Guaranty Federal Bancshares (GFED) 10-K 2018 FY Annual report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Commission File Number: 0-23325

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	43-1792717
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
or Organization)

2144 E Republic Rd, Suite F200, Springfield, Missouri	65804
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (417) 520-4333

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Class	Exchange on which Registered
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:        None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ___ No X  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ___ No X  

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  X     No        

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes  X      No        

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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 information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated file	Accelerated filer   X	Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company    X	Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.        

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non‑affiliates of the registrant, based on the average bid and asked prices of the registrant's Common Stock as quoted on the Global Market of The NASDAQ Stock Market on June 30, 2018 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter) was $76.9 million.  As of March 1, 2019 there were 4,463,481 shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) to be held on May 29, 2019 (Part III).

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	GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.
	Form 10-K
	TABLE OF CONTENTS
	Item		Page
		PART I
	1	Business	4
	1A	Risk Factors	29
	1B	Unresolved Staff Comments	39
	2	Properties	40
	3	Legal Proceedings	41
	4	Mine Safety Disclosures	41
		PART II
	5	Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	41
	6	Selected Financial Data	43
	7	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	44
	7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	57
	8	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	59
	9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	113
	9A	Controls and Procedures	113
	9B	Other Information	115
		PART III
	10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	116
	11	Executive Compensation	116
	12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	116
	13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	117
	14	Principal Accounting Fees and Services	117
		PART IV
	15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	117
	16	Form 10-K Summary	119
Signatures

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PART I

Item 1.  Business

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is a Delaware-chartered corporation that was formed in September 1997. The Company became a unitary savings and loan holding company for Guaranty Federal Savings Bank, a federal savings bank (the "Bank") on December 30, 1997, in connection with a plan of conversion and reorganization involving the Bank and its then existing mutual holding company. The mutual holding company structure had been created in April 1995 at which time more than a majority of the shares of the Bank were issued to the mutual holding company and the remaining shares were sold in a public offering. In connection with the conversion and reorganization on December 30, 1997, the shares of the Bank held by the mutual holding company were extinguished along with the mutual holding company, and the shares of the Bank held by the public were exchanged for shares of the Company. All of the shares of the Bank which remained outstanding after the conversion are owned by the Company.

On June 27, 2003, the Bank converted from a federal savings bank to a state-chartered trust company with banking powers in Missouri, and the Company became a bank holding company. On this date, the name of the Bank was changed from Guaranty Federal Savings Bank to Guaranty Bank. The primary activity of the Company is to oversee its investment in the Bank. The Company engages in few other activities. For this reason, unless otherwise specified, references to the Company include operations of the Bank. Further, information in a chart or table based on Bank only data is identical to or immaterially different from information that would be provided on a consolidated basis. In addition to the Bank, the Company owns Guaranty Statutory Trust I and Guaranty Statutory Trust II, both Delaware statutory trusts.

On April 2, 2018, the company completed the acquisition of Carthage, Missouri-based Hometown Bancshares, Inc. (“Hometown”) including its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Hometown Bank, National Association and Hometown Bancshares Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, each share of Hometown common stock was exchanged for $20.00 in cash and the transaction was valued at approximately $4.6 million. Hometown’s subsidiary bank, Hometown Bank, National Association, was merged into Guaranty Bank on June 8, 2018. Including the effects of acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $178.8 million in assets, including approximately $143.9 million in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $161.2 million in deposits. Goodwill of $1.4 million was also recorded as a result of this transaction. The acquisition strengthened the Company’s position in Southwest Missouri and the Company believes it 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.

At December 31, 2018, the Company’s consolidated assets were $965.1 million, net loans were $779.8 million, deposits were $749.6 million and total stockholders’ equity was $80.5 million. See Item 6 “Selected Financial Data” for further details regarding the Company’s financial position and results of operations for the previous five fiscal years.

Guaranty Bank

The Bank's principal business has been, and continues to be, attracting retail deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations, in commercial real estate loans, multi-family residential mortgage loans, construction loans, permanent one- to four-family residential mortgage loans, business, consumer and other loans. The Bank also invests in mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Government and federal agency securities and other marketable securities. The Bank's revenues are derived principally from interest on its loans and other investments and fees charged for services provided, and gains generated from sales of loans and investment securities, and the Bank’s results of operations are primarily dependent on net interest margin, which is the difference between interest income on interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. The Bank's primary sources of funds are: deposits; borrowings; amortization and prepayments of loan principal; and amortizations, prepayments and maturities of investment securities.

The Bank is regulated by the Missouri Division of Finance (“MDF”) and its deposits are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the "FDIC"). See discussion under section captioned “Supervision and Regulation” in this Item 1. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Des Moines, which is one of 11 regional Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLB”).

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Internet Website

The Company’s internet website address is www.gbankmo.com. The information contained on that website is not included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company makes available through its website its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials are also available free of charge (other than a user's regular internet access charges) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov.     

Market Area 

The Bank's primary market areas are Greene, Christian, Jasper, and Newton Counties, which are in the southwestern corner of Missouri and includes the cities of Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, Joplin, Carthage and Neosho, Missouri (our “Market Area”).  The major components of the Market Area’s economy are service industries, education, retail, light manufacturing and health care. There is a significant regional health care presence with three large regional hospitals.  There also are four accredited colleges and two major universities.  Part of the area’s growth can be attributed to its proximity to Branson, Missouri, which has developed a strong tourism industry related to country music and entertainment.  Branson is located 30 miles south of Springfield, and attracts between five and six million tourists each year, many of whom pass through Springfield. The Bank also has one Loan Production Office in Webster County, Missouri.  

Lending Activities

Like many commercial banks in our market, our loan portfolio is comprised of different types of industries. However, real estate lending is a significant portion of our business and accounted for more than 81% of our loan portfolio by value as of December 31, 2018. Set forth below is selected data relating to the composition of the Bank’s loan portfolio at the dates indicated:

	As of December 31,
	2018					2017					2016					2015					2014
	$		%			$		%			$		%			$		%			$		%
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Mortgage loans (includes loans held for sale):
One to four family	$	133,928		17	%	$	108,223		17	%	$	108,594		20	%	$	100,160		20	%	$	99,116		20	%
Multi-family		90,548		12	%		85,225		13	%		48,483		9	%		41,604		8	%		33,786		7	%
Construction		88,554		11	%		64,744		10	%		40,912		7	%		45,463		9	%		36,785		7	%
Commercial real estate		322,921		41	%		261,866		41	%		249,581		46	%		208,824		42	%		215,605		44	%
Total mortgage loans		635,951		81	%		520,058		81	%		447,570		82	%		396,051		79	%		385,292		78	%
Commercial business loans		119,369		15	%		94,523		15	%		75,405		14	%		81,007		16	%		92,114		19	%
Consumer loans		33,091		4	%		24,716		4	%		23,606		4	%		21,992		4	%		17,246		3	%
Total consumer and other loans		152,460		19	%		119,239		19	%		99,011		18	%		102,999		21	%		109,360		22	%
Total loans		788,411		100	%		639,297		100	%		546,581		100	%		499,050		100	%		494,652		100	%
Less:
Deferred loan fees/costs, net		600					663					382					333					262
Allowance for loan losses		7,996					7,107					5,742					5,812					6,589
Total Loans, net	$	779,815				$	631,527				$	540,457				$	492,905				$	487,801

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The following table sets forth the maturity of the Bank's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2018. The table shows loans that have adjustable rates as due in the period during which they contractually mature. The table does not include prepayments or scheduled principal amortization.

12/31/2018
Loan Maturities	Due in One Year or Less		Due After One Through Five Years		Due After Five Years		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
One to four family	$	13,732	$	73,109	$	47,087	$	133,928
Multi-family		9,419		68,933		12,196		90,548
Construction		44,949		33,014		10,591		88,554
Commercial real estate		15,507		201,658		105,756		322,921
Commercial loans		34,799		57,964		26,606		119,369
Consumer loans		4,600		13,446		15,045		33,091
Total loans (1)	$	123,006	$	448,124	$	217,281	$	788,411
Less:
Deferred loan fees/costs								600
Allowance for loan losses								7,996
Loans receivable net							$	779,815

(1) Includes mortgage loans held for sale of $1,517

The following table sets forth the dollar amount of all loans due after December 2019, before deductions for unearned discounts, deferred loan fees/costs and allowance for loan losses, which have pre-determined interest rates and those which have adjustable interest rates.

	Fixed Rates		Adjustable Rates		Total		% Adjustable
	(Dollars in Thousands)
One to four family	$	79,035	$	41,160	$	120,195		34	%
Multi-family		60,743		20,386		81,129		25	%
Construction		14,959		28,646		43,605		66	%
Commercial real estate		190,885		116,530		307,415		38	%
Commercial loans		44,820		39,751		84,571		47	%
Consumer loans		7,045		21,446		28,491		75	%
Total loans (1)	$	397,487	$	267,919	$	665,406		40	%

(1) Before deductions for unearned discounts, deferred loan fees/costs and allowances for loan losses.

Commercial Real Estate Loans. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank had commercial real estate loans totaling $322.9 million or 41% of the Bank's total loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans are generally originated in amounts up to 80% of the appraised value of the mortgaged property. The majority of the Bank’s commercial real estate loans have been originated with adjustable rates of interest, the majority of which are quoted at a spread to the Wall Street Prime rate for the initial fixed rate period with subsequent adjustments at a spread to the Wall Street Prime rate. The Bank's commercial real estate loans are generally permanent loans secured by improved property such as office buildings, retail stores, small shopping centers, medical offices, motels, churches and other non-residential buildings.

To originate commercial real estate loans, the Bank generally requires a mortgage and security interest in the subject real estate, personal guarantees of the principals, a security interest in the related personal property, and a standby assignment of rents and leases. The Bank has established its loan-to-one borrower limitation, which was $28.3 million as of December 31, 2018, as its maximum commercial real estate loan amount.

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Loans secured by commercial real estate are generally larger and involve a greater degree of risk than residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be subject, to a greater extent, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. The Bank seeks to minimize these risks by careful underwriting, requiring personal guarantees, lending only to established customers and borrowers otherwise known by the Bank, and generally restricting such loans to its primary Market Area.

As of December 31, 2018, the Bank’s commercial real estate loan portfolio included approximately $13.6 million, or 1.7% in loans to develop land into residential lots. The Bank utilizes its knowledge of the local market conditions and appraisals to evaluate the development cost and estimate projected lot prices and absorption rates to assess loans on residential subdivisions. The Bank typically loans up to 75% of the appraised value over terms up to two years. Development loans generally involve a greater degree of risk than residential mortgage loans because (1) the funds are advanced upon the security of the land which has a materially lower value prior to completion of the infrastructure required of a subdivision, (2) the cash flow available for debt repayment is a function of the sale of the individual lots, and (3) the amount of interest required to service the debt is a function of the time required to complete the development and sell the lots.

Commercial Business Loans. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank had commercial business loans totaling $119.4 million or 15% of the Bank's total loan portfolio. Commercial business loans are generally secured by business assets, such as accounts receivable, equipment and inventory. Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from his or her employment and other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial business loans are of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower's business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans may be substantially dependent on the success of the business itself. Further, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based on the success of the business. The Bank expects to continue to expand its commercial business lending as opportunities present themselves.

One- to Four-Family Mortgage Loans. The Bank offers fixed- and adjustable-rate (“ARM”) first mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residences in the Bank's primary lending area. Typically, such residences are single family homes that serve as the primary residence of the owner. However, there are a number of loans originated by the Bank which are secured by non-owner occupied properties. Loan originations are generally obtained from existing or past customers, members of the local community, attorney referrals, established builders and realtors within our Market Area. Originated mortgage loans in the Bank's portfolio include due-on-sale clauses which provide the Bank with the contractual right to deem the loan immediately due and payable in the event that the borrower transfers ownership of the property without the Bank's consent.

As of December 31, 2018, $133.9 million or 17% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio consisted of one- to four-family residential loans. The Bank currently offers ARM and balloon loans that have fixed interest rate periods of one to seven years. Generally, ARM loans provide for limits on the maximum interest rate adjustment ("caps") that can be made at the end of each applicable period and throughout the duration of the loan. ARM loans are originated for a term of up to 30 years on owner-occupied properties and generally up to 25 years on non-owner occupied properties. Typically, interest rate adjustments are calculated based on U.S. treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year (CMT), plus a 2.50% to 2.75% margin. Interest rates charged on fixed-rate loans are competitively priced based on market conditions and the cost of funds existing at the time the loan is committed. The Bank's fixed-rate mortgage loans are made for terms of 15 to 30 years which are currently being sold on the secondary market.

Generally, ARM loans pose credit risks different from the risks inherent in fixed-rate loans, primarily because as interest rates rise, the underlying payments of the borrower rise, thereby increasing the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying property may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. The Bank does not originate ARM loans that provide for negative amortization.

The Bank generally originates both owner occupied and non-owner occupied one- to four-family residential mortgage loans in amounts up to 80% of the appraised value or the selling price of the mortgaged property, whichever is lower. The Bank on occasion may make loans up to 95% of appraised value or the selling price of the mortgage property, whichever is lower. However, the Bank typically requires private mortgage insurance for the excess amount over 80% for mortgage loans with loan to value percentages greater than 80%.

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Multi-Family Mortgage Loans. The Bank originates multi-family mortgage loans in its primary lending area. As of December 31, 2018, $90.5 million or 12% of the Bank's total loan portfolio consisted of multi-family residential real estate loans. With regard to multi-family mortgage loans, the Bank generally requires personal guarantees of the principals as well as a security interest in the real estate. Multi-family mortgage loans are generally originated in amounts of up to 80% of the appraised value of the property. A portion of the Bank’s multi-family mortgage loans have been originated with adjustable rates of interest which are quoted at a spread to the FHLB advance rate for the initial fixed rate period with subsequent adjustments based on the Wall Street prime rate. The loan-to-one-borrower limitation, $28.3 million as of December 31, 2018, is the maximum the Bank will lend on a multi-family residential real estate loan.

Loans secured by multi-family residential real estate generally involve a greater degree of credit risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans and carry larger loan balances. This increased credit risk is a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the effects of general economic conditions on income producing properties, and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans. Furthermore, the repayment of loans secured by multi-family residential real estate is typically dependent upon the successful operation of the related real estate property. If the cash flow from the project is reduced, the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be impaired.

Construction Loans. As of December 31, 2018, construction loans totaled $88.6 million or 11% of the Bank's total loan portfolio. Construction loans originated by the Bank are generally secured by permanent mortgage loans for the construction of owner-occupied residential real estate or to finance speculative construction secured by residential real estate or owner-operated commercial real estate. This portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio consists of speculative loans, i.e., loans to builders who are speculating that they will be able to locate a purchaser for the underlying property prior to or shortly after the time construction has been completed.

Construction loans are made to contractors who have sufficient financial strength and a proven track record, for the purpose of resale, as well as on a "pre-sold" basis. Construction loans made for the purpose of resale generally provide for interest only payments at floating rates and have terms of six months to fifteen months. Construction loans for speculative purposes, models, and commercial properties typically have loan to value ratios of up to 80%. Loan proceeds are disbursed in increments as construction progresses and as inspections warrant.

Construction lending by its nature entails significant additional risks as compared with one-to four-family mortgage lending, attributable primarily to the fact that funds are advanced upon the security of the project under construction prior to its completion. As a result, construction lending often involves the disbursement of substantial funds with repayment dependent on the success of the ultimate project and the ability of the borrower or guarantor to repay the loan. Because of these factors, the analysis of the prospective construction loan projects requires an expertise that is different in significant respects from that which is required for residential mortgage lending. The Bank attempts to address these risks through its underwriting and construction monitoring procedures.

Consumer and Other Loans. The Bank also offers consumer loans, primarily consisting of loans secured by certificates of deposit, automobiles, boats and home equity loans. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank has such loans totaling $33.1 million or 4% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. The Bank expects to continue to expand its consumer lending as opportunities present themselves.

Director and Insider Loans. Management believes that loans to Directors and Officers are prudent and within the normal course of business. These loans reflect normal credit terms and represent no more collection risk than any other loan in the portfolio.

Delinquencies, Non-Performing and Problem Assets.

Delinquent Loans. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank has ten loans 90 days or more past due with a principal balance of $2,234,471 and 34 loans between 30 and 89 days past due with an aggregate principal balance of $8,318,686. The Bank generally does not accrue interest on loans past due more than 90 days.

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The following table sets forth the Bank's loans that were accounted for on a non-accrual basis or 90 days or more delinquent at the dates indicated.

Delinquency Summary	As of
	December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis or contractually past due 90 days or more
Mortgage Loans:
One to four family	$	4,136		$	4,423		$	2,060		$	2,272		$	911
Multi-family		-			-			-			-			-
Construction		4,088			4,452			5,447			8,080			2,893
Commercial real estate		3,593			162			162			1,241			460
		11,817			9,037			7,669			11,593			4,264
Non-mortgage loans:
Commercial loans		1,263			803			925			2,149			1,027
Consumer and other loans		2			122			38			13			-
		1,265			925			963			2,162			1,027
Total non-accrual loans		13,082			9,962			8,632			13,755			5,291
Accruing loans which are contractually past maturity or past due 90 days or more:
Mortgage Loans:
One to four family		-			-			-			-			-
Multi-family		-			-			-			-			-
Construction		-			-			-			-			-
Commercial real estate		-			-			-			-			-
		-			-			-			-			-
Non-mortgage loans:
Commercial loans		-			-			-			-			-
Consumer and other loans		-			-			-			-			-
		-			-			-			-			-
Total past maturity or past due accruing loans		-			-			-			-			-
Total accounted for on a non-accrual basis or contractually past maturity or 90 days or more past due	$	13,082		$	9,962		$	8,632		$	13,755		$	5,291
Total accounted for on a non-accrual basis or contractually past maturity or 90 days or more past due as a percentage of net loans		1.68	%		1.58	%		1.60	%		2.79	%		1.08	%
Total accounted for on a non-accrual basis or contractually past maturity or 90 days or more past due as a percentage of total assets		1.36	%		1.24	%		1.25	%		2.11	%		0.84	%

Non-Performing Assets. Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are placed on non-accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the collection of all interest at contractual rates becomes doubtful. As part of such review, mortgage loans are placed on non-accrual status generally when either principal or interest is more than 90 days past due, or when other circumstances indicate the collection of principal or interest is in doubt. Interest accrued and unpaid at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status is charged against interest income.

Real estate acquired by the Bank as a result of foreclosure or by deed in lieu of foreclosure is deemed a foreclosed asset held for sale until such time as it is sold. When a foreclosed asset held for sale is acquired it is recorded at its estimated fair value, less estimated selling expenses. Valuations of such foreclosed assets are periodically performed by management, and any subsequent decline in estimated fair value is charged to operations.

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The following table shows the principal amount of non-performing loans (i.e. loans that are not performing under regulatory guidelines) and all foreclosed assets, including assets acquired in settlement of loans and the resulting impact on interest income for the periods then ended.

Non-Performing Assets	As of
	December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
Non-accrual loans:	(Dollars in Thousands)
Mortgage loans:
One to four family	$	4,136		$	4,423		$	2,060		$	2,272		$	911
Multi-family		-			-			-			-			-
Construction		4,088			4,452			5,447			8,080			2,893
Commercial real estate		3,593			162			162			1,241			460
		11,817			9,037			7,669			11,593			4,264
Non-mortgage loans:
Commercial loans		1,263			803			925			2,149			1,027
Consumer and other loans		2			122			38			13			-
		1,265			925			963			2,162			1,027
Total non-accrual loans		13,082			9,962			8,632			13,755			5,291
Real estate and other assets acquired in settlement of loans		1,127			283			2,682			2,392			3,165
Total non-performing assets	$	14,209		$	10,245		$	11,314		$	16,147		$	8,456
Total non-accrual loans as a percentage of net loans		1.68	%		1.58	%		1.60	%		2.79	%		1.08	%
Total non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets		1.47	%		1.28	%		1.64	%		2.47	%		1.35	%
Impact on interest income for the period:
Interest income that would have been recorded on non-accruing loans	$	299		$	95		$	90		$	573		$	337

Problem Assets. Federal regulations require that the Bank review and classify its assets on a regular basis to determine those assets considered to be of lesser quality. In addition, in connection with examinations of insured institutions, bank examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, require them to be classified. There are three classifications for problem assets: substandard, doubtful, and loss. "Substandard assets" must have one or more defined weaknesses and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the insured institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. "Doubtful assets" have the weaknesses of substandard assets with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values highly questionable, and improbable. An asset classified "loss" is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as an asset of the institution is not warranted. The regulations have also created a “special mention” category, described as assets which do not currently expose an insured institution to a sufficient degree of risk to warrant classification but do possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management's close attention. Federal regulations require the Bank to establish general allowances for loan losses from assets classified as substandard or doubtful. If an asset or portion thereof is classified as loss, the insured institution must either establish specific allowances for loan losses in the amount of 100% of the portion of the asset classified loss or charge off such amount. A portion of general loss allowances established to cover possible losses related to assets classified substandard or doubtful may be included in determining an institution's regulatory capital.

For management purposes, the Bank also designates certain loans for additional attention. Such loans are called “Special Mention” and have identified weaknesses, that if the situation deteriorates, the loans would merit a substandard classification.

10

The following table shows the aggregate amounts of the Bank's classified assets as of December 31, 2018.

	Special Mention				Substandard				Doubtful				Total
	Number		Amount		Number		Amount		Number		Amount		Number		Amount
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Loans:
One to four family		2	$	372		39	$	5,453		-	$	-		41	$	5,825
Multi-family		-		-		1		5,952		-		-		1		5,952
Construction		-		-		6		4,179		-		-		6		4,179
Commercial real estate		3		5,524		28		6,911		-		-		31		12,435
Commercial		10		3,031		25		1,814		-		-		35		4,845
Consumer and Other		-		-		7		405		-		-		7		405
Total loans		15		8,927		106		24,714		-		-		121		33,641
Foreclosed assets held-for-sale:
One to four family		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Land and other assets		-		-		7		1,127		-		-		7		1,127
Total foreclosed assets		-		-		7		1,127		-		-		7		1,127
Total		15	$	8,927		113	$	25,841		-	$	-		128	$	34,768

Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on management's evaluation of the risk inherent in its loan portfolio and the general economy. Such evaluation, which includes a review of all loans on which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers among other matters, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an adequate loan loss allowance. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank's allowance for loan losses and valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

As of December 31, 2018, the Bank's total allowance for loan losses was $8.0 million or 1.02% of gross loans outstanding (excluding mortgage loans held for sale), an increase of $888,151 from December 31, 2017. The Bank experienced loan charge offs in excess of recoveries as management charged off specific loans that had been previously identified and classified as impaired. This allowance reflects not only management's determination to maintain an allowance for loan losses consistent with regulatory expectations for non-performing or problem assets, but also reflects the regional economy and the Bank's policy of evaluating the risks inherent in its loan portfolio.

Management records a provision for loan losses to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level considered adequate based on the Bank’s internal analysis and methodology. During 2018, the Bank recorded a provision for loan loss expense, as shown in the table below. Management anticipates the need to continue adding to the allowance through charges to provision for loan losses as growth in the loan portfolio or other circumstances warrant.

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for acquisition accounting, the loans acquired through the acquisition of Hometown were recorded at fair value; therefore, there was no allowance associated with Hometown’s loans at acquisition. Management continues to evaluate the allowance needed on the acquired Hometown loans factoring in the net remaining discount of $2.45 million at December 31, 2018.

11

The following tables set forth certain information concerning the Bank's allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

Allowance for Loan Losses	Year ended
	December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Beginning balance	$	7,107		$	5,742		$	5,812		$	6,589		$	7,802
Gross loan charge offs
Mortgage Loans:
One to four family		(8	)		(11	)		(47	)		(99	)		(127	)
Multi-family		-			-			-			-			-
Construction		-			-			(1,222	)		(1,233	)		(411	)
Commercial real estate		(37	)		(72	)		(69	)		-			(9	)
		(45	)		(83	)		(1,338	)		(1,332	)		(547	)
Non-mortgage loans:
Commercial loans		(110	)		(240	)		(171	)		-			(2,018	)
Consumer and other loans		(382	)		(213	)		(190	)		(119	)		(150	)
		(492	)		(453	)		(361	)		(119	)		(2,168	)
Total charge offs		(537	)		(536	)		(1,699	)		(1,451	)		(2,715	)
Recoveries
Mortgage Loans:
One to four family		32			19			34			20			9
Multi-family		-			-			-			-			-
Construction		97			74			91			10			5
Commercial real estate		2			-			32			-			99
		131			93			157			30			113
Non-mortgage loans:
Commercial loans		17			12			8			4			65
Consumer and other loans		53			46			89			40			49
		70			58			97			44			114
Total recoveries		201			151			254			74			227
Net loan charge-offs		(336	)		(385	)		(1,445	)		(1,377	)		(2,488	)
Provision charged to expense		1,225			1,750			1,375			600			1,275
Ending balance	$	7,996		$	7,107		$	5,742		$	5,812		$	6,589
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans, net		0.04	%		0.06	%		0.28	%		0.27	%		0.53	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of average loans, net		1.03	%		1.17	%		1.12	%		1.16	%		1.41	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans		61	%		71	%		67	%		42	%		125	%

12

Allocation of Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table shows the amount of the allowance allocated to the mortgage and non-mortgage loan categories and the respective percent of that loan category to total loans.

	As of
	December 31,
	2018					2017					2016					2015					2014
	Amount		%			Amount		%			Amount		%			Amount		%			Amount		%
	(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage Loans	$	6,337		79	%	$	4,577		64	%	$	4,126		72	%	$	3,770		65	%	$	4,349		66	%
Non-Mortgage Loans		1,659		21	%		2,530		36	%		1,616		28	%		2,042		35	%		2,240		34	%
Total	$	7,996		100	%	$	7,107		100	%	$	5,742		100	%	$	5,812		100	%	$	6,589		100	%

Investment Activities

The investment policy of the Company, which is established by the Company’s Board of Directors and reviewed by the Asset/Liability Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, is designed primarily to provide and maintain liquidity, to generate a favorable return on investments, to help mitigate interest rate and credit risk, and to complement the Bank's lending activities. The policy currently provides for held-to-maturity and available-for-sale investment security portfolios. The Company does not currently engage in trading investment securities and does not anticipate doing so in the future. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has investment securities with an amortized cost of $88.1 million and an estimated fair value of $86.3 million. See Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for description of the accounting policy for investments. Based on the carrying value of these securities, $86.3 million, or 99.9%, of the Company’s investment securities portfolio are available-for-sale.

From time to time, the Company will sell a security to change its interest rate risk profile or restructure the portfolio and its cash flows. In 2018, the Company sold $15.0 million in securities and recognized $8,091 of losses.

The Company has the authority to invest in various types of liquid assets, including United States Treasury obligations, securities of various federal agencies, corporate securities, trust preferred securities, certain certificates of deposit of insured banks and savings institutions, certain bankers' acceptances, repurchase agreements, and sale of federal funds.

13

Composition of Investment Securities Portfolio

The following tables set forth the amortized cost and approximate fair market values of the available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities.

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Approximate Fair Value
As of December 31, 2018
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
Debt Securities:
Corporates	$	3,000,000	$	18,927	$	-		$	3,018,927
Municipals		34,470,648		10,581		(710,709	)		33,770,520
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		50,632,011		81,999		(1,237,260	)		49,476,750
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities		11,794		136		(80	)		11,850
	$	88,114,453	$	111,643	$	(1,948,049	)	$	86,278,047

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Approximate Fair Value
As of December 31, 2017
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
Debt Securities:
Corporates	$	3,000,000	$	65,000	$	-		$	3,065,000
Municipals		33,908,207		253,872		(263,621	)		33,898,458
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		45,414,845		9,283		(908,913	)		44,515,215
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities		16,457		327		(55	)		16,729
	$	82,339,509	$	328,482	$	(1,172,589	)	$	81,495,402

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Approximate Fair Value
As of December 31, 2016
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
Debt Securities:
Corporates	$	7,003,986	$	54,050	$	(4,514	)	$	7,053,522
Municipals		39,357,506		65,673		(1,085,654	)		38,337,525
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		48,115,793		19,432		(1,127,037	)		47,008,188
HELD-TO-MATURITY SECURITIES:
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities		27,528		625		-			28,153
	$	94,504,813	$	139,780	$	(2,217,205	)	$	92,427,388

14

The following tables set forth certain information regarding the weighted average yields and maturities of the Bank's investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2018.

Investment Portfolio Maturities and Average Weighted Yields	Amortized Cost		Weighted Average Yield			Approximate Fair Value
Due in one to five years		428,963		2.15	%		430,802
Due in five to ten years		11,905,343		2.86	%		11,738,780
Due after ten years		25,136,342		2.55	%		24,619,865
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools not due on a single maturity date		50,643,805		2.54	%		49,488,600
	$	88,114,453		2.53	%	$	86,278,047

	After One Through Five Years		After Five Through Ten Years		After Ten Years		Securities Not Due on a Single Maturity Date		Total
As of December 31, 2018
Debt Securities:
Corporates	$	-	$	3,018,927	$	-	$	-	$	3,018,927
Municipals		430,802		8,719,853		24,619,865		-		33,770,520
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		-		-		-		49,488,600		49,488,600
	$	430,802	$	11,738,780	$	24,619,865	$	49,488,600	$	86,278,047

Sources of Funds

General. The Company's primary sources of funds are retail and commercial deposits, FHLB borrowings, amortization and prepayments of loans and amortization, prepayments and maturities of investment securities. Secondary sources of funds are brokered deposits, internet deposits and federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks.

Deposits. The Bank offers a variety of deposit accounts having a range of interest rates and terms. The Bank has concentrated on a diverse deposit mix, such that transaction accounts make a greater percent of funding than in the past. The Bank offers various checking accounts, money markets, savings, fixed-term certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts.

The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in prevailing interest rates, local competition and competition from non-bank financial service providers. The Company closely monitors its deposit position and mix to manage interest rate risk and net interest margin. The Bank's deposits are typically obtained from the areas in which its offices are located. The Bank relies primarily on experienced customer service, long-term relationships with customers and convenient banking center locations to attract and retain a high level of core deposits.

15

Deposit Account Types

The following table sets forth the distribution of the Bank's deposit accounts at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands).

	As of December 31,								As of December 31,								As of December 31,
	2018								2017								2016
	Average					Percent			Average					Percent			Average					Percent
	Interest					of Total			Interest					of Total			Interest					of Total
	Rate			Amount		Deposits			Rate			Amount		Deposits			Rate			Amount		Deposits
NOW		1.09	%	$	165,581		22	%		0.35	%	$	139,458		23	%		0.30	%	$	129,138		26	%
Savings		0.30	%		39,664		5	%		0.19	%		30,848		5	%		0.20	%		28,095		6	%
Money Market		0.90	%		168,845		23	%		0.73	%		187,064		31	%		0.45	%		155,530		31	%
Non-interest bearing demand		0.82	%		142,997		19	%		0.00	%		94,728		16	%		0.00	%		80,911		15	%
Total					517,087		69	%					452,098		74	%					393,674		78	%
Certificates of Deposit: (fixed-rate, fixed-term)
1-11 months		0.91	%		139,255		19	%		0.71	%		92,349		15	%		0.75	%		65,802		13	%
12-23 months		1.49	%		53,954		7	%		0.99	%		39,930		7	%		0.89	%		22,328		4	%
24-35 months		1.95	%		34,246		4	%		1.42	%		12,472		2	%		1.24	%		12,882		3	%
36-47 months		2.00	%		4,172		1	%		1.49	%		6,420		1	%		1.40	%		5,106		1	%
48-59 months		1.39	%		843		0	%		1.46	%		3,753		1	%		1.47	%		3,655		1	%
60-71 months		2.05	%		58		0	%		1.34	%		339		0	%		1.37	%		1,874		0	%
72-95 months		1.59	%		4		0	%		1.34	%		3		0	%		1.34	%		42		0	%
Total					232,532		31	%					155,266		26	%					111,689		22	%
Total Deposits				$	749,619		100	%				$	607,364		100	%				$	505,363		100	%

Maturities of Certificates of Deposit of $100,000 or More

	(Dollars in thousands)
	As of December 31, 2018
Three months or less	$	44,337
Over three through six months		25,375
Over six through twelve months		43,808
Over twelve months		41,437
Total	$	154,957

Borrowings

The Company’s borrowings at December 31, 2018 consist of FHLB advances, a note payable at another financial institution and issuances of junior subordinated debentures. Other borrowings available to the Company include borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase.

16

Deposits are the primary source of funds for the Bank's lending activities and other general business purposes. However, during periods when the supply of lendable funds cannot meet the demand for such loans, the FHLB System, of which the Bank is a member, makes available, subject to compliance with eligibility standards, a portion of the funds necessary through loans (advances) to its members. Use of FHLB advances is a common practice, allowing the Bank to provide funding to its customers at a time when significant liquidity is not present, or at a rate advantageous relative to current market deposit rates. FHLB advances, due to their structure, allow the Bank to better manage its interest rate and liquidity risk. The following table presents certain data for FHLB advances as of the dates indicated.

	As of December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Remaining maturity:
Less than one year	$	105,300		$	92,200		$	43,600
One to two years		-			2,100			50,000
Two to three years		-			-			2,100
Total	$	105,300		$	94,300		$	95,700
Weighted average rate at end of period		2.69	%		1.97	%		1.72	%
For the period:
Average outstanding balance	$	96,957		$	93,942		$	71,200
Weighted average interest rate		2.29	%		1.78	%		1.79	%
Maximum outstanding as of any month end	$	112,800		$	116,700		$	95,700

Junior Subordinated Debentures: 

On December 15, 2005, the Company completed an offering of $15 million of “Trust Preferred Securities” (defined hereinafter). The Company formed two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Guaranty Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”) and Guaranty Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”) each a Delaware statutory trust (each a “Trust”, and collectively, the “Trusts”), for the purpose of issuing the $15 million of Trust Preferred Securities. The proceeds of the sale of Trust Preferred Securities, together with the proceeds of the Trusts’ sale of their common securities to the Company, were used by each Trust to purchase certain debentures from the Company. The Company issued 30-year junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to the Trusts in the principal amount of $5,155,000 (“Trust I Debentures”) and $10,310,000 (“Trust II Debentures”, and together with the Trust I Debentures, the “Debentures”) pursuant to the terms of Indentures dated December 15, 2005 by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. The Trust I Debentures bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.92%, payable quarterly. The Trust II Debentures bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.47% for 5 years, payable quarterly, after issuance and thereafter at a floating rate equal to the three month LIBOR plus 1.45%. The interest payments by the Company to the Trusts will be used to pay the dividends payable by the Trusts to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.

The Debentures mature on February 23, 2036. Subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board, the Debentures and the Trust Preferred Securities are each callable by the Company or the Trusts, respectively and as applicable, at its option after five years from issuance, and sooner in the case of a special redemption at a special redemption price ranging up to 103.2% of the principal amount thereof, and upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change in the regulatory capital treatment of the Trust Preferred Securities, either Trust being deemed an investment company or the occurrence of certain adverse tax events. In addition, the Company and the Trusts may defer interest and dividend payments, respectively, for up to five consecutive years without resulting in a default. An event of default may occur if the Company declares bankruptcy, fails to make the required payments within 30 days or breaches certain covenants within the Debentures. The Debentures are subordinated to the prior payment of any other indebtedness of the Company.

Pursuant to two guarantee agreements by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, the Company issued a limited, irrevocable guarantee of the obligations of each Trust under the Trust Preferred Securities whereby the Company has guaranteed any and all payment obligations of the Trusts related to the Trust Preferred Securities including distributions on, and the liquidation or redemption price of, the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent each Trust does not have funds available.

17

On April 2, 2018 the Company acquired Carthage, Missouri-based Hometown Bancshares. Pursuant to a Second Supplemental Indenture dated April 2, 2018 by and among the Company, Hometown and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, the Company assumed Hometown’s rights, duties and obligations under the original Indenture of a wholly owned subsidiary, Hometown Bancshares Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust formed on October 29, 2002. This Trust was formed for the purposes of issuing $6.0 million of Trust Preferred Securities. Hometown issued 30-year junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to the Trust in the principal amount of $6,186,000 (“Hometown Trust I Debentures”) pursuant to the terms of Indentures dated October 29, 2002 by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. These debentures bear interest at a floating rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 5.00%, payable quarterly, until May 2019. The rate from May 2019 until maturity in 2032 is a floating rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 6.00%, payable quarterly, with a maximum interest rate of 12.5%. The interest payments by the Company to the Trust will be used to pay the dividends payable by the Trust to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.

The Hometown Debentures mature on November 7, 2032. Subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board, the Debentures and the Trust Preferred Securities are each callable by the Company or the Trust, respectively and as applicable, at its option after five years from issuance at 100% of principal amount plus any accrued interest. Also, upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change in the regulatory capital treatment of the Trust Preferred Securities, the Trust being deemed an investment company or the occurrence of certain adverse tax events the Debentures and Securities are callable. In addition, the Company and the Trust may defer interest and dividend payments, respectively, for up to five consecutive years without resulting in a default. An event of default may occur if the Company declares bankruptcy, fails to make the required payments within 30 days or breaches certain covenants within the Debentures. The Debentures are subordinated to the prior payment of any other indebtedness of the Company.

Pursuant to a guarantee agreement by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, the Company issued a limited, irrevocable guarantee of the obligations of each Trust under the Trust Preferred Securities whereby the Company has guaranteed any and all payment obligations of the Trusts related to the Trust Preferred Securities including distributions on, and the liquidation or redemption price of, the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent each Trust does not have funds available.

The following table sets forth certain information as to the Company's subordinated debentures issued to the Trusts at the dates indicated.

	As of December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Subordinated debentures	$	21,761		$	15,465		$	15,465
Weighted average interest rate of subordinated debentures		4.72	%		4.08	%		3.75	%

Note Payable to Bank

During 2018, The Company established a note payable of $5,000,000 with another financial institution. The Bank has borrowed $5.0 million on this note as of December 31, 2018. The funds were used to provide additional capital for funding Bank asset growth. The note carries a variable interest rate tied to three-month LIBOR and matures on June 28, 2020.

Federal Reserve Bank Borrowings

During 2008, the Bank established a borrowing line with Federal Reserve Bank. The Bank had the ability to borrow $53.7 million as of December 31, 2018. The Federal Reserve Bank requires the Bank to maintain collateral in relation to borrowings outstanding. The Bank had no borrowings on this line as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

18

Subsidiary Activity and Segment Information

The Company has four wholly-owned subsidiaries: (i) the Bank, the Company’s principal subsidiary and a state-chartered bank with trust powers in Missouri; (ii) Trust I; (iii) Trust II; and (iv) Hometown Trust I. As discussed in more detail above, Trust I and Trust II were formed in December 2005 for the exclusive purpose of issuing trust preferred securities to acquire junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company. Hometown Trust I was acquired in 2018 with its purpose to issue trust preferred securities to acquire junior subordinated debentures issued by Hometown Bancshares in October 2002. Those debentures are the sole assets of the Trusts. The interest payments by the Company on the debentures are the sole revenues of the Trusts and are used by the Trusts to pay the dividends to the holders of the trust preferred securities. The Company has guaranteed any and all payment obligations of the Trusts related to the trust preferred securities. Under generally accepted accounting principles, the Trusts are not consolidated with the Company.

The Bank has one service corporation subsidiary, Guaranty Financial Services of Springfield, Inc., a Missouri corporation. This service corporation, which has been inactive since February 1, 2003, had agreements with third party providers for the sale of securities and casualty insurance products.

The Company’s banking operation conducted through its principal subsidiary, the Bank, is the Company’s only reportable segment. Other information about the Company’s business segment is contained in the section captioned “Segment Information” in Note 1 to the Notes of the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Return on Equity and Assets

The following table sets forth certain dividend, equity and asset ratios of the Company for the periods indicated.

	Year ended			Year ended			Year ended
	December 31,			December 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Common Dividend Payout Ratio		30	%		36	%		27	%
Return on Average Assets		0.77	%		0.69	%		0.83	%
Return on Average Equity		9.35	%		6.97	%		8.00	%
Stockholders' Equity to Assets		8.34	%		9.43	%		10.17	%
EPS Diluted	$	1.64		$	1.16		$	1.27
Dividends on Common Shares	$	0.49		$	0.42		$	0.34

19

Employees

As of December 31, 2018, the Bank had 202 full-time employees and 24 part-time employees. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had no employees. None of the Bank's employees are represented by a collective bargaining group.

Competition

The Bank experiences substantial competition both in attracting and retaining deposit accounts and in the origination of loans. The Bank's primary competition consists of commercial banks, credit unions, and savings institutions.

Direct competition for deposit accounts comes from other commercial banks, credit unions, regional bank and thrift holding companies, and savings institutions located in the remainder of our Market Area. Significant competition for the Bank's other deposit products and services come from money market mutual funds, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and retail stores. Recently, online firms have offered attractive financial service products to consumers, irrespective of location. The primary factors in competing for loans are interest rates and loan origination fees and the range of services offered by various financial institutions. Our larger competitors have a greater ability to finance wide-ranging advertising campaigns through their greater capital resources. Our marketing efforts depend heavily upon referrals from officers, directors and shareholders, selective advertising in local media and direct mail solicitations. The Bank believes it is able to compete effectively in its primary Market Area by offering competitive interest rates and loan fees, and a variety of deposit products, and by emphasizing personal customer service.

Supervision and Regulation

General

The Company and the Bank are subject to an extensive regulatory framework under federal and state law. Consequently, the Company’s growth and earnings performance may be affected by the requirements of federal and state statutes and by regulations and policies of various bank regulatory authorities, including the:

● Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”);

● Missouri Division of Finance; (“MDF”);

● Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; and

● Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).

Additionally, the Company’s business may be impacted by assorted laws and rules, including:

● anti-money laundering laws enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury);

● taxation laws administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state taxing authorities;

● accounting rules developed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB); and

● securities laws administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and state securities authorities.

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Regulatory agencies often have significant discretion regarding their supervisory and enforcement activities. This comprehensive supervisory and regulatory framework significantly impacts the Company’s operations and results. Additionally, new legislation is introduced from time to time that could impact the Company and the Bank in substantial ways and the nature, extent, or impact of new statutes or regulations on the Company’s or the Bank’s operations or financial conditions cannot be predicted with any certainty.

Set forth below is a brief summary of certain material laws and regulations applicable to the Company and the Bank. These laws and regulations are primarily intended for the protection of the Bank’s customers and depositors and not for the benefit of the stockholders or creditors of the Company. The following description does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes and regulations described below.

Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank Act” or “Dodd-Frank”) significantly changed the regulatory framework for financial institutions and their holding companies. Among other provisions, the Dodd-Frank Act:

● created the CFPB, which is responsible for implementing, supervising, and enforcing compliance with consumer financial protection laws;

● increased the deposit insurance coverage limit and changed the assessment base for calculating a bank’s deposit insurance assessments;

● repealed the prohibition on payment of interest on demand deposits;

● provided for new disclosures related to executive compensation and corporate governance and prohibited compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks or that could provide excessive compensation;

● imposed new capital requirements on banking institutions (see “New Capital Rules” below);

● enhanced the authority of the Federal Reserve Board to examine the Company and its non-bank subsidiaries; and

● imposed new requirements and restrictions on consumer mortgage banking.

The Dodd-Frank Act contains numerous provisions scheduled to be implemented through rulemakings by various federal regulatory agencies over a period of several years. Many, but not all, of the regulations have been issued and full implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act is still not complete. This law will continue to significantly influence the regulatory environment in which the Bank and the Company operate. As a result, the Company cannot predict the Dodd-Frank Act’s ultimate impact on the Company or the Bank at this time. Certain rules proposed or adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act are discussed throughout this section.

Minimum Capital Requirements

In July 2013, the U.S. federal banking agencies approved a final rule to comprehensively revise the regulatory capital framework for the U.S. banking sector, implementing many aspects of the framework agreed to by the International Basel Committee on Bank Supervision and incorporating changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Basel III Rule”). The capital requirements apply to all banks and savings associations, bank holding companies with more than $3 billion in assets and savings and loan holding companies (other than certain savings and loan holding companies engaged in insurance underwriting and grandfathered diversified holding companies). The Basel III Rule establishes new higher capital ratio requirements, tightens the definition of “capital,” imposes new operating restrictions on banking organizations with insufficient capital buffers, and increases the risk-weighting of certain assets. Cumulatively, these changes result in substantially more demanding capital standards for U.S. banking organizations.

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The Basel III Rule distinguishes between banking organizations subject to the “advanced approaches” method of computing risk-based regulatory capital, which are those with $250 billion or more in total consolidated assets or $10 billion or more in foreign exposures, and other banking organizations that successfully opt-in (“Advanced Banks”) and other banking organizations, such as the Company and the Bank, which operate under the “standardized approach” (“Standardized Banks”). The new rules became effective for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015, with certain requirements to be phased-in between January 2016 and January 2019.

The Basel III Rule, among other features:

● Introduces a new capital measure, Common Equity Tier 1 (“CET1” or “Tier 1 Common”), which is defined as common stock instruments, related surplus (net of Treasury stock), and retained earnings, subject to certain regulatory adjustments; and

● Requires banking institutions to maintain:

o a new minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5% (plus a capital conservation buffer);

o a minimum amount of Tier 1 capital (the sum of CET1 and Additional Tier 1 capital) to risk-weighted assets of at least 6%, which is an increase from 4% (plus a capital conservation buffer);

o a total capital (the sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital) ratio of at least 8% of risk-weighted assets (plus a capital conservation buffer); and

o a minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital of 4%. Proposed CBLR to likely add new ratios/will discuss with HUSCH regarding proposal if necessary to discuss here

In addition, the Basel III Rule requires that banking organizations maintain a “capital conservation buffer” comprised of CET1 in order to avoid restrictions on the ability to make capital distributions (including dividends and stock purchases) and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers. The capital conservation buffer is equal to 2.5% of risk-weighted assets, in addition to the minimum CET1, Tier 1, and total capital ratios. The capital conservation buffer will be phased-in beginning at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets on January 1, 2016, and increasing each subsequent year by an additional 0.625%, to reach the final level of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets on January 1, 2019. Accordingly, factoring in the capital conservation buffer, the minimum ratios noted above increase to 7% for CET1, 8.5% for Tier 1 capital, and 10.5% for total capital.

Furthermore, the Basel III Rule includes more restrictive definitions for the components of capital. For example, cumulative perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred securities have been phased-out of Tier 1 capital. However, for smaller entities with less than $15 billion in assets as of December 31, 2009, such as the Bank, the final rule permanently grandfathers as Tier 1 capital trust preferred securities and similar instruments issued by such entities prior to May 19, 2010, until such entity exceeds $15 billion in assets. The final Basel III Rule provides entities such as the Company and the Bank with a one time “opt-out” right to continue excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) from CET1 capital. This opt-out was required to be made in the first quarter of 2015 and the Company and Bank made this election. Accordingly, the Bank and the Company need not include AOCI in CET1 capital going forward. The rule also requires that goodwill and certain other intangible assets, other than mortgage servicing assets, net of associated deferred tax liabilities, be deducted from CET1 capital. Additionally, certain deferred tax assets and mortgage servicing assets must be deducted from CET1 capital if such assets exceed a certain percentage of an institution’s CET1 capital. Generally, greater deductions from CET1 reduce an institution’s capital base.

Moreover, the Basel III Rule changes the risk-weightings for certain assets that are used to calculate capital ratios. All else being equal, a higher risk weight results in a higher risk-weighted asset amount which, in turn, gives rise to a lower risk-based capital ratio. The final rule assigns a higher risk-weighting of 150% (up from 100%) for exposures that are more than 90 days past due and assigns a higher risk-weighting of 150% (up from 100%) for high-volatility commercial real estate loans, which are credit facilities that, prior to conversion to permanent financing, finance or have financed the acquisition, development, or construction of real property, subject to certain exclusions. Although initially contemplated, there was no change to the risk-weighting treatment of residential mortgage loans in the final Basel III Rule.

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Although the Basel III Rule is more stringent than previous capital rules, the Basel III Rule has had minimal impact on the Company and the Bank, to date. The Company and the Bank have a strong capital base and currently maintain adequate capital to meet the new standards.

A proposed rule issued on February 8, 2019 by federal banking regulators may provide a simpler method of measuring adequate capital ratios for community banking organizations. The proposal applies to depository institutions and companies holding less than $10 billion in combined assets: (i) meeting risk-based qualifying criteria; and (ii) maintaining a community banking leverage ratio (“CBLR”) of greater than 9 percent.  Under the proposed CBLR rule, qualifying institutions would be eligible to opt into the CBLR framework.  Opting in would mean the institution would need to maintain a ratio of greater than 9 percent and regulators would deem the institution well capitalized under the agencies’ capital rule.  It is unclear if the federal banking regulators will issue a final rule and, even if they do, the final rule may not apply to us and provide relief from federal banking capital requirements.

Nonetheless, federal banking guidelines provide that financial institutions experiencing significant growth could be expected to maintain capital levels above the minimum requirements without significant reliance on intangible assets. Additionally, higher capital levels could be required under certain circumstances, such as situations involving interest rate risk, risk from concentrations of credit, or nontraditional activities. Accordingly, the Company and the Bank could be required to maintain higher capital levels in the future even if the federal banking regulators issue a final CBLR rule.

Regulation of the Bank

General. The Bank, as a Missouri-chartered non-member depository trust company, is primarily regulated by the MDF and FDIC. The Bank is subject to extensive federal and state regulatory oversight in all areas of banking operations, including, but not limited to, lending activities, investments, loans, deposits, interest rates payable on deposits, establishment of branches, corporate restructuring, and capital adequacy. The Bank is also subject to certain reserve requirements promulgated by the FRB.

The MDF, in conjunction with the FDIC, regularly examines the Bank and reports to the Bank's Board of Directors on any deficiencies that are found in the Bank's operations. The Bank must also file reports with the MDF and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition, in addition to obtaining regulatory approvals prior to entering into certain transactions such as mergers with or acquisitions of other banks or savings institutions. These regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities and examination policies. Regulation by these agencies is designed to protect the Bank’s depositors and not the Company’s shareholders.

Insurance of Deposit Accounts and Assessments.  The deposit accounts held by the Bank are insured by the DIF, as part of the FDIC. The Dodd-Frank Act permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions, and credit unions to $250,000 per insured depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2009. The Dodd-Frank Act also increased the minimum ratio of net worth to insured deposits of the DIF from 1.15% to 1.35%.

A bank's insurance assessment is determined quarterly by multiplying its assessment rate by its assessment base. Per FDIC rules, a bank’s assessment base is the institution’s average consolidated total assets minus its average tangible equity. The FDIC has adopted a risk-based system for assessment rates. For banks with less than $10 billion in assets, such as the Bank, the risk classification is based on the Bank’s capital levels and level of supervisory risk. Assessment rates are subject to adjustment and (1) decrease for issuance of long-term unsecured debt (including senior unsecured debt and subordinated debt); (2) increase for holdings of long-term unsecured or subordinated debt issued by other insured banks; and (3) for banks that are not well-rated or not well-capitalized, increase for significant holdings of brokered deposits.

The FDIC may terminate a bank’s deposit insurance if it finds that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC.

Regulatory Capital Requirements and Prompt Corrective Action. The FDIC is required to take prompt corrective action if an insured depository institution, such as the Bank, does not meet its minimum capital requirements. The FDIC has established five capital tiers: “well-capitalized”, “adequately capitalized”, “undercapitalized”, “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized”. A depository institution’s capital tier depends upon its capital levels in relation to various relevant capital measures, which, among others, include a Tier 1 and total risk-based capital measure and a leverage ratio capital measure. The Prompt Corrective Action rules were amended effective January 1, 2015 to incorporate changes under the Basel III Rule, including the CET1 requirements, and to raise capital requirements for certain categories. An insured financial institution is considered:

● “Well-capitalized” if it has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5% or greater, a CET1 to risk-based capital ratio of 6.5% or greater, a Tier 1 to risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater, a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater and is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive;

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● “Adequately capitalized” if it has it has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4% or greater, a CET1 to risk-based capital ratio of 4.5% or greater, a Tier 1 to risk-based capital ratio of 6% or greater, and a total risk-based capital ratio of 8% or greater;

● “Undercapitalized” if it has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 4%, a CET1 to risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.5%, a Tier 1 to risk-based capital ratio of less than 6% and a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8%;

● “Significantly undercapitalized” if it has a Tier 1 leverage ratio of less than 3%, a CET1 to risk-based capital ratio of less than 3%, a Tier 1 to risk-based capital ratio of less than 4%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6%; and

● “Critically undercapitalized” if it has a tangible equity capital to total assets ratio equal to or less than 2%.

The FDIC may, under certain circumstances, reclassify a well-capitalized insured depository institution as adequately capitalized. It is also permitted to require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with supervisory provisions as if the institution were in the next lower category (but not treat a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) based on supervisory information other than the capital levels of the institution. An institution may be reclassified if the FDIC determines (after notice and opportunity for hearing) that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or deems the institution to be engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice.

Federal banking agencies are required to take prompt corrective action to resolve capital deficiencies at insured depository institutions. Failure to meet the capital guidelines could subject a bank to a variety of enforcement actions, including the issuance of a capital directive, prohibition on paying dividends or management fees, prohibition on accepting brokered deposits, and restrictions on paying bonuses or increasing compensation for executive officers. For critically undercapitalized institutions, a receiver may be appointed.

The Bank met its minimum capital adequacy guidelines, and the Bank was categorized as “well-capitalized”, as of December 31, 2018. Applicable capital and ratio information is contained under the section titled “Regulatory Matters” in Note 1 to the “Notes of the Consolidated Financial Statements” in this report.

Safety and Soundness Standards. The federal bank regulators have adopted guidelines to promote the safety and soundness of federally insured depository institutions. The guidelines set forth standards for internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest-rate-risk exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings, stock valuation and compensation, fees and benefits and other operational and managerial standards. The guidelines provide standards in each area and an institution must establish its own procedures to achieve such goals.

If an institution fails to meet a standard, a regulator may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard. If an institution fails to submit an acceptable plan or fails to implement an accepted plan, an agency must, by order, require the institution to correct the deficiency. The agency may, and in some cases must, take other supervisory actions until the deficiency has been corrected.

Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Des Moines, which is one of 11 regional FHLBs. The FHLB system’s primary purpose is to provide stable funding to member institutions that such institutions in turn use to make loans to families, farms and businesses. The FHLBs are overseen by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). As a member, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain a minimum investment in the stock of the FHLB. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank was in compliance with this requirement.

Dividend Limitations. The amount of dividends that the Bank may pay is subject to various regulatory limitations. Under federal law, an FDIC-insured institution may not pay dividends if it is undercapitalized or if payment would cause it to be undercapitalized. If the FDIC believes that a bank is engaged in, or about to engage in, an unsafe or unsound practice, the FDIC may require, after notice and hearing, that the bank cease and desist from that practice. In addition, under Missouri law, the Bank may pay dividends to the Company only from a portion of its undivided profits and may not pay dividends if its capital is impaired. Additionally, under Missouri statute, dividends paid by the Bank are restricted by a statutory formula, which provides for the maintenance of a surplus fund and prohibits the payment of dividends which would impair the surplus fund.

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Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Regulation. The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) establishes the framework for anti-money laundering (“AML”) obligations imposed on U.S. financial institutions. The purpose of the BSA is to prevent banks and other financial services providers from being used as intermediaries for, or to hide the transfer or deposit of money derived from, drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA Patriot Act”) amended the BSA and imposes a number of obligations on banks, including the requirement to implement policies, procedures and controls reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering and terrorism financing. The USA Patriot Act also requires financial institutions to develop written customer identification programs. In addition, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Controls (“OFAC”) administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security against entities such as targeted foreign countries and terrorists.

Consumer Protection Laws.  In connection with its banking activities, the Bank is subject to a number of federal and state laws designed to protect consumers in their transactions with banks. These laws include, but are not limited to, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (“ECOA”), Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act of 2003 (“FACTA”), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”), Electronic Funds Transfer Act (“EFTA”), Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (“HMDA”), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”), and Truth in Lending Act (“TILA”), and their various state counterparts. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices (“UDAAP”). Moreover, several federal laws, including GLBA, FCRA, and FACTA, regulate consumer financial privacy and restrict the sharing of consumer financial information.  The Bank also must comply with various state statutes related to maintaining the security of consumer financial information and take steps to prevent and report data breaches if they arise.

Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders. Federal law imposes certain limitations on the ability of a bank to engage in “covered transactions” with affiliates. The Company is an affiliate of the Bank for purposes of these restrictions. The definition of “covered transactions,” which was expanded under the Dodd-Frank Act, includes extensions of credit to affiliates, investments in stock or other securities of affiliates, and acceptance of the stock or other securities of an affiliate as collateral for loans. Additionally, federal law prohibits institutions from engaging in certain transactions with affiliates unless the transactions are on terms substantially the same as, or at least as favorable to the Bank as, those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies. Federal law also restricts the Bank’s ability to extend credit to its executive officers, directors, principal shareholders, and their related interests, including that such credit extensions must be made on substantially the same terms, including interest rate and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated third parties, and not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

Transaction Account Reserve Requirements. The FRB requires insured depository institutions to maintain reserves against specified deposit liabilities. Reservable liabilities consist of net transaction accounts, non-personal time deposits, and Eurocurrency liabilities. For 2018, the first $16.0 million of otherwise reservable balances are exempt from the reserve requirements; the reserve requirement is 3% for net transaction accounts between $16.0 million and $122.3 million; and the reserve requirement is 10% for net transaction accounts in excess of $122.3 million. These reserve requirements are subject to annual adjustment.

Commercial Real Estate Lending. The Bank may be subject to greater scrutiny from federal banking regulators based on its concentration of commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans. Federal regulators have issued guidance to address concerns about CRE concentrations and to provide expectations for managing a concentrated portfolio. The guidance includes development and construction loans for which repayment is dependent upon the sale of the property, as well as properties for which repayment is dependent upon rental income.

Per the guidance, institutions that may have significant CRE concentration risk are those that have experienced rapid growth in CRE lending, have notable exposures to a specific type of CRE, or are approaching or exceed the following supervisory criteria: (i) total loans for construction, land development, and other land represent 100% or more of the institution’s total capital; or (ii) total CRE loans represent 300% or more of the institution’s total capital, and the outstanding balance of the institution’s CRE loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the prior 36 months. If a bank’s portfolio goes outside of these general guidelines, the bank must engage in heightened risk management practices. 

Residential Real Estate Lending. The CFPB has issued rules implementing several Dodd-Frank requirements regarding residential mortgage lending. Lenders must assess a borrower’s ability to repay the mortgage-related obligation and must consider certain underwriting factors. Lenders also receive certain protections from liability if they make “qualified mortgages.” Additionally, new rules prohibit certain loan features, such as negative amortization, interest-only payment, balloon payments, and restrict points and fees paid by a borrower and prepayment penalties.”  CFPB also issued servicing standards applying to mortgage servicers generally but in particular with defaulted loans.

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Volcker Rule. The Volcker Rule, issued by the federal banking and securities regulators pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, generally prohibits insured depository institutions and their affiliated companies from: (i) short-term proprietary trading in securities and other financial instruments; and (ii) sponsoring or acquiring or retaining an ownership interest in private equity and hedge funds, subject to certain exceptions.

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 (“CRA”), the Bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation, consistent with safe and sound operation, to help meet the credit needs of its communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. As part of its examinations, the FDIC evaluates the Bank’s record in meeting these obligations. CRA ratings are also taken into account by regulators in evaluating applications for mergers, acquisitions, or to open a new branch or facility. Based on its most recent CRA compliance examinations, the Bank has received a “Satisfactory” CRA rating.

Regulation of the Company

General. The Company is a registered bank holding company subject to regulation and supervision by the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (“BHCA”). The Company is required to file periodic reports of its operations with the FRB. Additionally, the Company is legally obligated to act as a source of strength to the Bank and to commit resources to support the Bank.

Restrictions on Dividends and Stock Repurchases. The Company’s source of funds (including cash flow to pay dividends to stockholders) is dividends paid to it by the Bank. The right of the Company to receive dividends or other distributions from the Bank is subject to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank, including depositors, and applicable regulatory restrictions, including prior approval in certain situations.

The amount of dividends that the Company may pay is subject to various regulatory limitations, including the requirement to maintain adequate capital. Financial institutions are generally prohibited from paying dividends if, following payment of dividends, the institution would be considered undercapitalized. Additionally, under the Basel III Rule, institutions seeking to pay dividends must maintain the required capital conservation buffer. Also, the FRB strongly encourages financial institutions to consult with the agency prior to paying dividends. The FRB has indicated that a board of directors should “eliminate, defer, or severely limit” dividends if:

● the bank holding company’s net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends;

● the bank holding company’s rate of earnings retention is inconsistent with capital needs and overall macroeconomic outlook; or

● the bank holding company will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios.

Banking regulators also have the authority to prohibit banks and bank holding companies from paying a dividend if such payment would be an unsafe or unsound practice.

Generally, a bank holding company must notify the FRB prior to the purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when aggregated with the net consideration paid for all such purchases during the preceding twelve months is equal to 10% or more of the bank holding company’s consolidated net worth. Prior approval may not be required if the bank holding company, among other things, will meet or exceed “well capitalized” thresholds both before and after the repurchase, is considered “well managed,” and is not subject to any unresolved supervisory issues. Additionally, bank holding companies are expected to consult with the FRB before redeeming or repurchasing stock if:

● the bank holding company is at “significant risk” of developing a financial weakness;

● the bank holding company is considering expansion (either acquisition or new activities); and

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● if such redemption or repurchase will cause a net reduction in capital from the beginning of the quarter in which the redemption or repurchase occurs.

The FRB may disapprove of the purchase or redemption if it determines, among other things, that the proposal would constitute an unsafe or unsound business practice.

Support of Banking Subsidiaries. Under FRB policy, the Company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to the Bank and, where required, to commit resources to support the Bank. Financial support from the Company may be required even when the Company might not otherwise be inclined to provide it. Moreover, if the Bank should become undercapitalized, the Company would be required to guarantee the Bank's compliance with its capital restoration plan in order for such plan to be accepted by the FDIC.

Acquisitions, Activities, and Changes in Control. Under the BHCA, the Company must obtain the prior approval of the FRB before the Company may: (i) acquire substantially all the assets of a bank; (ii) acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any bank; or (iii) or merge or consolidate with any other bank holding company. The BHCA also restricts the Company’s ability to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of 5% or more of any class of voting shares of any nonbanking corporation. The FRB is required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. Consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy. Consideration of convenience and needs includes the involved institutions’ performance under the CRA. The FRB may not approve a transaction if it would result in or tend to create a monopoly, substantially lessen competition, or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the needs and convenience of the community to be served.

Additionally, FRB approval is required prior to any person or company acquiring “control” of a bank holding company. “Control” is conclusively presumed to exist if a person or company acquires 25% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a bank holding company. There is a rebuttable presumption of control if a person or company acquires more than 10% but less than 25% of any class of voting securities.

Moreover, bank holding companies are generally prohibited from engaging in any business other than that of banking, managing, and controlling banks or furnishing services to banks and their subsidiaries, although bank holding companies are permitted to engage in activities that are determined to be “closely related to banking” and “a proper incident thereto.”

Transactions with Affiliates. As discussed above, federal regulations restrict the extent to which the Company and its officers and directors may engage in certain “covered transactions” with the Bank, including borrowing or otherwise obtaining credit from or selling assets or securities to the Bank. Additionally, any transactions that are “covered transactions” with the Bank must be on nonpreferential terms.

Federal Securities Regulation and Corporate Governance. The Company’s stock is registered with the SEC and, therefore, the Company is subject to SEC restrictions and requirements, including rules regarding information sharing, proxy solicitation, and insider trading.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”) addresses, among other issues, corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of corporate information. Per SOX, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are required to certify that the quarterly and annual reports do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact. The SEC’s rules regarding CEO and CFO certifications require these officers to certify, among others, that: (i) they are responsible for establishing, maintaining and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting; (ii) they have made certain disclosures to auditors and the audit committee of the board of directors; and (iii) they have included information in quarterly and annual reports about their evaluation and whether there have been changes in internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could materially affect internal control over financial reporting.

The Dodd-Frank Act provides other investor protections, corporate governance, and executive compensation requirements that affect U.S. publicly traded companies. For example, the Dodd-Frank Act requires companies to give shareholders a non-binding vote approving executive compensation and “golden parachute” payments. Pursuant to the Dodd Frank Act, in July 2015, the SEC proposed a rule that companies whose securities are listed on national securities exchanges and associations (including the Company whose securities are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market) would be required to develop and enforce recovery policies that, in the event of an accounting restatement, would “claw back” from current and former executive officers incentive-based compensation they should not have received based on the restatement.  Recovery would be required without regard to fault and without regard to whether any misconduct occurred in connection with or an executive officer’s responsibility for the erroneous misstatement.  The proposed rules would also require disclosure of listed companies’ recovery policies, and their actions under those policies.  The proposed rules are not yet final.

Tax Reform. In the fourth quarter of 2017 the Company re-measured its deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the enactment of the new tax law "H.R.1," originally known as the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (the "Tax Reform Legislation").  The enactment occurred on December 22, 2017.  The Tax Reform Legislation became effective January 1, 2018 and modifies the tax law in many ways.  The centerpiece of the Tax Reform Legislation is the reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.  All deferred tax items as of December 22, 2017 needed to be re-valued using the new federal corporate income tax rate of 21%.  As a result, income tax expense recorded in 2017 included a $1.0 million reduction to deferred tax assets. The impact of the Tax Reform Legislation on the Company’s 2017 financial results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be achieved in any future periods.

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Executive Officers of the Registrant

Set forth below is information concerning the executive officers of the Company. Each executive officer is annually elected to a one-year term by the Board of Directors of the Company.

Shaun A. Burke joined the Bank in March 2004 as President and Chief Executive Officer and was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on February 28, 2005.  He has over 35 years of banking experience. Mr. Burke received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Missouri State University and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking of Colorado.    Mr. Burke currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Missouri Bankers Association and previously served as Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Committee and Chairman of the Audit Committee.  In March 2016, he was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council and served a three-year term ending in 2018. From 2014 to 2017, he served on the Community Bankers Council of the American Bankers Association.    From 2012 to 2014, he was a Board Member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce serving as Vice Chairman of Economic Development in 2014.  From 2009 through 2014, he was a Board Member of the Springfield Business Development Corporation, the economic development subsidiary of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce serving as President in 2012.  He is also a past Member of the United Way Allocations and Agency Relations Executive Committee, Salvation Army Board, and Big Brothers Big Sisters Board.

Carter Peters is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank and the Company.  Mr. Peters has over 26 years of experience in the financial services and public accounting industries.  Prior to joining the Company in August 2005, Mr. Peters served as the Chief Financial Officer of Southern Missouri Bank for approximately two years and was employed by BKD, LLP, a certified public accounting and advisory firm, for eleven years.  He is a Certified Public Accountant with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Missouri State University.  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants.  Mr. Peters has been recognized by the Springfield Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” honoree. He has served several not-for-profit organizations, including past Chairman of the Southwest Missouri Regional Board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri, as well as the Missouri Bankers Association.

Sheri Biser is Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer of the Bank. She joined the Bank in February 2009. Ms. Biser has over 30 years of banking experience. Prior to joining the Bank, Ms. Biser served as Chief Credit Officer of Metropolitan National Bank for nearly eight years and worked in credit administration for fourteen years at another financial institution. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Fort Hays State University.

Robin E. Robeson is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bank. She joined the Bank in July 2012. Ms. Robeson has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and 3 years of executive management experience in the technology industry. She has a Bachelor of Art Degree in Communication from the University of Missouri and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Drury University. In addition, Ms. Robeson was awarded the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA) professional designation from the Institute of Certified Bankers. She serves as a Board Member for CoxHealth and the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and is Chair-Elect for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as board Vice Chairman for City Utilities of Springfield, as Past President of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Ozarks and Rotary Club of Springfield boards and as a member of the Ozarks Transportation Organization board. She is a graduate of Leadership Springfield Class XIII, and has been recognized by the Springfield Business Journal as one of the “20 Most Influential Women in Business” and been named a “40 Under 40” honoree.

As of December 31, 2018, the age of these individuals was 55 for Mr. Burke, 49 for Mr. Peters, 55 for Ms. Biser and 52 for Ms. Robeson.

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business and operations are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, certain risks and uncertainties. An investment in our common stock is subject to risks inherent in our business. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below together with all of the other information included and incorporated by reference in this report. In addition to the risks and uncertainties described below, other risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The value or market price of our common stock could decline due to any of these identified or other risks, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Acquisitions may not produce revenue enhancements or cost savings at levels or within timeframes originally anticipated and may result in unforeseen integration difficulties and dilution to existing shareholder value.

We have acquired, and in the future may continue to acquire, other financial institutions or parts of those institutions in the future, We may also consider and enter into new lines of business or offer new products or services.

We may incur substantial costs to expand, and we can give no assurances such expansion will result in the levels of profits we seek. There can be no assurances that integration efforts for any mergers of acquisitions will be successful. Also, we may issue equity securities in connection with acquisitions, which could cause ownership and economic dilution to our current shareholders. There is no assurance that, following any mergers or acquisitions, our integration efforts will achieve profits comparable to, or better than, our historical experience.

Acquisitions and mergers involve a number of expenses and risks, including:

● the time and costs associated with identifying potential new markets, as well as acquisition and merger targets;

● the accuracy of the estimates and judgements used to evaluate credit, operations, management and market risk with respect to the target institution;

● the time and costs of evaluating new markets, hiring experienced local management and opening new offices, and the time lags between these activities and generation of sufficient assets and deposits to support the costs of expansion;

● our ability to finance an acquisition and possible dilution to our existing shareholders;

● the diversion of our management’s attention to the negotiation of a transaction, and the integration of the operations and personnel of the combined businesses;

● entry in to markets where we lack experience;

● the introduction of new products and services into our business;

● the incurrence and possible impairment of goodwill associated with an acquisition and possible adverse shirt-term effects on our results of operations;

● closing delays and increased expenses related to the resolution of lawsuits filed by shareholders of targets; and

● the risk of loss of key employees and customers.

Generally, the Company must receive federal regulatory approval before it can acquire a bank or bank holding company. We cannot be certain when or if, or on what terms and conditions, any required regulatory approvals will be granted. The sale of branches as a condition of receiving regulatory approval may be required.

Future acquisitions could be material to the Company’s financial statements. Additional shares of stock may be issued to pay for acquisitions, which would dilute current shareholders’ ownership interests.

Our business is concentrated in and largely dependent upon the continued growth and welfare of the general geographical markets in which we operate.

Our operations are heavily concentrated in the Greene, Christian, Jasper and Newton Counties, which are in the southwestern corner of Missouri, including the cities of Springfield, Nixa, Ozark, Joplin, Carthage and Neosho, Missouri (our “Market Area”). Our success depends to a significant extent upon the business activity, population, income levels, deposits and real estate activity in these markets. Although our customers' business and financial interests may extend well beyond these market areas, adverse economic conditions that affect these market areas could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans to us, affect the value of collateral underlying loans and generally affect our financial condition and results of operations. Because of our geographic concentration, we are less able than other regional or national financial institutions to diversify our credit risks across multiple markets.

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Our loan/lease portfolio possesses increased risk due to our relatively high concentration of real estate loans, which involve risks specific to real estate values.

Real estate lending comprises a significant portion of our lending business. Real estate loans were $635.3 million, or approximately 81% of our total loan/lease portfolio, as of December 31, 2018. The market value of real estate securing our real estate loans can fluctuate significantly in a short period of time as a result of market conditions in our Market Area which is where most of the real estate on which our real estate loans are made is located. Adverse developments affecting real estate values in our Market Area could increase the credit risk associated with our loan portfolio. Additionally, real estate lending typically involves higher loan principal amounts and the repayment of the loans generally is dependent, in large part, on sufficient income from the properties securing the loans to cover operating expenses and debt service. Economic events or governmental regulations outside of our control or that of our borrowers could negatively impact the future cash flow and market values of the affected properties impairing the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans which could materially and adversely affect the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations depending on the severity of the economic downturn or the nature of the regulatory changes.

Deterioration in asset quality could have an adverse impact on our business.

A significant source of risk for us arises from the possibility that losses will be sustained because borrowers, guarantors and related parties may fail to perform in accordance with the terms of their loans. With respect to secured loans, the collateral securing the repayment of these loans includes a wide variety of diverse real and personal property that may be affected by changes in prevailing economic, environmental and other conditions, including declines in the value of real estate, changes in interest rates, changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government, environmental contamination (as discussed in more detail below) and other external events. In addition, decreases in real estate values due to the nature of the Bank’s loan portfolio (discussed above) could affect the ability of customers to repay their loans. The Bank’s loan policies and procedures may not prevent unexpected losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation or liquidity.

We are subject to environmental liability risk associated with real estate collateral securing our loans.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. Under certain circumstances, we may take title to the real property collateral through foreclosure or other means. As the titleholder of the property, we may be responsible for environmental risks, such as hazardous materials, which attach to the property. For these reasons, prior to extending credit, we conduct an environmental review to identify any known environmental risks associated with the real property that will secure our loans. In addition, we routinely inspect properties prior to foreclosing. If environmental risks are found, environmental laws and regulations may prescribe our approach to remediation. As a result, while we have ownership of a property, we may incur substantial expense and bear potential liability for any damages caused. The environmental risks may also materially reduce the property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the property. We also cannot guarantee that our environmental review will detect all environmental issues relating to a property, which could subject us to additional liability.

Our loan portfolio possesses increased risk due to the percentage of commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans.

Our loan portfolio includes a significant amount of commercial real estate loans and commercial business loans. The credit risk related to these types of loans is considered to be greater than the risk related to owner-occupied residential real estate loans or consumer loans because commercial loans often have larger balances, and repayment usually depends on the borrowers’ successful business operations. The underlying commercial real estate values, customer cash flow and payment expectations on such loans can be more easily influenced by adverse conditions in the related industries, the real estate market or in the economy in general. Any significant deterioration in the credit quality of the commercial loan portfolio or underlying collateral values would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.

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Management’s analysis of the necessary funding for the allowance for loan loss account may be incorrect or may suddenly change resulting in lower earnings.

The funding of the allowance for loan loss account is the most significant estimate made by management in its financial reporting to stockholders and regulators. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which are subject to material changes.

Although management believes that the allowance for loan/lease losses as of December 31, 2018 was adequate to absorb losses on any existing loans/leases that may become uncollectible, we cannot predict loan losses with certainty, and we cannot assure you that our allowance for loan losses will prove sufficient to cover actual loan losses in the future, particularly if economic conditions are more difficult than management currently expects. If negative changes to the performance of our loan portfolio were to occur, management may find it necessary to or be required to fund the allowance for loan loss account through additional charges to our provision for loan loss expense. These changes may occur suddenly and be dramatic in nature. Additional provisions to the allowance for loan losses and loan losses in excess of said allowance may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our future success is dependent on our ability to compete effectively in the highly competitive banking industry.

We face competition in attracting and retaining deposits, making loans, and providing other financial services throughout our market area. Our competitors include other community banks, regional and super-regional banking institutions, national banking institutions, and a wide range of other financial institutions such as credit unions, government-sponsored enterprises, mutual fund companies, insurance companies, brokerage companies, and other non-bank businesses. Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources than we do and some are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions as we are. Many of our competitors compete across geographic boundaries and are able to provide customers with a feasible alternative to traditional banking services.

As we try to meet our competitors’ terms and pricing, increased competition in our markets may result in:

● interest rate changes to various types of accounts;

● a decrease in the amounts of our loans and deposits;

● reduced spreads between loan rates and deposit rates; or

● loan terms that are more favorable to the borrower and less favorable to the Bank.

Any of these results could have a material adverse effect on our ability to grow and remain profitable. If increased competition causes us to significantly discount the interest rates we offer on loans or increase the amount we pay on deposits, our net interest income could be adversely impacted.

Our operations are concentrated in one subsidiary bank; an event or a series of events having a material adverse impact on the financial condition and results of operations of the Bank would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operation and, accordingly, on your investment in us.

As a holding company with only one subsidiary bank, our investment risk is concentrated in just one primary operating asset in a relatively small geographic location. A substantial portion of our cash flow comes from dividends paid directly to us by the Bank. If and to the extent our Bank is not successful or an event were to occur that prevents it or hinders it from operating effectively, our financial condition and results of operation could be materially and adversely impacted. Larger bank holding companies with more subsidiary banks or bank facilities and which are more geographically dispersed are not as susceptible to the concentrated risks we are if one of their subsidiary banks or facilities was not able to operate effectively.

Cybersecurity threats and data breaches could adversely impact our financial condition as well as cause legal or reputational harm.

Our operations are heavily dependent on the secure processing, transmission, and storage of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Cybersecurity risks for banking organizations have significantly increased in recent years due to the proliferation of new technologies, the increased use of the internet to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication of attackers, such as hackers. In addition, customers may use personal mobile or computing devices to access our products or services that are outside of our network environment and are subject to their own cybersecurity risks

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A cyberattack, security breach, or a technology failure could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential information, cause us to spend significant resources to investigate and remediate exposures, and adversely impact our operations and liquidity. We may also be subject to litigation and financial losses and we could suffer reputational harm and a loss of confidence in our systems and products.

Although we have established policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of data incidents, the security of our computer systems, software, and networks may be vulnerable to breaches, unauthorized access, misuse, or other cyberattacks. Security compromises could include computer viruses, malicious or destructive code, phishing attacks, denial of service or information or other security breaches that could result in the unauthorized collection, monitoring, release, use, loss or destruction of confidential, proprietary and other information of ours, our customers or third parties, damages to systems.

We rely on our employees and third parties in our day-to-day and ongoing operations, who may, as a result of human error, misconduct, malfeasance or failure, or breach of systems or infrastructure, expose us to risk. We have taken measures to implement safeguards to support our operations, but our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any significant disruptions to us or to third parties with whom we interact or upon whom we rely.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to continue to modify or enhance our protective measures or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities or incidents. Cyber threats are rapidly evolving and we may not be able to anticipate or prevent all such attacks. There can be no reassurance that we will not be subject to a data breach and our security measures may not detect all cyberattacks. A cyberattack or other information or security breach could result in a material loss or have material consequences on our business.”

We depend upon third-party vendors for a significant portion of our operations.

We rely on third-party service providers for a substantial portion of our operations, including communication, record retention, and financial control systems technology. While we endeavor to select reliable and competent vendors, we cannot control our vendors or their actions. The potential for operational risk exposure exists because of our interactions with, and reliance on, third parties in our daily and ongoing operations. Any problems caused by or suffered by a third-party vendor, including a vendor’s failure to provide contracted services, poor performance by a vendor, disruption of a vendor’s business operations, or otherwise, could materially and adversely affect our ability to serve our customers or to conduct our business efficiently and effectively. Replacing a vendor could entail significant delay and expense.

Our third-party vendors are also subject to the cybersecurity risks discussed above. A cyberattack, information or security breach, or a technology failure of a third-party vendor could have a material adverse effect on our business. Although we review the security practices of third-parties before contracting with them, we cannot control their systems or security. If our data or the data of our customers is improperly accessed, used, transmitted, or otherwise obtained because of, or due in part to, actions or inactions caused by our third-party vendors, we could face significant operational harm, legal and financial exposure, and reputational damage.”

We continually encounter technological change, and we cannot predict how changes in technology will affect our business.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing rapid technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience, as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements than we do. We may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the financial services industry could have a material adverse effect on our business and, in turn, our financial condition and results of operations.

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Changes in consumer use of banks and changes in consumer spending and savings habit could adversely affect our financial results.

Technology and other changes now allow many customers to complete financial transactions without using banks. For example, consumers can pay bills and transfer funds directly without going through a bank. This process of eliminating banks as intermediaries could result in loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and income generated from those deposits. In addition, changes in consumer spending and saving habits could adversely impact our operations, and we may be unable to timely develop competitive new products and services in response to these changes.

Rapidly changing interest rate environments could reduce our net interest margin and otherwise negatively impact our results of operations.

Interest and fees on loans and securities, net of interest paid on deposits and borrowings, are a large part of our net income. Interest rates are the key drivers of our net interest margin and are subject to many factors beyond the control of management. As interest rates change, our net interest income is affected. Rapid increases in interest rates in the future could result in our interest expense increasing faster than interest income because of mismatches in the maturities of our assets and liabilities. Furthermore, substantially higher rates generally reduce loan demand and may result in slower loan growth for us. Decreases or increases in interest rates could have a negative effect on the spreads between our interest rates earned on assets and our rates of interest paid on liabilities, and therefore decrease our net interest income, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.

Interest rate changes may affect borrowers’ repayment schedules, negatively impacting our financial condition.

Interest rate increases often result in larger payment requirements for our borrowers, which increase the potential for default. At the same time, the marketability of underlying collateral may be adversely affected by any reduced demand resulting from higher interest rates. In a declining interest rate environment, there may be an increase in prepayments on certain of our loans as borrowers refinance at lower rates. Fluctuation in interest rates may therefore change borrowers’ timing of repayment of, or ability to repay loans, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition.

Changes in interest rates could negatively impact our nonperforming assets, decreasing net interest income.

Changes in interest rates also can affect the value of loans. An increase in interest rates that adversely affects the ability of borrowers to pay the principal or interest on loans may lead to an increase in our nonperforming assets and a reduction of income recognized, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. Further, when we place a loan on nonaccrual status, we reverse any accrued but unpaid interest receivable, which decreases interest income. Subsequently, we continue to have a cost to fund the loan, which is reflected as interest expense, without any interest income to offset the associated funding expense. Thus, an increase in the amount of nonperforming assets resulting from changes in interest rates would have an adverse impact on net interest income, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operation.

The replacement of LIBOR could adversely affect our revenue or expenses and the value of those assets or obligations.

In 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced that after 2021 it would no longer compel banks to submit the rates required to calculate the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This announcement indicated that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. Consequently, at this time, it is not possible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide submissions for the calculation of LIBOR. Similarly, it is not possible to predict whether LIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable market benchmark, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, or what the effect of any such changes in views or alternatives may be on the markets for LIBOR-indexed financial instruments.

If LIBOR ceases to exist or if the methods of calculating LIBOR change from current methods for any reason, interest rates on our floating rate obligations, derivatives, and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates, as well as the revenue and expenses associated with those financial instruments, may be adversely affected. Any uncertainty regarding the continued use and reliability of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate could adversely affect the value of our floating rate obligations, derivatives, and other financial instruments tied to LIBOR rates.

The financial condition of the Bank’s customers and borrowers could adversely affect the Bank’s liquidity.

Two of the Bank’s primary sources of funds are customer deposits and loan repayments. Customer deposit levels may also be affected by a number of factors, including the competitive interest rate environment in both the national market and our Market Area, local and national economic conditions, natural disasters and other various events. Though scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of liquidity, they are subject to the borrowers’ ability to repay their loans. The ability of the borrowers to repay their loans can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including changes in the economic conditions, adverse trends or events affecting the business environment, natural disasters and various other factors. The inability of borrowers to repay their loans or a decline in customer deposits would, depending on the extent of the loan defaults or decline in customer deposits, materially and adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.

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Liquidity needs could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Adequate liquidity is critical in our ability to meet the needs of our customers. An inability to access funding through customer deposits, available borrowings, sales of loans or investments could have an adverse effect on our liquidity. Furthermore, regional and community banks, including the Bank, generally have less access to the capital markets, than do the national and super-regional banks because of their smaller size and limited analyst coverage. Any significant decline in available funding could adversely impact our ability in the future to originate loans, invest in securities, meet our expenses, pay dividends to our stockholders, or fulfill obligations such as repaying our borrowings or meeting deposit withdrawal demands, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, business, results of operations and financial condition.

A decrease in cash flows from our investment portfolio may adversely affect our liquidity.

Another primary source of liquidity for the Bank is cash flows from investment securities. Cash flows from the investment portfolio may be affected by changes in interest rates, resulting in excessive levels of cash flow during periods of declining interest rates and lower levels of cash flow during periods of rising interest rates. These changes may be beyond our control and could significantly influence our available cash.

If we are required to rely on secondary sources of liquidity, those sources may not be immediately available.

We may be required from time to time to rely on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal demands or otherwise fund operations. Such sources include the FHLB advances, brokered deposits and federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks. Our ability to borrow could be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as severe disruption of the financial markets or negative publicity about the financial services industry as a whole. We may also be required to pledge investments as collateral to borrow money from third parties. In certain cases, we may be required to sell investment instruments for sizable losses to meet liquidity needs, thereby reducing interest income and resultantly net income. While we believe that we are currently sufficiently liquid, there can be no assurance we will not in the future be required to turn to these secondary sources of liquidity which may not be available or only at costs that could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operation.

Inability to hire or retain certain key professionals, management and staff could adversely affect our revenues, net income and growth plans.

Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals and their ability to attract and retain customer relationships in a community bank environment. We rely on key personnel to manage and operate our business, including major revenue generating functions such as our loan and deposit portfolios. Certain key management team members and loan officers are not subject to employment contracts with us. Such employees are at-will and thus are not restricted from terminating their employment. The lack of employment contracts with key employees could have a material adverse impact on our ability to retain such employees. The loss of key management or our key loan officers with their contacts in the business communities within our Market Area may adversely affect our ability to maintain and manage these portfolios effectively, which could negatively affect our revenues.

If we do struggle with employee retention, our success may also be impacted if we are unable to recruit replacement management and key employees in a reasonable amount of time. There is intense competition in the financial services industry for qualified employees. In addition, loss of key personnel could result in increased recruiting, hiring, and training expenses, resulting in lower net income.

We are subject to certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, customer or employee fraud.

Employee errors and employee and customer misconduct could subject us to financial losses, regulatory sanctions, lawsuits and seriously harm our reputation. Misconduct by our employees could include hiding unauthorized activities from us, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of our customers, or improper use of confidential information. We maintain a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate against operational risks. However, if our internal controls fail to prevent or detect an occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, such failures could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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We are subject to extensive regulation that may significantly affect our operations or earnings.

We are subject to significant federal and state regulation and supervision, as discussed in more detail below, which is primarily for the benefit and protection of the Bank’s customers and not for the benefit of investors. As a result, various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends our Bank subsidiary can pay to us without regulatory approval. Our regulatory compliance is costly. We are subject to examination, supervision, and comprehensive regulation by various agencies, including the FRB, the MDF and FDIC. These regulators have broad discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities. We are also subject to capitalization guidelines established by our regulators, as discussed below, which require that we and the Bank maintain adequate capital to support our growth and the Bank’s growth. To the extent our activities and/or the Bank’s activities are restricted or limited by regulation or regulators’ supervisory authority, our future profitability may be adversely affected.

An uncertain regulatory environment could impact our business, financial performance, and results of operations. 

Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to continued rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on us. The U.S. Congress continues to propose new legislation that could increase or change regulation of the financial services industry and impact the operations of the Bank or Company.

On February 3, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13772 announcing new “Core Principles” for regulating the U.S. financial system. Among other things, the President directed the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with federal regulatory agencies, to review existing laws and regulations and report on the extent to which they were consistent with the Core Principles. The Trump administration has also indicated in public statements that the Dodd-Frank Act will be under scrutiny and that some of its provisions and the rules promulgated thereunder may be revised, repealed or amended. It is not clear when, or if, changes to existing statutory or regulatory requirements may be implemented.

The implementation, amendment, or repeal of federal financial services laws or regulations may impact our profitability, limit our business opportunities, impose additional costs, or otherwise adversely affect our business. Any changes may also require us to invest management attention and resources to achieve compliance. In addition, any proposed legislative or regulatory changes that could benefit our business may not occur in the timeframe proposed, may appear different in final form than proposed, or may not occur at all.

Changes in federal or state regulation may increase our costs.

The laws, regulations, policies, and interpretations that govern our industry are constantly evolving and may change significantly over time. The Dodd-Frank Act reshaped regulation of banking institutions and the numerous requirements stemming from the Dodd-Frank Act have resulted in increased compliance costs for institutions both large and small, including us and the Bank. As these regulations continue to be implemented, interpreted, and enforced, our compliance must evolve as well. The CFPB has shown that it is a proactive agency and we anticipate that the CFPB will continue to expand its supervisory and enforcement authority into new areas and to issue new rules and guidance.

We cannot predict the nature or effect of current or proposed legislative or regulatory changes on us or the Bank with any certainty. Changes in laws or regulations could impact our business practices and profitability. We also cannot predict the cost of new compliance that may be required to keep pace with industry regulatory changes.

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Decreases in capital and changes to the formulas for calculating adequate capital may negatively impact us or result in increased regulatory supervision.

Federal rules require banking institutions to maintain an adequate level of regulatory capital (net assets available to absorb losses). Due to the risks associated with the industry, banking institutions are generally required to hold more capital than other businesses. Revised minimum capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Rule became effective for us and the Bank on January 1, 2015, with additional requirements, such as the capital conservation buffer (discussed below), to be phased in over the next few years. These requirements change the definition of capital, increase minimum required risk-based capital ratios, and increase the risk-weights for certain assets. Cumulatively, the Basel III Rule is more stringent than prior requirements and requires financial institutions to hold more and better capital against their assets, decreasing the size of their balance sheets. Although the impact on us has been minimal to date, we cannot guarantee that will continue.

Financial institutions must maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer comprised of CET1 Capital above the minimum risk-based capital requirements. The buffer must be maintained in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions and discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. If we or the Bank dip below the capital conservation buffer, we or the Bank could be subject to increasingly strict limitations on capital distributions and bonus payments.

Federal law provides regulators with broad powers to take "prompt corrective action" to resolve capital deficiencies at insured depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. There are five capital tiers: "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" and "critically undercapitalized." As an institution’s capital levels deteriorates and it falls below the “well capitalized” threshold, such institution faces increasing penalties. Regulator’s corrective powers include, but are not limited to:

● requiring a waiver to accept brokered deposits;

● requiring submission of a capital plan;

● limiting growth or restricting activities;

● requiring the issuance of additional capital stock;

● restricting transactions with affiliates;

● prohibiting executive bonuses or raises;

● prohibiting the payment of subordinated debt; and

● appointing a receiver.

A proposed rule issued on February 8, 2019 by federal banking regulators may provide a simpler method of measuring adequate capital ratios for community banking organizations. The proposal applies to depository institutions and companies holding less than $10 billion in combined assets: (i) meeting risk-based qualifying criteria; and (ii) maintaining a community banking leverage ratio (“CBLR”) of greater than 9 percent. Under the proposed CBLR rule, qualifying institutions would be eligible to opt into the CBLR framework. Opting in would mean the institution would need to maintain a ratio of greater than 9 percent and regulators would deem the institution well capitalized under the agencies’ capital rule. It is unclear if the federal banking regulators will issue a final rule and, even if they do, the final rule may not apply to us and provide relief from federal banking capital requirements.

Accordingly, we and the Bank could be subject to regulatory penalties and restrictions if capital falls below certain minimum thresholds and the thresholds may change if the federal banking regulators finalize the proposed CBLR rule.

Monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to being affected by general economic conditions, including economic conditions specifically in our Market Area, our earnings and growth are affected by the policies of the Federal Reserve. An important function of the Federal Reserve is to regulate the money supply and credit conditions. Among the instruments used by the Federal Reserve to implement these objectives are open market operations in U.S. government securities, adjustments of the discount rate and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. These instruments are used in varying combinations to influence overall economic growth and the distribution of credit, bank loans, investments and deposits. Their use also affects interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits.

The effects of the monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve upon our business, financial condition and results of operations in the future cannot be predicted, but have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks, including our Bank, in the past. 

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Changes in the federal or state tax laws may negatively impact our financial performance.

We are subject to tax law changes that could increase the effective tax rate payable to the state or federal government. These changes may be retroactive to previous periods and as a result, could negatively affect our current and future financial performance. On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”), which among other actions reduced the federal corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% effective January 1, 2018, which has had a favorable impact on the Company’s net income in 2018. Income tax expense recorded in 2017 included a $1.0 million reduction to deferred tax assets. The Company’s customers are likely to experience varying effects from both the individual and business tax provisions of the Tax Act, which could adversely impact demand for the Company’s products and services.

Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact our stockholders.

Provisions in our governing documents, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and federal regulations could delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us, despite the possible benefit to our stockholders. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

● a prohibition on voting shares of common stock beneficially owned in excess of 10% of total shares outstanding without prior Board approval;

● supermajority voting requirements for certain business combinations with any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of our outstanding common stock;

● the election of directors to staggered terms of three years;

● advance notice requirements for director nominations and for proposing matters that stockholders may act on at stockholder meetings;

● a requirement that only directors may fill a vacancy in our Board of Directors; and

● supermajority voting requirements to remove any of our directors.

In addition, because we are a bank holding company, purchasers of 10% or more of our common stock may be required to obtain approvals under the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”), and in certain cases such approvals may be required at a lesser percentage of ownership.

These provisions may discourage potential takeover attempts, discourage bids for our common stock at a premium over market price or adversely affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the holders 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.

There are restrictions on our ability to pay dividends on and repurchase our common stock.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends only when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors. Our ability to pay dividends is limited by Delaware law, as well as regulatory restrictions and the need to maintain sufficient consolidated capital. The ability of the Bank to pay dividends to us is limited by its obligation to maintain sufficient capital and liquidity and by other general restrictions on dividends that are applicable to the Bank. If current or any future regulatory requirements are not met, the Bank will not be able to pay dividends to us, and we may be unable to pay dividends on our common stock.

The DGCL provides that dividends by a Delaware corporation may be paid only from: (1) “surplus” determined in the manner described in the DGCL, or (2) in case there is no “surplus,” net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year. Dividends paid from the second source may not be paid unless the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets at current market value is intact.

37

Moreover, as a bank holding company, our ability to declare and pay dividends is subject to the guidelines of the Federal Reserve regarding capital adequacy and dividends. The Federal Reserve guidelines generally require us to review the effects of the cash payment of dividends on common stock and other Tier 1 capital instruments (i.e., perpetual preferred stock and trust preferred debt) in light of our earnings, capital adequacy and financial condition. As a general matter, the Federal Reserve indicates that the Board of Directors of a bank holding company should eliminate, defer or significantly reduce the dividends if:

● the company’s net income available to stockholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends;

● the prospective rate of earnings retention is inconsistent with the company’s capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or

● the company will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios.

In the future, if we default on certain of our outstanding debts, we will be prohibited from making dividend payments on our common stock until such payments have been brought current.

Failure to pay interest on our debt may adversely impact our ability to pay common stock dividends.

As of December 31, 2018, we had $21.65 million of junior subordinated debentures held by three Trusts. Interest payments on the Company’s existing debentures, which totaled $1,018,000 for 2018, must be paid before the Company can pay dividends on its capital stock, including its common stock. The Company has the right to defer interest payments on the debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarters. However, if it elects to defer interest payments, all deferred interest must be paid before the Company can pay dividends on its capital stock.

Although the Company expects to be able to pay all required interest on the junior subordinated debentures, there is no guarantee that it will be able to do so.

There is a limited trading market for our common stock, and you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price you paid for them.

Although our common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market, it has a low average daily trading volume relative to many other stocks whose shares are also quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market. A public trading market having the desired characteristics of depth, liquidity and orderliness depends on the presence in the market of willing buyers and sellers of our common stock at any given time. This presence depends on the individual decisions of investors and general economic and market conditions over which we have no control. We cannot assure you that the volume of trading in our common stock will increase in the future.

Additionally, general market forces may have a negative effect on our stock price, independent of factors affecting our stock specifically. Factors beyond our control, including price and trading fluctuation, can significantly influence the fair value of securities in our portfolio and can cause potential adverse changes to the fair value of these securities. These conditions may result in (i) volatility in the level of, and fluctuations in, the market prices of stocks generally and, in turn, our common stock and (ii) sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the market, in each case that could be unrelated or disproportionate to changes in our operating performance. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market value of our common stock.

Specifically, the following factors may cause the market price of our shares to fluctuate:

● announcements of developments related to our business model;

● economic conditions in our market area;

● fluctuations in our results from operations;

● a shortfall or excess in revenues or earnings compared to analyst’ expectations;

● changes in analysts’ recommendations or projections;

● announcements of new acquisitions or projects.

The soundness of other financial institutions could negatively affect our business.

Our ability to engage in routine funding and other transactions could be negatively affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions, including the Bank, are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. Defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and losses of depositor, creditor and counterparty confidence and could lead to losses or defaults by us or by other institutions. We could experience increases in deposits and assets as a result of the difficulties or failures of other banks, which would increase the capital we need to support our growth. There can be no assurance that we could raise the necessary capital to support our growth or on terms satisfactory to us.

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We face legal risks, both from regulatory investigations and proceedings and from private actions brought against us.

We could in the future become subject to lawsuits or regulatory proceedings challenging the legality of our lending or business practices. Future actions against us may result in judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other results adverse to us, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, or cause serious reputational harm to us. As a participant in the financial services industry, we are exposed to a high level of potential litigation related to our businesses and operations. Although we maintain insurance, the scope of this coverage may not provide us with full, or even partial, coverage in any particular case.

Our businesses and operations are also subject to increasing regulatory oversight and scrutiny, which may lead to additional regulatory investigations or enforcement actions. These and other initiatives from federal and state officials may subject us to further judgments, settlements, fines or penalties, or cause us to be required to restructure our operations and activities, all of which could lead to reputational issues, or higher operational costs, thereby reducing our revenue.

Our reputation could be damaged by negative publicity.

Reputational risk, or the risk to us from negative publicity, is inherent in our business. Negative publicity can result from actual or alleged conduct in a number of areas, including legal and regulatory compliance, lending practices, corporate governance, litigation, inadequate protection of customer data, unethical behavior of our employees, and from actions taken by regulators, ratings agencies and others as a result of that conduct. Damage to our reputation could impact our ability to attract new or maintain existing loan and deposit customers, employees and business relationships.

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments, which are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and which may differ from actual results.

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and general reporting practices within the U.S. financial services industry, which require us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Some accounting policies, such as those pertaining to our allowance for loan losses, require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and actual results may differ from these estimates and judgments under different assumptions or conditions. If actual results vary significantly, there may be a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations in subsequent periods.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

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Item 2. Properties

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the Bank’s facilities as of December 31, 2018. All buildings owned are free of encumbrances or mortgages. The Bank’s facilities are well maintained and considered adequate for the foreseeable future.

				Lease
				Expiration
		Year	Owned or	(Including any
Location		Opened	Leased	renewal options)
Main Office
2144 E Republic Rd, Ste F200	Springfield, Missouri 65804	2017	Leased	2047
Operations Center
1414 W Elfindale	Springfield, Missouri 65807	2009	Owned	N/A
Banking Center Offices
1341 W Battlefield Road	Springfield, Missouri 65807	1995	Leased	2048
1510 E Sunshine	Springfield, Missouri 65804	1979	Owned	N/A
2109 N Glenstone	Springfield, Missouri 65803	1987	Owned	N/A
4343 S National	Springfield, Missouri 65810	2000	Owned	N/A
1905 W Kearney	Springfield, Missouri 65803	2004	Leased*	2044
2155 W Republic Road	Springfield, Missouri 65807	2006	Leased*	2046
709 W Mt. Vernon	Nixa, Missouri 65714	2005	Leased*	2044
291 East Hwy CC	Nixa, Missouri 65714	2008	Leased*	2038
1701 W State Hwy J	Ozark, Missouri 65721	2008	Owned	N/A
312 W Central Avenue	Carthage, Missouri 64836	2018**	Owned	N/A
2435 Fairlawn Drive	Carthage, Missouri 64836	2018**	Owned	N/A
1429 E 32nd St	Joplin, Missouri 64804	2018**	Owned	N/A
3016 McClelland Boulevard	Joplin, Missouri 64804	2018**	Leased*	2024
1936 Range Line Road	Joplin, Missouri 64804	2018	Leased	2047
1285 S Neosho Boulevard	Neosho, Missouri 64850	2018**	Owned	N/A
Loan Production Office		��
1100 Spur Dr.	Marshfield, Missouri 65706	2007	Leased	2019
* Building owned with land leased.
** Acquired on April 2, 2018 from Hometown Bank.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

(a)     Material Legal Proceedings

The Company and the Bank, from time to time, may be parties to ordinary routine litigation, which arises in the normal course of business, such as claims to enforce liens, and condemnation proceedings, on properties in which the Bank holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans, and other issues incident to the business of the Company and the Bank. While the ultimate outcome of such legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, after reviewing pending and threatened litigation with legal counsel, management believes at this time that the outcome of any such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

(b)     Proceedings Terminated During the Last Quarter of the Fiscal Year Covered by This Report

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

The common stock of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “GFED”.

Shareholders

As of March 1, 2019, there were approximately 1,400 holders of shares of the Company’s common stock. These numbers do not include beneficial owners whose shares are held by brokerage firms or banks.  At that date the Company had 6,907,003 shares of common stock issued and 4,463,481 shares of common stock outstanding.

Dividends and Common Stock Prices

The table below sets forth the cash dividends per share on the Company’s common stock for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.     

	Year ended				Year ended
	December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Declared	Paid	Dividend Per Share		Declared	Paid	Dividend Per Share
Quarter ended:
March 31	3/30/2018	4/19/2018	$	0.12	3/24/2017	4/14/2017	$	0.10
June 30	6/29/2018	7/19/2018	$	0.12	6/23/2017	7/13/2017	$	0.10
September 30	9/28/2018	10/19/2018	$	0.12	9/22/2017	10/13/2017	$	0.10
December 31	12/21/2018	1/14/2019	$	0.13	12/22/2017	1/13/2018	$	0.12

Any future dividends will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, cash requirements and surplus, financial condition, regulatory limitations and other factors that the Company’s Board of Directors may consider relevant.

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The table below reflects the range of common stock high and low sale prices per the NASDAQ Global Market by quarter for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

	Year ended				Year ended
	December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	High		Low		High		Low
Quarter ended:
March 31	$	23.50	$	22.10	$	21.80	$	19.06
June 30		24.45		22.13		20.97		18.50
September 30		25.69		23.26		22.65		20.23
December 31		25.51		20.11		22.47		21.16

Financial Performance

Set forth below is a stock performance graph comparing the cumulative total shareholder return on the Common Stock with (a) the cumulative total stockholder return on stocks included in The Nasdaq – Composite Index and (b) the cumulative total stockholder return on stocks included in the SNL U.S. Bank NASDAQ Index. All investment comparisons assume the investment of $100 as of the close of business on December 31, 2013 and the hypothetical value of that investment as of the Company’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, assuming that all dividends were reinvested. The graph reflects the historical performance of the Common Stock, and, as a result, may not be indicative of possible future performance of the Common Stock. The data for used to compile this graph was obtained from NASDAQ.

			Period Ending
Index	12/31/13		12/31/14		12/31/15		12/31/16		12/31/17		12/31/18
Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.		100.00		121.16		142.49		201.88		217.15		215.53
NASDAQ Composite Index		100.00		114.75		122.74		133.62		173.22		168.30
SNL U.S. Bank NASDAQ Index		100.00		103.57		111.80		155.02		163.20		137.56

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As a result of a change in the total return data made available to us through our vendor provider, our performance graphs going forward will be using an index provided by NASDAQ OMX Global Indexes which is comparable to the NASDAQ Bank Stock Index. Please note, information for the NASDAQ Bank Stock Index is provided only from December 31, 2013 through December 31, 2018, the last day this data was available by our third-party provider.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

With respect to the equity compensation plan information required by this item, see “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” in this report.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company has a repurchase plan which was announced on August 20, 2007. This plan authorizes the purchase by the Company of up to 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. There is no expiration date for this plan. There are no other repurchase plans in effect at this time. The Company had no repurchase activity of the Company’s common stock during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following tables include certain information concerning the financial position and results of operations of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (including consolidated data from operations of Guaranty Bank) as of the dates indicated. Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands except per share.

Summary Balance Sheets	As of December 31,
	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,122	$	37,407	$	9,088	$	18,774	$	12,494
Investments and interest-bearing deposits		86,528		81,495		92,427		97,336		86,529
Loans receivable, net		779,815		631,527		540,457		492,905		487,801
Accrued interest receivable		3,391		2,450		1,947		1,987		2,030
Prepaids and other assets		15,446		10,950		11,234		10,121		11,421
Intangibles		4,416		-		-		-		-
Foreclosed assets		1,127		283		2,682		2,392		3,165
Premises and equipment, net		20,095		10,607		10,871		10,540		10,603
Bank owned life insurance		20,198		19,741		19,273		18,780		14,417
	$	965,138	$	794,460	$	687,979	$	652,835	$	628,460
LIABILITIES
Deposits	$	749,619	$	607,364	$	505,363	$	517,386	$	479,818
Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank advances		105,300		94,300		95,700		52,100		60,350
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		-		-		-		-		10,000
Subordinated debentures		21,761		15,465		15,465		15,465		15,465
Notes payable		5,000		-		-		-		-
Other liabilities		2,979		2,439		1,477		1,462		1,350
		884,659		719,568		618,005		586,413		566,983
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		80,479		74,892		69,974		66,422		61,477
	$	965,138	$	794,460	$	687,979	$	652,835	$	628,460

Supplemental Data	As of December 31,
	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
Number of full-service offices		16		11		9		9		9
Cash dividends per common share	$	0.49	$	0.42	$	0.34	$	0.23	$	0.15

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Summary Statements of Income	Years ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016		2015		2014
Interest income	$	43,246	$	29,441	$	25,389	$	25,190	$	25,014
Interest expense		9,928		6,087		4,177		4,280		4,329
Net interest income		33,318		23,354		21,212		20,910		20,685
Provision for loan losses		1,225		1,750		1,375		600		1,275
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		32,093		21,604		19,837		20,310		19,410
Noninterest income		6,552		5,727		4,870		4,478		3,350
Noninterest expense		29,458		19,603		17,100		16,610		14,865
Income before income taxes		9,187		7,728		7,607		8,178		7,895
Provision for income taxes		1,855		2,570		2,013		2,461		2,113
Net income	$	7,332	$	5,158	$	5,594	$	5,717	$	5,782
Preferred stock dividends and discount accretion		-		-		-		-		357
Net income available to common shareholders	$	7,332	$	5,158	$	5,594	$	5,717	$	5,425
Basic income per common share	$	1.66	$	1.18	$	1.28	$	1.32	$	1.35
Diluted income per common share	$	1.64	$	1.16	$	1.27	$	1.30	$	1.33

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

GENERAL

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation organized on December 30, 1997 that operates as a one-bank holding company. Guaranty Bank (the “Bank”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

The primary activity of the Company is to oversee its investment in the Bank.  The Company engages in few other activities, and the Company has no significant assets other than its investment in the Bank.  For this reason, unless otherwise specified, references to the Company include the operations of the Bank.  The Company’s principal business consists of attracting deposits from the general public and using such deposits to originate multi-family, construction, agriculture, hospitality, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and commercial real estate loans, mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family residences, and consumer and business loans.  The Company also uses these funds to purchase government sponsored mortgage-backed securities, US government and agency obligations, and other permissible securities.  When cash outflows exceed inflows, the Company uses borrowings and brokered deposits as additional financing sources.

The Company derives revenues principally from interest earned on loans and investments and, to a lesser extent, from fees charged for services. General economic conditions and policies of the financial institution regulatory agencies, including the MDF and the FDIC, significantly influence the Company’s operations. Interest rates on competing investments and general market interest rates influence the Company’s cost of funds. Lending activities are affected by the interest rates at which such financing may be offered. The Company intends to focus on commercial, one- to four-family residential and consumer lending throughout southwestern Missouri.

The Company acquired Carthage, Missouri-based Hometown Bancshares, Inc. (“Hometown”) including its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Hometown Bank, National Association and Hometown Bancshares Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust on April 2, 2018. Hometown’s subsidiary bank, Hometown Bank, National Association, was merged into Guaranty Bank on June 8, 2018. Including the effects of acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $178.8 million in assets, including approximately $143.9 million in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $161.2 million in deposits.   Goodwill of $1.4 million was also recorded as a result of this transaction. The acquisition strengthened the Company’s position in Southwest Missouri and the Company believes it 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 is not deductible for tax purposes. 

44

The Company has three active wholly-owned subsidiaries other than the Bank, its principal subsidiary: (i) Guaranty Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust; (ii) Guaranty Statutory Trust II, a Delaware statutory trust; and (iii) Hometown Bancshares Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust and a fourth inactive subsidiary. The Guaranty Trusts were formed in December 2005. The Hometown Bancshares Trust was formed on October 29, 2002 and assumed by the Company on April 2, 2018. The exclusive purpose of each Trust was issuing trust preferred securities to acquire junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company. The Company’s banking operation conducted through the Bank is the Company’s only reportable segment. See also the discussion contained in the section captioned “Segment Information” in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report. The fourth subsidiary is a service corporation which has been inactive since February 1, 2003.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Company may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements", including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the exhibits thereto), in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “expects,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of the Company's plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions that are subject to change based on various important factors (some of which are beyond the Company's control).  The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the real estate values and the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; risks associated with the completion of the recent acquisition of Hometown and its wholly-owned subsidiary Hometown Bank and the integration of Hometown Bank with the Bank, including the possibility that we may not realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition; future mergers or acquisitions; the impact of recent and potential future changes in the laws, rules, regulations, interpretations and policies relating to financial institutions, accounting, tax, monetary and fiscal matters and their application by our regulators; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, changes in interest rates; changes in LIBOR; the timely development of and acceptance of new products and services of the company and the perceived overall value of these products and services by users, including the features, pricing and quality compared to competitors' products and services; the impact of changes in financial services' laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); asset quality deterioration; environmental liability associated with real estate collateral; technological changes and cybersecurity risks; acquisitions; employee retention; the success of the Company at managing the risks resulting from these factors; and other factors set forth in reports and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC from time to time.  For further information about these and other risks, uncertainties and factors, please review the disclosure included in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K.

The Company cautions that the listed factors are not exclusive. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION

From December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, the Company’s total assets increased $170,678,350 (21%) to $965,137,870, liabilities increased $165,091,251 (23%) to $884,659,278, and stockholders' equity increased $5,587,099 (7%) to $80,478,592. The ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets was 8.3% and 9.4% at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

From December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, available-for-sale securities increased $5,037,524 (6%), primarily due to $7,520,849 of securities acquired in the Hometown acquisition. The Company purchased $26,151,079 of investments while having sales and principal payments received of $26,965,492. The Company had net unrealized losses of $1,836,406 at December 31, 2018 compared to $844,379 at December 31, 2017.

From December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, net loans receivable increased by $148,693,597 (24%) to $778,298,606. The addition of $143,918,642 in loans at fair value from the Hometown acquisition along with continued production in the multi-family, agriculture, hospitality and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) lending were the primary drivers for growth in 2018. During the year, commercial real estate loans increased $61,055,038 (23%), permanent 1-4 family loans increased $26,110,020 (25%), commercial loans increased $24,846,644 (26%), construction loans increased $23,810,413 (37%), and consumer and other loans increased $8,374,570 (34%). The Company continues to focus its lending efforts in the commercial, owner occupied real estate and small business lending categories.

As of December 31, 2018, management identified loans totaling $20,552,000 as impaired with a related allowance for loan losses of $1,612,000. Impaired loans increased by $9,725,000 during 2018, compared to the balance of $10,827,000 at December 31, 2017.

From December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, the allowance for loan losses increased $888,151 to $7,995,569. In addition to the provision for loan losses of $1,225,000 recorded by the Company during the year ended December 31, 2018, loan charge-offs of specific loans (previously classified as nonperforming) exceeded recoveries by $336,849 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in the allowance is primarily due to the increased loan balances during 2018 and reserves on a few specific problem credits.  The allowance for loan losses, as a percentage of gross loans outstanding (excluding mortgage loans held for sale), as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was 1.02% and 1.12%, respectively. The allowance for loan losses, as a percentage of nonperforming loans outstanding, as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was 61.1% and 71.3%, respectively. Management believes the allowance for loan losses is at a level to be sufficient in providing for potential loan losses in the Bank’s existing loan portfolio.

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for acquisition accounting, the loans acquired through the Hometown acquisition were recorded at fair value; therefore, there was no allowance associated with these loans. Management continues to evaluate the allowance need on the acquired loans factoring in the net remaining discount of $2.45 million at December 31, 2018.

Goodwill increased $1,434,982 (100%) and core deposit intangible increased $2,980,910 (100%) as of December 31, 2018. The increases are due to the Hometown acquisition and are further discussed in Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

From December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, deposits increased $142,254,472 (23%) to $749,618,822. Deposit balances totaling $161,248,424 (at fair value) were added as a result of the Hometown acquisition. Excluding the acquired balances, checking and savings transaction balances decreased by $40,855,842 and certificates of deposit increased $22,077,932. The decline in transaction balances were primarily a result of a decrease of $34,591,000 in one brokered money market relationship and various declines in accounts acquired by Hometown. Overall, brokered deposits decreased $18,173,000 during 2018. The Company utilizes brokered certificates of deposit as a tool to manage cost of funds and to efficiently match changes in liquidity needs based on loan growth.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances increased $11,000,000 (12%) from $94,300,000 as of December 31, 2017 to $105,300,000 as of December 31, 2018 due to increased borrowings to fund growth.

Note payable to bank increased $5,000,000 (100%) when compared to December 31, 2017 due to the Company borrowing $5,000,000 from another financial institution. The funds were used to provide additional capital for funding Bank asset growth. The note carries a variable interest rate tied to three-month LIBOR and matures on June 28, 2020.

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Subordinated debentures increased $6,295,829 (41%) from $15,465,000 to $21,760,829 as of December 31, 2018. The increase is due to the assumption of Hometown Bancshares Statutory Trust I as part of the Hometown acquisition.

Premises and equipment increased $9,488,067 (89%) from $10,607,094 to $20,095,161 as of December 31, 2018. The increase is primarily due to the Hometown acquisition.

From December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018, stockholders’ equity (including unrealized depreciation on available-for-sale securities, net of tax) increased $5,587,099 (7%) to $80,478,592. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 exceeded dividends paid or declared by $5,150,378. The equity portion of the Company’s unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities and effects of interest rate swaps decreased by $246,563 during 2018. On a per common share basis, stockholders’ equity increased from $17.10 as of December 31, 2017 to $18.18 as of December 31, 2018.

AVERAGE BALANCES, INTEREST AND AVERAGE YIELDS

The following table shows the balances as of December 31, 2018 of various categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the corresponding yields and costs, and, for the periods indicated: (1) the average balances of various categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, (2) the total interest earned or paid thereon, and (3) the resulting weighted average yields and costs. In addition, the table shows the Company’s rate spreads and net yields. Average balances are based on daily balances. Tax-free income is not material; accordingly, interest income and related average yields have not been calculated on a tax equivalent basis. Average loan balances include non-accrual loans. Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

	As of						Year Ended								Year Ended								Year Ended
	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2018								December 31, 2017								December 31, 2016
	Balance			Yield / Cost			Average Balance			Interest		Yield / Cost			Average Balance			Interest		Yield / Cost			Average Balance			Interest		Yield / Cost
ASSETS
Interest-earning:
Loans	$	787,811			5.80	%	$	779,881		$	40,886		5.24	%	$	608,439		$	27,454		4.51	%	$	513,995		$	23,315		4.54	%
Investment securities		86,528			2.32	%		91,200			1,993		2.19	%		87,389			1,792		2.05	%		101,081			1,895		1.87	%
Other assets		33,751			1.04	%		14,423			367		2.54	%		15,328			195		1.27	%		17,905			179		1.00	%
Total interest-earning		908,090			5.29	%		885,504			43,246		4.88	%		711,156			29,441		4.14	%		632,981			25,389		4.01	%
Noninterest-earning		57,048						61,942								39,800								40,632
	$	965,138					$	947,446							$	750,956							$	673,613
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Interest-bearing:
Savings accounts	$	39,664			0.30	%	$	41,487		$	103		0.25	%	$	29,685		$	58		0.20	%	$	27,489		$	55		0.20	%
Transaction accounts		372,832			1.30	%		405,957			4,409		1.09	%		340,899			2,395		0.70	%		320,352			1,235		0.39	%
Certificates of deposit		232,531			1.62	%		209,668			2,511		1.20	%		126,625			1,299		1.03	%		111,220			994		0.89	%
FHLB advances		105,300			2.31	%		81,839			1,766		2.16	%		96,774			1,704		1.76	%		73,833			1,314		1.78	%
Subordinated debentures		21,761			5.38	%		21,580			1,018		4.72	%		15,465			631		4.08	%		15,465			579		3.74	%
Other borrowed funds		5,000			4.58	%		4,497			121		2.69	%		-			-		0.00	%		-			-		0.00	%
Total interest-bearing		777,088			1.62	%		765,028			9,928		1.30	%		609,448			6,087		1.00	%		548,359			4,177		0.76	%
Noninterest-bearing		107,571						104,023								67,720								55,344
Total liabilities		884,659						869,051								677,168								603,703
Stockholders' equity		80,479						78,395								73,788								69,910
	$	965,138					$	947,446							$	750,956							$	673,613
Net earning balance	$	131,002					$	120,476							$	101,708							$	84,622
Earning yield less costing rate					3.67	%							3.58	%							3.14	%							3.25	%
Net interest income, and net yield spread on interest-earning assets										$	33,318		3.76	%				$	23,354		3.29	%				$	21,212		3.35	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		117	%					116	%							117	%							115	%

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The following table sets forth information regarding changes in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated resulting from changes in average balances and average rates shown in the previous table. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities information is provided with respect to changes attributable to: (i) changes in balance (change in balance multiplied by the old rate), (ii) changes in interest rates (change in rate multiplied by the old balance); and (iii) the combined effect of changes in balance and interest rates (change in balance multiplied by change in rate). Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

	Year ended										Year ended
	December 31, 2018 versus December 31, 2017										December 31, 2017 versus December 31, 2016
	Average Balance			Interest Rate		Rate & Balance			Total		Average Balance			Interest Rate			Rate & Balance			Total
Interest income:
Loans	$	7,736		$	4,444	$	1,252		$	13,432	$	4,284		$	(122	)	$	(23	)	$	4,139
Investment securities		78			118		5			201		(256	)		177			(24	)		(103	)
Other assets		(12	)		195		(11	)		172		(26	)		49			(7	)		16
Net change in interest income		7,802			4,757		1,246			13,805		4,002			104			(54	)		4,052
Interest expense:
Savings accounts		23			16		6			45		4			(1	)		-			3
Transaction accounts		457			1,307		250			2,014		79			1,016			65			1,160
Certificates of deposit		852			217		143			1,212		138			147			20			305
FHLB advances		(263	)		384		(59	)		62		408			(14	)		(4	)		390
Subordinated debentures		250			98		39			387		-			52			-			52
Other borrowed funds		-			-		121			121		-			-			-			-
Net change in interest expense		1,319			2,022		500			3,841		629			1,200			81			1,910
Change in net interest income	$	6,483		$	2,735	$	746		$	9,964	$	3,373		$	(1,096	)	$	(135	)	$	2,142

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - COMPARISON OF YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND DECEMBER 31, 2017

Interest Rates

	Average for the Year Shown
	Prime			Ten-Year Treasury			One-Year Treasury
December 31, 2018		4.91	%		2.91	%		2.33	%
December 31, 2017		4.10	%		2.33	%		1.20	%
Change in rates		0.81	%		0.58	%		1.13	%

The Bank charges borrowers and pays depositors interest rates that are largely a function of the general level of interest rates. The above table sets forth the weekly average interest rates for the 52 weeks ending December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 as reported by the Federal Reserve. The Bank typically indexes its adjustable rate commercial loans to prime and its adjustable rate mortgage loans to the one-year Treasury Rate. The ten-year Treasury Rate is a proxy for 30-year fixed rate home mortgage loans.

Rates trended upward during 2018 as the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) increased the discount rate by 25 basis points in March, June, September and December 2018. As of December 31, 2018, the prime rate was 5.50% which is a 100 basis point increase from December 31, 2017.

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Interest Income. Total interest income increased $13,804,971 (47%). The increase is primarily driven by the addition of earning assets as a result of the Hometown acquisition. The average balance of interest-earning assets increased $174,348,000 (25%), while the yield on average interest earning assets increased 74 basis points to 4.88%.

Interest income on loans increased $13,432,168 (49%). The increase is primarily due to higher loan balances, loan offering rates and $3,664,491 in loan accretion recognized on loans acquired from Hometown compared to none in 2017. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had $4,895,000 of unexpected full payoffs of certain purchased credit impaired loans and recognized $1,780,000 of yield accretion due to these payoffs. The average loan receivable balance increased $171,442,000 (28%) while the average yield increased 73 basis points to 5.24%. The Company experienced strong loan activity during 2018. However, pricing on loans is challenging due to significant competition on new and renewing credits.

Interest Expense. Total interest expense increased $3,841,065 (63%). The increase is primarily driven by addition of interest-bearing deposits as a result of the Hometown acquisition. The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $155,580,000 (26%), while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 30 basis points to 1.30%.

Interest expense on deposits increased $3,271,721 (87%) during 2018 as the average balance of interest bearing deposits increased $159,903,000 (32%), while the average interest rate paid to depositors increased 32 basis points to 1.07%. The increase in asset growth opportunities among institutions in our market have created significant competitive pressures on deposit rates. To fund its asset growth going forward, the Company intends to continue to utilize a cost-effective mix of retail and commercial core deposits along with non-core, wholesale funding.

Net Interest Income. The Company’s net interest income increased $9,963,906 (43%) primarily due to the increase in overall average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Refer to the tables in the “Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields” section (pages 47 and 48) for additional information on components of net interest income.

Provision for Loan Losses. Provisions for loan losses are charged or credited to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level considered adequate by the Company to provide for potential loan losses in the existing loan portfolio. When making its assessment, the Company considers prior loss experience, volume and type of lending, local banking trends and impaired and past due loans in the Company’s loan portfolio. In addition, the Company considers general economic conditions and other factors related to collectability of the Company’s loan portfolio.

Based on its internal analysis and methodology, management recorded a provision for loan losses of $1,225,000 and $1,750,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s increase in the provision was primarily due to the increased loan balances and maintaining general portfolio reserves at a level deemed appropriate in accordance with its methodology. The Bank will continue to monitor its allowance for loan losses and make future additions based on economic and regulatory conditions. Management may need to increase the allowance for loan losses through charges to the provision for loan losses if anticipated growth in the Bank’s loan portfolio increases or other circumstances warrant. See further discussions of the allowance for loan losses under “Financial Condition” above.

Although the Bank maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level which it considers to be sufficient to provide for potential loan losses in its existing loan portfolio, there can be no assurance that future loan losses will not exceed internal estimates.  In addition, the amount of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by regulatory agencies which can order the establishment of additional loan loss provisions.

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Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased $824,620 (14%) due to a few significant factors.

The Company recognized an increase in service charge income of $814,950 (69%) and debit card interchange income of $285,753 (35%) primarily due to the Hometown acquisition. Also, the Company continued its emphasis on SBA lending that increased gains on the sale of SBA loans by $84,002 (11%).

The increase in income above was offset by increased losses on foreclosed assets of $542,896 (298%) compared to 2017. The Company recognized write-downs of foreclosed assets held for sale, including two properties acquired through the acquisition of Hometown. The re-measurements and write-downs were due to a lack of sales activity, further review of surrounding property values and reductions in the property’s listing price (in most cases).

Non-Interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $9,855,247 (50%) due to a few significant factors.

One-time merger expense related to the Hometown acquisition totaled $3,520,727. The costs relate to legal, accounting and investment advisory fees, as well as the cost incurred for termination of a specific vendor core processing contract of approximately $2 million.

Salaries and employee benefits increased $2,878,168 (24%) which was primarily due to the addition of Hometown employees and our continued expansion in the Joplin, Missouri market and increases in other key areas of commercial banking, operations and technology.     

The Company’s occupancy expense increased $1,866,791 (85%) primarily due to the Company’s continued enhancements in facilities (including signage) and significant investments in new technologies. A full year of occupancy expense on our new headquarter facility and the ongoing expansion in the Joplin, Missouri market has also played a significant factor in the increase in expense.

Amortization expense of the core deposit intangible from the Hometown acquisition was $408,571 for 2018. There was no amortization during 2017.

Professional service expenses increased $282,581 (52%), primarily due to the Company meeting thresholds to be considered an accelerated filer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which comes with increased auditor attestation requirements on the Company’s internal controls.

The increases above were partially offset by the elimination of impairment charges on solar credit investments incurred during 2017, which totaled $440,571.

Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes decreased $715,936 (28%) over 2017 which is primarily due to the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) signed into law on December 22, 2017. As a result of the Act, in 2017, the Company was required to revalue its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities to account for the future impact of lower corporate tax rates, which resulted in a one-time charge to income tax expense of approximately $1.0 million. In 2018, the Company’s federal tax rate was reduced from 34% to 21% as a result of the Act.

Cash Dividends Paid. The Company paid dividends of $0.12 per share on April 19, 2018 to stockholders of record as of April 9, 2018, $0.12 per share on July 19, 2018, to stockholders of record as of July 9, 2018, and $.12 per share on October 19, 2018, to stockholders of record as of October 9, 2018. The Company also declared a cash dividend of $0.13 per share on December 21, 2018, which was paid on January 14, 2019, to stockholders of record on January 4, 2019. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid $2,132,221, $1,767,486 and $1,415,180 in dividends on common stock.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - COMPARISON OF YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND DECEMBER 31, 2016

Interest Rates

	Average for the Year Shown
	Prime			Ten-Year Treasury			One-Year Treasury
December 31, 2017		4.10	%		2.33	%		1.20	%
December 31, 2016		3.51	%		1.84	%		0.61	%
Change in rates		0.59	%		0.49	%		0.59	%

The Bank charges borrowers and pays depositors interest rates that are largely a function of the general level of interest rates. The above table sets forth the weekly average interest rates for the 52 weeks ending December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 as reported by the Federal Reserve. The Bank typically indexes its adjustable rate commercial loans to prime and its adjustable rate mortgage loans to the one-year Treasury Rate. The ten-year Treasury Rate is a proxy for 30-year fixed rate home mortgage loans.

Rates trended upward during 2017 as the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) increased the discount rate by 25 basis points in March, June and December 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the prime rate was 4.5% which is a 75 basis point increase from December 31, 2016.

Interest Income.  Total interest income increased $4,051,407 (16%).  The average balance of interest-earning assets increased $78,175,000 (12%), while the yield on average interest earning assets increased 13 basis points to 4.14%.

Interest income on loans increased $4,139,313 (18%).  The average loan receivable balance increased $94,444,000 (18%) while the average yield decreased 3 basis points to 4.51%.  The Company experienced strong loan activity during 2017.  However, pricing on loans is challenging due to significant competition on new and renewing credits. The pricing pressure has impacted the ability to maintain loan yield compared to 2016.

Interest income on investment securities decreased $103,474 (5%).  The average balance of investment securities decreased $13,692,000 (14%) while the average yield improved 18 basis points to 2.05%.

Interest Expense.  Total interest expense increased $1,909,542 (46%) as the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities increased $61,089,000 (11%), while the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities increased 24 basis points to 1.00%.

Interest expense on deposits increased $1,467,583 (64%) during 2017 as the average balance of interest bearing deposits increased $38,148,000 (8%), while the average interest rate paid to depositors increased 25 basis points to 0.75%.  The increase in asset growth opportunities among institutions in our market have created significant competitive pressures on deposit rates

Net Interest Income.  The Company’s net interest income increased $2,141,865 (10%) primarily due to the increase in overall average balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Refer to the tables in the “Average Balances, Interest and Average Yields” section (pages 47 and 48) for additional information on components of net interest income.

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Provision for Loan Losses. Provisions for loan losses are charged or credited to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level considered adequate by the Company to provide for potential loan losses in the existing loan portfolio. When making its assessment, the Company considers prior loss experience, volume and type of lending, local banking trends and impaired and past due loans in the Company’s loan portfolio. In addition, the Company considers general economic conditions and other factors related to collectability of the Company’s loan portfolio.

Based on its internal analysis and methodology, management recorded a provision for loan losses of $1,750,000 and $1,375,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company’s increase in the provision was primarily due to the increased loan balances and maintaining general portfolio reserves at a level deemed appropriate in accordance with its methodology.

Although the Bank maintains its allowance for loan losses at a level which it considers to be sufficient to provide for potential loan losses in its existing loan portfolio.  In addition, the amount of the allowance for loan losses is subject to review by regulatory agencies which can order the establishment of additional loan loss provisions.

Non-Interest Income. Non-interest income increased $857,113 (18%). This was primarily due to the Company’s emphasis on Small Business Administration (SBA) lending and its continued efforts in fixed-rate mortgage lending. The Company’s gains on sale of SBA loans increased $449,177, gains on fixed-rate mortgage loans sales increased $312,730 and net gain on foreclosed assets increased $180,734 when compared to 2016. These gains were partially offset by a decrease in gain on sale of investment securities of $146,208 when compared to 2016.

Non-Interest Expense.  Non-interest expense increased $2,502,340 (15%). Salaries and employee benefits increased $1,353,964 (13%) which was primarily due to the expansion in the Joplin, Missouri market and increases in other key areas of commercial banking, operations and technology. Included in the salaries and benefits increase, the Company had $780,363 of increases in health/retirement benefits and performance incentives due to strong Company results.

The Company incurred $587,428 (100%) of impairment charges on solar tax credit investments in 2017. The Company purchased an interest in a utility scale solar energy project. The project was expected to generate an estimated $557,000 of 2017 investment tax credits plus additional tax credits in future years assuming certain compliance criteria are met. The cost of the investment will be accounted for under the equity and hypothetical liquidation at book value methods. Under these methods, an impairment charge is recorded on the investment equal to the discounted future cash flows compared to the carrying value of the investment.

The Company’s occupancy expense increased $377,199 (21%) primarily due to the Company’s continued enhancements in facilities (including signage) and significant investments in new technologies. The continued expansion in the Joplin, Missouri market has also played a factor in the increase in expense.

Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes that increased $557,985 (28%) over 2016 was primarily a result of the Company’s $1.0 million charge for the deferred tax asset write-down which was partially offset by the utilization of tax credits which is discussed above. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017, the Company was required to revalue its deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities to account for the future impact of lower corporate tax rates. As of December 31, 2017, the Company revalued its net deferred tax asset and it resulted in a one-time charge to income tax expense of approximately $1.0 million.

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Cash Dividends Paid. The Company paid dividends of $0.10 per share on April 14, 2017 to stockholders of record as of April 4, 2017, and $0.10 per share on July 13, 2017, to stockholders of record as of July 3, 2017, and $.10 per share on October 13, 2017, to stockholders of record as of October 3, 2017 and also declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share on December 22, 2017, which was paid on January 13, 2018, to stockholders of record on January 3, 2018. During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid $1,767,486, $1,415,180 and $873,499 in dividends on common stock.

LIQUIDITY

Liquidity refers to the ability to manage future cash flows to meet the needs of depositors and borrowers and fund operations. Maintaining appropriate levels of liquidity allows the Company to have sufficient funds available for customer demand for loans, withdrawal of deposit balances and maturities of deposits and other liabilities. The Company’s primary sources of liquidity include cash and cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, customer deposits and FHLB borrowings. The Company also has established a borrowing line with the Federal Reserve Bank which is considered a secondary source of funds.

The Company’s most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents, which are cash on hand, amounts due from financial institutions, and certificates of deposit with other financial institutions that have an original maturity of three months or less. The levels of such assets are dependent on the Bank’s operating, financing, and investment activities at any given time. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $34,121,642 as of December 31, 2018 and $37,406,930 as of December 31, 2017, representing a decrease of $3,285,288. The variations in levels of cash and cash equivalents are influenced by deposit flows and anticipated future deposit flows, which are subject to, and influenced by, many factors. The Bank has $153,851,915 in certificates of deposit that are scheduled to mature in one year or less. Management anticipates that the majority of these certificates will renew in the normal course of operations. Based on existing collateral as well as the FHLB’s limitation of advances to 35% of assets, the Bank has the ability to borrow an additional $120,599,000 from the FHLB, as of December 31, 2018. Based on existing collateral, the Bank has the ability to borrow $53,700,000 from the Federal Reserve Bank as of December 31, 2018. The Bank plans to maintain its FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank borrowings to a level that will provide a borrowing capacity sufficient to provide for contingencies. Management has many policies and controls in place to attempt to manage the appropriate level of liquidity.

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

The Company meets the eligibility criteria of a small bank holding company in accordance with the Federal Reserve's Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement issued in February 2015, and is no longer obligated to report consolidated regulatory capital. The Bank continues to be subject to various capital requirements administered by banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory and discretionary actions by regulators that could have a direct material effect on the Company's financial statements. The Bank's capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

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In July 2013, the Federal Reserve issued a final rule that revised its risk-based and leverage capital requirements for banking organizations to align them with the Basel III regulatory capital framework and meet certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act (“Basel III Rule”). The Basel III Rule implemented a revised definition of regulatory capital, a new common equity tier 1 (“CET1”) minimum capital requirement, and a higher minimum tier1 capital requirement. The final rules also made changes to the prompt corrective action framework for depository institutions by incorporating the new minimum capital ratios into the framework, introducing the CET1 capital measure, and aligning the definition of tangible equity for purposes of the critically undercapitalized prompt corrective action category with the definition of tier 1 capital. Under the Basel III Rule, the following three components comprise a banking organization’s “regulatory capital”: (i) “CET1 capital,” which is predominantly comprised of retained earnings and common stock instruments that meet certain criteria and related surplus (net of any treasury stock), AOCI (for organizations that do not make opt-out elections), and CET1 minority interest, which are subject to certain restrictions; (ii) “Additional Tier 1 Capital,” which consists of non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and similar instruments meeting specified eligibility criteria and related surplus, Tier 1 minority interests not included in CET1 capital, and “TARP” preferred stock and other instruments issued under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008; and (iii) “Tier 2 Capital,” which includes instruments such as subordinated debt that has a minimum original maturity of at least five years and is subordinated to the claims of depositors and general creditors, total capital minority interest not included in Tier 1 capital and limited amounts of a banking organization’s allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL), less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions.

Effective January 1, 2015, the final rule requires the Bank to comply with the following minimum capital ratios: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% of risk-weighted assets (increased from the prior requirement of 4.0%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8.0% of risk-weighted assets (unchanged from the prior requirement); and (iv) a leverage ratio of 4.0% of total assets (unchanged from the prior requirement).  When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the Basel III Rule will require the  Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% "capital conservation buffer" effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0% upon full implementation); (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation); (iii) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation); and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets.

Beginning January 1, 2016, the capital conservation buffer requirement was phased in at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing by the same amount each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

The Bank is classified as “well capitalized” under current regulatory guidelines.  See also additional information provided under the caption “Regulatory Matters” in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  The proposed CBLR rule issued on February 8, 2019 by federal banking regulators may change how the Bank is classified.  At this point, it is unclear whether federal banking regulators will issue a final rule and, even if they do, the final rule may not provide relief from federal banking capital requirements. 

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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Various commitments and contingent liabilities arise in the normal course of business, which are not required to be recorded on the balance sheet. The most significant of these are loan commitments, lines of credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Bank had outstanding commitments to originate loans of approximately $5,600,000 and $7,261,000, respectively. Lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, unused lines of credit to borrowers aggregated approximately $104,570,000 and $117,068,000, respectively, for commercial lines and $22,254,000 and $15,929,000, respectively, for open-end consumer lines. Since a portion of the loan commitment and line of credit may expire without being drawn upon, the total unused commitments and lines do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

Standby letters of credit are irrevocable conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. The Bank had total outstanding standby letters of credit amounting to $12,218,000 and $12,733,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The commitments extend over varying periods of time.

In connection with the Company’s issuance and acquisition of the Trust Preferred Securities and pursuant to three guarantee agreements by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, the Company issued a limited, irrevocable guarantee of the obligations of each Trust under the Trust Preferred Securities whereby the Company has guaranteed any and all payment obligations of the Trusts related to the Trust Preferred Securities including distributions on, and the liquidation or redemption price of, the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent each Trust does not have funds available.

AGGREGATE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table summarizes the Company’s fixed and determinable contractual obligations by payment date as of December 31, 2018. Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

Payments Due By Period
			One Year		One to		Three to		More than
Contractual Obligations	Total		or less		Three Years		Five Years		Five Years
Deposits without stated maturity	$	517,087	$	517,087	$	-	$	-	$	-
Time and brokered certificates of deposit		232,532		153,853		73,904		4,715		60
Other borrowings		5,000		-		5,000		-		-
FHLB and Federal Reserve advances		105,300		105,300		-		-		-
Subordinated debentures		21,761		-		-		-		21,761
Leases		9,610		1,293		2,478		2,266		3,573
Purchase obligations		2,716		2,716		-		-		-
Other long term obligations		535		535		-		-		-
Total	$	894,541	$	780,784	$	81,382	$	6,981	$	25,394

55

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

The Company prepared the consolidated financial statements and related data presented herein in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation.

Unlike most companies, the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the price of goods and services, since such prices are affected by inflation. In the current interest rate environment, liquidity and the maturity structure of the Bank’s assets and liabilities are critical to the maintenance of acceptable performance levels.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments.

Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates. If actual results are different than management’s judgments and estimates, the Company’s financial results could change, and such change could be material to the Company.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of loans acquired with the possibility of impairment and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans and fair values. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

Goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are subject to periodic impairment testing. This testing is to be performed annually, or more frequently if events occur that lead to the possibility that the valuation of such assets could be considered unrecoverable.

The Company has identified the accounting policies for the allowance for loan losses, goodwill and intangible assets, related significant estimates and judgments as critical to its business operations and the understanding of its results of operations. For a detailed discussion on the application of these significant estimates and judgments and our accounting policies, also see Note 1 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in this report.

56

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

ASSET / LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The responsibility of managing and executing the Bank’s Asset Liability Policy falls to the Bank’s Asset/ Liability Committee (ALCO). ALCO seeks to manage interest rate risk through changing interest rate environments. Management attempts to position the Bank’s instrument repricing characteristics in line with probable rate movements in order to minimize the impact of changing interest rates on the Bank’s net interest income. Since the relative spread between financial assets and liabilities is constantly changing, the Bank’s current net interest income may not be an indication of future net interest income.

The Bank has continued to emphasize the origination of commercial business and real estate, home equity, consumer and adjustable-rate, one- to four-family residential loans while originating fixed-rate, one- to four-family residential loans primarily for immediate resale in the secondary market. Management continually monitors the loan portfolio for the purpose of product diversification and over concentration.

The Bank constantly monitors its deposits in an effort to prohibit them from adversely impacting the Bank’s interest rate sensitivity. Rates of interest paid on deposits at the Bank are priced competitively in order to meet the Bank’s asset/liability management objectives and spread requirements. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Bank’s savings accounts, checking accounts, and money market deposit accounts totaled $517,087,362 or 69% of its total deposits and $452,098,463 or 74% of total deposits, respectively. The weighted average rate paid on these accounts increased 47 basis points from 0.42% on December 31, 2017 to 0.89% on December 31, 2018 primarily due significant competitive pressures on deposit rates.

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

The following tables set forth as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, management’s estimates of the projected changes in Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”) in the event of instantaneous and permanent increases and decreases in market interest rates. Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

12/31/2018
BP Change	Estimated Net Portfolio Value								NPV as % of PV of Assets
in Rates	$ Amount		$ Change			% Change			NPV Ratio			Change
+200	$	139,407	$	12,371			10	%		14.79	%		1.58	%
+100		134,870		7,834			6	%		14.16	%		0.94	%
NC		127,036		-			0	%		13.22	%		0.00	%
-100		119,637		(7,399	)		-6	%		12.36	%		-0.86	%
-200		104,990		(22,046	)		-17	%		10.48	%		-2.42	%

12/31/2017
BP Change	Estimated Net Portfolio Value								NPV as % of PV of Assets
in Rates	$ Amount		$ Change			% Change			NPV Ratio			Change
+200	$	116,010	$	4,350			4	%		14.84	%		0.86	%
+100		115,268		3,608			3	%		14.57	%		0.59	%
NC		111,660		-			0	%		13.98	%		0.00	%
-100		105,747		(5,913	)		-5	%		13.15	%		-0.83	%
-200		87,071		(24,589	)		-22	%		10.78	%		-3.20	%

57

Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on an internally generated model using actual maturity and repricing schedules for the Bank’s loans and deposits, and are based on numerous assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan repayments and deposit run-offs, and should not be relied upon as indicative of actual results. Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions the Bank may undertake in response to changes in interest rates. All EVE and earnings projections are based on a point in time static balance sheet.

Management cannot predict future interest rates or their effect on the Bank’s EVE in the future. Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the computation of EVE. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to repricing, they may react in differing degrees to changes in market interest rates. Additionally, certain assets, such as floating-rate loans, which represent the Bank’s primary loan product, have an initial fixed rate period typically from one to five years and over the remaining life of the asset changes in the interest rate are restricted. In addition, the proportion of adjustable-rate loans in the Bank’s loan portfolio could decrease in future periods due to refinancing activity if market interest rates remain constant or decrease in the future. Further, in the event of a change in interest rates, prepayment and early withdrawal levels could deviate significantly from those assumed in the table. Finally, the ability of many borrowers to service their adjustable-rate debt may decrease in the event of an interest rate increase.

The Bank’s Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing the Bank’s asset and liability policies. The Bank’s management is responsible for administering the policies and determinations of the Board of Directors with respect to the Bank’s asset and liability goals and strategies. Management expects that the Bank’s asset and liability policies and strategies will continue as described above so long as competitive and regulatory conditions in the financial institution industry and market interest rates continue as they have in recent years.

58

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 2018 and 2017

	December 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	5,818,955		$	4,094,694
Interest-bearing demand deposits in other financial institutions		28,302,687			33,312,236
Cash and cash equivalents		34,121,642			37,406,930
Interest-bearing time deposits in other financial institutions		250,000			-
Available-for-sale securities		86,266,197			81,478,673
Held-to-maturity securities		11,794			16,457
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank, at cost		5,387,200			4,597,500
Mortgage loans held for sale		1,516,849			1,921,819
Loans receivable, net of allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2018 and 2017 - $7,995,569 and $7,107,418, respectively		778,298,606			629,605,009
Accrued interest receivable		3,390,944			2,449,847
Prepaid expenses and other assets		6,249,365			3,846,686
Goodwill		1,434,982			-
Core deposit intangible		2,980,910			-
Foreclosed assets held for sale		1,126,963			282,785
Premises and equipment, net		20,095,161			10,607,094
Bank owned life insurance		20,198,074			19,740,623
Deferred and receivable income taxes		3,809,183			2,506,097
	$	965,137,870		$	794,459,520
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Deposits	$	749,618,822		$	607,364,350
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		105,300,000			94,300,000
Subordinated debentures		21,760,829			15,465,000
Note payable to bank		5,000,000			-
Advances from borrowers for taxes and insurance		289,808			180,269
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,868,008			1,962,865
Accrued interest payable		821,811			295,543
		884,659,278			719,568,027
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES		-			-
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital Stock:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; issued December 31, 2018 and 2017 - 6,902,003 and 6,878,503 shares, respectively		690,200			687,850
Additional paid-in capital		51,382,585			50,856,069
Retained earnings, substantially restricted		65,829,687			60,679,308
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(452,756	)		(206,193	)
		117,449,716			112,017,034
Treasury stock, at cost; December 31, 2018 and 2017 - 2,443,522 and 2,453,728 shares, respectively		(36,971,124	)		(37,125,541	)
		80,478,592			74,891,493
	$	965,137,870		$	794,459,520

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

59

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017		2016
Interest Income
Loans	$	40,886,257		$	27,454,089	$	23,314,776
Investment securities		1,992,442			1,791,921		1,895,395
Other		367,005			194,723		179,155
		43,245,704			29,440,733		25,389,326
Interest Expense
Deposits		7,023,286			3,751,565		2,283,982
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		1,766,278			1,703,787		1,313,620
Subordinated debentures		1,017,552			631,202		579,410
Other		120,503			-		-
		9,927,619			6,086,554		4,177,012
Net Interest Income		33,318,085			23,354,179		21,212,314
Provision for Loan Losses		1,225,000			1,750,000		1,375,000
Net Interest Income After Provision for Loan Losses		32,093,085			21,604,179		19,837,314
Noninterest Income
Service charges		2,004,525			1,189,575		1,134,664
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities		(8,091	)		46,329		192,537
Gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale		2,030,746			2,021,208		1,708,478
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans		830,641			746,639		297,462
Net gain (loss) on foreclosed assets		(360,892	)		182,004		1,270
Other income		2,055,011			1,541,565		1,535,796
		6,551,940			5,727,320		4,870,207
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and employee benefits		14,918,696			12,040,528		10,686,564
Occupancy		4,071,199			2,204,408		1,827,209
FDIC deposit insurance premiums		437,602			245,115		350,475
Data processing		1,477,034			987,193		889,575
Advertising		534,650			525,000		525,000
Impairment on investment tax credits		-			587,428		-
Merger costs		3,671,997			151,270		-
Other expense		4,347,155			2,862,144		2,821,923
		29,458,333			19,603,086		17,100,746
Income Before Income Taxes		9,186,692			7,728,413		7,606,775
Provision for Income Taxes		1,854,813			2,570,749		2,012,764
Net Income Available to Common Shareholders	$	7,331,879		$	5,157,664	$	5,594,011
Basic Income Per Common Share	$	1.66		$	1.18	$	1.28
Diluted Income Per Common Share	$	1.64		$	1.16	$	1.27

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

60

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017			2016
NET INCOME	$	7,331,879		$	5,157,664		$	5,594,011
OTHER ITEMS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale, before income taxes		(1,130,514	)		1,182,895			(799,869	)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, before income taxes		791,465			632,990			-
Less: Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) on investment securities included in net income, before income taxes		8,091			(46,329	)		(192,537	)
Total other items of comprehensive income (loss)		(330,958	)		1,769,556			(992,406	)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to other items of comprehensive income		(84,395	)		666,508			(367,121	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(246,563	)		1,103,048			(625,285	)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$	7,085,316		$	6,260,712		$	4,968,726

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

61

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017			2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	7,331,879		$	5,157,664		$	5,594,011
Items not requiring (providing) cash:
Deferred income taxes		624,386			1,080,452			123,091
Depreciation		1,593,974			1,155,642			845,221
Provision for loan losses		1,225,000			1,750,000			1,375,000
Gain on sale of Small Business Administration loans		(830,641	)		(746,639	)		(297,462	)
Gain on sale of mortgage loans held for sale and investment securities		(2,022,656	)		(2,067,537	)		(1,901,015	)
Loss (gain) on sale of equipment and other assets		(4,652	)		95,863			-
Loss (gain) on sale of foreclosed assets		315,108			(249,349	)		(112,576	)
Amortization of deferred income, premiums and discounts, net		481,189			840,340			665,361
Stock award plans		517,053			466,469			373,782
Accretion of purchase accounting adjustments		(3,407,340	)		-			-
Origination of loans held for sale		(72,116,229	)		(70,835,359	)		(63,974,589	)
Proceeds from sale of loans held for sale		74,551,946			73,118,381			65,402,367
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance		(457,451	)		(467,730	)		(492,978	)
Changes in:
Accrued interest receivable		(941,097	)		(502,784	)		39,629
Prepaid expenses and other assets		6,464,962			1,097,510			563,696
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		(1,620,868	)		883,209			(75,505	)
Income taxes receivable/payable		620,293			(494,295	)		341,305
Net cash provided by operating activities		12,324,856			10,281,837			8,469,338
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Net change in loans		(14,645,559	)		(119,195,775	)		(51,498,165	)
Proceeds from sale of loans receivable		12,997,662			26,781,419			-
Principal payments received on held-to-maturity securities		4,663			11,071			15,571
Principal payments received on available-for-sale securities		13,358,321			6,649,871			8,884,281
Purchase of available-for-sale securities		(26,151,079	)		(15,975,995	)		(82,423,495	)
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities		13,602,508			20,869,621			76,480,961
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities		-			-			535,000
Purchase of premises and equipment		(3,436,389	)		(3,684,707	)		(1,175,832	)
Net cash received for acquisition		2,455,964			-			-
Purchase of tax credit investments		(3,930,176	)		(1,415,156	)		-
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment		2,425,000			2,697,147			-
(Purchase) redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock		(789,700	)		13,500			(1,773,500	)
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets held for sale		292,003			2,448,163			2,922,119
Net cash used in investing activities		(3,816,782	)		(80,800,841	)		(48,033,060	)

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

62

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017			2016
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in demand deposits, NOW accounts and savings accounts	$	(40,855,842	)	$	584,224,702		$	(8,163,633	)
Net increase (decrease) in certificates of deposit		22,077,932			43,576,898			(3,859,312	)
Repayment of securities sold under agreements to repurchase		(2,159,000	)		-			-
Proceeds from FHLB and Federal Reserve advances		609,971,000			761,600,000			223,099,999
Repayments of FHLB and Federal Reserve advances		(600,971,000	)		(763,000,000	)		(179,499,999	)
Proceeds from notes payable		5,000,000			-			-
Repayments of notes payable		(3,000,000	)		-			-
Advances from (repayments to) borrowers for taxes and insurance		109,539			(12,191	)		1,607
Proceeds from stock options exercised		166,230			15,570			85,800
Cash dividends paid on common stock		(2,132,221	)		(1,767,486	)		(1,415,180	)
Treasury stock purchased		-			-			(371,538	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(11,793,362	)		98,837,493			29,877,744
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(3,285,288	)		28,318,489			(9,685,978	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR		37,406,930			9,088,441			18,774,419
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	$	34,121,642		$	37,406,930		$	9,088,441
Supplemental Cash Flows Information
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans	$	368,878		$	1,209,279		$	3,228,589
Interest paid	$	9,401,351		$	5,998,844		$	4,165,281
Income taxes paid, net of (refunds)	$	-		$	1,138,000		$	724,000
Sale and financing of foreclosed assets held for sale	$	181,300		$	1,588,921		$	149,920

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

63

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital		Treasury Stock			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total
Balance, January 1, 2016		685,900		50,441,464		(37,279,069	)		53,258,126			(683,956	)		66,422,465
Net income		-		-		-			5,594,011			-			5,594,011
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-			-			(625,285	)		(625,285	)
Dividends on common stock ($0.34 per share)		-		-		-			(1,504,855	)		-			(1,504,855	)
Treasury stock purchased		-		-		(371,538	)		-			-			(371,538	)
Stock award plans		-		26,463		347,319			-			-			373,782
Stock options exercised		1,650		84,150		-			-			-			85,800
Balance, December 31, 2016		687,550		50,552,077		(37,303,288	)		57,347,282			(1,309,241	)		69,974,380
Net income		-		-		-			5,157,664			-			5,157,664
Other comprehensive income		-		-		-			-			1,103,048			1,103,048
Reclassification of amounts within AOCI to retained earnings due to tax reform		-		-		-			31,818			-			31,818
Dividends on common stock ($0.42 per share)		-		-		-			(1,857,456	)		-			(1,857,456	)
Stock award plans		-		288,722		177,747			-			-			466,469
Stock options exercised		300		15,270		-			-			-			15,570
Balance, December 31, 2017		687,850		50,856,069		(37,125,541	)		60,679,308			(206,193	)		74,891,493
Net income		-		-		-			7,331,879			-			7,331,879
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-		-		-			-			(246,563	)		(246,563	)
Dividends on common stock ($0.49 per share)		-		-		-			(2,181,500	)		-			(2,181,500	)
Stock award plans		-		362,636		154,417			-			-			517,053
Stock options exercised		2,350		163,880		-			-			-			166,230
Balance, December 31, 2018	$	690,200	$	51,382,585	$	(36,971,124	)	$	65,829,687		$	(452,756	)	$	80,478,592

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

64

GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

The Company operates as a one-bank holding company. The Bank is primarily engaged in providing a full range of banking and mortgage services to individual and corporate customers in southwest Missouri. The Bank is subject to competition from other financial institutions. The Company and the Bank are also subject to the regulation of certain federal and state agencies and receive periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, the Bank. All significant intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of loans acquired with the possibility of impairment and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans and fair values. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

Goodwill and intangible assets are subject to periodic impairment testing. This testing is to be performed annually, or more frequently if events occur that lead to the possibility that the valuation of such assets could be considered unrecoverable. The valuation of goodwill and intangible assets involves many factors that are judgmental and highly complex.

Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held to maturity are classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

For debt securities with fair value below carrying value, 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 a 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.

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.

65

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 a decline in value occurs. Forward commitments to sell mortgage loans are sometimes acquired to reduce market risk on mortgage loans in the process of origination and mortgage loans held for sale. 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 amounts of the loans sold, and are recorded in noninterest income. Direct loan origination costs and fees are deferred at origination of the loan and are recognized in noninterest income upon sale of the loan.

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, are deferred and amortized as a level yield adjustment over the respective term of the loan.

The accrual of interest on 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.

All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Loans acquired without the evidence of credit impairment and for which obligated principal and interest cash flows are expected to be received are accounted for under the accounting guidance for receivables - non refundable fees and other costs (ASC 310-20). Additionally, any difference between the initial investment and the principal amount of a purchased loan or debt security will be recorded as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. Loans acquired with evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination are considered credit impaired. Evidence of credit quality deterioration may include information such as past-due and nonaccrual status, borrower credit scores and recent loan to value percentages. Such loans are accounted for under the accounting guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30) and initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectibility of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

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The allowance consists of allocated and general components. The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers nonclassified loans and is based on historical charge-off experience and expected loss given default derived from the Bank’s internal risk rating process. Other adjustments may be made to the allowance for pools of loans after an assessment of internal or external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risk rating data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Groups of loans with similar risk characteristics are collectively evaluated for impairment based on the group’s historical loss experience adjusted for changes in trends, conditions and other relevant factors that affect repayment of the loans.    

Acquired loans determined to be deteriorated in quality do not have an allowance for credit loss associated with them when recorded by the acquiring entity. Estimates based on cash flows expected to be collected using internal risk models, which incorporate the estimates of current key assumptions, such as default rates, severity and prepayment speeds are used to determine the amount of impairment. As these loans are paid the pre-established amount of impairment is proportionally then included in income.

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from foreclosed assets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

An annual assessment is performed to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount.  If, based on the assessment, it is determined that there is an impairment, goodwill would be written down to its implied fair value.  Any subsequent increases in goodwill fair value are not recognized in the financial statements. As a result of the 2018 acquisition of Hometown, a goodwill amount of $1,434,982 is presented in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2018.

Core deposit intangible assets are being amortized on the straight-line basis over a period of seven years.  Such assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value. A core deposit intangible of $3,520,000 was calculated at the time of the Hometown acquisition. At December 31, 2018, the amount remaining to be amortized is $2,980,910.

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. The estimated useful lives for each major depreciable classification of premises and equipment are as follows:

Buildings and improvements (in years)	35	-	40
Furniture and fixtures and vehicles (in years)	3	-	10

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Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank owned life insurance policies are carried at their cash surrender value. The Company recognizes tax-free income from the periodic increases in cash surrender value of these policies and from death benefits.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (ASC 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 recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiary. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2015.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2018 and 2017 cash equivalents consisted of interest-bearing deposits and money market accounts.

Restriction on Cash and Due From Banks

The Company is required to maintain reserve funds in cash and/or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank. The Company’s required reserve on December 31, 2018 was $1,956,000.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes. Other comprehensive income (loss) includes unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, unrealized gain (loss) on securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment has been recognized in income and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges.

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Interest Rate Swap Agreements Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

Cash flow hedge relationships mitigate exposure to the variability of future cash flows or other forecasted transactions.  The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage overall cash flow changes related to interest rate risk exposure on benchmark interest rate loans. The effective portion of the gain or loss related to the derivative instrument is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into interest income when the forecasted transaction affects income.  The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is recognized immediately as noninterest income.  The Company assesses the effectiveness of the hedging derivative by comparing the change in fair value of the respective derivative instrument and the change in fair value of an effective hypothetical derivative instrument.  

Regulatory Matters

The Bank is 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 and material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors. Furthermore, the Company’s regulators could require adjustments to regulatory capital not reflected in these financial statements.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below). Management believes, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, that the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject.

As of December 31, 2018, the most recent notification from the Missouri Division of Finance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as well capitalized the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Tier I leverage and Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based ratios as set forth in the following table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

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The Bank's actual capital amounts and ratios are also presented in the table. No amount was deducted from capital for interest-rate risk. Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands.

											To Be Well Capitalized
						For Capital					Under Prompt Corrective
	Actual					Adequacy Purposes					Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
As of December 31, 2018
Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to adjusted total assets Bank	$	99,540		10.6	%	$	37,966		4.0	%	$	47,458		5.0	%
Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	99,540		11.7	%	$	51,041		6.0	%	$	68,055		8.0	%
Total risk-based capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	107,535		12.6	%	$	68,055		8.0	%	$	85,068		10.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	99,540		11.7	%	$	38,281		4.5	%	$	55,294		6.5	%

											To Be Well Capitalized
						For Capital					Under Prompt Corrective
	Actual					Adequacy Purposes					Action Provisions
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
As of December 31, 2017
Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to adjusted total assets Bank	$	89,526		11.5	%	$	31,227		4.0	%	$	39,034		5.0	%
Tier 1 (core) capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	89,526		12.5	%	$	42,939		6.0	%	$	57,252		8.0	%
Total risk-based capital, and ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	96,633		13.5	%	$	57,252		8.0	%	$	71,565		10.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio to risk-weighted assets Bank	$	89,526		12.5	%	$	32,204		4.5	%	$	46,517		6.5	%

The above minimum capital requirements exclude the capital conversion buffer required to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The capital conservation buffer is being phased in from 0.0% for 2015 to 2.50% by 2019. The capital conversion buffer was 1.875% at December 31, 2018. The net unrealized gain or loss on available-for-sale securities is not included in computing regulatory capital.

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The proposed CBLR rule issued on February 8, 2019 by federal banking regulators may change the Bank’s required ratios.  It is unclear whether federal banking regulators will issue a final rule and, even if they do, the final rule may not provide relief from federal banking capital requirements by decreasing the amount of capital the Bank is required to hold. 

The amount of dividends that the Bank may pay is subject to various regulatory limitations. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017 the Bank exceeded the minimum capital requirements. The Bank may not pay dividends which would reduce capital below the minimum requirements shown above.

Segment Information

The principal business of the Company is overseeing the business of the Bank. The Company has no significant assets other than its investment in the Bank. The banking operation is the Company’s only reportable segment. The banking segment is principally engaged in the business of originating mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family residences, multi-family, construction, commercial and consumer loans. These loans are funded primarily through the attraction of deposits from the general public, borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and brokered deposits. Selected information is not presented separately for the Company’s reportable segment, as there is no material difference between that information and the corresponding information in the consolidated financial statements.

General Litigation

The Company and the Bank, from time to time, may be parties to ordinary routine litigation, which arises in the normal course of business, such as claims to enforce liens, and condemnation proceedings, on properties in which the Bank holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans, and other issues incident to the business of the Company and the Bank. After reviewing pending and threatened litigation with legal counsel, management believes that as of December 31, 2018, the outcome of any such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Earnings Per Common Share

The computation for earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

	Year Ended		Year Ended		Year Ended
	December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Net income available to common shareholders	$	7,331,879	$	5,157,664	$	5,594,011
Weighted average common shares outstanding		4,410,422		4,372,262		4,363,949
Effect of dilutive securities		72,261		68,685		56,299
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding		4,482,683		4,440,947		4,420,248
Basic income per common share	$	1.66	$	1.18	$	1.28
Diluted income per common share	$	1.64	$	1.16	$	1.27

Stock options to purchase 0, 30,000 and 68,500 shares of common stock were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted income per common share because their exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares.

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NOTE 2: ACQUISITION

On April 2, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of Carthage, Missouri-based Hometown Bancshares, Inc. (“Hometown”) including its wholly owned bank subsidiary, Hometown Bank, National Association and Hometown Bancshares Statutory Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust. Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, each share of Hometown common stock was exchanged for $20.00 in cash and the transaction was valued at approximately $4.6 million. Hometown’s subsidiary bank, Hometown Bank, National Association, was merged into Guaranty Bank on June 8, 2018.

Including the effects of the acquisition method accounting adjustments, the Company acquired approximately $178.8 million in assets, including approximately $143.9 million in loans (inclusive of loan discounts) and approximately $161.2 million in deposits. Goodwill of $1.4 million was recorded as a result of the transaction. The merger strengthened the Company’s position in Southwest Missouri and the Company believes it 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.

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for acquisition accounting, the loans acquired through the acquisition of Hometown were recorded at fair value; therefore, there was no allowance associated with Hometown’s loans at acquisition. Management continues to evaluate the allowance needed on the acquired Hometown loans factoring in the net remaining discount of $2.45 million at December 31, 2018.

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

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Net Assets Acquired from Hometown

April 2, 2018

(In Thousands)

	Acquired from			Fair Value			Fair
	Hometown			Adjustments			Value
Assets Acquired
Cash and Due From Banks	$	7,083		$	-		$	7,083
Investment Securities		7,521			-			7,521
Loans		150,390			(6,471	)		143,919
Allowance for Loan Losses		(2,348	)		2,348			-
Net Loans		148,042			(4,123	)		143,919
Fixed Assets		9,268			798			10,066
Foreclosed Assets held for sale		1,647			(400	)		1,247
Core Deposit Intangible		-			3,520			3,520
Other Assets		4,146			2,463			6,609
Total Assets Acquired	$	177,707		$	2,258		$	179,965
Liabilities Assumed
Deposits		161,001			247			161,248
Federal Home Loan Bank advances		2,000			-			2,000
Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase		2,159			-			2,159
Other borrowings		3,000			-			3,000
Subordinated debentures		6,186			176			6,362
Other Liabilities		2,003			-			2,003
Total Liabilities Assumed		176,349		$	423			176,772
Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock		231			(231	)		-
Capital Surplus		18,936			(18,936	)		-
Retained Earnings		(17,587	)		17,587			-
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(222	)		222			-
Treasury Stock		-			-			-
Total Stockholders' Equity Assumed		1,358		$	(1,358	)		-
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Assumed	$	177,707		$	(935	)	$	176,772
Net Assets Acquired							$	3,193
Purchase Price								4,628
Goodwill							$	1,435

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During the fourth quarter, management recorded an adjustment to goodwill for additional deferred income taxes related to the final book versus tax differences on Hometown’s fixed assets upon completion of its final consolidated income tax returns. 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, within one year of the acquisition.  Therefore, further adjustments to the estimated amounts and carrying values may occur.

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 – 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.

Fixed assets – Fixed assets 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.

Foreclosed assets held for sale – 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.

Core deposit intangible – This intangible asset represents the value of the relationships that Hometown had with its 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.

Other assets – The fair value adjustment results from recording additional deferred tax assets related to the transaction. 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 Home Loan Bank advances and Other borrowings – The fair value of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings are estimated based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms and maturities.

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

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.

Other liabilities – The carrying amount of these other liabilities was deemed to be reasonable estimate of fair value.

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Pro Forma Financial Information

The results of operations of Hometown have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. The following schedule includes pro forma results (unaudited) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, as if the Hometown acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the reporting periods presented.

	Twelve months ended December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Summary of Operations
Net interest income	$	35,031	$	30,389
Provision for loan losses		1,225		1,750
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		33,806		28,639
Non interest income		6,853		7,011
Non interest expense		31,485		27,591
Income before income taxes		9,174		8,059
Provision for income taxes		1,884		2,720
Net income	$	7,290	$	5,339
Basic income per common share	$	1.66	$	1.22
Diluted income per common share	$	1.63	$	1.20

The pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and not indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated at that time, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results. The pro forma information includes net losses from Hometown of approximately ($417,000) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, respectively.

NOTE 3: SECURITIES

The amortized cost and approximate fair values, together with gross unrealized gains and losses, of securities classified as available-for-sale are as follows:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Approximate Fair Value
As of December 31, 2018
Debt Securities:
Municipals	$	34,470,648	$	10,581	$	(710,709	)	$	33,770,520
Corporates		3,000,000		18,927		-			3,018,927
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		50,632,011		81,999		(1,237,260	)		49,476,750
	$	88,102,659	$	111,507	$	(1,947,969	)	$	86,266,197

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	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Approximate Fair Value
As of December 31, 2017
Debt Securities:
Municipals	$	33,908,207	$	253,872	$	(263,621	)	$	33,898,458
Corporates		3,000,000		65,000		-			3,065,000
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		45,414,845		9,283		(908,913	)		44,515,215
	$	82,323,052	$	328,155	$	(1,172,534	)	$	81,478,673

Maturities of available-for-sale debt securities as of December 31, 2018:

Maturities of Available for Sale
	Amortized Cost		Approximate Fair Value
1-5 years	$	428,963	$	430,802
5-10 years		11,905,343		11,738,780
After ten years		25,136,342		24,619,865
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools not due on a single maturity date		50,632,011		49,476,750
	$	88,102,659	$	86,266,197

Maturities of held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2018:

Maturities of Held to Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Approximate Fair Value
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities not due on a single maturity date	$	11,794	$	11,850

The amortized cost and approximate fair values, together with gross unrealized gains and losses, of securities classified as held to maturity are as follows:

	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Approximate Fair Value
As of December 31, 2018
Debt Securities:
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities	$	11,794	$	136	$	(80	)	$	11,850

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	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized (Losses)			Approximate Fair Value
As of December 31, 2017
Debt Securities:
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities	$	16,457	$	327	$	(55	)	$	16,729

The carrying value of securities pledged as collateral, to secure public deposits and for other purposes, amounted to $24,374,187 and $35,355,969 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Gross gains of $48,931, $165,237 and $261,875 and gross losses of $57,022, $118,908 and $69,338 resulting from sale of available-for-sale securities were realized for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The tax effect of these net gains (losses) was ($2,063), $17,142 and $71,239 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company evaluates all securities quarterly to determine if any unrealized losses are deemed to be other than temporary. Certain investment securities are valued less than their historical cost. These declines are primarily the result of the rate for these investments yielding less than current market rates, or declines in stock prices of equity securities. Based on evaluation of available evidence, management believes the declines in fair value for these securities are temporary. It is management’s intent to hold the debt securities to maturity or until recovery of the unrealized loss. Should the impairment of any of these debt 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, to the extent the loss is related to credit issues, and to other comprehensive income to the extent the decline on debt securities is related to other factors and the Company does not intend to sell the security prior to recovery of the unrealized loss.

No securities were written down for other-than-temporary impairment during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Certain other investments in debt and equity securities are reported in the consolidated financial statements at an amount less than their historical cost. Total fair value of these investments at December 31, 2018 and 2017, was $70,434,596 and $62,107,660, respectively, which is approximately 82% and 76% of the Company’s investment portfolio. These declines primarily resulted from changes in market interest rates and failure of certain investments to meet projected earnings targets.

The following table shows gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

	December 31, 2018
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Municipals	$	6,324,750	$	(67,774	)	$	23,223,221	$	(642,935	)	$	29,547,971	$	(710,709	)
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		7,127,597		(112,282	)		33,759,028		(1,125,058	)		40,886,625		(1,237,340	)
	$	13,452,347	$	(180,056	)	$	56,982,249	$	(1,767,993	)	$	70,434,596	$	(1,948,049	)

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	December 31, 2017
	Less than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
Description of Securities	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Municipals	$	11,024,593	$	(103,747	)	$	8,802,796	$	(159,874	)	$	19,827,389	$	(263,621	)
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		20,088,694		(253,907	)		22,191,577		(655,006	)		42,280,271		(908,913	)
	$	31,113,287	$	(357,654	)	$	30,994,373	$	(814,880	)	$	62,107,660	$	(1,172,534	)

NOTE 4: LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Categories of loans at December 31, 2018 and 2017 include:

	December 31,
	2018			2017
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	132,410,810		$	106,300,790
Multi-family		90,548,265			85,225,074
Real estate - construction		88,553,995			64,743,582
Real estate - commercial		322,921,323			261,866,285
Commercial loans		119,369,484			94,522,840
Consumer and other loans		33,091,017			24,716,447
Total loans		786,894,894			637,375,018
Less:
Allowance for loan losses		(7,995,569	)		(7,107,418	)
Deferred loan fees/costs, net		(600,719	)		(662,591	)
Net loans	$	778,298,606		$	629,605,009

78

Classes of loans by aging at December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

As of December 31, 2018
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans Receivable		Total Loans > 90 Days and Accruing
	(In Thousands)
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	177	$	329	$	2,164	$	2,670	$	129,741	$	132,411	$	-
Multi-family		5,952		-		-		5,952		84,596		90,548		-
Real estate - construction		-		-		-		-		88,554		88,554		-
Real estate - commercial		1,000		81		-		1,081		321,840		322,921		-
Commercial loans		228		433		71		732		118,638		119,370		-
Consumer and other loans		107		12		-		119		32,972		33,091		-
Total	$	7,464	$	855	$	2,235	$	10,554	$	776,341	$	786,895	$	-

As of December 31, 2017
	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans Receivable		Total Loans > 90 Days and Accruing
	(In Thousands)
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	510	$	731	$	2,495	$	3,736	$	102,565	$	106,301	$	-
Multi-family		775		-		-		775		84,450		85,225		-
Real estate - construction		-		-		-		-		64,744		64,744		-
Real estate - commercial		243		135		-		378		261,488		261,866		-
Commercial loans		276		-		588		864		93,659		94,523		-
Consumer and other loans		8		8		-		16		24,700		24,716		-
Total	$	1,812	$	874	$	3,083	$	5,769	$	631,606	$	637,375	$	-

Nonaccruing loans are summarized as follows:

	December 31,
	2018		2017
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	4,136,342	$	4,423,074
Multi-family		-		-
Real estate - construction		4,088,409		4,452,409
Real estate - commercial		3,592,476		161,491
Commercial loans		1,262,910		802,628
Consumer and other loans		1,542		121,915
Total	$	13,081,679	$	9,961,517

79

The following tables present the activity in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans based on portfolio segment and impairment method as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

As of December 31, 2018
	Construction			Commercial Real Estate			One to four family			Multi-family		Commercial			Consumer and Other			Unallocated			Total
Allowance for loan losses:	(In Thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	2,244		$	1,789		$	946		$	464	$	1,031		$	454		$	179		$	7,107
Provision charged to expense		(35	)		339			327			177		222			248			(53	)	$	1,225
Losses charged off		-			(37	)		(8	)		-		(110	)		(382	)		-		$	(537	)
Recoveries		97			2			32			-		17			53			-		$	201
Balance, end of year	$	2,306		$	2,093		$	1,297		$	641	$	1,160		$	373		$	126		$	7,996
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	552		$	106		$	573		$	-	$	363		$	18		$	-		$	1,612
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,754		$	1,987		$	724		$	641	$	797		$	355		$	126		$	6,384
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,088		$	1,588		$	4,520		$	5,952	$	1,062		$	169		$	-		$	17,379
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	84,507		$	317,488		$	128,258		$	84,663	$	118,459		$	32,968		$	-		$	766,343
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-		$	2,782		$	-		$	-	$	216		$	175		$	-		$	3,173

As of December 31, 2017
	Construction		Commercial Real Estate			One to four family			Multi-family		Commercial			Consumer and Other			Unallocated		Total
Allowance for loan losses:	(In Thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	1,377	$	1,687		$	856		$	206	$	1,168		$	337		$	111	$	5,742
Provision charged to expense		793		174			82			258		91			284			68	$	1,750
Losses charged off		-		(72	)		(11	)		-		(240	)		(213	)		-	$	(536	)
Recoveries		74		-			19			-		12			46			-	$	151
Balance, end of year	$	2,244	$	1,789		$	946		$	464	$	1,031		$	454		$	179	$	7,107
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	738	$	-		$	127		$	-	$	246		$	138		$	-	$	1,249
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,506	$	1,789		$	819		$	464	$	785		$	316		$	179	$	5,858
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,452	$	161		$	4,424		$	775	$	739		$	276		$	-	$	10,827
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	60,292	$	261,705		$	101,877		$	84,450	$	93,784		$	24,440		$	-	$	626,548

80

As of December 31, 2016
	Construction			Commercial Real Estate			One to four family			Multi-family		Commercial			Consumer and Other			Unallocated			Total
Allowance for loan losses:	(In Thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	1,246		$	1,526		$	821		$	177	$	1,382		$	223		$	437		$	5,812
Provision charged to expense		1,262			198			48			29		(51	)		215			(326	)	$	1,375
Losses charged off		(1,222	)		(69	)		(47	)		-		(171	)		(190	)		-		$	(1,699	)
Recoveries		91			32			34			-		8			89			-		$	254
Balance, end of year	$	1,377		$	1,687		$	856		$	206	$	1,168		$	337		$	111		$	5,742
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	302		$	-		$	14		$	-	$	241		$	45		$	-		$	602
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,075		$	1,687		$	842		$	206	$	927		$	292		$	111		$	5,140
Loans:
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	5,447		$	161		$	2,060		$	-	$	925		$	106		$	-		$	8,699
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	35,465		$	249,420		$	104,351		$	48,483	$	74,480		$	23,500		$	-		$	535,699

A loan is considered impaired, in accordance with the impairment accounting guidance (ASC-310-10-35-16), when based on current information and events, it is probable the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include nonperforming commercial loans but also include loans modified in troubled debt restructurings where concessions have been granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties. These concessions could include a reduction in the interest rate on the loan, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions intended to maximize collection.

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The following summarizes impaired loans as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

As of December 31, 2018
	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance		Average Investment in Impaired Loans		Interest Income Recognized
	(In Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	2	$	2	$	-	$	1,429	$	1
Multi-family		5,952		5,952		-		2,246		75
Real estate - construction		-		-		-		1,144		-
Real estate - commercial		3,138		3,138		-		3,764		46
Commercial loans		216		216		-		596		-
Consumer and other loans		225		225		-		316		-
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	4,518	$	4,518	$	573	$	2,858	$	-
Multi-family		-		-		-		499		-
Real estate - construction		4,088		5,321		552		3,009		-
Real estate - commercial		1,232		1,317		106		154		-
Commercial loans		1,062		1,062		363		522		-
Consumer and other loans		119		119		18		121		-
Total
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	4,520	$	4,520	$	573	$	4,287	$	1
Multi-family		5,952		5,952		-		2,745		75
Real estate - construction		4,088		5,321		552		4,153		-
Real estate - commercial		4,370		4,455		106		3,918		46
Commercial loans		1,278		1,278		363		1,118		-
Consumer and other loans		344		344		18		437		-
Total	$	20,552	$	21,870	$	1,612	$	16,658	$	122

82

As of December 31, 2017
	Recorded Balance		Unpaid Principal Balance		Specific Allowance		Average Investment in Impaired Loans		Interest Income Recognized
	(In Thousands)
Loans without a specific valuation allowance
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	3,180	$	3,180	$	-	$	2,170	$	-
Multi-family		775		775		-		130		5
Real estate - construction		2,840		2,840		-		2,940		-
Real estate - commercial		161		161		-		311		-
Commercial loans		465		465		-		536		-
Consumer and other loans		3		3		-		7		1
Loans with a specific valuation allowance
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	1,244	$	1,244	$	127	$	247	$	-
Multi-family		-		-		-		-		-
Real estate - construction		1,612		2,845		738		2,326		-
Real estate - commercial		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial loans		274		274		246		456		-
Consumer and other loans		273		273		138		208		-
Total
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	4,424	$	4,424	$	127	$	2,417	$	-
Multi-family		775		775		-		130		5
Real estate - construction		4,452		5,685		738		5,266		-
Real estate - commercial		161		161		-		311		-
Commercial loans		739		739		246		992		-
Consumer and other loans		276		276		138		215		1
Total	$	10,827	$	12,060	$	1,249	$	9,331	$	6

At December 31, 2018, the Bank’s impaired loans shown in the table above included loans that were classified as troubled debt restructurings (TDR). The restructuring of a loan is considered a TDR if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the creditor has granted a concession.

In assessing whether or not a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, the Bank considers information currently available regarding the financial condition of the borrower. This information includes, but is not limited to, whether (i) the debtor is currently in payment default on any of its debt; (ii) a payment default is probable in the foreseeable future without the modification; (iii) the debtor has declared or is in the process of declaring bankruptcy and (iv) the debtor’s projected cash flow is sufficient to satisfy the contractual payments due under the original terms of the loan without a modification.

The Bank considers all aspects of the modification to loan terms to determine whether or not a concession has been granted to the borrower. Key factors considered by the Bank include the debtor’s ability to access funds at a market rate for debt with similar risk characteristics, the significance of the modification relative to unpaid principal balance or collateral value of the debt, and the significance of a delay in the timing of payments relative to the original contractual terms of the loan. The most common concessions granted by the Bank generally include one or more modifications to the terms of the debt, such as (i) a reduction in the interest rate for the remaining life of the debt, (ii) an extension of the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk, (iii) a reduction of the face amount or maturity amount of the debt as stated in the original loan, (iv) a temporary period of interest-only payments, (v) a reduction in accrued interest, and (vi) an extension of amortization.

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The following summarizes information regarding new troubled debt restructurings by class:

	2018
	Number of Loans		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units		-	$	-	$	-
Multi-family		-		-		-
Real estate - construction		-		-		-
Real estate - commercial		-		-		-
Commercial loans		3		540,550		444,645
Consumer and other loans		-		-		-
Total		3	$	540,550	$	444,645

	2017
	Number of Loans		Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Balance
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units		-	$	-	$	-
Multi-family		-		-		-
Real estate - construction		-		-		-
Real estate - commercial		-		-		-
Commercial loans		-		-		-
Consumer and other loans		1		119,459		119,459
Total		1	$	119,459	$	119,459

The troubled debt restructurings described above increased the allowance for loan losses by $171,745 and $118,482 and resulted in charge offs of $0 and $0 during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The following presents the troubled debt restructurings by type of modification:

	2018
	Interest Rate		Term		Combination		Total Modification
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Multi-family		-		-		-		-
Real estate - construction		-		-		-		-
Real estate - commercial		-		-		-		-
Commercial loans		-		30,130		414,515		444,645
Consumer and other loans		-		-		-		-
Total	$	-	$	30,130	$	414,515	$	444,645

84

	2017
	Interest Rate		Term		Combination		Total Modification
Real estate - residential mortgage:
One to four family units	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-
Multi-family		-		-		-		-
Real estate - construction		-		-		-		-
Real estate - commercial		-		-		-		-
Commercial loans		-		-		-		-
Consumer and other loans		-		119,459		-		119,459
Total	$	-	$	119,459	$	-	$	119,459

As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of the Bank’s loan portfolio, management tracks loans by an internal rating system. All loans are assigned an internal credit quality rating based on an analysis of the borrower’s financial condition. The criteria used to assign quality ratings to extensions of credit that exhibit potential problems or well-defined weaknesses are primarily based upon the degree of risk and the likelihood of orderly repayment, and their effect on the Bank’s safety and soundness. The following are the internally assigned ratings:

Pass-This rating represents loans that have strong asset quality and liquidity along with a multi-year track record of profitability.

Special mention-This rating represents loans that are currently protected but are potentially weak. The credit risk may be relatively minor, yet constitute an increased risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific loan.

Substandard-This rating represents loans that show signs of continuing negative financial trends and unprofitability and therefore, is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.

Doubtful-This rating represents loans that have all the weaknesses of substandard classified loans with the additional characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Risk characteristics applicable to each segment of the loan portfolio are described as follows.

Real estate-Residential 1-4 family: The residential 1-4 family real estate loans are generally secured by owner-occupied 1-4 family residences. Repayment of these loans is primarily dependent on the personal income and credit rating of the borrowers. Credit risk in these loans can be impacted by economic conditions within the Bank’s market areas that might impact either property values or a borrower’s personal income.

Risk is mitigated by the fact that the loans are of smaller individual amounts and spread over a large number of borrowers.

Real estate-Construction: Construction and land development real estate loans are usually based upon estimates of costs and estimated value of the completed project and include independent appraisal reviews and a financial analysis of the developers and property owners. Sources of repayment of these loans may include permanent loans, sales of developed property or an interim loan commitment from the Bank until permanent financing is obtained. These loans are considered to be higher risk than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to interest rate changes, general economic conditions and the availability of long-term financing. Credit risk in these loans may be impacted by the creditworthiness of a borrower, property values and the local economies in the Bank’s market areas.

85

Real estate-Commercial: Commercial real estate loans typically involve larger principal amounts, and repayment of these loans is generally dependent on the successful operations of the property securing the loan or the business conducted on the property securing the loan. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow loans and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Credit risk in these loans may be impacted by the creditworthiness of a borrower, property values and the local economies in the Bank’s market areas.

Commercial: The commercial portfolio includes loans to commercial customers for use in financing working capital needs, equipment purchases and expansions. The loans in this category are repaid primarily from the cash flow of a borrower’s principal business operation. Credit risk in these loans is driven by creditworthiness of a borrower and the economic conditions that impact the cash flow stability from business operations.

Consumer: The consumer loan portfolio consists of various term and line of credit loans such as automobile loans and loans for other personal purposes. Repayment for these types of loans will come from a borrower’s income sources that are typically independent of the loan purpose. Credit risk is driven by consumer economic factors (such as unemployment and general economic conditions in the Bank’s market area) and the creditworthiness of a borrower.

The following table provides information about the credit quality of the loan portfolio using the Bank’s internal rating system as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

As of December 31, 2018
	Construction		Commercial Real Estate		One to four family		Multi-family		Commercial		Consumer and Other		Total
	(In Thousands)
Rating:
Pass	$	84,375	$	310,486	$	126,586	$	84,596	$	114,525	$	32,686	$	753,254
Special Mention		-		5,524		372		-		3,031		-		8,927
Substandard		4,179		6,911		5,453		5,952		1,814		405		24,714
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
Total	$	88,554	$	322,921	$	132,411	$	90,548	$	119,370	$	33,091	$	786,895

As of December 31, 2017
	Construction		Commercial Real Estate		One to four family		Multi-family		Commercial		Consumer and Other		Total
	(In Thousands)
Rating:
Pass	$	60,291	$	254,658	$	96,723	$	84,450	$	93,102	$	24,440	$	613,664
Special Mention		-		5,578		3,799		-		200		-		9,577
Substandard		4,453		1,630		5,779		775		708		276		13,621
Doubtful		-		-		-		-		513		-		513
Total	$	64,744	$	261,866	$	106,301	$	85,225	$	94,523	$	24,716	$	637,375

The above amounts include purchased credit impaired loans. At December 31, 2018, purchased credit impaired loans comprised of $3.0 million were rated “Substandard”.

The weighted average interest rate on loans as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was 5.80% and 4.82%, respectively.

The Bank serviced mortgage loans for others amounting to $37,350 and $45,839 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Bank serviced commercial loans for others amounting to $47,206,950 and $31,425,300 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

86

NOTE 5: ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN LOANS ACQUIRED

The Company acquired loans during the quarter ended June 30, 2018 as part of the acquisition of Hometown. At acquisition, certain acquired loans evidenced deterioration of credit quality since origination and it was probable, at acquisition, that all contractually required payments would not be collected.

Loans purchased with the evidence of credit deterioration since origination and for which it is probable that all contractually required payments will not be collected are considered to be credit impaired. Evidence of credit quality deterioration as of the purchase date may include information such as past-due and nonaccrual status, borrower credit scores or recent loan to value percentages. Purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for under the accounting guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality (ASC 310-30) and initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loan. Accordingly, an allowance for credit losses related to these loans is not carried over and recorded at the acquisition date. Management estimated the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition using our internal risk models, which incorporate the estimate of current key assumptions, such as default rates, severity and prepayment speeds. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had $4.9 million of unexpected full payoffs of certain purchased credit impaired loans and recognized $1.8 million of yield accretion due to these payoffs.

The carrying amount of remaining purchased credit impaired loans are included in the balance sheet amounts of loans receivable at December 31, 2018. The amount of these loans is shown below:

	December 31,
	2018
	(In Thousands)
Real estate - commercial	$	3,358
Commercial loans		296
Consumer and other loans		329
Outstanding balance	$	3,983
Carrying amount, net of fair value adjustment of $810 at December 31, 2018	$	3,173

Changes in the carrying amount of the accretable yield for all purchased credit impaired loans were as follows for year ended December 31, 2018:

	Year ended
	December 31,
	2018
	(In Thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	-
Additions		238
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference		1,834
Accretion		(1,807	)
Disposals		-
Balance at end of period	$	265

During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not increase or reverse any allowance for loan losses related to these purchased credit impaired loans.

87

NOTE 6: GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company recorded $1.4 million of goodwill as a result of its 2018 Hometown acquisition and the goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill impairment was neither indicated nor recorded during 2018.

Goodwill is assessed annually, or more often if warranted, for impairment. If the implied fair value of goodwill is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill impairment is indicated, and goodwill is written down to its implied value. Subsequent increases in goodwill value are not recognized in the financial statements. Goodwill totaled $1.4 million as of December 31, 2018.

Core deposit intangible premiums are amortized over a seven-year period and are periodically evaluated, at least annually, as to the recoverability of their carrying value. Core deposit premiums of $3.5 million were recorded during the second quarter of 2018 as part of the Hometown acquisition.

The Company’s goodwill and other intangibles (carrying basis and accumulated amortization) at December 31, 2018 were as follows:

	December 31,
	2018
	(in Thousands)
Goodwill	$	1,435
Core deposit intangible
Gross carrying amount		3,520
Accumulated amortization		(539	)
Core deposit intangible, net		2,981
Remaining balance	$	4,416

The Company’s estimated remaining amortization expense on intangibles as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

	Amortization Expense
	(in Thousands)
Remainder of:	2019	$	477
	2020		477
	2021		477
	2022		477
	2023		477
	Therafter		596
	Total	$	2,981

88

NOTE 7: PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Major classifications of premises and equipment, stated at cost, are as follows:

	December 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
Land	$	4,575,352		$	1,377,304
Buildings and Improvements		11,985,118			9,649,660
Automobile		52,404			25,115
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment		12,861,570			9,554,925
Leasehold Improvements		2,525,858			277,376
		32,000,302			20,884,380
Less accumulated depreciation		(11,905,141	)		(10,277,286	)
Net premises and equipment	$	20,095,161		$	10,607,094

NOTE 8: BANK OWNED LIFE INSURANCE

The Company has purchased Bank owned life insurance on certain key members of management. Such policies are recorded at their cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized. The increase in cash surrender value in excess of the single premium paid is reported as other noninterest income. The balance at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $20,198,074 and $19,740,623, respectively.

NOTE 9: INVESTMENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS

The Company has purchased investments in limited partnerships that were formed to operate low-income housing apartment complexes and single-family housing units throughout Missouri. Effective January 2015, the investments are accounted for under the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. The Company does not have the ability to exert significant influence over the partnerships. For a minimum fifteen-year compliance period, each partnership must adhere to affordable housing regulatory requirements in order to maintain the utilization of the tax credits. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the net carrying values of the Company’s investments in these entities was $4,550,896 and $1,652,358, respectively, and are included in other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company received total income tax credits of $1,324,581, $1,871,058 and $1,221,394 during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization of the investment costs was $1,120,363, $1,531,527, and $817,122 during each of the fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016.

89

NOTE 10: DEPOSITS

Deposits are comprised of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

			December 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
			Weighted Average Rate			Balance		Percentage of Deposits			Weighted Average Rate			Balance		Percentage of Deposits
Demand				0.82	%	$	142,996,945		19.1	%		0.00	%	$	94,727,683		15.6	%
NOW				1.09	%		165,581,134		22.1	%		0.35	%		139,458,528		23.0	%
Money market				0.90	%		168,845,437		22.5	%		0.73	%		187,064,098		30.8	%
Savings				0.30	%		39,663,846		5.3	%		0.20	%		30,848,154		5.5	%
				0.89	%		517,087,362		69.0	%		0.42	%		452,098,463		74.4	%
Certificates:
0.00%	-	0.99%		0.69	%		46,485,328		6.2	%		0.69	%		46,771,850		7.7	%
1.00%	-	1.99%		1.45	%		71,697,342		9.6	%		1.39	%		104,284,007		17.3	%
2.00%	-	3.99%		2.46	%		114,348,790		15.2	%		2.00	%		4,210,030		0.7	%
				1.79	%		232,531,460		31.0	%		1.20	%		155,265,887		25.6	%
Total Deposits				1.17	%	$	749,618,822		100.0	%		0.62	%	$	607,364,350		100.0	%

The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit with a minimum balance of $100,000 was approximately $154,957,000 and $102,998,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit with a minimum balance of $250,000 was approximately $89,187,000 and $44,308,000, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

A summary of certificates of deposit by maturity as of December 31, 2018, is as follows:

2019	$	153,851,915
2020		41,020,438
2021		32,883,459
2022		3,891,400
2023		824,182
Thereafter		60,066
	$	232,531,460

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 A summary of interest expense on deposits is as follows:

	Years ended
	December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
NOW and Money Market accounts	$	4,427,407		$	2,394,549		$	1,235,359
Savings accounts		105,592			58,384			55,094
Certificate accounts		2,524,098			1,309,629			1,002,872
Early withdrawal penalties		(33,811	)		(10,997	)		(9,343	)
	$	7,023,286		$	3,751,565		$	2,283,982

The Bank utilizes brokered deposits as an additional funding source. The aggregate amount of brokered deposits was approximately $64,032,000 and $82,205,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

NOTE 11: BORROWINGS

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

Federal Home Loan Bank advances consist of the following:

	December 31, 2018					December 31, 2017
Maturity Date	Amount		Weighted Average Rate			Amount		Weighted Average Rate
2019		105,300,000		2.69	%		92,200,000		1.90	%
2020		-		0.00	%		2,100,000		4.87	%
2021		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%
	$	105,300,000		2.69	%	$	94,300,000		1.97	%

The FHLB requires the Bank to maintain collateral in relation to outstanding balances of advances. For collateral purposes, the FHLB values mortgage loans free of other pledges, liens and encumbrances at 80% of their fair value, and investment securities free of other pledges, liens and encumbrances at 95% of their fair value. Based on existing collateral as well as the FHLB’s limitation of advances to 35% of assets, the Bank has the ability to borrow an additional $120.6 million from the FHLB, as of December 31, 2018.

Federal Reserve Bank Borrowings

During 2008, the Bank established a borrowing line with the Federal Reserve Bank. The Bank has the ability to borrow $53.7 million as of December 31, 2018. The Federal Reserve Bank requires the Bank to maintain collateral in relation to borrowings outstanding. The Bank had no borrowings outstanding on this line as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Note Payable to Bank

During 2018, the Company entered into a $5,000,000 note payable with another financial institution to provide for additional capital to fund Bank asset growth. The note bears a variable interest rate tied to three-month LIBOR and matures June 28, 2020. As of December 31, 2018, $5,000,000 was borrowed on this line.

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NOTE 12: SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

During 2005, the Company formed two wholly owned grantor trust subsidiaries, Guaranty Statutory Trust I and Guaranty Statutory Trust II, to issue preferred securities representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts and to invest the gross proceeds of the preferred securities in notes of the Company. Trust I issued $5,000,000 of preferred securities and Trust II issued $10,000,000 of preferred securities. The sole assets of Trust I were originally $5,155,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s fixed rate subordinated debenture notes due 2036, which were redeemable beginning in 2011. The sole assets of Trust II were originally $10,310,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s fixed/variable rate subordinated debenture notes due 2036, which were redeemable beginning in 2011. Trust II subordinated debenture notes bear interest at a fixed rate for five years and thereafter at a floating rate based on LIBOR. The preferred securities qualify as either Tier I or Tier II capital for regulatory purposes, subject to certain limitations.

As part of the April 2, 2018 acquisition of Hometown and pursuant to a Second Supplemental Indenture dated April 2, 2018 by and among the Company, Hometown and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, the Company assumed Hometown’s rights, duties and obligations under the original Indenture of a wholly owned subsidiary, Hometown Bancshares Capital Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust formed on October 29, 2002. This Trust was formed for the purposes of issuing $6.0 million of Trust Preferred Securities. Hometown issued 30-year junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures to the Trust in the principal amount of $6,186,000 (“Hometown Trust I Debentures”) pursuant to the terms of Indentures dated October 29, 2002 by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee. These debentures bear interest at a floating rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 5.00%, payable quarterly, until May 2019. The rate from May 2019 until maturity in 2032 is a floating rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 6.00%, payable quarterly, with a maximum interest rate of 12.50%. Subject to prior approval by the Federal Reserve Board, the Debentures and the Trust Preferred Securities are each callable by the Company or the Trust, respectively and as applicable, at 100% of principal amount plus any accrued interest. The interest payments by the Company to the Trust will be used to pay the dividends payable by the Trust to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.

NOTE 13: INCOME TAXES

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, retained earnings included approximately $5,075,000 for which no deferred income tax liability has been recognized. This amount represents an allocation of income to bad debt deductions for tax purposes only. Reduction of amounts so allocated for purposes other than tax bad debt losses or adjustments arising from carryback of net operating losses would create income for tax purposes only, which would be subject to the then current corporate income tax rate. The unrecorded deferred income tax liability on the above amount was approximately $1,294,000 as of December 31, 2018.

The provision for income taxes consists of:

	Years Ended
	December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Taxes currently payable	$	1,230,427	$	1,490,297	$	1,889,673
Deferred income taxes		624,386		68,340		123,091
Deferred income taxes related to 2017 Tax Act		-		1,012,112		-
	$	1,854,813	$	2,570,749	$	2,012,764

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The tax effects of temporary differences related to deferred taxes shown on the December 31, 2018 and 2017 balance sheets are:

	December 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
Deferred tax assets:
Allowances for loan losses	$	1,679,069		$	1,492,558
Writedowns on foreclosed assets held for sale		208,434			86,610
Deferred loan fees/costs		130,011			168,961
Unrealized depreciation on available-for-sale securities		468,298			215,317
Other purchase accounting adjustments		692,849			-
Tax credit partnerships and related tax credit carryforwards		1,543,723			445,151
Other		75,714			71,395
		4,798,098			2,479,992
Deferred tax liabilities:
FHLB stock dividends		(31,941	)		(32,035	)
Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swaps		(324,242	)		(144,765	)
Accumulated depreciation		(704,543	)		(544,560	)
Other		(86,819	)		(31,458	)
		(1,147,545	)		(752,818	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	3,650,553		$	1,727,174

A reconciliation of income tax expense at the statutory rate to income tax expense at the Company’s effective rate is shown below:

	Years ended
	December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Computed at statutory rate		21.0	%		34.0	%		34.0	%
Increase (reduction) in taxes resulting from:
State financial institution tax and credits		(1.3%	)		(10.2%	)		(4.2%	)
Cash surrender value of life insurance		(1.1%	)		(2.1%	)		(2.2%	)
Tax exempt interest		(1.4%	)		(3.0%	)		(3.3%	)
Non-dedecutible merger costs		1.0	%		-			-
Impact of 2017 Tax Act		-			13.1	%		-
Other		2.0	%		1.5	%		2.2	%
Actual effective rate		20.2	%		33.3	%		26.5	%

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") was signed into law on December 22, 2017, making several changes to U. S. corporate income tax laws, including reducing the corporate Federal income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.  U. S. GAAP requires that the impact of the provisions of the Tax Act be accounted for in the period of enactment and the Company recognized the income tax effects of the Tax Act in its 2017 financial statements. 

As part of the acquisition of Hometown, the Company acquired net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards that Hometown had accumulated through acquisition date. The Company estimates the amount of NOL that it expects to utilize in the future will be approximately $2.0 million, and has recorded a deferred tax asset related to the NOL, which is included in the purchase accounting adjustments above.

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NOTE 14: DISCLOSURES ABOUT FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements, 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. Topic 820 also specifies a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices 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: Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities

The 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 include equity securities. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. Level 2 securities include U.S. government agencies, municipals, U.S. corporate and government sponsored mortgage-backed securities. The Company has no Level 3 securities.

Derivative financial instruments (Cash flow hedge): The Company’s open derivative positions are interest rate swap agreements. Those classified as Level 2 open derivative positions are valued using externally developed pricing models based on observable market inputs provided by a third party and validated by management. The Company has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its interest rate swap assets.

The following table presents the fair value measurements of assets recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

As of December 31, 2018
Financial assets:
	Level 1 inputs		Level 2 inputs		Level 3 inputs		Total fair value
Debt securities:
Municipals	$	-	$	33,770	$	-	$	33,770
Corporates		-		3,019		-		3,019
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		-		49,477		-		49,477
Available-for-sale securities	$	-	$	86,266	$	-	$	86,266
Interest Rate Swaps	$	-	$	1,272	$	-	$	1,272

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As of December 31, 2017
Financial assets:
	Level 1 inputs		Level 2 inputs		Level 3 inputs		Total fair value
Debt securities:
Municipals	$	-	$	33,898	$	-	$	33,898
Corporates		-		3,065		-		3,065
Government sponsored mortgage-backed securities and SBA loan pools		-		44,515		-		44,515
Available-for-sale securities	$	-	$	81,478	$	-	$	81,478
Interest Rate Swaps	$	-	$	568	$	-	$	568

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

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale: Fair value is estimated using recent appraisals, comparable sales and other estimates of value obtained principally from independent sources, adjusted for selling costs. Foreclosed assets held for sale are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Impaired loans (Collateral Dependent): Loans for which it is probable that the Company will not collect all principal and interest due according to contractual terms are measured for impairment. 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. 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.

The following table presents the fair value measurement of assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollar amounts in thousands):

Impaired loans:

	Level 1 inputs		Level 2 inputs		Level 3 inputs		Total fair value
December 31, 2018	$	-	$	-	$	10,428	$	10,428
December 31, 2017	$	-	$	-	$	2,224	$	2,224

Foreclosed assets held for sale:

	Level 1 inputs		Level 2 inputs		Level 3 inputs		Total fair value
December 31, 2018	$	-	$	-	$	909	$	909
December 31, 2017	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

There were no transfers between valuation levels for any asset during the years ended December 31, 2018 or 2017. If transfers are deemed necessary, the Company considers those transfers to occur at the end of the period when the assets are valued.

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The following table presents quantitative information about unobservable inputs used in nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements (dollar amounts in thousands):

	Fair Value December 31, 2018		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Impaired loans (collateral dependent)	$	10,428	Market Comparable	Discount to reflect realizable value		0%	-	100%	(8%)
Foreclosed assets held for sale	$	909	Market Comparable	Discount to reflect realizable value		25%	-	34%	(30%)

	Fair Value December 31, 2017		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
Impaired loans (collateral dependent)	$	2,224	Market Comparable	Discount to reflect realizable value		0%	-	100%	(12%)
Foreclosed assets held for sale	$	-	Market Comparable	Discount to reflect realizable value			0%

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all other financial instruments recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at amounts other than fair value.

Cash and cash equivalents, interest-bearing deposits and Federal Home Loan Bank stock

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate those assets' fair value.

Held-to-maturity securities

Fair value is based on quoted market prices, if available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities.

Loans

The fair value of loans is estimated on an exit price basis incorporating contractual cash flow, prepayment discount spreads, credit loss and liquidity premiums.

Deposits

Deposits include demand deposits, savings accounts, NOW accounts and certain money market deposits. The carrying amount approximates fair value. The fair value of fixed-maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

The fair value of advances is estimated by using rates on debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Subordinated debentures and Note Payable to Bank

For these variable rate instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value. There is currently a limited market for similar debt instruments and the Company has the option to call the subordinated debentures at an amount close to its par value.

Interest payable

The carrying amount approximates fair value.

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Commitments to originate loans, letters of credit and lines of credit

The fair value of commitments to originate loans is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present credit worthiness 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 value of letters of credit and lines of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date.

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

	December 31, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Hierarchy Level		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Hierarchy Level
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	34,121,642	$	34,121,642		1	$	37,406,930	$	37,406,930		1
Held-to-maturity securities		11,794		11,850		2		16,457		16,729		2
Federal Home Loan Bank stock		5,387,200		5,387,200		2		4,597,500		4,597,500		2
Mortgage loans held for sale		1,516,849		1,516,849		2		1,921,819		1,921,819		2
Loans, net		778,298,606		783,910,789		3		629,605,009		627,498,508		3
Interest receivable		3,390,944		3,390,944		2		2,449,847		2,449,847		2
Financial liabilities:
Deposits		749,618,822		747,903,071		2		607,364,350		606,548,280		2
FHLB advances		105,300,000		105,325,386		2		94,300,000		94,417,733		2
Subordinated debentures		21,760,829		21,760,829		3		15,465,000		15,465,000		3
Note payable to Bank		5,000,000		5,000,000		3		-		-
Interest payable		821,811		821,811		2		295,543		295,543		2
Unrecognized financial instruments (net of contractual value):
Commitments to extend credit		-		-		-		-		-		-
Unused lines of credit		-		-		-		-		-		-

NOTE 15: SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES AND CONCENTRATIONS

Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America require disclosure of certain significant estimates and current vulnerabilities due to certain concentrations. Estimates related to the allowance for loan losses are reflected in the footnote regarding loans. Current vulnerabilities due to certain concentrations of credit risk are discussed in the footnote regarding loans.

NOTE 16: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Equity Plans

On May 27, 2015, the Company’s stockholders voted to approve the Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. 2015 Equity Plan (the”2015 Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of up to 250,000 shares of Common Stock under equity awards including stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, performance units, or other equity-based awards payable in cash or stock to key employees and directors of the Company and the Bank. As of December 31, 2018, restricted stock for 54,369 shares of Common Stock and 55,823 of performance stock units has been granted under the Plan.

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On May 26, 2010, the Company’s stockholders voted to approve the Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. 2010 Equity Plan (the”2010 Plan”). The Plan provides for the grant of up to 200,000 shares of Common Stock under equity awards including stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, performance units, or other equity-based awards payable in cash or stock to key employees and directors of the Company and the Bank. As of December 31, 2018, non-incentive stock options for 25,000 shares and restricted stock for 139,330 shares of Common Stock have been granted under the Plan.

In addition, the Company established four stock option plans for the benefit of certain directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiary. A committee of the Company’s Board of Directors administers the plans. The stock options under these plans may be either incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options. Incentive stock options can be granted only to participants who are employees of the Company or its subsidiary. The option price must not be less than the market value of the Company stock on the date of grant. All options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. The options vest at the rate of 20% per year over a five-year period.

The tables below summarize transactions under the Company’s equity plans:

Stock Options

	Number of shares
	Incentive Stock Option			Non-Incentive Stock Option			Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance outstanding as of January 1, 2016		91,500			57,500			19.58
Granted		-			-			-
Exercised		(11,500	)		(5,000	)		5.20
Forfeited		(20,000	)		(2,500	)		28.34
Balance outstanding as of December 31, 2016		60,000			50,000			19.95
Granted		-			-			-
Exercised		(3,000	)		-			5.19
Forfeited		(11,000	)		(25,000	)		29.48
Balance outstanding as of December 31, 2017		46,000			25,000			15.74
Granted		-			-			-
Exercised		(13,500	)		(10,000	)		7.07
Forfeited		(20,000	)		(10,000	)		28.71
Balance outstanding as of December 31, 2018		12,500			5,000		$	5.14
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2018		12,500			5,000		$	5.14

As of December 31, 2018, total outstanding stock options of 17,500 had a remaining contractual life of 0.72 years.

The total intrinsic value of outstanding stock options was $292,200 and $664,220 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The total intrinsic value of outstanding exercisable stock options was $292,200 and $664,220 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The fair value of options vested during 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $0, $0 and $0, respectively.

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Restricted Stock

	Number of shares			Weighted Average Grant- Fair Value
Balance of shares non-vested as of January 1, 2016		43,477			12.75
Granted		24,679			15.01
Vested		(7,201	)		13.13
Forfeited		-			-
Balance of shares non-vested as of December 31, 2016		60,955			13.62
Granted		13,386			20.33
Vested		(28,791	)		12.29
Forfeited		-			-
Balance of shares non-vested as of December 31, 2017		45,550			16.44
Granted		13,338			22.41
Vested		(26,539	)		16.40
Forfeited		-			-
Balance of shares non-vested as of December 31, 2018		32,349		$	18.93

In February 2018, the Company granted 5,852 shares of restricted stock to directors pursuant to the 2015 Equity Plan that have a one year cliff vesting and expensed over that same period. In February 2017, the Company granted 6,960 shares of restricted stock to directors pursuant to the 2015 Equity Plan of which 6,195 have a cliff vesting at the end of one year and thus, expensed over that same period and 765 shares have a cliff vesting at the end of three years, and thus, expensed over that same period. In February 2016, the Company granted 9,336 shares of restricted stock to directors that have a one year cliff vesting. The expense is being recognized over the applicable vesting period. The expense relating to these awards for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $138,200, $135,274 and $126,032, respectively.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company granted 7,486, 6,426 and 15,343 shares of restricted stock to officers that all have a cliff vesting at the end of three years. The expense is being recognized over the applicable vesting period. The expense relating to these awards for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $183,815, $210,008 and $267,606, respectively.

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Performance Stock Units

	Performance Stock Units			Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Balance of shares non-vested as of January 1, 2017		-		$	-
Granted		55,823			20.48
Vested		-			-
Forfeited		-			-
Balance of shares non-vested as of December 31, 2017		55,823			20.48
Granted		-			-
Vested		-			-
Forfeited		(8,501	)		20.48
Balance of shares non-vested as of December 31, 2018		47,322		$	20.48

On March 29, 2017, the Company granted restricted stock units representing 55,823 hypothetical shares of common stock to officers. There are three possible levels of incentive awards: threshold (25%); target (50%); and maximum (100%). The restricted stock units vest based on two financial performance factors over the period from March 29, 2017 to December 31, 2019 (the “Performance Period”). The two performance measurements of the Company (and the weight given to each measurement) applicable to each award level are as follows: (i) Total Assets (50%) and (ii) Return on Average Assets (50%). In determining compensation expense, the fair value of the restricted stock unit awards was determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, which was $20.48 per share. The expense is being recognized over the applicable vesting period. Due to the fact that the measurements cannot be determined at the time of the grant, the Company estimated that the most likely outcome is the achievement of the target level. If during the Performance Period, additional information becomes available to lead the Company to believe a different level will be achieved for the Performance Period, the Company will reassess the number of units that will vest for the grant and adjust its compensation expense accordingly on a prospective basis. The total amount of expense for restricted stock units during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $263,204 and $153,242, respectively.

Total stock-based compensation expense is comprised of expense for restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options. Expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $585,219, $498,524 and $393,638, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, there was $622,206 of unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, which will be recognized over the remaining vesting periods.

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NOTE 17: NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, (Topic 606): Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). The scope of the guidance applies to revenue arising from contracts with customers, except for the following: lease contracts, insurance contracts, contractual rights and obligations within the scope of other guidance and nonmonetary exchanges between entities in the same line of business to facilitate sales to customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount equal to the consideration that the entity receives or expects to receive. ASU 2014-09 is not expected to significantly impact the timing or approach to revenue recognition for financial institutions. Initially, the amendments were effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, however, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) – Deferral of the Effective Date” which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities that are accounted for under GAAP, which comprises a significant portion of our revenue stream. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 during the first quarter of 2018 and completed an evaluation of the impact of the revenue streams which are included in the scope of these updates, such as deposit fees and revenue from the sale of other real estate owned. The Company concluded that the adoption of this update did not change significantly from our current practice of recognizing the in-scope non-interest income. In addition, we did not retroactively revise prior period amount or record a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption.

Descriptions of our significant revenue-generating transactions that are within the scope of the new revenue recognition standards, which are presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as components of non-interest income, are as follows:

● Service Charges on Deposit Accounts – Services charges on deposit accounts include general service fees for monthly account maintenance, account analysis fees, non-sufficient funds fees, wire transfer fees and other deposit account related fees. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is completed which is generally monthly for account maintenance services or when a transaction has been completed (such as a wire transfer). Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

● Gains/Losses on Sales of OREO – Gains/Losses on sales of OREO are recorded from the sale when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments- Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments, clarifies reporting disclosure requirements for financial instruments measured at amortized cost, and requires the exit price notion be disclosed when measuring fair value of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 details the required separate presentation in other comprehensive income for the change in fair value of a liability related to change in instrument specific credit risk and details the required separate presentation of financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and clarifies the guidance for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to available-for-sale securities. ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2016-01 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements but has had an impact on our fair value disclosures. See Note 14- Disclosures about Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities for further information regarding the valuation method for loans.

101

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” ASU 2016-02 establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements” which provides additional transition options including allowing entities to not apply the lease standard to the comparative periods presented in their financial statements in the year of adoption. The Company continues to evaluate which practical expedients to elect as well as the effect this standard will have on its financial statements and financial statement disclosures. Management estimates the impact of adopting this standard will result in approximately $10 million to $11 million of leased assets and related lease liabilities to be added to the Company’s balance sheet, with no significant impact expected to the income statement.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In November 2018, Update 2018-19 Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, was released that provided additional guidance on this Topic. Among other things, the amendments in this ASU require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. For SEC filers, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with later effective dates for non-SEC registrant public companies and other organizations. Early adoption will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company has formed a committee that is assessing our data and evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-13. The Company has also selected a third party vendor to assist in generating loan level cash flows and disclosures. The financial impact of adopting this standard is still being evaluated.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The update was intended to reduce the diversity in practice around how certain transactions are classified within the statement of cash flows with respect to eight types of cash flows. This new accounting guidance was effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles: Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test.  The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount.  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.  In addition, the income tax effects of tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable.  The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test.  An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the qualitative impairment test is necessary.  The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis.  The nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle should be disclosed upon transition.  The amendments in this update should be adopted for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019.  Early adoption is permitted on testing dates after January 1, 2017.  The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements, but it is not expected to have a material impact.

102

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Subtopic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. ASU 2017-09 clarifies when changes to terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. Under the new guidance, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a share-based payment award if all of the following are the same immediately before and after the change: (i) the fair value of the award, (ii) the vesting conditions of the award, and (iii) the classification of the award as either an equity or liability instrument. ASU 2017-09 was effective for the fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance requires companies to apply the requirements prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. ASU 2017-09 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted improvements to accounting for hedging activities. In October 2018, ASU 2018-16, provided additional guidance on this Topic. The purpose of this updated guidance is to better align financial reporting for hedging activities with the economic objectives of those activities. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, permitted.  The standard requires the modified retrospective transition approach as of the date of adoption.  Implementation of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU provides financial statement preparers with an option to reclassify stranded tax effects within AOCI to retained earnings in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (or portion thereof) are recorded. This standard is effective for all organizations for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Organizations should apply the proposed amendments either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2018-02 and, as a result, reclassified $31,818 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings as of December 31, 2017. The reclassification impacted the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the Consolidated Statement of Stockholder’s Equity as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU applies to all entities that are required, under existing GAAP, to make disclosures about recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements. Disclosures removed by this ASU are the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the valuation process for Level 3 measurements. This ASU modifies disclosures relating to investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value. Additional disclosures require by the ASU include: 1) change in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and 2) range and weighted average of significant observable inputs used to develop Level 3 measurements. The prospective method of transition is required for the new disclosure requirements. The other amendments should be applied retrospectively. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years or January 1, 2020 for the Company. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements, but at this time do not believe the standard will have a significant impact on the financial statements.

103

NOTE 18: OTHER EXPENSES

Other expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:

	December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Directors compensation	$	235,060	$	231,479	$	221,072
Outside services		122,715		73,966		132,500
Legal expense		249,572		261,088		251,051
Deposit expense		78,892		110,897		139,234
Office supplies		160,727		105,780		94,189
Telephone		183,732		173,160		158,434
Postage		175,614		138,864		141,529
Insurance		113,610		118,483		115,430
Supervisory exam		67,222		55,849		53,951
Accounting		453,000		207,652		210,939
Organization dues		172,259		155,121		145,709
Loan expense		410,177		361,389		271,739
Contributions		60,000		60,000		60,000
ATM expense		245,892		170,455		152,581
Other operating		1,618,683		637,961		673,565
	$	4,347,155	$	2,862,144	$	2,821,923

NOTE 19: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has granted loans to executive officers and directors and their affiliates. Annual activity consisted of the following:

	Year ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Balance, beginning of year	$	6,528,933		$	5,822,136		$	3,946,621
New Loans		2,795,734			1,523,847			3,112,689
Repayments		(3,526,858	)		(817,050	)		(1,237,174	)
Balance, end of year	$	5,797,809		$	6,528,933		$	5,822,136

In management's opinion, such loans and other extensions of credit and deposits were made in the ordinary course of business and were made on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. Further, in management's opinion, these loans did not involve more than normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.

104

NOTE 20: COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT RISK

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since a portion of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Bank evaluates each customer's credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Bank had outstanding commitments to originate fixed-rate mortgage loans of approximately $5,600,000 and $7,261,000, respectively. The commitments extend over varying periods of time with the majority being disbursed within a thirty-day period.

Standby letters of credit are irrevocable conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Financial standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support public and private borrowing arrangements, including commercial paper, bond financing and similar transactions. Performance standby letters of credit are issued to guarantee performance of certain customers under non-financial contractual obligations. The credit risk involved in issuing standby letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. Fees for letters of credit are initially recorded by the Bank as deferred revenue and are included in earnings at the termination of the respective agreements. Should the Bank be obligated to perform under the standby letters of credit, the Bank may seek recourse from the customer for reimbursement of amounts paid.

The Bank had total outstanding standby letters of credit amounting to $12,218,000 and $12,733,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, with terms ranging from 1 year to 5 years.

The Bank has confirming letters of credit from the FHLB issued for collateral on public deposits and to enhance Bank issued letters of credit granted to various customers for industrial revenue bond issues.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, these letters of credit aggregated approximately $61,751,000 and $39,422,000. 

Lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Lines of credit generally have fixed expiration dates. Since a portion of the line may expire without being drawn upon, the total unused lines do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Each customer's credit worthiness is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management's credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, commercial real estate and residential real estate. Management uses the same credit policies in granting lines of credit as it does for on balance sheet instruments.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, unused lines of credit to borrowers aggregated approximately $104,570,000 and $117,068,000, respectively, for commercial lines and $22,254,000 and $15,929,000, respectively, for open-end consumer lines.

105

NOTE 21: DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company records all derivative financial instruments at fair value in the financial statements. Derivatives are used as a risk management tool to hedge the exposure to changes in interest rates or other identified market risks.

When a derivative is intended to be a qualifying hedged instrument, the Company prepares written hedge documentation that designates the derivative as 1) a hedge of fair value of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge) or 2) a hedge of a forecasted transaction, such as, the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). The written documentation includes identification of, among other items, the risk management objective, hedging instrument, hedged item, and methodologies for assessing and measuring hedge effectiveness and ineffectiveness, along with support for management’s assertion that the hedge will be highly effective.

In June 2017, the Company entered into a forward start interest rate swap agreement totaling $50 million notional amount to hedge against interest rate risk on FHLB advances. As a cash flow hedge, the portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative that has been deemed highly effective is recognized in other comprehensive income until the related cash flows from the hedged item are recognized in earnings. At December 31, 2018, the Company reported a $947,296 unrealized gain, net of a $324,242 tax effect, in accumulated other comprehensive income related to this cash flow hedge. The Company documents, both at inception and periodically over the life of the hedge, its analysis of actual and expected hedge effectiveness. To the extent that the hedge of future cash flows is deemed ineffective, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings as a component of other noninterest expense. For the year ended December 31, 2018, there was no ineffectiveness attributable to the cash flow hedge.

Due to the swap being in a gain position the counterparty has pledged collateral of $1.47 million that is held in cash as of December 31, 2018.

A summary of the Company’s derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2018 and 2017 is shown in the following table:

Forward Start

Termination

Derivative

Notional

Rate

Rate

Estimated Fair Value

Estimated Fair Value

Inception Date

Date

Type

Amount

Paid

Hedged

at December 31, 2018

at December 31, 2017

2/28/2018

2/28/2025

Interest rate swap

$

50,000,000

2.12

%

3 month LIBOR Floating

$

1,271,538

$

567,704

NOTE 22: ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, included in stockholders’ equity, are as follows:

	Years ended December 31,
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, included in stockholders' equity, are as follows:
	2018			2017
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities	$	(1,836,462	)	$	(844,379	)
Net unrealized gain on interest rate swap instrument		1,271,538			567,704
		(564,924	)		(276,675	)
Tax effect		112,168			70,482
Net-of-tax amount	$	(452,756	)		(206,193	)

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NOTE 23: OPERATING LEASES

The Company has entered into various operating leases at its locations. Many of the leases have renewal options.

At December 31, 2018, future minimum lease payments were as follows (in thousands):

2019	$	1,032
2020		993
2021		964
2022		962
2023		956
Thereafter		3,573
	$	8,480

Rental expense was $936,168, $172,035 and $142,558 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

NOTE 24: CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY STATEMENTS

The condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 for the parent company, Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc., are as follows:

Condensed Balance Sheets	December 31,
	2018			2017
Assets
Cash	$	1,476,735		$	713,996
Investment in subsidiary		104,786,630			89,319,774
Investment in Capital Trusts		651,000			465,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets		132,946			19,148
Deferred and receivable income taxes		1,006,823			469,020
	$	108,054,134		$	90,986,938
Liabilities
Subordinated debentures	$	21,760,829		$	15,465,000
Note payable		5,000,000			-
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		807,813			623,545
Due to subsidiary		6,900			6,900
Stockholders' equity
Common stock		690,200			687,850
Additional paid-in capital		51,382,585			50,856,069
Retained earnings		65,829,687			60,679,308
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(452,756	)		(206,193	)
Treasury stock		(36,971,124	)		(37,125,541	)
	$	108,054,134		$	90,986,938

107

Condensed Statements of Income	Years ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Income
Dividends from subsidiary bank	$	14,000,000		$	2,000,000		$	-
Interest income:
Other		31,016			19,017			50,332
		14,031,016			2,019,017			50,332
Expense
Interest expense:
Related party		120,503			631,202			579,410
Other		2,773,018			1,158,462			931,816
		2,893,521			1,789,664			1,511,226
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed income (loss) of subsidiaries		11,137,495			229,353			(1,460,894	)
Credit for income taxes		(780,131	)		(689,813	)		(435,000	)
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries		11,917,626			919,166			(1,025,894	)
Equity in undistributed income (distributions in excess) of subsidiaries		(4,585,747	)		4,238,498			6,619,905
Net income	$	7,331,879		$	5,157,664		$	5,594,011

108

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows	Years ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$	7,331,879		$	5,157,664		$	5,594,011
Items not requiring (providing) cash:
Equity in undistributed income (distributions in excess) of subsidiaries		4,585,747			(4,238,498	)		(6,619,905	)
Deferred income taxes		(196,399	)		-			8,988
Accretion of purchase accounting adjustment		(65,897	)		-			-
Stock award plan expense		517,053			466,469			373,782
Gain on investment securities		-			-			(18,889	)
Changes in:
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(113,711	)		(73,584	)		(700	)
Income taxes payable/refundable		(341,404	)		(420,444	)		139,837
Accrued expenses		(1,360,728	)		2,390			32,450
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		10,356,540			893,997			(490,426	)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Capital contributions to subsidiary bank		(5,000,000	)		-			-
Cash paid for acquistion		(4,627,810	)		-			-
Proceeds from sales of AFS securities		-			-			121,101
Net cash provided by investing activities		(9,627,810	)		-			121,101
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Proceeds from stock options exercised		166,230			15,570			85,800
Cash dividends paid on common stock		(2,132,221	)		(1,767,486	)		(1,415,180	)
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable		5,000,000			-			-
Repayment of notes payable		(3,000,000	)		-			-
Treasury Stock purchased		-			-			(371,538	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		34,009			(1,751,916	)		(1,700,918	)
Increase (Decrease) in cash		762,739			(857,919	)		(2,070,243	)
Cash, beginning of year		713,996			1,571,915			3,642,158
Cash, end of year	$	1,476,735		$	713,996		$	1,571,915

109

Statements of Comprehensive Income	Years ended December 31,
	2018			2017		2016
NET INCOME	$	7,331,879		$	5,157,664	$	5,594,011
OTHER ITEMS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale, before income taxes		-			-		2,695
Income tax expense related to other items of comprehensive income		-			-		(997	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-			-		3,692
Comprehensive income (loss) of Bank		(246,563	)		1,103,048		(628,977	)
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$	7,085,316		$	6,260,712	$	4,968,726

110

NOTE 25: UNAUDITED QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS

	Year Ended December 31, 2018, Quarter ended
	Mar-18		Jun-18			Sep-18		Dec-18
Interest income	$	7,956,316	$	10,379,125		$	13,377,875	$	11,532,388
Interest expense		1,925,064		2,406,858			2,648,869		2,946,828
Net interest income		6,031,252		7,972,267			10,729,006		8,585,560
Provision for loan losses		225,000		500,000			200,000		300,000
Gain on loans and investment securities		553,602		831,919			858,254		609,521
Other noninterest income, net		765,437		1,121,893			603,504		1,207,810
Noninterest expense		5,475,855		10,222,637			6,665,849		7,093,992
Income before income taxes		1,649,436		(796,558	)		5,324,915		3,008,899
Provision for income taxes		293,691		(453,574	)		1,390,673		624,023
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,355,745	$	(342,984	)	$	3,934,242	$	2,384,876
Basic income per common share	$	0.31	$	(0.08	)	$	0.89	$	0.54
Diluted income per common share	$	0.30	$	(0.08	)	$	0.88	$	0.53

	Year Ended December 31, 2017, Quarter ended
	Mar-17		Jun-17		Sep-17		Dec-17
Interest income	$	6,771,402	$	7,241,508	$	7,525,187	$	7,902,636
Interest expense		1,173,461		1,352,309		1,473,190		2,087,594
Net interest income		5,597,941		5,889,199		6,051,997		5,815,042
Provision for loan losses		475,000		575,000		450,000		250,000
Gain on loans and investment securities		539,102		710,665		858,826		799,123
Other noninterest income, net		690,263		656,395		712,043		760,903
Noninterest expense		4,419,620		4,567,916		5,011,832		5,603,718
Income before income taxes		1,932,686		2,113,343		2,161,034		1,521,350
Provision for income taxes		503,445		520,770		443,651		1,102,883
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,429,241	$	1,592,573	$	1,717,383	$	418,467
Basic income per common share	$	0.33	$	0.36	$	0.39	$	0.10
Diluted income per common share	$	0.32	$	0.36	$	0.39	$	0.09

111

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Springfield, Missouri

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, 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, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018, 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, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 8, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

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 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 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.

/s/BKD, LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1980.

Springfield, Missouri

March 8, 2019

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants On Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). 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 of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) 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. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention of overriding controls. Accordingly, even effective internal controls over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. 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.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the framework set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, has been audited by BKD, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 is set forth below.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders

Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.

Springfield, Missouri

Opinion on the Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.’s (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) 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, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework: (2013) issued by COSO.

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 March 8, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for Opinion

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 on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  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.

Definitions and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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.

/s/ BKD, LLP

Springfield, Missouri

March 8, 2019

Item 9B. Other Information

Not applicable.

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information contained under the section captioned "First Proposal: Election of Directors" (excluding any information contained under the section captioned “Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors”) of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics, and it applies to all of the members of the Board of Directors, officers and employees of the Company (including the Bank), with special emphasis on compliance by the directors of the Company and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer or Controller or persons performing similar functions for the Company. The Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics is available on the Company’s website at www.gbankmo.com and may be accessed by logging onto the Company’s website and clicking on the “About Us” link and then the “Code of Conduct” link. You will then be able to click on, and access, the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. Amendments to, and waivers granted under, the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics, if any, will be posted to the Company’s website as well.

The information required by Item 10 regarding an audit committee financial expert and the identification of the members of the audit committee, a separately designated committee of the Company’s Board of Directors established in accordance with section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, is contained under the section captioned “Report of the Audit Committee” of the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Additional information required by this item is contained (i) in the Proxy Statement under the section captioned "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" and is incorporated herein by reference, and (ii) under the section captioned "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Item 1 of this report.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information contained in the Proxy Statement under the section captioned "Report of the Compensation Committee” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Information required by this item is contained under the section captioned "Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

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The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2018 with respect to equity plans under which shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued:

2018 Equity Compensation Plan Information
					(c)
					Number of securities
					remaining available
	(a)		(b)		for future issuance
	Number of securities to be		Weighted-average		under equity
	issued upon exercise of		exercise price of		compensation plans
	outstanding options,		outstanding options,		(excluding securities
Plan category	warrants and rights		warrants and rights		reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders		17,500	$	5.14		148,309
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		-		-		-
Totals		17,500	$	5.14		148,309

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this item is contained under the sections captioned "Indebtedness of Management and Directors and Transactions with Certain Related Persons" and “Director Independence” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item is contained under the section captioned "Principal Accountant Fees and Services" in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Schedules

1.    Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements and the report of independent registered public accounting firm are filed as part of this report under Item 8.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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2.    Financial statement schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

3.    The following exhibits are filed with this Report or incorporated herein by reference:

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Exhibit Description
2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, between Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. and Hometown Bancshares, Inc. dated November 30, 2017 (10)
3(i).1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. (1)
3(ii)	Bylaws of Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc., as amended (1)
10.7	2004 Stock Option Plan *(2)
10.8	Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Option Plan *(3)
10.9	Form of Non-Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Stock Option Plan *(4)
10.17	Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. 2010 Equity Plan *(5)
10.23	Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc. 2015 Equity Plan *(6)
10.24	Amendment to Employment Agreements, Amendment to Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated June 1, 2016, between the Company and H. Michael Mattson and Written Description of 2016 Executive Incentive Compensation Annual Plans- Chief Executive, Chief Financial, Chief Operating, and Chief Credit Officers *(7)
10.25	Employment Agreement, dated June 27, 2016, between the Company and H. Charley Puls and Written Description of 2016 Executive Incentive Compensation Annual Plan- Chief Lending Officer *(8)
10.26	Written Description of 2017 Executive Incentive Compensation Annual Plans and Long-Term Incentive Performance Share Plan-Chief Executive, Chief Financial, Chief Operating, Chief Lending and Chief Credit Officers *(9)
21	Subsidiaries of the Registrant (See Item 1. Business – Subsidiary and Segment Information)
23	Consent of BKD, LLP
31(i).1	Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
31(i).2	Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act
32	Officer certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101	The following materials from Guaranty Federal Bancshares, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (unaudited), (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited), (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited), (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), and (vi) related notes. (11)
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

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(1) Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998 (SEC File No. 0-23325) and incorporated herein by reference.

(2) Filed as Appendix A to the proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders held on May 19, 2004 (SEC File No. 0-23325) and incorporated herein by reference.

(3) Filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 filed by the Registrant on March 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(4) Filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 filed by the Registrant on March 30, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.

(5) Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form S-8 Registration Statement filed by the Registrant on October 29, 2010 (SEC File No. 333-170205) and incorporated herein by reference.

(6) Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on May 28, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.

(7) Filed as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.9 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on June 3, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.

(8) Filed as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on June 28, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.

(9) Filed as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on March 29, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

(10) Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on December 1, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.

(11) Filed as Exhibits 10.1 through 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on May 7, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None

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SIGNATURES

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.

		GUARANTY FEDERAL BANCSHARES, INC.
Dated: March 8, 2019	By:	/s/ Shaun A. Burke
		Shaun A. Burke
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Duly Authorized Representative)

Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:	/s/ Shaun A. Burke	By:	/s/ Tim Rosenbury
	Shaun A. Burke		Tim Rosenbury
	President and Chief Executive Officer and Director		Director
	(Principal Executive Officer)
Date:	March 8, 2019	Date:	March 8, 2019
By:	/s/ Carter Peters	By:	/s/ James R. Batten
	Carter Peters		James R. Batten
	EVP and Chief Financial Officer		Chairman of the Board and Director
	(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
Date:	March 8, 2019	Date:	March 8, 2019
By:	/s/ John Griesemer	By:	/s/ James L. Sivils, III
	John Griesemer		James L. Sivils, III
	Director		Director
Date:	March 8, 2019	Date:	March 8, 2019
By:	/s/ David T. Moore	By:	/s/ Greg A. Horton
	David T. Moore		Greg A. Horton
	Director		Director
Date:	March 8, 2019	Date:	March 8, 2019
By:	/s/ Kurt D. Hellweg	By:	/s/ Tony Scavuzzo
	Kurt D. Hellweg		Tony Scavuzzo
	Director		Director
Date:	March 8, 2019	Date:	March 8, 2019

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