Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ Yes ☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge in definitive proxy or in information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.). ☐ Yes ☒ No

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2017, was $1,603,088,900 based upon the last trade price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market® of $26.45.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock as of February 12, 2018, was 92,203,928.

Part III is incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 19, 2018.

The Company has chosen to combine our Annual Report to Shareholders with our Form 10-K. We hope investors find it useful to have all of this information in a single document.

The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to report information in the Form 10-K by “incorporated by reference” from another part of the Form 10-K, or from the proxy statement. You will see that information is “incorporated by reference” in various parts of our Form 10-K.

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report may not be based on historical facts and are “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 may be identified by reference to a future period(s) or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “believe,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “intend,” future or conditional verb tenses, and variations or negatives of such terms. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future growth, revenue, assets, asset quality, profitability and customer service, critical accounting policies, net interest margin, non-interest revenue, market conditions related to the Company’s stock repurchase program, allowance for loan losses, the effect of certain new accounting standards on the Company’s financial statements, income tax deductions, credit quality, the level of credit losses from lending commitments, net interest revenue, interest rate sensitivity, loan loss experience, liquidity, capital resources, market risk, earnings, effect of pending litigation, acquisition strategy, legal and regulatory limitations and compliance and competition.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: changes in the Company’s operating or expansion strategy, the effects of future economic conditions, governmental monetary and fiscal policies, as well as legislative and regulatory changes; the risks of changes in interest rates and their effects on the level and composition of deposits, loan demand and the values of loan collateral, securities and interest sensitive assets and liabilities; the costs of evaluating possible acquisitions and the risks inherent in integrating acquisitions; the effects of competition from other commercial banks, thrifts, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market and other mutual funds and other financial institutions operating in our market area and elsewhere, including institutions operating regionally, nationally and internationally, together with such competitors offering banking products and services by mail, telephone, computer and the Internet; the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for possible loan losses, fair value for covered loans, covered other real estate owned and FDIC indemnification asset; and those factors set forth under Item 1A. Risk-Factors of this report and other cautionary statements set forth elsewhere in this report. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to predict or control. In addition, as a result of these and other factors, our past financial performance should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.

We believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, based on information available to us on the date hereof. However, given the described uncertainties and risks, we cannot guarantee our future performance or results of operations and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and all written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this section.

Simmons First National Corporation (the “Company”) is a financial holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Company is headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas with total assets of $15.1 billion, loans of $10.7 billion, deposits of $11.1 billion and equity capital of $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2017. The Company, through its subsidiary banks - Simmons Bank (lead) and Bank SNB - conducts banking operations through approximately 200 financial centers located in communities throughout Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

We seek to build shareholder value by, among other things, (i) focusing on strong asset quality, (ii) maintaining strong capital (iii) managing our liquidity position, (iv) improving our operational efficiency and (v) opportunistically growing our business, both organically and through acquisitions of financial institutions.

Our lead subsidiary bank, Simmons Bank, is an Arkansas state-chartered bank that has been in operation since 1903. Simmons First Investment Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simmons Bank, is a registered investment advisor and a broker-dealer registered with the SEC and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. Simmons First Insurance Services, Inc. and Simmons First Insurance Services of TN, LLC are also wholly-owned subsidiaries of Simmons Bank and are insurance agencies that offer various lines of insurance coverage.

Our other subsidiary bank, Bank SNB, is an Oklahoma state-chartered bank that was acquired in October 2017 through the Company’s merger with Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (“OKSB”). Bank SNB operates locations in Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and Texas and is expected to merge into Simmons Bank in mid-2018.

Notably, in October 2017, the Company also acquired Southwest Bank, a Texas state-chartered bank, through the Company’s merger with First Texas BHC, Inc. (“First Texas”). Southwest Bank operated locations in Texas and was merged in to Simmons Bank on February 20, 2018.

Our subsidiary banks provide financial services to individuals and businesses throughout the market areas they serve. These banks offer consumer, real estate and commercial loans, checking, savings and time deposits. Simmons Bank and its subsidiaries have also developed through their experience, scale and acquisitions, specialized products and services that are in addition to those offered by the typical community bank. Those products include credit cards, trust and fiduciary services, investments, agricultural finance lending, equipment lending, insurance and small business administration (“SBA”) lending.

Historically, we utilized separately chartered community banks, supported by Simmons Bank, to provide full service banking products and services across our footprint. On March 5, 2014, we announced the planned consolidation of our six smaller subsidiary banks into Simmons Bank, which was completed in August 2014. We made the decision to consolidate in order to effectively meet the increased regulatory burden facing banks, to reduce certain operating costs, and to more efficiently perform operational duties. After the charter consolidation and the 2015 mergers discussed below, Simmons Bank has operated using a three-region structure. Below is a listing of those regions:

With the mergers of OKSB, First Texas, and Southwest Bank discussed above, and after the mid-2018 merger of Bank SNB into Simmons Bank, Simmons Bank plans to revise its regions into the following divisions:

Over the past 28 years, as we have expanded our markets and services, our growth strategy has evolved and diversified. We have used varying acquisition and internal branching methods to enter key growth markets and increase the size of our footprint.

Since 1990 we have completed 16 whole bank acquisitions, 1 trust company, 5 bank branch deals, 1 bankruptcy (363) acquisition, 4 FDIC failed bank acquisitions and 4 Resolution Trust Corporation failed thrift acquisitions.

In December 2009, we completed a secondary stock offering by issuing a total of 6,095,000 shares (split adjusted) of common stock, including the over-allotment, at a price of $12.25 per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The net proceeds of the offering after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses were approximately $70.5 million. The additional capital positioned us to take advantage of unprecedented acquisition opportunities through FDIC-assisted transactions of failed banks.

In 2010, we expanded outside the borders of Arkansas by acquiring two failed institutions through FDIC-assisted transactions. The first was a $100 million failed bank located in Springfield, Missouri, and the second was a $400 million failed thrift located in Olathe, Kansas. On both transactions, we entered into a loss share agreement with the FDIC, which provided significant protection of 80% of covered assets.

In 2012, we acquired two additional failed institutions through FDIC-assisted transactions. The first was a $300 million failed bank located in St. Louis, Missouri, and the second was a $200 million failed bank located in Sedalia, Missouri. On both transactions, we again entered into a loss share agreement with the FDIC that provided 80% protection of a significant portion of the assets.

In 2013, we completed the acquisition of Metropolitan National Bank (“Metropolitan” or “MNB”) from Rogers Bancshares, Inc. (“RBI”). The purchase was completed through an auction of the MNB stock by the U. S. Bankruptcy Court as a part of the Chapter 11 proceeding of RBI. MNB, which was headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas, served central and northwest Arkansas and had total assets of $950 million. Upon completion of the acquisition, MNB and our Rogers, Arkansas chartered bank, Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas were merged into Simmons Bank. As an in-market acquisition, MNB had significant branch overlap with our existing branch footprint. We completed the systems conversion for MNB in March 2014 and simultaneously closed 27 branch locations that had overlapping footprints with other locations.

On August 31, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Delta Trust & Banking Corporation (“Delta Trust”), including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Delta Trust & Bank. Also headquartered in Little Rock, Delta Trust had total assets of $420 million. The acquisition further expanded Simmons Bank's presence in south, central and northwest Arkansas and allowed us the opportunity to provide services that had not previously been offered with the addition of Delta Trust's insurance agency and securities brokerage service. We merged Delta Trust & Bank into Simmons Bank and completed the systems conversion in October 2014. At that time, we also closed 4 branch locations with overlapping footprints.

On February 27, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Liberty Bancshares, Inc. (“Liberty”), including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Liberty Bank. Liberty was headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, served southwest Missouri and had total assets of $1.1 billion. The acquisition further enhanced Simmons Bank's presence not only in southwest Missouri but also in the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas. The acquisition also allowed us the opportunity to provide services that had not previously been offered in these areas such as trust and securities brokerage services. In addition, Liberty’s expertise in Small Business lending enhanced our commercial offerings throughout our geographies. We merged Liberty Bank into Simmons Bank and completed the systems conversion in April 2015.

Also on February 27, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Community First Bancshares, Inc. (“Community First”), including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, First State Bank. Community First was headquartered in Union City, Tennessee, served customers through Tennessee and had total assets of $1.9 billion. The acquisition expanded our footprint into Tennessee and allowed us the opportunity to provide additional services to customers in this area and expand our community banking strategy. In addition, Community First’s expertise in Small Business and consumer lending benefited our customers across each region. We merged First State Bank into Simmons Bank and completed the systems conversion in September 2015.

In September 2015, we entered into an agreement with the FDIC to terminate all loss share agreements which were entered into in 2010 and 2012 in conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets (“covered assets”) and assumption of substantially all of the liabilities of four failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions. Under the early termination, all rights and obligations of the Company and the FDIC under the FDIC loss share agreements, including the clawback provisions and the settlement of loss share and expense reimbursement claims, have been resolved and terminated.

Under the terms of the agreement, the FDIC made a net payment of $2,368,000 to Simmons Bank as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements. The early termination was recorded in the Company’s financial statements by removing the FDIC indemnification asset, receivable from FDIC, the FDIC true-up liability and recording a one-time, pre-tax charge of $7,476,000. As a result, the Company reclassified loans previously covered by FDIC loss share to loans acquired, not covered by FDIC loss share. Foreclosed assets previously covered by FDIC loss share were reclassified to foreclosed assets not covered by FDIC loss share.

On October 29, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Ozark Trust & Investment Corporation (“Ozark Trust”), including its wholly-owned non-deposit trust company, Trust Company of the Ozarks. Headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, Ozark Trust had over $1 billion in assets under management and provided a wide range of financial services for its clients including investment management, trust services, IRA rollover or transfers, successor trustee services, personal representatives and custodial services. As our first acquisition of a fee-only financial firm, Ozark Trust provided a new wealth management capability that can be leveraged across the Company’s entire geographic footprint.

On September 9, 2016, we completed the acquisition of Citizens National Bank (“Citizens”), headquartered in Athens, Tennessee. Citizens had total assets of $585.2 million and strengthened our position in east Tennessee by nine branches. The acquisition expanded our footprint in east Tennessee and allowed us the opportunity to provide additional services to customers in this area and expand our community banking strategy. We merged Citizens into Simmons Bank and completed the systems conversion in October 2016.

On May 15, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Hardeman County Investment Company, Inc. (“Hardeman”), headquartered in Jackson Tennessee, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, First South Bank. We acquired approximately $462.9 million in assets and strengthened our position in the western Tennessee market. We merged First South Bank into Simmons Bank and completed the systems conversion in September 2017. As part of the systems conversion, we consolidated or closed three existing Simmons Bank and two First South Bank branches due to overlapping footprint.

On October 19, 2017, we completed the acquisition of First Texas BHC, Inc. (“First Texas”), headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Southwest Bank. Southwest Bank had total assets of $2.4 billion. This acquisition allowed us to enter the Texas banking markets, and it also strengthened our specialty product offerings in the areas of SBA lending and trust services. The systems conversion was completed on February 20, 2018, at which time Southwest Bank was merged into Simmons Bank.

Also on October 19, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (“OKSB”), including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Bank SNB. Headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, OKSB provided us with $2.7 billion in assets, allowed us additional entry into the Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado banking markets, and strengthened our Kansas franchise and our product offerings in the healthcare and real estate industries. The systems conversion is planned during the first half of 2018, at which time Bank SNB will be merged into Simmons Bank.

Merger and Acquisition activities are an important part of the Company’s growth strategy. We intend to focus our near-term acquisition strategy on traditional acquisitions. We continue to believe that the current economic conditions combined with a more restrictive bank regulatory environment will cause many financial institutions to seek merger partners in the near-to-intermediate future. We also believe our community banking philosophy, access to capital and successful acquisition history position us as a purchaser of choice for community banks seeking a strong partner.

We expect that our target areas for acquisitions will continue to be banks operating in growth markets within the existing footprint of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas markets. In addition, we will pursue opportunities with financial service companies with specialty lines of business and branch acquisitions within the existing markets as and when they arise.

As consolidations continue to unfold in the banking industry, the management of risk is an important consideration in how the Company evaluates and consummates those transactions. The senior management teams of both our parent company and bank have had extensive experience during the past twenty-eight years in acquiring banks, branches and deposits and post-acquisition integration of operations. We believe this experience positions us to successfully acquire and integrate banks.

The process of merging or acquiring two banking organizations is extremely complex; it requires a great deal of time and effort from both buyer and seller. The business, legal, operational, organizational, accounting, and tax issues all must be addressed if the merger or acquisition is to be successful. Throughout the process, valuation is an important input to the decision-making process, from initial target analysis through integration of the entities. Merger and acquisition strategies are vitally important in order to derive the maximum benefit out of a potential deal.

Strategic reasons with respect to negotiated community bank acquisitions include, among other things:

As part of our ongoing risk assessment and analysis, the Company utilizes credit policies and procedures, internal credit expertise and several internal layers of review. The internal layers of ongoing review include Division Presidents, Divisional Senior Credit Officers, the Chief Credit Officer, Divisional Loan Committees, a Senior Loan Committee, and a Directors’ Credit Committee. Additionally, the Company has an Asset Quality Review Committee comprised of management that meets quarterly to review the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The Committee reviews the status of past due, non-performing and other impaired loans, reserve ratios, and additional performance indicators for Simmons Bank. The appropriateness of the allowance for loan losses is determined based upon the aforementioned performance factors, and provision adjustments are made accordingly.

The Board of Directors reviews the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses on a periodic basis giving consideration to past due loans, non-performing loans, other impaired loans, and current economic conditions. Our loan review department monitors loan information monthly. In order to verify the accuracy of the monthly analysis of the allowance for loan losses, the loan review department performs a detailed review of each loan product on an annual basis or more often if warranted. Additionally, we have instituted a Special Asset Committee for the purpose of reviewing criticized loans in regard to collateral adequacy, workout strategies and proper reserve allocations.

There is significant competition among commercial banks in our various market areas. In addition, we also compete with other providers of financial services, such as savings and loan associations, credit unions, finance companies, securities firms, insurance companies, full service brokerage firms and discount brokerage firms. Some of our competitors have greater resources and, as such, may have higher lending limits and may offer other services that we do not provide. We generally compete on the basis of customer service and responsiveness to customer needs, available loan and deposit products, the rates of interest charged on loans, the rates of interest paid for funds, and the availability and pricing of trust and brokerage services.

Our principal executive offices are located at 501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601, and our telephone number is (870) 541-1000. We also have corporate offices in Little Rock, Arkansas. We maintain a website at http://www.simmonsbank.com. On this website under the section “Investor Relations”, we make our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available free of charge, along with other Company news and announcements.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company and its subsidiaries had approximately 2,640 full time equivalent employees. None of the employees is represented by any union or similar groups, and we have not experienced any labor disputes or strikes arising from any such organized labor groups. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.

The Company, as a bank holding company, is subject to both federal and state regulation. Under federal law, a bank holding company generally must obtain approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”) before acquiring ownership or control of the assets or stock of a bank or a bank holding company. Prior to approval of any proposed acquisition, the FRB will review the effect on competition of the proposed acquisition, as well as other regulatory issues.

The federal law generally prohibits a bank holding company from directly or indirectly engaging in non-banking activities. This prohibition does not include loan servicing, liquidating activities or other activities so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. Bank holding companies, including Simmons First National Corporation, which have elected to qualify as financial holding companies, are authorized to engage in financial activities. Financial activities include any activity that is financial in nature or any activity that is incidental or complimentary to a financial activity.

As a financial holding company, we are required to file with the FRB an annual report and such additional information as may be required by law. From time to time, the FRB examines the financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries. The FRB, through civil and criminal sanctions, is authorized to exercise enforcement powers over bank holding companies (including financial holding companies) and non-banking subsidiaries, to limit activities that represent unsafe or unsound practices or constitute violations of law.

We are subject to certain laws and regulations of the state of Arkansas applicable to financial and bank holding companies, including examination and supervision by the Arkansas Bank Commissioner. Under Arkansas law, a financial or bank holding company is prohibited from owning more than one subsidiary bank, if any subsidiary bank owned by the holding company has been chartered for less than five years and, further, requires the approval of the Arkansas Bank Commissioner for any acquisition of more than 25% of the capital stock of any other bank located in Arkansas. No bank acquisition may be approved if, after such acquisition, the holding company would control, directly or indirectly, banks having 25% of the total bank deposits in the state of Arkansas, excluding deposits of other banks and public funds.

Federal legislation allows bank holding companies (including financial holding companies) from any state to acquire banks located in any state without regard to state law, provided that the holding company (1) is adequately capitalized, (2) is adequately managed, (3) would not control more than 10% of the insured deposits in the United States or more than 30% of the insured deposits in such state, and (4) such bank has been in existence at least five years if so required by the applicable state law.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company realigned the regulatory oversight for its affiliate banks in order to create efficiencies through regulatory standardization. We operated as a multi-bank holding company and over the years, have acquired several banks. In accordance with the corporate strategy, in place at that time, of leaving the bank structure unchanged, each acquired bank stayed intact as did its regulatory structure. As a result, the Company’s eight affiliate banks were regulated by the Arkansas State Bank Department, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC, and/or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”).

Following the regulatory realignment, Simmons First National Bank remained a national bank regulated by the OCC while the other affiliate banks became state member banks with the Arkansas State Bank Department as their primary regulator and the Federal Reserve as their federal regulator. Because of the overlap in footprint, during the fourth quarter of 2013 we merged Simmons First Bank of Northwest Arkansas into Simmons First National Bank in conjunction with our acquisition of Metropolitan, reducing the number of affiliate state member banks to six. During 2014 we consolidated six of our smaller subsidiary banks into Simmons First National Bank. After the subsidiary banks were merged into Simmons First National Bank, the OCC remained Simmons First National Bank’s primary regulator.

In January 2016 the bank’s board of directors approved a recommendation to convert from a national bank charter to a state bank charter. Effective April 1, 2016, the Bank converted from a national banking association to an Arkansas state-chartered bank. The Bank’s name changed to Simmons Bank. Simmons Bank is a member of the Federal Reserve System through the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The charter conversion was a strategic undertaking that we believe will enhance our operations in the long term.

The lending powers of each of the subsidiary banks are generally subject to certain restrictions, including the amount which may be lent to a single borrower. All of our subsidiary banks are members of the FDIC, which provides insurance on deposits of each member bank up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund. For this protection, each bank pays a statutory assessment to the FDIC each year.

Federal law substantially restricts transactions between banks and their affiliates. As a result, our subsidiary banks are limited in making extensions of credit to the Company, investing in the stock or other securities of the Company and engaging in other financial transactions with the Company. Those transactions that are permitted must generally be undertaken on terms at least as favorable to the bank as those prevailing in comparable transactions with independent third parties.

Enforcement proceedings seeking civil or criminal sanctions may be instituted against any bank, any financial or bank holding company, any director, officer, employee or agent of the bank or holding company, which is believed by the federal banking agencies to be violating any administrative pronouncement or engaged in unsafe and unsound practices. In addition, the FDIC may terminate the insurance of accounts, upon determination that the insured institution has engaged in certain wrongful conduct or is in an unsound condition to continue operations.

Since 1993, banking organizations (including financial holding companies, bank holding companies and banks) were required to meet a minimum ratio of Total Capital to Total Risk-Weighted Assets of 8%, of which at least 4% must be in the form of Tier 1 Capital. A well-capitalized institution was one that had at least a 10% “total risk-based capital” ratio.

Effective January 1, 2015, the Company and its subsidiary banks became subject to new capital regulations (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) adopted by the Federal Reserve in July 2013 establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. Banks. The Basel III Capital Rules substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions compared to the previous U.S. risk-based capital rules. Full compliance with all of the final rule’s requirements will be phased in over a multi-year schedule. For a tabular summary of our risk-weighted capital ratios, see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Capital” and Note 21, Undivided Profits, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The final rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets (CET1) ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. CET1 generally consists of common stock; retained earnings; accumulated other comprehensive income and certain minority interests; all subject to applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions. The Company and its subsidiary banks must hold a capital conservation buffer composed of CET1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016, at the 0.625% level and will phase in over a four-year period (increasing by that amount on each subsequent January 1 until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019).

A banking organization's qualifying total capital consists of two components: Tier 1 Capital and Tier 2 Capital. Tier 1 Capital is an amount equal to the sum of common shareholders' equity, hybrid capital instruments (instruments with characteristics of debt and equity) in an amount up to 25% of Tier 1 Capital, certain preferred stock and the minority interest in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries. For bank holding companies and financial holding companies, goodwill (net of any deferred tax liability associated with that goodwill) may not be included in Tier 1 Capital. Identifiable intangible assets may be included in Tier 1 Capital for banking organizations, in accordance with certain further requirements. At least 50% of the banking organization's total regulatory capital must consist of Tier 1 Capital.

Tier 2 Capital is an amount equal to the sum of the qualifying portion of the allowance for loan losses, certain preferred stock not included in Tier 1, hybrid capital instruments (instruments with characteristics of debt and equity), certain long-term debt securities and eligible term subordinated debt, in an amount up to 50% of Tier 1 Capital. The eligibility of these items for inclusion as Tier 2 Capital is subject to certain additional requirements and limitations of the federal banking agencies.

The Basel III Capital Rules expanded the risk-weighting categories from the previous four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories, including many residential mortgages and certain commercial real estate.

Under the new capital regulations, the minimum capital ratios are: (1) a CET1 capital ratio of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets; (2) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% of risk-weighted assets; (3) a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% of risk-weighted assets; and (4) a leverage ratio (the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average total adjusted assets) of 4.0%. The FDIC's prompt corrective action standards changed when these new capital regulations became effective. Under the new standards, in order to be considered well-capitalized, the bank must have a ratio of CET1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.5% (new), a ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 8% (increased from 6%), a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 10% (unchanged), and a leverage ratio of 5% (unchanged); and in order to be considered adequately capitalized, it must have the minimum capital ratios described above.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (“FDICIA”), enacted in 1991, requires the FDIC to increase assessment rates for insured banks and authorizes one or more “special assessments,” as necessary for the repayment of funds borrowed by the FDIC or any other necessary purpose. As directed in FDICIA, the FDIC has adopted a transitional risk-based assessment system, under which the assessment rate for insured banks will vary according to the level of risk incurred in the bank's activities. The risk category and risk-based assessment for a bank is determined from its classification, pursuant to the regulation, as well capitalized, adequately capitalized or undercapitalized.

FDICIA substantially revised the bank regulatory provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and other federal banking statutes, requiring federal banking agencies to establish capital measures and classifications. Pursuant to the regulations issued under FDICIA, a depository institution will be deemed to be well capitalized if it significantly exceeds the minimum level required for each relevant capital measure; adequately capitalized if it meets each such measure; undercapitalized if it fails to meet any such measure; significantly undercapitalized if it is significantly below any such measure; and critically undercapitalized if it fails to meet any critical capital level set forth in regulations. The federal banking agencies must promptly mandate corrective actions by banks that fail to meet the capital and related requirements in order to minimize losses to the FDIC. At their most recent regulatory examinations, the Company’s subsidiary banks were determined to be well capitalized under these regulations.

The federal banking agencies are required by FDICIA to prescribe standards for banks and bank holding companies (including financial holding companies) relating to operations and management, asset quality, earnings, stock valuation and compensation. A bank or bank holding company that fails to comply with such standards will be required to submit a plan designed to achieve compliance. If no plan is submitted or the plan is not implemented, the bank or holding company would become subject to additional regulatory action or enforcement proceedings.

A variety of other provisions included in FDICIA may affect the operations of the Company and the subsidiary banks, including new reporting requirements, revised regulatory standards for real estate lending, “truth in savings” provisions, and the requirement that a depository institution give 90 days prior notice to customers and regulatory authorities before closing any branch.

On July 21, 2010, the President signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”), which significantly changes the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act includes provisions affecting large and small financial institutions alike, including several provisions that profoundly affect how community banks, thrifts, and small bank and thrift holding companies are regulated. Among other things, these provisions abolish the Office of Thrift Supervision and transfer its functions to the other federal banking agencies, relax rules regarding interstate branching, allow financial institutions to pay interest on business checking accounts, and impose new capital requirements on bank and thrift holding companies.

The Dodd-Frank Act also established the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (the “CFPB”) as an independent entity within the Federal Reserve, which will be given the authority to promulgate consumer protection regulations applicable to all entities offering consumer financial services or products, including banks. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act includes a series of provisions covering mortgage loan origination standards affecting, among other things, originator compensation, minimum repayment standards, and pre-payment penalties. The Dodd-Frank Act contains numerous other provisions affecting financial institutions of all types, many of which have an impact on our operating environment, including among other things, our regulatory compliance costs.

Our customer deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) up to $250,000 per separately insured depositor.

The Dodd-Frank Act changed how the FDIC calculates deposit insurance premiums payable by insured depository institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act directed the FDIC to amend its assessment regulations so that assessments are generally based upon a depository institution’s average total consolidated assets minus the average tangible equity of the insured depository institution during the assessment period, whereas assessments were previously based on the amount of an institution’s insured deposits.

The minimum deposit insurance fund rate will increase from 1.15% to 1.35% by September 30, 2020, and the cost of the increase will be borne by depository institutions with assets of $10 billion or more. As of the date of this filing, our lead bank subsidiary, Simmons Bank, exceeds $10 billion in total assets, and it is, therefore, subject to the assessment rates assigned to larger banks, which may result in higher deposit insurance premiums. The FDIC adopted a final rule on February 7, 2011 that implemented these provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.

On April 26, 2016, the FDIC approved a final rule to improve the deposit insurance assessment system for the established small insured depository institutions and the rule became effective on July 1, 2016. This final rule determines assessment rates using financial measures and supervisory ratings derived from a statistical model estimating the probability of failure over three years. The final rule eliminates risk categories, but establishes minimum and maximum assessment rates based on regulatory composite ratings.

In addition, the final rule maintains the range of initial assessment rates that apply once the Deposit Insurance Fund reaches 1.15% and as such initial deposit insurance assessment rates fall once the reserve ratio reaches that threshold. The reserve ratio reached 1.15% as of September 30, 2016.

Because of concerns relating to competitiveness and the safety and soundness of the banking industry, Congress often considers a number of wide-ranging proposals for altering the structure, regulation, and competitive relationships of the nation’s financial institutions. We cannot predict whether or in what form any proposals will be adopted or the extent to which our business may be affected.

During 2017, through internal growth and through acquisitions, the assets of the Company exceeded the $10 billion threshold.

The Dodd-Frank Act and associated Federal Reserve regulations cap the interchange rate on debit card transactions that can be charged by banks that, together with their affiliates, have at least $10 billion in assets at $0.21 per transaction plus five basis points multiplied by the value of the transaction. The cap goes into effect July 1^st of the year following the year in which a bank reaches the $10 billion asset threshold. Simmons Bank, when viewed together with its affiliates, had assets in excess of $10 billion at December 31, 2017, and therefore, will be subject to the interchange rate cap effective July 1, 2018. Because of the cap, Simmons Bank estimates that it will receive approximately $4.7 million less in debit card fees on an after-taxis basis in 2018 and $9.4 million less on an after-tax basis in 2019.

The Dodd-Frank Act also requires banks and bank holding companies with more than $10 billion in assets to conduct annual stress tests. In anticipation of becoming subject to this requirement, the Company and Simmons Bank have begun the necessary preparations, including undertaking a gap analysis, implementing enhancements to the audit and compliance departments, and investing in various information technology systems. However, the Company believes that significant, additional expenditures will be required in order to fully comply with the stress testing requirements. The Company and Simmons Bank are expected to report the first stress test in July 2019 for the fiscal year 2018.

Additionally, as noted above, the Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB and granted it supervisory authority over banks with total assets of more than $10 billion. Simmons Bank, with assets now exceeding $10 billion, will become subject to CFPB oversight with respect to its compliance with federal consumer financial laws. Simmons Bank will continue to be subject to the oversight of its other regulators with respect to matters outside the scope of the CFPB’s jurisdiction. While the CFPB has broad rule-making, supervisory and examination authority, as well as expanded data collecting and enforcement powers, its ultimate impact on the operations of Simmons Bank remains uncertain.

Our business may be adversely affected by conditions in the financial markets and general economic conditions.

Changes in economic conditions could cause the values of assets and liabilities recorded in the financial statements to change rapidly, resulting in material future adjustments in asset values, the allowance for loan losses, or capital that could negatively impact the Company's ability to meet regulatory capital requirements and maintain sufficient liquidity.

The previous economic downturn elevated unemployment levels and negatively impacted consumer confidence. It also had a detrimental impact on industry-wide performance nationally as well as the Company's market areas. Since 2013, improvement in several economic indicators have been noted, including increasing consumer confidence levels, increased economic activity and a continued decline in unemployment levels.

Market conditions have also led to the failure or merger of a number of prominent financial institutions. Financial institution failures or near-failures have resulted in further losses as a consequence of defaults on securities issued by them and defaults under contracts entered into with such entities as counterparties. Furthermore, declining asset values, defaults on mortgages and consumer loans, and the lack of market and investor confidence, as well as other factors, have all combined to increase credit default swap spreads, to cause rating agencies to lower credit ratings, and to otherwise increase the cost and decrease the availability of liquidity, despite very significant declines in Federal Reserve borrowing rates and other government actions. Some banks and other lenders have suffered significant losses and have become reluctant to lend, even on a secured basis, due to the increased risk of default and the impact of declining asset values on the value of collateral. The foregoing has significantly weakened the strength and liquidity of some financial institutions worldwide.

The Company’s financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, is highly dependent upon the business environment in the states where we operate, and in the United States as a whole. A favorable business environment is generally characterized by, among other factors, economic growth, efficient capital markets, low inflation, high business and investor confidence and strong business earnings. Unfavorable or uncertain economic and market conditions can be caused by: declines in economic growth, business activity or investor or business confidence; limitations on the availability or increases in the cost of credit and capital; increases in inflation or interest rates; natural disasters; or a combination of these or other factors.

The business environment in the states where we operate could deteriorate and adversely affect the credit quality of our loans and our results of operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance that business and economic conditions will remain stable in the near term.

Financial legislative and regulatory initiatives could adversely affect the results of our operations.

In response to the financial crisis affecting the banking system and financial markets, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted in 2010, as well as several programs that have been initiated by the U.S. Treasury, the FRB, and the FDIC.

Some of the provisions of legislation and regulation that can adversely impact the Company include: the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Act which mandates a limit to debit card interchange fees and Regulation E amendments to the EFTA regarding overdraft fees. These provisions can limit the type of products we offer, the methods by which we offer them, and the prices at which they are offered. These provisions can also increase our costs in offering these products.

The CFPB has unprecedented authority over the regulation of consumer financial products and services. The CFPB has broad rule-making, supervisory and examination authority, as well as expanded data collecting and enforcement powers. The scope and impact of the CFPB's actions cannot be fully determined at this time, which creates significant uncertainty for the Company and the financial services industry in general.

These laws, regulations, and changes can increase our costs of regulatory compliance. They also can significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the markets for and value of our investments, and our ongoing operations, costs, and profitability. The ultimate impact of the many provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislative and regulatory initiatives on the Company's business and results of operations will depend upon the continued development of regulatory interpretation and rulemaking. As a result, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act or of other future legislation or regulation, including the extent to which it could increase costs or limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The financial markets have experienced significant volatility over the past several years. In some cases, the financial markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and credit availability for certain issuers without regard to those issuers’ underlying financial strength. If financial market volatility worsens, or if there are more disruptions in the financial markets, including disruptions to the United States or international banking systems, there can be no assurance that we will not experience an adverse effect, which may be material, on our ability to access capital and on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our concentration of banking activities in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, including our real estate loan portfolio, makes us more vulnerable to adverse conditions in the particular local markets in which we operate.

Our subsidiary banks operate primarily within the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, where the majority of the buildings and properties securing our loans and the businesses of our customers are located. Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are subject to changes in the economic conditions in these seven states, the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and the value of the collateral securing such loans. We largely depend on the continued growth and stability of the communities we serve for our continued success. Declines in the economies of these communities or the states, in general could adversely affect our ability to generate new loans or to receive repayments of existing loans, and our ability to attract new deposits, thus adversely affecting our net income, profitability and financial condition.

The ability of our borrowers to repay their loans could also be adversely impacted by the significant changes in market conditions in the region or by changes in local real estate markets, including deflationary effects on collateral value caused by property foreclosures. This could result in an increase in our charge-offs and provision for loan losses. Either of these events would have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

A significant decline in general economic conditions caused by inflation, recession, unemployment, acts of terrorism or other factors beyond our control could also have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, because multi-family and commercial real estate loans represent the majority of our real estate loans outstanding, a decline in tenant occupancy due to such factors or for other reasons could adversely impact the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans on a timely basis, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations.

Deteriorating credit quality, particularly in our credit card portfolio, may adversely impact us.

We have a significant consumer credit card portfolio. Although we experienced a decreased amount of net charge-offs in our credit card portfolio in recent years, the amount of net charge-offs could worsen. While we continue to experience a better performance with respect to net charge-offs than the national average in our credit card portfolio, our net charge-offs were 1.61% and 1.28% of our average outstanding credit card balances for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Future downturns in the economy could adversely affect consumers in a more delayed fashion compared to commercial businesses in general. Increasing unemployment and diminished asset values may prevent our credit card customers from repaying their credit card balances which could result in an increased amount of our net charge-offs that could have a material adverse effect on our unsecured credit card portfolio.

Changes to consumer protection laws may impede our origination or collection efforts with respect to credit card accounts, change account holder use patterns or reduce collections, any of which may result in decreased profitability of our credit card portfolio.

Credit card receivables that do not comply with consumer protection laws may not be valid or enforceable under their terms against the obligors of those credit card receivables. Federal and state consumer protection laws regulate the creation and enforcement of consumer loans, including credit card receivables. For instance, the federal Truth in Lending Act was amended by the “Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009,” or the “Credit CARD Act,” which, among other things:

As a result of the Credit CARD Act and other consumer protection laws and regulations, it may be more difficult for us to originate additional credit card accounts or to collect payments on credit card receivables, and the finance charges and other fees that we can charge on credit card account balances may be reduced. Furthermore, account holders may choose to use credit cards less as a result of these consumer protection laws. Each of these results, independently or collectively, could reduce the effective yield on revolving credit card accounts and could result in decreased profitability of our credit card portfolio.

Our growth and expansion strategy may not be successful, and our market value and profitability may suffer.

We have historically employed, as important parts of our business strategy, growth through acquisition of banks and, to a lesser extent, through branch acquisitions and de novo branching. Any future acquisitions in which we might engage will be accompanied by the risks commonly encountered in acquisitions. These risks include, among other risks:

In addition to pursuing the acquisition of existing viable financial institutions as opportunities arise we may also continue to engage in de novo branching to further our growth strategy. De novo branching and growing through acquisition involve numerous risks, including the following:

We expect that competition for suitable acquisition candidates will be significant. We may compete with other banks or financial service companies that are seeking to acquire our acquisition candidates, many of which are larger competitors and have greater financial and other resources. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully identify and acquire suitable acquisition targets on acceptable terms and conditions. Further, we cannot assure you that we will be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with acquisitions and de novo branching. Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business and growth strategy and maintain or increase our market value and profitability.

Our recent results do not indicate our future results and may not provide guidance to assess the risk of an investment in our common stock.

We may not be able to sustain our historical rate of growth or be able to expand our business. Various factors, such as economic conditions, regulatory and legislative considerations and competition, may also impede or prohibit our ability to expand our market presence. We may also be unable to identify advantageous acquisition opportunities or, once identified, enter into transactions to make such acquisitions. If we are not able to successfully grow our business, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our cost of funds may increase as a result of general economic conditions, interest rates and competitive pressures.

Our cost of funds may increase as a result of general economic conditions, fluctuations in interest rates and competitive pressures. We have traditionally obtained funds principally through local deposits as we have a base of lower cost transaction deposits. Our costs of funds and our profitability and liquidity are likely to be adversely affected, if we have to rely upon higher cost borrowings from other institutional lenders or brokers to fund loan demand or liquidity needs. Also, changes in our deposit mix and growth could adversely affect our profitability and the ability to expand our loan portfolio.

We may not be able to raise the additional capital we need to grow and, as a result, our ability to expand our operations could be materially impaired.

Federal and state regulatory authorities require us and our subsidiary banks to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. Many circumstances could require us to seek additional capital, such as:

Our ability to raise additional capital will largely depend on our financial performance, and on conditions in the capital markets which are outside our control. If we need additional capital but cannot raise it on terms acceptable to us, our ability to expand our operations or to engage in acquisitions could be materially impaired.

Accounting standards periodically change and the application of our accounting policies and methods may require management to make estimates about matters that are uncertain.

The regulatory bodies that establish accounting standards, including, among others, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the SEC, periodically revise or issue new financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The effect of such revised or new standards on our financial statements can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, our management must exercise judgment in appropriately applying many of our accounting policies and methods so they comply with generally accepted accounting principles. In some cases, management may have to select a particular accounting policy or method from two or more alternatives. In some cases, the accounting policy or method chosen might be reasonable under the circumstances and yet might result in our reporting materially different amounts than would have been reported if we had selected a different policy or method. Accounting policies are critical to fairly presenting our financial condition and results of operations and may require management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments about matters that are uncertain.

The Federal Reserve Board’s source of strength doctrine could require that we divert capital to our subsidiary banks instead of applying available capital towards planned uses, such as engaging in acquisitions or paying dividends to shareholders.

The FRB’s policies and regulations require that a bank holding company, including a financial holding company, serve as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks, and further provide that a bank holding company may not conduct operations in an unsafe or unsound manner. It is the FRB’s policy that a bank holding company should stand ready to use available resources to provide adequate capital to its subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity, such as during periods of significant loan losses, and that such holding company should maintain the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks if such a need were to arise.

A bank holding company’s failure to meet its obligations to serve as a source of strength to its subsidiary banks will generally be considered an unsafe and unsound banking practice or a violation of the FRB’s regulations, or both. Accordingly, if the financial condition of our subsidiary banks were to deteriorate, we could be compelled to provide financial support to our subsidiary banks at a time when, absent such FRB policy, we may not deem it advisable to provide such assistance. Under such circumstances, there is a possibility that we may not either have adequate available capital or feel sufficiently confident regarding our financial condition, to enter into acquisitions, pay dividends, or engage in other corporate activities.

We may incur environmental liabilities with respect to properties to which we take title.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. In the course of our business, we may own or foreclose and take title to real estate and could become subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties. We may become responsible to a governmental agency or third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by those parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean-up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with environmental investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. If we were to become subject to significant environmental liabilities, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our management has broad discretion over the use of proceeds from future stock offerings.

Although we generally indicate our intent to use the proceeds from stock offerings for general corporate purposes, including funding internal growth and selected future acquisitions, our Board of Directors retains significant discretion with respect to the use of the proceeds from possible future offerings. If we use the funds to acquire other businesses, there can be no assurance that any business we acquire will be successfully integrated into our operations or otherwise perform as expected.

Our business is heavily reliant on information technology systems, facilities, and processes; and a disruption in those systems, facilities, and processes, or a breach, including cyber-attacks, in the security of our systems, could have significant, negative impact on our business, result in the disclosure of confidential information, damage our reputation and create significant financial and legal exposure for us.

Our businesses are dependent on our ability and the ability of our third party service providers to process, record and monitor a large number of transactions. If the financial, accounting, data processing or other operating systems and facilities fail to operate properly, become disabled, experience security breaches or have other significant shortcomings, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Although we and our third party service providers devote significant resources to maintain and regularly upgrade our systems and processes that are designed to protect the security of computer systems, software, networks and other technology assets and the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information belonging to us and our customers, there is no assurance that our security systems and those of our third party service providers will provide absolute security. Financial services institutions and companies engaged in data processing have reported breaches in the security of their websites or other systems, some of which have involved sophisticated and targeted attacks intended to obtain unauthorized access to confidential information, destroy data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems, often through the introduction of computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks and other means. Certain financial institutions in the United States have also experienced attacks from technically sophisticated and well-resourced third parties that were intended to disrupt normal business activities by making internet banking systems inaccessible to customers for extended periods. These “denial-of-service” attacks have not breached our data security systems, but require substantial resources to defend, and may affect customer satisfaction and behavior.

Despite our efforts and those of our third party service providers to ensure the integrity of our systems, it is possible that we may not be able to anticipate or to implement effective preventive measures against all security breaches of these types, especially because the techniques used change frequently or are not recognized until launched, and because security attacks can originate from a wide variety of sources, including persons who are involved with organized crime or associated with external service providers or who may be linked to terrorist organizations or hostile foreign governments. Those parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees, customers or other users of our systems to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or that of our customers or clients. These risks may increase in the future as we continue to increase our mobile payments and other internet based product offerings and expand our internal usage of web-based products and applications. If our security systems were penetrated or circumvented, it could cause serious negative consequences for us, including significant disruption of our operations, misappropriation of our confidential information or that of our customers, or damage our computers or systems and those of our customers and counterparties, and could result in violations of applicable privacy and other laws, financial loss to us or to our customers, loss of confidence in our security measures, customer dissatisfaction, significant litigation exposure, and harm to our reputation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

The holders of our subordinated debentures have rights that are senior to those of our shareholders. If we defer payments of interest on our outstanding subordinated debentures or if certain defaults relating to those debentures occur, we will be prohibited from declaring or paying dividends or distributions on, and from making liquidation payments with respect to our common stock.

We have subordinated debentures issued in connection with trust preferred securities. Payments of the principal and interest on the trust preferred securities are unconditionally guaranteed by us. The subordinated debentures are senior to our shares of common stock. As a result, we must make payments on the subordinated debentures (and the related trust preferred securities) before any dividends can be paid on our common stock and, in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or liquidation, the holders of the debentures must be satisfied before any distributions can be made to the holders of our common stock. We have the right to defer distributions on the subordinated debentures (and the related trust preferred securities) for up to five years, during which time no dividends may be paid to holders of our capital stock. If we elect to defer or if we default with respect to our obligations to make payments on these subordinated debentures, this would likely have a material adverse effect on the market value of our common stock. Moreover, without notice to or consent from the holders of our common stock, we may issue additional series of subordinated debt securities in the future with terms similar to those of our existing subordinated debt securities or enter into other financing agreements that limit our ability to purchase or to pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock.

We cannot assure you of our ability to continue to pay dividends. Our ability to pay dividends depends on the following factors, among others:

If we fail to pay dividends, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock may be the sole opportunity for gains on an investment in our common stock. In addition, in the event our subsidiary banks become unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service our debt or pay our other obligations or pay dividends on our common stock. Accordingly, our inability to receive dividends from our subsidiary banks could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and the value of your investment in our common stock.

There may be future sales of additional common stock or preferred stock or other dilution of our equity, which may adversely affect the value of our common stock.

We are not restricted from issuing additional common stock or preferred stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock or preferred stock or any substantially similar securities. The value of our common stock could decline as a result of sales by us of a large number of shares of common stock or preferred stock or similar securities in the market or the perception that such sales could occur.

Provisions of our articles of incorporation and by-laws and federal banking laws, including regulatory approval requirements, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be perceived to be beneficial to our shareholders. The combination of these provisions effectively inhibits a non-negotiated merger or other business combination, which, in turn, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for holders of our common stock to elect directors other than the candidates nominated by our Board of Directors.

The principal offices of the Company and of Simmons Bank consist of an eleven-story office building and adjacent office space located in the central business district of the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We have additional corporate offices located in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Company and its subsidiaries own or lease additional offices in the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The Company and its subsidiary banks conduct financial operations from approximately 200 financial centers located in communities throughout Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

The Company and/or its subsidiaries have various unrelated legal proceedings, most of which involve loan foreclosure activity pending, which, in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “SFNC.” Set forth below are the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market for each quarter of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Also set forth below are dividends declared per share in each of these periods. The quarterly stock prices and dividends declared per common share presented below have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the two-for-one stock split of our common stock effected on February 8, 2018:

On February 12, 2018, the closing price for our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ was $29.00. As of February 12, 2018, there were 2,046 shareholders of record of our common stock.

The timing and amount of future dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our consolidated earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the amount of cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and policies and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors anticipates that we will continue to pay quarterly dividends in amounts determined based on the factors discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock at the current levels or at all.

Our principal source of funds for dividend payments to our stockholders is distributions, including dividends, from our subsidiary banks, which is subject to restrictions tied to such institution’s earnings. Under applicable banking laws, the declaration of dividends by Simmons Bank in any year in an amount equal to or greater than 75% of its net profits, after all taxes for that year plus 75% of the retained net profits for the immediately preceding year must be approved by the Arkansas State Bank Department. At December 31, 2017, approximately $7.5 million was available for the payment of dividends by our subsidiary banks without regulatory approval. For further discussion of restrictions on the payment of dividends, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk – Liquidity and Market Risk Management,” and Note 21, Undivided Profits, of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company made no purchases of its common stock during the three months ended or years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Under the current stock repurchase plan, we can repurchase an additional 308,272 shares (split adjusted).

The performance graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock with the cumulative total return on the equity securities of companies included in the NASDAQ Composite Index and the SNL U.S. Bank & Thrift Index. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 2012 and reinvestment of dividends on the date of payment without commissions. The performance graph represents past performance and should not be considered as an indication of future performance.

The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data concerning the Company and is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information and consolidated financial statements, including notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report. The income statement, balance sheet and per common share data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013, were derived from consolidated financial statements of the Company, which were audited by BKD, LLP. Results from past periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period.

Management believes that certain non-GAAP measures, including diluted core earnings per share, tangible book value, the ratio of tangible common equity to tangible assets, tangible stockholders’ equity and return on average tangible equity, may be useful to analysts and investors in evaluating the performance of our Company. We have included certain of these non-GAAP measures, including cautionary remarks regarding the usefulness of these analytical tools, in this table. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company and related notes thereto and “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report. See the “GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional discussion of non-GAAP measures.

We follow accounting and reporting policies that conform, in all material respects, to generally accepted accounting principles and to general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While we base estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

We consider accounting estimates to be critical to reported financial results if (i) the accounting estimate requires management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain and (ii) different estimates that management reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, could have a material impact on our financial statements.

The accounting policies that we view as critical to us are those relating to estimates and judgments regarding (a) the determination of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, (b) acquisition accounting and valuation of covered loans and related indemnification asset, (c) the valuation of goodwill and the useful lives applied to intangible assets, (d) the valuation of stock-based compensation plans and (e) income taxes.

The allowance for loan losses is management’s estimate of probable losses in the loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, (2) volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, (3) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, (4) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (5) external factors and pressure from competition, (6) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff, (7) seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and (8) other factors and trends that will affect specific loans and categories of loans. We establish general allocations for each major loan category. This category also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. General reserves have been established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories. Allowances are accrued for probable losses on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral.

Our evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of loan losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for loan losses reported in the financial statements.

We account for our acquisitions under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the purchase method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. No allowance for loan losses related to the acquired loans is recorded on the acquisition date as the fair value of the loans acquired incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk. Loans acquired are recorded at fair value in accordance with the fair value methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 820. The fair value estimates associated with the loans include estimates related to expected prepayments and the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows.

We evaluate loans acquired in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount on these loans is accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans. We evaluate purchased impaired loans in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected. All loans acquired are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected.

For impaired loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30, we continue to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on purchased credit impaired loans. We evaluate at each balance sheet date whether the present value of our purchased credit impaired loans determined using the effective interest rates has decreased significantly and if so, recognize a provision for loan loss in our consolidated statement of income. For any significant increases in cash flows expected to be collected, we adjust the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the remaining life of the purchased credit impaired loan.

During the third quarter of 2015, the Bank entered into an agreement with the FDIC to terminate all remaining loss-sharing agreements. As a result, all FDIC-acquired assets are now classified as non-covered. All acquired loans are recorded at their discounted net present value; therefore, they are excluded from the computations of the asset quality ratios for the legacy loan portfolio, except for their inclusion in total assets. Under the early termination, all rights and obligations of the Bank and the FDIC under the FDIC loss share agreements, including the clawback provisions and the settlement of loss share and expense reimbursement claims, have been resolved and terminated.

Prior to the termination of the loss share agreements, deterioration in the credit quality of the loans (immediately recorded as an adjustment to the allowance for loan losses) would immediately increase the basis of the shared-loss agreements, with the offset recorded through the consolidated statement of income. Increases in the credit quality or cash flows of loans (reflected as an adjustment to yield and accreted into income over the remaining life of the loans) decrease the basis of the shared-loss agreements, with such decrease being accreted into income over 1) the same period or 2) the life of the shared-loss agreements, whichever is shorter. Loss assumptions used in the basis of the indemnified loans are consistent with the loss assumptions used to measure the indemnification asset. Fair value accounting incorporates into the fair value of the indemnification asset an element of the time value of money, which was accreted back into income over the life of the shared-loss agreements.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. We perform an annual goodwill impairment test, and more than annually if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, as amended by ASU 2011-08 – Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Impairment losses on recorded goodwill, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

We have adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, and performance stock units. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to directors, officers and other key employees.

In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, the fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. For additional information, see Note 14, Employee Benefit Plans, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report.

We are subject to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and the tax laws of the states and other jurisdictions where we conduct business. Due to the complexity of these laws, taxpayers and the taxing authorities may subject these laws to different interpretations. Management must make conclusions and estimates about the application of these innately intricate laws, related regulations, and case law. When preparing the Company’s income tax returns, management attempts to make reasonable interpretations of the tax laws. Taxing authorities have the ability to challenge management’s analysis of the tax law or any reinterpretation management makes in its ongoing assessment of facts and the developing case law. Management assesses the reasonableness of its effective tax rate quarterly based on its current estimate of net income and the applicable taxes expected for the full year. On a quarterly basis, management also reviews circumstances and developments in tax law affecting the reasonableness of deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for contingent tax liabilities.

The adoption of ASU 2016-09 – Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting decreased the effective tax rate during 2017 as the new standard impacted how the income tax effects associated with stock-based compensation are recognized.

Our net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $92.9 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.33 (split adjusted), compared to net income of $96.8 million and $1.56 diluted earnings per share (split adjusted) in 2016. Net income for both 2017 and 2016 included several significant non-core items that impacted net income, mostly related to our acquisitions. Excluding all non-core items, core earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $119.0 million, or $1.70 diluted core earnings per share (split adjusted), compared to $101.4 million, or $1.64 diluted core earnings per share (split adjusted) in 2016. See “GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for additional discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures”.

On January 17, 2017, we merged Simmons First Finance Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Simmons Bank, into Simmons Bank to reduce regulatory risks related to its operations relative to the size of its assets. At December 31, 2017, the loan balance of this portfolio was $29 million.

In February 2017, we executed the sale of 11 substandard loans, which were primarily loans acquired, with a net principal balance of $11 million. We recognized a loss of $676,000 on this sale.

During March 2017, we exited the indirect lending market as this is a low-margin unit and we made a financial decision to reallocate our capital resources. At December 31, 2017, the loan balance of this portfolio was $170 million.

On May 15, 2017, we closed the transaction to acquire Hardeman County Investment Company, Inc. (“Hardeman”) including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, First South Bank. The Company completed the systems conversion and merged First South Bank into Simmons Bank in September 2017. As a result of this acquisition, we recognized $7.9 million in pretax merger related expenses during year ended December 31, 2017.

In June 2017, we executed a sale of thirty-five classified loans with a discounted principal balance of $13.8 million, which included $7.3 million of legacy loans and $6.5 million of loans acquired. The loans acquired portion of the sale resulted in a benefit of $1.4 million accretion income and $714,000 increase in provision expense for loans acquired, resulting in a net pretax benefit of approximately $700,000.

During August 2017, we were the successful bidder at public auction held to discharge certain indebtedness owed to Simmons Bank and became the sole shareholder of Heartland Bank in Little Rock, Arkansas. In December 2017, Heartland Bank announced the sale of the majority of its branches, as well as all of its deposits, to Relyance Bank, N.A. The completion of the transaction is contingent on the satisfaction of conditions set forth in the purchase and assumption agreement. The transaction is expected to close in March 2018 and the Company will continue to work through the disposition of Heartland Bank’s remaining assets and expects to be complete within one year of the acquisition. See Note 4 for additional information related to assets and liabilities held for sale related to Heartland Bank as of December 31, 2017.

In September 2017, we completed the sale of our property and casualty insurance business lines and an after-tax gain of $1.8 million was recognized on the transaction. Tangible common equity was positively impacted by $7.2 million due to a reduction in intangible assets related to the sold business.

We completed the acquisitions of Southwest Bancorp, Inc., including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Bank SNB, and First Texas BHC, Inc., including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Southwest Bank, in October 2017. The systems conversions are planned during the first half of 2018, at which time the subsidiary banks will be merged into Simmons Bank. Southwest Bank was merged in to Simmons Bank on February 20, 2018 and Bank SNB is scheduled to be merged in May 2018. See Note 2 for additional information related to these acquisitions.

2017 was a momentous year for our Company. We created a stronger organization with assets exceeding $15 billion, expanded in to new territories, welcomed new associates and customers, all while maintaining our community first approach and producing exceptional results. As a result of acquisitions and compliance initiatives in recent reporting periods, we have and will continue to recognize one-time revenue and expense items which may skew our short-term core business results but provide long-term performance benefits. Our focus continues to be improvement in core operating income.

We are also very pleased with the positive trends in our balance sheet, as reflected in our organic loan growth during the past year as well as our growth from acquisitions.

Stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2017 was $2.1 billion, book value per share was $22.65 (split adjusted) and tangible book value per share was $12.34 (split adjusted). Our ratio of common stockholders’ equity to total assets was 13.9% and the ratio of tangible common stockholders’ equity to tangible assets was 8.1% at December 31, 2017. See “GAAP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional discussion and reconciliation of non-GAAP measures. The Company’s Tier I leverage ratio of 9.2%, as well as our other regulatory capital ratios, remain significantly above the “well capitalized”. See Table 18 – Risk-Based Capital for regulatory capital ratios.

Total loans, including loans acquired, were $10.7 billion at December 31, 2017, an increase of $5.1 billion, or 91.9%, from the same period in 2016. Acquired loans increased by $3.8 billion, net of discounts, while legacy loans (all loans excluding acquired loans) grew $1.4 billion, or 31.9%. Excluding the $214 million in loan balances that migrated from acquired loans, legacy loans grew $1.2 billion, or 32.7%. We continue to be encouraged by the growth in our legacy loan portfolio throughout 2017. We have had very good legacy loan growth again this year, particularly from our targeted growth markets. Due to our increased size and scale we are benefiting from access to new lending opportunities as the Simmons Bank name becomes more familiar in these growth markets as well as in our historical legacy markets.

We continue to have strong asset quality. At December 31, 2017, the allowance for loan losses for legacy loans was $41.7 million, with an additional $418,000 allowance for acquired loans. The loan discount credit mark was $89.3 million, for a total of $131.4 million of coverage. This equates to a total coverage ratio of 1.2% of gross loans. The ratio of credit mark and related allowance to acquired loans was 1.7%.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses on legacy loans as a percent of total legacy loans was 0.73% at December 31, 2017. In the legacy portfolio, non-performing loans equaled 0.81% of total loans. Non-performing assets were 0.52% of total assets. The allowance for loan losses on legacy loans was 90% of non-performing loans. The Company’s annualized net charge-offs for 2017 were 0.35% of total loans. Excluding credit cards, annualized net charge-offs for 2017 were 0.31% of total loans.

Total assets were $15.1 billion at December 31, 2017 compared to $8.4 billion at December 31, 2016, an increase of $6.7 billion due to three 2017 acquisitions along with strong legacy loan growth.

Net interest income, our principal source of earnings, is the difference between the interest income generated by earning assets and the total interest cost of the deposits and borrowings obtained to fund those assets. Factors that determine the level of net interest income include the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, yields earned and rates paid, the level of non-performing loans and the amount of non-interest bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Net interest income is analyzed in the discussion and tables below on a fully taxable equivalent basis. The adjustment to convert certain income to a fully taxable equivalent basis consists of dividing tax-exempt income by one minus the combined federal and state income tax rate of 39.225% for years ended December 31, 2017 and prior.

The FRB sets various benchmark rates, including the Federal Funds rate, and thereby influences the general market rates of interest, including the deposit and loan rates offered by financial institutions. The FRB target for the Federal Funds rate, which is the cost to banks of immediately available overnight funds, had remained unchanged at 0.00% - 0.25% since December 2008 through December 16, 2015 at which time the FRB did raise the target to 0.25% - 0.5%. The FRB raised this target rate again to 0.5% - 0.75% on December 14, 2016. During 2017, the FRB raised this target rate in March, June and December ending at 1.25% - 1.50% as of December 14, 2017. Our loan portfolio is significantly affected by changes in the prime interest rate. The prime interest rate, which is the rate offered on loans to borrowers with strong credit, had also remained unchanged at 3.25% from December 2008 to December 17, 2015 when the rate increased to 3.5%. On December 15, 2016, the prime interest rate increased to 3.75%. The prime interest rate also increased three times during 2017 ultimately ending at 4.50% as of December 14, 2017.

Our practice is to limit exposure to interest rate movements by maintaining a significant portion of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities in shorter-term repricing. Historically, approximately 70% of our loan portfolio and approximately 80% of our time deposits have repriced in one year or less. Through acquisitions our acquired loans tended to have longer maturities. In addition, due to market pressures the duration of our legacy loan portfolio has also extended over the past several years. Our current interest rate sensitivity shows that approximately 63% of our loans and 77% of our time deposits will reprice in the next year.

For the year ended December 31, 2017, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $362.7 million, an increase of $75.7 million from the same period in 2016. The increase in net interest income was primarily the result of a $94.0 million increase in interest income offset by a $18.3 million increase in interest expense.

The increase in interest income primarily resulted from an incremental $86.8 million of interest income on loans, consisting of legacy loans and acquired loans, and an increase of $6.5 million of interest income on investment securities. The increase in loan volume during 2017 generated $92.3 million of additional interest income, while a 10 basis point decline in yield resulted in a $5.5 million decrease in interest income. The interest income increase from loan volume was primarily due to the three acquisitions completed during 2017 as well as our legacy loan growth.

Included in interest income is the additional yield accretion recognized as a result of updated estimates of the cash flows of our acquired loans, as discussed in Note 6, Loans Acquired, in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. Each quarter, we estimate the cash flows expected to be collected from the acquired loans, and adjustments may or may not be required. The cash flows estimate has increased based on payment histories and reduced loss expectations of the loans. This resulted in increased interest income that is spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loans. For loans previously covered by FDIC loss sharing agreements, any increases in expected cash flows also reduced the amount of expected reimbursements under the loss-sharing agreements, which were recorded as indemnification assets. The estimated adjustments to the indemnification assets were amortized on a level-yield basis over the remainder of the loss-sharing agreements or the remaining expected life of the loan pools, whichever was shorter, and were recorded in non-interest expense.

Our net interest margin was 4.07% for the year ended December 31, 2017, down 12 basis points from 2016. The most significant factor in the decreasing margin during the year is the impact of the lower accretable yield adjustments on acquired loans, previously discussed. Normalized for all accretion, our core net interest margin at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was 3.76% and 3.83%, respectively. Our margin has been weakened from the impact of the accretable yield adjustments discussed above. The normalized core net interest margin decrease is indicative of strong market pressure on loan rates in the competitive loan environment.

Our net interest margin was 4.19% and 4.55% for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Tables 1 and 2 reflect an analysis of net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, as well as changes in fully taxable equivalent net interest margin for the years 2017 versus 2016 and 2016 versus 2015.

Table 3 shows, for each major category of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, the average (computed on a daily basis) amount outstanding, the interest earned or expensed on such amount and the average rate earned or expensed for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. The table also shows the average rate earned on all earning assets, the average rate expensed on all interest bearing liabilities, the net interest spread and the net interest margin for the same periods. The analysis is presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual loans were included in average loans for the purpose of calculating the rate earned on total loans.

The provision for loan losses represents management's determination of the amount necessary to be charged against the current period's earnings in order to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The level of provision to the allowance is based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition, maturity and other qualitative characteristics of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loan loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on a monthly basis and, after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance.

The provision for loan losses for 2017, 2016 and 2015, was $26.4 million, $20.1 million and $9.0 million, respectively. The provision increase was necessary to maintain an appropriate allowance for loan losses for the company’s growing legacy portfolio. Significant loan growth in our markets, both from new loans and from loans acquired migrating to legacy, as well as increases in specific reserves on certain impaired loans, required an allowance to be established for those loans through a provision.

Our provision expense for the year ending December 31, 2107 included building reserves for three commercial credits from the Wichita market which had specific impairments identified. Charge-offs of $7.6 million were recorded during the year related to these loans. Collection and recovery remedies continue to be pursued.

Our provision expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 included replenishment of a $5.4 million single charge-off related to a nonaccrual loan acquired from Metropolitan National Bank. The loan was charged down to the appraised liquidation value of the collateral and the charged-off amount was added back to the allowance for loan losses during the year, resulting in the increase in provision. The provision expense for 2016 also included replenishment of a $2.0 million charge-off related to potential customer fraud on an agricultural loan, which carried a pass rating.

Finally, a $1.9 million provision was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017 as a result of a decrease in expected cash flows from our required ongoing evaluation of credit marks on certain purchased credit impaired loans. See Allowance for Loan Losses section for additional information.

Total non-interest income was $138.8 million in 2017, compared to $139.4 million in 2016 and $94.7 million in 2015. Non-interest income for 2017 decreased $617,000, or 0.4%, from 2016.

Non-interest income is principally derived from recurring fee income, which includes service charges, trust fees and debit and credit card fees. Non-interest income also includes income on the sale of mortgage and SBA loans, investment banking income, income from the increase in cash surrender values of bank owned life insurance and gains (losses) from sales of securities.

The decrease in non-interest income during 2017 was primarily due to net gains recorded on the sale of securities of $1.1 million compared to $5.8 million in 2016. In addition, non-interest income from mortgage and SBA lending was $3.2 million less than 2016. These decreases were partially offset by the $3.7 million gain on the sale of the property and casualty insurance lines of business and increases in trust income, service charges and debit and credit card fees.

There was a $14.8 million increase in non-interest income from the year ended December 31, 2016 to the same period of 2015 due to the elimination of the amortization of the indemnification asset expected to be collected from the FDIC covered loan portfolios as a result of the early termination of the loss share agreements in September 2015. Excluding the indemnification asset amortization adjustments, non-interest income increased $29.9 million, or 31.6%.

A gain of $2.1 million was recorded on the sale of the banking operations located in Salina, Kansas consisting of three branches that occurred in August 2015. Included in the sale were $5.3 million in loans and $77.8 million in deposits.

During 2017, 2016 and 2015 we recorded net gains of $264,000, $241,000 and $153,000, respectively, on the sale of several branch locations which was part of our branch right sizing strategy. We actively market our former branch facilities in an effort to dispose of these non-earning assets.

Table 5 shows non-interest income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, as well as changes in 2017 from 2016 and in 2016 from 2015.

Recurring fee income (service charges, trust fees, debit and credit card fees and other fees) for 2017 was $98.8 million, an increase of $7.4 million, or 8.0%, when compared with the 2016 amounts. Trust income increased by $3.1 million, or 20.3%, service charges on deposit accounts increased $3.7 million, or 11.3% and debit and credit card fees increased by $3.5 million, or 11.4%. The increases in service charges and debit and credit card fees were due to additional accounts acquired from OKSB, First Texas and Hardeman. The increase in trust income is from continued positive growth in our existing personal trust and investor management client base.

Recurring fee income (service charges, trust fees, debit and credit card fees and other fees) for 2016 was $91.5 million, an increase of $15.8 million, or 20.9%, when compared with the 2015 amounts. The majority of the increase was due to additional accounts associated with the Citizens acquisition.

During 2016, we were intently focused on our bond portfolio strategy that involved actively looking to reduce the number of issuances we held in our portfolio and monitoring the market conditions for opportunities to sell securities and replace with comparable yields while only marginally extending the duration of the portfolio. As a result, our net gains increased significantly during 2016 and we reverted back to a normalized level during 2017, resulting in the current year decrease.

Mortgage and SBA lending income decreased by $3.2 million during 2017 compared to 2016 primarily due to the seasonal nature of the mortgage volume as well as the timing of selling the guaranteed portion of SBA loans. Investment banking income decreased $678,000 during 2017 compared to 2016 as a result of the closure of our Institutional Division and exit from its lines of business in the third quarter of 2016.

Net loss on assets covered by FDIC loss share agreements in 2015 included the $7.5 million expense related to the termination of the loss share agreements. This expense was partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in the indemnification asset. With the September 2015 termination of the loss-sharing agreements the amortization of the indemnification asset was eliminated.

Non-interest expense consists of salaries and employee benefits, occupancy, equipment, foreclosure losses and other expenses necessary for the operation of the Company. Management remains committed to controlling the level of non-interest expense, through the continued use of expense control measures. We utilize an extensive profit planning and reporting system involving all subsidiaries. Based on a needs assessment of the business plan for the upcoming year, monthly and annual profit plans are developed, including manpower and capital expenditure budgets. These profit plans are subject to extensive initial reviews and monitored by management on a monthly basis. Variances from the plan are reviewed monthly and, when required, management takes corrective action intended to ensure financial goals are met. We also regularly monitor staffing levels at each subsidiary to ensure productivity and overhead are in line with existing workload requirements.

Non-interest expense for 2017 was $312.4 million, an increase of $57.3 million, or 22.5%, from 2016. The most significant impacts to non-interest expense were the following items.

First, merger related costs as well as salaries and employee benefits contributed to the majority of the increase. During 2017, merger related costs increased $17.1 million and salaries and employee benefits increased $20.9 million. These increases were primarily attributable to incremental costs associated with the Hardeman, OKSB and First Texas acquisitions.

Also, professional services and marketing expense increased by $4.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively. The increase in professional services was primarily related to the three 2017 acquisitions and incremental costs for exam fees, auditing and accounting services and general consulting expenses associated with our preparations to pass $10 billion in assets. The increase in marketing expense was also primarily due to the additional costs associated with the 2017 acquisitions.

Conversely, branch right sizing expense decreased by $3.2 million during 2017. We closed ten branches during 2016 that contributed to $3.5 million of branch right sizing costs last year. We continue to monitor branch operations and profitability as well as changing customer habits.

Excluding the non-core merger related costs, branch right sizing expenses, and the $5 million donation to the Simmons Foundation during 2017, non-interest expense for 2017 increased $38.4 million, or 15.6%, from 2016, primarily due to the incremental operating expenses of the acquired companies, such as salaries and employee benefits, and increased professional fees previously discussed.

Non-interest expense for 2016 was $255.1 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 0.7%, from 2015. This decrease includes approximately $4.8 million of merger related costs for 2016 from our acquisitions of Citizens and the announced mergers that completed during 2017. Also included in non-interest expense are merger related costs of $13.8 million in 2015, primarily attributed to the acquisitions of Community First, Liberty and Ozark Trust.

We recorded $3.6 million in branch rightsizing costs during 2016, primarily associated with the closure and maintenance of ten underperforming branches as part of our branch right sizing initiative. Due to the close proximity of the closed branches with other Simmons Bank branches, customers will not be negatively impacted by the closings. For the same period in 2015, we had expenses of $3.3 million associated with the closure and maintenance of twelve branches. In 2015, we also incurred $2.2 million of costs related to early termination agreements which were cash payments and equity expense recorded for several senior management employees for their early retirement. Cash payments of $1.7 million were made due to early retirement agreements negotiated with the employees and an additional $534,000 of expense was recorded due to accelerated vesting of previously awarded equity incentives as part of these early retirement agreements.

Salaries and employee benefits decreased to $133.5 million in 2016 from $138.2 million in 2015, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 3.5%, as we recognized the benefits from our ongoing efficiency initiatives and cost savings related to the integration of our 2015 acquisitions. Occupancy expense increased to $18.7 million in 2016 from $16.9 million in 2015, an increase of $1.8 million, or 10.7%. Furniture and fixture expense increased to $16.7 million in 2016 from $14.4 million in 2015, an increase of $2.3 million, or 16.2%. These incremental increases, along with the increases in several other operating expense categories, were a result of the Citizens acquisition in 2016 and 2015 acquisitions.

Normalizing for the non-core merger related costs, branch right sizing expenses and early termination agreements, non-interest expense increased $8.9 million, or 3.8%, in 2016 from 2015, primarily due to the incremental operating expenses of the acquired franchises. See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section for details of the non-core items.

Amortization of intangibles recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, was $7.7 million, $5.9 million and $4.9 million, respectively. The current year increase is the result of core deposit intangibles and other intangible assets recorded as part of the Hardeman, OKSB and First Texas acquisitions and a full year of amortization expense related to the intangibles added from the Citizens acquisition in 2016. The Company’s estimated amortization expense for each of the following five years is: 2018 – $11.35 million; 2019 – $11.04 million; 2020 – $11.03 million; 2021 – $10.97 million; and 2022 – $10.92 million. The estimated amortization expense decreases as intangible assets fully amortize in future years.

Table 6 below shows non-interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, as well as changes in 2017 from 2016 and in 2016 from 2015.

The provision for income taxes for 2017 was $62.0 million, compared to $46.6 million in 2016 and $32.9 million in 2015. The effective income tax rates for the years ended 2017, 2016 and 2015 were 40.0%, 32.5% and 30.7%, respectively.

On December 22, 2017, the President signed tax reform legislation (the “2017 Act”) which includes a broad range of tax reform proposals affecting businesses, including corporate tax rates, business deductions, and international tax provisions. The 2017 Act reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“US GAAP”), deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be measured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized or settled and the effect of a change in tax law is recorded discretely as a component of the income tax provision related to continuing operations in the period of enactment. As a result, we were required to remeasure our deferred taxes as of December 31, 2017 based upon the new 21% tax rate and the change was recorded in the 2017 income tax provision. The result of the tax reform resulted in a one-time non-cash adjustment to income of $11.5 million.

Our legacy loan portfolio, excluding loans acquired, averaged $5.493 billion during 2017 and $3.649 billion during 2016. As of December 31, 2017, total loans, excluding loans acquired, were $5.706 billion, compared to $4.327 billion on December 31, 2016, an increase of $1.379 billion, or 31.9%. This marks the sixth consecutive year that we have seen annual growth in our legacy loan portfolio. The most significant components of the loan portfolio were loans to businesses (commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and agricultural loans) and individuals (consumer loans, credit card loans and single-family residential real estate loans). The growth in the legacy portfolio is attributable to the larger market areas in which we now operate as a result of our acquisitions. We are also seeing increased loan demand across all of our footprint in response to continued improved market conditions. In addition, we have actively recruited and hired new lenders in our growth markets in an effort to continue growing our loan portfolio.

Also contributing to our legacy loan growth are acquired loans that have migrated to legacy loans. When we make a credit decision on an acquired loan as a result of the loan maturing or renewing, the outstanding balance of that loan migrates from loans acquired to legacy loans. Our legacy loan growth from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 included $214 million in balances that migrated from acquired loans during the period. These migrated loan balances are included in the legacy loan balances as of December 31, 2017. Excluding the migrated balances from the growth calculation, our legacy loans have grown at a 32.7% rate during 2017.

We seek to manage our credit risk by diversifying the loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral, obtaining and monitoring collateral, providing an appropriate allowance for loan losses and regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose and industry and, in the case of credit card loans, which are unsecured, by geographic region. We seek to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. We use the allowance for loan losses as a method to value the loan portfolio at its estimated collectable amount. Loans are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of deteriorating credits.

Consumer loans consist of credit card loans and other consumer loans. Consumer loans were $465.5 million at December 31, 2017, or 8.2% of total loans, compared to $488.6 million, or 11.3% of total loans at December 31, 2016. The decrease is primarily driven by our exit from the indirect consumer installment loan line of business in February 2017.

The credit card portfolio balance at December 31, 2017, increased by $831,000 when compared to the same period in 2016. Our credit card portfolio has remained a stable source of lending for several years.

Real estate loans consist of construction loans, single family residential loans and commercial loans. Real estate loans were $4.240 billion at December 31, 2017, or 74.3% of total loans, compared to $3.028 billion, or 70.0% of total loans at December 31, 2016, an increase of $1.2 billion, or 40.0%. Our construction and development (“C&D”) loans increased by $277.4 million, or 82.4%, single family residential loans increased by $190.4 million, or 21.1%, and commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans increased by $743.7 million, or 41.6%. We believe it is important to note that we have no significant concentrations in our real estate loan portfolio mix. Our C&D loans represent 10.8% of our loan portfolio and CRE loans (excluding C&D) represent 44.4% of our loan portfolio, both of which compare very favorably to our peers.

Commercial loans consist of non-real estate loans related to businesses and agricultural loans. Commercial loans were $973.5 million at December 31, 2017, or 17.1% of total loans, compared to the $789.9 million, or 18.3% of total loans at December 31, 2016, an increase of $183.6 million, or 23.3%.

Although showing signs of improvement in late 2017, the continued depressed market price of oil has affected banks with high loan exposure to oil and gas companies across the U.S. While we do not consider the volume to be excessive or constitute a concentration, it is important to note that the exposure to the oil and gas industry will increase with our recent acquisition of OKSB and First Texas.

We have loans to individuals and businesses involved in the healthcare industry, including businesses and personal loans to physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals, and loans to for-profit hospitals, nursing homes, suppliers and other healthcare-related businesses. These loans expose us to the risk that adverse developments in the healthcare industry will lead to increased levels of nonperforming loans. The laws regarding healthcare have impacted the provision of healthcare in the United States and contribute to prolonged and increased uncertainty as to the environment in which healthcare providers will operate. With the recent acquisition of OKSB our exposure to the healthcare industry has increased, however we do not consider the volume to be excessive or constitute a concentration.

On October 19, 2017, we completed the acquisition of OKSB and issued 14,488,604 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at approximately $431.4 million as of October 19, 2017 plus $94.9 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of OKSB common stock. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $2.0 billion.

On October 19, 2017, we completed the acquisition of First Texas and issued 12,999,840 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at approximately $387.1 million as of October 19, 2017 plus $70.0 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of First Texas common stock. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $2.2 billion.

On May 15, 2017, we completed the acquisition of Hardeman and issued 1,599,940 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at approximately $42.6 million as of May 15, 2017 plus $30.0 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Hardeman common stock. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $251.6 million.

On September 9, 2016, we completed the acquisition of Citizens and issued 1,671,482 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at approximately $41.3 million as of September 9, 2016 plus $35.0 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Citizens common stock. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $340.8 million.

On February 27, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Liberty and issued 10,362,674 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at approximately $212.2 million as of February 27, 2015 in exchange for all outstanding shares of Liberty common stock. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $780.7 million.

On February 27, 2015, we also completed the acquisition of Community First and issued 13,105,830 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at approximately $268.3 million as of February 27, 2015, plus $9,974 in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Community First common stock. We also issued $30.9 million of preferred stock in exchange for all outstanding shares of Community First preferred stock. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $1.1 billion.

On August 31, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Delta Trust, and issued 3,259,030 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at approximately $65.0 million as of August 29, 2014, plus $2.4 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Delta Trust common stock. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $311.7 million and foreclosed assets with a fair value of $1.8 million.

On November 25, 2013, we completed the acquisition of Metropolitan, in which the Company purchased all the stock of Metropolitan for $53.6 million in cash. The acquisition was conducted in accordance with the provisions of Section 363 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Included in the acquisition were loans with a fair value of $457.4 million and foreclosed assets with a fair value of $42.9 million.

On September 30, 2013, we acquired a $9.8 million credit card portfolio for a premium of $1.3 million.

On September 15, 2015, we entered into an agreement with the FDIC to terminate all loss share agreements. Under the early termination, all rights and obligations of the Company and the FDIC under the FDIC loss share agreements, including the clawback provisions and the settlement of loss share and expense reimbursement claims, have been resolved and terminated. As a result, we have reclassified loans previously covered by FDIC loss share to acquired loans not covered and reclassified foreclosed assets previously covered by FDIC loss share to foreclosed assets not covered.

The majority of the loans originally acquired in the OKSB, First Texas, Hardeman, Citizens, Liberty, Community First, Metropolitan and Delta Trust acquisitions were evaluated and are being accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount is being accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans.

We evaluated the remaining loans purchased in conjunction with the acquisitions of OKSB, First Texas, Hardeman, Citizens, Liberty, Community First, Metropolitan and Delta Trust for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected.

Some purchased impaired loans were determined to have experienced additional impairment upon disposition or foreclosure. During 2017, we recorded $1.9 million of provision for these loans and charge-offs of $2.4 million, resulting in an allowance for loan losses for purchased impaired loans at December 31, 2017 of $418,000. We recorded $626,000 provision for these loans with a subsequent charge-off, resulting in no increase to the allowance for loan losses for purchased impaired loans at December 31, 2016. During 2015, we recorded $736,000 provision for these loans with a subsequent charge-off, resulting in no increase to the allowance for loan losses for purchased impaired loans at December 31, 2015. See Note 2 and Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of loans acquired.

Table 9 reflects the remaining maturities and interest rate sensitivity of loans at December 31, 2017.

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that we will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loans. Impaired loans include non-performing loans (loans past due 90 days or more and nonaccrual loans) and certain other loans identified by management that are still performing.

Non-performing loans are comprised of (a) nonaccrual loans, (b) loans that are contractually past due 90 days and (c) other loans for which terms have been restructured to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower. The subsidiary banks recognize income principally on the accrual basis of accounting. When loans are classified as nonaccrual, generally, the accrued interest is charged off and no further interest is accrued. Loans, excluding credit card loans, are placed on a nonaccrual basis either: (1) when there are serious doubts regarding the collectability of principal or interest, or (2) when payment of interest or principal is 90 days or more past due and either (i) not fully secured or (ii) not in the process of collection. If a loan is determined by management to be uncollectible, the portion of the loan determined to be uncollectible is then charged to the allowance for loan losses.

Credit card loans are classified as impaired when payment of interest or principal is 90 days past due. When accounts reach 90 days past due and there are attachable assets, the accounts are considered for litigation. Credit card loans are generally charged off when payment of interest and principal is 150 days past due. The credit card recovery group pursues account holders until it is determined, on a case-by-case basis, to be uncollectible.

Total non-performing assets, excluding all loans acquired, increased by $12.2 million from December 31, 2016, to December 31, 2017. Total non-performing loans increased by $6.8 million from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017, primarily due to two credit relationships totaling $11.0 million in the Wichita market. Nonaccrual loans increased by $6.5 million during 2017, primarily CRE and other consumer loans.

During 2017, $3.2 million of previously closed branch buildings and land was reclassified to OREO from premises held for sale. There was no deterioration or further write-down of these properties. Also, as part of the First South Bank conversion, 5 branches were closed during the third quarter 2017. Under ASC Topic 360, there is a one year maximum holding period to classify premises as held for sale. However, under Arkansas State Banking laws former branch buildings must be recorded as OREO. We remain aggressive in the identification, quantification and resolution of problem loans and assets.

Total non-performing assets, excluding all loans acquired, increased by $2.8 million from December 31, 2015, to December 31, 2016. Total non-performing loans increased by $20.5 million from December 31, 2015 to December 31, 2016, while foreclosed assets held for sale decreased by $17.9 million as we were able to rid ourselves of several significant non-performing assets through liquidation during 2016. Nonaccrual loans increased by $21.4 million during 2016, primarily CRE loans. The increase in the non-performing loans is primarily the result of a single credit totaling $7.1 million and other migrated assets that have deteriorated since acquisition. We believe we are adequately reserved for the potential exposures related to these credits. The majority of these balances were related to acquired loans that have migrated, residential loans that have entered loss mitigation, and certain balances remaining outstanding which were related to potential fraudulent activity on an agricultural loan relationship discussed above.

During 2016, $652,000 of previously closed branch buildings and land was reclassified to OREO from premises held for sale. There was no deterioration or further write-down of these properties.

Total non-performing assets, excluding all loans acquired and foreclosed assets covered by FDIC loss share agreements, increased by $5.9 million from December 31, 2014, to December 31, 2015. During 2015, $6.1 million of previously closed branch buildings and land was reclassified to OREO from premises held for sale. There was no deterioration or further write-down of these properties. This increase was partially offset by the reduction in other foreclosed assets of $6.0 million.

Total non-performing loans increased by $5.9 million from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015.

From time to time, certain borrowers are experiencing declines in income and cash flow. As a result, many borrowers are seeking to reduce contractual cash outlays, the most prominent being debt payments. In an effort to preserve our net interest margin and earning assets, we are open to working with existing customers in order to maximize the collectability of the debt.

When we restructure a loan to a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty and grant a concession that we would not otherwise consider, a “troubled debt restructuring” results and the Company classifies the loan as a TDR. The Company grants various types of concessions, primarily interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.

Under ASC Topic 310-10-35, Subsequent Measurement, a TDR is considered to be impaired, and an impairment analysis must be performed. We assess the exposure for each modification, either by collateral discounting or by calculation of the present value of future cash flows, and determine if a specific allocation to the allowance for loan losses is needed.

Once an obligation has been restructured because of such credit problems, it continues to be considered a TDR until paid in full; or, if an obligation yields a market interest rate and no longer has any concession regarding payment amount or amortization, then it is not considered a TDR at the beginning of the calendar year after the year in which the improvement takes place. Our TDR balance decreased to $12.9 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $14.2 million at December 31, 2016.

We return TDRs to accrual status only if (1) all contractual amounts due can reasonably be expected to be repaid within a prudent period, and (2) repayment has been in accordance with the contract for a sustained period, typically at least six months.

We continue to maintain good asset quality, compared to the industry. The allowance for loan losses as a percent of total legacy loans was 0.73% as of December 31, 2017. Non-performing loans equaled 0.81% of total loans, a 10 basis point decrease from December 31, 2016. Non-performing assets were 0.52% of total assets. The allowance for loan losses was 90% of non-performing loans. Our annualized net charge-offs to total loans for 2017 was 0.35%. Excluding credit cards, the annualized net charge-offs to total loans for the same period was 0.31%. Annualized net credit card charge-offs to total credit card loans were 1.61% compared to 1.28% during 2016, and approximately 176 basis points better than the most recently published industry average charge-off ratio as reported by the Federal Reserve for all banks.

We have had substantial growth from new loans and from loans migrating from acquired to legacy. When acquired loans renew, they are evaluated and if considered a pass quality credit they will migrate to the legacy portfolio and require less reserves. In addition, new loans also only require the minimum allowance consideration.

We do not own any securities backed by subprime mortgage assets, and offer no mortgage loan products that target subprime borrowers.

Table 10 presents information concerning non-performing assets, including nonaccrual and restructured loans and other real estate owned (excluding all loans acquired and excluding other real estate covered by FDIC loss share agreements).

There was no interest income on the nonaccrual loans recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

At December 31, 2017, impaired loans, net of government guarantees and acquired loans, were $43.9 million compared to $43.7 million at December 31, 2016. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates the underlying collateral on all impaired loans and allocates specific reserves, where appropriate, in order to absorb potential losses if the collateral were ultimately foreclosed.

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 310-10, Receivables, and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 450-20, Loss Contingencies. Accordingly, the methodology is based on our internal grading system, specific impairment analysis, qualitative and quantitative factors.

As mentioned above, allocations to the allowance for loan losses are categorized as either specific allocations or general allocations.

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that we will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled principal and interest payments. For a collateral dependent loan, our evaluation process includes a valuation by appraisal or other collateral analysis. This valuation is compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan. If a loss is determined to be probable, the loss is included in the allowance for loan losses as a specific allocation. If the loan is not collateral dependent, the measurement of loss is based on the difference between the expected and contractual future cash flows of the loan.

The general allocation is calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, (2) volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, (3) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, (4) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (5) external factors and pressure from competition, (6) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff, (7) seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and (8) other factors and trends that will affect specific loans and categories of loans. We established general allocations for each major loan category. This category also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans.

In addition to the allowance for loan losses, we have established a reserve for unfunded commitments, classified in other liabilities. This reserve is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments. The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is determined monthly based on methodology similar to our methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other non-interest expense.

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the last five years is shown in table 11.

The amount of provision added to the allowance each year was based on management's judgment, with consideration given to the composition of the portfolio, historical loan loss experience, assessment of current economic conditions, past due and non-performing loans and net loss experience. It is management's practice to review the allowance on a monthly basis, and after considering the factors previously noted, to determine the level of provision made to the allowance.

The Company may also consider additional qualitative factors in future periods for allowance allocations, including, among other factors, (1) seasoning of the loan portfolio, (2) the offering of new loan products, (3) specific industry conditions affecting portfolio segments and (4) the Company’s expansion into new markets.

As of December 31, 2017, the allowance for loan losses reflects an increase of approximately $5.4 million from December 31, 2016, while total loans, excluding loans acquired, increased by $1.4 billion over the same period. The allocation in each category within the allowance generally reflects the overall changes in the loan portfolio mix.

The following table sets forth the sum of the amounts of the allowance for loan losses attributable to individual loans within each category, or loan categories in general. The table also reflects the percentage of loans in each category to the total loan portfolio, excluding loans acquired, for each of the periods indicated. These allowance amounts have been computed using the Company’s internal grading system, specific impairment analysis, qualitative and quantitative factor allocations. The amounts shown are not necessarily indicative of the actual future losses that may occur within individual categories.

Our securities portfolio is the second largest component of earning assets and provides a significant source of revenue. Securities within the portfolio are classified as either held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading.

Held-to-maturity securities, which include any security for which management has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant yield method over the period to maturity. Interest and dividends on investments in debt and equity securities are included in income when earned.

Available-for-sale securities, which include any security for which management has no immediate plans to sell, but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on amortized cost of the specific security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders' equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income, using the constant yield method over the period to maturity. Interest and dividends on investments in debt and equity securities are included in income when earned.

Our philosophy regarding investments is conservative based on investment type and maturity. Investments in the portfolio primarily include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. Our general policy is not to invest in derivative type investments or high-risk securities, except for collateralized mortgage-backed securities for which collection of principal and interest is not subordinated to significant superior rights held by others.

Held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment securities were $368.1 million and $1.6 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2017, compared to the held-to-maturity amount of $462.1 million and available-for-sale amount of $1.2 billion at December 31, 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, $46.9 million, or 12.8%, of the held-to-maturity securities were invested in obligations of U.S. government agencies, all of which will mature in less than five years. In the available-for-sale securities, $139.7 million, or 8.8%, were in U.S. government agency securities, 14.3% of which will mature in less than five years.

In order to reduce our income tax burden, $301.5 million, or 81.9%, of the held-to-maturity securities portfolio, as of December 31, 2017, was invested in tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions. In the available-for-sale securities, there was $143.2 million invested in tax-exempt obligations of state and political subdivisions. A portion of the state and political subdivision debt obligations are non-rated bonds and representing relatively small issuances, primarily in Arkansas, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis. There are no securities of any one state or political subdivision issuer exceeding ten percent of our stockholders' equity at December 31, 2017.

We had approximately $16.1 million, or 4.4% of the held-to-maturity portfolio invested in mortgaged-backed securities at December 31, 2017. In the available-for-sale securities, approximately $1.2 billion, or 74.7% were invested in mortgaged-backed securities. Investments with limited marketability, such as stock in the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank, are carried at cost and are reported as other available for sale securities.

As of December 31, 2017, the held-to-maturity investment portfolio had gross unrealized gains of $6.0 million and gross unrealized losses of $737,000.

We had $2.4 million of gross realized gains and $1.3 million of realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2017. We had $5.8 million of gross realized gains and no realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2016. We had $350,000 of gross realized gains and $43,000 of realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Trading securities, which include any security held primarily for near-term sale, are carried at fair value. Gains and losses on trading securities are included in other income. Our trading account is established and maintained for the benefit of investment banking. The trading account is typically used to provide inventory for resale and is not used to take advantage of short-term price movements. During 2016, we significantly scaled back balances used for trading.

Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (iii) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Management has the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as held to maturity until they mature, at which time we expect to receive full value for the securities. The contractual terms of those investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the amortized cost bases of the investments. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2017, management also had the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as available-for-sale for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Management does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2017, management believes the impairments detailed in the table below are temporary. Should the impairment of any of these securities become other than temporary, the cost basis of the investment will be reduced and the resulting loss recognized in net income in the period the other-than-temporary impairment is identified.

Table 13 presents the carrying value and fair value of investment securities for each of the years indicated.

Table 14 reflects the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities at December 31, 2017, by contractual maturity and the weighted average yields (for tax-exempt obligations on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 26.135% tax rate) of such securities. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

Deposits are our primary source of funding for earning assets and are primarily developed through our network of 200 financial centers. We offer a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers with a continuing focus on developing core deposits. Our core deposits consist of all deposits excluding time deposits of $100,000 or more and brokered deposits. As of December 31, 2017, core deposits comprised 90.2% of our total deposits.

We continually monitor the funding requirements along with competitive interest rates in the markets we serve. Because of our community banking philosophy, our executives in the local markets establish the interest rates offered on both core and non-core deposits. This approach ensures that the interest rates being paid are competitively priced for each particular deposit product and structured to meet the funding requirements. We believe we are paying a competitive rate when compared with pricing in those markets.

We manage our interest expense through deposit pricing and do not anticipate a significant change in total deposits. We believe that additional funds can be attracted and deposit growth can be accelerated through deposit pricing if we experience increased loan demand or other liquidity needs. We can also utilize brokered deposits as an additional source of funding to meet liquidity needs.

Our total deposits as of December 31, 2017 were $11.1 billion, an increase of $4.4 billion, or 64.7%, from $6.7 billion at December 31, 2016. The increase in deposits is due primarily to the Hardeman, OKSB and First Texas acquisitions. We have also continued our strategy to move more volatile time deposits to less expensive, revenue enhancing transaction accounts throughout 2017. Non-interest bearing transaction accounts increased $1.2 billion to $2.7 billion at December 31, 2017, compared to $1.5 billion at December 31, 2016. Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts were $6.5 billion at December 31, 2017, a $2.5 billion increase compared to $4.0 billion on December 31, 2016. Total time deposits increased approximately $645.7 million to $1.933 billion at December 31, 2017, from $1.287 billion at December 31, 2016. We had $159.6 million and $7.0 million of brokered deposits at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Table 15 reflects the classification of the average deposits and the average rate paid on each deposit category which is in excess of 10 percent of average total deposits for the three years ended December 31, 2017.

The Company's maturities of large denomination time deposits at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented in table 16.

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase were $122.4 million at December 31, 2017, as compared to $115.0 million at December 31, 2016.

We have historically funded our growth in earning assets through the use of core deposits, large certificates of deposits from local markets, FHLB borrowings and Federal funds purchased. Management anticipates that these sources will provide necessary funding in the foreseeable future.

Our total debt was $1.5 billion and $333.6 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The outstanding balance for December 31, 2017 includes $1.1 billion in FHLB short-term advances, $134.6 million in FHLB long-term advances, $75.0 million revolving credit agreement, $43.4 million in notes payable and $140.6 million in trust preferred securities and other subordinated debt.

The increase in our total debt during 2017 was primarily attributable to the OKSB, First Texas and Hardeman acquisitions. We assumed subordinated debt in an aggregate principal amount, net of discounts, of $75.9 million related to OKSB and First Texas and $6.7 million in connection with the Hardeman acquisition.

Also during 2017, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association and executed an unsecured Revolving Credit Note pursuant to which we may borrow, prepay and re-borrow up to $75.0 million, the proceeds of which were primarily used to pay off amounts outstanding under a term note assumed with the First Texas acquisition.

The $43.4 million notes payable is unsecured debt from correspondent banks at a rate of 3.85% with quarterly principal and interest payments. The debt has a ten year amortization with a 5 year balloon payment due in October 2020.

Aggregate annual maturities of debt at December 31, 2017 are presented in table 17.

At December 31, 2017, total capital reached $2.085 billion. Capital represents shareholder ownership in the Company – the book value of assets in excess of liabilities. At December 31, 2017, our common equity to asset ratio was 13.9% compared to 13.7% at year-end 2016.

On February 27, 2009, at a special meeting, our shareholders approved an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to establish 40,040,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. The aggregate liquidation preference of all shares of preferred stock cannot exceed $80,000,000.

On January 18, 2018, the board of directors of the Company approved a two-for-one stock split of the Corporation’s outstanding Class A common stock (“Common Stock”) in the form of a 100% stock dividend for shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 30, 2018 (“Record Date”). The new shares were distributed by the Company’s transfer agent, Computershare, and the Company’s common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 9, 2018. All previously reported share and per share data included in filings subsequent to the Payment Date are restated to reflect the retroactive effect of this two-for-one stock split.

On February 27, 2015, as part of the acquisition of Community First, the Company issued 30,852 shares of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (“Simmons Series A Preferred Stock”) in exchange for the outstanding shares of Community First Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series C (“Community First Series C Preferred Stock”). The preferred stock was held by the United States Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) as the Community First Series C Preferred Stock was issued when Community First entered into a Small Business Lending Fund Securities Purchase Agreement with the Treasury. The Simmons Series A Preferred Stock qualified as Tier 1 capital and paid quarterly dividends. On January 29, 2016, the Company redeemed all of the Simmons Series A Preferred Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends.

During 2007, the Company approved a stock repurchase program which authorized the repurchase of up to 1,400,000 shares (split adjusted) of common stock. On July 23, 2012, we announced the substantial completion of the existing stock repurchase program and the adoption by our Board of Directors of a new stock repurchase program. The current program authorizes the repurchase of up to 1,700,000 additional shares of Class A common stock, or approximately 5% of the shares outstanding. The shares are to be purchased from time to time at prevailing market prices, through open market or unsolicited negotiated transactions, depending upon market conditions. Under the repurchase program, there is no time limit for the stock repurchases, nor is there a minimum number of shares that we intend to repurchase. We may discontinue purchases at any time that management determines additional purchases are not warranted. We intend to use the repurchased shares to satisfy stock option exercises, payment of future stock awards and dividends and general corporate purposes. All share and per share amounts were restated for the two-for-one stock split during February 2018.

We declared cash dividends on our common stock of $0.50 per share (split adjusted) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, compared to $0.48 (split adjusted) per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The timing and amount of future dividends are at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our consolidated earnings, financial condition, liquidity and capital requirements, the amount of cash dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries, applicable government regulations and policies and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors anticipates that we will continue to pay quarterly dividends in amounts determined based on the factors discussed above. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock at the current levels or at all. See Item 5, Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters, for additional information regarding cash dividends.

The primary liquidity needs of the Parent Company are the payment of dividends to shareholders and the funding of debt obligations. The primary sources for meeting these liquidity needs are the current cash on hand at the parent company and the future dividends received from Simmons Bank. Payment of dividends by the subsidiary bank is subject to various regulatory limitations. See Item 7A, Liquidity and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, for additional information regarding the parent company’s liquidity.

Our bank subsidiaries are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, we must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of our assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Our capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require us to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total, Tier 1 and common equity Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined) and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes that, as of December 31, 2017, we meet all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

As of the most recent notification from regulatory agencies, each subsidiary was well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company and the Banks must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, common equity Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institutions’ categories.

Our risk-based capital ratios at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented in table 18 below:

In July 2013, the Company’s primary federal regulator, the Federal Reserve, published final rules (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) establishing a new comprehensive capital framework for U.S. banks. The rules implement the Basel Committee’s December 2010 framework known as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards. The Basel III Capital Rules substantially revise the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and depository institutions compared to the current U.S. risk-based capital rules.

The Basel III Capital Rules define the components of capital and address other issues affecting the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios. The rules also address risk weights and other issues affecting the denominator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios and replace the existing risk-weighting approach with a more risk-sensitive approach.

The Basel III Capital Rules expand the risk-weighting categories from the current four Basel I-derived categories (0%, 20%, 50% and 100%) to a much larger and more risk-sensitive number of categories, depending on the nature of the assets, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. government and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset categories, including many residential mortgages and certain commercial real estate.

The final rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The rules also raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%. The Basel III Capital Rules became effective for the Company and its subsidiary bank on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rule’s requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule. Management believes that, as of December 31, 2017, the Company and its bank subsidiaries would meet all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis if such requirements were currently effective.

Prior to December 31, 2017, tier 1 capital included common equity tier 1 capital and certain additional tier 1 items as provided under the Basel III Rules. The tier 1 capital for the Company consisted of common equity tier 1 capital and trust preferred securities. The Basel III Rules include certain provisions that require trust preferred securities to be phased out of qualifying tier 1 capital when assets surpass $15 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the Company exceeded $15 billion in total assets and the grandfather provisions applicable to its trust preferred securities no longer apply and such trust preferred securities are no longer included as tier 1 capital. $140.6 million of trust preferred securities and qualifying subordinated debt is included as total capital as of December 31, 2017.

In the normal course of business, the Company enters into a number of financial commitments. Examples of these commitments include but are not limited to long-term debt financing, operating lease obligations, unfunded loan commitments and letters of credit.

Our long-term debt at December 31, 2017, includes notes payable, FHLB long-term advances and trust preferred securities, all of which we are contractually obligated to repay in future periods.

Operating lease obligations entered into by the Company are generally associated with the operation of a few of our financial centers located throughout the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Our financial obligation on these locations is considered immaterial due to the limited number of financial centers that operate under an agreement of this type. Historically, we have purchased all our automated teller machines (“ATMs”) and depreciated them over their estimated lives. Our operating lease agreement with our service provider to replace and maintain all outdated ATMs and the related operating software terminates in March 2020.

Commitments to extend credit and letters of credit are legally binding, conditional agreements generally having fixed expiration or termination dates. These commitments generally require customers to maintain certain credit standards and are established based on management’s credit assessment of the customer. The commitments may expire without being drawn upon. Therefore, the total commitment does not necessarily represent future funding requirements.

The funding requirements of the Company's most significant financial commitments at December 31, 2017 are shown in table 19.

The tables below present computations of core earnings (net income excluding non-core items {gain from early retirement of trust preferred securities, accelerated vesting on retirement agreements, gain on sale of merchant services, gain on sale of banking operations, loss on FDIC loss share termination, gains on FDIC-assisted transactions and the related merger costs, liquidation gains and losses from FDIC-assisted transactions and traditional acquisitions, merger related costs, change-in-control payments, charter consolidation costs and the one-time costs of branch right sizing}) and diluted core earnings per share (non-GAAP) as well as a reconciliation of tangible book value per share (non-GAAP), tangible common equity to tangible equity (non-GAAP) and the core net interest margin (non-GAAP). Non-core items are included in financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

We believe the exclusion of these non-core items in expressing earnings and certain other financial measures, including “core earnings,” provides a meaningful base for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business because management does not consider these non-core items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “core earnings” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

We believe the presentation of “core earnings” on a diluted per share basis, “diluted core earnings per share” (non-GAAP) and core net interest margin (non-GAAP), provides a meaningful base for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which management believes will assist investors and analysts in analyzing the core financial measures of the Company and predicting future performance. This non-GAAP financial measures are also used by management to assess the performance of the Company’s business, because management does not consider these non-core items to be relevant to ongoing financial performance on a per share basis. Management and the Board of Directors utilize “diluted core earnings per share” (non-GAAP) for the following purposes:

• Calculation of long-term performance-based incentives for certain executives

We have $948.7 million and $401.5 million total goodwill and other intangible assets for the periods ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Because of our high level of intangible assets, management believes a useful calculation is return on tangible equity (non-GAAP).

We believe that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures will permit investors and analysts to assess the performance of the Company on the same basis as that is applied by management and the Board of Directors.

Non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations, are not required to be uniformly applied and are not audited. To mitigate these limitations, we have procedures in place to identify and approve each item that qualifies as non-core to ensure that the Company’s “core” results are properly reflected for period-to-period comparisons. Although these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by stakeholders in the evaluation of a company, they have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analyses of results as reported under GAAP. In particular, a measure of earnings that excludes non-core items does not represent the amount that effectively accrues directly to stockholders (i.e., non-core items are included in earnings and stockholders’ equity).

All per share data has been restated to reflect the retroactive effect of the two-for-one stock split which occurred during February 2018.

During 2017, non-core items included $22.1 million of merger related and branch right sizing costs, a one-time non-cash charge of $11.5 million from the revaluation of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the tax reform recently signed into law, as previously discussed, a $5 million donation to the Simmons Foundation and a $3.7 million gain on the sale of our property and casualty insurance business lines. The net after-tax impact of these items was $26.1 million, or $0.37 per diluted earnings per share.

During 2016, we recorded after-tax merger related costs of $2.9 million, primarily related to the Citizens acquisition, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.10 to diluted earnings per share. During 2016, we incurred $2.0 million in after-tax branch right sizing costs in relation to the closure of ten underperforming branches, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.07 to diluted earnings per share. Also during 2016, we recognized $361,000 in net after-tax gains from the early retirement of trust preferred securities contributing $0.01 to diluted earnings per share.

During 2015, we recorded after-tax merger related costs of $8.4 million, primarily related to the Community First, Liberty and Ozark Trust acquisitions, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.30 to diluted earnings per share. During the second quarter of 2015 we incurred $1.9 million in after-tax branch right sizing costs in relation to the closure of twelve underperforming branches, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.07 to diluted earnings per share. Also during 2015, we recognized $1.3 million in net after-tax gains from the sale of our Salina banking operations contributing $0.04 to diluted earnings per share.

During the third quarter of 2015, we terminated the loss-share agreements with the FDIC and incurred $4.5 million after tax one-time charge expense which resulted in a decrease of $0.16 to diluted earnings per share. We incurred after-tax costs of $1.3 million for the accelerated vesting of retirement agreements during the year, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.05 to diluted earnings per share.

During 2014, we recorded after-tax merger related costs of $4.5 million, primarily related to the Delta Trust acquisition, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.27 to diluted earnings per share. During the first quarter of 2014, we closed eleven legacy Simmons Bank branches as part of the initial branch right sizing strategy of the Metropolitan acquisition. Our total after-tax cost of branch right sizing was $2.9 million in 2014, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.17 to diluted earnings per share. Also during 2014 we recognized $4.7 million in net after-tax gains from the sale of former branch locations, primarily the legacy Simmons Bank and acquired Metropolitan closures, contributing $0.27 to diluted earnings per share.

During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded an after-tax gain of $608,000 from the sale of our merchant services business, contributing $0.04 to diluted earnings per share. We incurred after-tax costs of $396,000 and $538,000, respectively, for charter consolidations and change-in-control payments during the year, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.05 to diluted earnings per share.

During the third and fourth quarter of 2013, we recorded after-tax merger related costs of $3.9 million related to the Metropolitan acquisition, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.25 to diluted earnings per share. During the third and fourth quarters, we closed seven underperforming branches at a cost of $390,000 after-tax, resulting in a nonrecurring charge of $0.02 to diluted earnings per share. Also, as part of our 2012 acquisition strategy, we sold many of the investment securities from Excel and Truman, resulting in an after- tax loss of $117,000.

See table 20 below for the reconciliation of core earnings, which exclude non-core items for the periods presented.

See table 22 below for the calculation of tangible common equity and the reconciliation of tangible common equity to tangible assets.

Table 22: Reconciliation of Tangible Common Equity and the Ratio of Tangible Common Equity to Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)

See table 24 below for the calculation of core net interest margin for the periods presented.

See table 25 below for the calculation of the efficiency ratio for the periods presented.

Selected unaudited quarterly financial information for the last eight quarters is shown in table 26.

The Company has leveraged its investment in its subsidiary banks, and depends upon the dividends paid to it, as the sole shareholder of the subsidiary banks, as a principal source of funds for dividends to shareholders, stock repurchases and debt service requirements. At December 31, 2017, undivided profits of Simmons Bank were approximately $292.8 million, of which approximately $7.5 million was available for the payment of dividends to the Company without regulatory approval. In addition to dividends, other sources of liquidity for the Company are the sale of equity securities and the borrowing of funds.

Generally speaking, the Company's subsidiary banks rely upon net inflows of cash from financing activities, supplemented by net inflows of cash from operating activities, to provide cash used in investing activities. Typical of most banking companies, significant financing activities include: deposit gathering; use of short-term borrowing facilities, such as federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements; and the issuance of long-term debt. The subsidiary banks’ primary investing activities include loan originations and purchases of investment securities, offset by loan payoffs and investment maturities.

Liquidity represents an institution's ability to provide funds to satisfy demands from depositors and borrowers by either converting assets into cash or accessing new or existing sources of incremental funds. A major responsibility of management is to maximize net interest income within prudent liquidity constraints. Internal corporate guidelines have been established to constantly measure liquid assets as well as relevant ratios concerning earning asset levels and purchased funds. The management and board of directors of the subsidiary banks monitor these same indicators and make adjustments as needed. At December 31, 2017, the subsidiary banks and total corporate liquidity remain strong.

The objective of our liquidity management is to access adequate sources of funding to ensure that cash flow requirements of depositors and borrowers are met in an orderly and timely manner. Sources of liquidity are managed so that reliance on any one funding source is kept to a minimum. Our liquidity sources are prioritized for both availability and time to activation.

Our liquidity is a primary consideration in determining funding needs and is an integral part of asset/liability management. Pricing of the liability side is a major component of interest margin and spread management. Adequate liquidity is a necessity in addressing this critical task. There are seven primary and secondary sources of liquidity available to the Company. The particular liquidity need and timeframe determine the use of these sources.

The first source of liquidity available to the Company is Federal funds. Federal funds are available on a daily basis and are used to meet the normal fluctuations of a dynamic balance sheet. The Company and the Bank have approximately $395 million in Federal funds lines of credit from upstream correspondent banks that can be accessed, when needed. In order to ensure availability of these upstream funds we test these borrowing lines at least annually. Historical monitoring of these funds has made it possible for us to project seasonal fluctuations and structure our funding requirements on a month-to-month basis.

Second, the bank subsidiaries have lines of credit available with the Federal Home Loan Bank. While we use portions of those lines to match off longer-term mortgage loans, we also use those lines to meet liquidity needs. Approximately $2.3 billion of these lines of credit are currently available, if needed, for liquidity.

A third source of liquidity is that we have the ability to access large wholesale deposits from both the public and private sector to fund short-term liquidity needs.

A fourth source of liquidity is the retail deposits available through our network of financial centers throughout Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Although this method can be a somewhat more expensive alternative to supplying liquidity, this source can be used to meet intermediate term liquidity needs.

Fifth, we use a laddered investment portfolio that ensures there is a steady source of intermediate term liquidity. These funds can be used to meet seasonal loan patterns and other intermediate term balance sheet fluctuations. Approximately 81.2% of the investment portfolio is classified as available-for-sale. We also use securities held in the securities portfolio to pledge when obtaining public funds.

Sixth, we have a network of correspondent banks from which we can access debt to meet liquidity needs, as was demonstrated by the $52.3 million of unsecured debt issued in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the $75 million line of credit that was executed during the fourth quarter of 2017.

Finally, we have the ability to access funds through the Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window.

We believe the various sources available are ample liquidity to satisfy our current short-term, intermediate-term and long-term operations.

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates. We have risk management policies to monitor and limit exposure to market risk. In asset and liability management activities, policies designed to minimize structural interest rate risk are in place. The measurement of market risk associated with financial instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting on- and off-balance-sheet transactions are aggregated, and the resulting net positions are identified.

Interest rate risk represents the potential impact of interest rate changes on net income and capital resulting from mismatches in repricing opportunities of assets and liabilities over a period of time. A number of tools are used to monitor and manage interest rate risk, including simulation models and interest sensitivity gap analysis. Management uses simulation models to estimate the effects of changing interest rates and various balance sheet strategies on the level of the Company’s net income and capital. As a means of limiting interest rate risk to an acceptable level, management may alter the mix of floating and fixed-rate assets and liabilities, change pricing schedules and manage investment maturities during future security purchases.

The simulation model incorporates management’s assumptions regarding the level of interest rates or balance changes for indeterminate maturity deposits for a given level of market rate changes. These assumptions have been developed through anticipated pricing behavior. Key assumptions in the simulation models include the relative timing of prepayments, cash flows and maturities. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the model cannot precisely estimate net interest income or precisely predict the impact of a change in interest rates on net income or capital. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes and changes in market conditions and management strategies, among other factors.

As of December 31, 2017, the model simulations projected that 100 and 200 basis point increases in interest rates would result in a positive variance in net interest income of 2.78% and 5.00%, respectively, relative to the base case over the next 12 months, while decreases in interest rates of 100 basis points would result in a negative variance in net interest income of -3.54% relative to the base case over the next 12 months. The likelihood of a decrease in interest rates in excess of 100 basis points as of December 31, 2017 is considered remote given current interest rate levels and recent rate increases by the Federal Reserve. These are good faith estimates and assume that the composition of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at each year-end will remain constant over the relevant twelve month measurement period and that changes in market interest rates are instantaneous and sustained across the yield curve regardless of duration of pricing characteristics of specific assets or liabilities. Also, this analysis does not contemplate any actions that we might undertake in response to changes in market interest rates. We believe these estimates are not necessarily indicative of what actually could occur in the event of immediate interest rate increases or decreases of this magnitude. As interest-bearing assets and liabilities reprice in different time frames and proportions to market interest rate movements, various assumptions must be made based on historical relationships of these variables in reaching any conclusion. Since these correlations are based on competitive and market conditions, we anticipate that our future results will likely be different from the foregoing estimates, and such differences could be material.

The table below presents our sensitivity to net interest income at December 31, 2017.

The management of Simmons First National Corporation (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Because of inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Accordingly, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 edition) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). As permitted by Securities and Exchange Commission guidance, management excluded from its assessment the operations of Southwest Bancorp, Inc. and First Texas BHC, Inc., acquisitions made during 2017, which are described in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The total assets of the entities acquired in the Southwest Bancorp, Inc. and First Texas BHC, Inc. acquisitions represented approximately 18% and 19%, respectively, of the Company’s total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2017. Based on this assessment, management has determined that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 is effective based on the specified criteria.

BKD, LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017. The report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, immediately follows.

We have audited Simmons First National Corporation’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 edition) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 edition) issued by COSO.

As permitted, the Company excluded the operations of Bank SNB of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Southwest Bank of Fort Worth, Texas, financial institutions acquired on October 19, 2017, whose financial statements together constitute 37% and 12% of total assets and total revenues, respectively, from the scope of management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. As such, these entities have also been excluded from the scope of our audit of internal control over financial reporting.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying management’s report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Simmons First National Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and stockholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 edition) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated December 31, 2017, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations and Principles of Consolidation

Simmons First National Corporation (the “Company”) is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking services to individual and corporate customers through its subsidiaries and their branch banks with offices. We are headquartered in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and conduct banking operations in communities throughout Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. We offer consumer, real estate and commercial loans, checking, savings and time deposits from our 200 financial centers conveniently located throughout our market areas. Additionally, we offer specialized products and services such as credit cards, trust and fiduciary services, investments, agricultural finance lending, equipment lending, insurance and small business administration (“SBA”) lending. The Company is subject to regulation of certain federal and state agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simmons First National Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Simmons Bank, Bank SNB and Southwest Bank. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Operating Segments

Operating segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company is organized on a divisional basis. Each of the divisions provide a group of similar community banking services, including such products and services as loans; time deposits, checking and savings accounts; personal and corporate trust services; credit cards; investment management; insurance; and securities and investment services. Loan products include consumer, real estate, commercial, agricultural, equipment and SBA lending. The individual bank divisions have similar operating and economic characteristics. While the chief operating decision maker monitors the revenue streams of the various products, services, branch locations and divisions, operations are managed, financial performance is evaluated, and management makes decisions on how to allocate resources on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, the divisions are considered by management to be aggregated into one reportable operating segment, community banking.

The Company also considers its trust, investment and insurance services to be operating segments. Information on these segments is not reported separately since they do not meet the quantitative thresholds under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 280-10-50-12.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and actual results may differ from these estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans and the valuation of acquired loans and related indemnification asset. Management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties in connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets.

Reclassifications

Certain gains and fees were reclassified within non-interest income categories in the 2016 statements of income to conform to the 2017 presentation. Various other items within the accompanying consolidated financial statements for previous years have been reclassified to provide more comparative information. These reclassifications were not material to the consolidated financial statements.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are considered to include cash and non-interest bearing balances due from banks, interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell.

Investment Securities

Held-to-maturity securities, which include any security for which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity, are carried at historical cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant yield method over the period to maturity.

Available-for-sale securities, which include any security for which the Company has no immediate plan to sell but which may be sold in the future, are carried at fair value. Realized gains and losses, based on specifically identified amortized cost of the individual security, are included in other income. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded, net of related income tax effects, in stockholders' equity. Premiums and discounts are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income using the constant yield method over the period to maturity.

Trading securities, which include any security held primarily for near-term sale, are carried at fair value. Gains and losses on trading securities are included in other income.

The Company applies accounting guidance related to recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment under ASC Topic 320-10. When the Company does not intend to sell a debt security, and it is more likely than not, the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it recognizes the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income. For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income for the noncredit portion of a previous other-than-temporary impairment is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of the timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.

As a result of this guidance, the Company’s consolidated statements of income reflect the full impairment (that is, the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and fair value) on debt securities that the Company intends to sell or would more likely than not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that management has no intent to sell and believes that it more likely than not will not be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment is recognized in earnings, while the noncredit loss is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security as projected based on cash flow projections.

Mortgage Loans Held For Sale

Mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, determined using an aggregate basis. Write-downs to fair value are recognized as a charge to earnings at the time the decline in value occurs. Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans are acquired to reduce market risk on mortgage loans in the process of origination and mortgage loans held for sale. The forward commitments acquired by the Company for mortgage loans in process of origination are not mandatory forward commitments. These commitments are structured on a best efforts basis; therefore, the Company is not required to substitute another loan or to buy back the commitment if the original loan does not fund. Typically, the Company delivers the mortgage loans within a few days after the loans are funded. These commitments are derivative instruments and their fair values at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are not material. Gains and losses resulting from sales of mortgage loans are recognized when the respective loans are sold to investors. Gains and losses are determined by the difference between the selling price and the carrying amount of the loans sold, net of discounts collected or paid. Fees received from borrowers to guarantee the funding of mortgage loans held for sale are recognized as income or expense when the loans are sold or when it becomes evident that the commitment will not be used.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-offs are reported at their outstanding principal adjusted for any loans charged off, the allowance for loan losses and any unamortized deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.

For loans amortized at cost, interest income is accrued based on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, as well as premiums and discounts, are deferred and amortized as a level yield adjustment over the respective term of the loan.

The accrual of interest on loans, except on certain government guaranteed loans, is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

Discounts and premiums on purchased residential real estate loans are amortized to income using the interest method over the remaining period to contractual maturity, adjusted for anticipated prepayments. Discounts and premiums on purchased consumer loans are recognized over the expected lives of the loans using methods that approximate the interest method.

For discussion of the Company’s accounting for acquired loans, see Acquisition Accounting, Covered Loans and Related Indemnification Asset later in this section.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Allocations to the allowance for loan losses are categorized as either general reserves or specific reserves.

The allowance for loan losses is calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, (2) volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, (3) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, (4) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (5) external factors and pressure from competition, (6) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff, (7) seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and (8) other factors and trends that will affect specific loans and categories of loans. The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category. This category also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans. General reserves have been established, based upon the aforementioned factors and allocated to the individual loan categories.

Specific reserves are provided on loans that are considered impaired when it is probable that we will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled principal and interest payments. This includes loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain other loans identified by management. Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans where management expects that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled principal and interest payments. Specific reserves are accrued for probable losses on specific loans evaluated for impairment for which the basis of each loan, including accrued interest, exceeds the discounted amount of expected future collections of interest and principal or, alternatively, the fair value of loan collateral. Accrual of interest is discontinued and interest accrued and unpaid is removed at the time such amounts are delinquent 90 days unless management is aware of circumstances which warrant continuing the interest accrual. Interest is recognized for nonaccrual loans only upon receipt and only after all principal amounts are current according to the terms of the contract.

Management’s evaluation of the allowance for loan losses is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates. The actual amounts of loan losses realized in the near term could differ from the amounts estimated in arriving at the allowance for loan losses reported in the financial statements.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments

In addition to the allowance for loan losses, the Company has established a reserve for unfunded commitments, classified in other liabilities. This reserve is maintained at a level sufficient to absorb losses arising from unfunded loan commitments. The adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments is determined monthly based on methodology similar to the Company’s methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses. Net adjustments to the reserve for unfunded commitments are included in other non-interest expense.

Acquisition Accounting, Acquired Loans

The Company accounts for its acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, are recorded at fair value. No allowance for loan losses related to the acquired loans is recorded on the acquisition date as the fair value of the loans acquired incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk. Loans acquired are recorded at fair value in accordance with the fair value methodology prescribed in ASC Topic 820. The fair value estimates associated with the loans include estimates related to expected prepayments and the amount and timing of undiscounted expected principal, interest and other cash flows.

The Company evaluates non-impaired loans acquired in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount on these loans is accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. The Company evaluates purchased impaired loans in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected.

For impaired loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30, the Company continues to estimate cash flows expected to be collected on purchased credit impaired loans. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date whether the present value of the purchased credit impaired loans determined using the effective interest rates has decreased significantly and if so, recognize a provision for loan loss in our consolidated statement of income. For any significant increases in cash flows expected to be collected, the Company adjusts the amount of accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the remaining life of the purchased credit impaired loan.

Covered Loans and Related Indemnification Asset

In September 2015, Simmons Bank entered into an agreement with the FDIC to terminate all loss share agreements which were entered into in 2010 and 2012 in conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets (“covered assets”) and assumption of substantially all of the liabilities of four failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions. Under the early termination, all rights and obligations of the Company and the FDIC under the FDIC loss share agreements, including the clawback provisions and the settlement of loss share and expense reimbursement claims, have been resolved and terminated.

Under the terms of the agreement, the FDIC made a net payment of $2,368,000 to the Bank as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements. The early termination was recorded in the Company’s financial statements by removing the FDIC Indemnification Asset, receivable from FDIC, the FDIC True-up liability and recording a one-time, pre-tax charge of $7,476,000. As a result, all FDIC-acquired assets are now classified as non-covered.

For further discussion of our acquisition and loan accounting, see Note 2, Acquisitions, and Note 6, Loans Acquired.

Trust Assets

Trust assets (other than cash deposits) held by the Company in fiduciary or agency capacities for its customers are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets since such items are not assets of the Company.

Premises and Equipment

Depreciable assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized by the straight-line method over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter.

Premises Held for Sale

The Company records premises held for sale at the lower of (1) cost less accumulated depreciation or (2) fair value less estimated selling expenses. These assets are assessed for impairment at the time they are reclassified as held for sale and periodically thereafter.

Foreclosed Assets Held For Sale

Assets acquired by foreclosure or in settlement of debt and held for sale are valued at estimated fair value as of the date of foreclosure, and a related valuation allowance is provided for estimated costs to sell the assets. Management evaluates the value of foreclosed assets held for sale periodically and increases the valuation allowance for any subsequent declines in fair value. Changes in the valuation allowance are charged or credited to other expense.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company maintains bank-owned life insurance policies on certain current and former employees and directors, which are recorded at their cash surrender values as determined by the insurance carriers. The appreciation in the cash surrender value of the policies is recognized as a component of non-interest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Other intangible assets represent purchased assets that also lack physical substance but can be separately distinguished from goodwill because of contractual or other legal rights or because the asset is capable of being sold or exchanged either on its own or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. The Company performs an annual goodwill impairment test, and more frequently if circumstances warrant, in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC Topic 350 requires that goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if certain conditions occur. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over the estimated life of the asset, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment losses, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company may enter into derivative contracts for the purposes of managing exposure to interest rate risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. In an effort to meet the financing needs of its customers, the Company has entered into limited fair value hedges. Fair value hedges include interest rate swap agreements on fixed rate loans. To qualify for hedge accounting, derivatives must be highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged and must be designated as a hedge at the point of inception of the derivative contract.

For derivatives designated as hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of the hedged item, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change together with the offsetting loss or gain of the hedging instrument. The fair value hedges are considered to be highly effective and any hedge ineffectiveness was deemed not material. Fair value adjustments related to cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings.

The notional amount of the swaps was $303.5 million at December 31, 2017, and $99.2 million at December 31, 2016.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

The Company sells securities under agreements to repurchase to meet customer needs for sweep accounts. At the point funds deposited by customers become investable, those funds are used to purchase securities owned by the Company and held in its general account with the designation of Customers’ Securities. A third party maintains control over the securities underlying overnight repurchase agreements. The securities involved in these transactions are generally U.S. Treasury or Federal Agency issues. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature on the banking day following that on which the investment was initially purchased and are treated as collateralized financing transactions which are recorded at the amounts at which the securities were sold plus accrued interest. Interest rates and maturity dates of the securities involved vary and are not intended to be matched with funds from customers.

Bankcard Fee Income

Periodic bankcard fees, net of direct origination costs, are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the period the fee entitles the cardholder to use the card.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance in ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average common shares and all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the effect of the two-for-one stock split during February 2018.

The computation of per share earnings is as follows:

(In thousands, except per share data)	2017		2016		2015

Net income available to common shareholders	$	92,940	$	96,790	$	74,107

Average common shares outstanding		69,385		61,291		56,168
Average potential dilutive common shares		468		636		252
Average diluted common shares		69,853		61,927		56,420

Basic earnings per share	$	1.34	$	1.58	$	1.32
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.33	$	1.56	$	1.31

There were no stock options excluded from the earnings per share calculation due to the related exercise price exceeding the average market price for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and bonus stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company, upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to directors, officers and other key employees.

In accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, the fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. For additional information, see Note 14, Employee Benefit Plans.

NOTE 2: ACQUISITIONS

Southwest Bancorp, Inc.

On October 19, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Southwest Bancorp, Inc. (“OKSB”) headquartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Bank SNB. The Company issued 14,488,604 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $431.4 million as of October 19, 2017, plus $95.0 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of OKSB common stock.

Prior to the acquisition, OKSB conducted banking business from 29 branches located in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. In addition, OKSB owned a loan production office in Denver, Colorado. Including the effects of the acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $2.7 billion in assets, including approximately $2.0 billion in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $2.0 billion in deposits. The systems conversion is planned to occur during May 2018, at which time the subsidiary bank will be merged into Simmons Bank.

Goodwill of $228.9 million was recorded as a result of the transaction. The acquisition allowed us to enter the Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado banking markets and it also strengthened our Kansas franchise and our product offerings in the healthcare and real estate industries, all of which gave rise to the goodwill recorded. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

A summary, at fair value, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the OKSB transaction, as of the acquisition date, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Acquired from OKSB			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value

Assets Acquired
Cash and due from banks	$	79,517		$	--		$	79,517
Investment securities		485,468			(1,295	)		484,173
Loans acquired		2,039,524			(43,071	)		1,996,453
Allowance for loan losses		(26,957	)		26,957			--
Foreclosed assets		6,284			(1,127	)		5,157
Premises and equipment		21,210			5,457			26,667
Bank owned life insurance		28,704			--			28,704
Goodwill		13,545			(13,545	)		--
Core deposit intangible		1,933			40,191			42,124
Other intangibles		3,806			--			3,806
Other assets		33,455			(8,929	)		24,526
Total assets acquired	$	2,686,489		$	4,638		$	2,691,127

Liabilities Assumed
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts	$	485,971		$	--		$	485,971
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		869,252			--			869,252
Time deposits		613,345			(2,213	)		611,132
Total deposits		1,968,568			(2,213	)		1,966,355
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		11,256			--			11,256
Other borrowings		347,000			--			347,000
Subordinated debentures		46,393			--			46,393
Accrued interest and other liabilities		17,440			5,364			22,804
Total liabilities assumed		2,390,657			3,151			2,393,808
Equity		295,832			(295,832	)		--
Total equity assumed		295,832			(295,832	)		--
Total liabilities and equity assumed	$	2,686,489		$	(292,681	)	$	2,393,808
Net assets acquired								297,319
Purchase price								526,251
Goodwill							$	228,932

The purchase price allocation and certain fair value measurements remain preliminary due to the timing of the acquisition. Management will continue to review the estimated fair values and evaluate the assumed tax positions. The Company expects to finalize its analysis of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities in this transaction over the next few months, within one year of the acquisition. Therefore, adjustments to the estimated amounts and carrying values may occur.

The Company’s operating results for 2017 include the operating results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of OKSB subsequent to the acquisition date.

First Texas BHC, Inc.

On October 19, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of First Texas BHC, Inc. (“First Texas”) headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Southwest Bank. The Company issued 12,999,840 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $387.1 million as of October 19, 2017, plus $70.0 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of First Texas common stock.

Prior to the acquisition, First Texas operated 15 banking centers, a trust office and a limited service branch in north Texas and a loan production office in Austin, Texas. Including the effects of the acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $2.4 billion in assets, including approximately $2.2 billion in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $1.9 billion in deposits. The Company completed the systems conversion and merged First Texas into Simmons Bank in February 2018.

Goodwill of $238.0 million was recorded as a result of the transaction. The acquisition allowed us to enter the Texas banking markets and it also strengthened our specialty product offerings in the area of SBA lending and trust services, all of which gave rise to the goodwill recorded. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

A summary, at fair value, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the First Texas transaction, as of the acquisition date, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Acquired from First Texas			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value

Assets Acquired
Cash and due from banks	$	59,277		$	--		$	59,277
Investment securities		81,114			(596	)		80,518
Loans acquired		2,246,212			(37,834	)		2,208,378
Allowance for loan losses		(20,864	)		20,664			(200	)
Premises and equipment		24,864			10,123			34,987
Bank owned life insurance		7,190			--			7,190
Goodwill		37,227			(37,227	)		--
Core deposit intangible		--			7,328			7,328
Other assets		18,263			12,703			30,966
Total assets acquired	$	2,453,283		$	(24,839	)	$	2,428,444

Liabilities Assumed
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts	$	74,410		$	--		$	74,410
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		1,683,298			--			1,683,298
Time deposits		124,233			(283	)		123,950
Total deposits		1,881,941			(283	)		1,881,658
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		50,000			--			50,000
Other borrowings		235,000			--			235,000
Subordinated debentures		30,323			(811	)		29,512
Accrued interest and other liabilities		11,727			1,463			13,190
Total liabilities assumed		2,208,991			369			2,209,360
Equity		244,292			(244,292	)		--
Total equity assumed		244,292			(244,292	)		--
Total liabilities and equity assumed	$	2,453,283		$	(243,923	)	$	2,209,360
Net assets acquired								219,084
Purchase price								457,103
Goodwill							$	238,019

The Company’s operating results for 2017 include the operating results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of First Texas subsequent to the acquisition date.

Summary of Unaudited Pro forma Information

The unaudited pro forma information below for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 gives effect to the OKSB and First Texas acquisitions as if the acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2016. Pro forma earnings for the year ended December 31, 2017 were adjusted to exclude $9.4 million of acquisition-related costs, net of tax, incurred by Simmons during 2017. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations if the acquisitions had been effective as of this date.

(In thousands, except per share data)	2017		2016
Revenue ⁽¹⁾	$	654,358	$	620,461
Net income	$	130,947	$	136,199
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.43	$	1.52

_________________________

(1) Net interest income plus noninterest income.

Consolidated year-to-date 2017 results included approximately $29.2 million of revenue and $10.5 million of net income attributable to the OKSB acquisition and $27.6 million of revenue and $5.7 million of net income attributable to the First Texas acquisition.

Hardeman County Investment Company, Inc.

On May 15, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Hardeman County Investment Company, Inc. (“Hardeman”), headquartered in Jackson, Tennessee, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary, First South Bank. The Company issued 1,599,940 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $42.6 million as of May 15, 2017, plus $30.0 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Hardeman common stock.

Prior to the acquisition, Hardeman conducted banking business from 10 branches located in western Tennessee. Including the effects of the acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $462.9 million in assets, including approximately $251.6 million in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $389.0 million in deposits. The Company completed the systems conversion and merged Hardeman into Simmons Bank in September 2017. As part of the systems conversion, five existing Simmons Bank and First South Bank branches were consolidated or closed.

Goodwill of $29.4 million was recorded as a result of the transaction. The merger strengthened the Company’s position in the western Tennessee market, and the Company will be able to achieve cost savings by integrating the two companies and combining accounting, data processing, and other administrative functions, all of which gave rise to the goodwill recorded. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

A summary, at fair value, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Hardeman transaction, as of the acquisition date, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Acquired from Hardeman			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value

Assets Acquired
Cash and due from banks	$	8,001		$	--		$	8,001
Interest bearing balances due from banks - time		1,984			--			1,984
Investment securities		170,654			(285	)		170,369
Loans acquired		257,641			(5,992	)		251,649
Allowance for loan losses		(2,382	)		2,382			--
Foreclosed assets		1,083			(452	)		631
Premises and equipment		9,905			1,258			11,163
Bank owned life insurance		7,819			--			7,819
Goodwill		11,485			(11,485	)		--
Core deposit intangible		--			7,840			7,840
Other intangibles		--			830			830
Other assets		2,639			(1	)		2,638
Total assets acquired	$	468,829		$	(5,905	)	$	462,924

Liabilities Assumed
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts	$	76,555		$	--		$	76,555
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		214,872			--			214,872
Time deposits		97,917			(368	)		97,549
Total deposits		389,344			(368	)		388,976
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		17,163			--			17,163
Other borrowings		3,000			--			3,000
Subordinated debentures		6,702			--			6,702
Accrued interest and other liabilities		1,891			1,924			3,815
Total liabilities assumed		418,100			1,556			419,656
Equity		50,729			(50,729	)		--
Total equity assumed		50,729			(50,729	)		--
Total liabilities and equity assumed	$	468,829		$	(49,173	)	$	419,656
Net assets acquired								43,268
Purchase price								72,639
Goodwill							$	29,371

The Company’s operating results for 2017 include the operating results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Hardeman subsequent to the acquisition date.

Citizens National Bank

On September 9, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of Citizens National Bank (“Citizens”), headquartered in Athens, Tennessee. The Company issued 1,671,482 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $41.3 million as of September 9, 2016, plus $35.0 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Citizens common stock.

Prior to the acquisition, Citizens conducted banking business from 9 branches located in east Tennessee. Including the effects of the acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $585.1 million in assets, including approximately $340.9 million in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $509.9 million in deposits. The Company completed the systems conversion and merged Citizens into Simmons Bank in October 2016.

Goodwill of $23.4 million was recorded as a result of the transaction. The merger strengthened the Company’s position in the east Tennessee market and the Company is able to achieve cost savings by integrating the two companies and combining accounting, data processing, and other administrative functions all of which gave rise to the goodwill recorded. The goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.

A summary, at fair value, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Citizens transaction, as of the acquisition date, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Acquired from Citizens			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value

Assets Acquired
Cash and due from banks	$	131,467		$	(351	)	$	131,116
Federal funds sold		10,000			--			10,000
Investment securities		61,987			1			61,988
Loans acquired		350,361			(9,511	)		340,850
Allowance for loan losses		(4,313	)		4,313			--
Foreclosed assets		4,960			(1,518	)		3,442
Premises and equipment		6,746			1,339			8,085
Bank owned life insurance		6,632			--			6,632
Core deposit intangible		--			5,075			5,075
Other intangibles		--			591			591
Other assets		17,364			6			17,370
Total assets acquired	$	585,204		$	(55	)	$	585,149

Liabilities Assumed
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts	$	109,281		$	--		$	109,281
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		204,912			--			204,912
Time deposits		195,664			--			195,664
Total deposits		509,857			--			509,857
Securities sold under agreement to repurchase		13,233			--			13,233
FHLB borrowings		4,000			47			4,047
Accrued interest and other liabilities		3,558			1,530			5,088
Total liabilities assumed		530,648			1,577			532,225
Equity		54,556			(54,556	)		--
Total equity assumed		54,556			(54,556	)		--
Total liabilities and equity assumed	$	585,204		$	(52,979	)	$	532,225
Net assets acquired								52,924
Purchase price								76,300
Goodwill							$	23,376

During 2017, the Company finalized its analysis of the loans acquired along with the other acquired assets and assumed liabilities in this transaction.

The Company’s operating results for 2017 and 2016 include the operating results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Citizens subsequent to the acquisition date.

Liberty Bancshares, Inc.

On February 27, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Liberty Bancshares, Inc. (“Liberty”), headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary Liberty Bank (“LB”). The Company issued 10,362,674 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $212.2 million as of February 27, 2015 in exchange for all outstanding shares of Liberty common stock.

Prior to the acquisition, Liberty conducted banking business from 24 branches located in southwest Missouri. Including the effects of the acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $1.1 billion in assets, including approximately $780.7 million in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $874.7 million in deposits. The Company completed the systems conversion and merged LB into Simmons Bank in April 2015.

Goodwill of $95.2 million was recorded as a result of the transaction. The merger strengthened the Company’s position in the southwest Missouri market and the Company is able to achieve cost savings by integrating the two companies and combining accounting, data processing, and other administrative functions all of which give rise to the goodwill recorded. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

A summary, at fair value, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Liberty transaction, as of the acquisition date, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Acquired from Liberty			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value

Assets Acquired
Cash and due from banks, including time deposits	$	102,637		$	(14	)	$	102,623
Federal funds sold		7,060			--			7,060
Investment securities		99,123			(335	)		98,788
Loans acquired, not covered by FDIC loss share		790,493			(9,835	)		780,658
Allowance for loan losses		(10,422	)		10,422			--
Premises and equipment		34,239			(3,215	)		31,024
Bank owned life insurance		16,972			--			16,972
Core deposit intangible		699			13,857			14,556
Other intangibles		3,063			(3,063	)		--
Other assets		17,703			(3,112	)		14,591
Total assets acquired	$	1,061,567		$	4,705		$	1,066,272

Liabilities Assumed
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts	$	146,618		$	--		$	146,618
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		543,183			--			543,183
Time deposits		184,913			--			184,913
Total deposits		874,714			--			874,714
FHLB borrowings		46,128			223			46,351
Subordinated debentures		20,620			(510	)		20,110
Accrued interest and other liabilities		7,828			300			8,128
Total liabilities assumed		949,290			13			949,303
Equity		112,277			(112,277	)		--
Total equity assumed		112,277			(112,277	)		--
Total liabilities and equity assumed	$	1,061,567		$	(112,264	)	$	949,303
Net assets acquired								116,969
Purchase price								212,176
Goodwill							$	95,207

During 2015 the Company finalized its analysis of the acquired loans and subordinated debentures along with the other acquired assets and assumed liabilities.

The Company’s operating results for all periods presented include the operating results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Liberty subsequent to the acquisition date.

Community First Bancshares, Inc.

On February 27, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Community First Bancshares, Inc. (“Community First”), headquartered in Union City, Tennessee, including its wholly-owned bank subsidiary First State Bank (“FSB”). The Company issued 13,105,830 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $268.3 million as of February 27, 2015, plus $9,974 in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Community First common stock. The Company also issued $30.9 million of preferred stock in exchange for all outstanding shares of Community First preferred stock. On January 29, 2016, the Company redeemed all of the preferred stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends.

Prior to the acquisition, Community First conducted banking business from 33 branches located across Tennessee. Including the effects of the acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $1.9 billion in assets, including approximately $1.1 billion in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $1.5 billion in deposits. The Company completed the systems conversion and merged FSB into Simmons Bank in September 2015.

Goodwill of $110.4 million was recorded as a result of the transaction. The merger allowed the Company’s entrance into the Tennessee market and served as a launching platform for expansion into adjacent areas. The Company is able to achieve cost savings by integrating the two companies and combining accounting, data processing, and other administrative functions. Furthermore, the Company will benefit from the addition of Community First's small-business lending platform while cross-selling its trust products in Community First’s market. This combination of factors gave rise to the goodwill recorded. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

A summary, at fair value, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Community First transaction, as of the acquisition date, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Acquired from Community First			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value

Assets Acquired
Cash and due from banks	$	39,848		$	--		$	39,848
Federal funds sold		76,508			--			76,508
Investment securities		570,199			(3,381	)		566,818
Loans acquired, not covered by FDIC loss share		1,163,398			(26,855	)		1,136,543
Allowance for loan losses		(14,635	)		14,635			--
Foreclosed assets not covered by FDIC loss share		747			--			747
Premises and equipment		44,837			(2,794	)		42,043
Bank owned life insurance		22,149			--			22,149
Goodwill		100			(100	)		--
Core deposit intangible		--			11,273			11,273
Other intangibles		--			420			420
Deferred tax asset		3,700			3,538			7,238
Other assets		11,474			--			11,474
Total assets acquired	$	1,918,325		$	(3,264	)	$	1,915,061

Liabilities Assumed
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts	$	103,825		$	--		$	103,825
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		995,207			--			995,207
Time deposits		436,181			849			437,030
Total deposits		1,535,213			849			1,536,062
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase		16,230			--			16,230
FHLB borrowings		143,047			674			143,721
Subordinated debentures		21,754			(840	)		20,914
Accrued interest and other liabilities		8,769			601			9,370
Total liabilities assumed		1,725,013			1,284			1,726,297
Equity		193,312			(193,312	)		--
Total equity assumed		193,312			(193,312	)		--
Total liabilities and equity assumed	$	1,918,325		$	(192,028	)	$	1,726,297
Net assets acquired								188,764
Purchase price								299,204
Goodwill							$	110,440

During 2015 the Company finalized its analysis of the acquired loans and subordinated debentures along with the other acquired assets and assumed liabilities.

The Company’s operating results for all periods presented include the operating results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Community First subsequent to the acquisition date.

Ozark Trust & Investment Corporation

On October 29, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Ozark Trust & Investment Corporation (“Ozark Trust”), headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, including its wholly-owned non-deposit trust company, Trust Company of the Ozarks (“TCO”). Simmons issued 678,580 shares of its common stock valued at approximately $17.9 million as of October 29, 2015, plus $5.8 million in cash in exchange for all outstanding shares of Ozark Trust common stock.

Prior to the acquisition, Ozark Trust had over $1 billion in assets under management. The Company owned 1,000 shares of Ozark Trust’s common stock, which it acquired through its acquisition of Liberty in February 2015. The purchase price is allocated among the net assets of Ozark Trust acquired as appropriate, with the remaining balance being reported as goodwill.

A summary, at fair value, of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Ozark Trust transaction, as of the acquisition date, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Acquired from Ozark Trust		Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value

Assets Acquired
Cash	$	1,756	$	--		$	1,756
Investment securities		241		--			241
Premises and equipment		1,126		418			1,544
Other intangibles		--		9,733			9,733
Other assets		752		869			1,621
Total assets acquired	$	3,875	$	11,020		$	14,895

Liabilities Assumed
Deferred tax liability		63		4,175			4,238
Accrued and other liabilities		302		--			302
Total liabilities assumed		365		4,175			4,540
Equity		3,510		(3,510	)		--
Total equity assumed		3,510		(3,510	)		--
Total liabilities and equity assumed	$	3,875	$	665		$	4,540
Net assets acquired							10,355
Purchase price							23,623
Goodwill						$	13,268

During 2015 the Company finalized its analysis of the acquired loans and subordinated debentures along with the other acquired assets and assumed liabilities.

The Company’s operating results for all periods presented include the operating results of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities of Ozark Trust subsequent to the acquisition date.

The following is a description of the methods used to determine the fair values of significant assets and liabilities presented in the acquisitions above.

Cash and due from banks, time deposits due from banks and federal funds sold – The carrying amount of these assets is a reasonable estimate of fair value based on the short-term nature of these assets.

Investment securities – Investment securities were acquired with an adjustment to fair value based upon quoted market prices if material. Otherwise, the carrying amount of these assets was deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Loans acquired – Fair values for loans were based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considered factors including the type of loan and related collateral, classification status, fixed or variable interest rate, term of loan and whether or not the loan was amortizing, and current discount rates. The discount rates used for loans are based on current market rates for new originations of comparable loans and include adjustments for liquidity concerns. The discount rate does not include a factor for credit losses as that has been included in the estimated cash flows. Loans were grouped together according to similar characteristics and were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques.

Foreclosed assets – These assets are presented at the estimated present values that management expects to receive when the properties are sold, net of related costs of disposal.

Premises and equipment – Bank premises and equipment were acquired with an adjustment to fair value, which represents the difference between the Company’s current analysis of property and equipment values completed in connection with the acquisition and book value acquired.

Bank owned life insurance – Bank owned life insurance is carried at its current cash surrender value, which is the most reasonable estimate of fair value.

Goodwill – The consideration paid as a result of the acquisition exceeded the fair value of the assets acquired, resulting in an intangible asset, goodwill. Goodwill established prior to the acquisitions, if applicable, was written off.

Core deposit intangible – This intangible asset represents the value of the relationships that the acquired banks had with their deposit customers. The fair value of this intangible asset was estimated based on a discounted cash flow methodology that gave appropriate consideration to expected customer attrition rates, cost of the deposit base and the net maintenance cost attributable to customer deposits. Core deposit intangible established prior to the acquisitions, if applicable, was written off.

Other intangibles – These intangible assets represent the value of the relationships that Citizens and Ozarks Trust had with their trust customers and Hardeman and Community First had with their insurance customers. The fair value of these intangible assets was estimated based on a combination of discounted cash flow methodology and a market valuation approach. Intangible assets for the OKSB acquisition represent mortgage servicing rights. Other intangibles established prior to the acquisitions, if applicable, were written off.

Other assets – The fair value adjustment results from certain assets whose value was estimated to be less than book value, such as certain prepaid assets, receivables and other miscellaneous assets. Otherwise, the carrying amount of these assets was deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Deposits – The fair values used for the demand and savings deposits that comprise the transaction accounts acquired, by definition equal the amount payable on demand at the acquisition date. The Company performed a fair value analysis of the estimated weighted average interest rate of the certificates of deposits compared to the current market rates and recorded a fair value adjustment for the difference when material.

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase – The carrying amount of federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase is a reasonable estimate of fair value based on the short-term nature of these liabilities.

FHLB and other borrowings – The fair value of Federal Home Loan Bank and other borrowings is estimated based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms and maturities.

Subordinated debentures – The fair value of subordinated debentures is estimated based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms and maturities. Due to the floating rate nature of the debenture, the fair value approximates book value as of the date acquired.

Accrued interest and other liabilities – The adjustment establishes a liability for unfunded commitments equal to the fair value of that liability at the date of acquisition.

NOTE 3: INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities that are classified as held-to-maturity (“HTM”) and available-for-sale (“AFS”) are as follows:

	Years Ended December 31
	2017									2016
(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Estimated Fair Value

Held-to-Maturity

U.S. Government agencies	$	46,945	$	7	$	(228	)	$	46,724	$	76,875	$	107	$	(182	)	$	76,800
Mortgage-backed securities		16,132		8		(287	)		15,853		19,773		63		(249	)		19,587
State and political subdivisions		301,491		5,962		(222	)		307,231		362,532		4,967		(842	)		366,657
Other securities		3,490		--		--			3,490		2,916		--		--			2,916

Total HTM	$	368,058	$	5,977	$	(737	)	$	373,298	$	462,096	$	5,137	$	(1,273	)	$	465,960

Available-for-Sale

U.S. Treasury	$	--	$	--	$	--		$	--	$	300	$	--	$	--		$	300
U.S. Government agencies		141,559		116		(1,951	)		139,724		140,005		67		(2,301	)		137,771
Mortgage-backed securities		1,208,017		246		(20,946	)		1,187,317		885,783		178		(17,637	)		868,324
State and political subdivisions		144,642		532		(2,009	)		143,165		108,374		38		(5,469	)		102,943
Other securities		118,106		1,206		(1	)		119,311		47,022		996		(2	)		48,016

Total AFS	$	1,612,324	$	2,100	$	(24,907	)	$	1,589,517	$	1,181,484	$	1,279	$	(25,409	)	$	1,157,354

Securities with limited marketability, such as stock in the Federal Reserve Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank, are carried at cost and are reported as other AFS securities in the table above.

Certain investment securities are valued at less than their historical cost. Total fair value of these investments at December 31, 2017 and 2016, was $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion, which is approximately 73.5% and 75.7%, respectively, of the Company’s combined AFS and HTM investment portfolios.

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value of the Company’s investments with unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at:

	Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
(In thousands)	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
December 31, 2017

Held-to-Maturity

U.S. Government agencies	$	11,961	$	6	$	32,778	$	222	$	44,739	$	228
Mortgage-backed securities		5,471		47		8,946		240		14,417		287
State and political subdivisions		40,299		198		1,887		24		42,186		222

Total HTM	$	57,731	$	251	$	43,611	$	486	$	101,342	$	737

Available-for-Sale

U.S. Government agencies	$	91,988	$	921	$	25,742	$	1,030	$	117,730	$	1,951
Mortgage-backed securities		510,770		4,516		609,329		16,430		1,120,099		20,946
State and political subdivisions		25,049		202		75,404		1,807		100,453		2,009
Other securities		--		--		99		1		99		1

Total AFS	$	627,807	$	5,639	$	710,574	$	19,268	$	1,338,381	$	24,907

December 31, 2016

Held-to-Maturity

U.S. Government agencies	$	32,859	$	141	$	19,959	$	41	$	52,818	$	182
Mortgage-backed securities		11,833		205		1,465		44		13,298		249
State and political subdivisions		104,974		841		330		1		105,304		842

Total HTM	$	149,666	$	1,187	$	21,754	$	86	$	171,420	$	1,273

Available-for-Sale

U.S. Government agencies	$	126,325	$	2,301	$	--	$	--	$	126,325	$	2,301
Mortgage-backed securities		833,393		17,637		--		--		833,393		17,637
State and political subdivisions		94,922		5,469		--		--		94,922		5,469
Other securities		99		2		--		--		99		2

Total AFS	$	1,054,739	$	25,409	$	--	$	--	$	1,054,739	$	25,409

These declines primarily resulted from the rate for these investments yielding less than current market rates. Based on evaluation of available evidence, management believes the declines in fair value for these securities are temporary. Management does not have the intent to sell these securities and management believes it is more likely than not the Company will not have to sell these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis less any current period credit losses.

Declines in the fair value of HTM and AFS securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers, among other things, (i) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (iii) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

Management has the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as HTM until they mature, at which time the Company expects to receive full value for the securities. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2017, management also had the ability and intent to hold the securities classified as AFS for a period of time sufficient for a recovery of cost. The unrealized losses are largely due to increases in market interest rates over the yields available at the time the underlying securities were purchased. The fair value is expected to recover as the bonds approach their maturity date or repricing date or if market yields for such investments decline. Management does not believe any of the securities are impaired due to reasons of credit quality. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2017, management believes the impairments detailed in the table above are temporary. Should the impairment of any of these securities become other than temporary, the cost basis of the investment will be reduced and the resulting loss recognized in net income in the period the other-than-temporary impairment is identified.

Income earned on securities for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, is as follows:

(In thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Taxable
Held-to-maturity	$	2,521	$	3,778	$	5,162
Available-for-sale		25,996		17,928		12,129

Non-taxable
Held-to-maturity		8,693		10,641		11,635
Available-for-sale		2,905		1,132		1,687

Total	$	40,115	$	33,479	$	30,613

The amortized cost and estimated fair value by maturity of securities are shown in the following table. Securities are classified according to their contractual maturities without consideration of principal amortization, potential prepayments or call options. Accordingly, actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities.

	Held-to-Maturity				Available-for-Sale
(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value

One year or less	$	46,377	$	46,255	$	590	$	591
After one through five years		85,451		85,581		35,616		35,246
After five through ten years		92,361		93,400		24,203		23,953
After ten years		127,737		132,209		225,892		223,198
Securities not due on a single maturity date		16,132		15,853		1,208,017		1,187,317
Other securities (no maturity)		--		--		118,006		119,212

Total	$	368,058	$	373,298	$	1,612,324	$	1,589,517

The carrying value, which approximates the fair value, of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, amounted to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2017 and $915.2 million at December 31, 2016.

There were $2.4 million of gross realized gains and $1.3 million of realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2017. There were $5.8 million of gross realized gains and no realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2016. There were $350,000 of gross realized gains and $43,000 of realized losses from the sale of securities during the year ended December 31, 2015. The income tax expense/benefit related to security gains/losses was 39.225% of the gross amounts.

The state and political subdivision debt obligations are predominately non-rated bonds representing small issuances, primarily in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas issues, which are evaluated on an ongoing basis.

NOTE 5: LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

At December 31, 2017, the Company’s loan portfolio was $10.78 billion, compared to $5.63 billion at December 31, 2016. The various categories of loans are summarized as follows:

(In thousands)	2017		2016

Consumer:
Credit cards	$	185,422	$	184,591
Other consumer		280,094		303,972
Total consumer		465,516		488,563
Real estate:
Construction		614,155		336,759
Single family residential		1,094,633		904,245
Other commercial		2,530,824		1,787,075
Total real estate		4,239,612		3,028,079
Commercial:
Commercial		825,217		639,525
Agricultural		148,302		150,378
Total commercial		973,519		789,903
Other		26,962		20,662
Loans		5,705,609		4,327,207
Loans acquired, net of discount and allowance ⁽¹⁾		5,074,076		1,305,683

Total loans	$	10,779,685	$	5,632,890

______________________

(1)

See Note 6, Loans Acquired, for segregation of loans acquired by loan class.

Loan Origination/Risk Management – The Company seeks to manage its credit risk by diversifying its loan portfolio, determining that borrowers have adequate sources of cash flow for loan repayment without liquidation of collateral; obtaining and monitoring collateral; providing an adequate allowance for loans losses by regularly reviewing loans through the internal loan review process. The loan portfolio is diversified by borrower, purpose and industry. The Company seeks to use diversification within the loan portfolio to reduce its credit risk, thereby minimizing the adverse impact on the portfolio, if weaknesses develop in either the economy or a particular segment of borrowers. Collateral requirements are based on credit assessments of borrowers and may be used to recover the debt in case of default. Furthermore, a factor that influenced the Company’s judgment regarding the allowance for loan losses consists of a eight-year historical loss average segregated by each primary loan sector. On an annual basis, historical loss rates are calculated for each sector.

Consumer – The consumer loan portfolio consists of credit card loans and other consumer loans. Credit card loans are diversified by geographic region to reduce credit risk and minimize any adverse impact on the portfolio. Although they are regularly reviewed to facilitate the identification and monitoring of creditworthiness, credit card loans are unsecured loans, making them more susceptible to be impacted by economic downturns resulting in increasing unemployment. Other consumer loans include direct and indirect installment loans and overdrafts. Loans in this portfolio segment are sensitive to unemployment and other key consumer economic measures.

Real estate – The real estate loan portfolio consists of construction loans, single family residential loans and commercial loans. Construction and development loans (“C&D”) and commercial real estate loans (“CRE”) can be particularly sensitive to valuation of real estate. Commercial real estate cycles are inevitable. The long planning and production process for new properties and rapid shifts in business conditions and employment create an inherent tension between supply and demand for commercial properties. While general economic trends often move individual markets in the same direction over time, the timing and magnitude of changes are determined by other forces unique to each market. CRE cycles tend to be local in nature and longer than other credit cycles. Factors influencing the CRE market are traditionally different from those affecting residential real estate markets; thereby making predictions for one market based on the other difficult. Additionally, submarkets within commercial real estate – such as office, industrial, apartment, retail and hotel – also experience different cycles, providing an opportunity to lower the overall risk through diversification across types of CRE loans. Management realizes that local demand and supply conditions will also mean that different geographic areas will experience cycles of different amplitude and length. The Company monitors these loans closely.

Commercial – The commercial loan portfolio includes commercial and agricultural loans, representing loans to commercial customers and farmers for use in normal business or farming operations to finance working capital needs, equipment purchases or other expansion projects. Collection risk in this portfolio is driven by the creditworthiness of the underlying borrowers, particularly cash flow from customers’ business or farming operations. The Company continues its efforts to keep loan terms short, reducing the negative impact of upward movement in interest rates. Term loans are generally set up with one or three year balloons, and the Company has instituted a pricing mechanism for commercial loans. It is standard practice to require personal guaranties on commercial loans for closely-held or limited liability entities.

Nonaccrual and Past Due Loans – Loans are considered past due if the required principal and interest payments have not been received as of the date such payments were due. Loans are placed on nonaccrual status when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due, as well as when required by regulatory provisions. Loans may be placed on nonaccrual status regardless of whether or not such loans are considered past due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Nonaccrual loans, excluding loans acquired, at December 31, 2017 and 2016, segregated by class of loans, are as follows:

(In thousands)	2017		2016

Consumer:
Credit cards	$	170	$	373
Other consumer		4,605		1,793
Total consumer		4,775		2,166
Real estate:
Construction		2,242		3,411
Single family residential		13,431		12,139
Other commercial		16,054		12,385
Total real estate		31,727		27,935
Commercial:
Commercial		6,980		7,765
Agricultural		2,160		1,238
Total commercial		9,140		9,003

Total	$	45,642	$	39,104

An age analysis of past due loans, excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans, is as follows:

(In thousands)	Gross 30-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		90 Days Past Due & Accruing

December 31, 2017
Consumer:
Credit cards	$	707	$	672	$	1,379	$	184,043	$	185,422	$	332
Other consumer		5,009		3,298		8,307		271,787		280,094		10
Total consumer		5,716		3,970		9,686		455,830		465,516		342
Real estate:
Construction		411		1,210		1,621		612,534		614,155		--
Single family residential		8,071		6,460		14,531		1,080,102		1,094,633		1
Other commercial		2,388		8,031		10,419		2,520,405		2,530,824		--
Total real estate		10,870		15,701		26,571		4,213,041		4,239,612		1
Commercial:
Commercial		1,523		6,125		7,648		817,569		825,217		--
Agricultural		50		2,120		2,170		146,132		148,302
Total commercial		1,573		8,245		9,818		963,701		973,519		--
Other		--		--		--		26,962		26,962		--

Total	$	18,159	$	27,916	$	46,075	$	5,659,534	$	5,705,609	$	343

December 31, 2016
Consumer:
Credit cards	$	716	$	275	$	991	$	183,600	$	184,591	$	275
Other consumer		3,786		1,027		4,813		299,159		303,972		11
Total consumer		4,502		1,302		5,804		482,759		488,563		286
Real estate:
Construction		1,420		1,246		2,666		334,093		336,759		--
Single family residential		6,310		5,927		12,237		892,008		904,245		14
Other commercial		4,212		6,722		10,934		1,776,141		1,787,075		--
Total real estate		11,942		13,895		25,837		3,002,242		3,028,079		14
Commercial:
Commercial		2,040		5,296		7,336		632,189		639,525		--
Agricultural		121		1,215		1,336		149,042		150,378		--
Total commercial		2,161		6,511		8,672		781,231		789,903		--
Other		--		--		--		20,662		20,662		--

Total	$	18,605	$	21,708	$	40,313	$	4,286,894	$	4,327,207	$	300

Impaired Loans – A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loans, including scheduled principal and interest payments. This includes loans that are delinquent 90 days or more, nonaccrual loans and certain other loans identified by management. Certain other loans identified by management consist of performing loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses. Impaired loans are carried at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Impairment is evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of a similar nature and on an individual loan basis for other loans. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged-off when deemed uncollectible.

Impaired loans, net of government guarantees and excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans, are as follows:

(In thousands)	Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance		Recorded Investment With No Allowance		Recorded Investment With Allowance		Total Recorded Investment		Related Allowance		Average Investment in Impaired Loans		Interest Income Recognized

December 31, 2017
Consumer:
Credit cards	$	170	$	170	$	--	$	170	$	--	$	268	$	47
Other consumer		4,755		4,605		--		4,605		--		3,089		106
Total consumer		4,925		4,775		--		4,775		--		3,357		153
Real estate:
Construction		2,522		1,347		895		2,242		249		2,711		93
Single family residential		14,347		12,725		706		13,431		53		12,904		443
Other commercial		22,308		6,732		9,133		15,865		36		18,624		639
Total real estate		39,177		20,804		10,734		31,538		338		34,239		1,175
Commercial:
Commercial		9,954		4,306		2,269		6,575		--		11,670		400
Agricultural		3,278		1,035		--		1,035		--		1,522		52
Total commercial		13,232		5,341		2,269		7,610		--		13,192		452

Total	$	57,334	$	30,920	$	13,003	$	43,923	$	338	$	50,788	$	1,780

December 31, 2016
Consumer:
Credit cards	$	373	$	373	$	--	$	373	$	--	$	346	$	20
Other consumer		1,836		1,797		3		1,800		1		1,066		47
Total consumer		2,209		2,170		3		2,173		1		1,412		67
Real estate:
Construction		4,275		1,038		2,374		3,412		156		4,436		196
Single family residential		12,970		10,630		1,753		12,383		162		9,486		419
Other commercial		20,993		6,891		7,315		14,206		99		14,932		659
Total real estate		38,238		18,559		11,442		30,001		417		28,854		1,274
Commercial:
Commercial		11,848		2,734		7,573		10,307		262		4,666		206
Agricultural		2,226		1,215		--		1,215		--		1,046		46
Total commercial		14,074		3,949		7,573		11,522		262		5,712		252

Total	$	54,521	$	24,678	$	19,018	$	43,696	$	680	$	35,978	$	1,593

At December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, impaired loans, net of government guarantees and excluding loans acquired, totaled $43.9 million and $43.7 million, respectively. Allocations of the allowance for loan losses relative to impaired loans were $338,000 and $680,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Approximately $1.8 million, $1.6 million and $1.2 million of interest income was recognized on average impaired loans of $50.8 million, $36.0 million and $16.7 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Interest recognized on impaired loans on a cash basis during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was not material.

Included in certain impaired loan categories are troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”). When the Company restructures a loan to a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty and grants a concession that it would not otherwise consider, a “troubled debt restructuring” results and the Company classifies the loan as a TDR. The Company grants various types of concessions, primarily interest rate reduction and/or payment modifications or extensions, with an occasional forgiveness of principal.

Under ASC Topic 310-10-35 – Subsequent Measurement, a TDR is considered to be impaired, and an impairment analysis must be performed. The Company assesses the exposure for each modification, either by collateral discounting or by calculation of the present value of future cash flows, and determines if a specific allocation to the allowance for loan losses is needed.

Once an obligation has been restructured because of such credit problems, it continues to be considered a TDR until paid in full; or, if an obligation yields a market interest rate and no longer has any concession regarding payment amount or amortization, then it is not considered a TDR at the beginning of the calendar year after the year in which the improvement takes place. The Company returns TDRs to accrual status only if (1) all contractual amounts due can reasonably be expected to be repaid within a prudent period, and (2) repayment has been in accordance with the contract for a sustained period, typically at least six months.

The following table presents a summary of troubled debt restructurings, excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans.

	Accruing TDR Loans				Nonaccrual TDR Loans				Total TDR Loans
(Dollars in thousands)	Number		Balance		Number		Balance		Number		Balance

December 31, 2017
Real estate:
Construction		--	$	--	$	1	$	420	$	1	$	420
Single-family residential		4		141		15		954		19		1,095
Other commercial		4		4,322		5		3,712		9		8,034
Total real estate		8		4,463		21		5,086		29		9,549
Commercial:
Commercial		5		2,644		6		745		11		3,389
Total commercial		5		2,644		6		745		11		3,389
Total		13	$	7,107		27	$	5,831		40	$	12,938

December 31, 2016
Consumer:
Other consumer		--	$	--		1	$	3		1	$	3
Total consumer		--		--		1		3		1		3
Real estate:
Construction		--		--		1		18		1		18
Single-family residential		3		167		29		2,078		32		2,245
Other commercial		23		9,048		2		780		25		9,828
Total real estate		26		9,215		32		2,876		58		12,091
Commercial:
Commercial		15		1,783		5		297		20		2,080
Total commercial		15		1,783		5		297		20		2,080
Total		41	$	10,998		38	$	3,176		79	$	14,174

The following table presents loans that were restructured as TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans.

							Modification Type
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of Loans		Balance Prior to TDR		Balance at December 31		Change in Maturity Date		Change in Rate		Financial Impact on Date of Restructure

Year Ended December 31, 2017
Real estate:
Construction		1	$	456	$	456	$	456	$	--	$	--
Single-family residential		1		139		130		130		--		--
Other commercial		3		7,715		7,715		7,715		--		33
Total real estate		5		8,310		8,301		8,301		--		33
Commercial:
Commercial		11		2,691		2,604		2,565		39		--
Total commercial		11		2,691		2,604		2,565		39		--
Total		16	$	11,001	$	10,905	$	10,866	$	39	$	33

Year Ended December 31, 2016
Consumer:
Other consumer		2	$	50	$	11	$	11	$	--	$	--
Total consumer		2		50		11		11		--		--
Real estate:
Single-family residential		23		1,570		1,518		964		554		--
Other commercial		28		10,291		10,260		9,128		1,132		--
Total real estate		51		11,861		11,778		10,092		1,686		--
Commercial:
Commercial		17		1,996		1,968		1,968		--		--
Total commercial		17		1,996		1,968		1,968		--		--
Total		70	$	13,907	$	13,757	$	12,071	$	1,686	$	--

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company modified sixteen loans with a total recorded investment of $11.0 million prior to modification which were deemed troubled debt restructuring. The restructured loans were modified by deferring amortized principal payments, changing the maturity date and requiring interest only payments for a period of up to 12 months. Based on the fair value of the collateral, a specific reserve of $26,000 was determined necessary for these loans. Also, the financial impact from the restructuring of these loans was $33,000 from the charge-off of interest on the date of restructure. During the year ended December 31, 2017, thirteen of the previously restructured loans with prior balances of $1.2 million were paid off.

During year ended December 31, 2016, the Company modified seventy loans with a total recorded investment of $13.9 million prior to modification which were deemed troubled debt restructuring. The restructured loans were modified by various terms, including changing the maturity date, deferring amortized principal payments and requiring interest only payments for a period of 12 months. Based on the fair value of the collateral, a specific reserve of $402,000 was determined necessary for these loans. Also, there was no immediate financial impact from the restructuring of these loans, as it was not considered necessary to charge-off interest or principal on the date of restructure. During the year ended December 31, 2016, fifteen of the previously restructured loans with prior balances of $3.7 million were paid off.

There was one commercial real estate loan for which a payment default occurred during the year ended December 31, 2017, that had been modified as a TDR within 12 months or less of the payment default, excluding loans acquired. A charge off of approximately $440,000 was recorded for this loan during the third quarter 2017. Also, there was one single-family residential loan for which a payment default occurred during the year ended December 31, 2017, that had been modified as a TDR within 12 months or less of the payment default, for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process. We define a payment default as a payment received more than 90 days after its due date.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, there was one consumer loan for which a payment default occurred that had been modified as a TDR within 12 months or less of the payment default. A charge off of $39,000 was recorded for this loan. There was also one single-family residential loan for which a payment default occurred during the year ended December 31, 2016, that had been modified as a TDR within 12 months or less of the payment default. A charge off of $31,000 was recorded for this loan and $69,000 was transferred to other real estate owned (“OREO”).

In addition to the TDRs that occurred during the period provided in the preceding tables, the Company had TDRs with pre-modification loan balances of $236,000 at December 31, 2016 for which OREO was received in full or partial satisfaction of the loans. The majority of such TDRs were in commercial real estate and residential real estate. There were no TDRs at December 31, 2017 for which OREO was received in full or partial satisfaction of the loans. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $5,057,000 and $1,714,000, respectively, of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $3,828,000 and $5,094,000, respectively, of OREO secured by residential real estate properties.

Credit Quality Indicators – As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, management tracks certain credit quality indicators including trends related to (i) the weighted-average risk rating of commercial and real estate loans, (ii) the level of classified commercial and real estate loans, (iii) net charge-offs, (iv) non-performing loans (see details above) and (v) the general economic conditions in the States of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

The Company utilizes a risk rating matrix to assign a risk rate to each of its commercial and real estate loans. Loans are rated on a scale of 1 to 8. A description of the general characteristics of the 8 risk ratings is as follows:

Risk Rate 1 – Pass (Excellent) – This category includes loans which are virtually free of credit risk. Borrowers in this category represent the highest credit quality and greatest financial strength.

Risk Rate 2 – Pass (Good) - Loans under this category possess a nominal risk of default. This category includes borrowers with strong financial strength and superior financial ratios and trends. These loans are generally fully secured by cash or equivalents (other than those rated “excellent”).

Risk Rate 3 – Pass (Acceptable – Average) - Loans in this category are considered to possess a normal level of risk. Borrowers in this category have satisfactory financial strength and adequate cash flow coverage to service debt requirements. If secured, the perfected collateral should be of acceptable quality and within established borrowing parameters.

Risk Rate 4 – Pass (Monitor) - Loans in the Watch (Monitor) category exhibit an overall acceptable level of risk, but that risk may be increased by certain conditions, which represent “red flags”. These “red flags” require a higher level of supervision or monitoring than the normal “Pass” rated credit. The borrower may be experiencing these conditions for the first time, or it may be recovering from weakness, which at one time justified a higher rating. These conditions may include: weaknesses in financial trends; marginal cash flow; one-time negative operating results; non-compliance with policy or borrowing agreements; poor diversity in operations; lack of adequate monitoring information or lender supervision; questionable management ability/stability.

Risk Rate 5 – Special Mention - A loan in this category has potential weaknesses that deserve management's close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or in the institution's credit position at some future date. Special Mention loans are not adversely classified (although they are “criticized”) and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification. Borrowers may be experiencing adverse operating trends, or an ill-proportioned balance sheet. Non-financial characteristics of a Special Mention rating may include management problems, pending litigation, a non-existent, or ineffective loan agreement or other material structural weakness, and/or other significant deviation from prudent lending practices.

Risk Rate 6 – Substandard - A Substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness, or weaknesses, that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. The loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. This does not imply ultimate loss of the principal, but may involve burdensome administrative expenses and the accompanying cost to carry the loan.

Risk Rate 7 – Doubtful - A loan classified Doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in a substandard loan except that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full (on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values) highly questionable and improbable. Doubtful borrowers are usually in default, lack adequate liquidity, or capital, and lack the resources necessary to remain an operating entity. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of specific pending events that may strengthen the asset, its classification as loss is deferred. Pending factors include: proposed merger or acquisition; liquidation procedures; capital injection; perfection of liens on additional collateral; and refinancing plans. Loans classified as Doubtful are placed on nonaccrual status.

Risk Rate 8 – Loss - Loans classified Loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the loans has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless loan, even though partial recovery may be affected in the future. Borrowers in the Loss category are often in bankruptcy, have formally suspended debt repayments, or have otherwise ceased normal business operations. Loans should be classified as Loss and charged-off in the period in which they become uncollectible.

Loans acquired are evaluated using this internal grading system. Loans acquired are evaluated individually and include purchased credit impaired loans of $17.1 million and $17.8 million that are accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30 and are classified as substandard (Risk Rating 6) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Of the remaining loans acquired and accounted for under ASC Topic 310-20, $76.3 million and $47.8 million were classified (Risk Ratings 6, 7 and 8 – see classified loans discussion below) at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Loans acquired, covered by loss share agreements, had additional protection provided by the FDIC prior to the termination of the loss share agreements. During the 2015 quarterly impairment testing on the estimated cash flows of the credit impaired loans, the Company established that some of the loans covered by loss share from our FDIC-assisted transactions had experienced material projected credit deterioration. As a result, the Company established a $954,000 allowance for loan losses on covered loans by recording a provision for loan losses of $0.4 million (net of FDIC-loss share adjustments) during the period ended December 31, 2015. There was no further projected credit deterioration and no addition to the allowance for covered loans in 2016 or 2017. The $954,000 allowance was reclassified to allowance on acquired non-covered loans subsequent to the agreement with the FDIC to terminate the loss share agreements. See Note 6, Loans Acquired, for further discussion of the acquired loans, loan pools and loss sharing agreements.

Purchased credit impaired loans are loans that showed evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and for which it is probable, at acquisition, that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts contractually owed. Their fair value was initially based on the estimate of cash flows, both principal and interest, expected to be collected or estimated collateral values if cash flows are not estimable, discounted at prevailing market rates of interest. The difference between the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition and the fair value at acquisition is recognized as interest income on a level-yield method over the life of the loan. Contractually required payments for interest and principal that exceed the undiscounted cash flows expected at acquisition are not recognized as a yield adjustment. Increases in expected cash flows subsequent to the initial investment are recognized prospectively through adjustment of the yield on the loan over its remaining life. Decreases in expected cash flows are recognized as impairment.

Classified loans for the Company include loans in Risk Ratings 6, 7 and 8. Loans may be classified, but not considered impaired, due to one of the following reasons: (1) The Company has established minimum dollar amount thresholds for loan impairment testing. Loans rated 6 – 8 that fall under the threshold amount are not tested for impairment and therefore are not included in impaired loans. (2) Of the loans that are above the threshold amount and tested for impairment, after testing, some are considered to not be impaired and are not included in impaired loans. Total classified loans, excluding loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30, were $175.6 million and $166.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The following table presents a summary of loans by credit risk rating, segregated by class of loans.

(In thousands)	Risk Rate 1-4		Risk Rate 5		Risk Rate 6		Risk Rate 7		Risk Rate 8		Total

December 31, 2017
Consumer:
Credit cards	$	184,920	$	--	$	502	$	--	$	--	$	185,422
Other consumer		275,160		--		4,934		--		--		280,094
Total consumer		460,080		--		5,436		--		--		465,516
Real estate:
Construction		603,126		5,795		5,218		16		--		614,155
Single family residential		1,066,902		3,954		23,490		287		--		1,094,633
Other commercial		2,480,293		19,581		30,950		--		--		2,530,824
Total real estate		4,150,321		29,330		59,658		303		--		4,239,612
Commercial:
Commercial		736,377		74,254		14,402		50		134		825,217
Agricultural		146,065		24		2,190		23		--		148,302
Total commercial		882,442		74,278		16,592		73		134		973,519
Other		26,962		--		--		--		--		26,962
Loans acquired		4,782,384		198,314		93,378		--		--		5,074,076

Total	$	10,302,189	$	301,922	$	175,064	$	376	$	134	$	10,779,685

(In thousands)	Risk Rate 1-4		Risk Rate 5		Risk Rate 6		Risk Rate 7		Risk Rate 8		Total

December 31, 2016
Consumer:
Credit cards	$	183,943	$	--	$	648	$	--	$	--	$	184,591
Other consumer		301,632		26		2,314		--		--		303,972
Total consumer		485,575		26		2,962		--		--		488,563
Real estate:
Construction		330,080		98		6,565		16		--		336,759
Single family residential		875,603		4,024		24,460		158		--		904,245
Other commercial		1,738,207		6,874		41,994		--		--		1,787,075
Total real estate		2,943,890		10,996		73,019		174		--		3,028,079
Commercial:
Commercial		616,805		558		22,162		--		--		639,525
Agricultural		148,218		104		2,033		--		23		150,378
Total commercial		765,023		662		24,195		--		23		789,903
Other		20,662		--		--		--		--		20,662
Loans acquired		1,217,886		22,181		64,075		1,541		--		1,305,683

Total	$	5,433,036	$	33,865	$	164,251	$	1,715	$	23	$	5,632,890

Net (charge-offs)/recoveries for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, excluding loans acquired, segregated by class of loans, were as follows:

(In thousands)	2017			2016

Consumer:
Credit cards	$	(2,884	)	$	(2,288	)
Other consumer		(1,528	)		(1,459	)
Total consumer		(4,412	)		(3,747	)
Real estate:
Construction		100			(16	)
Single family residential		(1,045	)		(706	)
Other commercial		(6,054	)		(6,444	)
Total real estate		(6,999	)		(7,166	)
Commercial:
Commercial		(7,734	)		(1,255	)
Agricultural		--			(2,336	)
Total commercial		(7,734	)		(3,591	)

Total	$	(19,145	)	$	(14,504	)

Allowance for Loan Losses

Allowance for Loan Losses – The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense, which represents management’s best estimate of probable losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated loan losses and risks inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology includes allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 310-10, Receivables, and allowance allocations calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 450-20, Loss Contingencies. Accordingly, the methodology is based on the Company’s internal grading system, specific impairment analysis, qualitative and quantitative factors.

As mentioned above, allocations to the allowance for loan losses are categorized as either specific allocations or general allocations.

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will not receive all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan, including scheduled principal and interest payments. For a collateral dependent loan, the Company’s evaluation process includes a valuation by appraisal or other collateral analysis. This valuation is compared to the remaining outstanding principal balance of the loan. If a loss is determined to be probable, the loss is included in the allowance for loan losses as a specific allocation. If the loan is not collateral dependent, the measurement of loss is based on the difference between the expected and contractual future cash flows of the loan.

The general allocation is calculated monthly based on management’s assessment of several factors such as (1) historical loss experience based on volumes and types, (2) volume and trends in delinquencies and nonaccruals, (3) lending policies and procedures including those for loan losses, collections and recoveries, (4) national, state and local economic trends and conditions, (5) external factors and pressure from competition, (6) the experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff, (7) seasoning of new products obtained and new markets entered through acquisition and (8) other factors and trends that will affect specific loans and categories of loans. The Company establishes general allocations for each major loan category. This category also includes allocations to loans which are collectively evaluated for loss such as credit cards, one-to-four family owner occupied residential real estate loans and other consumer loans.

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories.

(In thousands)	Commercial			Real Estate			Credit Card			Other Consumer and Other			Total
December 31, 2017
Balance, beginning of year ⁽²⁾	$	7,739		$	21,817		$	3,779		$	2,951		$	36,286

Provision for loan losses ⁽¹⁾		7,002			12,463			2,889			2,173			24,527

Charge-offs		(7,837	)		(7,989	)		(3,905	)		(3,767	)		(23,498	)
Recoveries		103			990			1,021			2,239			4,353

Net charge-offs		(7,734	)		(6,999	)		(2,884	)		(1,528	)		(19,145	)

Balance, end of year ⁽²⁾	$	7,007		$	27,281		$	3,784		$	3,596		$	41,668

Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	--		$	338		$	--		$	--		$	338
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		7,007			26,943			3,784			3,596			41,330

Balance, end of year ⁽²⁾	$	7,007		$	27,281		$	3,784		$	3,596		$	41,668

December 31, 2016
Balance, beginning of year ⁽²⁾	$	5,985		$	19,522		$	3,893		$	1,951		$	31,351

Provision for loan losses ⁽¹⁾		5,345			9,461			2,174			2,459			19,439

Charge-offs		(3,956	)		(7,517	)		(3,195	)		(1,975	)		(16,643	)
Recoveries		365			351			907			516			2,139

Net charge-offs		(3,591	)		(7,166	)		(2,288	)		(1,459	)		(14,504	)

Balance, end of year ⁽²⁾	$	7,739		$	21,817		$	3,779		$	2,951		$	36,286

Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	262		$	417		$	--		$	1		$	680
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		7,477			21,400			3,779			2,950			35,606

Balance, end of year ⁽²⁾	$	7,739		$	21,817		$	3,779		$	2,951		$	36,286

(1)

Provision for loan losses of $1,866,000 attributable to loans acquired was excluded from this table for the year ended December 31, 2017 (total provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $26,393,000). There was $2.4 million in charge-offs for loans acquired during the year ended December 31, 2017 resulting in an ending balance in the allowance related to loans acquired of $418,000. Provision for loan losses of $626,000 attributable to loans acquired was excluded from this table for the year ended December 31, 2016 (total provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $20,065,000). The $626,000 was subsequently charged-off, resulting in no increase to the ending balance in the allowance related to loans acquired.

(2)

Allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2017 includes $418,000 allowance for loans acquired (not shown in the table above). Allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2016 and 2015 includes $954,000 allowance for loans acquired. The total allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $42,086,000, $37,240,000 and $32,305,000, respectively.

Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2015 was as follows:

(In thousands)	Commercial			Real Estate			Credit Card			Other Consumer and Other			Total
December 31, 2015
Balance, beginning of year	$	6,962		$	15,161		$	5,445		$	1,460		$	29,028

Provision for loan losses		258			5,738			665			1,625			8,286

Charge-offs		(1,415	)		(1,580	)		(3,107	)		(1,672	)		(7,774	)
Recoveries		180			203			890			538			1,811

Net charge-offs		(1,235	)		(1,377	)		(2,217	)		(1,134	)		(5,963	)

Balance, end of year	$	5,985		$	19,522		$	3,893		$	1,951		$	31,351

The Company’s recorded investment in loans, excluding loans acquired, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology was as follows:

(In thousands)	Commercial		Real Estate		Credit Card		Other Consumer and Other		Total

December 31, 2017
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	7,610	$	31,538	$	170	$	4,605	$	43,923
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		965,909		4,208,074		185,252		302,451		5,661,686

Balance, end of period	$	973,519	$	4,239,612	$	185,422	$	307,056	$	5,705,609

December 31, 2016
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	11,522	$	30,001	$	373	$	1,800	$	43,696
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment		778,381		2,998,078		184,218		322,834		4,283,511

Balance, end of period	$	789,903	$	3,028,079	$	184,591	$	324,634	$	4,327,207

NOTE 6: LOANS ACQUIRED

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company evaluated $1.985 billion of net loans ($2.021 billion gross loans less $36.3 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of OKSB, described in Note 2, Acquisitions, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount is being accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans. The Company evaluated the remaining $11.4 million of net loans ($18.1 million gross loans less $6.7 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of OKSB for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased loans are considered impaired if there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and if it is probable that not all contractually required payments will be collected.

Also during the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company evaluated $2.208 billion of net loans ($2.246 billion gross loans less $37.8 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of First Texas, described in Note 2, Acquisitions, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount is being accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans.

During the second quarter of 2017, the Company evaluated $249.2 million of net loans ($254.2 million gross loans less $5.0 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Hardeman, described in Note 2, Acquisitions, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount is being accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans. The Company evaluated the remaining $2.4 million of net loans ($3.4 million gross loans less $990,000 discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Hardeman for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.

During the third quarter of 2016, the Company evaluated $340.1 million of net loans ($348.8 million gross loans less $8.7 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Citizens, described in Note 2, Acquisitions, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount is being accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans. The Company evaluated the remaining $757,000 of net loans ($1.6 million gross loans less $848,000 discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Citizens for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality.

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company evaluated $769.9 million of net loans ($774.8 million gross loans less $4.9 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Liberty, described in Note 2, Acquisitions, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20, Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The fair value discount is being accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans. The Company evaluated the remaining $10.7 million of net loans ($15.7 million gross loans less $5.0 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Liberty for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30.

Also during the first quarter of 2015, the Company evaluated $1.13 billion of net loans ($1.15 billion gross loans less $23.7 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Community First, described in Note 2, Acquisitions, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-20. The fair value discount is being accreted into interest income over the weighted average life of the loans using a constant yield method. These loans are not considered to be impaired loans. The Company evaluated the remaining $7.0 million of net loans ($10.1 million gross loans less $3.1 million discount) purchased in conjunction with the acquisition of Community First for impairment in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 310-30.

See Note 2, Acquisitions, for further discussion of loans acquired.

On September 15, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with the FDIC to terminate all loss share agreements which were entered into in 2010 and 2012 in conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of substantially all of the assets (“covered assets”) and assumption of substantially all of the liabilities of four failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions. Under the early termination, all rights and obligations of the Company and the FDIC under the FDIC loss share agreements, including the clawback provisions and the settlement of loss share and expense reimbursement claims, have been resolved and terminated.

Under the terms of the agreement, the FDIC made a net payment of $2,368,000 to Simmons Bank as consideration for the early termination of the loss share agreements. The early termination was recorded in the Company’s financial statements by removing the FDIC Indemnification Asset, receivable from FDIC, the FDIC True-up liability and recording a one-time, pre-tax charge of $7,476,000. As a result, the Company reclassified loans previously covered by FDIC loss share to loans acquired, not covered by FDIC loss share. Foreclosed assets previously covered by FDIC loss share were reclassified to foreclosed assets not covered by FDIC loss share.

The following table reflects the carrying value of all loans acquired as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

	Loans Acquired At December 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016

Consumer:
Other consumer	$	51,467	$	49,677
Total consumer		51,467		49,677
Real estate:
Construction		637,032		57,587
Single family residential		793,228		423,176
Other commercial		2,387,777		690,108
Total real estate		3,818,037		1,170,871
Commercial:
Commercial		995,587		81,837
Agricultural		66,576		3,298
Total commercial		1,062,163		85,135

Other		142,409		--
Total loans acquired ⁽¹⁾	$	5,074,076	$	1,305,683

(1)

Loans acquired are reported net of a $418,000 and $954,000 allowance as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Nonaccrual loans acquired, excluding purchased credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30, segregated by class of loans, are as follows (see Note 5, Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, for discussion of nonaccrual loans):

(In thousands)	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016

Consumer:
Other consumer	$	334	$	456
Total consumer		334		456
Real estate:
Construction		1,767		7,961
Single family residential		12,151		13,366
Other commercial		7,401		22,045
Total real estate		21,319		43,372
Commercial:
Commercial		1,748		2,806
Agricultural		84		198
Total commercial		1,832		3,004
Total	$	23,485	$	46,832

An age analysis of past due loans acquired segregated by class of loans, is as follows (see Note 5, Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, for discussion of past due loans):

(In thousands)	Gross 30-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or More Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		90 Days Past Due & Accruing

December 31, 2017
Consumer:
Other consumer	$	889	$	260	$	1,149	$	50,318	$	51,467	$	108
Total consumer		889		260		1,149		50,318		51,467		108
Real estate:
Construction		2,577		1,448		4,025		633,007		637,032		279
Single family residential		12,936		3,302		16,238		776,990		793,228		126
Other commercial		17,176		5,647		22,823		2,364,954		2,387,777		2,565
Total real estate		32,689		10,397		43,086		3,774,951		3,818,037		2,970
Commercial:
Commercial		2,344		1,039		3,383		992,204		995,587		67
Agricultural		51		--		51		66,525		66,576		--
Total commercial		2,395		1,039		3,434		1,058,729		1,062,163		67

Other		15		--		15		142,394		142,409		--
Total	$	35,988	$	11,696	$	47,684	$	5,026,392	$	5,074,076	$	3,145

December 31, 2016
Consumer:
Other consumer	$	571	$	189	$	760	$	48,917	$	49,677	$	--
Total consumer		571		189		760		48,917		49,677		--
Real estate:
Construction		132		7,332		7,464		50,123		57,587		--
Single family residential		8,358		4,857		13,215		409,961		423,176		11
Other commercial		2,836		10,741		13,577		676,531		690,108		--
Total real estate		11,326		22,930		34,256		1,136,615		1,170,871		11
Commercial:
Commercial		723		2,153		2,876		78,961		81,837		--
Agricultural		48		--		48		3,250		3,298		--
Total commercial		771		2,153		2,924		82,211		85,135		--

Total	$	12,668	$	25,272	$	37,940	$	1,267,743	$	1,305,683	$	11

The following table presents a summary of loans acquired by credit risk rating, segregated by class of loans (see Note 5, Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses, for discussion of loan risk rating). Loans accounted for under ASC Topic 310-30 are all included in Risk Rate 1-4 in this table.

(In thousands)	Risk Rate 1-4		Risk Rate 5		Risk Rate 6		Risk Rate 7		Risk Rate 8		Total

December 31, 2017
Consumer:
Other consumer	$	50,625	$	21	$	821	$	--	$	--	$	51,467
Total consumer
Real estate:
Construction		468,610		166,710		1,712		--		--		637,032
Single family residential		770,954		2,618		19,656		--		--		793,228
Other commercial		2,337,097		15,064		35,616		--		--		2,387,777
Total real estate		3,576,661		184,392		56,984						3,818,037
Commercial:
Commercial		946,322		13,901		35,364		--		--		995,587
Agricultural		66,367		--		209		--		--		66,576
Total commercial		1,012,689		13,901		35,573		--		--		1,062,163

Other		142,409		--		--		--		--		142,409
Total	$	4,782,384	$	198,314	$	93,378	$	--	$	--	$	5,074,076

December 31, 2016
Consumer:
Other consumer	$	48,992	$	14	$	671	$	--	$	--	$	49,677
Total consumer		48,992		14		671		--		--		49,677
Real estate:
Construction		50,704		88		6,795		--		--		57,587
Single family residential		400,553		2,696		18,392		1,535		--		423,176
Other commercial		641,018		17,384		31,706		--		--		690,108
Total real estate		1,092,275		20,168		56,893		1,535		--		1,170,871
Commercial:
Commercial		73,609		1,965		6,257		6		--		81,837
Agricultural		3,010		34		254		--		--		3,298
Total commercial		76,619		1,999		6,511		6		--		85,135

Total	$	1,217,886	$	22,181	$	64,075	$	1,541	$	--	$	1,305,683

Loans acquired were individually evaluated and recorded at estimated fair value, including estimated credit losses, at the time of acquisition. These loans are systematically reviewed by the Company to determine the risk of losses that may exceed those identified at the time of the acquisition. Techniques used in determining risk of loss are similar to the Company’s legacy loan portfolio, with most focus being placed on those loans which include the larger loan relationships and those loans which exhibit higher risk characteristics.

The following is a summary of the loans acquired in the OKSB acquisition on October 19, 2017, as of the date of acquisition.

(In thousands)	Not Impaired			Impaired

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition	$	2,021,388		$	18,136
Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)		--			(6,731	)
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition		2,021,388			11,405
Accretable yield		(36,340	)		--
Basis in acquired loans at acquisition	$	1,985,048		$	11,405

100

The following is a summary of the loans acquired in the First Texas acquisition on October 19, 2017, as of the date of acquisition.

(In thousands)	Not Impaired			Impaired

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition	$	2,246,212		$	--
Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)		--			--
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition		2,246,212			--
Accretable yield		(37,834	)		--
Basis in acquired loans at acquisition	$	2,208,378		$	--

The following is a summary of the loans acquired in the Hardeman acquisition on May 15, 2017, as of the date of acquisition.

(In thousands)	Not Impaired			Impaired

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition	$	254,189		$	3,452
Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)		--			(990	)
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition		254,189			2,462
Accretable yield		(5,002	)		--
Basis in acquired loans at acquisition	$	249,187		$	2,462

The following is a summary of the loans acquired in the Citizens acquisition on September 9, 2016, as of the date of acquisition.

(In thousands)	Not Impaired			Impaired

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition	$	348,756		$	1,605
Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)		--			(848	)
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition		348,756			757
Accretable yield		(8,663	)		--
Basis in acquired loans at acquisition	$	340,093		$	757

The following is a summary of the loans acquired in the Liberty acquisition on February 27, 2015, as of the date of acquisition.

(In thousands)	Not Impaired			Impaired

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition	$	774,777		$	15,716
Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)		--			(4,978	)
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition		774,777			10,738
Accretable yield		(4,869	)		12
Basis in acquired loans at acquisition	$	769,908		$	10,750

The following is a summary of the loans acquired in the Community First acquisition on February 27, 2015, as of the date of acquisition.

(In thousands)	Not Impaired			Impaired

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition	$	1,153,255		$	10,143
Non-accretable difference (expected losses and foregone interest)		--			(3,247	)
Cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition		1,153,255			6,896
Accretable yield		(23,712	)		104
Basis in acquired loans at acquisition	$	1,129,543		$	7,000

In addition to the accretable yield on acquired loans not considered to be impaired, the amount of the estimated cash flows expected to be received from the purchased credit impaired loans in excess of the fair values recorded for the purchased credit impaired loans is referred to as the accretable yield. The accretable yield is recognized as interest income over the estimated lives of the loans. Each quarter, the Company estimates the cash flows expected to be collected from the acquired purchased credit impaired loans, and adjustments may or may not be required. This has resulted in an increase in interest income that is spread on a level-yield basis over the remaining expected lives of the loans. For those loans previously covered by FDIC loss share, the increases in expected cash flows also reduced the amount of expected reimbursements under the loss sharing agreements with the FDIC, which was recorded as indemnification assets. The estimated adjustments to the indemnification assets were amortized on a level-yield basis over the remainder of the loss-sharing agreements or the remaining expected lives of the loans, whichever was shorter. Because the Company’s loss share agreements with the FDIC have been terminated, there will be no further indemnification asset amortization in future quarters.

101

The impact of these adjustments on the Company’s financial results for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is shown below:

(In thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Impact on net interest income	$	4,105	$	3,072	$	19,995
Non-interest income ⁽¹⁾		--		--		(7,719	)
Net impact to pre-tax income		4,105		3,072		12,276
Net impact, net of taxes	$	2,495	$	1,867	$	7,461

(1)

Negative non-interest income resulted from the amortization of the FDIC indemnification assets. Because the Company’s loss share agreements with the FDIC have been terminated, there will be no further indemnification asset amortization.

These adjustments will be recognized over the remaining lives of the purchased credit impaired loans. The accretable yield adjustments recorded in future periods will change as the Company continues to evaluate expected cash flows from the purchased credit impaired loans.

Changes in the carrying amount of the accretable yield for all purchased impaired loans were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

(In thousands)	Accretable Yield			Carrying Amount of Loans

Balance, January 1, 2015	$	20,635		$	169,098
Additions		(116	)		17,750
Accretable yield adjustments		6,593			--
Accretion		(21,038	)		21,038
Payments and other reductions, net		(5,120	)		(184,417	)
Balance, December 31, 2015		954			23,469

Additions		19			757
Accretable yield adjustments		5,122			--
Accretion		(4,440	)		4,440
Payments and other reductions, net		--			(10,864	)
Balance, December 31, 2016		1,655			17,802

Additions		--			13,793
Accretable yield adjustments		4,893			--
Accretion		(5,928	)		5,928
Payments and other reductions, net		--			(20,407	)
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	620		$	17,116

Purchased impaired loans are evaluated on an individual borrower basis. Because some loans evaluated by the Company were determined to have experienced impairment in the estimated credit quality or cash flows, the Company recorded a provision and established an allowance for loan losses for loans acquired resulting in a total allowance on loans acquired of $418,000 at December 31, 2017 and $954,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

102

The purchase and assumption agreements for the FDIC-assisted acquisitions allowed for the FDIC to recover a portion of the funds previously paid out under the indemnification agreement in the event losses failed to reach the expected loss level under a claw back provision (“true-up provision”). The amount of the true-up provision for each acquisition was measured and recorded at Day 1 fair values. It was calculated as the difference between management’s estimated losses on covered loans and covered foreclosed assets and the loss threshold contained in each loss share agreement, multiplied by the applicable clawback provisions contained in each loss share agreement, then discounted back to net present value.

Under the terms of the loss share termination agreement, the FDIC made a net payment of $2.4 million to Simmons Bank as consideration for early termination. The early termination was recorded in the Company’s financial statements by removing the FDIC indemnification asset, receivable from FDIC, the FDIC true-up provision and recording a one-time, pre-tax charge of $7.5 million.

The following table presents a summary of the changes in the FDIC true-up provision for the year ended December 31, 2015 which were included in other assets on the balance sheet. Due to the termination of the FDIC agreements in September 2015 there was no amortization expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

(In thousands)	FDIC True-up Provision

Balance, January 1, 2015	$	8,308
Amortization expense		107
Adjustments related to changes in expected losses		720
Loss share termination agreement		(9,135	)
Balance, December 31, 2015	$	--

NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 is comprised of the following components:

(In thousands)	2017		2016		2015

Income taxes currently payable	$	38,732	$	36,792	$	19,301
Deferred income taxes		23,251		9,832		13,599

Provision for income taxes	$	61,983	$	46,624	$	32,900

The tax effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts that give rise to deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and their approximate tax effects, are as follows as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

(In thousands)	2017			2016

Deferred tax assets:
Loans acquired	$	19,885		$	7,986
Allowance for loan losses		10,773			14,754
Valuation of foreclosed assets		2,852			3,958
Tax NOLs from acquisition		7,821			13,077
Deferred compensation payable		2,433			2,785
Accrued equity and other compensation		5,302			8,107
Acquired securities		578			1,098
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities		6,107			9,559
Other		8,813			7,101
Gross deferred tax assets		64,564			68,425

Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill and other intangible amortization		(32,572	)		(29,601	)
Accumulated depreciation		(8,945	)		(5,370	)
Other		(4,413	)		(5,877	)
Gross deferred tax liabilities		(45,930	)		(40,848	)

Net deferred tax asset, included in other assets	$	18,634		$	27,577

A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to the Company's actual income tax expense is shown below for the years ended December 31:

(In thousands)	2017			2016			2015

Computed at the statutory rate (35%)	$	54,223		$	50,203		$	37,543
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		1,582			2,121			2,097
Discrete items related to ASU 2016-09		(1,480	)		--			--
Tax exempt interest income		(5,135	)		(5,112	)		(5,432	)
Impact of DTA remeasurement		11,471			--			--
Section 382 adjustment		--			--			(2,293	)
Other differences, net		1,322			(588	)		985

Actual tax provision	$	61,983		$	46,624		$	32,900

105

The Company follows ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties. The Company has no history of expiring net operating loss carryforwards and is projecting significant pre-tax and financial taxable income in 2018 and in future years. The Company expects to fully realize its deferred tax assets in the future.

On December 22, 2017, the President signed tax reform legislation (the “2017 Act”) which includes a broad range of tax reform proposals affecting businesses, including corporate tax rates, business deductions, and international tax provisions. The 2017 Act reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Under US GAAP, deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be measured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized or settled and the effect of a change in tax law is recorded discretely as a component of the income tax provision related to continuing operations in the period of enactment. As a result, we were required to remeasure our deferred taxes as of December 22, 2017 based upon the new 21% tax rate and the change was recorded in the 2017 income tax provision. The result of the tax reform resulted in a one-time non-cash adjustment to income of $11.5 million.

On December 22, 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the 2017 Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the 2017 Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740, Income Taxes. As such, the company’s financial results reflect the income tax effects for the 2017 Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete and provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the 2017 Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is incomplete but a reasonable estimate could be determined. The company did not identify items for which the income tax effects of the 2017 Act have not been completed and a reasonable estimate could not be determined as of December 31, 2017. The tax expense recorded in 2017 is a reasonable estimate based on published guidance available at this time and is considered provisional. The ultimate impact of the 2017 Act may differ from these estimates due to changes in interpretations and assumptions made by the Company, as well as additional regulatory guidance. Any adjustments will be reflected in the Company’s financial statements in future periods.

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) (“ASU 2018-02”), that allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Act. Current US GAAP requires the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax laws or rates to be presented in net income from continuing operations. Consequently, the original deferred tax amount recorded through AOCI at the old rate will remain in AOCI despite the fact that its related deferred tax asset/liability will be reduced through continuing operations to reflect the new rate, resulting in “stranded” tax effects in AOCI. ASU 2018-02 requires a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for those stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. As permitted, the Company elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2018-02 during the fourth quarter 2017, which resulted in a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings in the amount of $3.0 million.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease in the future for various reasons including adding amounts for current tax year positions, expiration of open income tax returns due to the statutes of limitation, changes in management’s judgment about the level of uncertainty, status of examinations, litigation and legislative activity and the addition or elimination of uncertain tax positions.

Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual limit on the ability of a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” to use its U.S. net operating losses to reduce its tax liability. The Company closed a stock acquisition in 2015 that invoked the Section 382 annual limitation. Approximately $35.6 million of federal net operating losses subject to the IRC Sec 382 annual limitation are expected to be utilized by the company. The net operating loss carryforwards expire between 2028 and 2035.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. The Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns are open and subject to examinations from the 2014 tax year and forward. The Company’s various state income tax returns are generally open from the 2014 and later tax return years based on individual state statute of limitations.

NOTE 14: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Retirement Plans

The Company has a 401(k) retirement plan that covers substantially all employees. The Company has also historically had a discretionary profit sharing and employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) covering substantially all employees. Effective December 31, 2016, the ESOP was merged into the Company’s 401(k) retirement plan. This merger allows participants to fully diversify their ESOP account balance and have reporting access to all retirement account balances in one place. Contribution expense to the plans totaled $6,343,000, $5,488,000 and $6,278,000 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company also provides deferred compensation agreements with certain active and retired officers. The agreements provide monthly payments of retirement compensation for either stated periods or for the life of the participant. The charges to income for the plans were $1,596,000 for 2017, $1,056,000 for 2016 and $804,000 for 2015. Such charges reflect the straight-line accrual over the employment period of the present value of benefits due each participant, as of their full eligibility date, using an appropriate discount factor.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company established an Employee Stock Purchase Plan in 2015 which generally allows participants to make contributions of up to $25,000 per year, for the purpose of acquiring the Company’s stock. At the end of each plan year, full shares of the Company’s stock are purchased for each employee based on that employee’s contributions. The Company has issued both general and special stock offerings under the plan. Substantially all employees are eligible for the general stock offering, under which full shares of the Company’s stock are purchased for an amount equal to 95% of their fair market value at the end of the plan year, or, if lower, 95% of their fair market value at the beginning of the plan year.

The special stock offering is available to substantially all non-highly compensated employees with at least six months of service, and these employees may allocate up to $10,000 to this offering. Under the special stock offering, full shares of the Company’s stock are purchased for an amount equal to 85% of their fair market value at the end of the plan year, or, if lower, 85% of their fair market value at the beginning of the plan year.

110

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted various stock-based compensation plans. The plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and bonus stock awards. Pursuant to the plans, shares are reserved for future issuance by the Company upon exercise of stock options or awarding of bonus shares granted to directors, officers and other key employees.

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards granted after January 1, 2006, is based on the grant date fair value. For all awards except stock option awards, the grant date fair value is the market value per share as of the grant date. For stock option awards, the fair value is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. Additionally, there may be other factors that would otherwise have a significant effect on the value of employee stock options granted but are not considered by the model. Accordingly, while management believes that the Black-Scholes option-pricing model provides a reasonable estimate of fair value, the model does not necessarily provide the best single measure of fair value for the Company's employee stock options.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses various assumptions. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock and other factors. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model. The expected term of options granted is derived from the output of the option valuation model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant, and are based partially on historical experience.

111

Share and per share information regarding Stock-Based Compensation Plans has been adjusted to reflect the effects of the Company’s two-for-one stock split which became effective on February 8, 2018. The table below summarizes the transactions under the Company's active stock compensation plans at December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and changes during the years then ended:

	Stock Options Outstanding					Stock Awards Outstanding					Stock Units Outstanding
	Number of Shares (000)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number of Shares (000)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number of Shares (000)			Weighted Average Exercise Price

Balance, December 31, 2014		240		$	13.86		454		$	15.94		--		$	--
Granted		750			22.35		190			21.73		40			18.58
Stock Options Exercised		(142	)		11.29		--			--		--			--
Stock Options from Acquisitions		132			10.22		--			--		--			--
Stock Awards/Units Vested		--			--		(262	)		17.39		--			--
Forfeited/Expired		(10	)		12.25		(40	)		17.68		--			--

Balance, December 31, 2015		970			20.31		342			17.83		40			18.58
Granted		116			23.51		272			23.46		216			23.48
Stock Options Exercised		(128	)		15.14		--			--		--			--
Stock Awards/Units Vested		--			--		(318	)		20.96		(25	)		22.77
Forfeited/Expired		(12	)		17.53		(18	)		21.85		(6	)		23.51

Balance, December 31, 2016		946			21.43		278			20.48		225			22.70
Granted		--			--		--			--		849			28.86
Stock Options Exercised		(122	)		17.66		--			--		--			--
Stock Awards/Units Vested		--			--		(91	)		19.40		(392	)		27.13
Forfeited/Expired		(12	)		22.67		(25	)		21.91		(30	)		25.76

Balance, December 31, 2017		812		$	21.98		162		$	20.86		652		$	27.92

Exercisable, December 31, 2017		711		$	21.85

The following table summarizes information about stock options under the plans outstanding at December 31, 2017:

			Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices			Number of Shares (000)		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Number of Shares (000)		Weighted Average Exercise Price

$8.78	-	$10.57		7		2.36	$	9.64		7	$	9.64
10.65	-	10.65		7		5.06		10.65		4		10.65
10.76	-	10.76		3		2.05		10.76		3		10.76
15.16	-	15.16		36		0.41		15.16		36		15.16
20.29	-	20.29		78		7.00		20.29		78		20.29
20.36	-	20.36		3		6.88		20.36		2		20.36
22.20	-	22.20		82		6.93		22.20		57		22.20
22.75	-	22.75		481		7.15		22.75		481		22.75
23.51	-	23.51		108		7.82		23.51		36		23.51
24.07	-	24.07		7		7.71		24.07		7		24.07
$8.78	-	$24.07		812		6.83	$	21.98		711	$	21.85

112

Stock-based compensation expense was $11,763,000 in 2017, $5,451,000 in 2016 and $4,018,000 in 2015. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all stock-based awards. There was $264,000 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options at December 31, 2017. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards was $23.3 million at December 31, 2017. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense is expected to be recognized was 2.3 years.

The intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at December 31, 2017 was $5,342,000 and $4,761,000. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the period, which was $28.55 at December 31, 2017, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding. There were 122,012 stock options exercised in 2017, with an intrinsic value of $1,329,000. There were 127,424 stock options exercised in 2016, with an intrinsic value of $2,031,000. There were 142,736 stock options exercised in 2015, with an intrinsic value of $2,054,000.

The fair value of the Company’s employee stock options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, changes to which can materially affect the fair value estimate. There were no stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2017. The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2016 was $5.82 per share. The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $3.91 per share. The Company estimated expected market price volatility and expected term of the options based on historical data and other factors. The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the fair value of options granted for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are detailed in the table below:

	2016			2015

Expected dividend yield		1.96	%		2.06	%
Expected stock price volatility		27.34	%		16.96	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.01	%		2.17	%
Expected life of options (in years)		7			10

NOTE 17: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance also establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Topic 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 Inputs – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 Inputs – Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 Inputs – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality and the Company’s creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Furthermore, the reported fair value amounts have not been comprehensively revalued since the presentation dates, and therefore, estimates of fair value after the balance sheet date may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. A more detailed description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

114

Following is a description of the inputs and valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as the general classification of such assets pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Available-for-sale securities – Where quoted market prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities would include highly liquid government bonds, mortgage products and exchange traded equities. Other securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things. In order to ensure the fair values are consistent with ASC Topic 820, we periodically check the fair values by comparing them to another pricing source, such as Bloomberg. The availability of pricing confirms Level 2 classification in the fair value hierarchy. The third-party pricing service is subject to an annual review of internal controls (SSAE 16), which is made available to us for our review. In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. The Company’s investment in U.S. Treasury securities is reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. The remainder of the Company's available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.

Assets held in trading accounts – The Company’s assets held in trading accounts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs.

Derivative instruments – The Company’s derivative instruments are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. The Company obtains fair value measurements from dealer quotes.

115

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets by level within the fair value hierarchy that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

				Fair Value Measurements
(In thousands)	Fair Value			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

December 31, 2017
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. Government agencies	$	139,724		$	--	$	139,724		$	--
Mortgage-backed securities		1,187,317			--		1,187,317			--
States and political subdivisions		143,165			--		143,165			--
Other securities		119,311			--		119,311			--
Other assets held for sale		165,780			--		--			165,780
Derivative asset		3,634			--		3,634			--
Other liabilities held for sale		(157,366	)		--		--			(157,366	)
Derivative liability		(3,068	)		--		(3,068	)		--

December 31, 2016
Available-for-sale securities
U.S. Treasury	$	300		$	300	$	--		$	--
U.S. Government agencies		137,771			--		137,771			--
Mortgage-backed securities		868,324			--		868,324			--
States and political subdivisions		102,943			--		102,943			--
Other securities		48,016			--		48,016			--
Assets held in trading accounts		41			--		41			--
Derivative asset		1,199			--		1,199			--
Derivative liability		(1,274	)		--		(1,274	)		--

Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include the following:

Impaired loans (collateral dependent) – Loan impairment is reported when full payment under the loan terms is not expected. Allowable methods for determining the amount of impairment include estimating fair value using the fair value of the collateral for collateral-dependent loans. If the impaired loan is identified as collateral dependent, then the fair value method of measuring the amount of impairment is utilized. This method requires obtaining a current independent appraisal of the collateral and applying a discount factor to the value. A portion of the allowance for loan losses is allocated to impaired loans if the value of such loans is deemed to be less than the unpaid balance. If these allocations cause the allowance for loan losses to require an increase, such increase is reported as a component of the provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan is confirmed. Impaired loans that are collateral dependent are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy when impairment is determined using the fair value method.

Appraisals are updated at renewal, if not more frequently, for all collateral dependent loans that are deemed impaired by way of impairment testing. Impairment testing is performed on all loans over $1.5 million rated Substandard or worse, all existing impaired loans regardless of size and all TDRs. All collateral dependent impaired loans meeting these thresholds have had updated appraisals or internally prepared evaluations within the last one to two years and these updated valuations are considered in the quarterly review and discussion of the corporate Special Asset Committee. On targeted CRE loans, appraisals/internally prepared valuations may be updated before the typical 1-3 year balloon/maturity period. If an updated valuation results in decreased value, a specific (ASC 310) impairment is placed against the loan, or a partial charge-down is initiated, depending on the circumstances and anticipation of the loan’s ability to remain a going concern, possibility of foreclosure, certain market factors, etc.

116

Foreclosed assets and other real estate owned – Foreclosed assets and other real estate owned are reported at fair value, less estimated costs to sell. At foreclosure, if the fair value, less estimated costs to sell, of the real estate acquired is less than the Company’s recorded investment in the related loan, a write-down is recognized through a charge to the allowance for loan losses. Additionally, valuations are periodically performed by management and any subsequent reduction in value is recognized by a charge to income. The fair value of foreclosed assets and other real estate owned is estimated using Level 3 inputs based on unobservable market data. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of foreclosed assets and other real estate owned less estimated costs to sell was $32.1 million and $26.9 million, respectively.

The significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in the fair value measurement of collateral for collateral-dependent impaired loans and foreclosed assets primarily relate to the specialized discounting criteria applied to the borrower’s reported amount of collateral. The amount of the collateral discount depends upon the condition and marketability of the collateral, as well as other factors which may affect the collectability of the loan. Management’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset. It is reasonably possible that a change in the estimated fair value for instruments measured using Level 3 inputs could occur in the future. As the Company’s primary objective in the event of default would be to liquidate the collateral to settle the outstanding balance of the loan, collateral that is less marketable would receive a larger discount. During the reported periods, collateral discounts ranged from 10% to 40% for commercial and residential real estate collateral.

Mortgage loans held for sale – Mortgage loans held for sale are reported at fair value if, on an aggregate basis, the fair value of the loans is less than cost. In determining whether the fair value of loans held for sale is less than cost when quoted market prices are not available, the Company may consider outstanding investor commitments, discounted cash flow analyses with market assumptions or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Such loans are classified within either Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Where assumptions are made using significant unobservable inputs, such loans held for sale are classified as Level 3. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the aggregate fair value of mortgage loans held for sale exceeded their cost. Accordingly, no mortgage loans held for sale were marked down and reported at fair value.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets by level within the fair value hierarchy that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.

			Fair Value Measurements Using
(In thousands)	Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

December 31, 2017
Impaired loans ^{(1) (2)} (collateral dependent)	$	11,229	$	--	$	--	$	11,229
Foreclosed assets and other real estate owned ⁽¹⁾		24,093		--		--		24,093

December 31, 2016
Impaired loans ^{(1) (2)} (collateral dependent)	$	17,154	$	--	$	--	$	17,154
Foreclosed assets held for sale ⁽¹⁾		17,806		--		--		17,806

(1) These amounts represent the resulting carrying amounts on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for impaired collateral dependent loans and foreclosed assets and other real estate owned for which fair value re-measurements took place during the period.

(2) Specific allocations of $2,195,000 and $2,384,000 were related to the impaired collateral dependent loans for which fair value re-measurements took place during the periods ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure in annual financial statements of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments not previously disclosed.

117

Cash and cash equivalents – The carrying amount for cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value (Level 1).

Interest bearing balances due from banks – The fair value of interest bearing balances due from banks – time is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the rates currently offered on deposits of similar remaining maturities (Level 2).

Held-to-maturity securities – Fair values for held-to-maturity securities equal quoted market prices, if available, such as for highly liquid government bonds (Level 1). If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are estimated based on quoted market prices of similar securities. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the security’s terms and conditions, among other things (Level 2). In certain cases where Level 1 or Level 2 inputs are not available, securities are classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Loans – The fair value of loans, excluding loans acquired, is estimated by discounting the future cash flows, using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. Loans with similar characteristics were aggregated for purposes of the calculations (Level 3).

Loans acquired – Fair values of loans acquired are based on a discounted cash flow methodology that considers factors including the type of loan and related collateral, variable or fixed rate, classification status, remaining term, interest rate, historical delinquencies, loan to value ratios, current market rates and remaining loan balance. The loans were grouped together according to similar characteristics and were treated in the aggregate when applying various valuation techniques. The discount rates used for loans were based on current market rates for new originations of similar loans. Estimated credit losses were also factored into the projected cash flows of the loans (Level 3).

Deposits – The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amount) (Level 2). The fair value of fixed-maturity time deposits is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities (Level 3).

Federal Funds purchased, securities sold under agreement to repurchase and short-term debt – The carrying amount for Federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreement to repurchase and short-term debt are a reasonable estimate of fair value (Level 2).

Other borrowings – For short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value. For long-term debt, rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value (Level 2).

Subordinated debentures – The fair value of subordinated debentures is estimated using the rates that would be charged for subordinated debentures of similar remaining maturities (Level 2).

Accrued interest receivable/payable – The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximated fair value (Level 2).

Commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and lines of credit – The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair values of letters of credit and lines of credit are based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date.

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument.

118

The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:

	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
(In thousands)	Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

December 31, 2017
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	598,042	$	598,042	$	--	$	--	$	598,042
Interest bearing balances due from banks - time		3,314		--		3,314		--		3,314
Held-to-maturity securities		368,058		--		373,298		--		373,298
Mortgage loans held for sale		24,038		--		--		24,038		24,038
Interest receivable		43,528		--		43,528		--		43,528
Legacy loans (net of allowance)		5,663,941		--		--		5,646,505		5,646,505
Loans acquired (net of allowance)		5,074,076		--		--		5,058,455		5,058,455

Financial liabilities:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts		2,665,249		--		2,665,249		--		2,665,249
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		6,494,896		--		6,494,896		--		6,494,896
Time deposits		1,932,730		--		--		1,915,539		1,915,539
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		122,444		--		122,444		--		122,444
Other borrowings		1,380,024		--		1,381,365		--		1,381,365
Subordinated debentures		140,565		--		136,474		--		136,474
Interest payable		4,564		--		4,564		--		4,564

December 31, 2016
Financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	285,659	$	285,659	$	--	$	--	$	285,659
Interest bearing balances due from banks - time		4,563		--		4,563		--		4,563
Held-to-maturity securities		462,096		--		465,960		--		465,960
Mortgage loans held for sale		27,788		--		--		27,788		27,788
Interest receivable		27,788		--		27,788		--		27,788
Legacy loans (net of allowance)		4,290,921		--		--		4,305,165		4,305,165
Loans acquired (net of allowance)		1,305,683		--		--		1,310,017		1,310,017

Financial liabilities:
Non-interest bearing transaction accounts		1,491,676		--		1,491,676		--		1,491,676
Interest bearing transaction accounts and savings deposits		3,956,483		--		3,956,483		--		3,956,483
Time deposits		1,287,060		--		--		1,278,339		1,278,339
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		115,029		--		115,029		--		115,029
Other borrowings		273,159		--		292,367		--		292,367
Subordinated debentures		60,397		--		55,318		--		55,318
Interest payable		1,668		--		1,668		--		1,668

The fair value of commitments to extend credit, letters of credit and lines of credit is not presented since management believes the fair value to be insignificant.

NOTE 19: NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Reporting Comprehensive Income – In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) (“ASU 2018-02”), that allows a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Act. Current US GAAP requires the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax laws or rates to be presented in net income from continuing operations. Consequently, the original deferred tax amount recorded through AOCI at the old rate will remain in AOCI despite the fact that its related deferred tax asset/liability will be reduced through continuing operations to reflect the new rate, resulting in “stranded” tax effects in AOCI. ASU 2018-02 requires a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for those stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. The amount of reclassification would be the difference between 1) the amount initially charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income at the previous enacted federal corporate income tax rate that remains in AOCI and 2) the amount that would have been charged or credited using the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate, excluding the effect of any valuation allowance previously charged to income from continuing operations. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, we elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2018-02 during the fourth quarter 2017, which resulted in a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings in the amount of $3.0 million related to the change in federal corporate tax rate.

Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities – In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Topic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”), that amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments shorten the amortization period by requiring that the premium be amortized to the earliest call date. Under previous US GAAP, entities generally amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. As permitted, we elected to early adopt the provisions of ASU 2017-08 during the first quarter 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Employee Share-Based Payments – In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payment awards be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement during the period in which they occur. Previously, such amounts were recorded in the pool of excess tax benefits included in additional paid-in capital, if such pool was available. Due to excess tax benefits no longer recognized in additional paid-in capital, the assumed proceeds from applying the treasury stock method when computing earnings per share should exclude the amount of excess tax benefits that would have previously been recognized in additional paid-in capital. Additionally, excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity rather than a financing activity, as was previously the case. ASU 2016-09 also provides that an entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest (current US GAAP) or account for forfeitures when they occur. ASU 2016-09 changes the threshold to qualify for equity classification (rather than as a liability) to permit withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates (rather than the minimum as was previously the case) in the applicable jurisdictions. ASU 2016-09 became effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The prospective adoption of this standard has not had a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or disclosures. The impact of the requirement to report those income tax effects in earnings reduced reported federal and state income tax expense by approximately $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

120

Business Combinations: Pushdown Accounting - In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 – Business Combinations: Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU 2015-16”). ASU 2015-16 requires entities to recognize measurement period adjustments during the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. The income effects, if any, of a measurement period adjustment are cumulative and are to be reported in the period in which the adjustment to a provisional amount is determined. Also, ASU 2015-16 requires presentation on the face of the income statement or in the notes, the effect of the measurement period adjustment as if the adjustment had been recognized at acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Business Combinations: Pushdown Accounting - In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-08 – Business Combinations: Pushdown Accounting – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115 (“ASU 2015-08”). ASU 2015-08 removes references to the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) Topic 5.J on pushdown accounting from ASC 805-50, thereby conforming the FASB’s guidance on pushdown accounting with the SEC’s guidance on this topic. ASU 2015-08 became effective upon issuance. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Consolidation Analysis - In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). ASU 2015-02 amends the consolidation requirements of ASU 810 by changing the consolidation analysis required under GAAP. The revised guidance amends the consolidation analysis based on certain fee arrangements or relationships to the reporting entity and, for limited partnerships, requires entities to consider the limited partner’s rights relative to the general partner. ASU 2015-02 became effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements – In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”), that changes both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results in order to better align a company’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships. In summary, this amendment 1) expands the types of transactions eligible for hedge accounting; 2) eliminates the separate measurement and presentation of hedge ineffectiveness; 3) simplifies the requirements around the assessment of hedge effectiveness; 4) provides companies more time to finalize hedge documentation; and 5) enhances presentation and disclosure requirements. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. All transition requirements and elections should be applied to existing hedging relationships on the date of adoption and the effects should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on our results of operations, financial position or disclosures, but it is not expected to have a material impact.

Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting – In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”), that provides clarity and reduces both (1) diversity in practice and (2) cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, to a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. An entity may change the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award for many different reasons, and the nature and effect of the change can vary significantly. The guidance clarifies which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting and the guidance should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. ASU 2017-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not plan to modify any existing awards and therefore the adoption of ASU 2017-09 is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations, or disclosures.

121

Goodwill Impairment – In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), that eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test which required entities to compare the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. Under the amendments, the goodwill impairment will be measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual impairment tests beginning in 2017. ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

Statement of Cash Flows – In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), designed to address the diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs, settlement of certain debt instruments, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, and distributions received from equity method investees. The amendments also provide guidance on when an entity should separate or aggregate cash flows based on the predominance principle. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The new standard is required to be applied retrospectively, but may be applied prospectively if retrospective application would be impracticable. Since the amendment applies to the classification of cash flows, no impact is anticipated on our financial position or results of operations. Additionally, we do not expect it to have a material impact on our financial statement disclosures.

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments – In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires earlier measurement of credit losses, expands the range of information considered in determining expected credit losses and enhances disclosures. The main objective of ASU 2016-13 is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The amendments replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current US GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The effective date for these amendments is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We have formed a cross functional team that is assessing our data and system needs and evaluating the potential impact of adopting the new guidance. We anticipate a significant change in the processes and procedures to calculate the loan losses, including changes in assumptions and estimates to consider expected credit losses over the life of the loan versus the current accounting practice that utilizes the incurred loss model. We expect to recognize a one-time cumulative effect adjustment to the allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective, but cannot yet determine the magnitude of any such one-time adjustment or the overall impact on our results of operations, financial position or disclosures. However, we have begun developing processes and procedures to ensure we are fully compliant at the required adoption date. Among other things, we have initiated data gathering and assessment to support forecasting of asset quality, loan balances, and portfolio net charge-offs and developing asset quality forecast models in preparation for the implementation of this standard.

Leases – In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), that establish the principles to report transparent and economically neutral information about the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. The new guidance results in a more consistent representation of the rights and obligations arising from leases by requiring lessees to recognize the lease asset and lease liabilities that arise from leases in the statement of financial position and to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about lease transactions, such as information about variable lease payments and options to renew and terminate leases. The effective date is for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Based upon leases that were outstanding as of December 31, 2017, we do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on our results of operations, but anticipate increases in our assets and liabilities. Decisions to repurchase, modify or renew leases prior to the implementation date will impact the level of materiality.

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), that makes changes primarily affecting the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. The effective date is for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. However, this new guidance requires the disclosed fair value of our loan portfolio to be based on an exit price calculation, which considers liquidity, credit and nonperformance risk of our loans. We are completing our final assessment of this guidance but we do not expect a material impact on our fair value disclosures.

122

Revenue Recognition – In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), that outlines a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for entities to follow in accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of this revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, deferring the effective date to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or disclosures. The guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities that are accounted for under other US GAAP, which comprises a significant portion of our revenue stream. From our analysis, we believe that for most revenue streams within the scope of ASU 2015-14, the amendments will not change the timing of when the revenue is recognized. ASU 2014-09 will require us to change how we recognize certain recurring revenue streams within trust and investment management fees and other insignificant components of non-interest income; however, these changes will not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position. Additionally, although we do not expect a material impact, we do expect additional disclosures in our notes to the consolidated financial statements required by this guidance.

Presently, the Company is not aware of any other changes to the Accounting Standards Codification that will have a material impact on the Company’s present or future financial position or results of operations.

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2017. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's current disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the period.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls. The Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, regularly review our disclosure controls and procedures and make changes intended to ensure the quality of our financial reporting. Otherwise, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fourth quarter of its 2017 fiscal year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Incorporated herein by reference from the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 19, 2018, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on or about March 14, 2018.

The financial statements and financial statement schedules listed in the accompanying index to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules are filed as part of this report.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) 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.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on or about February 28, 2018.

Arkansas	71-0407808
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)	identification No.)

501 Main Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas	71601
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Common Stock, $0.01 par value	The NASDAQ Global Select Market^®
(Title of each class)	(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Large accelerated filer ☒	Accelerated filer ☐	Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐	Emerging Growth company ☐

Part I

Item 1	Business	3
Item 1A	Risk Factors	11
Item 1B	Unresolved Staff Comments	17
Item 2	Properties	17
Item 3	Legal Proceedings	17

Part II

Item 5	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	17
Item 6	Selected Consolidated Financial Data	19
Item 7	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	55
Item 8	Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	57
Item 9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	127
Item 9A	Controls and Procedures	127
Item 9B	Other Information	127

Part III

Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	127
Item 11	Executive Compensation	127
Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	127
Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	127
Item 14	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	127

Part IV

Item 15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	128

Signatures		131

Region	Headquarters
Arkansas Region	Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Kansas/Missouri Region	Springfield, Missouri
Tennessee Region	Union City, Tennessee

Division	Headquarters
North Texas (Fort Worth, Texas and Dallas, Texas)	Fort Worth, Texas
Southeast (Arkansas, Tennessee, South Missouri)	Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Southwest (Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, South Texas)	Stillwater, Oklahoma

					Quarterly
	Price Per				Dividends
	Common Share				Per Common
	High		Low		Share
2017
1st quarter	$	31.65	$	25.50	$	0.125
2nd quarter		27.83		24.88		0.125
3rd quarter		29.33		24.98		0.125
4th quarter		30.23		27.08		0.125

2016
1st quarter	$	25.73	$	19.15	$	0.12
2nd quarter		24.15		21.01		0.12
3rd quarter		25.23		22.13		0.12
4th quarter		33.50		22.95		0.12

	*Period Ending*
*Index*	12/31/12		12/31/13		12/31/14		12/31/15		12/31/16		12/31/17
Simmons First National Corporation		100.00		150.99		168.89		217.64		268.42		251.13
NASDAQ Composite		100.00		140.12		160.78		171.97		187.22		242.71
SNL U.S. Bank & Thrift		100.00		136.92		152.85		155.94		196.86		231.49

	Years Ended December 31
(In thousands, except per share & other data)	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013

Income statement data:
Net interest income	$	354,930		$	279,206		$	278,595		$	171,064		$	130,850
Provision for loan losses		26,393			20,065			9,022			7,245			4,118
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		328,537			259,141			269,573			163,819			126,732
Non-interest income		138,765			139,382			94,661			62,192			40,616
Non-interest expense		312,379			255,085			256,970			175,721			134,812
Income before taxes		154,923			143,438			107,264			50,290			32,536
Provision for income taxes		61,983			46,624			32,900			14,602			9,305
Net income		92,940			96,814			74,364			35,688			23,231
Preferred stock dividends		--			24			257			--			--
Net income available to common shareholders	$	92,940		$	96,790		$	74,107		$	35,688		$	23,231

Per share data⁽⁹⁾:
Basic earnings		1.34			1.58			1.32			1.06			0.71
Diluted earnings		1.33			1.56			1.31			1.05			0.71
Diluted core earnings (non-GAAP) ⁽¹⁾		1.70			1.64			1.59			1.14			0.84
Book value		22.65			18.40			17.27			13.69			12.44
Tangible book value (non-GAAP) ⁽²⁾		12.34			11.98			10.98			10.07			9.56
Dividends		0.50			0.48			0.46			0.44			0.42
Basic average common shares outstanding		69,384,500			61,291,296			56,167,592			33,757,532			32,678,670
Diluted average common shares outstanding		69,852,920			61,927,092			56,419,322			33,844,052			32,704,334

Balance sheet data at period end:
Assets		15,055,806			8,400,056			7,559,658			4,643,354			4,383,100
Investment securities		1,957,575			1,619,450			1,526,780			1,082,870			957,965
Total loans		10,779,685			5,632,890			4,919,355			2,736,634			2,404,935
Allowance for loan losses (excluding acquired loans) ⁽³⁾		41,668			36,286			31,351			29,028			27,442
Goodwill and other intangible assets		948,722			401,464			380,923			130,621			93,501
Non-interest bearing deposits		2,665,249			1,491,676			1,280,234			889,260			718,438
Deposits		11,092,875			6,735,219			6,086,096			3,860,718			3,697,567
Other borrowings		1,380,024			273,159			162,289			114,682			117,090
Subordinated debt and trust preferred		140,565			60,397			60,570			20,620			20,620
Stockholders’ equity		2,084,564			1,151,111			1,076,855			494,319			403,832
Tangible stockholders’ equity (non-GAAP) ⁽²⁾		1,135,842			749,647			665,080			363,698			310,331

Capital ratios at period end:
Common stockholders’ equity to total assets		13.85	%		13.70	%		13.84	%		10.65	%		9.21	%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (non-GAAP) ⁽⁴⁾		8.05	%		9.37	%		9.26	%		8.06	%		7.23	%
Tier 1 leverage ratio		9.21	%		10.95	%		11.20	%		8.77	%		9.22	%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based ratio		9.80	%		13.45	%		14.21	%		n/a			n/a
Tier 1 risk-based ratio		9.80	%		14.45	%		16.02	%		13.43	%		13.02	%
Total risk-based capital ratio		11.35	%		15.12	%		16.72	%		14.50	%		14.10	%
Dividend payout to common shareholders		37.59	%		30.67	%		34.98	%		41.71	%		59.15	%

(In thousands)	2017 vs. 2016			2016 vs. 2015

Increase due to change in earning assets	$	94,099		$	38,845
Decrease due to change in earning asset yields		(99	)		(39,584	)
(Decrease) increase due to change in interest rates paid on interest bearing liabilities		(7,805	)		1,168
Decrease due to change in interest bearing liabilities		(10,470	)		(614	)

Increase (decrease) in net interest income	$	75,725		$	(185	)

	Years Ended December 31
	2017 over 2016									2016 over 2015
(In thousands, on a fully				Yield/									Yield/
taxable equivalent basis)	Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total

Increase (decrease) in

Interest income
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold	$	107		$	1,070		$	1,177		$	(506	)	$	363		$	(143	)
Investment securities - taxable		6,270			541			6,811			(316	)		4,731			4,415
Investment securities - non-taxable		(3,920	)		3,628			(292	)		1,669			(4,088	)		(2,419	)
Mortgage loans held for sale		(648	)		151			(497	)		103			(52	)		51
Assets held in trading accounts		(8	)		(8	)		(16	)		(6	)		4			(2	)
Loans		92,298			(5,481	)		86,817			37,901			(40,542	)		(2,641	)
Total		94,099			(99	)		94,000			38,845			(39,584	)		(739	)

Interest expense
Interest bearing transaction and savings accounts		2,533			7,529			10,062			756			(500	)		256
Time deposits		1,024			1,453			2,477			(459	)		172			(287	)
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		13			61			74			(4	)		41			37
Other borrowings		6,115			(1,642	)		4,473			165			(1,114	)		(949	)
Subordinated debentures		785			404			1,189			156			233			389
Total		10,470			7,805			18,275			614			(1,168	)		(554	)
Increase (decrease) in net interest income	$	83,629		$	(7,904	)	$	75,725		$	38,231		$	(38,416	)	$	(185	)

			Over 1
			year
	1 year		through		Over
(In thousands)	or less		5 years		5 years		Total

Consumer	$	210,848	$	232,771	$	73,364	$	516,983
Real estate		3,887,548		3,952,475		217,626		8,057,649
Commercial		1,294,028		684,750		56,904		2,035,682
Other		151,077		5,539		12,755		169,371

Total	$	5,543,501	$	4,875,535	$	360,649	$	10,779,685

Predetermined rate	$	2,938,480	$	2,679,210	$	107,696	$	5,725,386
Floating rate		2,605,021		2,196,325		252,953		5,054,299

Total	$	5,543,501	$	4,875,535	$	360,649	$	10,779,685

	Years Ended December 31
(In thousands, except ratios)	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013

Nonaccrual loans ⁽¹⁾	$	45,642		$	39,104		$	17,714		$	12,038		$	6,261
Loans past due 90 days or more (principal or interest payments):
Government guaranteed student loans ⁽²⁾		--			--			--			--			2,264
Other loans		520			299			1,191			961			687
Total loans past due 90 days or more		520			299			1,191			961			2,951
Total non-performing loans		46,162			39,403			18,905			12,999			9,212

Other non-performing assets:
Foreclosed assets held for sale		32,118			26,895			44,820			44,856			64,820
Other non-performing assets		675			471			211			97			75
Total other non-performing assets		32,793			27,366			45,031			44,953			64,895

Total non-performing assets	$	78,955		$	66,769		$	63,936		$	57,952		$	74,107

Performing TDRs	$	7,107		$	10,998		$	3,031		$	2,233		$	9,497

Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans		90	%		92	%		166	%		223	%		298	%
Non-performing loans to total loans		0.81			0.91			0.58			0.63			0.53
Non-performing loans to total loans (excluding government guaranteed student loans) ⁽²⁾		0.81			0.91			0.58			0.63			0.40
Non-performing assets to total assets ⁽³⁾		0.52			0.79			0.85			1.25			1.69
Non-performing assets to total assets (excluding government guaranteed student loans) ^{(2) (3)}		0.52			0.79			0.85			1.25			1.64

	December 31
	2017					2016					2015					2014					2013

(In thousands)	Allowance Amount		% of loans⁽¹⁾			Allowance Amount		% of loans⁽¹⁾			Allowance Amount		% of loans⁽¹⁾			Allowance Amount		% of loans⁽¹⁾			Allowance Amount		% of loans⁽¹⁾

Credit cards	$	3,784		9.1	%	$	3,779		4.3	%	$	3,893		5.5	%	$	5,445		9.1	%	$	5,430		10.6	%

Other consumer		3,489		8.4			2,796		7.0	%		1,853		6.4	%		1,427		5.0	%		1,758		7.2	%
Real estate		27,281		65.4	%		21,817		70.0	%		19,522		67.9	%		15,161		65.9	%		16,885		66.9	%
Commercial		7,007		16.8	%		7,739		18.2	%		5,985		20.0	%		6,962		19.8	%		3,205		15.1	%
Other		107		0.3	%		155		0.5	%		98		0.2	%		33		0.2	%		164		0.2	%

Total ⁽²⁾	$	41,668		100.0	%	$	36,286		100.0	%	$	31,351		100.0	%	$	29,028		100.0	%	$	27,442		100.0	%

	Time Certificates of Deposit
	($100,000 or more)
	December 31
	2017					2016
(In thousands)	Balance		Percent			Balance		Percent

Maturing
Three months or less	$	415,051		38.0	%	$	175,736		29.3	%
Over 3 months to 6 months		150,932		13.8	%		107,985		18.0	%
Over 6 months to 12 months		286,611		26.3	%		151,776		25.3	%
Over 12 months		239,294		21.9	%		164,783		27.4	%

Total	$	1,091,888		100.0	%	$	600,280		100.0	%

		Annual
(In thousands)	Year	Maturities

	2018	$	1,325,093
	2019		7,486
	2020		36,222
	2021		2,165
	2022		1,314
	Thereafter		148,309
	Total	$	1,520,589

	Payments due by period
	Less than		1-3		3-5		Greater than
(In thousands)	1 Year		Years		Years		5 Years		Total

Long-term debt	$	23,093	$	43,708	$	3,479	$	148,307	$	218,587
ATM lease commitments		1,359		1,698		--		--		3,057
Credit card loan commitments		564,592		--		--		--		564,592
Other loan commitments		3,086,696		--		--		--		3,086,696
Letters of credit		47,621		--		--		--		47,621

(In thousands, except share data)	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013

Twelve months ended

Net Income	$	92,940		$	96,790		$	74,107		$	35,688		$	23,231
Non-core items
Accelerated vesting on retirement agreements		--			--			2,209			--			--
Gain on sale of merchant services		--			--			--			(1,000	)		--
Gain on sale of banking operations		--			--			(2,110	)		--			--
Gain from early retirement of trust preferred securities		--			(594	)		--			--			--
Gain on sale of insurance lines of business		(3,708	)		--			--			--			--
Loss on FDIC loss-share termination		--			--			7,476			--			--
Donation to Simmons Foundation		5,000			--			--			--			--
Merger related costs		21,923			4,835			13,760			7,470			6,376
Change-in-control payments		--			--			--			885			--
Loss from sale of securities		--			--			--			--			193
Branch right sizing		169			3,359			3,144			(3,059	)		641
Charter consolidation costs		--			--			--			652			--
Tax effect (39.225%) ⁽¹⁾		(8,746	)		(2,981	)		(8,964	)		(1,929	)		(2,829	)
Net non-core items (before SAB 118 adjustment)		14,638			4,619			15,515			3,019			4,381
SAB 118 adjustment ⁽²⁾		11,471			--			--			--			--
Diluted core earnings (non-GAAP)	$	119,049		$	101,409		$	89,622		$	38,707		$	27,612

Diluted earnings per share	$	1.33		$	1.56		$	1.31		$	1.05		$	0.71
Non-core items
Accelerated vesting on retirement agreements		--			--			0.04			--			--
Gain on sale of merchant services		--			--			--			(0.03	)		--
Gain on sale of banking operations		--			--			(0.04	)		--			--
Gain from early retirement of trust preferred securities		--			(0.01	)		--			--			--
Gain on sale of insurance lines of business		(0.04	)		--			--			--			--
Loss on FDIC loss-share termination		--			--			0.14			--			--
Donation to Simmons Foundation		0.07			--			--			--			--
Merger related costs		0.31			0.08			0.25			0.22			0.19
Change-in-control payments		--			--			--			0.03			--
Loss from sale of securities		--			--			--			--			0.01
Branch right sizing		--			0.06			0.06			(0.08	)		0.02
Charter consolidation costs		--			--			--			0.02			--
Tax effect (39.225%) ⁽¹⁾		(0.13	)		(0.05	)		(0.17	)		(0.07	)		(0.09	)
Net non-core items (before SAB 118 adjustment)		0.21			0.08			0.28			0.09			0.13
SAB 118 adjustment ⁽²⁾		0.16			--			--			--			--
Diluted core earnings per share (non-GAAP)	$	1.70		$	1.64		$	1.59		$	1.14		$	0.84

	Quarter
(In thousands, except per share data)	First		Second		Third		Fourth			Total

2017
Interest income	$	78,427	$	83,898	$	87,484	$	145,195		$	395,004
Interest expense		6,047		7,086		8,665		18,276			40,074
Net interest income		72,380		76,812		78,819		126,919			354,930
Provision for loan losses		4,307		7,023		5,462		9,601			26,393
Gain (loss) on sale of securities		63		2,236		3		(1,243	)		1,059
Non-interest income, net of gain (loss) on sale of securities		29,997		33,508		36,329		37,872			137,706
Non-interest expense		66,322		71,408		66,159		108,490			312,379
Net income available to common shareholders		22,120		23,065		28,852		18,903			92,940
Basic earnings per share ^{(1) (2)}		0.35		0.36		0.45		0.22			1.34
Diluted earnings per share ^{(1) (2)}		0.35		0.36		0.44		0.22			1.33

2016
Interest income	$	75,622	$	71,900	$	73,418	$	80,065		$	301,005
Interest expense		5,390		5,317		5,355		5,737			21,799
Net interest income		70,232		66,583		68,063		74,328			279,206
Provision for loan losses		2,823		4,616		8,294		4,332			20,065
Gain on sale of securities		329		3,759		315		1,445			5,848
Non-interest income, net of gain on sale of securities		29,174		33,129		36,561		34,670			133,534
Non-interest expense		61,789		64,137		62,434		66,725			255,085
Net income available to common shareholders		23,481		22,909		23,429		26,971			96,790
Basic earnings per share ^{(1) (2)}		0.39		0.38		0.39		0.43			1.58
Diluted earnings per share ^{(1) (2)}		0.39		0.38		0.38		0.43			1.56

Interest Rate Scenario	% Change from Base

Up 200 basis points		5.00	%
Up 100 basis points		2.78	%
Down 100 basis points		-3.54	%

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	58
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting	59
Report on Consolidated Financial Statements	60
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2017 and 2016	61
Consolidated Statements of Income, Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015	62
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015	63
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015	64
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015	65
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015	66

(In thousands, except per share data⁽¹⁾)	2017		2016		2015

INTEREST INCOME
Loans	$	352,351	$	265,652	$	268,367
Interest bearing balances due from banks and federal funds sold		1,933		756		899
Investment securities		40,115		33,479		30,613
Mortgage loans held for sale		605		1,102		1,051
Assets held in trading accounts		--		16		18
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME		395,004		301,005		300,948

INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		27,756		15,217		15,248
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase		347		273		236
Other borrowings		8,621		4,148		5,097
Subordinated debentures		3,350		2,161		1,772
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE		40,074		21,799		22,353

NET INTEREST INCOME		354,930		279,206		278,595
Provision for loan losses		26,393		20,065		9,022

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		328,537		259,141		269,573

NON-INTEREST INCOME
Trust income		18,570		15,442		9,261
Service charges on deposit accounts		36,079		32,414		30,985
Other service charges and fees		9,919		12,872		8,756
Mortgage and SBA lending income		13,316		16,483		11,452
Investment banking income		2,793		3,471		2,590
Debit and credit card fees		34,258		30,740		26,660
Bank owned life insurance income		3,503		3,324		2,680
Gain on sale of securities, net		1,059		5,848		307
Net loss on assets covered by FDIC loss share agreements		--		--		(14,812	)
Other income		19,268		18,788		16,782
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME		138,765		139,382		94,661

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits		154,314		133,457		138,243
Occupancy expense, net		21,159		18,667		16,858
Furniture and equipment expense		19,366		16,683		14,352
Other real estate and foreclosure expense		3,042		4,461		4,861
Deposit insurance		3,696		3,469		4,201
Merger related costs		21,923		4,835		13,760
Other operating expenses		88,879		73,513		64,695
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE		312,379		255,085		256,970

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		154,923		143,438		107,264
Provision for income taxes		61,983		46,624		32,900

NET INCOME		92,940		96,814		74,364
Preferred stock dividends		--		24		257
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$	92,940	$	96,790	$	74,107
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.34	$	1.58	$	1.32
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.33	$	1.56	$	1.31

(In thousands, except share data ⁽¹⁾)	Preferred Stock			Common Stock		Surplus		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Undivided Profits			Total

Balance, December 31, 2014	$	--		$	361	$	156,388	$	(1,336	)	$	338,906		$	494,319

Comprehensive income		--			--		--		(1,329	)		74,364			73,035
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan – 13,056 shares		--			--		226		--			--			226
Stock-based compensation plans, net – 291,748 shares		--			3		7,318		--			--			7,321
Stock issued for Community First acquisition – 30,852 preferred shares; 13,105,830 common shares		30,852			131		268,211		--			--			299,194
Stock issued for Liberty acquisition – 10,362,674 common shares		--			104		212,072		--			--			212,176
Stock issued for Ozark Trust acquisition – 678,580 common shares		--			7		17,860		--			--			17,867
Dividends on preferred stock		--			--		--		--			(257	)		(257	)
Cash dividends – $0.46 per share		--			--		--		--			(27,026	)		(27,026	)

Balance, December 31, 2015		30,852			606		662,075		(2,665	)		385,987			1,076,855

Comprehensive income		--			--		--		(12,547	)		96,814			84,267
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan – 31,470 shares		--			--		586		--			--			586
Stock-based compensation plans, net – 295,630 shares		--			3		7,767		--			--			7,770
Stock issued for Citizens National acquisition – 1,671,482 common shares		--			17		41,235		--			--			41,252
Preferred stock redeemed		(30,852	)		--		--		--			--			(30,852	)
Dividends on preferred stock		--			--		--		--			(24	)		(24	)
Dividends on common stock – $0.48 per share		--			--		--		--			(28,743	)		(28,743	)

Balance, December 31, 2016		--			626		711,663		(15,212	)		454,034			1,151,111

Comprehensive income		--			--		--		964			92,940			93,904
Reclassify stranded tax effects due to 2017 tax law changes		--			--		--		(3,016	)		3,016			--
Stock issued for employee stock purchase plan – 26,002 shares		--			--		618		--			--			618
Stock-based compensation plans, net – 359,286 shares		--			3		12,938		--			--			12,941
Stock issued for Hardeman acquisition – 1,599,940 common shares		--			16		42,622		--			--			42,638
Stock issued for OKSB acquisition –14,488,604 common shares		--			145		431,253		--			--			431,398
Stock issued for First Texas acquisition – 12,999,840 common shares		--			130		386,940		--			--			387,070
Dividends on common stock – $0.50 per share		--			--		--		--			(35,116	)		(35,116	)

Balance, December 31, 2017	$	--		$	920	$	1,586,034	$	(17,264	)	$	514,874		$	2,084,564

	Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
(In thousands)	Overnight and Continuous		Up to 30 Days		30-90 Days		Greater than 90 Days		Total
December 31, 2017
Repurchase agreements:
U.S. Government agencies	$	122,019	$	--	$	--	$	--	$	122,019

December 31, 2016
Repurchase agreements:
U.S. Government agencies	$	101,647	$	--	$	--	$	757	$	102,404

	Actual				Minimum For Capital Adequacy Purposes				To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provision
(In thousands)	Amount		Ratio (%)		Amount		Ratio (%)		Amount		Ratio (%)

As of December 31, 2017
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation	$	1,388,970		11.4	$	974,716		8.0	$	N/A
Simmons Bank		877,728		12.1		580,316		8.0		725,395		10.0
Bank SNB		259,077		10.9		190,148		8.0		237,685		10.0
Southwest Bank		297,164		11.0		216,119		8.0		270,149		10.0
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation		1,199,457		9.8		734,361		6.0		N/A
Simmons Bank		835,787		11.5		436,063		6.0		581,417		8.0
Bank SNB		255,360		10.7		143,193		6.0		190,923		8.0
Southwest Bank		294,874		10.9		162,316		6.0		216,421		8.0
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation		1,199,457		9.8		550,771		4.5		N/A
Simmons Bank		835,787		11.5		327,047		4.5		472,401		6.5
Bank SNB		255,360		10.7		107,394		4.5		155,125		6.5
Southwest Bank		294,874		10.9		121,737		4.5		175,842		6.5
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation		1,199,457		9.2		521,503		4.0		N/A
Simmons Bank		835,787		9.2		363,386		4.0		454,232		5.0
Bank SNB		255,360		10.1		101,133		4.0		126,416		5.0
Southwest Bank		294,874		12.2		96,680		4.0		120,850		5.0

As of December 31, 2016
Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation	$	912,948		15.1	$	483,681		8.0	$	N/A
Simmons Bank		830,921		13.8		481,693		8.0		602,117		10.0
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation		872,707		14.5		361,120		6.0		N/A
Simmons Bank		790,673		13.2		359,397		6.0		479,196		8.0
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation		812,310		13.5		270,770		4.5		N/A
Simmons Bank		790,673		13.2		269,548		4.5		389,347		6.5
Tier 1 Leverage Ratio
Simmons First National Corporation		872,707		11.0		317,348		4.0		N/A
Simmons Bank		790,673		10.0		316,269		4.0		395,337		5.0

Exhibit No.		Description

2.1		Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of May 14, 2010, among Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation, Receiver of Southwest Community Bank, Springfield, Missouri, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Simmons First National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as amended, for May 19, 2010 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.2		Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2010, among Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation, Receiver of Security Savings Bank F.S.B., Olathe, Kansas, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Simmons First National Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as amended, for October 21, 2010 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.3		Purchase and Assumption Agreement Whole Bank All Deposits, among Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation, Receiver of Truman Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Simmons First National Bank, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, dated as of September 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as amended, for September 20, 2012 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.4		Loan Sale Agreement, by and between Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as Receiver for Truman Bank, St. Louis, Missouri, and Simmons First National Bank, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, dated as of September 14, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as amended, for September 20, 2012 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.5		Purchase and Assumption Agreement Whole Bank All Deposits, among Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation, Receiver of Excel Bank, Sedalia, Missouri, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Simmons First National Bank, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, dated as of October 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as amended, for October 25, 2012 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.6		Stock Purchase Agreement by and between Simmons First National Corporation and Rogers Bancshares, Inc., dated as of September 10, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K for September 12, 2013 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.7		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 24, 2014, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and Delta Trust & Banking Corporation (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed by Simmons First National Corporation on July 23, 2014 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.8		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 6, 2014, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and Community First Bancshares, Inc., as amended on September 11, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed by Simmons First National Corporation on October 8, 2014 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.9		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 27, 2014, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and Liberty Bancshares, Inc., as amended on September 11, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Annex B to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed by Simmons First National Corporation on October 8, 2014 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.10		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 28, 2015, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and Ozark Trust & Investment Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K for April 29, 2015 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.11		Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Citizens National Bank, Citizens National Bancorp, Inc. and Simmons First National Corporation, dated as of May 18, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K for May 18, 2016 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.12		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 17, 2016, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and Hardeman County Investment Company, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K for November 17, 2016 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.13		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 14, 2016, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and Southwest Bancorp, Inc., as amended on July 19, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.11 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2017 (File No. 000-06253)).

2.14		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 23, 2017, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and First Texas, BHC, Inc., as amended on July 19, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.12 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2017 (File No. 000-06253)).

3.1		Restated Articles of Incorporation of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended March 31, 2009 (File No. 000-06253)).

3.2		Amended By-Laws of Simmons First National Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended June 30, 2017 (File No. 000-06253)).

3.3		Certificate of Designation of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A of Simmons First National Corporation, dated February 27, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K on February 27, 2015 (File No. 000-06253)).

4.1		Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures. Simmons First National Corporation hereby agrees to furnish copies of instruments defining the right of holders of long-term debt of the Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request. No issuance of debt exceeds ten percent of the total assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

10.1		Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Agreement for Barry K. Ledbetter effective February 27, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2016 (File No. 000-06253)).

10.2		Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Agreement for Robert A. Fehlman effective February 27, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2016 (File No. 000-06253)).

10.3		Deferred Compensation Agreement for Marty D. Casteel dated January 22, 2018.*

10.4		Amendment to Deferred Compensation Agreement for George A. Makris dated January 25, 2018.*

10.5		Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2017, by and between Simmons First National Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 11, 2017 (File No. 000-06253)).

10.6		Revolving Credit Note, dated October 6, 2017, by Simmons First National Corporation in favor of U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 11, 2017 (File No. 000-06253)).

12.1		Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*

14.1		Code of Ethics, dated December 13, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 15, 2017 (File No. 000-06253)).

14.2		Finance Group Code of Ethics, dated July 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to Simmons First National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2003 (File No. 000-06253)).

21		Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*

23		Consent of BKD, LLP.*

31.1		Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) Certification – George A. Makris, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.*

31.2		Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) Certification – Robert A. Fehlman, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.*

31.3		Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) Certification – David W. Garner, Executive Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer.*

32.1		Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – George A. Makris, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.*

32.2		Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – Robert A. Fehlman, Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.*

32.3		Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sections 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 – David W. Garner, Executive Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer.*

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document.**

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.**

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.**

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.**

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase. **

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.**

*	Filed herewith

**	Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

	/s/ Patrick A. Burrow		February 28, 2018
	Patrick A. Burrow, Secretary

Signature		Title

/s/ George A. Makris, Jr.		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
George A. Makris, Jr.		and Director

/s/ Robert A. Fehlman		Senior Executive Vice President,
Robert A. Fehlman		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ David W. Garner		Executive Vice President, Controller and
David W. Garner		Chief Accounting Officer
		(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Jay D. Burchfield		Director
Jay D. Burchfield

/s/ William E. Clark II		Director
William E. Clark II

/s/ Steven A. Cossé		Director
Steven A. Cossé

/s/ Mark C. Doramus		Director
Mark C. Doramus

		Director
Edward Drilling

/s/ Eugene Hunt		Director
Eugene Hunt

/s/ Jerry M. Hunter		Director
Jerry M. Hunter

/s/ Christopher R. Kirkland		Director
Christopher R. Kirkland

/s/ Susan S. Lanigan		Director
Susan S. Lanigan

/s/ W. Scott McGeorge		Director
W. Scott McGeorge

/s/ Tom Purvis		Director
Tom Purvis

/s/ Robert L. Shoptaw		Director
Robert L. Shoptaw

		Director
Russell Teubner

/s/ Malynda K. West		Director
Malynda K. West