035		$	14,307		$	974		$	—	$	74,200

Total loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	62,775		$	—		$	14,526		$	1,179		$	—	$	78,480
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,162,478			762,471			725,547			123,680			3,959		4,778,135
Total loans held for investment	$	3,225,253		$	762,471		$	740,073		$	124,859		$	3,959	$	4,856,615

The Company performs a quarterly assessment of the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The methodology used to assess the adequacy is consistently applied to the Company's loan portfolio and consists of three elements: (1) specific valuation allowances based on probable losses on impaired loans; (2) historical valuation allowances based on loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends; and (3) general valuation allowances determined based on changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company.

Specific allowances are established for loans where management has determined that probability of a loss exists by analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies and any relevant qualitative or environmental factors impacting the loan. Historical valuation allowances are determined by applying percentage loss factors to the credit exposures from outstanding loans. For commercial, agricultural and real estate loans, loss factors are applied based on the internal risk classifications of these loans. For consumer loans, loss factors are applied on a portfolio basis. For commercial, agriculture and real estate loans, loss factor percentages are based on a migration analysis of our historical loss experience, designed to account for credit deterioration. For consumer loans, loss factor percentages are based on a one-year loss history. General valuation allowances are determined by evaluating, on a quarterly basis, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, current economic and regulatory factors and the estimated impact of current economic, environmental and regulatory conditions on historical loss rates.

An allowance for loan losses is established for loans acquired credit impaired and for which the Company projects a decrease in the expected cash flows in periods subsequent to the acquisition of such loans. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company's allowance for loans losses included $427 and $382, respectively, related to acquired credit impaired loans.