Allowance for Loan Losses

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



Three Months Ended September 30, 2017	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	33,498		$	7,554		$	33,124		$	1,525		$	—	$	75,701
Provision charged to operating expense	(690		)	2,620			1,530			(17		)	—		3,443
Less loans charged-off	(1,695		)	(3,115		)	(2,609		)	(41		)	—		(7,460		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	613			962			1,313			—			—		2,888
Ending balance	$	31,726		$	8,021		$	33,358		$	1,467		$	—	$	74,572

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	28,625		$	7,711		$	38,092		$	1,786		$	—	$	76,214
Provision charged to operating expense	4,775			5,157			(2,145		)	(259		)	—		7,528
Less loans charged-off	(2,938		)	(8,123		)	(4,450		)	(111		)	—		(15,622		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	1,264			3,276			1,861			51			—		6,452
Ending balance	$	31,726		$	8,021		$	33,358		$	1,467		$	—	$	74,572

As of September 30, 2017	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	7,028		$	14		$	6,426		$	435		$	—	$	13,903
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	24,698			8,007			26,932			1,032			—		60,669
Allowance for loan losses	$	31,726		$	8,021		$	33,358		$	1,467		$	—	$	74,572

Loans held for investment:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	57,492		$	25		$	31,371		$	1,560		$	—	$	90,448
Collectively evaluated for impairment	5,063,619			1,038,559			1,154,836			151,121			3,804		7,411,939
Total loans	$	5,121,111		$	1,038,584		$	1,186,207		$	152,681		$	3,804	$	7,502,387



Three Months Ended September 30, 2016	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture		Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	32,281		$	6,315		$	39,995		$	1,749	$	—	$	80,340
Provision charged to operating expense	(352		)	2,395			265			55		—		2,363
Less loans charged-off	(379		)	(2,157		)	(579		)	—		—		(3,115		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	221			742			680			4		—		1,647
Ending balance	$	31,771		$	7,295		$	40,361		$	1,808	$	—	$	81,235



Nine Months Ended September 30, 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 to operating expense	(20,492		)	5,747			22,268			1,390			—		8,913
Less loans charged-off	(2,824		)	(5,761		)	(2,085		)	(188		)	—		(10,858		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	2,791			2,165			1,403			4			—		6,363
Ending balance	$	31,771		$	7,295		$	40,361		$	1,808		$	—	$	81,235

As of December 31, 2016	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,588		$	—		$	9,254		$	112		$	—	$	13,954
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	24,037			7,711			28,838			1,674			—		62,260
Allowance for loan losses	$	28,625		$	7,711		$	38,092		$	1,786		$	—	$	76,214

Loans held for investment:
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	$	3,514,083		$	970,266		$	797,942		$	132,858		$	1,601	$	5,416,750

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 economic 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 conditions and the estimated impact of these factors 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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's allowance for loan losses included $727 and $427, respectively, related to loans acquired credit impaired.